1 Kiran Education

MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
SAMPLE
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.

(ဤစာအုပ်ပါ မမေးခွန်ေးမ ာေးကု ဤ sample မမေးခွန်ေးပံုစအ

ံ တုင်ေး ထုတ်ထာေးပါသည်။)

SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Chapter 1 vi. Chapter 6
ii. Chapter 2 vii. Chapter 1
iii. Chapter 3 viii. Chapter 2
iv. Chapter 4 ix. Chapter 3
v. Chapter 5 x. Chapter 4
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Chapter 1 vi. Chapter 6
ii. Chapter 2 vii. Chapter 5
iii. Chapter 3 viii. Chapter 6
iv. Chapter 4 ix. Chapter 1
v. Chapter 5 x. Chapter 2
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Chapter 1 vi. Chapter 6
ii. Chapter 2 vii. Chapter 3
iii. Chapter 3 viii. Chapter 4
iv. Chapter 4 ix. Chapter 5
v. Chapter 5 x. Chapter 6

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Chapter 1
b. Chapter 2
c. Chapter 3
d. Chapter 4
e. Chapter 5
f. Chapter 6
 2 Kiran Education

5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)

a. Chapter 1
b. Chapter 2
c. Chapter 3
d. Chapter 4
e. Chapter 5
f. Chapter 6

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၂၀၂၄ ခုနှစ်တွင် စစ်မမေးခဲ့မသာ မမေးခွနေး် မ ာင်ေး မခါင်ေးစဉ်မ ာေး

Chapter 1
5 Marks Questions
1. List of particular kinds of aquaculture and any two of them (Page 9+10)
2. Importance of livestock (Page 12) **
3. Spider silk as animals-based medicines (Page 14)
4. Life cycle of silkworm and Queen of Textiles (Page 16+17) (Figure 1.19 A ကို ပိုဆွဲခိုင််းသည်)

10 Marks Questions
1. Agriculture and production of Rice (Page 5+6)
2. Major types of horticulture (Page 7) ***
3. Wood (Page 18)

Chapter 2
5 Marks Questions

1. Method of recombinant DNA (Page 33) (Figure 2.16 ကို ပိုဆွဲခိုင််းသည်)

2. Figure 2.17 (Page 34) (Labels and caption ရ ်းခိုင််းသည်)
3. Benefits of genetic engineering of crops + Plants that are also being engineered to produce
medicinal products (Page 34)
4. Three defined stages in the transcription process (Page 29) **
10 Marks Questions
1. Role of DNA in molecular biology (Page 24+25) ****
2. Figure 2.2 A (ပိုဆွဲခိုင််းသည်) (Page 23) + Transcription that occurs in the nucleus of the cell
(Page 29)
 3 Kiran Education

Chapter 3
5 Marks Questions
1. Apoplastic pathway (Page 42) ***
2. Figure 3.2 B (Page 41) (Labels and caption ရ ်းခိုင််းသည်) + Symplastic pathway (Page 42)
3. Figure 3.2 A+B (Page 41) (Labels and caption ရ ်းခိုင််းသည်)

10 Marks Questions

1. Blood clotting process (Page 55) (Flow diagram ဆွဲခိုင််းသည်) ***

2. Veins (Page 52)
3. Four sets of valves in human heart (Page 51) + Figure 3.9 A (Labels and caption ရ ်းခိုင််းသည်)

Chapter 4
5 Marks Questions
1. Prevention of cardiovascular disease (Page 71)
2. The reasons for the worldwide concern over the spread of malaria (Page 75) ***
3. Non-modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Page 70)
10 Marks Questions

1. Figure 4.1 (Labels and caption ရ ်းခိုင််းသည်) + Non-infectious plant diseases (Page 62+63)
2. Signs and symptoms of diseases in plants (Page 64) ***
3. Abiotic or non-infectious diseases (Page 63)

Chapter 5
5 Marks Questions
1. Gibberellin (Page 81+82) **
2. Photoperiodism (Page 84) **
3. Importance of photomorphogenesis (Page 84)
10 Marks Questions
1. Table 5.7 Differences between nervous system and endocrine system (Page 100) **
2. Figure 5.12 (Labels and caption ရ ်းခိုင််းသည်) + sclera, cornea, conjunctiva, choroid and ciliary
body (from Table 5.5) (Page 95+96)
3. Figure 5.12 (Labels and caption ရ ်းခိုင််းသည်) + any five different parts of the eye (from Table
5.5) (Page 95+96)

Chapter 6
5 Marks Questions
1. Ecosystem diversity (Page 104)
 4 Kiran Education

2. Problems with captive breeding and reintroduction programmes (Page 116) **

3. Endangered species designated by IUCN (Page 106+107)
4. Wildlife smuggling or trafficking of pangolin trade (Page 113+114)
10 Marks Questions
1. Importance of biodiversity (Page 105+106) **
2. Lists of protected areas in Myanmar + any three of them (Page 117+118+119)
3. Examples of some endangered plant species in Myanmar (Page 107)
4. Definition of “Conservation” + In situ conservation methods (Page 115)

၂၀၂၅ ခုနှစ်အတွက် ဦေးစာေးမပေး က က်မှတ်ရ န်

(ရအောင်မှတ်အတက် ၃ ခန််း အပပတ် ကျက်ထော်း ပါမည်။ ဤရခါင််းစဉ်မျော်းသည် ဦ်းစော်းရပ်း ကျက်မှတ် န်

ရ ်းရပ်းပခင််းသော ပြစ်သည်။ စောရမ်းပွဲကက်း၌ ပါမပါ အတအကျ အောမမခပါ။ ဤအရ ကောင််းအ ောမျော်းကို ဦ်းစော ပပ်းမှ
ကျန်အရ ကောင််းအ ောမျော်းကို ဆက်ကျက်ရစလိုပါသည်။)

Chapter 1
5 Marks Questions
1. Theme 1 (Page 1)
2. Theme 2 (Page 2)
3. Theme 3 (Page 3)
4. Theme 4 (Page 3)
5. Theme 5 (Page 3+5) **
6. Definition of horticulture (Page 6)
7. Pharmacognosy (Page 13)
8. Uses of plant-based medicines (Page 13)
9. Medicinal animals (Page 13)
10. Zootherapy (Page 14)
11. Salmon (Page 14) **
12. Horseshoe crabs (Page 14+15)
13. Cotton and jute (Page 16)
10 Marks Questions
1. Importance of biology in daily life (Page 5) **
2. Wheat, maize, pulse and bean (Page 6)
3. Hydroponic culture (Page 8+9) **
4. Particular kinds of aquaculture (Page 9)
5. The economic value of livestock (Page 11) **
6. Food (Page 12)
7. Leeches + Maggots (Page 14)
8. Wool (Page 17)
9. Wood (Page 18)
 5 Kiran Education

Chapter 2
5 Marks Questions
1. Molecular biology (Page 22)
2. Nucleic acids (Page 22) **
3. Four nitrogenous bases in DNA (Page 22+23) (with Figure 2.1 A and B)
4. Antiparallel strands of DNA molecule (Page 23)
5. Structure of RNA (Page 23) **
6. Types of RNA and their functions (Page 24) **
7. Formation of leading strand and lagging strand (Page 25)
8. Functions of DNA polymerase III and I during DNA replication (Page 26)
9. Protein synthesis (Page 29)
10. Modification of mRNA (Page 30) **
11. Golden rice + vitamin A deficiency (Page 34) **
12. Benefits of genetic engineering crops (Page 34)
13. Benefits of GM animals (Page 35)
10 Marks Questions
1. Backbone, base pairing, antiparallel strands of DNA (Page 22+23) (with Figure 2.2 A)
2. Enzymes that take part in DNA replication and their function (Page 27)
3. Genetic code (Page 27+28) **
4. Three important characteristics of genetic code (Page 28) ***
5. The description of DNA replication (Page 25+26+27)
6. Protein synthesis (Page 29)
7. Transcription (Page 29) **
8. Three phases of translation (Page 31+32) **
9. Production of genetically modified animals (Page 35) **

Chapter 3
5 Marks Questions
1. The reasons why plants need transport systems (Page 39+40) **
2. Figure 3.1 (Page 40)
3. Transpiration (Page 43)
4. Demonstration of transpiration pull (Page 45) (with Figure 3.5)
5. Features of mass transport systems (Page 47)
6. Closed circulatory system (Page 48) (with Figure 3.8 A and B)
7. Advantages of double circulation (Page 49) **
8. Cardiovascular system in mammals (Page 49)
9. Capillaries (Page 53)
10. The cardiac cycle (Page 56) **
10 Marks Questions
1. Transport system in plants (Page 39+40) **
2. Two transport systems in plants (Page 41) (with Figure 3.2) **
3. Apoplastic and symplastic pathways (Page 42)
4. Environmental factors affecting the rate of transpiration (Page 43+44) **
5. Benefits of transpiration (Page 44+45) **
 6 Kiran Education

6. Translocation (Page 45) (with Figure 3.6) **

7. Double circulatory system and its advantages (Page 48+49)
8. Arteries (Page 51)
9. Veins (Page 52)
10. The components of the blood (Page 53)
11. The plasma (Page 53)
12. Erythrocytes or red blood cells (Page 54) ***
13. Leucocytes or white blood cells (Page 54) ***
14. The cardiac cycle (Page 56)
15. Lymphatic system (Page 58) **

Chapter 4
5 Marks Questions
1. Biotic or infectious diseases (Page 63) (with Figure 4.1) ***
2. Some diseases of plants caused by bacteria (Page 66)
3. List of groups of plant pathogens (Page 65+66+67)
4. Groups of plant pathogens − nematodes (Page 67) **
5. Control of plant diseases (Page 67)
6. Biological control (Page 67)
7. Physical control (Page 67)
8. Chemical control (Page 67)
9. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) (Page 68)
10. Heart attack (Page 69)
11. Stroke (Page 69) **
12. High blood pressure (Page 71)
13. Figure 4.15 (Page 73)
14. Some features of infectious diseases of worldwide importance (Page 72)
15. Two biological control measures that can be used to prevent malaria (Page 74)
10 Marks Questions
1. Abiotic or non-infectious diseases (Page 63+64) ***
2. Sign and symptoms of diseases (Page 64)
3. Groups of plant pathogens – viruses (Page 66) **
4. Control of plant diseases (Page 67) ***
5. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (Page 68)
6. Angina (Page 68) **
7. Modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Page 70+71) ***
8. Treatment of cardiovascular disease (Page 71) **
9. Treating malaria (Page 74)
10. Preventing malaria (Page 74+75) **

Chapter 5
5 Marks Questions
1. Growth and phases of growth (Page 80) **
2. Auxin and its physiological effects (Page 81)
 7 Kiran Education

3. Cytokinin and its physiological effects (Page 82)

4. Ethylene and its physiological effects (Page 82)
5. Seed dormancy (Page 83)
6. Seed germination and its types (Page 83) ***
7. Spinal cord (Page 88) (with Figure 5.5 A and B) **
8. Functions of myelin sheath and three main types of neurones (Page 92)
9. Accommodation: Focusing on objects at different distances (Page 97) (with Figure 5.16 A
and B)
10 Marks Questions
1. Auxin and its physiological effects (Page 81) **
2. Cytokinin and its physiological effects (Page 82) **
3. Ethylene and its physiological effects (Page 82) **
4. Abscisic acid and its physiological effects (Page 82) **
5. Photoperiodism (Page 84)
6. Photomorphogenesis (Page 84)
7. Importance of photomorphogenesis (Page 84)
8. Table 5.1 (Page 87) (ရ ်းရမ်းနိုင်)
9. Peripheral nervous system (Page 88)
10. Somatic nervous system (Page 89) **
11. Autonomic nervous system (Page 89) **
12. Reflex arc (Page 89+90) (with Figure 5.7) **
13. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system (Page 90) (with Table 5.2)
14. Dendrites and axons (Page 91) (with Figure 5.9)
15. List of some common neurotransmitters and their functions (Page 94)
16. Table 5.6 (Page 98+99) (ရ ်းရမ်းနိုင်)

Chapter 6
5 Marks Questions
1. Biodiversity (Page 104)
2. Species diversity (Page 105) **
3. Habitat destruction (Page 109)
4. Habitat loss (Page 110)
5. Threats to agrobiodiversity (Page 110)
6. Pollution (Page 111)
7. Invasive Alien Species (Page 111)
8. Climate change (Page 112) **
9. Conservation (Page 115)
10. Reasons for conservation (Page 115)
11. Ex situ conservation methods (Page 115)
12. Some techniques used in captive breeding programmes (Page 116) **
13. Storage of seeds (Page 117)
14. Botanical garden (Page 117)
10 Marks Questions
1. Genetic diversity (Page 105) **
 8 Kiran Education

2. Forest diversity (Page 106)

3. Some endangered plant species in Myanmar (Page 107)
4. Threats to biodiversity (Page 109) ***
5. Habitat destruction (Page 109) **
6. Genetic pollution (Page 111) **
7. Overexploitation (Page 112) **
8. Human overpopulation (Page 113)
9. Ex situ conservation methods (Page 115+116)
10. Captive breeding (Page 116)
11. Seed bank (Page 116+117)
 9 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 1
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Carbohydrates and fats are heat or energy producing food.
ii. Nucleic acids are the main information-carrying molecules of the cell.
iii. Cardiac muscle cells are myogenic.
iv. Viruses are intercellular pathogenic particles.
v. Carbon dioxide is necessary for cellular respiration to produce metabolic energy.
vi. Forest ecosystems are a carbon sink and stabilize soils.
vii. Livestock is domesticated land-living animals.
viii. Primase unwinds parental double helix at replication forks.
ix. The muscular wall of the right ventricle is much thicker than that of the left.
x. The antibiotic doxycycline is prophylactic.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Chemical cycle occurs between _______ and the environment.
ii. The tRNA carries specific amino acid to mRNA at _______.
iii. The human heart is a _______ pump.
iv. Bacteria are most active in _______ and humid environments.
v. Indole acetic acid is the chemical name of _______.
vi. Biodiversity is the degree of _______ of life forms in an ecosystem.
vii. The outer white matter of spinal cord consists of _______ nerve fibres.
viii. Myanmar is the largest country in _______ Southeast Asia.
ix. Changing into the adult form from the pupa inside the cocoon is called _______.
x. A release factor cleaves the _______ from the last tRNA.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. (A. Silk B. Cotton C. Jute D. Wool) acts as the major source of textile industry around
the world.
ii. In RNA, adenine pairs with (A. uracil B. thymine C. cytosine D. guanine).
iii. Over 50% of the blood volume in the body is (A. platelets B. erythrocytes C. leucocytes
D. plasma).
iv. The pathogen of malaria is (A. bacteria B. virus C. protist D. fungi).
v. Walnut-shaped structure located in the brain is (A. cerebrum B. cerebellum C. pons D.
medulla oblongata).
 10 Kiran Education

vi. The total forest area is (A. 28% B. 10% C. 38% D. 43%) of the total land area of
Myanmar.
vii. For photosynthesis, mesophyll cells are supplied with (A. carbon dioxide B. oxygen C.
nitrogen D. water).
viii. A healthy blood pressure is around (A. 100/70 mmHg B. 110/80 mmHg C. 120/80
mmHg D. 120/70 mmHg).
ix. Epigeal germination takes place in (A. bean seed B. coconut C. mangrove D. mango
seed).
x. The most trafficked animal in the world is (A. tigers B. pangolins C. elephants D.
rhinoceroses).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. List the hierarchy of life on earth and explain the correlation of structure and function
of biological components with hummingbird example.
b. Write an interesting account of vitamin A deficiency and golden rice.
c. State the process of transpiration as found in plants.
d. Tabulate some diseases of plants caused by bacteria.
e. Enumerate the physiological effects of auxin.
f. Write short notes on conservation.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Explain the role of leeches and maggots as animal-based medicines.
b. Describe the nature of the genetic code.
c. Explain about double circulatory system and its advantages.
d. Explain the nature of angina and the cardiovascular disease in human.
e. Differentiate the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and describe
their effects with relevant table.
f. Describe some endangered vertebrate species in Myanmar.

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 11 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 2
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. The scientific name of foxglove plant is Papaver somniferum.
ii. UAG codon codes for the amino acid methionine.
iii. Sieve tubes are living cells without nucleus.
iv. There are over 8,000 species of plant pest.
v. The connection between two neurones is called an axon.
vi. The term ‘biodiversity’ was coined by Edward O. Wilson.
vii. Silk is the yarn obtained out of coccons.
viii. At each end of the replication bubble is a replication fork.
ix. The circulatory system of spiders is closed circulatory system.
x. Plant stanols and sterols compounds are now widely sold in spreads and yoghurts.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not c opy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Myanmar’s farms are well _______.
ii. The orange pigment of Golden Rice is called _______.
iii. The function of the _______ is to prevent backflow of blood from the left ventricle into
the left atrium.
iv. Nematodes are very tiny _______.
v. Cells that support the neurones are called _______.
vi. The scientific name of Taung Zalat Ni is _______.
vii. The only gaseous phytohormone is _______.
viii. Climate change is a growing threat to _______.
ix. The bacterium _______ helps in the formation of curd from milk.
x. _______ is the master blueprint for life.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Plant fibres are (A. parenchymatous B. sclerenchymatous C. aerenchymatous D.
collenchymatous) cells.
ii. Before leaving the nucleus, (A. G cap B. poly-A tail C. intron D. extron) is added at 5’
end of the precursor mRNA.
iii. The movement of dissolved substances through a plant is (A. transpiration B.
transaction C. translocation D. transformation)
 12 Kiran Education

iv. (A. Signs B. Symptoms C. Mosaics D. Ringspots) are visible effects of disease on
plants.
v. Optimum temperature for plant growth is (A. 5-10℃ B. 10-15℃ C. 15-25℃ D. 20-35℃).
vi. The best method of freezing eggs is (A. insemination B. pedigree C. cryogenics D.
laboratory).
vii. The elastic recoil (A. increases B. decreases C. maintains D. stops) the blood pressure.
viii. (A. Chloroquine B. Quinine C. Doxycycline D. Mefloquine) inhibits protein synthesis.
ix. (A. Dopamine B. Serotonin C. Endorphin D. Norepinephrine) is involved in mood
control.
x. The scientific name of black orchid is (A. Swietenia macrophylla B. Cephalotaxus
mannii C. Dipterocarpus alatus D. Paphiopedilum wardii).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Briefly explain the pharmacognosy.
b. With illustration, explain the protein synthesis.
c. Enumerate the advantages of double circulatory system in human.
d. Clarify the formation of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
e. Compare what the eyes happen when they are focused on a distant object and when
they are focused on a nearby object.
f. Mention the storage of seeds which is one of the most widespread ex situ approaches.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Explain the importance of biology in daily life.
b. Tabulate enzymes that take part in DNA replication and their function. (Illustration is
not necessary.)
c. Describe the environmental factors affecting transpiration in plants.
d. List the group of plant pathogens and explain the causes and symptom of viruses.
e. Give an account on the peripheral, somatic and autonomic nervous system. / Describe
the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
f. Discuss about the genetic pollution.

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 13 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 3
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Gene expression cannot produce RNAs that are not translated into proteins.
ii. The DNA molecule is a moderately large molecule.
iii. Lymph nodes contain white blood cells which are important in destroying harmful
bacteria.
iv. As a person gets older, the blood vessels begin to narrow.
v. Water maintains the turgidity of plants.
vi. Invasive alien species is the most significant cause of biodiversity loss globally.
vii. Evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of life.
viii. The termination phase begins when a stop codon on the mRNA is reached.
ix. Xylem tissue contains living, empty cells with no end walls.
x. Non-infectious plant diseases are caused by a pathogenic organism.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Rice production is based on its _______.
ii. DNA carries a large amount of _______ information.
iii. The right atrioventricular valve is called _______ valve.
iv. Most cardiovascular diseases start with _______ formation.
v. Peripheral nervous system includes _______ pairs of cervical nerves.
vi. Artificial insemination and cryogenics are used in _______ breeding.
vii. TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce _______.
viii. Habitat destruction has played a key role in _______.
ix. The bacterium _______ helps in the formation of curd from milk.
x. A series of segments in _______ strand are called Okazarki fragments.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Aspirin was originally obtained from the bark of the (A. cinchona B. poppy C. foxglove
D. willow) tree.
ii. (A. mRNA B. tRNA C. rRNA D. snRNA) reads codon on mRNA.
iii. The left atrium receives the blood from the (A. inferior vena cava B. superior vena cava
C. lungs D. aorta).
iv. Smoking also changes the balance of (A. minerals B. cholesterol C. lipoproteins D.
serum) in the blood.
 14 Kiran Education

v. (A. Unipolar B. Bipolar C. Tripolar D. Multipolar) neurone is f ound in the retina of the
eye.
vi. Dried seeds are stored in a temperature of -14℃ and in (A. light B. dark C. dim-light
D. shaded) conditions.
vii. A stroke is caused by an interruption of the normal blood supply to an area of the (A.
leg B. heart C. brain D. abdomen).
viii. Female Anopheles mosquitoes feed on human blood to obtain the (A. carbohydrate B.
protein C. lipid D. glucose) they need to develop their eggs.
ix. Actively growing regions of a plant usually produce the largest amount of (A. ethylenes
B. auxins C. gibberellins D. cytokinin).
x. The scientific name for the green peafowl is (A. Aulonocara Baenschi B. Afropavo
congensis C. Pavo cristatus D. Pavo muticus).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. How do you mean the gene expression?
b. Describe the modification of mRNA.
c. Write notes on the capillaries of human blood vessels.
d. Mention the cause and symptoms of strokes.
e. State the seed germination and its types with examples.
f. Define the term ‘species diversity’.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Mention the economic value of livestock.
b. Mention the three phases of translation in protein synthesis.
c. Describe the nature of Erythrocytes and Leucocytes.
d. Give short account on smoking, inactivity and high blood pressure as modifiable risk
factors for cardiovascular disease.
e. Explain detail on auxin and cytokinin.
f. Briefly explain the threats to biodiversity.

