Q5
Write short notes on each of the following in about 150 words: (a) What are ecotones? Explain by giving examples. Also write a note on 'edge effect'. (10 marks) (b) Comment on 'measures of central tendency of data'. (10 marks) (c) Describe principle, working mechanism and applications of gel electrophoresis. (10 marks) (d) 'Conditioned learning' in animals. (10 marks) (e) Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner's syndrome in humans. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक पर लगभग 150 शब्दों में टिप्पणी लिखिए : (a) संक्रामिका (इकोटोन) क्या है ? उदाहरणों सहित इनका वर्णन कीजिए । 'कोर प्रभाव' पर एक टिप्पणी भी लिखिए । (10 अंक) (b) 'डेटा की केंद्रीय प्रवृत्ति के उपाय', टिप्पणी कीजिए । (10 अंक) (c) जेल वैद्युत्कणसंचलन के सिद्धांत, कार्य तंत्र एवं अनुप्रयोगों का वर्णन कीजिए । (10 अंक) (d) प्राणियों में 'प्रानुकूली सीखना (कंडीशन्ड लर्निंग)' । (10 अंक) (e) मनुष्यों में क्लाइनफेल्टर्स सल्लक्षण एवं टर्नर्स सल्लक्षण । (10 अंक)
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 coverage of five distinct topics. Allocate approximately 30 words per mark (150 words × 5 parts = 750 total). Distribute time evenly: ~3 minutes per sub-part. Structure each note as: definition (1 sentence) → core mechanism/process (2-3 sentences) → specific example/application (1-2 sentences). For (a), prioritize edge effect over basic definition; for (c), include a simple gel diagram; for (e), use karyotype notation (47,XXY and 45,X). No introduction or conclusion needed across parts.
Key points expected
- (a) Ecotone: transitional zone between ecosystems (e.g., grassland-forest ecotone in Terai region); Edge effect: greater species diversity/abiotic gradients at boundaries; mention ecotone as 'tension zone' with unique assemblages
- (b) Three measures: mean (arithmetic, geometric, harmonic), median, mode; include formulas and when each is appropriate (skewed vs. normal distribution); mention Indian agricultural/statistical applications
- (c) Principle: charge-to-size ratio separation; mechanism: gel matrix (agarose/SDS-PAGE), electric field, migration; applications: DNA fingerprinting, paternity testing, wildlife forensics (tiger/poaching cases)
- (d) Classical (Pavlov) vs. operant (Skinner) conditioning; acquisition, extinction, generalization; examples: dog salivation, rat lever-press, Indian elephant training in Kerala
- (e) Klinefelter: 47,XXY, male hypogonadism, tall stature, infertility; Turner: 45,X, female, webbed neck, short stature, primary amenorrhea; mention nondisjunction origin and incidence rates
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 25% | 12.5 | Precise definitions across all five parts: ecotone as tension zone with abiotic gradients; correct statistical formulas; accurate charge/mass principle for electrophoresis; distinguishes classical from operant conditioning; correct karyotypes (47,XXY and 45,X) with phenotypic correlates | Generally correct definitions with minor errors (e.g., confusing ecotone with ecosystem, omitting harmonic mean, vague electrophoresis principle, conflating conditioning types, karyotype notation errors) | Fundamental conceptual errors: treating ecotone as a species, wrong statistical measures, incorrect electrophoresis mechanism (sieving only), describing habituation as conditioning, interchanging Klinefelter/Turner sexes |
| Diagram / labelling | 15% | 7.5 | Clear gel electrophoresis diagram for (c) showing wells, lanes, DNA migration toward positive electrode, size markers; OR labeled karyotype sketches for (e); neat, labeled, with directionality indicated | Attempted diagram for electrophoresis with minor labelling omissions (missing electrode signs or well positions); OR textual description substituting for visual in time-constrained answers | No diagram where essential; OR incorrect diagram (e.g., DNA migrating to negative electrode, no gel matrix shown); messy, unlabeled sketches; diagrams for irrelevant parts (a, b, d) |
| Examples & nomenclature | 20% | 10 | Specific Indian examples: Terai ecotone/edge effect in Corbett/Rajaji; agricultural yield data for central tendency; NBFGR/forensic DNA applications; elephant mahout training in Kerala/Assam; incidence data from Indian cytogenetic surveys | Generic examples (forest edge, blood samples, lab rats) without Indian context; correct but commonplace illustrations; standard textbook examples without localization | No examples provided; incorrect examples (mangrove as ecotone without transition explanation); invented statistics; irrelevant animal examples; confused syndrome presentations |
| Process explanation | 20% | 10 | Step-wise clarity: for (a) how edge conditions create unique niches; for (b) calculation steps with distribution shapes; for (c) sample prep → gel loading → running → visualization; for (d) CS-US pairing and reinforcement schedules; for (e) meiotic nondisjunction mechanism | Broad process description without sequential logic; missing key steps (e.g., SDS denaturation in PAGE, extinction in conditioning); descriptive rather than mechanistic | No process explanation; jumbled sequence; confused cause-effect (e.g., edge effect causes ecotone); omits critical steps rendering explanation non-functional |
| Evolutionary / applied context | 20% | 10 | (a) Ecotones as biodiversity hotspots and climate change indicators; (b) Statistical significance in population genetics/evolutionary studies; (c) Electrophoresis in phylogenetics, conservation genetics (Project Tiger); (d) Adaptive significance of learning in survival; (e) Genetic counseling applications, prenatal screening relevance in India | Brief mention of applications without elaboration; standard textbook applications without contemporary relevance; generic 'useful in research' statements | No applied or evolutionary context; purely descriptive answers; missed opportunity to connect techniques to conservation, medicine, or behavioral ecology |
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