1.
A Mendelian experiment consisted of breeding tall pea plants bearing violet
flowers with short pea plants bearing white flowers. The progeny all bear violet
flowers, but almost half of them were short.
This suggests that the genetic make-up of the tall parent can be depicted as:
(a) TTWW
(b) TTww
(c) TtWW
(d) TtWw
Ans. (c) TtWW
Explanation: This is because almost half of them were short. This suggests that the genetic
make up of the tall parents can be depicted as TtWW.
2. An example of homologous organs is:
(a) our arm and a dog’s fore-leg
(b) our teeth and an elephant’s tusks
(c) potato and runners of grass
(d) all of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above
Explanation: The homologous organs are those which are same in structure and have
originated from same species.
3. In evolutionary terms, we have more in common with:
(a) a Chinese school-boy
(b) a chimpanzee
(c) a spider
(d) a bacterium
Ans. (a) A Chinese school-boy
Explanation: In evolutionary terms, we have more in common with a chinese school-boy
because both belong to the same species of Homo sapiens and have the same genetic
organization.
4. A study found that children with light coloured eyes are likely to have parents with
light coloured eyes. On this basis, can we say anything about whether the light eye
colour trait is dominant or recessive ? Why or why not?
Ans. This information is not complete. Unless we know the genotypes of these variants of
the trait, it is not possible to tell which is dominant or recessive.
5. How are the areas of study-evolution and classification interlinked?
Ans. Classification and evolution are highly interlinked becuase the classification of an
organism is influenced by its evolution. An organism may have a different type of look
based on the morphology and are classified to a different group as compared to the other
organisms because different type of adaption in organism has evolved. Hence evolution and
classification are closely related.
6. Explain the terms analogous and homologous organs with examples.
Ans. Analogous organs: The organs which are different in structure but have similar
functions are called analogous organs.
For example, the wings of an insect and a bird are analogous organs.
Homologous organs: The organs which are same in structure but have different functions
are called homologous organs.
For example, the wing of a bat, flipper of a seal, front leg of a horse and arm of a man are
homologous organs.
7. Outline a project which aims to find the dominant coat colour in dogs.
Ans. Consider two parents – one homozygous black (BB) and other homozygous brown
(bb), when crossed, they produce offspring with Bb genotype. The dominant contrast can
be determined by looking at the offspring. If the offspring is brown in colour than brown
colour is a dominant trait and if it is black in colour than black colour is a dominant trait.
8. Explain the importance of fossils in deciding evolutionary relationships.
Ans. Fossils provide us evidence about:
1. The organisms that lived long ago such as the time period during which they lived, their
structure etc.
2. Evolutionary development of species i.e., the line of their development.
3. Connecting links between two groups. For example, feathers present in some dinosaurs
means that birds are very closely related to reptiles.
4. Which organisms evolved earlier and which later.
5. Development of complex body designs from the simple body designs.
9. What evidence do we have for the origin of life from inanimate matter?
Ans. A British scientist J.B.S. Haldane at first in 1929 suggested that life is originated from
inanimate matter. According to him life must have developed from the simple inorganic
molecules which were present at that time. Later, Miller and Urey in 1953 presented its
evidences. They assembled an apparatus to create an early earth atmosphere which was
supposed to consist of gases like methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, etc. over
water. This was maintained at a temperature just below 100°C and electric sparks were
then passed through the mixture of gases to stimulate lightning for about one week. At the
end of one week, it was found that about 15 per cent of carbon (from methane) had been
converted into simple compounds and amino acids which make up protein molecules
formed in living organisms. This experiment provides the evidence that the life originated
from inanimate matter (or lifeless matter) like inorganic molecules.
10. Explain how sexual reproduction gives rise to more viable variations than
asexual reproduction. How does this affect the evolution of those organisms that
reproduce sexually?
Ans. Variations arise either because of error in DNA copying during asexual reproduction,
which will be fewer. Since in sexual reproduction, gametes from two different individuals
with different genetic makeup are involved so variations are much higher.
11. How is the equal genetic contribution of male and female parents ensured in the
progeny?
Ans. Genetic material in most organisms is present in pairs of chromosomes. Gametes in
the sexually reproducing organisms are formed by the process of meiosis during which half
of the genetic material goes into each gamete. When the gametes from male and female
parents fuse with each other during sexual reproduction, the normal complement is
restored. Half of the genetic material comes from the female and half from the male.
12. Only variations that confer an advantage to an individual organism will survive
in a population. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Ans. It is agreeable that only variations that confer an advantage to an individual organism
will survive in a population. All variation does not necessarily provide an equal chance of
survival because it is highly depended on the nature of variation.