Botany 2022 Paper II 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Write short notes

Q5

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: (a) Symptoms of mineral deficiencies (10 marks) (b) RAPD PCR – strength, weakness and application. (10 marks) (c) Photophosphorylation (10 marks) (d) Endangered Plant Species (10 marks) (e) Phytoremediation (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक पर लगभग 150 शब्दों में संक्षिप्त टिप्पणियाँ लिखिए : (a) खनिजों की कमी के लक्षण (10 अंक) (b) आर.ए.पी.डी. पी.सी.आर. – सामर्थ्य, कमजोरी और अनुप्रयोग । (10 अंक) (c) प्रकाश उपापचयन (10 अंक) (d) लुप्तप्राय पौधों की प्रजातियाँ (10 अंक) (e) पादप उपचार (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Write short notes

This question asks you to write short notes. 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

The directive 'write short notes' demands concise, information-dense responses for each sub-part with equal weight (10 marks × 5 = 50). Allocate approximately 150 words per sub-part, spending roughly 6-7 minutes each. Structure each note with: (1) precise definition, (2) 2-3 key features/mechanisms, and (3) one relevant example. No introduction or conclusion is needed across parts; treat each as standalone. Prioritize accuracy over elaboration—examiners penalize verbose answers that miss technical specifics.

Key points expected

  • (a) Mineral deficiencies: N-deficiency (chlorosis, stunted growth), P-deficiency (dark green/purple leaves, poor root development), K-deficiency (marginal necrosis, lodging), Fe-deficiency (interveinal chlorosis in young leaves), Mn-deficiency (grey speck in oats); distinguish mobile vs immobile nutrients
  • (b) RAPD PCR: Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA mechanism using single arbitrary primers (10 bp); strengths—no prior sequence knowledge, quick, cost-effective; weaknesses—low reproducibility, dominant markers, contamination sensitivity; applications—genetic diversity, cultivar identification, phylogenetics
  • (c) Photophosphorylation: Cyclic and non-cyclic pathways; role of PS-I and PS-II; proton gradient formation across thylakoid membrane; ATP synthase (CF0-CF1) mechanism; stoichiometry (3H+ per ATP); chemiosmotic theory application
  • (d) Endangered Plant Species: IUCN categories (CR, EN, VU); criteria A-E for listing; Indian examples—Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), Nepenthes khasiana, Saussurea obvallata (Brahma Kamal); causes—habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species
  • (e) Phytoremediation: Mechanisms—phytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, phytovolatilization, rhizofiltration; hyperaccumulator examples—Brassica juncea (Se), Helianthus annuus (Pb), Vetiveria zizanioides; advantages vs limitations

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5All five sub-parts demonstrate scientifically accurate concepts: for (a) correctly distinguishes deficiency symptoms by nutrient mobility; for (b) accurately describes RAPD as PCR-based with arbitrary primers; for (c) correctly identifies cyclic vs non-cyclic photophosphorylation; for (d) applies IUCN criteria correctly; for (e) distinguishes all five phytoremediation mechanisms without conflationMost concepts are correct but with minor errors—e.g., confuses mobile/immobile nutrient symptoms in (a), or conflates RAPD with RFLP in (b), or misses cyclic pathway in (c); some IUCN categories misplaced in (d)Major conceptual errors across multiple sub-parts—e.g., describes mineral toxicity instead of deficiency, confuses RAPD with gene-specific PCR, describes oxidative phosphorylation instead of photophosphorylation, lists common plants without IUCN status
Diagram / labelling15%7.5Includes at least 2-3 well-labelled diagrams where most relevant: Z-scheme for photophosphorylation (c), RAPD gel electrophoresis pattern (b), and/or phytoremediation mechanism schematic (e); diagrams are neat, with proper labels (PS-I, PS-II, ATP synthase; primer binding sites; root uptake zones)Includes one diagram with partial labelling, or describes diagrams textually without drawing; labels may be incomplete or diagram placed in wrong sub-partNo diagrams attempted where essential (especially for photophosphorylation); or diagrams are unlabelled sketches that do not aid understanding
Examples & nomenclature20%10Provides specific, accurate examples for each applicable sub-part: Indian hyperaccumulators for (e) e.g., Vetiveria zizanioides; endemic endangered species for (d) e.g., Nepenthes khasiana; specific deficiency symptoms with crop examples for (a); binomial nomenclature correctly italicised/underlinedExamples provided but generic or partially incorrect—e.g., mentions only foreign hyperaccumulators, lists 'tiger' as endangered plant, or gives common names without scientific names; some nomenclature errorsNo specific examples for (d) and (e); or factually wrong examples—e.g., lists agricultural crops as endangered, confuses animal and plant examples, misspells scientific names consistently
Process explanation20%10Clear mechanistic explanations: for (b) explains RAPD amplification and polymorphism detection; for (c) details electron flow, proton pumping, and ATP synthesis; for (e) stepwise mechanism of at least three phytoremediation types; uses appropriate technical terminology throughoutProcesses described but superficially—mentions steps without causal linkage, or describes outcomes without mechanisms; some technical terms misused or avoidedNo process explanation—only lists terms or gives definitions; confuses cause and effect in mechanisms; describes RAPD as 'DNA copying' without PCR context, or photophosphorylation as 'light making ATP' without membrane details
Application / ecology20%10Demonstrates applied understanding: for (a) links deficiencies to fertilizer management; for (b) cites germplasm conservation or forensic applications; for (c) connects to crop productivity; for (d) mentions ex-situ/in-situ conservation strategies; for (e) discusses site suitability and biomass disposal; includes Indian policy context (NBA, Biodiversity Act) where relevantMentions applications but generically—e.g., 'used in agriculture' or 'helps environment' without specificity; misses Indian conservation context or practical constraintsNo application or ecological context provided; or provides irrelevant applications—e.g., discusses human medicine for plant deficiencies, or describes RAPD for disease diagnosis in humans

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