Heredity and Evolution

Heredity and hereditary changes: Refer book.

DNA: [Link]

Transcription, translation and translocation: [Link]

Mutation: [Link]

Evolution:

Theory of Evolution/ Darwins's theory of natural selection:

1. [Link] (only music and notes with pics)
2. [Link] (BBC a little fast)

Evidence of evolution:
[Link]
4. 2 Theory of continental drift: [Link]
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4.3. Carbon dating:[Link]
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&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dwhat%2Bis%2Bcarbon%2Bdating%253f%26FORM
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5. Connecting links:
[Link]

Speciation:[Link]

Human Evolution: [Link]

Points to Remember!

Heredity and hereditary changes

- Heredity is the transfer of biological characters from one generation to another via genes.
- Johann Gregor Mendel is pioneer of modern genetics.
- In 1901, mutational theory was given by Hugo de Vries.
- In 1902, paired chromosomes in the cells of grasshopper were observed by Walter Sutton.'
- In 1944, all living organisms except viruses have DNA as genetic material was proved by trio of scientists
Ostwald Avery, Mclyn McCarthy and Colin MacLeod.
- In 1961, a model was proposed for process of protein synthesis with the help of DNA by Francois jacob
and Jack Monad.
- Science of heredity is useful for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heredity disorders, production of
hybrid varieties of animals and plants and in industrial processes in which microbes are used.

Transcription, Translation and Translocation

- Information about protein synthesis is stored in the DNA and synthesis of appropriate proteins as per
requirement is necessary for body. These proteins are synthesized by DNA through RNA. This is called as
'Central Dogma'.
- Process of RNA synthesis is called as 'transcription'.
- The code for each amino acid consists of three nucleotides. It is called as 'triplet codon'.
- Dr. Har Govind Khorana, made an important contribution in discovery of triplet co dons for 20 amino
acids.
- As per the message on mRNA, amino acids are supplied by the tRNA. For this purpose, tRNA has
'anticodon' having complementary sequence to the codon on mRNA. This is called Translation.
- The ribosome keeps on moving from one end of mRNA to other end by the distance of one tripletcodon.
This is called 'Translocation' such many chains come together to form complex proteins.
- These proteins control various functions in the body of living organisms and their appearance too. -
Sometimes any nucleotide of the gene changes its position, that causes a minor change which is nothing but
the mutation.

Evolution
- Formation of new species due to changes in specific characters of several generations of living organ isms
as a response to natural selection is called as evolution.
- 3.5 billion years ago, life had been non-existent on the earth. First primitive type of cells may have been
formed from the mixture of different types of organic and inorganic compounds.
- There may have been some differences among those cells and according to the principle of natural
selection, some may have shown good growth and some may have perished which could not adjust with the
surrounding.
Evidences of evolution :
1. Morphological evidences : Various similarities like structure of mouth in animals and leaf shape in plants
indicate that there are some similarities in those groups and hence, it proves that their origin must be same
and must have common ancestors.
2. Anatomical evidences : There is similarity in structure of bones and bony joints in organs of each of
human, cat, bat and whale. This similarity indicates that those animals may have common ancestors.
3. Vestigial organs: Degenerated or underdeveloped useless organs of organisms are called as vestigial
organs. Various vestigial organs like tail bone (coccyx), wisdom teeth and body hairs are present in human
beings.
4. Paleontological evidences: Remnants and impressions of organisms remain preserved underground. These
are called as fossils. The time passed since the death of a plant or animal can be calculated by measuring the
radioactivity of C-14 and ratio of C-14 to C-12 present in their body. This is called ' carbon dating'. It is used
in paleontology and anthropology for determining the age of human fossils and manuscripts.
5. Embryological evidences: Comparative study of embryonic developmental stages of various vertebrates
shows that all embryos show similarity during initial stages and those similarities decrease gradually.
Darwin's theory of natural selection.
- Charles Darwin published the theory of natural selection which preaches the survival of the fittest. -
Darwin had published a book titled 'Origin of Species'.
Lamarckism
- Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed that morphological changes occurring in living organisms are responsible
for evolution and the reason behind those morphological changes is activities or laziness of that organism.
- Development of organs due to specific activities or their degeneration due to no use at all was widely
accepted but transfer of those characters from generation to generation was rejected. Because it had been
verified many times that modifications brought in us are not transferred to next generation and thereby,
Lamarck's theory was disproved.
Speciation
- Formation of new species of plants and animals is the effect of evolution.
- Geographical or reproductive isolation also leads to speciation.
Human evolution
(An Eagle Dived Randomly At Skilled Man Near the Crossing - And Went Merrily to India)
7cr 4cr 2.5cr 1cr 40l 20l 15l 1.5l 50k 10k 5k 4c 2c
- Humans are said to have evolved from ancient animals like lemur approximately 7 crore years ago.
- There has been consistent evolution in man since then.
- Apes which started to live on land as forest declined showed gradual developement.
- Their lumbar bones developed, their posture changed and they started using hands.
- These apes then grew up in size and became more intelligent.
- The first human like animal recorded was 'Ramapithecus'ape from East Africa.
- Development of apes continued with development of their brains and discovery of fire.
- These developed apes were called as Homo sapiens.
- 'Neanderthal man was the first Homo sapiens.