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 15 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 4
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Maggots are small, voracious eaters that feed on diseased and dying flesh.
ii. Topoisomerase lessens the tension on the loose helix.
iii. The apoplast path includes the cell wall and intracellular spaces.
iv. Plasmodium multiplies only in single host.
v. Insulin is produced by the islets of Langerhans in the liver.
vi. A variety of human activities threatens the agrobiodiversity of Myanmar.
vii. Structurally, plant fibres are parenchymatous cells.
viii. The purine bases have a single ring in their chemical structures.
ix. In passive absorption, water moves through the symplast of the root.
x. A healthy blood pressure is around 120 mmHg during diastole.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Compost from dead and decaying organic matter acts as an effective _______ for the
growing plants.
ii. The genes of Golden Rice that can make beta-carotene come from _______ and
Erwinia bacteria.
iii. Platelets are tiny fragments of _______.
iv. Plasmodium can pass across the _______ from mother to fetus.
v. ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete _______.
vi. _______ is known as ‘Father of Biodiversity’.
vii. Abscisic acid acts as _______ of all growth promoters.
viii. Protected areas are _______ ecosystem.
ix. Decomposers break down leaf litter and dead organisms, returning _______ into the
soil.
x. Damaged regions of DNA are excised out by DNA _______.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The major portion of the (A. timber B. teak C. lumber D. wood) is used for structural
purpose.
ii. One of the terminator codons is (A. AUG B. UAG C. UCA D. CAG).
iii. In large multicellular organisms, the surface area to volume ratio is (A. small B.
medium C. large D. extremely large).
 16 Kiran Education

iv. A drug used to lower blood cholesterol level is (A. beta blockers B. statin C. ACE
inhibitors D. sympathetic nerve inhibitors).
v. Thalamus is situated at the base of the (A. forebrain B. hindbrain C. midbrain D.
hypothalamus).
vi. Scientific reserves have some similarities to (A. national park B. nature reserves C.
marine national park D. wildlife sanctuary).
vii. The lifespan of erythrocytes is about (A. one B. two C. three D. four) mouths.
viii. Artesunate is a drug derived from the plant compound (A. proguanil B. mefloquine C.
artemisinin D. doxycycline).
ix. (A. Insulin B. Glucagon C. Estrogen D. Prolactin) raises blood glucose levels.
x. Coral reefs have a very high (A. community B. biodiversity C. environment D.
population).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Define the term zootherapy and explain the pharmacological role of salmon in the
treatment of calcium regulating disorder.
b. Define the term molecular biology and explain about the nature of nucleic acids.
c. Explain why plants need transport systems.
d. Explain the types of plant pathogens − nematodes.
e. Define the term growth? Write note about the phases of growth in plants.
f. Explain briefly about climate change.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Write an interesting account on hydroponic culture.
b. State the three important characteristics of the genetic code.
c. Mention the benefits of transpiration for the plant in detail.
d. Clarify the control methods of plant diseases.
e. Explain detail on two growth inhibitors in plants.
f. Explain the habitat destruction.

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 17 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 5
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Pharmacognosy is a name derived from Latin words, which mean drug and treatment.
ii. Beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A when the golden rice is eaten.
iii. Most plants have compact bodies like animals.
iv. Animal diseases can be divided into non-infectious diseases and infectious diseases.
v. Auxins are weak inorganic acids produced naturally by plants.
vi. The illegal wildlife trade has been emergence of new infectious disease in humans.
vii. Livestock can be used as a source of milk and other dairy products.
viii. DNA replication is made by a semiconservative method.
ix. Arteries carry blood back towards the heart.
x. Diseases may be the result of living causes.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Domain Bacteria and _______ consist of prokaryotes.
ii. Cytosine and guanine are joined by _______ hydrogen bonds.
iii. In passive absorption, water moves through the _______ of the root.
iv. Diseases that are always in populations are described as _______.
v. Retina consists of two types of _______ cells; cone cells and rod cells.
vi. Seed banks have been set up to help conserve _______ plant species.
vii. Horticulture is a branch of _______.
viii. Like DNA, RNA is a _______ of nucleotides.
ix. Xylem vessels are composed of dead, empty _______ cells with no end walls.
x. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood _______ in a vein deep inside
the body.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The lowest level of organization that can perform all activities required for life is (A.
quark B. atom C. cell D. organ).
ii. The (A. helicase B. primase C. topoisomerase D. nuclease) enzymes unwind the
double helix.
iii. The intrinsic rhythm of the heart is around (A. 60 B. 70 C. 80 D. 90) beats per minute.
iv. Ringspots are characterized by the appearance of (A. white spots B. blight C. soft rot
D. necrotic rings) on the leaves.
 18 Kiran Education

v. Testosterone is (A. water- B. protein- C. lipid- D. acid-) based.

vi. The (A. overhunting B. overfishing C. overlogging D. overexploitation) can lead to the
destruction of the resource, as it will be unable to replenish.
vii. The lymph returns to the blood by the opening into the (A. aorta B. subclavian veins
C. pulmonary vein D. renal artery).
viii. The hardening of arteries, caused by (A. cholesterol B. plaque C. fat D. atheroma) is
called atherosclerosis.
ix. The myelin sheath supply nutrients to (A. axons B. neurones C. dendrons D. dendrites).
x. One of the major reasons for habitat destruction is (A. climate change B. water
pollution C. encroaching D. overpopulation).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Discuss the summary of evolution and Darwin’s natural selection process.
b. Explain the structure of RNA molecule, together with different types and their function.
c. Give an explanation on the cardiac cycle in human.
d. Write about the biotic or infectious diseases of plants.
e. Mention the functions of myelin sheath and three main types of neurones.
f. Explain about species diversity.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Enumerate the particular kinds of aquaculture.
b. Write an account of the production of genetically modified animals.
c. Discuss the transport system in plants as far as you can. (Illustration is not necessary.)
d. Discuss about preventing malaria.
e. Tabulate some common neurotransmitters and their functions.
f. State about the genetic diversity.

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 19 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 6
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Scientific research and development of new tools and techniques have decreased the
quality of our lives.
ii. The two strands of DNA are replicated in the same direction.
iii. Erythrocytes are much larger than leucocytes.
iv. Infectious plant diseases are caused by a pathogenic organism.
v. A cross section of the spinal cord reveals both white matter and black matter.
vi. In situ methods are the way to conserve animals and plants outside their natural
habitats.
vii. The wheat can be cultivated twice a year.
viii. Semiconservative method was predicted by Meselson and Stahl.
ix. In most plants, stomata close during the day and open at night.
x. High blood pressure increases the risk of damage to blood vessel linings.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The wings of hummingbird can rotate at the _______.
ii. A codon is made up of three _______.
iii. The right atrium receives the blood from the _______ vena cava.
iv. The parasitic organism that causes a disease is a _______.
v. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and _______.
vi. Pangolins are the only _______ mammals on earth.
vii. Motor neurones transmit information from the central nervous system to _______.
viii. Wildlife _______ directly affects the biodiversity of different ecosystems.
ix. Pomology is also called _______.
x. Transcription is the process of _______ sequence of DNA to mRNA.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. (A. Proteins B. Vitamins C. Carbohydrates D. Minerals) provide heat or energy.
ii. The (A. helicase B. primase C. topoisomerase D. ligase) enzymes unzip the DNA
molecule to prepare for replication.
iii. The most abundant component of blood is (A. plasma B. erythrocyte C. leucocyte D.
platelet).
 20 Kiran Education

iv. The (A. biological B. chemical C. physical D. geological) control is control of plant
diseases using living microorganisms.
v. Effect of relative length of day and night on flowering is called (A. photomorphogenesis
B. photosynthesis C. photokinesis D. photoperiodism).
vi. Climate change is a growing threat to (A. plants B. microorganisms C. animals D.
biodiversity).
vii. Many scientists refer spider silk as (A. bio-silk B. bio-fibre C. bio-steel D. bio-thread).
viii. Opposite to the acceptor stem is the (A. amino acid B. small ribosomal subunit C.
polypeptide chain D. anticodon).
ix. The unique muscle of the heart is known as (A. heart B. cardiac C. involuntary D.
myogenic) muscle.
x. The (A. biotic B. abiotic C. pathogenic D. infectious) diseases are caused by non-living
factors.

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. How do you define horticulture? Describe the meaning of this word.
b. Discuss about types of RNA molecules. Tabulate their different types and functions.
c. State the nature of the cardiovascular system in mammals.
d. Tabulate some features of infectious diseases of worldwide importance.
e. Briefly explain the nature of the brain.
f. Mention the reasons for conservation.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Describe how the new properties emerge at successive levels of biological
organization.
b. Clarify the protein synthesis and explain the transcription process.
c. Briefly explain all you know about the human lymphatic system. (Illustration is not
necessary.)
d. Explain the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
e. Differentiate the photoperiodism and photomorphogenesis.
f. Give the explanation on overexploitation.

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 21 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 7
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Eukaryotic cells contain membrane enclosed organelles.
ii. The pyrimidine bases are adenine and guanine.
iii. The dissolved mineral ions are transported in the phloem tissue.
iv. A plant disease is usually defined as abnormal growth.
v. Endocrine glands secrete electrical messengers called hormones.
vi. Seed banks have been set up to help conserve normal plants species.
vii. Chemical cycle occurs between organisms and environment.
viii. DNA molecules are oriented differently.
ix. Plants have extensive root systems below the ground.
x. Abiotic diseases are caused by living organisms.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The life stages of silkworm include egg, caterpillar, _______ and adult.
ii. Every time DNA replicate, the _______ get shorter.
iii. Red blood cells are also called _______.
iv. The hardening of arteries, caused by atheroma, is called _______.
v. The presence of immature embryo can cause seed _______.
vi. Endangered species are likely to become _______ in near future if not protected.
vii. Thyroid-stimulating hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to produce _______.
viii. More than 3 billion people depend on marine and _______ biodiversity.
ix. Digitalis is obtained from the leaves of _______ plant.
x. At end of the replication _______ is a replication fork.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. (A. Carp B. Salmon C. Tilapia D. Catfish) is the most important fish species used in
fish farming worldwide.
ii. (A. Amino acids B. Nucleotides C. Polysaccharides D. Peptides) are repeatedly joined
together to form DNA strand.
iii. The contractions of the heart are called (A. stroke B. systole C. diastole D. stress).
iv. The study of plant diseases is called (A. pathology B. symptoms C. pathogen D.
cytology).
 22 Kiran Education

v. The endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the (A. organs B. nerves C. cells
D. bloodstreams).
vi. The best way to conserve any species is to keep it in its (A. particular habitat B.
unusual habitat C. artificial habitat D. natural habitat).
vii. The source of quinine is (A. willow tree B. cinchona tree C. f oxglove plant D. opium
poppy).
viii. In total, there are around (A. 3.1 B. 3.2 C. 3.3 D. 3.4) billion base pairs in the DNA of
a typical mammalian cell.
ix. The main component of the walls of sieve tubes is (A. lignin B. chlorophyll C. starch
D. cellulose).
x. One of the most common vectors of viruses are (A. water B. air C. insects D. animals).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Explain the nature of horseshoe crabs as animal-based medicines.
b. Describe the nature of antiparallel strands of DNA molecule.
c. Clarify features of mass transport systems.
d. Discuss about two biological control measures that can be used to prevent malaria.
e. State the only gaseous phytohormone.
f. Explain the Ex situ conservation methods.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Discuss about wheat, maize, pulse and bean.
b. What are the benefits of genetic engineering crops and GM animals?
c. Differentiate apoplastic and symplastic pathways.
d. Briefly explain about abiotic or non-infectious diseases.
e. Tabulate the structures, locations and functions of cerebrum, midbrain and cerebellum.
f. Explain about captive breeding programmes.

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 23 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 8
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Jute is the world’s chief fibre for making paper.
ii. Transcription takes place in the nucleus.
iii. Oxygen is supplied to the heart muscle by the pulmonary arteries.
iv. Chloroquine inhibits protein synthesis and prevents the parasite spreading within the
body.
v. Phytohormones are essential organic compounds required in very small quantities.
vi. The destruction of the natural environment leads to habitat loss.
vii. Hydroponics uses more water than traditional soil-based system.
viii. One type of antibody made by corn can deliver radioisotopes to tumour cells.
ix. Closed circulatory system is found in crabs.
x. Most nematode species that attack plants are microscopic.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. All organisms require _______ for their life.
ii. Vitamin A deficiency can cause _______.
iii. The uptake of water is a _______ process that occurs by osmosis.
iv. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of arteries caused by _______.
v. Maximum synthesis of _______ occurs during the ripening of fruits.
vi. Healthy ecosystem and rich biodiversity will contribute to climate _______.
vii. Livestock is any _______, land-living animal.
viii. The newly synthesized mRNA is called _______ mRNA.
ix. Birds and mammals need much more _______ than fish.
x. Plant pathogens are very similar to those that cause disease in _______ and animals.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The cell is a basic unit structure and (A. loading B. tasking C. function D. making) of
an organism.
ii. The smallest branches of the arterial system furthest from the heart is (A. capillaries
B. venules C. arterioles D. vessels).
iii. Between the capillaries and the cells is a watery liquid called (A. tissue B. cell C. blood
D. plasmic) fluid.
iv. In tuberculosis, the bacteria usually attack (A. heart B. tumour C. kidneys D. lungs).
 24 Kiran Education

v. (A. Estrogen B. Testosterone C. Progesterone D. Prolactin) promotes the

development of female secondary sexual characteristics.
vi. The most trafficked animal in the world is (A. rhinoceroses B. pangolins C. elephants
D. tigers).
vii. Ventricular systole occurs before atrial systole.
viii. Symptoms are visible effects of disease on plants.
ix. In dim light, the pupil is constricted.
x. All organisms in an ecosystem live in interdependence.

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Mention the theme of interactions in biological systems.
b. Explain about the structure of RNA.
c. Demonstrate the transpiration pull with relevant diagram.
d. Briefly explain the control of plant diseases and mention the biological control.
e. State the plant hormone that is rich in coconut milk and its physiological effects.
f. Describe the nature of botanical garden.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Discuss about wool that is one of the most widely used animal fibres.
b. Describe about DNA replication. (Illustration is not necessary.)
c. Discuss the movement of dissolved substances through a plant.
d. Differentiate signs and symptoms of plant diseases.
e. Tabulate the hormones secreted by thyroid, pancreas, ovaries and testes, together
with their effects on target tissues or organs.
f. Differentiate in situ and ex situ conservation methods.

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 25 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 9
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil.
ii. There are 20 different nucleotides that are used to build proteins.
iii. Phloem tissue is made of dead cells.
iv. There are over 8,000 plant pest species shown to cause disease.
v. The main effect of cytokinin is to reduce the rate of cell division.
vi. The number of species in an ecosystem is known as species richness.
vii. The DNA transmits heritable information from parents to offspring.
viii. A start codon also codes for the amino acid tryptophan.
ix. The leaves have a small surface area to volume ratio.
x. Abscisic acid and ethylene are growth inhibitors for plants.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The structure and _______ of biological components are interrelated.
ii. The 5’ and 3’ come from the numbering of the carbons on the _______ sugar.
iii. Most of the water from tissue fluid reinters _______ by osmosis.
iv. Biological control is control of plant diseases using living _______.
v. When focused on the distant object, the _______ refracts the rays of light from the
object.
vi. Pollution is caused by _______ pesticide and herbicide use.
vii. The cells of _______ are isodiametric.
viii. _______ have been set up to help conserve rare plant species.
ix. Maize is a _______ plant that prefers warm humid weather.
x. _______ is a staple food in many parts of the world.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The body building food is (A. vitamin B. protein C. minerals D. carbohydrates).
ii. (A. mRNA B. tRNA C. rRNA D. snRNA) carries the specific amino acids at ribosome.
iii. Fluid that passes into the lymphatic system is (A. lymph B. blood C. plasma D. tissue
fluid).
iv. A plant that requires intermediate day light for flowering is called (A. short day plant B.
day neutral plant C. long day plant D. median day plant).
 26 Kiran Education

v. The spinal cord is continuous with (A. cerebellum B. medulla oblongata C. midbrain D.
pons).
vi. (A. Botanical B. Zoological C. Microbiological D. Ecological) gardens are places to
integrate the study of conservation on plant species.
vii. Oxygen is supplied to the heart muscle by the (A. pulmonary artery B. pulmonary vein
C. coronary artery D. coronary vein).
viii. A body mass index of (A. 12.5 - 18 B. 18.5 - 25 C. 25 - 32.5 D. 32 - 48.5) kg m-2 is an
ideal range of a healthy weight.
ix. Growth is considered as an increase in the (A. weight B. size C. height D. mass) of
the object.
x. The Red Data Book includes the list of endangered species of (A. all organisms B.
plants C. animals D. plants and animals).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Explain today’s medicines that are made from plants.
b. Give a short account on the formation of leading strand and lagging strand during DNA
replication.
c. Explain about open circulatory system with relevant diagram.
d. Write an account of the physical and chemical control of plant diseases.
e. Clarify seed dormancy.
f. Define the term ‘biodiversity’.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Discuss about wood that is an important plant product.
b. Mention the nature of the backbone, base pairing, and antiparallel strands according
to the structure of DNA.
c. Why are transport systems needed in plants? Give reasons and write notes on the
structure of xylem and phloem tissues.
d. Explain how to treat malaria.
e. Clarify photomorphogenesis and its importance.
f. Describe some endangered plant species in Myanmar.

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 27 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 10
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Jute is in the genus Gossypium.
ii. The termination phase begins when a stop codon on the mRNA is reached.
iii. Transpiration rate decreases with increasing wind speed or temperature.
iv. A stimulus is detected by a sensory receptor.
v. The somatic system includes 12 pairs of spinal nerves.
vi. Hlawga park is the example of national park.
vii. Viticulture is the production of grapes.
viii. Each time the DNA replicates, some nucleotides from the chromosome are lost.
ix. Semilunar valves look like pocket.
x. Women are more likely to suffer from heart disease than men.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Humans and animals depend on the _______ products for sustaining themselves.
ii. Transcription occurs in the _______ of the cell.
iii. One cycle of systole and diastole makes up a single _______.
iv. Bacteria are most active in warm and _______ environments.
v. The outermost coat of the eyeball is _______.
vi. Overexploitation can lead to the _______ of the resource.
vii. The _______ consists of cone cells and rod cells.
viii. Forest ecosystems are a _______ sink and stabilize soil.
ix. Silkworm has _______ stages in its life cycle.
x. Transgenic organism is provided with a new _______ by introducing foreign DNA into
its genome.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. The process used to obtain dairy products from milk is (A. respiration B. transpiration
C. photosynthesis D. fermentation).
ii. The (A. helicase B. primase C. topoisomerase D. nuclease) enzymes lessen the
tension on the tight DNA helix.
iii. (A. Oxygen B. Water C. Ions D. Sucrose) are transported by the phloem in plants.
iv. A healthy blood pressure is around (A. 90 B. 100 C. 110 D. 120) mmHg during systole.
 28 Kiran Education

v. The hormone which lowers blood glucose level is (A. thyroxine B. glucagon C. insulin
D. calcitonin).
vi. The largest forest type of forest in Myanmar is (A. mixed deciduous forest B. hill and
temperate evergreen forest C. tropical evergreen forest D. dry forest).
vii. The components of phloem tissue are living cells (A. sieve tube B. phloem fibre C.
companion cell D. phloem parenchyma).
viii. The bacteria (A. Xanthomonas B. Erwinia C. Pseudomonas D. Streptomyces) cause
pox of potato.
ix. The peripheral nervous system includes (A. 5 B. 8 C. 12 D. 31) pairs of sacral nerves.
x. Genetic diversity is the variety of genes within a (A. species B. genus C. population D.
community).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Mention the nature of cotton and jute.
b. How does DNA polymerase replicate the two original strands and function of DNA
polymerase I, during DNA replication?
c. Explain about the formation of blood clot.
d. Explain about high blood pressure which is one of the modifiable risk factors for CVDs.
e. Enumerate the physiological effects of auxin.
f. Discuss about human overpopulation.
5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Describe about food that is one of the major requirements of life.
b. Clarify the nucleotide molecules of DNA with their relevant diagram.
c. Discuss about double circulatory system and its advantages.
d. Explain about myocardial infarction and stroke.
e. Give an explanation about the structure and function of synapses. (Illustration is not
necessary.)
f. List the protected areas in Myanmar and explain any three of them.

