DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL NEWTOWN

SESSION 2023-2024
PREBOARD EXAMINATION

CLASS: XII FULL MARKS: 70

SUBJECT: BIOLOGY (SET A) TIME: 3 HOURS

[Candidates are allowed additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper. They must NOT
start writing during this time].

This paper is divided into four sections – A, B, C and D.

Answer all questions.
Section - A consists of one question of one mark / two marks each.
Section-B consists of seven questions of two marks each
Section-C consists of seven questions of three marks each, and
Section-D consists of three questions of five marks each.
Internal choices have been provided in one question each in Section B,
Section C and Section D.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [].
The paper consists of 8[Eight] printed pages.

SECTION A - 20 MARKS
Question 1
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) Everyday our body comes in contact with several pathogens, but only a few
results into diseases. The reason is, our body has the ability to release
antibodies against these pathogens and protects the body against diseases.
This is what Immunity is. Give the name of two physical barriers of innate
immunity in our body.
[1]

(ii) Shubham’s father has been diagnosed with malaria. Identify the pathogen he
has been infected with. [1]

(iii) A DNA segment has a total of 1600 nucleotides, out of which 200 are
Guanine containing nucleotides. How many Pyrimidine bases does this
DNA segment possess?
[1]

(iv) Why do we call embryo sac monosporic? [1]

(v) Define the term “Hot Spots in Biodiversity”. [1]

(vi) Rishi is very fond of fruit juices. Help him identify the two compounds formed
during the fermentation of fruit juices. [1]

(vii) Contraception is a temporary or permanent measure to prevent pregnancy.

Our government is motivating young couples through different agencies for
birth control by this method. Is the use of contraceptives justified? Give
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 reasons. [1]
(viii) Mention the role of Azotobacter in plants. [1]

(ix) Which of the following hormones is not secreted by human placenta: [1]
(a) hCG (b) Estrogen
(c) LH (d) Progesterone

(x) ZZ/ZW type of sex determination is seen in: [1]

(a) Platypus (b) Snails
(c) Cockroach (d) Peacock

(xi) Assertion: Synergids of embryo sac helps in fertilisation of angiosperms.

[1]
Reason: Filiform apparatus of synergids secrete chemotropically active
substances due to which pollen tube grows towards the embryo sac.
(A) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation of Assertion.
(B) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation of Assertion.
(C) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(D) Both Assertion and Reason are false.

(xii) Assertion: Leguminous plants are best preferred for rotation of crops. [1]
Reason: They have root nodules which have nitrogen fixing bacteria
Clostridium.

(A) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation of Assertion.
(B) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation of Assertion.
(C) Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(D) Both Assertion and Reason are false.

(xiii) Observe the pedigree chart and answer the following question: [1]

Figure 1

Identify whether the trait is sex linked or autosomal? Give reasons.

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 (xiv) Saurav has high fever. Doctor prescribed him antibiotics. These are chemical
substances produced by some microbes which retard the growth of
pathogens. Why antibiotics cannot be used to cure viral diseases?
[1]

Figure 2
(xv) Where are the Leydig cells present? What is their role in reproduction? [1]
(xvi) Answer the following questions:
[2]
a) Which scientist proposed the Biogenetic Law also known the
Recapitulation Theory stating “Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny”?
b) Expand BAC.
(xvii) Sanjay’s younger brother is diagnosed with an autosomal genetic disorder,
where he is found mentally retarded, having widely placed eyes and open
mouth with tongue out. Identify the disease. [1]
(xviii) Give a reason for each of the following: [2]
(a) Stability of ecosystem depends upon complexity of food web.
(b) Pollen grains are usually kept in liquid nitrogen in pollen banks.

SECTION B - 14 MARKS

Question 2 [2]
Colostrum is secreted by the mammary glands of mammals soon after the birth of a
young one. Colostrum from mother’s milk has antibodies to protect the infant with a
special kind of immunity.

(a) Name the specific type of antibody colostrum contains.

(b) Name the type of immunity colostrum provides to a new born.