Q.1. (A) 1. Fill in the blanks:

(1) _____ is pioneer of the modern genetics.
(2) _____ is the transfer of biological characters from one generation to another via genes.
(3) Each mRNAis made up of thousands of _____.
(4) Vertebrates have slowly originated from _____.
(5) _____ is the connecting link between annelida and arthopoda.
(6) Darwin had published a book titled _____.
(7) _____ man can be considered as the first example of wise man.
(8) _____ is produced as per the sequence of nucleotides on DNA.
(9) There is in RNA _____ instead of thymine of DNA.
(10) The code for each amino acid consists of three nucleotides, called as _____ .
(11) _____ , a scientist of Indian origin discovered triplet codons for 20 amino acids.
(12) Ribosome keeps moving from one end of mRNA to other end by the distance of one triplet codon. This
is called as _____ .
(13) Sometimes, any nucleotide of the gene changes its position which cause a minor change is called _____
(14) Carbon dating method is developed by _____ .
(15) Ape-like animals reached the South and NorthEast Asia and finally evolved into _____ .
(16) The first human-like animals with erect posture evolved about _____ years ago.
(17) First record of human-like animal is in the _____ form of ape from East Africa.
(18) Human walking with erect posture was evolved about _____ years ago.
(19) The _____ evolved about 50 thousand years ago.
(20) About _____ years ago, wise-man started to practice agriculture.

Ans. (1) Johann Gregor Mendel (2) Heredity (3) triplet codons (4) invertebrates (5) Peripatus (6) Origin of
Species (7) Neanderthal (8) mRNA (9) Uracil (10) triplet codon (11) Dr. Har Govind Khorana (12)
translocation (13) mutation (14) Willard Libby (15) gibbon and orangutan (16) 2 crore (17) Ramapithecus
(18) 15 lakh (19) Cro-Magnon man (20) 10 thousand

Q.1. (A) 2. Complete the statements by choosing correct options from bracket.
(Gene, Mutation, Translocation, Transcription, Gradual development, Appendix)
(1) The causality behind the sudden changes was understood due to principle of Hugo de Vries.
(2) The proof for the fact that protein synthesis occurs through was given by George Beadle and Edward
Tatum.
(3) Transfer of information from molecule of DNA to mRNA is called as process.
(4) Evolution means .
(5) Vestigial organ present in human body is the proof of evolution.
Ans. (1) Mutation (2) gene (3) Transcription (4) Gradual development (5) Appendix

Q.1. (A) 3. Find the odd one out:

(1) Transcription, translation, translocation, transpiration.
(2) Appendix, muscles of ear pinna, wisdom teeth, long neck of giraffe
Ans. (1) Transpiration - Others are processes of complex protein synthesis (2) Long neck of Giraffe - Others
are vestigial organs

Q.1. (A) 4. Match the columns:

(1) Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’
(1) Walter Sutton (a) All living organisms have DNA (1944)
(2) Ostwald Avery, Mclyn Mccarthy and Colin MacLeod (b) Process of protein synthesis (1961) (3)
Francois Jacob and Jack Monad (c) Triplet codons for 20 amino acids
(4) Dr. Har Govind Khorana (d) Carbon dating
(5) Willard Libby (e) Paired chromosomes in the cells (1902)
(f) Mutation
Ans. (1 – e); (2 – a); (3 – b); (4 – c); (5 – d) 8

(2) Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’

(1) Aves and Mammals (a) Mesozoic era
(2) Reptiles (b) Cenozoic era
(3) Reptiles, amphibia, pisces (c) Paleozoic era
Ans. (1 – b); (2 – a); (3 – c) Q.1. (A) 5.

