2012, 2017

Q. What are the advantages of sexual

reproduction over asexual
reproduction ?
Ans. In sexual reproduction there is
mixiing of genotypes of two different
individuals, which results in greater
variation. These variations are essenitial
for survival of species. Thus, sexual
reproduction is more advantageous.
 PVQ 2012
Q. What are the different methods of
contraception?
Ans. Different methods of contraception
are:
(1) Barrier method - Where physical
barriers like condoms (worn over penis),
diaphragm (used by females), cervical
cap and copper-T (an IUCD) are used.
(2) Chemical method - Spermicidal
applications by women, vaginal pills or
oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are used.
OCPs are hormonal preparations which
alter the hormonal level in female body.
(3) Surgical method - Portion of vas
deferens in male (vasectomy) or portion
of fallopian tube in females (tubectomy)
is cut or ligated. This stops release of
gametes, preventing fertilisation.
 PVQ 2012,
2013,2015
Q. Name the organ where ova are
formed inside the body. Trace their
pathway from their formation to
fertilisation.
Name the organ where they go after
fertilisation.
Ans. Organ where ova are for med is
ovary. Ova are released from ovary into
the fallopian tube which lead into the
uterus. The ovum gets fertilised in the
fallopian tube, where sperms travel to
fertilise the egg from cervix, through
uterus, to fallopian tube.
The fertilised egg, i.e. , zygote gets
implanted in the uterus after fertilisation.
 PYQ 2011,
2012,2016
Q. Draw diagram of a germinating
seed and label the following parts of it

(i) Part that gives rise to shoot system

(ii) Part that gives rise to root system.
(iii) Part that contains stored food.
Ans.

0) Plumule~
(future shoot} r
(iii) Cotyledon i1'1'1~ ~ ,,,._- (ii) RadicJe~ J
_(Food_stores) ~-~""-'Ill _ r _ ,, ~ .r..,,_(futu!e~root)
-· -,·~........ ._""Jr ...._ ...'
~ 6
Fig. "• ==~~:
~.;-._-'#!:
~
xit.,L
!;,..-:,. r-
PYQ 2008, 2015
Q. What is 'reproduction' ? Mention
the importance of DNA copying in
reproduction.
Ans. Reproduction is the process by
which an organism produces new
individuals that look very much like
themselves.
Importance of DNA copying in
reproduction :
(i) Copying or duplication of genetic
material (DNA) through faithful
replication is called DNA copying. It can
be inherited by the progeny.
(ii) The process of DNA copying brings
some variation each time. The surviving
cells are similar to but subtly different
from each other. This inbuilt tendency for
variation during reproduction brings
variations among individuals of the same
species. This is useful for ensuring
survival of the species.
PYQ 2012, 2017
Q. Write any one advantage and one
disadvantage of self-pollination and
cross-pollination. In the context of
development of new plants, which of
them is better and why?
Ans. Self-pollination
Advantage - It helps to preserve the
parental characters.
Disadvantage - It can lead to expression
of hidden genetic defects.
Cross-pollination
Advantage - It results in new
combinations and therefore more
variation.
Disadvantage - Dependent on external
agencies for pollination.
Cross-pollination is better as it results
in evolution and improved vigour.
 PYQ 2012,
2014, 2017
Q. What is vegetative propagation? (iv) Such methods also make possible
State two advantages and two the propagation of plants such as
dis-advantages of this method. banana, orange, rose and
Ans. Many plants can give rise to new jasmine that have lost the capacity to
plants through their vegetative parts as produce seeds.
roots, stem and leaves. (v) Thus, desirable features of parent
This is known as vegetative propagation . plant can be retained and expressed
Following are the advantages (any two : without any change in
(i) Plants grown by vegetative
future generations.
propagation are genetically similar to th,
Following are the dis-advantages :
parent plant.
(ii) Plants that do not produce seeds too
(a) All plants are genetically identical to
can be multiplied by this method. the parent plant and hence no variation.
(iii) Plants raised by vegetative (b) Because of no variation, they would
propagation can bear flower and fruits not show any evolution if propagated
earlier than those produced solely by vegetative
from seeds. propagation.
 PVQ 2011,
2012, 2013
Q. With the help of a diagram describe
the structure of a flower.
Ans. Various parts of flower are :
(i) Sepals (ii) Petals
(iii) Stamen (iv) Carpel.
Sepals are the outermost part of a flower
usually green in colour. They protect the
flower bud.
Petals are usually coloured and showy.
Stamen is the male reproductive part
and consists of a stalk called filament
and a flattened top called the anther.
The anthers produce pollen grains and ir,
turn each pollen grain produces two
male gametes.
Carpel is the female reproductive part
and consists of a swollen base called
ovary which contains ovules and a long
tube called style which terminates at
stigma.
PYQ 2013, 2020
Q. Medical termination of pregnancy
after being legalised in 1971 has
resulted in the increased cases of
illegal sex and has reduced the fear of
bearing illegal child. Suggest three
measures to reduce the cases of
illegal sex/medical termination of
pregnancies.
Ans. Medical Termination of pregnancy
(MTP) is a method that should be used
only if the foetus has
some defect , or if it is life-threatening to
the mother. It should not be used as a
contraceptive method. Thus, MTPs
shou ld be avoided.
Illegal sex should be avoided, which ma
also cause STDs.
• It can also lead to health problems to
the mother.
• It can also result in infections.

