Science Question Paper – Answer Key
Maximum Marks: 60 Time: 2 Hours
Section A (1 mark each)
Q1. Medulla oblongata (part of hindbrain) controls involuntary actions like breathing and heartbeat.
Q2. Seminal vesicles secrete fructose-rich fluid that nourishes sperm and contributes to semen
volume.
Q3. Mitochondria, because they generate ATP through cellular respiration.
Q4. Virtual, erect and magnified image (behind the mirror).
Q5. Different wavelengths of white light refract by different amounts (variation of refractive index
with wavelength).
Q6. Retina contains photoreceptors (rods & cones) and converts light into nerve impulses.
Section B (2 marks each)
Q7. Sensory neurons carry impulses from receptors to CNS; motor neurons carry impulses from
CNS to effectors (muscles/glands).
Q8. Placenta facilitates exchange of nutrients, gases and wastes between mother and fetus; also
secretes hormones supporting pregnancy.
Q9. Bile (i) emulsifies fats, increasing surface area for lipase, (ii) neutralizes acidic chyme providing
alkaline medium.
Q10. Given: Convex lens, f = +20 cm, image distance v = +60 cm (real). Using lens formula 1/f =
1/v − 1/u:
1/20 = 1/60 − 1/u ⇒ 1/u = −1/30 ⇒ u = −30 cm.
Answer: Object should be placed 30 cm in front of the lens.
Q11. Due to scattering of shorter wavelengths (blue) by molecules and particles in the atmosphere
(Rayleigh scattering).
Q12. Accommodation is the ability of the eye lens to change its focal length/curvature to focus near
and distant objects; e.g., ciliary muscles contract to see a nearby book.
Section C (3 marks each)
Q13. Binary fission (Amoeba): one parent cell splits into two equal halves; no cyst formation.
Multiple fission (Plasmodium): nucleus divides repeatedly to form many daughter nuclei, then
cytoplasm divides; often inside a cyst/sporocyst.
Q14. Nephron: Bowman’s capsule + glomerulus (filtration); proximal tubule (reabsorption), loop of
Henle (concentrates filtrate), distal tubule & collecting duct (selective reabsorption/secretion).
Function: forms urine and maintains water–salt balance.
Q15. Given: Concave mirror, f = −8 cm, u = −16 cm (object 16 cm in front). Mirror formula 1/f = 1/v
+ 1/u:
1/(−8) = 1/v + 1/(−16) ⇒ 1/v = −1/16 ⇒ v = −16 cm.
Magnification m = −v/u = −(−16)/(−16) = −1 ⇒ image height = −2 cm.
Answer: Image 16 cm in front of mirror, real, inverted, same size (2 cm).
Q16. Cerebrum: controls voluntary actions, intelligence, memory, sensation; Cerebellum: balance,
posture, fine motor coordination; Medulla oblongata: involuntary functions—breathing, heartbeat,
peristalsis.
Q17. Asexual: one parent, no gametes, no variation, fast; Sexual: two parents/gamete fusion,
variation introduced, slower; sexual reproduction aids adaptation.
Q18. Given: Convex lens, f = +15 cm, v = +30 cm (real). 1/f = 1/v − 1/u ⇒ 1/15 = 1/30 − 1/u ⇒ 1/u =
−1/30 ⇒ u = −30 cm.
Magnification m = v/u = 30/(−30) = −1. Answer: Object 30 cm in front; real, inverted, same size.
Section D (4 marks each)
Q19. Modes: Hydra – budding; Rhizopus – sporulation (asexual) & sexual by gamete fusion;
Plasmodium – multiple fission; Flowering plants – sexual reproduction via flowers (pollination &
fertilization).
Advantage of sexual reproduction: genetic variation enhances adaptability and survival.
Q20. Alimentary canal labels: Oesophagus → Stomach → Pancreas (opens into duodenum) →
Small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum).
Digestion in small intestine: Pancreatic enzymes (amylase, trypsin, lipase) + bile (emulsifies fats)
+ intestinal enzymes complete digestion; absorption through villi/microvilli into blood/lymph.
Q21. (a) Numerical: Convex lens, f = +20 cm, u = −60 cm. 1/f = 1/v − 1/u ⇒ 1/20 = 1/v + 1/60 ⇒ 1/v
= 1/30 ⇒ v = +30 cm.
Magnification m = v/u = 30/(−60) = −0.5 (real, inverted, half size).
(b) Common defects: Myopia (short-sightedness) – corrected by concave lens; Hypermetropia
(long-sightedness) – corrected by convex lens. (Astigmatism – cylindrical lens; presbyopia –
bifocals).
Q22. (a) Prism: incident ray refracts towards normal on entry, deviates; emerges away from
normal—mark angle of deviation (δ) between extension of incident ray and emergent ray.
(b) Rainbow forms by dispersion, refraction and internal reflection of sunlight in raindrops; different
wavelengths emerge at different angles, producing a spectrum (red outer, violet inner).