State whether True or False. Correct the wrong ones.

(1) Complex proteins control various functions in the body of living organisms and their appearance too.
(2) Mutation may cause the genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia.
(3) Muscles of ear pinna, which are useful to human, are useless in monkeys for movement of ear pinna.
(4) Evolution is a gradual change occurring in living organisms over a long duration.
(5) Waltor Sutton is the pioneer of modern genetics.
(6) Ostwald Avery, Mclyn McCarthy and Colin Macleod proposed a model for process of protein synthesis
with the help of DNA in bacterial cells
(7) Information about protein synthesis is stored in the RNA.
(8) Both the strands of DNA are used in the process of protein synthesis.
(9) The process of RNA synthesis is called translation.
(10) Amino acids are supplied by tRNA .
(11) First living material has been formed in the ocean.
(12) Appendix is useless to humans.
(13) Duckbill platypus is a connecting link between annelida and arthropoda.
(14) Geographical or reproductive isolation leads to speciation.
(15) About 10 thousand years ago, wise man started to practice agriculture.

Ans. (1) True (2) True (3) False - Muscles of ear pinna, which are useless to human are useful in monkeys
for movement of ear pinna. (4) True (5) False - Johann Gregor Mendel is the pioneer of modern genetics. (6)
False - French geneticists Francois Jacob and Jack Monad proposed a model for process of protein synthesis
with the help of DNA in bacterial cells. (7) False - Information about protein synthesis is stored in the DNA.
(8) False - Only one of the two strands of DNA are used in the process of protein synthesis. (9) False - The
process of RNA synthesis is called as transcription. (10) True (11)True (12)True (13) False - Peripatus is a
connecting link between annelida and arthropoda. (14) True (15) True
Q.1. (A) 6. Name the following
(1) First record of human like animal in the form of ape from East Africa.
(2) He called his concept as principle of ‘use or disuse of organs’.
(3) Example indicating that mammals are evolved from reptiles and amphibians from fishes.
Ans. (1) Ramapithecus (2) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (3) Duck billed platypus, Lungfish

Q.1. (B) Choose the correct alternative from the options:

(1) _____ proved that except viruses, all living organisms have DNA as their genetic material.
(a) Ostwald Avery (b) Mclyn McCarthy (c) Colin MacLeod (d) All of these
(2) _____ proposed a model for protein synthesis with the help of DNA in bacterial cells.
(a) Johann Gregor Mendel (b) Walter and Sutton (c) Francois Jacob and Jack Monad (d) Hugo de Vries
(3) Information about protein synthesis is stored in the _____
(a) mitochondria (b) DNA (c) RNA (d) ribosomes
(4)_____ brings in the coded message from the DNA.
(a) mRNA (b) tRNA (c) rRNA (d) ribosomes
(5) As per the message on mRNA, amino acids are supplied by tRNA. This is called as _____ .
(a) transcription (b) translation (c) translocation (d) transportation
(6) _____ is a gradual change occurring in living organisms over a long duration.
(a) Evolution (b) Mutation (c) Variation (d) Heredity
(7) The theory of natural selection was proposed by _____ . (a) Mendel (b) Lamarck (c) Charles Darwin (d)
Hugo de Vries Heredity and Evolution
(8) Carbon dating method measures the radioactivity of C-14 and the ratio of present in the organism’s body.
(a) C-12 to C-14 (b) C-6 to C-7 (c) C-14 to C-12 (d) C-14 to O-16
(9) Mammals have evolved from (a) aves (b) reptiles (c) amphibians (d) fishes
(10) _____ is not a vestigial organ in man. (a) Appendix (b) Wisdom tooth (c) Body hair (d) Duodenum
Ans. (1) (d) All of these (2) (c) Francois Jacob and Jack Monad ( 3 ) ( b ) D N A ( 4 ) ( a ) m R N A ( 5 ) ( b )
t r a n s l a t i o n (6) (a) Evolution (7) (c) Charles Darwin (8) (c) C-14 to C-12 (9) (b) reptiles (10) (d)
Duodenum

