Class 10 Biology Question Paper
Class 10 Biology Question Paper
Duration: 120 Mins | Full Marks: 80
SECTION A (40 Marks) (40 marks)
Attempt ALL questions. For Q1, write ONLY the correct option (a/b/c/d).
Q1. Which of the following describes the correct chronological sequence of human
ancestors? (1 mark)
A. (a) Australopithecus to Homo erectus to Homo habilis
B. (b) Australopithecus to Homo habilis to Homo erectus
C. (c) Homo habilis to Australopithecus to Homo erectus
D. (d) Homo erectus to Homo habilis to Australopithecus
Q2. The primary characteristic that distinguishes the Hominidae family from other
primates is: (1 mark)
A. (a) Presence of a tail
B. (b) Brachiation
C. (c) Bipedal locomotion
D. (d) Herbivorous diet
Q3. According to Lamarck, the long neck of the modern giraffe is a result of: (1 mark)
A. (a) Natural selection
B. (b) Survival of the fittest
C. (c) Inheritance of acquired characters
D. (d) Genetic mutation
Q4. Which of these is considered a vestigial organ in the human body? (1 mark)
A. (a) Wisdom tooth
B. (b) Incisors
C. (c) Biceps
D. (d) Diaphragm
Q5. Industrial melanism in the peppered moth (Biston betularia) is a classic example
of: (1 mark)
A. (a) Lamarckism
B. (b) Natural selection
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Class 10 Biology Question Paper
C. (c) Adaptive radiation
D. (d) Artificial selection
Q6. Assertion (A): The vermiform appendix is functional in herbivorous mammals
like rabbits. Reason (R): In humans, it has become vestigial due to changes in diet
and evolution. (1 mark)
A. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. (b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
C. (c) A is true but R is false.
D. (d) A is false but R is true.
Q7. The term 'Survival of the Fittest' was originally proposed as part of whose
evolutionary theory? (1 mark)
A. (a) Jean Baptiste Lamarck
B. (b) Charles Darwin
C. (c) Gregor Mendel
D. (d) T.H. Morgan
Q8. Which ancestor of modern man was the first to use fire and have a cranial
capacity of about 900 cc? (1 mark)
A. (a) Australopithecus
B. (b) Homo habilis
C. (c) Homo erectus
D. (d) Neanderthal man
Q9. Which structure is NOT a vestigial organ in humans? (1 mark)
A. (a) Nictitating membrane
B. (b) Pinna muscles
C. (c) Coccyx
D. (d) Patella
Q10. Darwin's theory fails to explain: (1 mark)
A. (a) Overproduction
B. (b) Struggle for existence
C. (c) The arrival of the fittest (origin of variations)
D. (d) Survival of the fittest
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Class 10 Biology Question Paper
Q11. Bipedalism led to which significant change in human evolution? (1 mark)
A. (a) Reduction in brain size
B. (b) Freeing of hands for tool making
C. (c) Increase in the length of the tail
D. (d) Loss of stereoscopic vision
Q12. Which of the following is a result of 'Disuse of Organs' according to Lamarck?
(1 mark)
A. (a) Development of strong muscles in a blacksmith
B. (b) Loss of limbs in snakes
C. (c) Webbed feet in ducks
D. (d) Long neck in giraffes
Q13. The Neanderthal man is technically classified as: (1 mark)
A. (a) Homo erectus
B. (b) Homo sapiens neanderthalensis
C. (c) Australopithecus africanus
D. (d) Homo habilis
Q14. Evolution can be best defined as: (1 mark)
A. (a) Sudden change in an individual
B. (b) Gradual change in a population over generations
C. (c) Growth of an embryo into an adult
D. (d) Adaptation to a seasonal change
Q15. The 'Struggle for Existence' in Darwinism refers to: (1 mark)
A. (a) Competition for limited resources
B. (b) Effort to learn new skills
C. (c) Struggle against aging
D. (d) Intraspecific cooperation
Q16. The process of gradual unfolding of new life forms from pre-existing ones is
called _______. (1 mark)
Q17. Name the scientist who proposed the theory of 'Natural Selection'. (1 mark)
Q18. The tail bone in humans is also known as the _______. (1 mark)
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Class 10 Biology Question Paper
Q19. Australopithecus is commonly referred to as the _______ man. (1 mark)
Q20. Organs that are non-functional in the possessor but functional in ancestors are
_______ organs. (1 mark)
Q21. The first human ancestor to use tools was Homo _______. (1 mark)
Q22. Define the term 'Speciation' in the context of evolution. (2 marks)
Q23. State the biological significance of the Peppered Moth experiment conducted
in England. (2 marks)
Q24. Differentiate between Lamarck’s use of organs and disuse of organs with one
example for each. (2 marks)
Q25. Mention two anatomical features that distinguish modern Homo sapiens from
Homo erectus. (2 marks)
Q26. Explain the concept of 'Survival of the Fittest' as per Darwinism. (2 marks)
Q27. State the importance of 'Variations' in the process of evolution. (2 marks)
Q28. What is the function of the Nictitating membrane in lower animals and its
status in humans? (2 marks)
Q29. Classify the following remains as Homo habilis, Homo erectus, or
Australopithecus: (a) Peking man (b) Handy man. (2 marks)
Q30. Discuss the three main types of 'Struggle for Existence' described by Darwin.
(3 marks)
SECTION B (40 Marks) (40 marks)
Attempt ALL questions. Show complete working.
Q31. Outline the three main postulates of Lamarck's Theory of Evolution. (3 marks)
Q32. Explain why Lamarck's theory of 'Inheritance of Acquired Characters' was
eventually rejected by the scientific community. (3 marks)
Q33. Compare the 'use and disuse' concept of Lamarck with Darwin's 'natural
selection' using the example of giraffe neck evolution. Why is Darwin's explanation
considered more accurate? (4 marks)
Q34. Describe the physical characteristics and the time period of Australopithecus
existence. (3 marks)
Q35. Discuss the major evolutionary changes in the human skull and face from early
hominids to modern humans. (3 marks)
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Class 10 Biology Question Paper
Q36. Explain four skeletal adaptations in humans that facilitate bipedalism and
upright posture. (4 marks)
Q37. Define 'Natural Selection' and explain how it leads to the formation of new
species over time. (3 marks)
Q38. Using the example of antibiotics and bacteria, explain how natural selection is
observed in the modern world. (3 marks)
Q39. State Darwin's five main points in his theory of 'Origin of Species'. How does
'Overproduction' contribute to the struggle for existence? (4 marks)
Q40. Explain the term 'Vestigial Organs'. Name any two such organs found in
humans and state their significance in supporting the theory of evolution. (3 marks)
Q41. Identify and describe two fossil human ancestors that bridge the gap between
apes and modern man in terms of brain capacity and jaw structure. (3 marks)
Q42. Detail the phenomenon of 'Industrial Melanism'. How does this event provide
evidence for Darwin's theory of Natural Selection? Support your answer with the
change in moth populations before and after the industrial revolution. (4 marks)
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