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 29 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 11
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. When the silkworms hatched, they are called pupa.
ii. The genetic code is completely universal.
iii. The uptake of water occurs by osmosis.
iv. Coconut milk is a rich source of gibberellin.
v. Human growth hormone is soluble in water.
vi. In situ are the ways to conserve animals and plants outside their natural habitats.
vii. The less robust weed and pest plants have submerged growth state.
viii. The monomer of DNA polymer is nucleotide.
ix. Most veins carry oxygenated blood.
x. Not all bacteria are bad for plants and soil.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. In feedback regulation, a process is regulated by its output or _______.
ii. Eukaryotes have TTAGGG to protect against the possible loss of genes at _______.
iii. The dissolved organic compounds are transported in the _______ tissue.
iv. Biotic diseases are caused by _______ organisms.
v. Light is perceived in plants by _______.
vi. Conservation means keeping and protecting a living and changing _______.
vii. The somatic nervous system is under the _______ control.
viii. The _______ of the natural environment leads to habitat loss.
ix. _______ is a worldwide staple food.
x. UAA, UAG, and UGA are _______ codons.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Fish farming is a type of (A. aquaculture B. agriculture C. horticulture D. floriculture).
ii. (A. Fungus B. Symbiotic protist C. Harmless Virus D. Parasite) acts as a vector to
insert the recombinant gene into a target cell.
iii. (A. Fish B. Birds C. Insects D. Mammals) commonly have an open circulatory system.
iv. A sudden increase in the number of people with a disease is called (A. pandemic B.
endemic C. prodemic D. epidemic).
v. (A. Cytokinin B. Auxin C. Abscisin D. Ethylene) promotes dormancy in plants.
 30 Kiran Education

vi. In the forest area of Myanmar, the amount of mixed deciduous forest type is about (A.
2 B. 10 C. 16 D. 38) percent.
vii. The molecule that carries glucose from the leaves to other parts of the plant is (A.
sucrose B. fructose C. cellulose D. starch).
viii. Any detectable changes in colour, shape of plants in response to a pathogen are a (A.
disease B. syndrome C. symptom D. sign).
ix. Effect of relative length of day and night on flowering is called (A. photoperiodism B.
photomorphogenesis C. florigen D. morphogenesis).
x. The best method of embryo conservation is (A. laboratory B. cryogenics C. seed bank
D. botanical garden).

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Describe about medicinal animals.
b. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and explain about four nitrogenous
bases in DNA.

c. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and describe two transport systems
in plants. (Do not copy the diagram.)
 31 Kiran Education

d. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and describe biotic or infectious
diseases. (Do not copy the diagram.)

e. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and mention the specialized cell
structures of neurones. (Do not copy the diagrams.)

f. Enumerate some techniques used in captive breeding programmes.

5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Describe the transfer and transformation of energy and matter, and summary of the
evolution in themes of biology.
b. Describe the role of DNA as far as you can.
c. List the main types of blood vessel and explain the nature of arteries.
d. List the groups of plant pathogens and explain any two of them.
e. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and briefly explain about sense
organs. (Do not copy the diagrams.)
 32 Kiran Education

f. Write short notes on endangered species and invasive alien species.

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 33 Kiran Education

2025
MATRICULATION EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF MYANMAR EXAMINATIONS
PILOT TEST - 12
BIOLOGY Time Allowed: (3) Hours
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR ANSWER BOOKLET.
DO NOT COPY THE QUESTIONS.
SECTION (A)
1. State TRUE or FALSE to the following statements. Do not copy the statements. (10 marks)
i. Landscape horticulture is the cultivation and care of perennial woody plants for long-
term landscape and amenity purposes.
ii. The first step of protein synthesis is translation.
iii. Plants lack a nervous system.
iv. Proguanil is used as prophylactic drug to stop an infection.
v. The endocrine system transmits the information by neurones.
vi. Orcaella brevirostris is one of the endangered plant species in Myanmar.
vii. The leech secretes anti-coagulants while feeding on the surface of the skin.
viii. Translation occurs in the cytoplasm.
ix. The main photosynthetic organs are the roots.
x. Tuberculosis can be caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis.
2. Complete the following statements with appropriate words. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. Cotton is the world’s chief _______ plant.
ii. In the process of splicing, snRNPs associate with other factors to form _______.
iii. Most transpiration takes place through the _______.
iv. The characteristics of _______ is the appearance of chlorotic or necrotic rings on the
leaves.
v. Aqueous and vitreous chambers are involved in the _______ of light rays onto the
retina.
vi. Climate change is a growing threat to _______.
vii. Insulin-producing cell is present in _______.
viii. The scientific name of black orchid is _______.
ix. Raw silk is the _______ obtained out of cocoons.
x. In sheep, _______ promoter is functional only in mammary cells.
3. Choose the correct answer for the following statements. Do not copy the statements.
(10 marks)
i. (A. Nylon B. Linen C. Fabric dye D. Polyester) is not derived from plants.
ii. Cytosine always pairs with (A. guanine B. adenine C. thymine D. uracil).
iii. Most plants have extensive branching bodies with (A. shoots B. flowers C. leaves D.
branches).
 34 Kiran Education

iv. Most cardiovascular diseases start with (A. macrophages B. atheroma formation C.
inflammation D. high blood pressure).
v. Auxin initiates and promotes cells (A. abscission B. elongation C. division D.
parthenocarpy) in vascular cambium.
vi. According to estimates the 25% of the world’s flowering plant species could disappear
within the next (A. 20 B. 30 C. 40 D. 50) years.
vii. The leucocytes do not contain (A. nucleus B. colourless cytoplasm C. granules D.
haemoglobin).
viii. The fungus Aspergillus cause the (A. rot of seeds B. rust of cereals C. soft rot of fruits
D. soft rot of vegetables).
ix. The cells of elongation phase are found around the (A. maturation B. meristematic C.
differentiation D. elongation) cells.
x. (A. Mix deciduous forest B. Tropical evergreen forest C. Dry forest D. Swamp forest)
occurs where rainfall is usually less than 400 mm a year.

SECTION (B)
4. Answer ALL questions. (30 marks)
a. Briefly explain the lifecycle of silkworm and define the “Queen of Textiles”.
b. Describe the method of recombinant DNA with appropriate illustration.
c. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and write an interesting account of
the circulatory system found in fish. (Do not copy the diagram.)

d. Explain the formation of atheroma and atherosclerosis.

e. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and mention the spinal cord. (Do not
copy the diagram.)
 35 Kiran Education

f. Briefly explain about the community forest of Myanmar.

5. Answer any FOUR questions. (40 marks)
a. Describe the major types of horticulture.
b. Briefly explain about three phases of translation stage in protein synthesis. (Illustration
is not necessary.)
c. List the components of the blood and explain the nature of plasma.
d. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and explain the process of female
Anopheles mosquitoes in malaria transmission. (Do not copy the diagram.)

e. Provide labels and caption to the given diagrams and explain the nature of reflex arc.
(Do not copy the diagrams.)
 36 Kiran Education

f. Explain about the seed bank with its relevant flow diagram.

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 37 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 1
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. TRUE i. organisms i. B
ii. TRUE ii. ribosome ii. A
iii. TRUE iii. muscular iii. D
iv. FALSE iv. warm iv. C
v. FALSE v. auxin v. B
vi. TRUE vi. variation vi. D
vii. TRUE vii. myelinated vii. A
viii. FALSE viii. mainland viii. C
ix. FALSE ix. metamorphosis ix. A
x. TRUE x. polypeptide x. B

SECTION (B)
4.
a. The hierarchy of life on earth is unfolded as follows:
(1) biosphere,
(2) ecosystem,
(3) community,
(4) population,
(5) organism,
(6) organ system,
(7) organ,
(8) tissue,
(9) cell,
(10) organelle,
(11) molecule and
(12) atom.
The structure and function of biological components are interrelated. At each
level of the biological hierarchy, a correlation of structure and function can be observed.
For example, the hummingbird’s anatomy allows the wings to rotate at the shoulder,
so hummingbirds have the ability, unique among birds, to fly backward or hover in
place. While hovering, the birds can extend their long, slender beaks into flowers and
feed on nectar.
 38 Kiran Education

b. Rice is a staple food in many parts of the world. Vitamin A deficiency can cause
blindness. Even more importantly, lack of vitamin A can cause an immune deficiency
syndrome, and this is a significant casue of mortality in some parts of the world,
particularly in children. Children of families living in poverty often lack animal products
in their diets as they are too expensive. Even if such children have a diet containing a
wide range of vegetables rich in carotenoids, it is still difficult for them to avoid vitamin
A deficiency.
Further research showed that substituting the gene from daffodils plant with one
from maize gave even higher quantities of carotene, and the single transformation with
these genes is the basis of all current Golden Rice. The genetically modified rice is
called Golden Rice, because it contains a lot of the orange pigment beta-carotene
which can be converted into vitamin A when it is eaten.
c. The cells in the mesophyll layers are not tightly packed and have many spaces
around them filled with air. The walls of the mesophyll cells are wet and some of this
water evaporates into the air space, so that the air inside the leaf is usually saturated
with water vapour.
The air in the internal spaces of the leaf has directly contacted with the air
outside the leaf, through small pores called stomata. If there is a water potential
gradient between the air inside the leaf (higher water potential) and the air outside of
the leaf (lower water potential), then water vapour will diffuse out of the leaf down this
gradient. Although some of the water in the leaf will be used, for example, in
photosynthesis, most eventually evaporates and diffuses out of the leaf by the process
of transpiration.
d.
Table. Some diseases of plants caused by bacteria
No. Genus Diseases
1. Agrobacterium Crown gall of various plants
2. Erwinia Fire blight of pears and apple, wilt of cucurbits and corn, soft rot of fruit
3. Pseudomonas Leaf spot of tobacco, blight of peas and soybeans
4. Streptomyces Scab of potato, pox of sweet potato
5. Xanthomonas Blight of beans, rice and walnut, leaf spot of fruits, black rot of crucifers,
citrus canker

e. Some physiological effects of auxin in plants are as follows:

i. Root inhibition
Auxin inhibits the elongation of primary roots. However, it can stimulate
the initiation of lateral and adventitious roots.
ii. Parthenocarpy
Application of auxin to unpollinated pistil makes them develop seedless
fruits or parthenocarpy.
iii. Cell elongation
It stimulates the elongation of cells in the shoot and promotes cell
enlargement.
 39 Kiran Education

iv. Abscission
In younger parts, auxin delays abscission. On the other hand, in mature
parts, it stimulates abscission.
v. Cell division
Auxin initiates and promotes cell division in vascular cambium.
f. Biodiversity is being reduced through human activities such as overexploitation,
deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution and as a result of climate change. However,
many people around the world are working hard to reduce these trends and to
conserve the biodiversity we still have. This can be tackled in many different ways.
Conservation means keeping and protecting a living and changing environment.
It is an active process involving an enormous range of projects. In order to keep the
beauty and diversity of nature reserves, it is important to manage it effectively. Active
intervention is required to restore areas and to protect native species, and sustainable
benefits for the present as well as future strategies.
5.
a. Leeches are slimy bloodsuckers that can eat ten times its own body weight of
blood. Today, medicinal leeches are used after severe trauma to help reattach digits,
close wounds and help mend skin after plastic surgery. The leech, Hirudo medicinalis,
is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical use. While the leech
feeding on the surface of the skin, they also secrete anti-coagulants which helps to
keep the blood flowing. The blood pools in the reattached thumb can be sucked out
by the leech until the veins redevelop.
Maggots are small, voracious eaters that feed on diseased and dying flesh.
Their feeding habit is a life-saving asset for those suffering from chronic wounds and
infections. Maggots can turn a chronic wound into an acute wound in a matter of days
by eating the chronic tissue and bacteria. From there the wound becomes treatable
and can finally heal. These hungry insect larvae are sterile, work quickly and also cost
less than traditional treatments.
b. Genetic code is a set of rules for determining how genetic information in the
form of a nucleotide sequence is converted to an amino acid sequence of a protein. It
defines a code specifying the relationship between a nucleotide codon and an amino
acid.
Researchers knew that there are only four nucleotides in RNA (A, U, G, and C),
but 20 different kinds of amino acids. Therefore, there could not be a one-to-one
relationship between nucleotides and amino acids. Even using two nucleotides per
amino acid would only provide 4×4, or 16 possible combinations, which is not enough
to code for 20 amino acids. Thus, the minimum combination of the four nucleotides
was a triplet code, which could produce 4×4×4, or 64 possible combinations. From this
reasoning came the triplet hypothesis, which proposed that the genetic code consists
of a combination of three nucleotides, called a codon.
Between 1961 and 1965, various research groups compared artificially
synthesized RNA molecules of known nucleotide sequences with the amino acid
 40 Kiran Education

sequences of polypeptides. From these studies, the mRNA codons and their
corresponding amino acids were determined.
By convention, the genetic code is always interpreted in terms of the mRNA
codon rather than the nucleotide sequence of the DNA.
c. Birds and mammals have evolved the most complex type of transport system,
known as a double circulatory system because it involves two separate circulations.
The systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood (oxygen-rich blood) from the heart
to the cells of the body where the oxygen is used. It also carries the deoxygenated
blood (blood that has given up its oxygen to the body cells) back to the heart. The
pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs to be
oxygenated and then carries the oxygenated blood back to the heart. Thus, blood
passes twice through the heart.
Birds and mammals need much more oxygen than fish. Not only do they have
to move around without the support of water, but they also maintain a constant body
temperature that may be higher or lower than their surroundings. This takes a lot of
resources, so their cells need plenty of oxygen and glucose and make waste products
that need to be removed quickly.
The advantages of double circulation are:
(i) The separate circuits of a double circulatory system ensure that the oxygenated
and deoxygenated blood cannot mix, so the tissues receive as much oxygen
as possible.
(ii) The fully oxygenated blood can be delivered quickly to the body tissues at high
pressure.
(iii) The blood going through the tiny blood vessels in the lungs is at relatively low
pressure, so it does not damage the vessels and allows gas exchange to take
place.
(iv) When the oxygenated blood returns to the heart, it can be pumped hard and
sent around the body at high pressure. This means it reaches all the tiny
capillaries between the body cells quickly, supplying oxygen for an active way
of life.
d. Most cardiovascular disease starts with atheroma formation. If the endothelium,
the inner lining of the wall of the artery, is damaged by high blood pressure, an
inflammatory response where by white blood cells (mostly macrophages) move into
the area. These white blood cells and lipids from the blood clump together under the
endothelium to form fatty streaks. Overtime, more white blood cells, lipids and
connective tissues build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque called atheroma. This
plaque partially blocks the lumen of the artery and restricts blood flow, which causes
blood pressure to increase. The hardening of arteries, caused by atheroma, is called
atherosclerosis.
In angina, plaques build up slowly in the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow
to the parts of the heart muscle beyond the plaques. Often symptoms are first noticed
during exercise, when the cardiac muscle is working harder and needs more oxygen.
The narrowed coronary arteries cannot supply enough oxygenated blood and the heart
muscle resorts to anaerobic respiration. This causes a gripping pain in the chest that
can extend into the arms, particularly the left one, and the jaw, and often also causes
 41 Kiran Education

breathlessness. The symptoms of angina subside once exercise stops, but the
experience is painful and frightening.
e. The sympathetic nervous system is typically activated in stressful situations, a
response often referred to as the fight-or-flight response. The sympathetic neurones
release a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine, which has an excitatory effect on its
target muscles.
The parasympathetic nervous system is activated when the body is calm and
at rest. It acts to restore and conserve energy. Sometimes referred to as the rest-and-
digest response. The parasympathetic system uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
to control organ responses.

Table. Effects of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

Effectors Effect of sympathetic nervous Effect of parasympathetic nervous
system system
Tear ducts Inhibits tears Stimulates tears
Pupils Dilates pupils Constricts pupils
Salivary glands Inhibits salivation Stimulates salivation
Lungs Dilates air passages Constricts air passages
Heart Speeds heart rate Slows heart rate
Liver Stimulate liver to release glucose Stimulate gall bladder to release bile
Kidneys, stomach, Inhibits activity of kidneys, Increases activity of stomach and
pancreas stomach, and pancreas pancreas
Adrenal glands Stimulates adrenal secretion No known effect
Small and large Decreases intestinal activity Increases intestinal activity
intestine
Urinary bladder Inhibits urination Stimulates urination

f. Examples of some endangered vertebrate species in Myanmar

(1) Scientific Name : Elephas maximus
Common Name : Asian Elephant
Myanmar Name : Sin
IUCN Status : Endangered
(2) Scientific Name : Rucervus eldii thamin
Common Name : Eld’s Deer
Myanmar Name : Shwe Thamin
IUCN Status : Endangered
(3) Scientific Name : Orcaella brevirostris
Common Name : Irrawaddy Dolphin
Myanmar Name : Linpai
IUCN Status : Endangered
 42 Kiran Education

(4) Scientific Name : Pavo muticus

Common Name : Green Peafowl
Myanmar Name : Daun
IUCN Status : Endangered
(5) Scientific Name : Geochelone platynota
Common Name : Burmese Star Tortoise
Myanmar Name : Kyelait
IUCN Status : Critically Endangered

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 43 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 2
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1.
i. FALSE vi. FALSE
ii. FALSE vii. TRUE
iii. TRUE viii. TRUE
iv. TRUE ix. FALSE
v. FALSE x. TRUE
2.
i. diversified
ii. beta-carotene
iii. left atrioventricular valve / bicuspid valve / mitral valve
iv. roundworms
v. glial cells
vi. Rhododendron arboreum
vii. ethylene
viii. biodiversity
ix. Lactobacillus
x. DNA
3.
i. B vi. C
ii. A vii. C
iii. C viii. A
iv. B ix. B
v. D x. D

SECTION (B)
4.
a. Pharmacognosy is a name derived from Greek words, which mean drug and
knowledge. In this field of science, researcher deals with the secondary metabolites
found in many plants, animals, and microbial natural sources. The American Society
of Pharmacognosy (ASP) defines it as “the study of the physical, chemical,
biochemical and biological properties of drugs, drug substances, or potential drugs or
drug substances of natural origin as well as the search for new drugs from different
natural sources”. Most of the countries in South-East Asia Region have a heritage of
traditional medicine system. According to the recent WHO report, about 80% of world
population is still using natural product for their primary healthcare needs.
Pharmacognosy can provide safe and effective drugs in combination with modern
medical system.
b. The two steps in protein synthesis are transcription and translation. In
transcription, mRNA is synthesized based on the DNA template of a gene. This is
 44 Kiran Education

followed by translation, which involves the production of a protein with an amino acid
sequence that is based on the nucleic acid sequence of the mRNA. The central dogma
of molecular biology stated that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to Protein.
The translation of nucleotide sequence to amino acid sequence uses the genetic code.

Figure. Two steps in protein synthesis; transcription and translation

c. The advantages of double circulation are:
(i) The separate circuits of a double circulatory system ensure that the oxygenated
and deoxygenated blood cannot mix, so the tissues receive as much oxygen
as possible.
(ii) The fully oxygenated blood can be delivered quickly to the body tissues at high
pressure.
(iii) The blood going through the tiny blood vessels in the lungs is at relatively low
pressure, so it does not damage the vessels and allows gas exchange to take
place.
(iv) When the oxygenated blood returns to the heart, it can be pumped hard and
sent around the body at high pressure. This means it reaches all the tiny
capillaries between the body cells quickly, supplying oxygen for an active way
of life.
d. Most cardiovascular disease starts with atheroma formation. If the endothelium, the
inner lining of the wall of the artery, is damaged by high blood pressure, an
inflammatory response where by white blood cells (mostly macrophages) move into
the area. These white blood cells and lipids from the blood clump together under the
endothelium to form fatty streaks. Overtime, more white blood cells, lipids and
connective tissues build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque called atheroma. This
plaque partially blocks the lumen of the artery and restricts blood flow, which causes
blood pressure to increase. The hardening of arteries, caused by atheroma, is called
atherosclerosis.
e. When the eye is focused on a distant object, the rays of light from the object
are almost parallel when they reach the cornea. The cornea refracts the rays, but the
lens does not need to refract them much more to focus the light on the retina. This
means the lens does not need to be more convex. The ciliary muscles relax and the
pressure in the eye pushes outwards on the lens, flattening it and stretching the
 45 Kiran Education

suspensory ligaments. This is the condition when an eye is at rest, the eyes are
focusing on the long distance.
When the eyes focus on a nearby object, for example reading a book, the light
rays from the object are spreading out (diverging) as they enter the eye. In this
situation, the lens has to be more convex in order to refract the rays enough to focus
them on the retina. The ciliary muscles now contract; the suspensory ligaments
become slack and the elastic lens bulges outwards into a more convex shape.
f. The storage of seeds is one of the most widespread and valuable ex situ approaches
to conservation. Seed banks protect and save plant genetic diversity, which is
important for a number of reasons. These saved and viable seeds contain a treasure
trove of useful genes that breeders can use for developing improved varieties of our
major food crops.
For example:
i. Improve resistance to current and emerging plant diseases and insects
ii. Provide drought or flood tolerances
iii. Improve yields and nutrition to feed a growing global population
5.
a. Scientific research and the development of new tools and techniques have
undoubtedly improved the quality of our lives. Generally, the relevance of biology is
the importance of the human society and humankind. Biology is also important to our
everyday life because it allows human beings to know better their bodies, their
resources and potential threats in the environment.
Biology being the study of living things help us to understand every organism.
As a field of science, biology helps us to understand the living world and the ways its
many species (including humans) function, evolve, and interact. Advances in medicine,
agriculture, biotechnology, and many other areas of biology have brought
improvements in the quality of life.
Fields such as genetics and evolution give insight into the past and can help
shape the future, and research in ecology and conservation inform how we can protect
this planet’s precious biodiversity. Biology has also helped us to understand the
characteristics of living things, the similarities between plants and animals, as well as
how germs work and help us staying healthier.
b.
No Protein Function
1 Helicase Unwinds parental double helix at replication forks
Single-strand Binds to and stabilize single-stranded DNA until it is used as
2
binding protein a template
Relieves overwinding strain ahead of replication forks by
3 Topoisomerase
breaking, swiveling, and rejoining DNA strands
Synthesizes an RNA primer at 5’ end of leading strand and
4 Primase
at 5’ end of each Okazaki fragment of lagging strand
Using parental DNA as a template, synthesizes new DNA
5 DNA pol III strand by adding nucleotides to an RNA primer or a pre-
existing DNA strand
 46 Kiran Education

Removes RNA nucleotides of primer from 5’ end and

6 DNA pol I
replaces them with DNA nucleotides
Joins Okazaki fragments of lagging strand; on leading
7 DNA ligase strand, joins 3’ end of DNA that replaces primer to rest of
leading strand DNA

c. The environmental factors affecting the rate of transpiration are:

Humidity: If the water potential gradient between the air spaces in the leaf and the air
outside becomes steeper, the rate of transpiration will increase. In condition of low
humidity, the gradient is steep, so transpiration takes place more quickly than in high
humidity.
Wind speed and temperature: Transpiration rate may also be increased by an
increasing in wind speed or rising in temperature.
Light intensity: In most plants, stomata open during the day and close at night. Most
transpiration takes place through the stomata, so the rate of transpiration is almost
zero at night. Stomata must be opened during the day to allow carbon dioxide to diffuse
into the leaf for photosynthesis. This inevitably increases the rate of transpiration.
Closing at night, when photosynthesis is impossible, reduces unnecessary water loss.
Very dry conditions: In especially dry conditions, when the water potential gradient
between the internal air spaces and the external air is steep, a plant may have to
compromise by partially or completely closing its stomata to prevent its leaves dryin g
out, even if this mean reducing the rate of photosynthesis.
In hot conditions, transpiration plays an important role in cooling the leaves. As
water evaporates from the cell walls inside the leaf, it absorbs heat energy from these
cells, thus reducing their temperature.
If the rate at which water vapour is lost by transpiration exceeds the rate at
which a plant can take up water from the soil, then the amount of water in its cells
decreases. The cells become less turgid and the plant wilts as the soft parts such as
leaves loose the support provided turgid cells. In this situation, the plant will also close
its stomata.
d. Group of plant pathogens are
i. fungi
ii. bacteria
iii. viruses
iv. nematodes.
Viruses are intracellular (inside cells) pathogenic particles that infect other living
organisms. They cause human and animal diseases such as influenza, polio, rabies,
smallpox, and warts. Unlike bacteria and fungi, viruses are not spread by water or
wind. Instead, they must physically enter the plant. One of the most common vectors
of viruses are insects. Examples of some viruses are tobacco mosaic, tomato mosaic,
barley yellow dwarf, potato leaf roll, tomato spotted wilt, and tobacco ringspot. Mosaics
are characterized by the formation of light green, yellow, or white spots intermingled
with the normal green aerial plant structures. Ringspots are characterized by the
 47 Kiran Education

appearance of chlorotic or necrotic rings on the leaves. These primary symptoms may
be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms in specific viral plant diseases.
e. Peripheral nervous system
The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that link the brain and spinal
cord to the rest of the body, including the senses, muscles, glands, and internal organs.
The somatic nervous system
The somatic nervous system is under the voluntary control, and its neurones
service to the head, trunk, and limbs. Its sensory neurones carry information from the
receptors in the skin, tendons, and skeletal muscles. Its motor neurones carry
information to the skeletal muscles.
The somatic system includes 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal
nerves, all of which are myelinated. The cranial nerves are largely associated with
functions in the head, neck, and face. An exception is the vagus nerve, which has
branches to the throat and larynx, but also connects to many internal organs, including
the heart, lungs, bronchi, digestive tract, liver, and pancreas.
Each spinal nerve contains both sensory and motor neurones, which service
the area of the body where they are found. For example, thoracic nerves control the
muscles of the rib cage.
The autonomic nervous system
Internal reactions to the situation would be controlled by the autonomic nervous
system. In contrast to the somatic system, the autonomic system is under automatic,
or involuntary control. Its nerves either stimulate or inhibit the glands or the cardiac or
smooth muscle. The autonomic system maintains homeostasis by adjusting the body
to variations in the external and internal environments without an individual having to
think about it and control it consciously.
f. Genetic pollution indicates the loss of identity of wild plant species as a result
of transfer of genes from crop plants, with engineered fitness genes causing special
concern. However, significant reproductive barriers exist between most wild species
and crop plants. Gene flow is expected to have its greatest effect on weed species
that are closely related to crop plants taxonomically, ecologically and in their
reproductive biology.
The introduction of genetically engineered (GE) organisms into the complex
ecosystems of our environment is a dangerous global experiment with nature and
evolution. Genetic pollution is undesirable gene flow into wild populations. The term is
usually associated with the gene flow from a genetically engineered (GE) organism (or
genetically modified organism – GMO) to a nonGE organism. “Genetic pollution” and
collateral damage from GE field crops already have begun to wreak environmental
havoc. Wind, rain, birds, bees, and insect pollinators have begun carrying genetically
altered pollen into adjoining fields, polluting the DNA of crops of organic and non-GE
farmers. Once released, it is virtually impossible to recall genetically engineered
organisms back to the laboratory or the field.
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 48 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 3
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. FALSE i. environment i. D
ii. FALSE ii. genetic ii. C
iii. TRUE iii. tricuspid iii. C
iv. TRUE iv. atheroma iv. C
v. TRUE v. 8 v. B
vi. FALSE vi. captive vi. B
vii. TRUE vii. thyroxine vii. C
viii. TRUE viii. extinction viii. B
ix. FALSE ix. Lactobacillus ix. B
x. FALSE x. lagging x. D

SECTION (B)
4.
a. The genetic information is encoded in the nucleotide sequences of DNA. The DNA
transmits heritable information from parents to offspring. DNA sequences (called
genes) act as instructions to make a cell’s protein production. DNA sequences are
transcribed into mRNA and then translated into specific proteins. The processes of a
cell’s protein production are called gene expression. Gene expression can also
produce some RNAs that are not translated into proteins but serve other important
functions.
b. The newly synthesized mRNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA. Before moving
out from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, the following modifications convert pre-mRNA
to mature mRNA.
1. Addition of a 5’ cap at 5’ end
2. Addition of a 3’ poly-A tail at 3’ end
3. Removal of introns (non-coding regions) with specific enzyme and the
remaining exons (coding regions) are joined.
c. Capillaries have a very simple structure which is well adapted to their function. Their
walls are very thin and contain no elastic fibers, smooth muscle or collagen. This helps
them fit between individual cells and allows rapid diffusion of substances between the
blood and the cells. The walls consist of just one very thin cell. Oxygen and other
molecules, such as digested food molecules and hormones, quickly diffuse out of the
blood in the capillaries into the nearby body cells, and carbon dioxide and other waste
molecules diffuse into the capillaries. Blood entering the capillary network from the
arteries is oxygenated. When it leaves, it carries less oxygen and more carbon dioxide.
d. A stroke is caused by an interruption to the normal blood supply to an area of
the brain. This may be due to bleeding from damaged capillaries or a blockage cutting
off the blood supply to the brain. A blockage is usually caused by a blood clot, an
atheroma or a combination of the two. Sometimes, the blood clot forms somewhere
else in the body and is carried in the bloodstream until it gets stuck, blocking an artery
in the brain. The damage happens very quickly. A blockage in one of the main arteries
 49 Kiran Education

leading to the brain causes a very serious stroke that may lead to death. If it happens
in one of the smaller arterioles the effects may be less disastrous.
The symptoms of strokes vary, depending on how much of the brain is affected.
Very often, the blood is cut off from one part or one side of the brain only. Symptoms
include dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision or partial loss of vision
(usually one eye) and numbness. In more severe strokes, there can be paralysis,
usually on one side of the body.
e. Seed germinates in favourable conditions. It absorbs water through micropyle
and softens the seed coat. The food present in seed is mobilized by the activation of
enzymes like amylase, lipase, protease which are transported to the embryo. The
radicle grows first, followed by the growth of either epicotyl or hypocotyl. After that, the
plumule grows.
Seed germination can be of following types.
i. Epigeal germination takes place above the ground. The cotyledons are first
pushed above the ground by the rapid elongation of hypocotyl, e.g., bean seed,
castor seed etc.
ii. Hypogeal germination in which the epicotyl elongates faster than hypocotyl at
the time of seed germination. It keeps cotyledons inside the soil or may bring
them just above the soil surface, e.g., mango, coconut etc.
iii. Vivipary germination of seeds inside the fruit, which is still attached to the
parent tree is called vivipary. e.g., Agave and mangroves.
f. Species diversity is defined as the number of species and abundance of each species
that lives in a particular location. The number of species in a community is known as
species richness. Species diversity not only considers richness, but also includes a
measure of the evenness of the abundance of the different species. The more species
there are, and the more evenly the numbers of organisms are distributed among the
different species and the greater the species diversity. Coral reefs have a very high
biodiversity; such an ecosystem offers many different ecological niches, which are
exploited by different species. Species diversity is considered important because
ecosystems with high species diversity tend to be more stable than ones with limited
diversity; there are more able to resist changes.
5. a. The economic value of livestock
(1) Meat
Livestock can be raised for the production of a useful form of dietary protein
and energy.
(2) Dairy products
Livestock can be used as a source of milk, other dairy products, such as yogurt,
cheese, butter.
(3) Fibre
Livestock produce a range of fibre or textiles. For example, sheep and goats
produce wool and mohair.
 50 Kiran Education

(4) Fertilizer
Manure can be spread on fields to increase crop yields. Manure is also used to
make plaster for walls and floors and can be used as a fuel for fires. The blood
and bone of animals are also used as fertilizer.
(5) Labour
Animals such as horses, donkeys, and yaks can be used for mechanical energy.
They are non-human labour and still using in plowing fields, transporting goods,
and military functions.
(6) Land management
The grazing of livestock is sometimes used as a way to control weeds and
undergrowth.
(7) Breeding
Livestock may be kept for the commercial value of breeding the animals, such
as in horse breeding.
(8) Sports
Livestock may be raised for sports purposes, such as raising horses for horse
racing or polo.
(9) Pets industry
Livestock may be raised to be sold commercially as pets.
b. Three phases of translation in protein synthesis
Initiation
In the initiation phase, all the translation components come together. The small
ribosomal sub-unit attaches to the mRNA near the start codon (AUG). The first tRNA
that binds to the codon is the initiater tRNA with its UAC anticodon, which joins with
the AUG codon of mRNA. Then, a large ribosomal sub-unit joins to form the active
ribosome.
Elongation
The polypeptide becomes longer, adding one amino acid at a time. During
elongation, a cycle of four steps is rapidly repeated. First, a tRNA with an attached
polypeptide is in the P site, then, peptide bond is formed and tRNA carrying the next
amino acid enters the A site. Next, the polypeptide chain is transferred to the amino
acid of the tRNA in the A site. This makes the polypeptide chain one amino acid longer
than before. Last, the mRNA moves forward by one codon, and the polypeptide-
bearing tRNA is now at the ribosome P site. The uncharged tRNA exits. The new
codon is at the A site and can receive the next complementary tRNA carrying the next
amino acids of the polypeptide.
Termination
The termination phase begins when a stop codon on the mRNA is reached. The
polypeptide and the components of the translation machinery are separated. A protein,
 51 Kiran Education

called a release factor, cleaves (cuts) the polypeptide from the last tRNA. The
polypeptide is released and will eventually fold into its three-dimensional shape as
protein, ready to carry out its cellular activities.
c. Erythrocytes or red blood cells
There are approximately 5 million erythrocytes per mm 3 of blood (4-5 million
per mm3 in women, 5-6 million per mm3 in men). They contain haemoglobin, a red
pigment that carries oxygen and gives them their colour. They are made in the bone
marrow. Mature erythrocytes do not contain a nucleus and have a limited life of about
120 days.
The erythrocytes transport oxygen from the lungs to all the cells. They are well
adapted for their function. The biconcave disc shape of the cells means that they have
a large surface area to volume ratio, so oxygen can diffuse into and out of them rapidly.
Having no nucleus leaves much more space inside the cells for the haemoglobin
molecules that carry the oxygen. In fact, each red blood cell contains around 250-300
million molecules of haemoglobin and can carry approximately 1000 million molecules
of oxygen. Haemoglobin also carries some of the carbon dioxide produced in
respiration back to the lungs. The rest is transported in the plasma.
Leucocytes or white blood cells
They are much larger than erythrocytes but can also squeeze through tiny blood
vessels because they can change their shape. There are around 4,000 – 11,000 per
mm3 of blood and there are several different types. They are made in the bone marrow,
although some mature in the thymus gland. Their main function is to defend the body
against infection.
Leucocytes are also very important in the inflammatory response of the body
when an area of tissue is damaged. They all contain a nucleus and have colourless
cytoplasm, although some types contain granules which can be stained.
d. Three modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease
1. Smoking
Studies have shown that smokers are far more likely to develop atherosclerosis
than non-smokers with a similar lifestyle. Studies found that the substances in tobacco
smoke:
(i) can damage the artery linings, which makes the build-up of plaques
more likely,
(ii) can cause the arteries to narrow, raise the blood pressure and increase
the risk of atherosclerosis, and
(iii) smoking also changes the balance of lipoproteins in the blood.
2. Inactivity
Sedentary lifestyle can lead to heart diseases. It also causes obesity, high blood
pressure and diabetes. Regular exercise helps to prevent these adverse health effects.
It also lowers blood cholesterol levels, balances lipoproteins and reduces stress. And
thus, it lowers the risk of developing atherosclerosis and CVDs.
 52 Kiran Education

3. High blood pressure

A healthy blood pressure is around 120 mmHg during systole and around 80
mmHg during diastole. If the blood pressure is regularly above 140/90 mmHg, it is a
sign of high blood pressure or hypertension and can also be a sign of atherosclerosis.
The blood pressure goes up when the walls of the arteries become less flexible due
to the build-up of the plaques. This means that raised blood pressure can be the result
of atherosclerosis. Measuring blood pressure is used as an indicator of both the heart
and blood vessels.
e. Auxin
Auxins are weak organic acids produced naturally by plants. It is the first plant
growth regulator. Chemically this hormone is indole acetic acid (IAA). Actively
growing regions of a plant usually produce the largest amounts of auxins. The regions
rich in auxins are the meristems, including shoot tips, root tips, cambia and also young
leaves, developing flowers and fruits.
Physiological effects of auxin
Some physiological effects of auxin in plants are as follows:
i. Root inhibition: Auxin inhibits the elongation of primary roots. However, it can
stimulate the initiation of lateral and adventitious roots.
ii. Parthenocarpy: Application of auxin to unpollinated pistil makes them develop
seedless fruits or parthenocarpy.
iii. Cell elongation: It stimulates the elongation of cells in the shoot and promotes
cell enlargement.
iv. Abscission: In younger parts, auxin delays abscission. On the other hand, in
mature parts, it stimulates abscission.
v. Cell division: Auxin initiates and promotes cell division in vascular cambium.
Cytokinin
Cytokinin is a basic hormone and purine (adenine) derivative. It primarily acts
on cell division, but it also has important interactions with auxin in the growth and
development of plants. Cytokinin occurs naturally in the regions with high cell division,
e.g., root apices. Coconut milk is a rich source of cytokinins.
Physiological effects of cytokinin
Some physiological effects of cytokinin in plants are as follows:
i. Flowering: Cytokinins induce flowering in plants.
ii. Promote lateral bud developments in dicots.
iii. Development of the chloroplast.
f. Biodiversity ensures natural sustainability for all life on the earth, for example,
abundant crops and fresh air. More than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal
biodiversity, while more than 1.6 billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods. The
loss of biodiversity affects the lives of more than 1 billion people living in dry lands.
 53 Kiran Education

Biodiversity is under threat in many aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as the

human population continues to increase and taking more resources from the
environment which produce increasing quantities of waste. Ecosystems and species
are being lost at an alarming rate, not just by the direct action of humans, but also
indirectly as a result of climate change.
There are five major threats to biodiversity:
 habitat loss and the degradation of the environment
 climate change
 excessive use of fertilizers and industrial and domestic forms of pollution
 the overexploitation and unsustainable use of resources
 the effects of invasive alien species on native species and especially endemics

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 54 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 4
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. TRUE i. fertilizer i. A
ii. FALSE ii. daffodils ii. B
iii. FALSE iii. megakaryocytes iii. A
iv. FALSE iv. placenta iv. B
v. FALSE v. glucocorticoids v. A
vi. TRUE vi. Edward O. Wilson vi. B
vii. FALSE vii. antagonist vii. D
viii. TRUE viii. safeguard viii. C
ix. FALSE ix. chemicals ix. B
x. FALSE x. nuclease x. B

SECTION (B)
4. a. The healing of human minor illness by using therapies based on medicines
obtained from animals or ultimately derived from them is known as zootherapy.
Salmon belongs on a dinner plate, but it can also be found at the pharmacy,
too. They do produce calcitonin hormones to regulate their own calcium levels from
an endocrine gland in their neck. Humans make calcitonin, a hormone that inhibits
bone loss, in the thyroid gland. But in postmenopausal women and people with Paget’s
disease, the rate of bone loss increases. The synthetic version of this calcitonin from
the coho salmon, the calcitonin-salmon, can be used to treat people with calcium
regulation disorders.
b. Molecular biology is the branch of biology that seeks to understand the
molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including biomolecular
synthesis, modification, mechanisms, and interactions. The study of chemical,
physical structures, and functions of biological macromolecules is known as molecular
biology.
Nucleic acids are the main information-carrying molecules of the cell which
direct the process of protein synthesis by determining the inherited characteristics of
every living thing. The two main classes of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the master blueprint for life and constitutes
the genetic material in all free-living organisms and most viruses. RNA is the genetic
material of certain viruses, but it is also found in all living cells, where it plays an
important role in certain processes such as the making of proteins.
c. Plants need transport systems for the following reasons:
i. To move substances from where they are absorbed to where they are needed,
for example, water and mineral ions are absorbed by roots and transported
through the xylem to other parts of the plant.
ii. To move substances from where they are produced to where they are needed
for metabolism. For example, sugars are produced in leaves, but glucose is
 55 Kiran Education

needed by all parts of the plant for respiration and for converting to cellulose for
making cell walls in areas of growth. Glucose can be moved through the phloem
as part of the sucrose molecule.
iii. To move substances to a certain part of the plant for storage, for example,
sugars usually change into the form of starch, for storage in a potato tuber.
d. Nematodes are simple, multicellular animals and are bilaterally symmetrical, soft-
bodied (no skeleton), non-segmented roundworms. Most nematode species that
attack plants are microscopic. A number of genera and species of nematodes are
highly damaging to a great range of hosts, including foliage plants, agronomic and
vegetable crops, fruit and nut trees. Plant parasitic nematodes have a stylet, a piercing
mouthpart. The presence of a stylet is the key diagnostic sign differentiating plant
parasitic nematodes from all other types of nematodes. Based on the plant part, the
nematode invaded can be classified into wheat nematode: Anguina tritici, spring dwarf
nematode: Aphelenchoides fragariae, Stubby-root nematodes: Trichodorus sp., and
root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp.
e. Growth can be defined as an irreversible increase in size of an individual cell or organ
or its parts. This increase occurs as a result of all the metabolic activities. These
activities make use of energy obtained by nutrition.
Phases of growth
In plants, growth occurs in three phases depending upon the region of its occurrence.
i. Meristematic phase (Formative phase): It occurs in the meristematic regions, e.g.,
shoot apex and root apex. The cells in this phase can be easily differentiated from
other cells. The cells of meristems are isodiametric, thin walled, and consist of large
nucleus and dense cytoplasm.
ii. Elongation phase (Phase of cells enlargement): Cells of this phase are found
around the meristematic cells. These cells are highly vacuolated.
iii. Maturation phase (Phase of cell maturation and differentiation): Cells of this
phase undergo structural and functional differentiation and thus, these cells
develop into a specialized tissue.
f. Climate change is a growing threat to biodiversity. It alters the climate patterns and
ecosystems in which species have evolved and on which they depend. For example,
rising ocean temperatures and diminishing Arctic sea ice affects marine biodiversity
and can shift vegetation zones, having global implications. Overall, climate is a major
factor in the distribution of species across the globe; climate change forces them to
adjust. But many are not able to cope, causing them to become extinct.
5. a. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Hydroponics uses less water
than traditional soil-based systems. Hydroponic growing allows for faster growth and
higher yields than traditional soil-based growing systems. Hydroponics is a type of
horticulture and a subset of hydroculture which involves growing plants, usually crops,
without soil, by using water-based mineral nutrient solutions in aqueous solvents.
Terrestrial or aquatic plants may grow with their roots exposed to the nutritious liquid.
In addition, the roots may be physically supported by an inert medium such as perlite,
gravel, or other substrates. Despite inert media, roots can cause changes of the
rhizosphere pH and root exudates can affect rhizosphere biology and physiological
balance of the nutrient solution by secondary metabolites.
 56 Kiran Education

The nutrients used in hydroponic systems can come from many different
sources, including fish excrement, duck manure, purchased chemical fertilizers, or
artificial nutrient solutions. Plants are commonly grown hydroponically in a greenhouse,
on inert media, include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, lettuces, and
cannabis, usually for commercial use, and Arabidopsis, which serves as a model
organism in plant science and genetics. Hydroponics offers many advantages, notably
a decrease in water usage in agriculture. Since hydroponics takes much less water to
grow and produce, it could be possible in the future for people in harsh environments
with little accessible water to grow their own food.
b. The genetic code has three important characteristics.
i. The genetic code is redundant. This means that more than one codon can code
for the same amino acid. There are only three codons that do not code for any
amino acid. These codons serve as “stop” signals to end protein synthesis.
ii. The genetic code is continuous. This means that it reads as a series of three-letter
codons without spaces, punctuation, or overlap. Therefore, knowing exactly where
to start and stop protein synthesis is essential. A shift of one or two nucleotides in
either direction can alter the codon groupings and result in an incorrect amino acid
sequence.
iii. The genetic code is nearly universal. Almost all organisms build proteins with the
genetic code. (Some rare exceptions are known in some species of protists, for
example.) The universality of the genetic code means that a codon in the fruit fly
codes for the same amino acid as in a human. This has important implications for
gene technology, such as cloning. A gene that is taken from one kind of organism
and inserted into another kind of organism will produce the same protein.
c. Transpiration is regarded as a beneficial fact to the plants for many reasons:
 Ascent of sap: Ascent of sap mostly occurs due to transpiration pull exerted
by transpiration of water. This pull also helps in absorption of water.
 Removal of excess water: It has been held that plants absorb far more amount
of water than is actually required by them. Transpiration, therefore, removes
the excess of water.
 Cooling effect: Radiant heat falling on the plants increases their temperature
that may be dangerous to the plants. Transpiration, by evaporating water, bring
down (or lowers) their temperature by 10° - 15° C.
 Mechanical tissue: The development of mechanical tissue, which is essential
for providing rigidity and strength to the plant, is favoured by the increase in
transpiration.
 Distribution of mineral salts: Mineral salts are mostly distributed by rising
column of sap.
 Increasing concentration of mineral salts: The sap absorbed from the soil
contains low concentration of mineral salts. The loss of water through
transpiration increases the concentration of mineral salts in the plant.
 Root system: Transpiration helps in better development of root system, which
is required for support, and absorption of mineral salts.
 Quality of fruits: The ash and sugar content of the fruit increases with the
increase in transpiration.
 Resistance: Excessive transpiration induces hardening and resistant to
moderate drought.
 57 Kiran Education