Q.2.1. Define the following

(1) Heredity : Ans. Heredity is the transfer of biological characters from one generation to another via
genes.
(2) Evolution : Ans. Formation of new species due to changes in specific characters of several generations
of living organisms as a response to natural selection is called as evolution.
(3) Vestigial organs : Ans. Degenerated or underdeveloped useless organs of organisms are called as
vestigial organs.
(4) Carbon dating method : Ans. The time passed since the death of a plant or animal can be calculated by
measuring the radioactivity of C-14 and ratio of C-14 to C-12 present in their body. This is carbon dating
method.
(5) Ancestry of acquired characters : Ans. The living organism can transfer the characters which it has
acquired, to the next generation. This is called Ancestry of acquired characters.
(6) Central Dogma : Ans. Information about protein synthesis is stored in the DNA and synthesis of
appropriate proteins as per requirement is necessary for body. These proteins are synthesized by DNA
through RNA. This is called Central Dogma.
(7) Transcription : Ans. The process of RNA synthesis is called as Transcription.
(8) Triplet codon : Ans. The code for each amino acid consists of three nucleotides. It is called as Triplet
codon.
(9) Translation Ans. As per the message on mRNA, amino acids are supplied by the tRNA. For this
purpose, tRNA has ‘anticodon’ having complementary sequence to the codon on mRNA. This is called
Translation.
(10) Translocation Ans. The ribosome keeps on moving from one end of mRNA to other end by the
distance of one triplet codon. This is called Translocation.

Q.2.2. Write short notes:

*(1) Connecting link
Ans. (i) Some plants and animals show some morphological characters by which they can be related to two
different groups; hence, they are called connecting links.
(ii) Ex. In Peripatus, characters like segmented body, thin cuticle and parapodia like organs are present.
Similarly these animals show tracheal respiration and open circulatory system similar to arthropods. This
indicates that Peripatus is the connecting link between annelida and arthropoda. (iii) Similarly, Duck Billed
Platypus lays eggs like reptiles but shows relationship with mammals too due to presence of mammary
glands and hair.
(iv) Lung fish performs respiration with lungs irrespective of being a fish.
(v) These examples indicate that mammals have evolved from reptiles and amphibians from fishes.

*(2) Embryology
Ans. (i) Embryology is the science which deals with the study of development of an organism from an
embryo.
(ii) Comparative study of embryonic developmental stages of various vertebrates shows that all embryos
have extreme similarities during initial stages and those similarities decrease gradually. (iii) Similarities in
initial stages indicate the common origin for all these animals.
(3) Speciation
Ans. (i) Formation of new species of plants and animals through the effect of evolution is called as
speciation.
(ii) Species is the group of organisms that can produce fertile individuals through natural reproduction.
(iii) Each species grow in specific geographical conditions. Their food, habitat, reproductive ability and
period is different.
(iv) Genetic variations are responsible for formation of new species from earlier one.
(v) Besides, geographical and reproductive changes are also responsible.
(vi) Similarly, geographical or reproductive isolation also leads to speciation.

*(4) Lamarckism
Ans. (i) Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed that morphological changes occurring in living organisms are
responsible for evolution and the reason behind those morphological changes is activities or laziness of that
organism.
(ii) The neck of giraffe has become too long due to browsing on leaves of tall plants by extending their neck
for several generations.
(iii) Shoulders of ironsmith have become very strong due to frequent hammering movements.
(iv) Wings of birds like emu and ostrich have become weak due to no use.
(v) Legs of the birds like swan and duck have become useful for swimming due to living in water. (vi)
Snakes have lost their legs by modification in their body for burrowing habit.
(vii) All these examples are types of acquired characters and are transferred from one generation to another
This is called as theory of inheritance of acquired characters or Lamarckism.
(viii) Development of organs due to specific activities or their degeneration due to no use at all was widely
accepted but transfer of those characters from generation to generation was rejected.
(ix) Because it had been verified many times that modifications brought in us are not transferred to next
generation and thereby Lamarck’s theory was disproved.

