KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN, LUCKNOW REGION

1stPRE BOARD EXAMINATION 2023-24

CLASS XII
BIOLOGY(044)
Maximum Marks: 70 Time: 3 hours

General Instructions:
(i) All questions are compulsory.
(ii) The question paper has five sections and 33 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(iii) Section–A has 16 questions of 1 mark each; Section–B has 5 questions of 2 marks each; Section–
C has 7 questions of 3 marks each; Section– D has 2 case-based questions of 4 marks each; and
Section–E has 3 questions of 5 marks each.
(iv) There is no overall choice. However, internal choices have been provided in some questions. A
student has to attempt only one of the alternatives in such questions.
(v) Wherever necessary, neat and properly labeled diagrams should be drawn.
(vi) Do not give irrelevant expansion / information while answering the questions.
(vii) Support your answer with suitable diagram /flowchart/sketches wherever necessary.
SECTION A
Q.No. Questions Marks
Q.1. What is the ploidy of megaspore mother cell, functional megaspore, and 1M
endosperm-
(a) 2n,n,n
(b) N,n,n
(c) 2n,n,3n
(d) 2n,3n,3n
Q.2. Consider the statements given below regarding contraception and answer as 1M
directed thereafter-
A. Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) during first trimester is generally
safe.
B. Generally chances of conception are nil until mother breast feeds the infant up
to two years.
C. Intrauterine devices like Copper T are effective contraceptives
D. Contraception pills may be taken upto one week after coitus to prevent
conception.
Which two of the above statements are correct?
(a) C, D
(b) A, C
(c) A, B
(d) B, C
Q.3. In the F2 generation of a Mendeliandihybrid cross, the number of phenotypes and 1M
genotypes are-
(a) Phenotypes—4; genotypes—16
(b) Phenotypes—9; genotypes—4
(c) Phenotypes—4; genotypes—8
(d) Phenotypes—4; genotypes—9

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Q.4. Occasionally, a single gene, may express more than one effect. 1M
The phenomenon is called
(a) Multiple allelism (b) Mosaicism
(c) Pleiotropy (d) Polygeny
Q.5. In a mRNA sequence of N2base is 5' AUG GUG CUC AAA 3'. What is the correct 1M
sequence ofanticodons which recognizes codons of mRNA:

(a) a, b, c, d
(b) d, a, b, c
(c) c, d, b, a
(d) d, c, b, a

Q.6. In E. coli, the lac operon gets switched on when: 1M

(a) Lactose is present and it binds to the repressor
(b) Repressor binds to the operator
(c) RNA polymerase binds to the operator
(d) Lactose is present and it binds to RNA polymerase
Q.7. Which of the following refer to correct example(s) of organisms which have 1M
evolved due to changes in environment brought about by anthropogenic (human
)action?
(1) Darwin's Finches of Galapagos islands.
(2) Herbicide resistant weeds.
(3) Drug resistant eukaryotes.
(4) Man-created breeds of domesticated animals like dogs.
(a) only (1)
(b) (1) and (3)
(c) (2), (3) and (4)
(d) only (4)
Q.8. In a species, the weight of newborn ranges from 2 to 5 kg. 1M
97% of the newborn with an average weight between 3 to 3.3 kg survive whereas
99% of the infants born with weights from 2 to 2.5 or 4.5 to 5 kg die. Analyze
which type of selection process is taking place?
(a) Cyclical selection
(b) Directional selection
(c) Stabilizing selection
(d) Disruptive selection
Q.9. Match the followingorganisms with the products they produce. 1M
A. Lactobacillus (i) Cheese
B. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ii) Curd
C. Aspergillusniger (iii) Citric acid
D. Acetobacteracet i(iv)Bread
(v) Acetic acid
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 Select the correct option.
(A) (B) (C) (D)
(a) (ii) (i) (iii) (v)
(b) (ii) (iv) (v)(iii)
(c) (ii) (iv) (iii) (v)
(d) (iii) (iv) (v) (i)
Q.10. If a recombinant DNA bearing gene for ampicillin resistance if transferred into 1M
E.Coli cells and the host cells are spread on agar plates containing ampicillin, then:
(a) both transformed and untransformed recipient cells will die
(b) both transformed and untransformed recipient cell will be grow
(c) transformed recipient cells will grow and untransformed recipient cells will
die
(d) transformed recipient cells will die and untransformed recipient cells will
grow
Q.11. cry-gene which synthesize crystal protein isolated from :- 1M
(a) Bacillus thuriengensis (b)Rhizobium
(c ) Bacillus polymyxa (d) Clostridium
Q.12. Mycorrhizae are the example of: 1M
(a) Amensalism (b) Antibiosis
( c) Mutualism (d) Fungistasis
Question No. 13 to 16 consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer these
questions selecting the appropriate option given below:
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.
Q.13. Assertion: The testes are situated outside the abdominal cavity within the scrotum 1M
(extra abdominal cavity).
Reason: Muscles in scrotum helps to maintain low temperature of testes,
necessary for spermatogenesis.
Q.14. Assertion: Heterochromatin is genetically inactive. 1M
Reason: Heterochromatin lacks genes.
Q.15. Assertion : Interferons help in the elimination of fungal infections. 1M
Reason : Interferons released by infected cells, reach nearby unaffected cells and
make them resistant to viral infection.
Q.16. Assertion:Ethidium bromide (EtBr) under Ultra Violet radiation gives bright 1M
orange coloured bands.
Reason: The separated DNA fragments can be seen after staining the DNA with
compound EtBr.
SECTION B
Q.17. Geitonogamous flowering plants are genetically autogamous but functionally cross 2M
pollinated, Justify.
Q.18. Mr. Jones has a black guinea pig. (In guinea a pig, black is dominant to white). He 2M
wants to know if the guinea pig is pure, because he wants to breed her and raise black
guinea pigs to sell.
He brings the guinea pig to you. What would you tell Mr. Jones? What would you
do? How would you interpret your results?