Three measures to reduce cases of

medical termination of pregnancy are
Using contraceptives like
(i) Physical Barrier - Condom
(ii) Intra-Uterine Devices - Cu-T
(iii) Surgical Method - Vasectomy and
Tubectomy.
Q. In the given figure label the parts
numbered 1 to 6.

Ans. 1. Pollen grain

2. Stigma
3. Pollen tube
4. Style
5. Ovary
6. Synergids
 PYQ 2011,
2012, 2020
Q. a) What is the difference between
self-pollination and cross-pollination ?
(b) What happens to the pollen which
falls on a suitable stigma ? Explain.
Ans.
(b) On a suitable stigma, the pollen
begins to germinate and forms a pollen
tube. The tube carrying two male
gametes grows through style , reaches
embryo sac and fertilises the egg to
form zygote, with 1st male gamete. The
2nd male gamete fuses with the
secondary nucleus resulting in Primary
Endosperm Nucleus. This is double
f erti Iisation.
(a)
f :1. • •. I '

er of pollen from anther o( a • Transfer ·ns from the

to .stigm., of ~ l ' tlawer. [Link] to~~
another ardiliimne
PVQ 2012, 2015
Q. State in brief the role of human
male reproduction system. Why is it
called the 1urinogenital system?
Ans. The primary reproductive organ in
males are testis. Testis produce male
gamete and testosterone.
They are located in scrotum, outside the
abdominal cavity, to maintain
temperature 1-3 °C lower than body
temperature. This is essential for
production of sperms.
The sperms are formed and delivered
through vas deferens which unites with
ureter coming from urinary bladder.
The prostate glands and seminal
vesicles release their secretions which
are essential for sperms transport and
nutrition.
This opens into urethra through which
both urine and sperms are released.
Hence, human male reproductive system
is also called urine-genital system as
urine and semen are released from same
tract.
PVQ 2011, 2012
Q. Describe menstrual cycle.
Ans. After attaining puberty, human
female produces one egg during middle
of each menstrual
cycle. This process is termed as
ovulation. As the follicle matures to
release the egg, the uterine wall
thickens, in preparation for receiving
fertilised egg. In case fertilisation does
not occur, the thickened inner wall of
uterus breaks down along with the blood
vessels and comes out through
vagina in the form of menstrual flow.
This process takes approximately 28 -
30 days and is known as menstrual
cycle.
PYQ 2014, 2015,
2016, 2017
a. Suggest three contraceptive
methods to control the size of human
population which is essential for the
health and prosperity of a country.
State the basic principle involved in
each.
Ans. Four methods of contraception are :
(i) Mechanical barrier - So that sperm
does not reach the egg. e.g., condom.
(11) OCPs - Oral Contraceptive Pills act
by changing hormonal balance so that
eggs are not released.
(iii) IUD - Intra Uterine Device like
copper-T to prevent pregnancy.
(iv) Surgical method - Blocking vas
deferens or fallopian tube.
Since pregnancy makes major demands
on body and mind of woman, so her
health suffers. By contraceptive
methods a woman is in better state of
health to look after herself and her
family.
Spacing children will result in healthier
and happier children and will also be
more economical for the family to look
after, give good life and education to
fewer children.
 PVQ 2016,
2017, 2018
Q. Discuss briefly the different types
of reproduction.
Ans. Diving organisms reproduce mainly
by two methods :
(1) Asexual reproduction: In this mode
of reproduction , the offspring arises from
a single individual parent. Asexual type
of reproduction takes place in unicellular
organisms, some plants, and certain
multicellular animals like sponges and
Hydra.
Main types of asexual reproduction are :
(i) Fission. (ii) Budding.
(iti) Spore formation. (iv) Regeneration.
(v) Vegetative propagation.

