UPSC Botany 2023

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) What are prions? How do they differ from viruses? Mention few diseases caused by prions in animals and human beings. (1…

(a) What is lichen? With suitable diagrams, describe its types and structure. Write a note on the economic importance of lichens. (20 marks) (b) Describe the three modes of sexual…

(a) Define microbial biopesticides. What are their types? With suitable examples, evaluate the potential of microbial biopesticides in pest and disease control in crop plants. (20…

(a) Diagrammatically present the Geological Time Scale up to 'Epoch'. Write a note on the different types of fossils found in nature. (20 marks) (b) Describe the symptoms, causal…

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Alphonse de Candolle classified plants of economic importance into various classes. List these classes and state two ex…

(a) What are the different means of pollination in plants? Which natural devices ensure cross-pollination? (20 marks) (b) Using diagrams, explain the characteristic features of th…

(a) Describe the botanical features, ecology and propagation of rubber tree. How is rubber obtained and processed from rubber tree? (20 marks) (b) Classify and discuss maize varie…

(a) What factors affect in vitro stages of micropropagation? Discuss the applications and limitations of micropropagation. (20 marks) (b) Give an account of male gametophyte devel…

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Cell-cell adhesion mechanism 10 (b) Structure and functions of cytoskeleton 10 (c) Characteristics of trip…

(a) Differentiate between polytene chromosomes and normal chromosomes. 15 (b) Describe polygenic inheritance by giving suitable examples. 15 (c) Describe the problems associated w…

(a) What are the major requirements for a successful back-crossing programme ? Describe its procedure, advantages and limitations. 5+10=15 (b) Describe the mechanism involved in m…

(a) Describe the structure, kinds, chemical nature, origin and functions of lysosomes. 20 (b) Explain multiple alleles and their characteristics. How are they different from pseud…

Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 (a) Biological significance of mineral elements in plants 10 (b) Photo-oxidation of water by photosystem II th…

(a) What are nastic movements, their types and mechanism ? Explain. 15 (b) How is the transport of electrons and pumping of protons associated with ATP synthesis in mitochondria ?…

(a) How can the reaction equilibria and reaction rates be explained by using free energy diagram in a simple enzymatic reaction ? 20 (b) Explain the following : 5+5=10 (i) Nitrate…

(a) (i) How do the three stages in fatty acid oxidation converge to conserve energy as ATP ? 5 (ii) What is β-oxidation ? Describe various steps in fatty acid oxidation pathway in…