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Q.19. Identify A, B, C and D in the following table: 2M
Name of the human Name of the causal Specific organ or its
Disease bacteria/virus part affected
1. Typhoid Salmonella typhi A
2. Common cold B C
3. Pneumonia Streptococcus pneumoniae D

Q.20. Refer to the diagram given below and answer the questions that follows 2M

(i) The diagram shown above is insulin or proinsulin, justify.

(ii) How is mature insulin synthesised?

Q.21. Provide one example of well-known brood parasites and their host species. What are 2M
the specific interactions between them?
Or
Define commensalism with example.
SECTION C
Q.22. Differentiate between microsporogenesis and megasporogensis. 3M
Which type of cell division occurs during these events?
Q.23. 3M
Analyze why ZIFT is a boon to childless couples? Explain the procedure.
Q.24. Explain the three different ways in which natural selection can affect the frequency of 3M
inheritable trait in a population shown in the graph given below.

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Q.25. a. Define convergent evolution and divergent evolution. 3M
b. Identify the following pairs as homologous or analogous organs:
(i) Sweet potato and potato
(ii) Eye of octopus and eye of mammals
(iii) Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbits
(iv) Forelimbs of Bat and Whale
Q.26. (a) Why do the symptoms of malaria not appear immediately after the entry of 3M
sporozoitesinto the human body when bitten by female Anopheles? Explain.
(b) Give the scientific name of the malarial parasite that causes malignant malaria in
humans.
Q.27. The following illustrates the linking of DNA fragments: 3M

(i) Name ‘a’ and ‘b’.

(ii) Complete the palindrome which is recognised by EcoRI.
(iii) Name the enzyme that can link the two DNA fragments.
Q.28. Name the type of interaction seen in each of the following examples: 3M
(i) Ascarisworms living in the intestine of humans
(ii) Wasp pollinating fig inflorescence
(iii) Clown fish living among the tentacles of sea-anemone
(iv) Mycorrhizae living on the roots of higher plants
(v) Orchid growing on a branch of a mango tree
(vi) Disappearance of smaller barnacles when Balanusdominated in the coast of
Scotland.
OR
(a) Explain “birth rate” in a population by taking a suitable example.
(b) Write the other two characteristics which only a population shows but an
individual cannot.
(c) If 8 individuals in a laboratory population of 80 fruit flies died in a week, then
what would be the death rate of population for the said period?
SECTION D
Q.29. Read the following paragraph and answer any four questions from 29(i) to 29(iv) 4M
given below:

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 ‘Transgenic cows have extra gene or genes inserted into the DNA. Firstly the genes
for the desired product is identified and sequenced. Then a gene construct, containing
this desired gene, is introduced into female cow cells by transfection. Transgenic
bovine cells are selected and fused with bovine oocytes that have had all of their
chromosomes removed. Once fused with the oocyte, the transgenic cells
chromosomes are reprogrammed to direct development into an embryo which can be
implanted into a recipient cow.
The resulting transgenic cow only expresses the transgene in her milk. This is because
expression of the transgene is controlled by a promoter specific to lactating mammary
cells. The first transgenic cow was “Rosie.