(2) Sexual reproduction: For sexual

reproduction , involvement of the two
sexes, male and female, is essential.
Sexual reproduction involves union of
sperm (male gamete) and egg (female
gamete). These gametes are produced
by gonads testis in males and ovary in
females.
 PYQ 2011, 2012,
2013,.2015, 2016,
2017, 2020, 2022
Q. Mention the role of following
organs of human male reproductive
system:
(i} Testis (ii} Scrotum
(iii} Vas deferens (iv} Prostate glands
State the reasons why testes are
located outside the abdominal cavity.
Ans. (a) (i) Male gametes (sperms) and
male hormone testosterone are
produced by testis.
(ii) Sperm formation requires a lower
temperature than the normal body
temperature. This temperature is 1-3 °C
lower than the temperature of the body.
Testis are located outside the abdominal
cavity, in the scrotum to provide right
temperature.
(iii) The sperms formed are delivered
through the vas deferens which unites
with a tube coming from the urinary
bladder.
(iv) The prostate glands secrete the fluids
which provides nutrition to the sperms
and make
their transport easier.

They require a lower temperature than

the human body temperature for the
formation of sperms.
 PYQ 2012,
2015, 2017
Q. Differentiate between pollen grains
and ovule.
(b) State in brief the functions of the
following parts of the human female
reproductive system:
(i) Ovary (ii) Fallopian tube (iii) Uterus.
Ans.
Otrrtf,
the m.1k gunwlL" • 0\ uli~ ,.,r,i,1 n tt•m,111:
, ••• lttt• .,nthl'r • f nmicci 1ri,1d1 tl\ta" o , an-
...

(b) (i) Ovary - Involved in production of

ova and female sex hormone estrogen.
(ii) Fallopian tube - Receives ovum after
ovulation and is the site of fertilisation. •
(iii) Uterus - Embryo gets implanted and
its development till child birth takes
place here.
PYQ 2010, 2012,
2013, 2015, 2016,
2017, 2022
Q. What is placenta? Describe
structure. State its functions in case
of pregnant human female.
Ans. For implantation of foetus, a special
tissue called placenta develops from the
maternal uterine wal I.
It is a disc shaped structure, in the
uterine wall with villi on the embryonal
side and large blood spaces on maternal
side.
Functions :
(i) It provides large surtace area for
glucose and 0 , to pass from mother's
blood to the embryo.
(ii) It also removes embryonal metabolic
wastes.
PYQ 2014, 2020
Q. Describe in brief what happens to
the zygote after it gets implanted. Ans.
As soon as zygote is implanted it starts
dividing. It travels to the uterus, where it
gets implanted.
The embryo gets nutrition from mother's
blood with the help placenta. This
provides surface area for exchange of
glucose and oxygen to go to embryo
and removal of wastes from it.
PYQ 2014, 2017,
2018,2020
Q. What is pollination? How does it
occur in plants ? Explain how
pollination leads to fertilisation.
Ans. Pollination is th e process of transfer
of pollen grains from anther to stigma of
the same flower or of different flowers of
the same species.
It occurs with the help of various biotic
and abiotic agencies. For example,
Biotic - Birds, insects and bats help in
pollination.
Abiotic - Air and water also help in
pollination.
Steps leading from pollination to
fertilisation :
(i) Pollen grain lands on suitable stigma,
grows out pollen tube carrying the two
male gametes.
(i) Fi rst male gamete fuses with the egg
cell resulting in formation of the (2n)
diploid zygote. The zygote develops to
form embryo which later forms complete
plant.
(iii) The second male gamete fuses with
the two polar nuclei to form (3n) triploid
PEN. Primary endosperm nucleus
divides to form the endosperm which
provides nutrition to developing
zygote.