*(5) Dawin’s theory of natural selection.

Ans. (i) Charles Darwin, an English biologist published the theory of natural selection, which preaches the
survival of the fittest.
(ii) According to him, all organisms reproduce prolifically.
(iii) These organisms compete with each other and only those organisms who show modification, sustain
long.
(iv) Natural selection also plays important role because nature selects only those organisms which are fit to
live and the rest perish.
(v) These sustained and selected organisms reproduce and give rise to new species with own specific
characteristics.
(vi) This theory was widely accepted for long duration, however it had some objections to it.
(vii) Irrespective of all these objections, Darwin’s work on evolution has been a milestone.
*(6) Evolution
Ans. (i) Evolution is a gradual change occurring in living organisms over a long duration.
(ii) This is a very slow-going process through which development of organisms is achieved.
(iii) All the stages in changes occurred in various components ranging from stars and planets in space to the
biosphere present on the earth should be included in the study of evolution.
(iv) Formation of new species due to changes in specific characters of several generations of living
organisms as a response to natural selection is called as evolution.
(v) Different theories about origin and evolution of life have been proposed till today of which theory of
gradual development of living organisms is accepted. (vi) According to this theory, first living material
(Protoplasm) has been formed in the ocean. In due course of time, unicellular organism was formed.
(vii) Gradual changes took place in unicellular organisms from which larger and more complex organisms
were formed. Duration of all these changes is about 300 crore years.
(viii) Changes and development in living organisms has been all round and multi-dimensional and this led to
evolution of different types of organisms. Hence, this overall process is called as evolution which is
organizational.
(ix) Progressive development of plants and animals from the ancestors having different structural and
functional organization is called evolution.

Q.2.3. Answer in short:

*(1) Which component of the cellular nucleus of living organisms carries hereditary characters? (Can
you recall; Textbook Page No. 1.)
Ans. Cellular nucleus of living organisms contains the genetic material like DNA, which carries hereditary
characters.
*(2) What do we call to the process of transfer of physical and mental characters from parents to the
progeny? (Can you recall; Textbook Page No. 1.)
Ans. The process of transfer of physical and mental characters from parents to the progeny is called heredity.
*(3) Which are the components of DNA molecule? (Can you recall; Textbook Page No. 1)
Ans. DNA has three types of chemical components: (1) phosphate (2) a sugar called deoxyribose (3) four
nitrogenous bases-adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine.
*(4) What is the function of the appendix of our digestive system? (Can you recall; Textbook PageNo.
3)
Ans. (i) The appendix is a vestigial organ that was once used by our herbivorous ancestors.
(ii) It was found that in herbivorous vertebrates the appendix is comparatively larger and it helped in the
digestion of tough herbivorus food such as the bark of a tree.
(iii) It is also supposed to be a store house of good bacteria.

*(5) Are our wisdom teeth really useful for chewing the food? (Textbook Page No. 3)
Ans. No, people do not need wisdom teeth now for chewing the food but earlier they were used for chewing
tough plants which were important part of the human diet.
*(6) Why did the huge animals like dinosaur become extinct? ( Textbook Page No. 3)
Ans. Although the cause of dinosaur extinction is still a mystery, following events could have played a role.
(i) A big meteorite crashed into earth, changing the climatic conditions so dramatically that dinosaurs could
not survive.
(ii) Ash and gas seeping from volcanoes suffocated many of the dinosaurs.
(iii) Diseases wiped out entire populations of dinosaurs.
(iv) Food chain imbalances lead to the starvation of the dinosaurs.

*(7) Why are many species of animals and birds getting extinct? (Textbook Page No. 3)
Ans. (i) Animals and birds extinction may be caused by natural occurrences such as climatic heating or
cooling or changes in sea levels.
(ii) Habitat destruction as farming land expands and forests are cut-down. This is the main cause along with
pollution and over fishing or hunting.

