SECTION A: Plant Coordination (Tropic & Nastic Movements, Hormones)

Q1. Question: A potted plant is placed in a room with only one window. After a few days, the shoot of the
plant bends towards the window. Explain the exact hormonal mechanism responsible for this directional
growth.
Answer: This happens due to phototropism, regulated by the plant hormone auxin.
1. Auxin is synthesized at the shoot tip.
2. When light comes from one side (the window), auxin diffuses towards the shady side of the shoot.
3. This higher concentration of auxin on the shady side stimulates those cells to grow longer than the cells
on the light side.
4. The unequal growth causes the stem to bend towards the light source.

Q2. Question: How does the movement of a "Touch-me-not" (Mimosa pudica) leaf differ from the
movement of a shoot towards light?
Answer: * Touch-me-not movement: It is a nastic movement (seismonastic). It is non-directional,
independent of the direction of the stimulus (touch), and does not involve growth. It happens due to sudden
changes in turgor pressure (water content) in the cells at the base of the leaves.
Shoot towards light: It is a tropic movement (phototropism). It is directional (towards the stimulus) and is a
slow growth movement caused by hormones.

Q3. Question: A gardener wants to grow a very bushy plant and decides to regularly trim the tip of the main
stem. Why does this practice make the plant bushier?
Answer: Trimming the tip removes the apical meristem where auxin is produced. Auxin promotes apical
dominance (growth of the main stem) and suppresses the growth of lateral (side) buds. By removing the tip,
the concentration of auxin drops, breaking apical dominance. This allows the lateral buds to grow, resulting
in a bushier plant.

Q4. Question: Name the plant hormones responsible for the following: (a) Wilting of leaves (b) Ripening of
fruits
Answer: (a) Abscisic acid (ABA) - an inhibitory hormone. (b) Ethylene (a gaseous plant hormone).

Q5. Question: How do tendrils of climbing plants (like peas) coil around a support?
Answer: Tendrils are sensitive to touch (thigmotropism). When a tendril comes in contact with a support,
the part of the tendril touching the object does not grow as rapidly as the part away from the object. This
unequal growth, mediated by the hormone auxin, causes the tendril to circle around the object and cling to it.

SECTION B: Human Nervous System (Brain, Neurons, Reflexes)

Q6. Question: (a) Draw the structure of a neuron and label its parts. (b) Explain how a nerve impulse travels
from one neuron to another.
Answer: (Note for drawing: Draw a standard neuron labeling Dendrites, Cell Body, Nucleus, Axon, and
Nerve Ending).
(b) Transmission: Information is acquired at the end of the dendrite tip, setting off a chemical reaction that
creates an electrical impulse. This impulse travels from the dendrite to the cell body, and then along the axon
to its end. At the nerve ending, the electrical impulse causes the release of chemicals (neurotransmitters).
These chemicals cross the gap, or synapse, and start a similar electrical impulse in a dendrite of the next
neuron.

Q7. Question: You accidentally touch a hot pan and immediately pull your hand away. A few seconds later,
you feel the pain. Why is there a delay between the physical action and the sensation of pain?
Answer: Pulling the hand away is a reflex action controlled by the spinal cord. It is an immediate,
automatic, and involuntary response that does not require thinking; the signal travels a short distance (Reflex
Arc). Feeling the pain, however, is a conscious sensation. The sensory signal has to travel all the way up the
spinal cord to the brain, where it is processed and interpreted as pain. This longer pathway creates a slight
delay.
Q8.: A person met with an accident. Afterwards, his heart rate and breathing were completely normal, but
he lost his memory and ability to solve puzzles. Which specific part of his nervous system was likely
injured?
Answer: The Cerebrum (part of the forebrain) was injured. The cerebrum is the main thinking part of the
brain, responsible for memory, learning, logic, and voluntary actions. His heart rate and breathing are
normal because the Medulla (in the hindbrain), which controls involuntary life-sustaining functions, is
uninjured.

Q9. Question: What is a synapse? Why does the nerve impulse flow in only one direction across it?
Answer: A synapse is the microscopic gap between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of the
next. The impulse flows only in one direction because the neurotransmitter chemicals are only released from
the axon terminals (presynaptic neuron) and the receptors for these chemicals are only present on the
dendrites of the next neuron (postsynaptic neuron).

