Botany 2021 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Enumerate

Q5

Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) Enumerate different kinds of trichomes and explain their taxonomic importance. (b) Discuss the advanced features of Asteraceae and Orchidaceae. (c) Explain the importance of ethnobotany in human welfare. (d) Mention the evolutionary changes that occur during domestication of plants. Also mention its advantages and disadvantages. (e) Discuss the concept of cellular totipotency in higher plants.

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए : (a) भिन्न प्रकार के त्वचा-रोम का उल्लेख करते हुए उनका वर्गीकीय महत्त्व स्पष्ट कीजिए। (b) एस्टेरेसी एवं ऑर्किडेसी की उन्नत विशेषताओं का वर्णन कीजिए। (c) लोक-वनस्पति-विज्ञान का मानव-कल्याण में महत्त्व को समझाइए। (d) घरेलुकरण के दौरान पादपों में होने वाले विकासमूलक परिवर्तनों का उल्लेख कीजिए। साथ ही इसके लाभ व हानि का भी उल्लेख कीजिए। (e) उच्च पादपों में कोशिकीय प्रशक्यता की संकल्पना की विवेचना कीजिए।

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2021 Botany questions

Directive word: Enumerate

This question asks you to enumerate. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Enumerate demands systematic listing with brief elaboration. Allocate ~30 words each to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) — approximately equal distribution since all carry 10 marks. Structure: direct enumeration for (a), comparative discussion for (b), welfare linkages for (c), evolutionary trajectory for (d), and concept-to-application for (e). No introduction needed; begin each sub-part with its label.

Key points expected

(a) Trichomes: glandular vs. non-glandular; unicellular, multicellular, branched, stellate; taxonomic importance in family identification (e.g., stellate in Malvaceae, T-shaped in Oleaceae)
(b) Asteraceae: capitulum, cypsela, pappus, syngenesious anthers; Orchidaceae: labellum, pollinia, gynostemium, zygomorphy; both show advanced pollination syndromes
(c) Ethnobotany: drug discovery (Rauwolfia, Cinchona), conservation of traditional knowledge, bioprospecting, IPR issues, sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities
(d) Domestication: loss of seed dormancy, reduced shattering, gigantism, synchronous ripening; advantages (higher yield) vs. disadvantages (genetic erosion, vulnerability to pests)
(e) Cellular totipotency: Steward's carrot experiment, somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis, applications in micropropagation and cryopreservation

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Concept correctness	25%	12.5	Precise definitions across all five parts: correctly distinguishes glandular/non-glandular trichomes; accurately describes capitulum structure and orchid floral specializations; defines ethnobotany as per Jain (1986); correctly identifies domestication syndrome traits; explains totipotency with reference to differentiated cell dedifferentiation	Generally correct definitions with minor errors — conflates trichome types, omits key floral structures in Asteraceae/Orchidaceae, vague on domestication syndrome, superficial totipotency explanation without Steward's work	Major conceptual errors — confuses trichomes with root hairs, misidentifies capitulum as raceme, equates ethnobotany with economic botany, describes cultivation rather than domestication, confuses totipotency with pluripotency
Diagram / labelling	15%	7.5	Clear schematic diagrams for (a) trichome types (T-shaped, stellate, glandular head), (b) capitulum vertical section and orchid flower with pollinia; properly labelled with technical terms	Rough sketches present for 2-3 parts with partial labelling; or describes diagrams adequately without drawing; missing key structural details like gynostemium fusion	No diagrams despite visualizable content; or diagrams without labels; incorrect representation of floral structures (e.g., showing free anthers in Asteraceae)
Examples & nomenclature	20%	10	Specific Indian examples: trichomes in Leucas (Lamiaceae), Argemone; Asteraceae examples with tribal use (Artemisia, Saussurea); Orchidaceae: Vanda, Dendrobium; ethnobotany: Kani tribe (Trichopus), Neem domestication history; cites Mehrgarh for domestication	Generic examples without Indian specificity; mentions common plants (sunflower, rose) without taxonomic precision; ethnobotany limited to turmeric/ginger; domestication examples from wheat/rice without archaeological context	No examples or incorrect examples; misspelled generic names; confuses families; ethnobotany limited to folklore without scientific validation; no domestication examples
Process explanation	20%	10	Clear sequential explanation: trichome development from epidermal cells; capitulum development with floret differentiation; steps in somatic embryogenesis showing redifferentiation; evolutionary steps in domestication with selection pressures; ethnobotanical documentation methodology	Lists processes without clear sequence; describes end states without developmental stages; mentions totipotency demonstration without experimental steps; domestication as event rather than process	No process explanation; confused sequences; describes structures without explaining their formation; omits dedifferentiation-redifferentiation in totipotency
Application / ecology	20%	10	Links to applied botany: trichomes in defense/herbivory and taxonomic keys; Asteraceae/Orchidaceae in conservation (CITES for orchids); ethnobotany in NMPB and TKDL; domestication in crop improvement and gene bank conservation; totipotency in clonal forestry and virus elimination through meristem culture	Mentions applications superficially; generic statements about conservation or agriculture; no specific institutional or policy linkages; totipotency limited to 'tissue culture' without specifying applications	No application dimension; purely descriptive answer; confuses basic and applied research; no ecological or welfare linkages despite question demands

Practice this exact question

Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.

Evaluate my answer →