Question 3 [2]
What is activated sludge in a sewage treatment plant? How is this activated sludge
used?

Question 4 [2]
Human blood type is controlled by 3 alleles (just referring to the ABO blood groups
here):

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A, B, and O. A and B are both dominant to O but they are codominant to each other.

Figure 3

(a) Explain the meaning of the word Codominant.

(b) How is the phenomenon of Multiple Allelism exhibited by the same example of
ABO blood grouping?

Question 5 [2]
(i) Given below is a diagram of a portion of male reproductive structure.
Observe the diagram carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Figure 4
(a) Label the parts marked ‘2’ and ‘3’.
(b) State the role played by part ‘1’ in sperm formation.
OR
(ii) Given below is the diagrammatic representation of human blastocyst.
Observe the diagram and answer the following questions:

Figure 5

(a) Identify the parts labelled A and B.

(b) Mention the function of part labelled as B.

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Question 6 [2]
Giving two reasons, explain why there is more species biodiversity in tropical latitudes
than in the temperate ones.

Question 7 [2]
What is GEAC? Mention any two objectives of setting up of GEAC by our Government.

Question 8 [2]
What is meant by “Alien species” invasion? Name one plant species which are a threat
to our Indian native species.

SECTION C - 21 MARKS
Question 9 [3]
What is an age-pyramid? Explain with the help of figures the three different types of
age pyramids represented by a human population.

Question 10 [3]
(a) State Hardy Weinberg principle. Name any two factors which affect it.
(b) Draw a graph to show that Natural Selection leads to directional change.

Question 11
A student of Ecology was observing Miller and Urey’s experiment to prove the origin of
life. The set up used by the student is given below: [3]

Figure 6

(a) What conclusion was drawn by Miller and Urey through this experiment?
(b) Compare the conclusion drawn with the theory of Spontaneous Generation.

Question 12 [3]

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The figure below describes the process of transcription in Prokaryotes.
Carefully observe the figure and answer the questions that follow:

Figure 7

(a) Identify A, B, C and D in the above figure.

(b) Describe the function of A in the above figure.

Question 13 [3]
Given below is the diagram of simple stirred-tank bioreactor. Identify the parts labelled
as A, B, C and D. What is the function of a Bioreactor in biotechnology?

Figure 8
Question 14 [3]
Describe the different techniques utilised in in situ conservation of biodiversity.

Question 15 [3]
Draw a diagrammatic sketch of E. coli cloning vector pBR322 showing the restriction
sites.
OR
Draw a diagrammatic representation to show the steps of Recombinant DNA
technology.

SECTION D - 15 MARKS
Question 16 [5]
A/6
Mr. and Mrs. Tyagi visits a gynaecologist to seek advice for birth control. The doctor
suggested them surgical treatments showing them these diagrams.
Study the diagrams carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Figure 9

(a) Identify the processes A and B. Explain them.

(b) At what stage zygote can be introduced in the fallopian tube in the Zygote Intra
Fallopian Transfer technique (ZIFT)?
(c) Mention any two events that are inhibited by the intake of oral contraceptive
pills to prevent pregnancy in humans.

OR
Mr. and Mrs. Kapoor wishes to have a child through Assisted Reproductive
Technologies. Doctor has suggested them to go in for Test-tube baby.
(a) Step by step enlist the procedure undertaken for the formation of a Test-tube
baby [IVF-ET].
(b) How is amniocentesis misused by people?

Question 17 [5]
Enlist the steps of DNA Fingerprinting. State any two of its utilities.

Question 18 [5]
Priyam works in a biotechnology laboratory where he has learnt the technique of rDNA
synthesis. The diagram below shows an important process in rDNA synthesis where
multiple copies of the gene of interest are produced in vitro using two sets of primers
and an important enzyme. Study the steps carefully and answer the following questions:

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 Figure 10

(a) Identify the process shown in the above image.

(b) Explain the steps A, B and C.
(c) Name the important enzyme used in step C. Name the source bacteria from
which the enzyme is obtained.

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