(29.i) The desired gene is introduced into female cow cells by:
(a) transformation
(b) transduction
(c) transfection
(d) transplantation

(29.ii) Production of transgenic cow fulfill the objective of

(a) increased milk production
(b) increased meat production
(c) molecular farming
(d) all of these

(29.iii) The name of first transgenic cow is

(a) Tracy
(b) Dolly
(c) Rosie
(d) (b) AND (c)

(29.iv) Which of the following best describes a transgenic cow?

(a) A cow with a unique coat color
(b) A cow that can produce human protein-enriched milk
(c) A cow that exclusively eats genetically modified feed
(d) A cow with high milk production
Or
(29.iv)What may the potential benefit of transgenic cows that produce
pharmaceuticals in their milk?
(a) Enhanced meat quality
(b) Reduced methane emissions
(c) Lower milk production costs
(d) Access to valuable medical treatments
Q.30. Read the following paragraph and answer any four questions from 30(i) to 30(iv) 4M
given below:
You may have heard of the earthworm being referred to as the farmer’s ‘friend’. This
is so because they help in the breakdown of complex organic matter as well as in
loosening of the soil. Similarly, decomposers break down complex organic matter into
inorganic substances like carbon dioxide, water and nutrients and the process is called
decomposition. Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark, flowers and dead remains of
animals, including faecal matter, constitute detritus, which is the raw material for
decomposition. The important steps in the process of decomposition are
fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralisation.

Page 6 of 8
 Decomposition is largely an oxygen-requiring process.The rate of decomposition is
controlled by chemical composition of detritus,temperature, soil moistureand climatic
factors.

(30.i) Which of the following is a raw material for decomposition?

(a) Fresh leaves (b) Any dead plant parts
(c) Flowers only (d) Living Animals

(30.ii) When water soluble inorganic nutrients goes down in the soil and precipitated
as unavailable salts, then the process is called as:
(a) Catabolism (b) Fermentation
(c) Humification (d) Leaching

(30.iii) Fill in the blank:

____________ Gas used in the process of breaking down organic materials into
simpler substances by microorganisms?

(30. iv) Write a very short note on Mineralisation?

Or
(30.iv) What is the primary agent responsible for the decomposition of organic
materials in nature?
(a) Oxygen
(b) Water
(c) Bacteria and fungi
(d) Sunlight

SECTION E
Q.31. (a) Give a schematic representation of spermatogenesis in humans. 3+
(b) At which stage of life does gametogenesis begin in human male and female 1+
respectively? 1=
(c) Name the organs where gametogenesis gets completed in human male and
5M
femalerespectively.
OR

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 (a) Draw a diagrammatic sectional view of a human seminiferous tubule, and label - 4+
Sertoli cells, primary spermatocyte, spermatogonium and spermatozoa in it. 1=
(b) Explain the hormonal regulation in the process of spermatogenesis in humans. 5M
Q.32. (a) Write the conclusion drawn by Griffith at the end of his experiment with 2½
Streptococcus pneumoniae. +
(b) How did O. Avery, C MacLeod and M. McCarty prove that DNA was the 2½
geneticmaterial? Explain. =
OR 5M

(a) The length of a DNA molecule in a typical mammalian cell is calculated to be

approximately 2.2 meters. How is the packaging of this long molecule done to 2½
accommodate it within the nucleus of the cell? +
(b) Explain the process of charging of tRNA. Why is it essential in translation? 2½
=
5M
Q.33. i. Choose any three microbes, from the following which are suited for organic 3+2
farming, which is in great demand these days for various reasons. Mention one =
application of each one chosen. Mycorrhiza; Monascus; Anabaena; Rhizobium; 5M
Methanobacterium; Trichoderma.

ii.Explain the function of “anaerobic sludge digester” in a sewage treatment plant.