(8) What objections were raised against Darwin’s theory of natural selection?
Ans. Following are some of the main objections raised against Darwin’s theory of natural selection: (i)
Natural selection is not the only factor responsible for evolution.
(ii) Darwin did not mention any explanation about useful and useless modifications.
(iii) There is no explanation about slow changes and abrupt changes.

*(9) Explain the meaning of genetic disorders and give names of some disorders. (Textbook [Link].1)
Ans. (i) Genetic Disorders. It is a problem caused genetically by mutations in the gene. It is present from
birth. Types are rare and affect one in million.
(ii) Diabetes, obesity, infertility, cleft palate, heart disease, hemophilia , Sickle cell anaemia are some of the
genetic disorders.

*(10) Which are the different organs in body of organisms? (Can you recall; Textbook Page No. 4.)
Ans. In digestive system - (Stomach, Liver, Pancrease, intestives etc)
Skeletal system - (bones) Circulatory system - (heart, arteries, veins, etc)
Respiratory system - (diaphragm, lungs, larynx etc) are some of the organs in an organism.

*(11) Is each of the organs useful to organism? (Can you recall; Textbook Page No. 4.)
Ans. Most of the organs are useful to organisms. At the same time few organs may be present now but they
have lost their use in the process of evolution. In human beings, appendix, tail-bone (coccyx) wisdom teeth
and body hair are not useful now.

(12) Observe the following images and note the similarities between given animal images and plant images.
Ans. Animal Images: We see similarities in the structure of mouth, position of eyes, ear pinnae, distribution
of hair on their bodies etc.

Plant Images : We see similarities in the shape of leaves, its venation, petiole, colour of their leaves ,position
and the manner in which the fruits hang from the branches etc.

Q.3.1. Read the following statements and justify the same in your own words with the help of suitable
examples.
*(1) Human evolution began approximately 7 crore years ago.
Ans. (i) Last dinosaurs disappeared approximately seven crore years ago.
(ii) At that time, monkey like animals were said to be evolved from some ancestors who were more or less
similar to the modern lemurs.
(iii) Thus, human evolution began approximately seven crore years ago.

*(2) Geographical and reproductive isolation leads to speciation.

Ans. (i) Species is the group of organisms that can produce fertile individuals through natural reproduction.
(ii) Each species grows in specific geographical condition. Their food, habitat, reproductive ability and
period is different.
(iii) Along with genetic variation, geographical and reproductive changes are responsible for formation of
new species.
(iv) Hence, geographical and reproductive isolation leads to speciation.

*(3) Study of fossils is an important aspect of study of evolution.

Ans. (i) Large number of organisms got buried due to disasters like flood, earthquake, volcano, etc. (ii)
Remnants and impressions of such organisms remain preserved underground. These are called as fossils.
(iii) With help of carbon-dating technique, it is easy to determine the age of fossils.
(iv) Once the age of fossil has been determined, it becomes easy to deduce information about other erstwhile
organisms.
(v) Hence, study of fossils is an important aspect of study of evolution.

*(4) There is evidences of fatal science among chordates.

Ans. (i) It is believed that chordates have originated from invertebrates.
(ii) It is difficult to find out from which invertebrate group the chordates were developed.
(iii) Chordate ancestors were soft bodied animals, hence they were not preserved as fossils.

Q.3.2. Complete the following diagram.

*(1) Morphological Paleontological Similarities in bone structure Evidences of Evolution Vestigial

organs

Q.3.3. Draw a neat labelled diagrams of:

(1) Transcription RNA Polymerase RNA Nucleotides Transcription
(2) Translation and Translocation

Q.4.1. Sketch and explain the structure of DNA and various types of RNA.
Ans. (i) DNA is made up of nucleotide molecules. A phosphate group, a sugar group and a nitrogen base are
present in each nucleotide.
(ii) The nitrogen base is of four types. cytosine (C), guanine(G), thymine (T), and adenine(A).
(iii) The order in which there nitrogen bases are present determines the genetic code.
(iv) Human DNA has around 3 billion bases and most of their bases are the same in all human beings.
(v) The order of nitrogen bases forms genes which instructs cells how to prepare proteins.
(vi) Nucleotides are joined together to form two long strands that twist to create a structure called a double
helix.
(vii) Adenine pairs with thymine and guanine pairs with cytosine.
(viii) DNA is coiled tightly to form chromosomes which are found inside the nucleus.

