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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam Paper - 2017 : Botany

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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam Paper - 2017 : Botany

BOTANY
(Paper - I)

Time Allowed : Three Hours

Maximum Marks : 250

Question Paper Specific Instructions

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions :

There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to. Diagrams/figures, wherever required, may be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

SECTION A

Q1. Describe the following in about 150 words each :

(a) Parasexuality in Fungi
(b) Phycobiliproteins
(c) Tetrapolar Heterothallism
(d) Salient features of Lichens
(e) Peristome

Q2. (a) What is meant by Modelling and how does it help in disease forecasting ?
(b) Describe the diplobiontic life cycle of Polysiphonia.
(c) Draw a well-labelled diagram of L.S. of Gnetum ovule and briefly describe its female gametophyte also.

Q3. (a) Describe the symptoms, causal organisms and control measures of white rust of crucifers and red rot of sugarcane.
(b) Make a comparison of Hepaticopsida, Anthocerotopsida and Bryopsida classes of Bryophyta with special reference to sporophytes only.
(c) Give an account of distribution of living Gymnosperms in India.

Q4. (a) Give an account of genetic recombination in bacteria.
(b) Describe the evolution of Stellar System in Pteridophyta with proper diagrams.
(c) Give an account of different modes of transmission of plant viruses.

SECTION B

Q5. Describe the following in about 150 words each :

(a) Embryology in relation to Taxonomy, with examples
(b) Vavilov's centers of origin in plants
(c) Symmetry in plants with relation to morphogenesis
(d) International Code of Botanical Nomenclature
(e) Androgenic haploid plants

Q6. (a) Comment on polyembryony and apomixis in flowering plants.
(b) Write an account of Ethnobotany in relation to modern day drug discovery.
(c) "Clonal micropropagation is useful in Floriculture industry.” Explain the process with some suitable examples.

Q7. (a) Describe the classification given by Engler and Prantl and comment on its merits and demerits.
(b) Give an account of the following :

(i) Developmental details of interxylary phloem
(ii) Anomalous secondary growth in Dracaena stem

Q8. (a) Write an account of the following families with reference to floral diagram and floral formula. Give botanical names of four important plant species belonging to each of the families and specify their uses :

(i) Cucurbitaceae
(ii) Solanaceae
(iii) Liliaceae

(b) Describe the plants used as sources of fibres, dyes and resins with suitable examples.
(c) Write short notes on the following:

(i) Cytoplasmic hybrids
(ii) Chemotaxonomy

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BOTANY
(PAPER - II)

Time Allowed : Three Hours

Maximum Marks : 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions)

There are EIGHT questions divided in two Sections and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Word limit in questions, if specified, should be adhered to. Diagrams/figures, wherever required, may be drawn in the space provided for answering the question itself.

SECTION-A

Q1. Answer/Explain the following:

(a) Draw a labelled diagram of prokaryotic and eukaryotic chloroplast and describe their functions.
(b) Molecular basis of sex differentiation
(c) Role of mutations in plant evolution
(d) Molecular basis of cell cycle
(e) Student's t-test is a test of significance. Explain.

Q2. (a) Explain the importance of numerical and structural variations in chromosomes with respect to crop varieties.
(b) What is the significance of chromatin organization and packaging in genome?
(c) What is apomixis? Write about its relevance in plant breeding.

Q3. (a) Define vertical and lateral transfer of genes. Explain their importance with at least one example of each.
(b) (i) What are the genetic bases of male sterility?
(ii) How can a protein solution be sterilized?
(c) Explain the significance and importance of the following with at least one example :

(i) Gene silencing
(ii) Multigene families
(iii) Transgenic crops and their future

Q4. (a) Explain with suitable examples the importance and significance of the following :

(i) Quantitative genetics
(ii) Linkage and crossing-over
(iii) Molecular maps
(iv) Sex-linked inheritance

(b) Elaborate on the use of molecular markers in plant breeding.
(c) Write brief notes on the following:

(i) Southern blotting
(ii) RT-PCR
(iii) Mass selection

SECTION-B

Q5. Explain the following:

(a) b-oxidation
(b) GS-GOGAT system
(c) Phytochelatins
(d) Biotic factors
(e) Biosphere reserve as a part of protected area network

Q6. (a) Describe the nature and importance of ion fluxes during stomatal movement.
(b) Comment on compartmentation of biochemical events in photorespiration. Add a note on the significance of photorespiration.
(c) What are the purposes and aims of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)? What are the guiding principles for an effective EIA process? Write the main steps of an idealized EIA.

Q7. (a) Describe the physiological changes associated with the process of seed germination.
(b) Citric acid cycle is an amphibolic process. Discuss.
(c) What is sedimentary cycle? Explain the flow of an element showing sedimentary cycle through diagrammatic representation. What are the anthropogenic influences on such elemental cycle(s) ?

Q8. (a) . Differentiate between primary active transport and secondary active transport.
(b) What is the concept of ecosystem? How does succession influence the diversity and stability of an ecosystem?
(c) Define sustainable development. How do global warming and climatic changes influence the endemic flora and fauna of a region?