SAMPLE QP FOR XI HALF-YEARLY EXAMINATION

SUB: BIOLOGY
CLASS - XI
TIME: 3 HOURS M.M: 70
General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. This question paper consists four Sections A, B, C and D.
a. Section - A contains 5 questions of 1 mark each
b. Section -B contains 5 questions of 2 marks each
c. Section -C contains 12 questions of 3 marks each
d. Section D contains 3 questions of 5 marks each and one question of 4
marks (Value Based Question).
3. There is no overall choice. However, an internal choice has been provided in
one question of 2 marks, one question of 3 marks and all the three questions
of 5 marks weightage. Attempt only one of the choices in such questions.
4. Wherever necessary, the diagrams should be drawn neat and properly labeled.
___________________________________________________________________

SECTION - A
1. Name the smallest living cell that completely lacks a cell wall and can survive

without oxygen. 1

2. What are viroids? 1

3. In some plant species roots come out of the ground and grow vertically

upwards to get oxygen for respiration. What are such roots called? 1

4. What are the components of blood? 1

5. What is a peptide bond? 1

SECTION - B
6. Differentiate between action spectrum and absorption spectrum with respect
to photosynthesis. 2
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7. What do you understand by “Binomial Nomenclature”? Name the scientist
who had proposed this system. 1+1=2
8. State the cell theory as understood today.
OR 1+1=2
Based on the position of centromere, the chromosomes can be classified into
four types. What are they? ½×4=2
9. How are secondary metabolites useful to human welfare? Give two examples
of it. 2
10. What do you understand by alternation of generation? Explain with any one
pattern of plant life cycle? 2

SECTION - C
11. Draw a well labeled diagram of a sectional view of chloroplast and label the
sites for light reactions and dark reactions. 2+½+½= 3

12. Mention the criteria for essentiality of an element. Give one example of an
essential element. 3

13. Differentiate between skeletal muscles, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle
(at least two points in each) (½ ×2) ×3=3

14. Explain the structure of plasma membrane as proposed by Singer and

Nicolson (1972). With diagram 3

15. Cnidarians exhibit two basic body forms. What are they? How do they differ
from each other? Give one example in each. 3

16. Algae are divided into three main classes. What are the three classes?
Differentiate them on the basis of photosynthetic pigment and stored food. 3

17. Flowers can be classified into three types on the basis of position of ovary
with respect to other floral parts. What are they? Explain with example. 3

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18. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different pH values
on enzyme activities. (Time and temperature was kept constant) 1+2=3

a) What interpretation can you draw from the graph?

b) What happens to the pepsin reaction between pH 4 and 5? Why?

Observe the given graph and answer:-

Enzyme
activity

19. Vascular bundles are often referred sometimes as closed /conjoint / radial.
Explain the three terms, where do we notice such condition. 3

20. What is the significance of meiosis? How does meiosis differ from mitosis? 3
OR
What are the sub stages of prophase I of Meiosis I? Explain briefly. 3
21. What is facilitated diffusion? How symport transport is different from antiport
transport? 3

22. Discuss the factors responsible for ascent of xylem sap in plants. 3

SECTION D (Value Based Question)

23. A) Swathi is a member of NGO. She wants to have a campaign in nearby
slum areas. What awareness about personal hygiene should be given?

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 B) What sanitation measures for maintaining social and public hygiene in their
areas should be given? 2+2=4

SECTION-D
24. Draw a well labeled diagram showing the alimentary canal of cockroach (label
at least six parts). Why cockroaches are called “uricotelic” insect?
(6×½)=3+2=5
OR
Classify simple epithelium tissue on the basis of structural modification of the
cells. Where do we find ciliated epithelium in human body. Differentiate
between Endocrine gland and Exocrine gland. 3+2=5

25. Mention the phylum along with one example with reference to the distinctive
features mentioned below (½+½)=1 X5=5
a) Water vascular system :
b) Malpighian tubule :
c) Cnidoblasts present:
d) Triploblastic Acoelomate animals:
e) Bioluminescence and comb plates:

OR
Differentiate between chordates and Non-Chordates; give an outline of
classification of the sub - phylum Vertebrata up to class level 2+3=5