 Turgidity: Transpiration helps the shape and structure of plant parts by keeping
cells turgid.
 Photosynthesis: Transpiration supplies water for photosynthesis. As water
evaporates through the stomata, it results in pulling of water, molecule by
molecule into the leaf from the xylem.
d. Control of Plant Diseases
Plant diseases caused by infectious pathogens have seriously affected human society
and nature through their damages to food production, economic development. It is
need to be controlled to maintain the quality and abundance of food, feed, and fibre
produced by growers around the world. To prevent, mitigate or control plant diseases,
different approaches can be used. There are three plant diseases control approaches:
biological, physical and chemical.
Biological control
Biological control is control of plant diseases using living microorganisms. Four main
mechanisms involved in the biocontrol are
(i) the biological agent (antagonist) may parasite the other organism,
(ii) antagonist may secrete metabolites (antibiotics) harmful to the
pathogens (antibiosis),
(iii) antagonist may compete with the pathogens for nutrients or space
(competition) and
(iv) may cause death of the parasite by producing enzymes (lysis).
Physical control
Physical methods of disease prevention and control are based on the physiological
tolerance of disease agents to
(i) adverse conditions such as high or low temperature,
(ii) absence of moisture,
(iii) presence of deleterious irradiation and
(iv) the removal of pathogen sources or
(v) presence of physical barriers to prevent contact between the disease
agent and the host.
Chemical control
A variety of chemicals are available that have been designed to control plant diseases
by inhibiting the growth or by killing the disease-causing pathogens. (A variety of
chemicals that have been designed to control plant diseases by inhibiting the growth
or by killing the disease-causing pathogens are available. Chemicals used to control
bacteria (bactericides), fungi (fungicides), and nematodes (nematicides) may be
applied to seeds, foliage, flowers, fruit, or soil.
e. Two growth inhibitors in plants
Ethylene
Ethylene is the only gaseous phytohormone. It is produced naturally in plants
from amino acid methionine. All parts of seed plants produce ethylene. Maximum
synthesis of ethylene occurs during the ripening of fruits.
 58 Kiran Education

Physiological effects of ethylene

Some physiological effects of ethylene in plants are as follows:
i. Ethylene stimulates ripening of fruits. It also increases the rate of
respiration. Due to this, ethylene is used in post-harvest technology i.e.,
for commercial ripening of fruits.
ii. Ethylene causes drooping of leaves and flowers.
iii. Ethylene induces rapid growth of internodes and leaf bases.
Abscisic acid
Abscisic acid, also known as abscisin or dormin, is an example in the group of
hormones that promote dormancy in plants. It is also known as stress hormone. It is
produced naturally, when a plant is exposed to stress. The common stresses include
lack of water, saline soils, cold temperature and frost.
Physiological effects of abscisic acid
Some physiological effects of abscisic acid in plants are as follows:
i. It causes abscission in leaves, flowers and fruits.
ii. Abscisic acid includes synthesis of carotenoids. It is applied to green-
orange colour to turn yellow.
iii. Abscisic acid acts as antagonist of all growth promoters.
f. Habitat destruction has played a key role in extinction. The destruction of the natural
environment leads to habitat loss. The clearing of land for agriculture, housing, transport,
leisure facilities and industry are removes vegetation. Consequently, many species of plants
and animals are either lose their habitats completely or their habitats become divided into
small areas. This is known as habitat fragmentation.
Factors causing habitat destruction are overpopulation, deforestation, pollution and
global warming. Habitat size and number of species are systematically related. Physically
larger species and those living at lower latitudes or in forests or oceans are more sensitive to
reduction in habitat area. Major reasons for habitat destruction are:
 large scale industrial and commercial activities
 mining
 cattle rearing
 commercial fishing
 dam construction
 encroaching
 plantation cropping and agriculture.
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 59 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 5
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. FALSE i. Archaea i. C
ii. TRUE ii. three ii. A
iii. FALSE iii. apoplast iii. A
iv. TRUE iv. endemic iv. D
v. FALSE v. photoreceptor v. C
vi. FALSE vi. rare vi. D
vii. TRUE vii. agriculture vii. B
viii. TRUE viii. polymer viii. D
ix. FALSE ix. hollow ix. A
x. FALSE x. clot x. C

SECTION (B)
4. a. Evolution is the process of change that has transformed life on Earth, accounts for the
unity and diversity of life. It also explains evolutionary adaptation and the match of
organisms to their environment.
Biologists classify species according to a system of broader and broader groups.
Domain Bacteria and Archaea consists of prokaryotes. Domain Eukarya includes
various groups of protists as well as fungi, plants, and animals.
Darwin (1809-1882) proposed natural selection as the mechanism for
evolutionary adaptation of populations to their environments. Natural selection is thus
defined as the evolutionary process that occurs when a population is exposed to
environmental factors that consistently cause individuals with certain heritable traits to
have greater reproductive success than do individuals with other heritable traits.
b. Like DNA, RNA is a polymer of nucleotides. RNA contains four nucleotides with
the bases adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). Unlike DNA, RNA is
single-stranded. However, tRNA can fold back on itself, and complementary base
pairing within the same molecule stabilizes the looped structure.
There are several types of RNA molecules. Since all are produced from a DNA
template, all are synthesized in the nucleus. Only three different RNA molecules that
involved in protein synthesis and their functions are listed in Table.
Table. Some different types of RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis
Types of RNA Function
Messenger RNA (mRNA) Acts as the template for translation
Transfer RNA (tRNA) Carries specific amino acid to mRNA at ribosome
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) Reads the codon on mRNA

c. The blood is moved through the heart by a series of continuous contraction and
relaxation of the muscles in the walls of the four chambers. These events form the
 60 Kiran Education

cardiac cycle. The contractions of the heart are called systole. Systole can be divided
into atrial systole, the contraction of atria and the ventricular systole, the contraction
of ventricles. Ventricular systole happens about 0.13 seconds after atrial systole.
Between contractions the heart relaxes and fills with blood. This relaxation stage is
called diastole. One cycle of systole and diastole makes up a single heartbeat, which
lasts about 0.8 seconds in humans.
d. Biotic diseases can spread throughout one plant and also may spread to
neighbouring plants of the same species. These include biotic problems caused by
living organisms such as pathogens, nematodes, insects and other arthropods. Biotic
diseases sometimes show physical evidence (signs) of the pathogen, such as fungal
growth, bacterial ooze, or nematode cysts, or the presence of mites or insects. Many
plant problems, especially biotic problems, if not recognized and controlled early in
their development, they can result in significant economic damage for the producer.
Therefore, timely and accurate diagnoses are required so that appropriate pest and
disease management options and other corrective measures can be implemented.
e. Functions of the myelin sheath
Functions of the myelin sheath are;
(i) to protect the nerve fibre or axon from injury,
(ii) to supply nutrients to axon,
(iii) to act as an insulator to the nerve impulses,
(iv) to increase the speed of transmission of the nerve impulses.
Three main types of neurones
Neurones can be classified based on their structure as well as their function.
Structurally, neurones are classified based on the number of processes that extend
from the cell body.
Functionally, neurones are classified as one of three main types: sensory
neurones, interneurons and motor neurones. Sensory neurones transmit impulses
from the sensory receptors to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Interneurones are found entirely within the central nervous system. They act as a link
between the sensory and motor neurones. Motor neurones transmit information from
the central nervous system to effectors (muscles and glands).
f. Species diversity is defined as the number of species and abundance of each species
that lives in a particular location. The number of species in a community is known as
species richness. Species diversity not only considers richness, but also includes a
measure of the evenness of the abundance of the different species. The more species
there are, and the more evenly the numbers of organisms are distributed among the
different species and the greater the species diversity. Coral reefs have a very high
biodiversity; such an ecosystem offers many different ecological niches, which are
exploited by different species. Species diversity is considered important because
ecosystems with high species diversity tend to be more stable than ones with limited
diversity; there are more able to resist changes.
5. a. Particular kinds of aquaculture
(1) Fish farming or pisciculture involves commercial breeding of fish, usually for
food, in fish tanks or artificial enclosures such as fish ponds. It is a particular type of
aquaculture, which is the controlled cultivation and harvesting of aquatic animals such
 61 Kiran Education

as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and so on. Worldwide, the most important fish species
used in fish farming are, in order, carp, salmon, tilapia and catfish.
(2) Mariculture or marine farming is a specialized branch of aquaculture involving
cultivation of marine organisms for food and other animal products
(i) in enclosed sections of the open ocean (offshore mariculture), or
(ii) in fish farms built on littoral waters (inshore mariculture), or
(iii) in artificial tanks, ponds, raceways which are filled with seawater
(onshore mariculture).
(3) Shrimp farming is an aquaculture business that exists in either a marine or
freshwater environment, producing shrimp or prawns for human consumption.
(4) Oyster farming is an aquaculture (or mariculture) practice in which oysters are
bred and raised mainly for their pearls, shells and inner organ tissue, which is eaten.
(5) Algaculture is the farming of algae species including microalgae and
macroalgae. The majority of algae that are intentionally cultivated fall into the category
of microalgae. Macroalgae, commonly known as seaweed, also have many
commercial and industrial uses.
(6) Integrated fish farming is a system of producing fish in combination with other
agricultural or livestock farming operations centered on the fish pond. The farming
sub-systems e.g., fish, crop and livestock are linked to each other in such a way that
the byproducts or wastes from one sub-system become the valuable inputs to another
sub-system.
b. Production of genetically modified animals
The production of transgenic animals is a much more complex process than the
production of transgenic plants, and not surprisingly, it is also highly controversial. To
produce transgenic animals, a foreign gene is inserted into the genome of an animal
oocyte (egg) that is then fertilized. The fertilized egg is implanted in a host female and
allowed to develop. The resulting offspring are the transgenic form of the animal. The
procedure has been used to produce transgenic fish, pigs, cows, rabbits, and sheep.
Transgenic animals can be used to produce pharmaceutical products such as
human proteins by using a recombinant plasmid vector. The vector contains the gene
for the growth protein as well as the promoter that directs the expression of the genes
in mammary cells. The recombinant DNA is then injected into an oocyte. The oocyte
is fertilized and implanted into a host female. The transgenic animals are the offspring
produced from that implantation. The milk of female transgenic offspring contains
human growth protein.
Benefits of GM animals are
(i) increased production of a particular product, higher milk yield in cows,
greater muscle mass in animals used for meat,
(ii) increased resistance to disease,
(iii) manufacture of human proteins, such as antibodies, blood clotting
factors or important proteins for medicinal purposes and
(iv) production of organs for transplantation (xeno-transplantation).
 62 Kiran Education

c. Transport system in plants

Plants make their own organic molecules, using the process of photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide is the source of carbon and light is the source of energy. The main
photosynthetic organs are the leaves, which have evolved a large surface area to
volume ratio for efficient capturing of carbon dioxide and light. A large surface area to
volume ratio means more area for collection of light and carbon dioxide and less
distance for carbon dioxide to diffuse into the leaf and for oxygen to diffuse out.
As a result, most plants do not have compact bodies like animals, but have
extensive branching bodies with leaves above the ground. In order to obtain the water
and mineral salts they needed for nutrition, plants have extensive root systems below
the ground. The plant body therefore spreads out to obtain the carbon dioxide, light
energy, water and inorganic mineral ions from its environment to make organic
molecules like sugars and amino acids.
Transport systems are needed for the following reasons:
 To move substances from where they are absorbed to where they are needed,
for example, water and mineral ions are absorbed by roots and transported
through the xylem to other parts of the plant.
 To move substances from where they are produced to where they are needed
for metabolism. For example, sugars are produced in leaves, but glucose is
needed by all parts of the plant for respiration and for converting to cellulose for
making cell walls in areas of growth. Glucose can be moved through the phloem
as part of the sucrose molecule.
 To move substances to a certain part of the plant for storage, for example,
sugars usually change into the form of starch, for storage in a potato tuber.
d. Preventing malaria
There are three main ways to control malaria:
 reduce the number of mosquitoes,
 avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and
 use drugs to prevent the parasite infecting people.
It is possible to kill the insect vector and break the transmission cycle.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. Larvae hatch and develop in water but breathe air
by coming to the surface. Oil can be spread over the surfaces of water to make it
impossible for mosquito larvae and pupae to breathe. Marshes can be drained and
vegetation cleared.
Two biological control measures that can be used are:
 stocking ponds, irrigation and drainage ditches and other permanent bodies of
water with fish which feed on mosquito larvae e.g., mosquito fish Gambusia
affinis
 spraying a preparation containing the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which
kills mosquito larvae but is not toxic to other forms of life.
However, mosquitoes will lay their eggs in any small puddle or pool, which
makes it impossible to completely eradicate breeding sites, especially in the rainy
season.
 63 Kiran Education

The best protection against malaria is to avoid being bitten. People are advised
to sleep beneath mosquito nets and use insect repellents. Soaking mosquito nets in
insecticide every six months has been shown to reduce mortality from malaria. People
should not expose their skin when mosquitoes are active at dusk.
e.
Table. List of some common neurotransmitters and their functions
Neurotransmitters Functions Effects of abnormal production
Dopamine - affects the brain synapses in the - excessive production linked to
control of body movements schizophrenia, a disorder in which the
- is linked to sensations of pleasure, individual’s perception of reality is
such as eating greatly distorted
- inadequate production linked to
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s
disease, a progressive disorder that
destroys neurones, causing tremors,
slurred speech, and coordination
problems
Serotonin - regulates temperature and - inadequate amounts in the brain
sensory perception synapses linked to depression
- is involved in mood control
Endorphins - act as natural painkillers in - deficiency linked to an increased
synapses in the brain risk of alcoholism
- also affect emotional areas of the
brain
Norepinephrine - used by the brain and some - overproduction linked to high blood
autonomic neurones pressure, anxiety, and insomnia
- complements the actions of the - deficiency linked to hunger cravings
hormone epinephrine, which and exhaustion
readies the body to respond to
danger or other stressful situations

f. Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity refers to the variety of genetic information contained in all of
the individual plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. Genetic diversity is the
variety of genes within a species. The genetic diversity that exists between varieties
of cultivated plants and domesticated animals is obvious. Similar genetic diversity,
although not always so obvious, exists in natural populations.
The genetic differences between populations of the same species exist
because populations may be adapted slightly differences in different parts of their
ranges. There is also genetic diversity within each population. This diversity is
important in providing populations with the ability to adapt to changes in biotic and
abiotic factors, such as competition with other species, evading new predators,
resisting new strains of disease and changes in temperature, salinity, humidity and
rainfall.

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 64 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 6
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. FALSE i. shoulder i. C
ii. FALSE ii. nucleotides ii. A
iii. FALSE iii. inferior iii. B
iv. TRUE iv. pathogen iv. A
v. FALSE v. spinal cord v. D
vi. FALSE vi. scaly vi. D
vii. FALSE vii. effectors vii. C
viii. FALSE viii. smuggling viii. D
ix. TRUE ix. fruticulture ix. B
x. TRUE x. copying x. B

SECTION (B)
4.
a. Horticulture is a branch of agriculture. It is defined as the applied science of
cultivating and growing plants used for both consumption and aesthetic or ornamental
purposes. Horticulture involves plant propagation and cultivation to improve the plant
growths, yields, quality, nutritional values, and resistance to insects, diseases, and
environmental stresses. It also includes plant conservations, landscape restoration,
soil management, landscape and garden designs, construction and maintenance, and
arboriculture. The word “horticulture” is derived from the Latin words ‘hortus’ and
‘cultura’, which mean ‘garden’ and ‘cultivation’.
b. There are several types of RNA molecules. Since all are produced from a DNA
template, all are synthesized in the nucleus. Only three different RNA molecules that
involved in protein synthesis and their functions are listed in Table.
Table. Some different types of RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis
Types of RNA Function
Messenger RNA (mRNA) Acts as the template for translation
Transfer RNA (tRNA) Carries specific amino acid to mRNA at ribosome
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) Reads the codon on mRNA
c. Cardiovascular system in mammals
In mammals, the cardiovascular system delivers the materials needed by the
cells of the body, and carries away the waste products of their metabolism.
The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart – which acts as a pump to
move blood through the vessels, a series of blood vessels – which carry blood and the
blood – as transport medium. The passage of blood through the vessels is called the
circulation.
 65 Kiran Education

d.
Table. Some features of infectious diseases of worldwide importance
Diseases Pathogen Type of organism
Cholera Vibrio cholerae Bacterium
Malaria Four species of Plasmosdium Protist
HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Virus
Tuberculosis (TB) Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M.bovis Bacterium
Measles A species of Morbillivirus Virus
Covid Coronavirus Virus

e. The brain can be subdivided into three general regions: the forebrain, the midbrain,
and the hindbrain. The forebrain comprises the cerebrum, thalamus and hypothalamus,
and the hindbrain consists of the cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata. Despite its
central importance, the brain is fragile and has a gelatin-like consistency. The skull
forms a protective bony armour around the brain. In addition, the meninges, three
layers of tough, elastic tissue within the skull and spinal column, directly enclose the
brain and spinal cord.
f. Biodiversity is important and should be conserved for its values and benefits to
human health and well-beings.
The followings are the three major reasons to conserve biodiversity:
(1) Narrowly Utilitarian: The useful human products like food, fibers, drugs and
medicines are obtained from biodiversity.
(2) Broadly Utilitarian: Biodiversity provides ecosystem services like providing
oxygen, pollinating crops and controlling floods, erosions, etc.
(3) Ethical Utilitarian: Every living species has an intrinsic value, though it may
not have direct economic value and every species has the right to live.
5.
a. The hierarchy of life on earth is unfolded as follows: biosphere, ecosystem,
community, population, organism, organ system, organ, tissue, cell, organelle,
molecule and atom. With each set up, new properties emerge (emergent properties)
because of interactions among components at the lower levels.
The structure and function of biological components are interrelated. At each
level of the biological hierarchy, a correlation of structure and function can be observed.
For example, the hummingbird’s anatomy allows the wings to rotate at the shoulder,
so hummingbirds have the ability, unique among birds, to fly backward or hover in
place. While hovering, the birds can extend their long, slender beaks into flowers and
feed on nectar.
The cell, one of the steps composed in the hierarchy of life, is a basic unit
structure and function of an organism. It is the lowest level of organization that can
perform all activities required for life. Cells are either prokaryotic or eukaryotic.
Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-enclosed organelles, including DNA in nucleus
whereas prokaryotic cells lack membrane-enclosed organelles.
b. The two steps in protein synthesis are transcription and translation. In
transcription, mRNA is synthesized based on the DNA template of a gene. This is
 66 Kiran Education

followed by translation, which involves the production of a protein with an amino acid
sequence that is based on the nucleic acid sequence of the mRNA. The central dogma
of molecular biology stated that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to Protein.
The translation of nucleotide sequence to amino acid sequence uses the genetic code.
Transcription occurs in the nucleus of the cell. It is the process of copying
sequence of DNA to mRNA. There are three defined stages in the transcription
process; initiation, elongation, and termination.
Initiation
For each gene, only one strand of the double-stranded DNA molecule is
transcribed. This strand is called the antisense strand or template strand. The other
strand, which is not transcribed, is called the sense strand or coding strand. It has the
same sequence as the product mRNA, with thymine instead of uracil.
Elongation
During the elongation phase shown, the RNA polymerase complex works its
way along the DNA molecule, synthesizing a strand of mRNA that is complementary
to the template strand of DNA in 5’ to 3’ direction.
Termination
When the RNA polymerase complexes reach the termination signal, they
detach from the DNA strand. The new mRNA strand is released from the transcription
assembly.
c. Between the capillaries and the cells is a watery liquid called tissue fluid. Most
of the water from tissue fluid reenters capillaries by osmosis. Some fluid passes into
another system called the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of vessels
similar to blood capillaries, which are sometimes called lymphatic capillaries. They
transport the fluid, called lymph, back to the blood by opening into the subclavian veins.
The lacteals that carry fats from villi of the small intestine are part of the lymphatic
system. Before lymph passes back into the blood, it is filtered to remove dead cells
and bacteria. This takes place in swellings called lymph nodes, which contain white
blood cells that are important in destroying harmful bacteria. When a person gets
infection, one of the first sign may be swelling of the lymph nodes, often referred to as
swollen glands.
d. Antihypertensive drugs such as beta blockers, sympathetic nerve inhibitors,
ACE inhibitors are some of the commonly prescribed drugs to reduce blood pressure.
They reduce the risks of CVDs and also reduce the risk of damage to the kidneys and
eyes from high blood pressure. But there are risks. If the treatment is not monitored
carefully, the blood pressure may become too low. That can lead to falls and injuries
which, particularly in elderly patients, can be serious and even life-threatening.
To lower the level of cholesterol in the blood, a group of drugs known as statin
is used. They also improve the balance of LDLs (low-density lipoprotein) to HDLs
(high-density lipoprotein) and reduce inflammation in the lining of the arteries. Both
functions reduce the risk of atherosclerosis developing. Plant stanols and sterols
compounds are now widely sold in spreads and yoghurts, which also reduce the levels
of LDLs in the blood.
 67 Kiran Education

Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin and heparin) are a class of medicines used to

reduce blood clotting. Platelet inhibitory drugs such as aspirin are also a type of
anticoagulant. These drugs prevent platelets clumping together. As they reduce the
formation of blood clots, the chance of a blood vessel becoming blockage can be
reduced.
e. Photoperiodism
Effect or requirements of relative length of day and night on flowering is called
photoperiodism. Most plants flower only when they are subjected to a light phase for
less or more than a critical period. A critical period is the period of light or darkness
required by the plant to induce flowering.
Depending upon the duration of photoperiod, plants have been divided into the
following categories.
i. Short day plants: They require shorter photoperiod than their critical
photoperiod in order to initiate flowering. They are long night plants. e.g.,
soybean, onion etc.
ii. Long day plants: They require longer day light period than their critical
photoperiod for flowering. They are short night plants. e.g., radish, potato etc.
iii. Day neutral plants: They are indeterminate plants. The floral initiation in them
is independent of photoperiodism, e.g., tomato, cotton, etc.
Physiology of flowering
It is proposed that a hormone called florigen is synthesized in leaves which is
responsible for initiation of flowering.
Photomorphogenesis
Plants can sense light direction, quality, intensity and periodicity. Light induces
phototropism, photomorphogenesis, flowering, germination, etc. Plants exhibit
different growth habits in dark and light. In the dark, they have elongated stems,
undifferentiated chloroplasts and unexpanded leaves. This is called
photomorphogenesis.
Photomorphogenesis involves inhibition of stem elongation, differentiation of
chloroplast, accumulation of chlorophyll, and expansion of leaves.
Photomorphogenesis can be induced by red, far-red and blue light. Light is perceived
in plants by photoreceptor i.e., phytochrome, cryptochrome and phototropin. The
photomorphogenesis stimulus is perceived in leaves by phytochrome. Phytochrome is
a protein containing covalently attached chromophore. It is a blue-green pigment.
f. Overexploitation, also called overharvesting, can lead to the destruction of
the resource as it will be unable to replenish. The term applies to natural resources
such as water aquifers, grazing pastures and forests, wild medicinal plants, fish stocks
and other wildlife.
Overfishing is the removal of a species of fish (i.e. fishing) from a body of water
at a rate greater than that of the species can replenish its population naturally.
Overfishing can occur in water bodies of any sizes, such as ponds, wetlands, rivers,
lakes or oceans, and can result in resource depletion, reduced biological growth rates
and low biomass levels.
 68 Kiran Education

Overlogging is a form of overexploitation caused by legal or illegal logging

activities that lead to unsustainable or irrecoverable deforestation and permanent
habitat destruction for forest wildlife.
Overhunting threatens one-third of endangered vertebrates, as well as other
groups. Excluding edible fish, the illegal trade in wildlife is valued at $10 billion per
year. As of 2016, 301 terrestrial mammals were threatened with extinction due to
hunting for bushmeat including primates, even-toed ungulates, bats, diprotodontid
marsupials, rodents and carnivores occurring in developing countries. Bushmeat
provides increased opportunity for transmission of several zoonotic viruses from
animal hosts to humans, such as Ebola virus and HIV.

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 69 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 7
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. TRUE i. pupa i. A
ii. FALSE ii. telomeres ii. B
iii. FALSE iii. erythrocytes iii. B
iv. TRUE iv. atherosclerosis iv. A
v. FALSE v. dormancy v. D
vi. FALSE vi. extinct vi. D
vii. TRUE vii. thyroxin vii. B
viii. TRUE viii. coastal viii. B
ix. TRUE ix. foxglove ix. D
x. FALSE x. bubble x. C

SECTION (B)
4.
a. Over millions of years the horseshoe crab has been exposed to an awful lot of
microbes making them immune to a wider range of threats than any other animal.
Every person in the world today, who receives vaccines, antibiotics, or implanted
medical devices such as pacemakers, has had their safety ensured by the blue blood
of the horseshoe crab. A protein in the blood called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL)
reacts to all kinds of microorganisms and can easily detect dangerous endotoxins that
cause fever and can be fatal. Scientists observed that the blood react to any
contamination.
b. The two strands of a DNA molecule are antiparallel. So, the sugar molecules are
oriented differently. Therefore, each strand has directionality, or a specific orientation.
(This is similar to how two sports teams are facing in a different direction when they
shake hands before and after a game.). One strand lies in 5’ to 3’ direction and another
strand in 3’ to 5’ direction. The 5’ and 3’ come from the numbering of the carbons on
the deoxyribose sugar. The phosphate group is on the 5’ carbon, and the OH group is
on the 3’ carbon. Therefore, the end with phosphate group is always referred as 5’ end
and the opposite end of it will be 3’ end. By convention, the sequence of a DNA strand
is always written in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
c. Mass transport systems are very effective for moving substances around the body.
Most mass transport systems have certain similar features as follow:
(i) exchange surfaces to get materials into and out of the transport system.
(ii) a system of vessels that carry substances – these are usually tubes, sometimes
following a very specific route, sometimes widespread and branching.
(iii) a way of making sure that substances are moved in the right direction (e.g.,
nutrients in and waste out).
(iv) a way of moving materials fast enough to supply the needs of the organism –
this may involve mechanical methods such as the pumping of the heart or ways
of maintaining a concentration gradient so that substances move quickly from
one place to another (e.g., using facilitated diffusion and active transport).
 70 Kiran Education

(v) a suitable transport medium (e.g., fluid).

(vi) in many cases, a way of adapting the rate of transport to the needs of the
organism.
d. Two biological control measures that can be used to prevent malaria are:
(1) stocking ponds, irrigation and drainage ditches and other permanent bodies of
water with fish which feed on mosquito larvae e.g., mosquito fish Gambusia affinis
(2) spraying a preparation containing the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which kills
mosquito larvae but is not toxic to other forms of life
However, mosquitoes will lay their eggs in any small puddle or pool, which
makes it impossible to completely eradicate breeding sites, especially in the rainy
season.
The best protection against malaria is to avoid being bitten. People are advised
to sleep beneath mosquito nets and use insect repellents. Soaking mosquito nets in
insecticide every six months has been shown to reduce mortality from malaria. People
should not expose their skin when mosquitoes are active at dusk.
e. Ethylene is the only gaseous phytohormone. It is produced naturally in plants
from amino acid methionine. All parts of seed plants produce ethylene. Maximum
synthesis of ethylene occurs during the ripening of fruits.
Physiological effects of ethylene
Some physiological effects of ethylene in plants are as follows:
i. Ethylene stimulates ripening of fruits. It also increases the rate of respiration.
Due to this, ethylene is used in post-harvest technology i.e., for commercial
ripening of fruits.
ii. Ethylene causes drooping of leaves and flowers.
iii. Ethylene induces rapid growth of internodes and leaf bases.
f. Ex situ methods are the ways to conserve animals and plants outside their natural
habitats. It is not always possible to conserve animal species in the wild because of
the conditions that have put them under threat of extinction. Zoos and wildlife parks
used to exist just for people to look at the animals, but today they are very important
in animal conservation by ex situ conservation methods. These methods are usually
used as a last resort. The three methods of ex situ conservation are captive breeding
of animals, storage of seeds in the seed bank and cultivation of plants in botanical
garden.
5.
a. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a grass widely cultivated for its seeds, a cereal
grain that is a worldwide staple food. The wheat can be cultivated once a year. It is
sown by four methods: broadcasting, behind the local plough, drilling and dibbling. The
zero-tillage technique is a new method of wheat cultivation that is used in the Rice-
Wheat cropping system. The wheat crop requires a well-pulverized but compact
seedbed for good and uniform germination.
Maize (Zea mays) is a tropical plant that prefers warm humid weather. It is a
short-day plant. It is very sensitive to excess or deficit soil moisture. It cannot withstand
frost at any stage of growth. Maize seeds are sown with dibbling or drilling method
 71 Kiran Education

depending on purposes of sowing, types of maize, varieties and farm conditions.

Seeds should not be sown more than 5-6 cm depth of soil.
Among the ASEAN countries, Myanmar is the leading pulse and bean producer.
Globally, Myanmar is the third-largest producer of pulses after India and Canada.
About 18 types of pulses are produced in Myanmar, led by blackgram (Vigna mungo)
and followed by greengram (Vigna radiata), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), chickpea
(Cicer arietinum), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) and including a number of “other
pulses” and sesame (Sesamum indicum).
b. Benefits of genetic engineering of crops include:
(i) increased crop yield,
(ii) increased heat and drought tolerance,
(iii) increased resistance to a range of pests and pathogens,
(iv) increased salt tolerance, reduction in harvesting cost and pesticide use, and
(v) enhanced nutritional value and food quality due to slower spoilage.
Benefits of GM animals are
(i) increased production of a particular product, higher milk yield in cows, greater
muscle mass in animals used for meat,
(ii) increased resistance to disease,
(iii) manufacture of human proteins, such as antibodies, blood clotting factors or
important proteins for medicinal purposes and
(iv) production of organs for transplantation (xeno-transplantation).
c. Apoplastic pathway
 Most water travels via the apoplastic pathway (when transpiration rates are high),
which is the series of spaces running through the cellulose cell walls, dead cells,
and the hollow tubes of the xylem.
 The water moves by diffusion (as it does not pass through a partially permeable
membrane).
 The water can move from cell wall to cell wall directly or through the intercellular
spaces.
 The movement of water through the apoplastic pathway occurs more rapidly than
the symplastic pathway.
 When the water reaches the endodermis the presence of a thick, waterproof, waxy
band of suberin within the cell wall blocks the apoplastic pathway.
 This band is called the Casparian strip and forms an impassable barrier for the
water.
Symplastic pathway
 A smaller amount of water travels via the symplastic pathway, which is the
cytoplasm and plasmodesmata or vacuole of the cells.
 The water moves by osmosis into the cell (across the partially permeable cell
surface membrane), possibly into the vacuole (through the tonoplast by osmosis)
and between cells through the plasmodesmata.
 The movement of water in the symplastic pathway is slower than the apoplastic
pathway.
d. Abiotic diseases are caused by nonliving factors, such as drought stress,
sunscald, freeze injury, wind injury, chemical injury, nutrient deficiency, or improper
cultural practices, such as overwatering or planting conditions. These diseases are
 72 Kiran Education

caused by conditions external to the plant, not due to living agents. They cannot
spread from plant to plant but are very common and should be considered when
assessing the health of any plant. Examples of abiotic disease include nutritional
deficiencies, soil compaction, salt injury, ice, and sun scorch.
Abiotic damage often occurs on many plant species. Drought stress or chemical
injury will likely cause damage on several types of plants. In contrast, biotic disease
problems are more limited to a certain species. For example, the fungi that cause
tomato leaf blight do not cause damage on sweet corn. Abiotic damage does not
spread from plant to plant over time. Abiotic diseases do not show the presence of
disease signs.
Plant diseases are their occurrence and severity result from the impact of three
factors. They are the host plant, the pathogen and the environmental conditions. This
is represented with the disease triangle.
e.
Table. Some parts of brain and their structures, locations and functions
Parts of brain Structure and location Function
cerebrum - the largest part of the brain and - acts as the centres for intellect, learning
accounts for more than four fifths and memory, consciousness, and language;
of the total weight of the brain it interprets and controls the response to
- it is divided into right and left sensory information
cerebral hemispheres
midbrain - above the pons in the brainstem - involved in processing information from
sensory neurones in the eyes, ears, and
nose
- relays visual and auditory information
between areas of the hindbrain and
forebrain
- it plays an important role in eye movement
and control of skeletal muscles
cerebellum - walnut-shaped structure located - involved in the unconscious coordination of
below and largely behind the posture, reflexes, and body movements, as
cerebrum well as fine, voluntary motor skills
- receives information from specialized
sensors, called proprioceptors, located
within skeletal muscles and joints

f. Endangered species typically have very low population numbers and are in
serious danger of becoming extinct. For some species whose numbers have dwindled
drastically, captive breeding may be their last hope of survival. In captive breeding
programmes, individuals of an endangered species are bred in zoos and parks in an
attempt to save the species from extinction. Usually, the ultimate aim is to reintroduce
the captive-bred animals into the wild to restore the original populations.
Reintroduction does not always work, but it can programme to be successful in
national parks or other protected areas.
Some techniques used in captive breeding programmes are:
i. Artificial insemination
ii. Embryo transfer to a surrogate mother
 73 Kiran Education

iii. Cryogenics (eggs, sperm cells and embryos can be frozen for future use)
iv. Human-raised young
v. Keeping a pedigree (prevent from inbreeding)
Problems with captive breeding and reintroduction programmes are:
i. not enough space or resources in zoos and parks for all endangered species
ii. difficulty in providing the right conditions for breeding, even if scientists know
what those conditions are
iii. continuation of the conditions that pushed the species close to extinction
iv. animals that have been bred in captivity may have problems adjusting to
unsupported life in the wild
v. reintroduction programmes can be very expensive and time consuming and
they may be fail

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 74 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 8
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. FALSE i. energy i. C
ii. TRUE ii. blindness ii. C
iii. FALSE iii. passive iii. A
iv. TRUE iv. atheroma iv. D
v. TRUE v. ethylene v. A
vi. TRUE vi. stability vi. B
vii. FALSE vii. domesticated vii. F
viii. TRUE viii. precursor viii. T
ix. FALSE ix. oxygen ix. F
x. TRUE x. human x. T

SECTION (B)
4. a. Organisms interact continuously with physical factors. Plants take up nutrients
from the soil and chemicals from the air and use energy from the sun. Interactions
among plants, animals, and other organisms affect the participants in varying ways.
In feedback regulation, a process is regulated by its output or product. In
negative feedback, accumulation of the product slows its production. In positive
feedback, a product speeds up its own production. Feedback is a type of regulation
common to life at all levels, from molecules to ecosystems.
b. Like DNA, RNA is a polymer of nucleotides. RNA contains four nucleotides with
the bases adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). Unlike DNA, RNA is
single-stranded. However, tRNA can fold back on itself, and complementary base
pairing within the same molecule stabilizes the looped structure.
There are several types of RNA molecules. Since all are produced from a DNA
template, all are synthesized in the nucleus. Only three different RNA molecules that
involved in protein synthesis and their functions are listed in Table.
Table. Some different types of RNA molecules involved in protein synthesis
Types of RNA Function
Messenger RNA (mRNA) Acts as the template for translation
Transfer RNA (tRNA) Carries specific amino acid to mRNA at ribosome
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) Reads the codon on mRNA

c. A thistle funnel is filled with water and rubber stopper attaches a leafy twig to it.
The bottom of the funnel is immersed in a bowl of mercury.
After some time, the level of mercury in the thistle funnel rises. Loss of water
from the twig (i.e., transpiration) produces a vacuum in the thistle funnel and water will
be drawn up. This in turn produces a vacuum at the bottom of the funnel, which is then
filled by the rising mercury. This rise of water and mercury is due to transpiration pull.
 75 Kiran Education

Figure. Demonstration of transpiration pull

d. Control of plant diseases
Plant diseases caused by infectious pathogens have seriously affected human
society and nature through their damages to food production, economic development.
It is need to be controlled to maintain the quality and abundance of food, feed, and
fibre produced by growers around the world. To prevent, mitigate or control plant
diseases, different approaches can be used. There are three plant diseases control
approaches: biological, physical and chemical.
Biological control
Biological control is control of plant diseases using living microorganisms. Four
main mechanisms involved in the biocontrol are (i) the biological agent (antagonist)
may parasite the other organism, (ii) antagonist may secrete metabolites (antibiotics)
harmful to the pathogens (antibiosis), (iii) antagonist may compete with the pathogens
for nutrients or space (competition) and (iv) may cause death of the parasite by
producing enzymes (lysis).
e. Cytokinin
Cytokinin is a basic hormone and purine (adenine) derivative. It primarily acts
on cell division, but it also has important interactions with auxin in the growth and
development of plants. Cytokinin occurs naturally in the regions with high cell division,
e.g., root apices. Coconut milk is a rich source of cytokinins.
Physiological effects of cytokinin
Some physiological effects of cytokinin in plants are as follows:
i. Flowering: Cytokinins induce flowering in plants.
ii. Promote lateral bud developments in dicots.
iii. Development of the chloroplast.
f. Plants are easily kept in captivity. About 80,000 plant species are grown in
private gardens, arboreturns and botanical gardens all over the world. Botanical
gardens also have an important role in the preservation of species necessary for
human use and well-being. These gardens are good locations for many branches of
scientific research. Botanical gardens not only serve as taxonomic and systematic
research centers but they play an important role as valuable sources of plant ecology.
 76 Kiran Education

One of the major objectives of botanical gardens is to create and support collections
of native taxa, and to build and maintain stocks of plants for ex situ conservation and
sustainable utilization of plant resources in the world. Botanical gardens are also ideal
places to integrate the study and conservation of trees species that are endangered
in the wild.
5.
a. Wool is one of the most widely used animal fibres and mainly harvested by
shearing. Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially
goats, rabbits, and camelids. As an animal fibre, wool consists of protein together with
a small percentage of lipids. This makes it chemically quite distinct from cotton and
other plant fibres, which are mainly cellulose. The quality of wool is determined by its
fibre diameter, crimp, yield, colour, and staple strength. Fibre diameter is the most
important wool characteristic determining quality and price.
In addition to clothing, wool has been used for blankets, horse rugs, saddle
cloths, carpeting, insulation and upholstery. Wool as well as cotton has also been
traditionally used for cloth diapers. Wool is an essential fibre for winter clothing, suiting,
floor coverings and certain industrial applications.
Today, wool is a global industry found in Australia, Argentina, the United States,
and New Zealand serving as the major suppliers of raw wool.
b. The description of DNA replication is as follow:
1. Proteins and enzymes assist in replication of DNA. Replication begins at special
sites called origins of replication, the replication bubbles form. Helicase enzymes
unwind the double helix and unzip the two parental strands by breaking hydrogen
bonds. The separated two parental strands act as templates. Single-stranded
binding proteins act as scaffolding, holding the two strands apart. Topoisomerase
lessens the tension on the tight helix.
2. At each end of the replication bubble is a replication fork, a Y-shaped region where
the new strands of DNA are elongating.
3. DNA polymerase III cannot initiate the synthesis. The preexisting chain actually
consists of RNA primer produced by an enzyme called primase. As the two strands
of DNA are antiparallel, they are oriented in opposite directions to each other.
Therefore, the formation of two new strands must also be antiparallel to their
template strands. DNA polymerase can only add complementary nucleotides, C
with G and A with T, to the free 3’ end of the primer, never to the 5’ end. Thus, a
new DNA strand can elongate only in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
4. DNA polymerase replicates the two original strands differently. Although it builds
both new strands in the 5’ to 3’ direction, one strand is formed towards the
replication fork in continuous and linear fashion. This is called the leading strand.
The other strand, the lagging strand, forms in direction away from the replication
fork, in a series of segments called Okazaki fragments. Each Okazaki fragment is
about 100-200 nucleotides long and then they are joined into one continuous
strand by the enzyme DNA ligase.
5. DNA polymerase I carry out mismatch repair, a kind of proofreading that corrects
errors. Damaged regions of DNA are excised out by DNA nuclease.
6. Each time the DNA replicates, some nucleotides from the chromosome are lost.
To protect against the possible loss of genes at the end of the chromosomes,
 77 Kiran Education

eukaryotes have special nonsense nucleotide sequences (TAAGGG) at the ends

of chromosomes that repeat thousands of times. These protective ends are
called telomeres, which are created and controlled by the enzyme telomerase. So,
every time DNA replicate, the telomeres get shorter.
c. Translocation is the movement of dissolved substances through a plant. In
general, water and dissolved salts from the soil travel upwards through the vessels of
the xylem and food synthesized in the leaves passes downwards or upwards in the
sieve tubes of the phloem.
When leaves photosynthesize, they produce carbohydrates. These
carbohydrates are transported out of the leaf in the form of sucrose to the stem. Once
in the stem it may travel upwards to actively growing regions or maturing fruits and
seeds or downwards to the roots and underground storage organs. Both upward and
downward movement may take place at the same time in the phloem.
The phloem tissue is a complex tissue. The consisting components are sieve
tube, companion cell, phloem parenchyma and phloem fibre. They are living cells
except phloem fibre. In the translocation process, sieve tubes or sieve cells which have
no nucleus and companion cells possess do work together. They are cylindrical cells
with layers of cytoplasm like materials just inside their cell walls. They are so called
because of the presence of perforations in the cell septate walls known as sieve plates.
These are main components through which translocation take place and permit the
plant materials to pass from one cell to another.
Sieve cells can manage translocation without nuclei because they are kept alive
by the nucleated companion cells that always situated adjacent to sieve cells. There
are profuse cytoplasmic connections between sieve and companion cells. Moreover,
phloem tissue is strengthened by fibre cells besides the sieve and companion cells.
d. Signs of plant disease are physical evidence of the pathogen. For example,
fungal fruiting bodies, bacterial ooze, or nematode cysts. Signs can also help with plant
disease identification. Signs are the actual organisms causing the diseas e. Signs
include conks, fruiting bodies, mildew, mushrooms, mycelium, rhizomorphs, slime flux
or ooze, spore masses, insects and/or their frass.
Symptoms are visible effects of disease on plants. Any detectable changes in
colour, shape, and/or functions of the plant in response to a pathogen or disease-
causing agent is a symptom. Symptoms of disease are the plant’s reaction to the
causal agent.
Plant symptoms include blight, canker, chlorosis, decline, dieback, distortion,
gall or gall-like, gummosis, leaf distortion, leaf scorch, leaf spot, mosaic, necrosis,
stunting, wilt, witches’ broom, insect feeding injury.
Viruses cause mottling, spots, mosaic-like patterns, crinkling, and other
malformations on leaves and fruits, and may stunt plants. Because viruses are
systemic, infected plants must be rogued or discarded. For example, common virus
diseases in Colorado include curly top virus of tomatoes, cucumber mosaic virus in
tomatoes and vine crops, tomato spotted wilt virus, and a variety of greenhouse plant
viruses.
 78 Kiran Education

e.
Table. Human endocrine glands and some of their hormones
Endocrine gland Hormone secreted Effects of hormone on target tissue/organs
Thyroxine (T 4) Affects all tissues; increases metabolic rate and
regulates growth and development
Thyroid Calcitonin Targets bones and kidneys to lower blood calcium by
inhibiting release of calcium from bone and
reabsorption of calcium by kidneys
Insulin Lowers blood glucose levels and promotes the
formation of glycogen in the liver
Pancreas
Glucagon Raises blood glucose levels by converting glycogen in
the liver to glucose
Estrogen Stimulates uterine lining growth and promotes
development of the female secondary sexual
Ovaries characteristics
Progesterone Promotes growth of the uterine lining and prevents
uterine muscle contractions
Testosterone Promotes sperm formation and development of the
Testes
male secondary sexual characteristics
f. In situ conservation methods
In situ methods are the ways of conservation of species which take place in
the natural habitat of the organism. The best way to conserve any species is to keep
it in its natural habitat. Maintaining the natural habitat means that all the “life support
systems” are provided.
Nature reserves such as wildlife sanctuary, national park and biosphere reserve
help endangered species by maintaining their habitat and genetic diversity, defending
the target species from predators and preventing competition from invasive species.
Keeping these organisms’ in situ means putting them in the ecosystem where they
belong. As a result of this, the target species can continue to adapt to conditions in the
reserve without interference from outside influences.
Active management of nature reserves involves; (1) continuous monitoring, (2)
maintenance of effective boundaries (3) measures to facilitate the successful
completion of life cycles and (4) restocking and reintroducing of once-common species
from stocks produced by captive breeding programmes of zoological and botanical
gardens.
Ex situ conservation methods
Ex situ methods are the ways to conserve animals and plants outside their
natural habitats. It is not always possible to conserve animal species in the wild
because of the conditions that have put them under threat of extinction. Zoos and
wildlife parks used to exist just for people to look at the animals, but today they are
very important in animal conservation by ex situ conservation methods. These
methods are usually used as a last resort.
The three methods of ex situ conservation are captive breeding of animals,
storage of seeds in the seed bank and cultivation of plants in botanical garden.
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 79 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 9
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. TRUE i. function i. B
ii. FALSE ii. deoxyribose ii. B
iii. FALSE iii. capillaries iii. A
iv. TRUE iv. microorganisms iv. B
v. FALSE v. cornea v. B
vi. FALSE vi. uncontrolled vi. A
vii. TRUE vii. meristems vii. C
viii. FALSE viii. Seed banks viii. B
ix. FALSE ix. tropical ix. B
x. TRUE x. Rice x. D