Various types of RNA:

(i) Types of RNA are mRNA, rRNA and tRNA.

(ii) Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a nucleotide polymer, which is made of ribose sugar, a phosphate and bases
such as adenine , guanine, cytosine and uracil.
(iii) The ribose sugar of RNA has a hydroxyl group and it is absent in DNA. RNA has a structure similar to
DNA .
(iv) rRNA : It is a component of the ribosome organelle. Helps in protein synthesis
(v) mRNA : It carries information of protein synthesis from genes to the ribosomes.
(vi) tRNA : It carries amino acids up to the ribosomes.

Q. 4.2. Answer in detail.

*(1) How are the hereditary changes responsible for evolution?
Ans. (i) Formation of new species due to changes in specific characters of several generations of living
organisms as a response to natural selection is called as evolution.
(ii) At present, crores of species of plants and animals with huge diversity regarding shape and complexity
are present on the earth.
(iii) Animal diversity ranges from the unicellular amoeba and paramoecium to man and giant whale. (iv) The
plant diversity consists of various species ranging from unicellular chlorella to huge banyan tree.
(v) First primitive cell may have been formed from the mixture of different types of organic and inorganic
compounds.
(vi) There may have been some differences among these cells and according to the principle of natural
selection, some may have shown good growth and some may have perished which could not adjust with
surrounding.
(vii) Sustaining and selected organisms can perform reproduction and thereby, give rise to the new species
with their own specific characters.

*(2) Explain the process of formation of complex proteins.

Ans. (i) Information about protein synthesis is stored in the DNA and synthesis of appropriate proteins as per
requirement is necessary for the body.
(ii) These proteins are synthesized by DNA through the RNA. This is called as Central Dogma.
(iii) mRNA is produced as per the sequence of nucleotides on DNA. Only one of the two strands of DNA are
used in this process.
(iv) The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA being produced is always complementary to the DNA strand
used for synthesis. This process of RNA synthesis is called transcription.
(v) The mRNA formed in the nucleus comes in cytoplasm. It brings in the coded message from DNA.
(vi) The message contains the codes for amino acids. The code for each amino acid consist of three
nucleotides. It is called as triplet codons.
(vii) mRNA is made up of thousands of triplet codons.
(viii) As per the message on mRNA, amino acids are supplied by the tRNA.
(ix) For this purpose, tRNA has ‘anticodon’ having complementary sequence to the codon on mRNA. This is
called as ‘translation’.
(x) The amino acids brought in by tRNA are bonded together by peptide bonds with the help of rRNA.
(xi) During this process, the ribosome keeps on moving from one end of the mRNA to the other end by the
distance of one triplet codon. This is called as ‘translocation’.
(xii) Many of such chains come together to form complex proteins.

*(3) Explain the theory of evolution and mention the proof supporting it.
Ans. (i) According to the theory of evolution, first living material (protoplasm) has been formed in ocean.
(ii) In due course of time, unicellular organism was formed.
(iii) Gradually, changes occurred in the unicellular organism from which larger and more complex
organisms were formed.
(iv) All those changes were slow and gradual. Duration of all these changes is about 300 crore years.
(v) Changes and development in living organisms has been all round and multi-dimensional and this led to
evolution of different types of organisms.
(vi) Hence this overall process is called as evolution which is organizational.
(vii) Progressive development of plants and animals from the ancestors having different structural and
functional organization is called evolution.
(viii) To support the theory of evolution, various types of evidences are available.
(ix) Inspite of many adaptive differences in protoplasm and cell, the manifestation of life processes like
growth, reproduction, metabolism are essentially same in all organisms.
(x) Morphological evidences support the theory. It is seen that all plants have stem, root, leaf and are green
in colour and those having green colour carry out photosynthesis. Similarly it is seen that animals have
appendages, eyes, nose, ears etc.
(xi) Anatomical evidences like the bone structure of a human arm, a bulls leg, a bat’s wing and a whale fin
have similar structures attributing that they have developed from common ancestors.
(xii) Vestigial organs like tail bone or coccyx present in humans indicate the link between humans who have
lost a tail and monkeys who have a tail.
(xiii) At embryological level, similarities are observed during initial stage which indicates common origin.
(xiv) Thus, there are a few evidences which support the fact that evolution is sequential.