Q10. Question: If the cerebellum of a person is damaged due to disease, what physical activities will be
affected? Give two examples.
Answer: The cerebellum is responsible for precision, voluntary movements, posture, and balance. If
damaged, the person will struggle with coordinated activities such as walking in a straight line, picking up a
pencil, or riding a bicycle.

Q11. Question: Trace the sequence of events which occur when a bright light is focused on your eyes.
Answer: Bright light (Stimulus) → Receptors in eyes (Retina) → Sensory neuron → Spinal cord/Brain
(CNS) → Motor neuron → Effector muscles in the eye (Iris) → Pupil contracts (Response).

SECTION C: Human Endocrine System (Hormones & Feedback)

Q12. Question: (a) Why is the use of iodized salt advised? (b) Name the disease caused by the deficiency of
thyroxine. (c) What is the function of thyroxine in the human body?
Answer: (a) Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland to synthesize the hormone thyroxine. Iodized salt
provides this necessary mineral.
(b) Deficiency of thyroxine causes Goitre (symptom: swollen neck).
(c) Thyroxine regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the body to provide the best
balance for growth.

Q13. Question: A stray dog suddenly starts chasing a young boy. The boy runs faster than he normally ever
could. Explain the hormonal mechanism that prepares his body for this "fight or flight" emergency.
Answer: In an emergency, the adrenal glands secrete the hormone adrenaline directly into the blood.
1. Adrenaline speeds up the heartbeat, supplying more oxygen to the muscles.
2. Blood supply to the digestive system and skin is reduced to divert more blood to skeletal muscles.
3. The breathing rate increases. These responses together enable the boy's body to run faster and deal with
the emergency.

Q14. Question: A patient's blood test shows exceptionally high sugar levels. The doctor prescribes hormone
injections instead of oral tablets. Name the hormone, the gland that secretes it, and explain why it must be
injected.
Answer: * Hormone: Insulin.
Gland: Pancreas.
Why injected: Insulin is a protein hormone. If taken orally as a tablet, it would be digested and broken
down by stomach acids and enzymes before it could reach the bloodstream to lower sugar levels. Injecting it
bypasses the digestive system.

Q15. Question: What is a feedback mechanism of hormones? Give one example.

Answer: The feedback mechanism is a regulatory system that controls the timing and amount of hormones
released to maintain balance (homeostasis). Example: If blood sugar levels rise, this is detected by the cells
of the pancreas, which respond by producing more insulin. As blood sugar falls back to normal, insulin
secretion is reduced.

Q16. Question: A 10-year-old child is significantly shorter than his peers and is diagnosed with a glandular
disorder. Which gland is malfunctioning, and what hormone is deficient?
Answer: The Pituitary gland is malfunctioning, resulting in a deficiency of Growth Hormone (GH),
which causes dwarfism.

Q17. Question: Differentiate between Endocrine and Exocrine glands.

Answer: * Endocrine Glands: Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream (e.g.,
Thyroid, Pituitary).
Exocrine Glands: Glands with ducts that secrete enzymes or fluids onto an epithelial surface (e.g., Salivary
glands, Sweat glands).

Q18. Question: Why does the body need both a nervous system and an endocrine system for control and
coordination?
Answer: The nervous system uses electrical impulses for rapid, targeted, but short-lived responses (like
pulling a hand from fire). However, nerve fibers do not connect to every single cell in the body. The
endocrine system uses chemical messengers (hormones) that travel through the blood to reach all cells,
providing slower, widespread, and longer-lasting coordination (like growth or metabolism).

Q19. Question: State the functions of plant hormones: Gibberellins and Cytokinins.
Answer: * Gibberellins: Help in the growth of the stem and seed germination.
Cytokinins: Promote rapid cell division, naturally present in greater concentration in areas of rapid growth
like fruits and seeds.

Q20. Question: Salivation occurs upon seeing tasty food, and vomiting occurs if you consume spoiled food.
Which part of the brain controls these actions, and are these actions voluntary or involuntary?
Answer: Both salivation and vomiting are involuntary actions. They are controlled by the Medulla located
in the hindbrain.