SECTION (B)
4.
a. Like the first medicines, many of today’s medicines are made from plants. The chief
ingredient of aspirin, salicylic acid, was originally obtained from the bark of willow tree.
The willow is in the genus Salix, hence the same name salicylic acid. The bark of
cinchona tree, Cinchona sp., contains quinine a drug used to treat malaria. Digitalis,
which is used in treatment of heart disease, is obtained from the leaves of foxglove
plant, Digitalis purpurea. Periwinkle, Catharanthus sp. is the source of two drugs that
are effective against Hodgkin disease and some leukemia. Two powerful pain relieved
compounds, morphine and codeine are extracted from opium poppy, Papaver
somniferum.
b. DNA polymerase replicates the two original strands differently. Although it builds both
new strands in the 5’ to 3’ direction, one strand is formed towards the replication fork
in continuous and linear fashion. This is called the leading strand. The other strand,
the lagging strand, forms in direction away from the replication fork, in a series of
segments called Okazaki fragments. Each Okazaki fragment is about 100-200
nucleotides long and then they are joined into one continuous strand by the enzyme
DNA ligase.
c. Blood pumped by the tubular heart leaves the open-ended vessels to a series of blood
spaces surrounding the tissues. When the heart relaxes, the blood flows back into the
vessels through pores called ostia. This type is found in most arthropods (jointed leg
animals such as insects, spiders and crabs).
 80 Kiran Education

Figure. Open circulatory system in insect (grasshopper)

d. Physical control
Physical methods of disease prevention and control are based on the
physiological tolerance of disease agents to
(i) adverse conditions such as high or low temperature,
(ii) absence of moisture,
(iii) presence of deleterious irradiation and
(iv) the removal of pathogen sources or
(v) presence of physical barriers to prevent contact between the disease
agent and the host.
Chemical control
A variety of chemicals are available that have been designed to control plant
diseases by inhibiting the growth or by killing the disease-causing pathogens. (A
variety of chemicals that have been designed to control plant diseases by inhibiting
the growth or by killing the disease-causing pathogens are available. Chemicals used
to control bacteria (bactericides), fungi (fungicides), and nematodes (nematicides)
may be applied to seeds, foliage, flowers, fruit, or soil.
e. The internal inhibition of germination of a normal or viable seed even, when it
is placed under most favourable conditions required for its germination is called seed
dormancy. Causes of seed dormancy are hard seed coats impermeable to water and
gases, presence of immature embryo, light sensitive seeds and presence of
germination inhibitors.
Dormant seeds remain under non-germinating condition only for a specific
period of time that may vary from days to years. This specific period is called their
dormancy period. The dormancy of seeds can be broken by scarification, stratification,
hormonal treatment, etc.
f. Biodiversity comes from two words; Bio means life and diversity means variability.
The term ‘Biodiversity’ was coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1985 but was popularized
by Edward O. Wilson who is now known as ‘Father of Biodiversity’. The term
‘biodiversity’ refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the
ecological complexes in which they occur. Thus, biodiversity can be defined as the
totality of genes, species and ecosystem of a region. Biodiversity play a significant role
in both human life and the natural ecosystem by maintaining the balance of the
ecosystem.
 81 Kiran Education

5.
a. Wood is an important plant product, which has been in the service of
humankind since the dawn of civilization and has contributed much to its advancement.
The primitive man used wood to construct his crude shelter as well as to design various
implements, utensil and rough boats for his use. Today wood ranks next to food and
fibres, as the most widely used plant product. In spite of the use of various metals,
wood seems to be indispensable and has no satisfactory substitute, for the single fact
that its supply can be renewed.
The unprocessed wood may be used in the form of lumber i.e. wood intended
for heavy construction. Since the very beginning of civilization, wood has been the
cheapest and most widely used construction material. Its significant qualities of high
strength, lightweight, easy availability, continuous supply, high resistance to electrical
and chemical stimuli, favour it for constructional work.
The major portion of the timber is used for structural purpose. The essential
requirements of good structural timbers are strength, durability, toughness, resistance
to stress and easy workability. Structural timbers are obtained mainly from the
softwoods and from the heart of the tree. Teak, Tectona grandis; Pyinkado, Xylia
dolabriformis are the most valuable of timber yielding plants of Myanmar and the most
important commercial timbers.
b. Each strand forms a backbone of alternating phosphate groups and sugars.
The bases of each nucleotide are attached to each sugar and protrude inward at
regular intervals along each strand. There is a constant total distance between the
sugar-phosphate backbones. The two strands of a DNA molecule are not identical but
are, instead, complementary to each other. This means that a purine molecule is
always paired with a pyrimidine molecule.
Specifically, adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T) and guanine (G) always
pairs with cytosine (C). This pairing is called complementary base pairing. As the same
bases always complement each other, the base sequence of one strand can be
determined from the base sequence of the other strand. Hydrogen bonds link each
complementary base pair. A and T are joined by two hydrogen bonds, while C and G
with three hydrogen bonds.
The two strands of a DNA molecule are antiparallel. So, the sugar molecules
are oriented differently. Therefore, each strand has directionality, or a specific
orientation. (This is similar to how two sports teams are facing in a different direction
when they shake hands before and after a game.). One strand lies in 5’ to 3’ direction
and another strand in 3’ to 5’ direction. The 5’ and 3’ come from the numbering of the
carbons on the deoxyribose sugar. The phosphate group is on the 5’ carbon, and the
OH group is on the 3’ carbon. Therefore, the end with phosphate group is always
referred as 5’ end and the opposite end of it will be 3’ end. By convention, the
sequence of a DNA strand is always written in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
c. Transport systems are needed in plants for the following reasons:
i. To move substances from where they are absorbed to where they are needed,
for example, water and mineral ions are absorbed by roots and transported
through the xylem to other parts of the plant.
 82 Kiran Education

ii. To move substances from where they are produced to where they are needed
for metabolism. For example, sugars are produced in leaves, but glucose is
needed by all parts of the plant for respiration and for converting to cellulose for
making cell walls in areas of growth. Glucose can be moved through the phloem
as part of the sucrose molecule.
iii. To move substances to a certain part of the plant for storage, for example,
sugars usually change into the form of starch, for storage in a potato tuber.
Structure of xylem tissue
Xylem tissue contains dead, empty hollow cells with no end walls. These are
composed of xylem vessels which are arranged in long lines to form a hollow tube.
Water moves through these long, hollow tubes by mass flow from the roots to all other
parts of the plant.
Structure of phloem tissue
Phloem tissue contains cells called sieve tube. Unlike xylem vessel, these are
living cells and contain cytoplasm and a few organelles but no nucleus. Their walls are
made of cellulose. A companion cell is associated with each sieve tube.
d. Quinine and chloroquine – are anti-malarial drugs used to treat infected
people. They are also used as prophylactic (preventative) drugs, stopping an
infection occurring if a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Prophylactic drugs are
taken before, during and after visiting an area where malaria is endemic. Chloroquine
inhibits protein synthesis and prevents the parasite spreading within the body.
Proguanil is another prophylactic, has the added advantage of inhibiting the
sexual reproduction of Plasmodium inside the biting mosquito. Where anti-malarial
drugs have been used widely, there are strains of drug-resistant Plasmodium – the
drug is no longer effective against the pathogen.
Mefloquine is a new drug used in South America, Africa and New Guinea.
However, mefloquine is expensive and sometimes causes unpleasant side-effects
such as restlessness, dizziness, vomiting and disturbed sleep. Resistance to
mefloquine has developed in some areas, notably the border regions of Thailand. The
antibiotic doxycycline is also used as a prophylactic drug. Artesunate, a drug derived
from the plant compound artemisinin, is used in combination with mefloquine to treat
infections of P. falciparum.
e. Photomorphogenesis
Plants can sense light direction, quality, intensity and periodicity. Light induces
phototropism, photomorphogenesis, flowering, germination, etc. Plants exhibit
different growth habits in dark and light. In the dark, they have elongated stems,
undifferentiated chloroplasts and unexpanded leaves. This is called
photomorphogenesis.
Photomorphogenesis involves inhibition of stem elongation, differentiation of
chloroplast, accumulation of chlorophyll, and expansion of leaves.
Photomorphogenesis can be induced by red, far-red and blue light. Light is perceived
in plants by photoreceptor i.e., phytochrome, cryptochrome and phototropin. The
photomorphogenesis stimulus is perceived in leaves by phytochrome. Phytochrome
is a protein containing covalently attached chromophore. It is a blue-green pigment.
 83 Kiran Education

Importance of photomorphogenesis
Plant growth and development are influenced by a variety of environmental
factors, including light. Light, on the other hand, causes a variety of responses in the
plant body in addition to photosynthesis. These responses have a significant impact
on the course of plant growth and the final plant appearance. They are morphogenic
responses to light.
Many plant seeds, for example, do not germinate unless they are exposed to
light. Seed germination in light demonstrates that seedlings require light to grow.
Phototropic responses of seedlings and mature plant leaves are also
photomorphogenic processes.
Older plants rely on photomorphogenesis responses as well. Many of these
responses are in response to the relative lengths of day and night by forming
reproductive structures or dormant buds that can withstand a cold winter (i.e., the
phenomenon of photoperiodism and vernalization).
f. Some endangered plant species in Myanmar
(1) Scientific Name : Dipterocarpus alatus
Common Name : Gurjum tree
Myanmar Name : Kanyin
IUCN Status : Endangered
(2) Scientific Name : Swietenia macrophylla
Common Name : Mahogany
Myanmar Name : Mahogany
IUCN Status : Endangered
(3) Scientific Name : Cephalotaxus mannii
Common Name : Mann’s plum yew
Myanmar Name : Kyauk Htinn shuu
IUCN Status : Endangered
(4) Scientific Name : Paphiopedilum wardii
Common Name : Black Orchid
Myanmar Name : Thit-khwa net
IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
(5) Scientific Name : Rhododendron arboreum
Common Name : Rhododendron
Myanmar Name : Taung Zalat Ni
IUCN Status : Endangered
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 84 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 10
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. FALSE i. agricultural i. D
ii. TRUE ii. nucleus ii. C
iii. FALSE iii. heartbeat iii. D
iv. TRUE iv. humid iv. D
v. FALSE v. sclera v. C
vi. FALSE vi. destruction vi. A
vii. TRUE vii. retina vii. B
viii. TRUE viii. carbon viii. D
ix. TRUE ix. four ix. A
x. FALSE x. phenotype x. A

SECTION (B)
4.
a. Cotton, Gossypium spp., is the world’s chief fibre plant. It is the industrial crop
of Myanmar for raw materials supplied to domestic industries as well as export. The
main areas of cotton cultivation are central Myanmar around Mandalay, Magway and
Sagaing Regions.
Jute, Corchorus spp., is a very valuable best fibre. Jute is a tropical plant that
grows best in hot and humid climate, under condition of plenty of rain and flooding at
a later stage. Jute fibre is the world’s chief material for manufacturing textiles in making
roofing materials, curtains and gunny bags.
b. DNA polymerase replicates the two original strands differently. Although it
builds both new strands in the 5’ to 3’ direction, one strand is formed towards the
replication fork in continuous and linear fashion. This is called the leading
strand. The other strand, the lagging strand, forms in direction away from the
replication fork, in a series of segments called Okazaki fragments. Each Okazaki
fragment is about 100-200 nucleotides long and then they are joined into one
continuous strand by the enzyme DNA ligase.
DNA polymerase I carry out mismatch repair, a kind of proofreading that
corrects errors. Damaged regions of DNA are excised out by DNA nuclease.
c. Plasma, blood cells and platelets flow from a cut vessel. Contact between the
platelets and components of the tissue (e.g., collagen fibres in the skin) causes the
platelets to break open in large numbers. They release several substances, two of
which are particularly important.
 Serotonin causes the smooth muscle of the blood vessel to contract. This narrows
the blood vessels, cutting off the blood flow to the damaged area.
 Thromboplastin is an enzyme that starts sequence of chemical changes that clot
the blood.
 85 Kiran Education

d. A healthy blood pressure is around 120 mmHg during systole and around 80
mmHg during diastole. If the blood pressure is regularly above 140/90 mmHg, it is a
sign of high blood pressure or hypertension and can also be a sign of atherosclerosis.
The blood pressure goes up when the walls of the arteries become less flexible due
to the build-up of the plaques. This means that raised blood pressure can be the result
of atherosclerosis. Measuring blood pressure is used as an indicator of both the heart
and blood vessels.
e. Some physiological effects of auxin in plants are as follows:
i. Root inhibition: Auxin inhibits the elongation of primary roots. However, it can
stimulate the initiation of lateral and adventitious roots.
ii. Parthenocarpy: Application of auxin to unpollinated pistil makes them develop
seedless fruits or parthenocarpy.
iii. Cell elongation: It stimulates the elongation of cells in the shoot and promotes
cell enlargement.
iv. Abscission: In younger parts, auxin delays abscission. On the other hand, in
mature parts, it stimulates abscission.
v. Cell division: Auxin initiates and promotes cell division in vascular cambium.
f. It is only logical that an increase in the world’s population will cause additional
strains on resources. More people increased demand for food, water, housing, energy,
healthcare, transportation, and more. And all that consumption contributes to
ecological degradation, increased conflicts, and a higher risk of large-scale disasters
like pandemics. An increase in population will inevitably create pressures leading to
more deforestation, decreased biodiversity, and spikes in pollution and emissions,
which will exacerbate climate change. Ultimately, unless we take action to help
minimize further population growth heading into the remainder of this century, many
scientists believe the additional stress on the planet will lead to ecological disruption
and collapse so severe it threatens the viability of life on Earth, as we know it.
5.
a. Food is one of the major requirements of life. All forms of living matter require
food in one form or the other as the source of life-sustaining energy. However, plant
only is able to manufacture food through the process of photosynthesis.
Food may be classified into the following groups:
 heat or energy producing food such as carbohydrates and fats;
 body-building food such as protein;
 protective food such as vitamins and some minerals; and
 luxury food such as confectioneries, etc.
It is evident that food must contain sufficiently carbohydrate, protein and fats or
oil together with vitamins and essential minerals.
Without food, the viability of life is not feasible. Our food items come from plants
and animals. Microbes aid in the formation of dairy products like curd, cheese, and
yoghurt. The bacterium Lactobacillus helps in the formation of curd from milk. Similarly,
yeast, one of the simplest eukaryotes, is used in the process of fermentation. Wine is
obtained from grapes through a similar process. Furthermore, there are certain
 86 Kiran Education

microbes and other biological processes that indirectly help in the production of food.
The microorganisms present in the soil act as a decomposing agent, which assist in
the production of the compost from dead and decaying organic matter. This compost
acts as an effective fertilizer for the growing plants.
b. DNA is a double helix structure consisting of two polynucleotide strands twine
around each other. Each polynucleotide strand is made up of many nucleotide
molecules. Each nucleotide in DNA is composed of a five-carbon deoxyribose sugar,
a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base, all linked together by covalent
bonds. Four different nitrogenous bases in DNA that can be categorized into two
different forms: purines and pyrimidines. The purine bases are adenine (A) and
guanine (G). They have two fused rings in their chemical structures. The pyrimidine
bases are cytosine (C) and thymine (T). They have a single ring in their chemical
structure.

Figure. A nucleotide molecule

c. Birds and mammals have evolved the most complex type of transport system,
known as a double circulatory system because it involves two separate circulations.
The systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood (oxygen-rich blood) from the heart
to the cells of the body where the oxygen is used. It also carries the deoxygenated
blood (blood that has given up its oxygen to the body cells) back to the heart. The
pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs to be
oxygenated and then carries the oxygenated blood back to the heart. Thus, blood
passes twice through the heart.
Birds and mammals need much more oxygen than fish. Not only do they have
to move around without the support of water, but they also maintain a constant body
temperature that may be higher or lower than their surroundings. This takes a lot of
resources, so their cells need plenty of oxygen and glucose and make waste products
that need to be removed quickly.
The advantages of double circulation are:
(i) The separate circuits of a double circulatory system ensure that the oxygenated
and deoxygenated blood cannot mix, so the tissues receive as much oxygen
as possible.
 87 Kiran Education

(ii) The fully oxygenated blood can be delivered quickly to the body tissues at high
pressure.
(iii) The blood going through the tiny blood vessels in the lungs is at relatively low
pressure, so it does not damage the vessels and allows gas exchange to take
place.
(iv) When the oxygenated blood returns to the heart, it can be pumped hard and
sent around the body at high pressure. This means it reaches all the tiny
capillaries between the body cells quickly, supplying oxygen for an active way
of life.
d. Myocardial infarction
Oxygen is supplied to the heart muscle by the coronary arteries. If the coronary
artery becomes completely blocked by a blood clot, an area of the heart muscle will
be totally cut off from its blood supply and will not receive any oxygen. This causes
myocardial infarction, more commonly known as a heart attack, due to damage and
death of the heart muscle. Symptoms include pain in the chest as in angina and upper
body, shortness of breath and sweating. If large areas of the heart are affected,
complete heart failure can occur. Death may be instantaneous without any previous
symptoms or may happen after several days of feeling tired and suffering symptoms
mistaken for indigestion.
Stroke
A stroke is caused by an interruption to the normal blood supply to an area of
the brain. This may be due to bleeding from damaged capillaries or a blockage cutting
off the blood supply to the brain. A blockage is usually caused by a blood clot, an
atheroma or a combination of the two. Sometimes, the blood clot forms somewhere
else in the body and is carried in the bloodstream until it gets stuck, blocking an artery
in the brain. The damage happens very quickly. A blockage in one of the main arteries
leading to the brain causes a very serious stroke that may lead to death. If it happens
in one of the smaller arterioles the effects may be less disastrous.
The symptoms of strokes vary, depending on how much of the brain is affected.
Very often, the blood is cut off from one part or one side of the brain only. Symptoms
include dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, blurred vision or partial loss of vision
(usually one eye) and numbness. In more severe strokes, there can be paralysis,
usually on one side of the body.
e. The connection between two neurones, or a neurone and an effector, is called
a synapse. A neuromuscular junction is a synapse between a motor neurone and a
muscle cell. An impulse travels the length of the axon until it reaches the far end, called
the synaptic terminal. Neurones are not directly connected but have a small gap
between them called the synaptic cleft. Although the synaptic cleft is only about 0.02
𝜇 wide, neurones are not close enough for the impulse to jump from one to the other.
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters carry the neural signal from one
neurone to another. Neurotransmitters can also carry the neural signal from a neurone
to an effector, such as a gland or muscle fibre. When an action potential arrives at the
end of a presynaptic neurone, the impulse causes intracellular sacs that contain
neurotransmitters to fuse with the membrane of the axon. These sacs, called synaptic
vesicles, release their contents into the synaptic cleft by exocytosis. The
 88 Kiran Education

neurotransmitters then diffuse across the synapse, taking about 0.5 to 1 ms to reach
the dendrites of the postsynaptic neurone, or cell membrane of the effector.
Upon reaching the postsynaptic membrane, the neurotransmitters bind to
specific receptor proteins in this membrane. The receptor proteins trigger ion-specific
channels to open. This depolarizes the postsynaptic membrane and, if the threshold
potential is reached, initiates an action potential. The impulse will travel along the
postsynaptic neurone to its terminal and to the next neurone or an effector.
f. In Myanmar, 42 protected areas have been established as following categories:
 Scientific reserve
 National park
 Marine national park
 Nature reserve
 Wildlife sanctuary
 Community forest
Scientific reserve
Scientific reserve has some similarities to nature reserves. They are held for
the protection of their features (including flora and fauna) for “scientific study, research,
education, and the benefit of the country” e.g., Tanintharyi Nature Reserve.
Nature reserve
Nature reserve is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of
geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for purposes of
conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research e.g., Popa
Mountain Park, Hkakaborazi National Park.
Wildlife sanctuary
A wildlife sanctuary is an area where animal habitats and their surroundings are
protected from any sort of disturbance. The capturing, killing and poaching of animals
is strictly prohibited in these regions. They aim at providing a comfortable living to the
animals e.g., Hlawga Park, Chatthin Wildlife Sanctuary.