*(4) Explain with suitable examples importance of anatomical evidences in evolution.

Ans. (i) There doesn’t seem any superficial similarity between a human hand, a cat’s foreleg, flipper of a
whale and patagium of a bat.
(ii) Use of each of these structures is different in respective animals.
(iii) However, there is a similarity in structure of bones and bony joints in organs of each of these animals.
(iv) This similarity indicates that these animals show anatomical evolution.

*(5) Define fossil. Explain importance of fossils as proof of evolution.

Ans. (i) Remnants and impressions of organisms which get buried remain preserved underground. These are
called as fossils. Study of fossils is an important aspect of study of evolution.
(ii) Carbon consumption of animals and plants stops after death and since then, only the decaying process of
C-14 occurs continuously.
(iii) In case of dead bodies of plants and animals, instead of remaining constant, the ratio between C-14 and
C-12 changes continuously as C-12 is non-radioactive.
(iv) The time passed since the death of a plant or animal can be calculated by measuring the radioactivity of
C-14 and the ratio of C-14 to C-12 present in their body.
(v) This is carbon dating method. It is used in determining the age of human fossils and manuscripts.
(vi) Once the age of fossil has been determined, it becomes easy to deduce information about other erstwhile
organisms. It seem that vertebrates have been slowly originated from invertebrates.

*(6) Write the evolutionary history of modern man.

Ans. (i) Approximately seven crore years ago, monkey like animals are said to be evolved from some
ancestors who were more or less similar to the modern lemurs.
(ii) Tail of these monkey like animals of Africa is said to have disappeared about 4 crore years ago. (iii)
Evolution of some of the 2 crore years old species of apes seems to have occurred in different ways. They
had to use their hands more for eating food and other work.
(iv) First human like animal recorded was ‘Ramapithecus’ ape from East Africa.
(v) This ape grew up in size and became more intelligent and evolved about 40 lakh years ago.
(vi) Skilled humans appeared to be the member of genus Homo.
(vii) About 15 lakh years ago, humans walking with erect posture evolved and existed in China and
Indonesia of Asian continent.
(viii) Evolution of upright man continued in the direction of developing its brain for the period of about 1
lakh years.
(ix) Brain of 50 thousand year old man had been sufficiently evolved to the extent that it could be considered
as member of the class-wise-man (Homo sapiens).
(x) Neanderthal man can be considered as the example of wise-man.
(xi) The Cro-Magnon man evolved about 50 thousand years ago and afterwards, this evolution had been
faster than the earlier.

*(7) Define vestigial organs. Write names of some vestigial organs in human body and write the names
of those animals in whom same organs are functional.
Ans. (i) Degenerated or underdeveloped useless organs of organisms are called as vestigial organs. (ii)
Appendix is a vestigial organ in humans, but is fully functional in ruminants.
(iii) Muscles of ear pinna are vestigial in humans but are useful in monkey for movement of ear pinna.

*(8) Define heredity. Explain the mechanism of hereditary changes.

Ans. (i) Heredity is the transfer of biological characters from one generation to another via genes. (ii) Johann
Gregor Mendel is the pioneer of modern genetics. Around the period of 1886, it took a long time for him to
understand the conclusions of his research about heredity.
(iii) In 1901, the reasons behind sudden changes were understood due to the mutational theory of Hugo de
Vries.
(iv) Walter Sutton observed the paired chromosomes in the cells of grasshopper, until then it was not known
to anyone.
(v) Later, research proved that genes are carried via chromosomes.
(vi) Living organisms can produce new individuals like themselves due to genes only and some of those
genes are transmitted to the next generation without any changes.
(vii) Due to this, some of the characters of parents are transmitted to their offsprings.
(viii) However, sometimes sudden changes occur in those genes.
(ix) Sometimes any nucleotide of the gene changes its position and that causes a minor change which is
called as mutation.
(x) Some mutations may be minor but some may be considerable.
E.g. Mutation may cause the genetic disorder like sickle cell anaemia.