26. Explain how Nitrification is different from Nitrogen fixation. Mention the
role of Thiobacillus in nitrogen cycle? What do you understand by biological
Nitrogen fixation? 2+1+2=5
OR
Name the technique of growing plants in soil free, nutrient solution? What is
the basic purpose of the experiment? Name one sulphur containing amino
acids. State the role of Mg2+ in plants. Name one free living nitrogen fixing
cyanobacteria. 1+2+½+1+½ = 5

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 (MARKING SCHEME)

SECTION-A
27. Mycoplasma 1
28. Infectious agent, smaller than virus / infectious RNA lacks protein coat. 1
29. Pneumatophores. 1
30. Plasma, RBC, WBC and platelets. 1
31. Bond present between the –COOH group of one amino acid and -NH2 group
of next amino acid to form a di-peptide , releasing one molecule of water. 1
SECTION-B
32. Correct any 2 differentiations. 2
33. System of providing scientific name with two components.
Carolus Linnaeus 1+1=2
34. All living organisms are composed of cells and products of cell
All cells arise from pre existing cells. 1+1=2
Or
Metacentric, sub metacentric, acrocentric, telocentric ½×4=2
35. Some useful substance such as drugs, spices, rubber scents, and pigments
are derived from it? Any two correct eg. Refer table 9.3 pg. 146
(1+0.5+0.5)
36. Correct answer?( alternation of haplontic and diplontic phase in the life cycle
of an organism) with one lifecycle pattern. 2

SECTION-C
37. Diagram - 2
Thylakoid membranes/ membrane system of granna- light reactions and
stroma - dark reactions. ½+½= 1
38. Three criteria (refer pg. 195). Mg2+ or any other. 3
39. Each correct point ½ marks (½ ×2) ×3=3

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40. Correct explanation with diagram of fluid mosaic model of Singer and
Nicolson. 1.5+1.5=3
41. Polyp – sessile, it produces Medusa asexually e.g. Hydra , Adamsia and
Medusa –free floating, produces polyp sexually , e.g. Obelia.(1.5+1.5=3)
42. Chlorophyceae, Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae ; refer table 3.1 pg33.
( ½ + ½ ) X 3=3
43. Hypogynous-eg. Mustard, perigynous- eg. Plum , rose, and Epigynous-
guava, cucumber ( or any other correct example) 3
44. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different pH values
on enzyme activities. (Time and temperature was kept constant) 1+2=3

c) Every enzyme has an optimum pH to perform it maximum , in pepsin the pH

value is 2.5(acidic) and in amylase the pH value is7.5 (alkaline) (approx)

d) In pH 4 it activity decreases drastically and pH5 it stops functioning

45. Vascular bundle –
closed –when cambium is absent between xylem and phloem , found in
monocot stem.
Conjoint- xylem and phloem are present in same radius of Vascular bundle,
found in stems.
radial - xylem and phloem with in a Vascular bundle are arranged in alternate
manner, found in roots. 1+1+1=3
46. Maintain constant chromosome number among sexually reproducing
organisms . Bring variations or any proper differences 1+2=3
OR
Leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene and diakinesis (0.5x6=3)
47. facilitated diffusion- diffusion with the help of proteins. symport – 2 different
molecules in same direction. antiport - 2 different molecules in opposite
direction. 1+1+1
48. Cohesion , Adhesion , Surface tension. Brief explanation 1+1+1
49. Correct logical answer( 2 for personal hygiene and 2 for public hygiene.

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 SECTION-D

50. Correct diagram (label at least six parts ½ X6 =3). “uricotelic” insects
because of uric acid as nitrogenous waste product.(2)
OR
Correct Classification.2
Bronchioles and fallopian tube 1
Differentiation (1+1) 3+2=5

51. (½+½)=1 X5=5

f) Water vascular system : Echinodermata-correct e.g
g) Malpighian tubule : Arthropoda correct e.g
h) Cnidoblasts present: cnideria correct e.g
i) Triploblastic Acoelomate animals: Platyhelminthes - correct e.g
j) Bioluminescence and comb plates:. Ctenophore- correct e.g

Or
Refer table 4.1 pg55 and pg 56 2+3=5

52. Conversion of ammonia into Nitrite and then to Nitrate by chemoautotrophs

Nitrogen fixation- conversion of atmospheric N2 to ammonia .
Denitrification
Reduction of ammonia by free living organisms. 2+1+2=5
Or
Hydroponics 1
To understand to role of different nutrients, deficiency symptoms etc 1
Cysteine or methionine. . 1
Any imp. Role of Mg 2+ . 1
Nostoc or Anabaena 1

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