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 89 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 11
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. FALSE i. product i. A
ii. FALSE ii. telomeres ii. C
iii. TRUE iii. phloem iii. C
iv. FALSE iv. living iv. D
v. TRUE v. photoreceptor v. C
vi. FALSE vi. environment vi. D
vii. FALSE vii. voluntary vii. A
viii. TRUE viii. destruction viii. C
ix. FALSE ix. Wheat ix. A
x. TRUE x. terminator x. B

SECTION (B)
4.
a. Medicinal animals are important resources linking people to the environment and their
use promotes the traditional knowledge related to them. Over 50% of commercially
available drugs are based on bioactive compounds extracted from non-human species.
Almost every class of drug includes a model structure derived from nature, exhibiting
the classical effects of the specific pharmacological category. A great number of these
natural products have come to human society from the scientific study of remedies
traditionally employed by various cultures.
b. Labels
1. sugar-phosphate backbone
2. base pair
3. cytosine
4. thymine
5. guanine
6. adenine
Caption - Double helix structure of DNA
Four nitrogenous bases in DNA
Four different nitrogenous bases in DNA that can be categorized into two
different forms: purines and pyrimidines. The purine bases are adenine (A) and
guanine (G). They have two fused rings in their chemical structures. The pyrimidine
bases are cytosine (C) and thymine (T). They have a single ring in their chemical
structure.
c. Labels
1. xylem parenchyma
2. vessel
3. tracheid
4. xylem fibre
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5. phloem parenchyma
6. companion cell
7. phloem fibre
8. sieve tube
Caption - Transport tissues in plants
Two transport systems in plants
Plants have two transport systems:
 Xylem, which transports water and inorganic ions from the roots to all parts of
the plant.
 Phloem, which transports substances made in the plant, such as sucrose and
amino acids, from the leaves to all other parts of the plant.
d. Labels
1. fungal spread
2. pre-penetration of germination
3. pathogen entrance or penetration
4. infection phase
5. growth or reproduction
6. dissemination or new infection
7. dormancy
Caption - Plant disease cycle
Biotic or infectious diseases
Biotic diseases can spread throughout one plant and also may spread to
neighbouring plants of the same species. These include biotic problems caused by
living organisms such as pathogens, nematodes, insects and other arthropods. Biotic
diseases sometimes show physical evidence (signs) of the pathogen, such as fungal
growth, bacterial ooze, or nematode cysts, or the presence of mites or insects. Many
plant problems, especially biotic problems, if not recognized and controlled early in
their development, they can result in significant economic damage for the producer.
Therefore, timely and accurate diagnoses are required so that appropriate pest and
disease management options and other corrective measures can be implemented.
e. Labels
1. nucleus
2. direction of nerve impulse
3. dendrite
4. dendron
5. ends that link with adjacent nerve cells
6. long axon
7. myelin sheath (insulator)
8. cell body
Caption - Structure of a typical neurone
Specialized cell structures of neurones
Neurones have specialized cell structures: dendrites and axons, that receive
nerve impulses. Dendrites are short, branching terminals of Dendron that receive
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nerve impulses from other neurones or sensory receptors, and relay the impulse to
the cell body. The dendrites are numerous and highly branched, which increases the
surface area available to receive information. The axon conducts impulses away from
the cell body. Axons range in length from 1 mm to 1 m, depending on the neurone’s
location in the body. The terminal end of an axon branches into many fibres to
communicate with adjacent neurones, glands, or muscles. The axon terminal releases
chemical signals into the space between it and the receptors or dendrites of
neighbouring cells.
f. Some techniques used in captive breeding programmes are:
(i) Artificial insemination
(ii) Embryo transfer to a surrogate mother
(iii) Cryogenics (eggs, sperm cells and embryos can be frozen for future use)
(iv) Human-raised young
(v) Keeping a pedigree (prevent from inbreeding)
5.
a. Transfer and transformation of energy and matter
Energy flows through the ecosystem. All organisms require energy for their life.
Producers convert energy from sunlight to chemical energy and some of which is then
passed to consumers (the rest is lost from the ecosystem as heat). Chemical cycle
occurs between organisms and the environment.
Evolution for the Unity and Diversity of Life
Evolution is the process of change that has transformed life on Earth, accounts
for the unity and diversity of life. It also explains evolutionary adaptation and the match
of organisms to their environment.
Biologists classify species according to a system of broader and broader groups.
Domain Bacteria and Archaea consists of prokaryotes. Domain Eukarya includes
various groups of protists as well as fungi, plants, and animals.
Darwin (1809-1882) proposed natural selection as the mechanism for
evolutionary adaptation of populations to their environments. Natural selection is thus
defined as the evolutionary process that occurs when a population is exposed to
environmental factors that consistently cause individuals with certain heritable traits to
have greater reproductive success than do individuals with other heritable traits.
b. DNA is the hereditary material responsible for passing genetic information from
cell to cell and generation to generation. In total, there are around 3.2 billion base pairs
in the DNA of a typical mammalian cell. This vast number means that there are an
almost infinite variety of sequences or bases along the length of a DNA molecule. It is
this variety that provides the genetic diversity within living organisms.
The DNA molecule is adapted to carry out its functions in a number of ways:
 It is a very stable structure which normally passes from generation to generation
without change. Only rarely does it mutate.
 Its two separate strands are joined only with hydrogen bonds, which allow them
to separate during DNA replication and protein synthesis.
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 It is an extremely large molecule and therefore carries a large amount of genetic

information.
 By having the base pairs within the helical structure of the deoxyribose-
phosphate backbone, the genetic information is to some extent protected from
being corrupted by outside chemical and physical forces.
 Base pairing leads to DNA being able to replicate and to transfer information to
mRNA.
The function of the remarkable DNA molecule depends on the sequence of
base pairs that it possesses. This sequence is important to everything it does and,
indeed, to life itself.
c. The main types of blood vessel; the arteries, veins and capillaries have very
different characteristics. These affect the way the blood flows through the body, and
what the vessels do in the body.
Arteries
Arteries carry blood away from the heart towards the cells of the body.
Almost all arteries carry oxygenated blood. The exceptions are: the pulmonary
artery – carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and the umbilical
artery – during pregnancy, this carries deoxygenated blood from the foetus to the
placenta.
The aorta (large artery) leaving the heart branches off into arteries in every
direction, and the diameter of the lumen, the central space inside the blood vessel,
gets smaller the further away it is from the heart. The very smallest branches of the
arterial system, furthest from the heart, are the arterioles.
The major arteries close to the heart must withstand pressure surges. Their
walls contain a lot of elastic fibers so they can stretch to accommodate the greater
volume of blood without being damaged. Between surges, the elastic fibers return to
their original length, squeezing the blood to move it along in a continuous flow. The
role of the elastic fibers in artery walls is to return to their original length to help
maintain the pressure. This is called recoil. The elastic recoil does not help to increase
pressure, it simply helps to maintain the pressure. A thick muscular wall helps control
the flow of blood by dilating (widening) or constricting (narrowing) the vessels.
d. Groups of plant pathogens
(1) fungi
(2) bacteria
(3) viruses
(4) nematodes
Groups of plant pathogens – viruses
Viruses are intracellular (inside cells) pathogenic particles that infect other living
organisms. They cause human and animal diseases such as influenza, polio, rabies,
smallpox, and warts. Unlike bacteria and fungi, viruses are not spread by water or
wind. Instead, they must physically enter the plant. One of the most common vectors
of viruses are insects. Examples of some viruses are tobacco mosaic, tomato mosaic,
barley yellow dwarf, potato leaf roll, tomato spotted wilt, and tobacco ringspot.
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Mosaics are characterized by the formation of light green, yellow, or white spots
intermingled with the normal green aerial plant structures. Ringspots are characterized
by the appearance of chlorotic or necrotic rings on the leaves. These primary
symptoms may be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms in specific viral plant
diseases.
Groups of plant pathogens – nematodes
Nematodes are simple, multicellular animals and are bilaterally symmetrical,
soft-bodied (no skeleton), non-segmented roundworms. Most nematode species that
attack plants are microscopic. A number of genera and species of nematodes are
highly damaging to a great range of hosts, including foliage plants, agronomic and
vegetable crops, fruit and nut trees. Plant parasitic nematodes have a stylet, a piercing
mouthpart. The presence of a stylet is the key diagnostic sign differentiating plant
parasitic nematodes from all other types of nematodes. Based on the plant part, the
nematode invaded can be classified into wheat nematode: Anguina tritici, spring dwarf
nematode: Aphelenchoides fragariae, Stubby-root nematodes: Trichodorus sp., and
root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp.
e. Labels
1. tear sac empties into nasal cavity
2. remains of third eyelid (nictitating membrane)
3. lower eyelid
4. pupil
5. eye lashes
6. sclerotic coat (or sclera) covered by conjunctiva
7. tear gland
8. upper eyelid
9. iris
10. tear ducts
Caption - The front view of the left eye
Sense Organs
To survive, organisms must detect changes in the environment and react
appropriately to the changes. To detect changes in the environment, humans and
other organisms have highly developed sense organs, such as eyes, ears, nose,
tongue and skin- that receive stimuli.
Sense organs are organs in which sensory receptors are highly concentrated.
When the sensory receptors of a particular sense organ receive appropriate
stimulation, they convert the stimulus into electrical signals or action potential. These
electrical signals are sent to the specific region of the brain. The brain has a specific
region for each sense. Thus, signal received by the vision region of the occipital lobe
of brain interpreted as images.
f. Endangered species
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(IUCN) publishes the Red Data Book, which includes the list of endangered species
of plants and animals. The red data symbolizes the warning signal for those species,
which are endangered and if not protected are likely to become extinct in near futur e.
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Myanmar is moderately biodiverse country with many species of trees, shrubs,

flowering plants, grasses, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, fungi
and micro-organisms. About 250 mammal species, more than 1,000 birds, 370 reptiles
and 7,000 plants are recorded in Myanmar, among them 39 species of mammals, 45
of birds, 21 of reptiles and 38 of plants are globally threatened.
Invasive alien species (IAS)
Little is known about the status of invasive alien species in Myanmar, but a few
IAS have been observed in the country. IAS can also be introduced unintentionally by
tourists or through the transport of cargo or movement of pets, plant parts and seeds.
Some may be intentionally imported for use in research, manufacture of medicine or
ornamental and industrial uses.

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 95 Kiran Education

PILOT TEST - 12
ANSWERS
SECTION (A)
1. 2. 3.
i. FALSE i. fibre i. D
ii. FALSE ii. spliceosome ii. A
iii. TRUE iii. stomata iii. C
iv. TRUE iv. ringspots iv. B
v. FALSE v. refraction v. C
vi. FALSE vi. biodiversity vi. D
vii. TRUE vii. pancreas vii. D
viii. TRUE viii. Paphiopedilum viii. A
ix. FALSE wardii ix. B
x. TRUE ix. yarn x. C
x. beta-lactoglobulin
/ β-lactoglobulin

SECTION (B)
4.
a. Silkworm has four stages in its life cycle: egg, caterpillar (larva), pupa and adult
moth. When the worms hatched, they are called caterpillars which are food specific
and eat voraciously on mulberry leaves. One important factor to silk production is the
cultivation of mulberry trees as food for the silkworm. After reaching the complete
stage, caterpillars secrete fluid protein called silk and spin cocoon as a protective shell
around the pupa. Changing into the adult form from the pupa inside the cocoon is
called metamorphosis. Humans obtain silk which is a continuous protein filament from
the cocoon.
Silk is called the “Queen of Textiles” and is known for its qualities like luxury,
elegance, class and comfort. It is one of the most expensive fibres, due to its cost and
the tedious production process. Silk acts as the major source of textile industry around
the world after cotton.
b. Method of recombinant DNA
It is a method of transferring a gene from one organism into the genome of
another organism of different species. In order to insert the recombinant gene into a
target cell, a vector is needed, which may be plasmid of bacteria, harmless virus,
liposome or gene gun.
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Figure. Production of recombinant DNA

c. Labels
1. capillaries in gills
2. gill cover
3. capillaries in other parts of body
4. atrium
5. ventricle
Caption - Closed circulatory system (Single circulatory system in fish)
Single circulatory system
It is found in fish. The heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the gills, the organs
of gas exchange where the blood takes in oxygen (becomes deoxygenated) and gives
up carbon dioxide at the same time. The blood then travels on around the rest of the
body of the fish, giving up oxygen to the body cells before returning to the heart. In this
type, blood passes once through the heart.
d. Most cardiovascular disease starts with atheroma formation. If the endothelium, the
inner lining of the wall of the artery, is damaged by high blood pressure, an
inflammatory response where by white blood cells (mostly macrophages) move into
the area. These white blood cells and lipids from the blood clump together under the
endothelium to form fatty streaks. Overtime, more white blood cells, lipids and
connective tissues build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque called atheroma. This
plaque partially blocks the lumen of the artery and restricts blood flow, which causes
blood pressure to increase. The hardening of arteries, caused by atheroma, is called
atherosclerosis.
e. Labels
1. spinal cord
2. spinal nerve
3. vertebra
4. intervertebral disc
Caption - The spinal cord inside of the vertebra
Spinal cord
A cross section of the spinal cord, reveals both white matter and grey matter.
The outer white matter consists of myelinated nerve fibres. The butterfly-shaped core
is made up of grey matter, which contains unmyelinated neurones as well as the cell
bodies and dendrites of many spinal neurones.
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The delicate tissues of the spinal cord are protected by cerebrospinal fluid, soft
tissue layers, and the spinal column. The spinal column consists of a series of
backbones (vertebrae). Injury to the spinal column can also damage the spinal cord,
resulting in paralysis.
f. In the early 1990s, the Government of Myanmar introduced Community forest (CF) as
a way to protect endangered forest resources and support the subsistence needs of
rural communities. Community forest means all sustainable forest management and
utilization activities, in which the local community itself is involved. This expression
includes establishing new plantations and managing existing forests, creating
employment and income opportunities for subsistence to commercial purposes,
generating food, stabilizing ecosystems, and improving the environmental conditions.
Community forests are an important tool for biodiversity conservation and sustainable
community-driven development.
5.
a. The major types of horticulture include olericulture, pomology, viticulture,
floriculture, turf management, arboriculture, landscape horticulture, and postharvest
physiology. Olericulture is the vegetable growing, dealing with the culture of non-
woody (herbaceous) plants for foods. Pomology or Fruticulture is the production of
fruits and nuts. Viticulture is the production of grapes (largely intended for winemaking).
Floriculture is the growing and marketing of flowers and ornamental plants for floristry.
Turf Management is the production and upkeep of turf, artificial and live, for use in
recreation. Sports stadiums, civilian landscaping, and leisure are among the largest
users of turf management services. Arboriculture is the cultivation and care of
individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants, primarily to maintain
individual woody plants and trees for long-term landscape and amenity purposes.
Landscape Horticulture is the selection, production and care of plants used in
landscape architecture. Postharvest Physiology is the management of harvested
horticultural crops to determine the best storage and transportation conditions to
optimize shelf life after harvest.
b. Three phases of translation stage
Initiation
In the initiation phase, all the translation components come together. The small
ribosomal sub-unit attaches to the mRNA near the start codon (AUG). The first tRNA
that binds to the codon is the initiater tRNA with its UAC anticodon, which joins with
the AUG codon of mRNA. Then, a large ribosomal sub-unit joins to form the active
ribosome.
Elongation
The polypeptide becomes longer, adding one amino acid at a time. During elongation,
a cycle of four steps is rapidly repeated. First, a tRNA with an attached polypeptide is
in the P site, then, peptide bond is formed and tRNA carrying the next amino acid
enters the A site. Next, the polypeptide chain is transferred to the amino acid of the
tRNA in the A site. This makes the polypeptide chain one amino acid longer than
before. Last, the mRNA moves forward by one codon, and the polypeptide-bearing
tRNA is now at the ribosome P site. The uncharged tRNA exits. The new codon is at
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the A site and can receive the next complementary tRNA carrying the next amino acids
of the polypeptide.
Termination
The termination phase begins when a stop codon on the mRNA is reached. The
polypeptide and the components of the translation machinery are separated. A protein,
called a release factor, cleaves (cuts) the polypeptide from the last tRNA. The
polypeptide is released and will eventually fold into its three-dimensional shape as
protein, ready to carry out its cellular activities.
c. The main types of blood vessel; the arteries, veins and capillaries have very different
characteristics. These affect the way the blood flows through the body, and what the
vessels do in the body.
Plasma
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood. Over 50% of the blood volume in the body is
plasma, and it carries all of blood cells and everything else that needs transporting
around the body.
This includes:
(i) digested food products (e.g., glucose and amino acids) from the small intestine
to the liver and then to all the parts of the body where they are needed either
for immediate use or for storage,
(ii) nutrient molecules from storage areas to the cells that need them,
(iii) excretory products (e.g., carbon dioxide and urea) from cells to the excretory
organs such as the lungs or kidneys, to be excreted from the body,
(iv) chemical messages (hormones) from where they are made to the target organs
in the body,
(v) carries heat around the system from internal organs (e.g., the gut) or very active
tissues (e.g., leg muscles in someone running) to the skin, where it can be lost
to the surroundings,
(vi) also acts as a buffer to regulate pH changes.
d. Labels
1. mosquito takes infected blood meal
2. 24 hours
3. male and female gametes of parasite fuse in mosquito’s stomach
4. 6-12 days
5. cell division produces thousands of immune malarial parasites
6. infective stages of parasite invade mosquito’s salivary glands
7. infected mosquito takes blood meal
8. infected stages of parasite enter bloodstream and then liver cells
9. liver
10. parasites leave liver cells and enter red blood cells
11. maturation and production of parasite’s male and female sex cells (gametes)
12. 48-72 hours
Caption - Life cycle of Plasmodium
Female Anopheles mosquitoes feed on human blood to obtain the protein they
need to develop their eggs. If the person they bite is infected with Plasmodium, they
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will take up some of the pathogen’s gametes with the blood meal. Male and female
gametes fuse in the mosquito’s gut and develop to form infective stages, which move
to the mosquito’s salivary glands. When the mosquito feeds again, it injects an
anticoagulant from its salivary glands that prevents the blood meal from clotting, so
that it flows out of the host into the mosquito. The infective stages pass from the
mosquito’s salivary glands into the human’s blood together with the anticoagulant in
the saliva. The parasites enter the red blood cells, where they multiply.
e. Labels
1. stimulus
2. pain receptor
3. receptor in skin
4. skin
5. sensory neurone
6. interneurone
7. spinal cord
8. motor neurone
9. effector (muscle)
10. response
Caption - The reflex arc
Some neurones are organized to enable the body to react rapidly in times of
danger, even before consciously aware of the threat. These sudden, involuntary
responses to certain stimuli are called reflexes. Examples of reflexes are (i) jerking the
hand away from a hot or sharp object, (ii) blinking when an object moves toward the
eye, or (iii) vomiting in response to food that irritates the stomach.
Reflex arcs are simple connections of only three neurones to transmit
messages. As a result, reflexes can be very rapid, occurring in about 50 ms
(milliseconds). Receptors in the skin sense the pressure of cactus needle and initiate
an impulse in a sensory neurone. The impulse carried by the sensory neurone then
activates the interneurone in the spinal cord which then signals the motor neurone to
instruct the muscle to contract and withdraw the hand. A reflex arc moves directly to
and from the brain or spinal cord, before the brain centres involved with voluntary
control have time to process the sensory information.
f. It has been estimated that 25% of the world’s flowering plant species could
disappear within the next 50 years. There are thought to be about 242,000 species of
flowering plants now, so this would mean 60,5000 species disappearing in less than
one human lifetime. Seed banks have been set up to help conserve rare plant species.
Seeds in a seed bank are kept in cold, dark conditions in which the metabolism of the
seed slows down so the seed is prevented from germinating.
The storage of seeds is one of the most widespread and valuable ex situ
approaches to conservation. Seed banks protect and save plant genetic diversity,
which is important for a number of reasons. These saved and viable seeds contain a
treasure trove of useful genes that breeders can use for developing improved varieties
of our major food crops. For example:
 Improve resistance to current and emerging plant diseases and insects
 Provide drought or flood tolerances
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 Improve yields and nutrition to feed a growing global population

Figure. Some of the steps involved in storing seeds

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