SECTION D: Advanced Human Nervous System & Brain

Q21. Question: Mention the three major regions of the human brain. Write one major function of each
region.
Answer: The three major regions are Forebrain, Midbrain, and Hindbrain.
1. Forebrain (Cerebrum): It is the main thinking part of the brain. It controls all voluntary actions, stores
memory, and interprets sensory information (hearing, smell, sight).
2. Midbrain: It controls involuntary actions like the change in pupil size and reflex movements of the
head, neck, and trunk in response to visual and auditory stimuli.
3. Hindbrain: Consists of three parts:
o Cerebellum: Controls posture, balance, and precision of voluntary movements.
o Medulla: Controls involuntary life functions like heartbeat, blood pressure, salivation, and vomiting.
o Pons: Regulates the respiration rate.

Q22. Question: If a person suffers a severe spinal cord injury in the lower back, what specific signals will
be disrupted? How will it affect their reflex actions?
Answer: A spinal cord injury will disrupt the communication between the brain and the lower parts of the
body.
 Sensory signals from the legs will not reach the brain (loss of sensation).
 Motor signals from the brain will not reach the legs (paralysis).
 Reflex actions in the lower body (like the knee-jerk reflex) may still occur if the reflex arc at that
specific level of the spinal cord is intact, but the person will not consciously feel the stimulus that
triggered it.

Q23. Question: Differentiate between a reflex action and walking.

 Answer: * Reflex Action: It is an involuntary, sudden, and automatic response to a stimulus, controlled
primarily by the spinal cord without conscious thought (e.g., pulling a hand away from a hot object).
 Walking: It is a voluntary action that requires conscious thought and is controlled by the forebrain and
coordinated by the cerebellum (hindbrain).

Q24. Question: How does the muscle tissue actually change its shape to cause movement when a nerve
impulse reaches it?
Answer: When a nerve impulse reaches a muscle fiber, it triggers a change in the cellular environment
(release of calcium ions). Muscle cells contain special proteins (actin and myosin). In response to the
electrical and chemical signal, these proteins change their shape and arrangement in the cell. This causes the
muscle cell to shorten (contract), pulling on the bone and causing movement.

Q25. Question: Identify the types of receptors responsible for detecting smell and taste. Where are they
located?
Answer: * Olfactory receptors: Detect smell; located in the nasal cavity.
 Gustatory receptors: Detect taste; located on the tongue.

Q26. Question: What is the function of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)?

Answer: Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It acts as a shock absorber to protect the
central nervous system from mechanical shocks and trauma. It also helps in providing nutrients and
removing waste.

SECTION E: Plant Movements & Tropisms (Advanced)

Q27. Question: Design a simple experiment to demonstrate hydrotropism in plants.
Answer: Aim: To show that plant roots grow towards water (Positive Hydrotropism). Procedure:
1. Take a glass trough and fill it with dry soil.
2. Plant a seedling in the soil.
3. Place a small porous clay pot filled with water in the soil, slightly away from the seedling.
4. Leave the setup for a few days. Observation: Upon carefully removing the plant, it will be observed that
the roots have bent and grown towards the porous clay pot (the source of water). Conclusion: Roots
show positive hydrotropism, prioritizing the search for water over gravity.

Q28. Question: Auxin promotes cell elongation in plant stems. However, its effect on roots is completely
different. Explain how auxin regulates geotropism in roots versus shoots.
Answer: Gravity causes auxin to accumulate on the lower side of both roots and shoots.
 In Shoots: Higher concentration of auxin stimulates cell elongation. The lower side grows faster,
causing the shoot to bend upwards (Negative Geotropism).
 In Roots: Higher concentration of auxin inhibits cell elongation. The lower side grows slower than the
upper side, causing the root to bend downwards (Positive Geotropism).

Q29. Question: Give an example of Chemotropism. Why is it vital for plant reproduction?
Answer: The growth of the pollen tube towards the ovule in the ovary is an example of chemotropism. It is
vital because the chemicals secreted by the ovule guide the male gamete to reach the female gamete,
ensuring fertilization.

Q30. Question: During a severe drought, a plant begins to shed its leaves and stops growing. Which plant
hormone is responsible for this, and how does this action help the plant survive?
Answer: The hormone responsible is Abscisic Acid (ABA). It is a growth inhibitor. During drought, ABA
causes the stomata to close (preventing water loss through transpiration) and promotes the wilting and
falling of leaves (reducing the surface area for water loss). This conserves water, helping the plant survive
the stress.