OR

a. Patients who have undergone myocardial infarction are given clot buster. Mention 2+
the clot buster administered and its microbial source. 2+
b. A person recuperating from illness is advised to have curd regularly. Why?
1=
c. Bottled fruit juices bought from the market are clearer as compared to those made
at home. Give reason. 5M

Page 8 of 8
 KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN,LUCKNOW REGION
1stPRE BOARD EXAMINATION 2023-24
CLASS 12th
BIOLOGY(044)
Maximum Marks: 70 Time: 3 hours

General Instructions:
(i) All questions are compulsory.
(ii) The question paper has five sections and 33 questions. All questions are compulsory.
(iii) Section–A has 16 questions of 1 mark each; Section–B has 5 questions of 2 marks each; Section– C has 7
questions of 3 marks each; Section– D has 2 case-based questions of 4 marks each; and Section–E has 3
questions of 5 marks each.
(iv) There is no overall choice. However, internal choices have been provided in some questions. A student has
to attempt only one of the alternatives in such questions.
(v) Wherever necessary, neat and properly labeled diagrams should be drawn.
(vi) Do not give irrelevant expansion / information while answering the questions.
(vii) Support your answer with suitable diagram /flowchart/sketches wherever necessary.

SECTION A

A.1. (c) 2n,n,3n 1M

A.2. (b) A, C 1M

A.3. (d) Phenotypes—4; genotypes—9 1M

A.4. (c) Pleiotropy 1M

A.5. (c) c, d, b, a 1M

A.6. (a) Lactose is present and it binds to the repressor 1M

A.7. (c) (2), (3) and (4) 1M

A.8. (c) Stabilizing selection 1M

A.9. (c) (ii) (iv) (iii) (v) 1M

A.10. (c)transformed recipient cells will grow & untransformed recipient cells will die 1M

A.11. A Bacillus thuriengensis 1M

A.12. C Mutualism 1M

A.13. A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 1M

A.14. C. A is true but R is false. 1M

A.15. D. A is false but R is true. 1M

Page 1 of 6
A.16. A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. 1M

SECTION B
A.17. Geitonogamous flowers are genetically autogamous because both male and female flowers 2M
are borne on the same flower. They are functionally cross-pollinated because the pollen from
one flower is transferred to the stigma of a different flower.
A.18. Does a test cross; Mate the pig with a white guinea pig; If any white guinea pigs result, then 2M
the black guinea pig is heterozygous, and not pure. If all the offspring are black, AND if
there are sufficient numbers, then the black guinea pig is most likely pure.

A.19. (a) Small intestine ½

(b) Rhino virus X4=
(c) Nose and respiratory passage 2M
(d) Alveoli of lungs.
A.20. 1+1
I. The diagram is proinsulin as it contains C-peptide. =
II. Mature insulin synthesized by removing C-peptide.
2M
A.21. Cuckoo (koel) and the Crow. 1+1
Parasitic bird lays its eggs in the nest of its host and lets the host incubate them. =
Or 2M
Correct definition of Commensalisms with example.
SECTION C
A.22. 2
Microsporogenesis Megasporogenesis +
1
It is process of formation of It is the process of formation of
=
Microspores from microspore mother Megaspores from megaspore mother cell.
cell. 3M
It occurs inside the pollen sacs of It occurs in nucellus part of ovule.
anthers.
In both the events meiosis cell division occurs.

A.23. Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT) is a boon to the couple where the female cannot 3M
conceive naturally. In this method, fertilisation is carried out in vitro (in the laboratory
conditions) and the zygote or early embryo, so formed (with upto 8-celled blastomeres) is
transferred into the Fallopian tube.
A.24. Natural selection can lead to stabilisation (in which more individuals acquire mean 3M
charactervalue), directional change (more individuals acquire value other than the mean
charactervalue) or disruption (more individuals acquire peripheral character value at both
ends of thedistribution curve).

Page 2 of 6
A.25. a. 1+
The same structure is developed along different directionsdue to adaptions to different 1+
needs. This is divergent evolution. Whereas in convergentevolution, the different structures 1=
evolve for the same function and have similarity.
3M
b.
(i) and (ii): Analogous
(iii) and (iv): Homologous
A.26. (a) Malarial parasite completes its asexual cycle in liver cells and then it attacks the red
bloodcells (RBCs) resulting in their rupture. The ruptured RBCs release toxic substance
calledhaemozoin that is responsible for the symptoms of malaria like chill and high fever.
Thus, nosymptoms appear in the infected person between the period the parasite enters the 3M
body till
RBCs release haemozoin.
(b) Plasmodium falciparum
A.27. (i) a–Vector DNA 1+
b–Foreign DNA 1+
(ii) 5’ — GAATTC — 3’
1=
3’ — CTTAAG — 5’
(iii) DNA ligase 3M
A.28. (i) Parasitism ½+
(ii) Mutualism ½+
(iii) Commensalism ½+
(iv) Mutualism
½+
(v) Commensalism
(vi) Competition ½+
OR ½+
Page 3 of 6
 (a) Birth rate is expressed as the number of births per 1,000 individuals of a populationper =
year. For example, in a pond there were 200 frogs and 40 more were born in ayear. Then the 3M
birth rate of the population will be 40/200 = 0.5 frogs per year. OR
(b) Sex ratio, age distribution, population density, population growth. (Any two)
1+1
(c) Death rate =No. of individuals dead/Total no. of individuals
= 8/80 = 0.1 +1
The death rate will be 0.1 individuals per week. =3

