1.
Origin of Life
Q1 (2M). Define abiogenesis.
Ans: Abiogenesis is the idea that life originated from non-living matter through a process of chemical
evolution.
Q2 (3M). Describe Oparin–Haldane theory of origin of life.
Ans: They proposed that:
Primitive Earth had reducing atmosphere (CH₄, NH₃, H₂, water vapour).
Energy sources like lightning, UV radiation caused simple molecules to form.
These molecules combined to form organic compounds, then polymers, finally
coacervates/protocells.
This is called chemical evolution.
Q3 (5M). Explain Miller–Urey experiment.
Ans: Miller and Urey created conditions similar to primitive Earth:
Gases: CH₄, NH₃, H₂, water vapour.
Heat (800°C) + electric sparks.
After a week, amino acids and simple organic molecules were formed.
Significance: Provided experimental proof of chemical evolution.
2. Evolutionary Evidence
Q4 (2M). What are fossils?
Ans: Fossils are remains or impressions of past organisms preserved in sedimentary rocks, showing
evolutionary history.
Q5 (3M). Give three anatomical evidences of evolution.
Ans:
Homologous organs – same structure, different function (divergent evolution).
Analogous organs – different structure, same function (convergent evolution).
Vestigial organs – reduced/unused organs showing ancestry (e.g., appendix in humans).
Q6 (5M). Explain different evidences for evolution.
Ans:
Paleontological evidence – fossils.
Anatomical evidence – homologous, analogous, vestigial organs.
Embryological evidence – similar embryos (Von Baer’s law).
Molecular evidence – DNA, RNA, proteins show similarities.
Biogeography – distribution of organisms supports common ancestry.
3. Theories of Evolution
Q7 (2M). Who proposed the theory of inheritance of acquired characters?
Ans: Jean Baptiste de Lamarck.
Q8 (3M). State Lamarck’s theory with an example.
Ans: Use and disuse of organs leads to evolution. Acquired characters are inherited. Example: Giraffes’
neck became long because ancestors stretched their necks for food; this was passed to offspring.
Q9 (3M). Why was Lamarck’s theory rejected?
Ans: Acquired traits are not inherited (e.g., cutting a mouse’s tail doesn’t produce tailless offspring).
Mendel’s laws proved inheritance is based on genes, not acquired traits.
Q10 (5M). State the main postulates of Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
Ans:
Overproduction – organisms produce more offspring than survive.
Variation – individuals show differences.
Struggle for existence – limited resources → competition.
Survival of the fittest – best-adapted survive.
Inheritance – favorable traits are passed on → new species evolve.
Q11 (3M). Explain industrial melanism as an example of natural selection.
Ans: In pre-industrial England, white peppered moths were common (camouflaged). After
industrialization, soot blackened trees; black moths survived better, white ones decreased. This shows
natural selection in action.
4. Hardy–Weinberg Principle
Q12 (2M). State Hardy–Weinberg principle.
Ans: Allele frequencies in a population remain constant from generation to generation in the absence
of evolutionary forces.
Q13 (3M). Write the Hardy–Weinberg equation.
Ans: (p + q)² = 1 → p² + 2pq + q² = 1
Where:
p² = frequency of homozygous dominant (AA).
2pq = heterozygous (Aa).
q² = homozygous recessive (aa).
p + q = 1.
Q14 (5M). Explain factors disturbing Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium.
Ans:
Gene flow (migration) – movement of alleles between populations.
Genetic drift – chance events change allele frequencies (bottleneck effect, founder effect).
Mutation – changes in DNA create new alleles.
Recombination – reshuffling of alleles during meiosis.
Natural selection – differential survival changes allele frequency.
5. Origin and Evolution of Life Forms
Q15 (2M). Which was the first form of life?
Ans: Prokaryotic cells like bacteria, about 3 billion years ago.
Q16 (3M). Differentiate between adaptive radiation and convergent evolution.
Ans:
Adaptive radiation: One ancestral species evolves into many new species in a new environment (e.g.,
Darwin’s finches).
Convergent evolution: Different ancestors develop similar traits due to similar habitats (e.g., wings of
bats and birds).
Q17 (5M). Explain adaptive radiation with an example.
Ans: When new habitats are available, one ancestral species gives rise to many new species adapted
to different niches. Example: Darwin’s finches in Galapagos Islands evolved different beaks to eat
seeds, insects, cactus.
6. Human Evolution
Q18 (2M). Name two ape-like ancestors of humans.
Ans: Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus.
Q19 (3M). Write a short note on Australopithecus.
Ans:
Originated ~2 mya in Africa.
Bipedal, human-like teeth, but brain ~500 cc (ape-like).
Called “Southern ape-man.”
Q20 (5M). Trace the evolutionary history of man.
Ans:
Dryopithecus, Ramapithecus (~7 mya) – ape-like.
Australopithecus (~2 mya) – first bipedal hominid.
Homo habilis (~2 mya) – tool-maker, brain ~600–800 cc.
Homo erectus (~1.5 mya) – used fire, brain ~900 cc.
Neanderthals (~100,000–40,000 years ago) – cave-dwellers, social life.
Homo sapiens (~75,000 years ago) – developed art, culture.
Modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) – brain ~1450 cc.
A. Geological Time Scale
Q1 (2M). What is the geological time scale?
Ans: The geological time scale is the division of Earth’s history into eras and periods based on major
evolutionary events like origin of life, appearance of plants, animals, and mass extinctions.
Q2 (3M). Mention the major eras of the geological time scale.
Ans:
Precambrian – origin of life, prokaryotes, simple algae.
Paleozoic – invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, first land plants.
Mesozoic – reptiles dominated (Age of Reptiles), first birds, first mammals.
Cenozoic – mammals and flowering plants dominated, humans appeared.
Q3 (5M). Write a note on the Mesozoic era.
Ans:
Known as the Age of Reptiles (~250–65 million years ago).
Dinosaurs were dominant.
First mammals appeared.
First birds evolved from reptiles.
Ended with mass extinction of dinosaurs ~65 mya.
B. Human-Induced Evolution (Anthropogenic Evolution)
Q4 (2M). Give two examples of evolution caused by human activities.
Ans:
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria.
Pesticide resistance in insects.
Q5 (3M). How does misuse of antibiotics show evolution in action?
Ans: Overuse/misuse of antibiotics kills sensitive bacteria, but resistant mutants survive and multiply.
These resistant strains spread, showing natural selection in action caused by human activity.
Q6 (3M). Explain pesticide resistance as an example of evolution.
Ans: Insects exposed to pesticides → most die, but a few resistant ones survive. These reproduce,
passing resistance to offspring. Over time, entire population becomes resistant.
C. Microevolution vs. Macroevolution
Q7 (2M). Define microevolution.
Ans: Microevolution refers to small changes in allele frequency within a population, leading to gradual
changes over generations (e.g., industrial melanism in moths).
Q8 (2M). Define macroevolution.
Ans: Macroevolution refers to evolution on a large scale, leading to the formation of new species and
higher taxa over geological time (e.g., evolution of amphibians from fishes).
Q9 (3M). Differentiate between microevolution and macroevolution.
Ans:
Microevolution: Small genetic changes within a population (short time scale).
Macroevolution: Large evolutionary changes above the species level (long time scale)