SECTION F: Advanced Endocrine System & Integration

Q31. Question: Compare and contrast nervous and hormonal mechanisms for control and coordination in
animals.
 Answer:
Feature Nervous Control Hormonal (Endocrine) Control
Electrical impulses (and chemical
Nature of Signal Chemical messengers (Hormones).
neurotransmitters at synapses).
Transmission Travels through nerve fibers (neurons). Travels through the bloodstream.
Speed Very rapid (milliseconds). Slower (minutes to days).
Duration of
Short-lived. Long-lasting.
Effect
Specific (reaches only connected Widespread (can affect multiple organs
Target
cells/muscles/glands). simultaneously).
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Q32. Question: Reema is 13 years old. Lately, she has noticed sudden changes in her body, such as voice
changes and physical development. Her brother, who is 14, is also experiencing a deepening of his voice and
facial hair growth. (a) Name the glands responsible for these changes in Reema and her brother. (2M) (b)
Name the specific hormones causing these changes. (2M)
Answer: (a) In Reema, the Ovaries are responsible. In her brother, the Testes are responsible.
(b) The hormone in Reema is Estrogen (or Oestrogen). The hormone in her brother is Testosterone. These
hormones trigger the secondary sexual characteristics during puberty.

Q33. Question: Why is the pancreas referred to as a "dual gland" or a mixed gland?
Answer: The pancreas is a dual gland because it acts as both an exocrine and an endocrine gland.
 Exocrine function: It secretes pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes through a duct into the small
intestine.
 Endocrine function: It secretes hormones (like insulin and glucagon) directly into the bloodstream to
regulate blood sugar.

Q34. Question: The hypothalamus is often called the "master of the master gland." Justify this statement.
Answer: The Pituitary gland is called the "master gland" because its hormones control the functions of
many other endocrine glands (like the thyroid and adrenals). However, the Hypothalamus (a part of the
brain) controls the Pituitary gland itself. The hypothalamus secretes releasing hormones and inhibitory
hormones that tell the pituitary gland when to release or stop releasing its hormones. Therefore, it is the
master of the master gland.

Q35. Question: Name the hormone synthesized at the shoot tips. How does it help the plant to respond to
light?
Answer: The hormone is Auxin. It diffuses towards the shady side of the shoot, stimulating the cells there
to grow longer than the cells on the illuminated side, causing the plant to bend towards the light.

SECTION G: Mixed Competency & Reflex Arcs

Q36.: A student inadvertently steps on a sharp pin. Trace the exact pathway of the electrical impulse that
allows him to lift his foot immediately. Clearly identify the sensory neuron, relay neuron, motor neuron, and
effector.
Answer: This is a reflex arc. The pathway is:
1. Receptor: Pain receptors in the skin of the foot detect the sharp pin (stimulus).
2. Sensory Neuron: Carries the electrical impulse from the foot to the spinal cord.
3. Relay Neuron: Located inside the spinal cord, it processes the signal and passes it immediately from the
sensory neuron to the motor neuron.
4. Motor Neuron: Carries the command impulse from the spinal cord to the leg muscle.
5. Effector: The leg muscle contracts, lifting the foot away from the pin.

Q37. Question: Mention the role of the skull and vertebral column in the human nervous system.
Answer: * Skull (Cranium): A hard, bony box that houses and protects the delicate brain from mechanical
injury.
 Vertebral Column (Backbone): A bony structure that encases and protects the spinal cord.

Q38. : Why do doctors check the pupillary light reflex (shining a light into the eyes) in unconscious patients
brought to the emergency room?
Answer: The pupillary light reflex (constriction of the pupil in bright light) is an involuntary reflex
controlled by the midbrain. By shining a light into an unconscious patient's eyes, doctors can quickly assess
if the brainstem (which controls life-saving functions) is intact and functioning. If the pupils do not react, it
indicates severe brain damage or brain death.

Q39. Question: Which signals will get disrupted in case of a spinal cord injury?
Answer: Both incoming sensory signals (from body receptors to the brain) and outgoing motor signals
(from the brain to the muscles/organs) will get disrupted below the point of injury.

Q40. Question: Explain how the nervous system and the endocrine system work together to manage a
terrifying situation, like encountering a snake.
Answer: 1. Nervous System (Detection): The eyes see the snake. Sensory neurons send this visual
information to the brain. The brain processes the danger. 2. Integration: The brain sends an electrical
impulse via motor neurons to the adrenal glands. 3. Endocrine System (Action): The adrenal glands secrete
adrenaline into the blood. This hormone prepares the entire body for "fight or flight" by increasing heart
rate, breathing rate, and blood flow to the muscles, allowing the person to run away quickly.