SECTION D
A.29. (29.i)(c) transfection 1+1
(29.ii)(c) molecular farming +1+
(29.iii)(c) Rosie
1=
(29.iv)(b) A cow that can produce human protein-enriched milk
(29.v)(d) Access to valuable medical treatments 4M
A.30. (30. i) (b) Any dead plant parts
(30. ii) (d) Leaching 1+1
(30. iii) Oxygen +1+
(30. iv)The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release 1=
of inorganic nutrients occur by the process known as mineralisation. 4M
(30. v) (c) Bacteria and fungi
SECTION E
A.31. (a) Schematic representation of spermatogenesis in human: 3+
1+
1=
5M

(b) Gametogenesis,
i.e.spermatogenesis in
males at puberty and oogenesis in
females starts before birth.
(c) In human males the process
is completed in the testes
(seminiferous tubules)
while in thefemale it is

Page 4 of 6
 completed in the fallopian tube (oviduct).
OR
(a) Diagrammatic sectional view of a seminiferous tubule- 4+
1=
5M

(b)GnRH is secreted by the

hypothalamus. The increased levels of
GnRH stimulate the anterior
pituitary which then secretes the FSH
(follicle stimulating hormone) and
LH (luteinising hormone).
FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to
secrete some factors which help in
spermiogenesis. LH acts
on the Leydig cells and causes the secretion of testosterone from the testes.
A.32. 2½
(a) At the end of his experiments Griffith concluded that transformation of R strain bythe
+
heat-killed S strain indicated the presence of a transforming principle or geneticmaterial. This
2½=
transforming principle made the R strain virulent.
5M
(b) They purified biochemicals (proteins, DNA, RNA, etc.) from the heat-killed S cells.They
discovered that DNA alone from S bacteria caused R bacteria to becometransformed. They
also discovered that protein-digesting enzymes (proteases) andRNA-digesting enzymes
(RNases) did not affect transformation, so the transformingsubstance was not a protein or
RNA. Digestion with DNase did inhibit transformation,suggesting that the DNA caused the
transformation. They concluded that DNA isthe hereditary material.
OR

(a)Eukaryotic cells possess a set of positively charged, basic proteins called histones which
arerich in basic amino acid residues lysine and arginine. Histones are organised to form a unit
ofeight molecules, called histone octamer. The negatively charged DNA is wrapped around
thepositively charged histone octamer to form a structure called nucleosome. A typical

Page 5 of 6
 nucleosome contains 200 bp of DNA helix and nucleosomes form the repeating unit of
astructure of the nucleus called chromatin.
2½
(b) Charging of tRNA: The amino acids are activated in the presence of ATP and linked +
totheir cognate tRNA. This process is called charging of tRNA or amino-acylation of 2½=
tRNA.When two such charged tRNAs are brought close enough, the formation of peptide 5M
bondbetween the corresponding amino acids would be favoured energetically. The presence of
acatalyst would enhance the rate of peptide bond formation.

A.33. i.
Mycorrhiza: Fungal symbiont Absorbs phosphorus from soil.
3+2
Anabaena: Fix atmospheric nitrogen and adds organic matter to the soil.
Rhizobium: Fix atmospheric nitrogen (in leguminous plants). =
Methanobacterium: They digest cellulosic material and their product/spent slurry can be used 5M
as a fertiliser.
Trichoderma: Biocontrol agent for several plant pathogens.
(Any three)

ii. Anaerobic sludge digester has anaerobic bacteria that digests the aerobic bacteria and fungi
present in the sludge. During the digestion these bacteria produce mixture of gases such as
methane, H2S and CO2 (biogas).

OR 2+
A. Streptokinase is the clot buster and its microbial source is Streptococcus. 2+
B. Curd contains Lactic Acid Bacteria, which play beneficial role in checking 1=
disease-causing microbes. It is also a source of vitamin B12. 5M
C. Bottled fruit juices are clarified by pectinases and proteases which makes them clearer.

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