ICSE 2016 Biology Question Paper Solved for Class 10

Solving ICSE Class 10 Biology Previous Year Question Papers ICSE Class 10 Biology Question Paper 2016 is the best way to boost your preparation for the board exams.

ICSE Class 10 Biology Question Paper 2016 Solved

Time Allowed : One hour and a half

General Instructions :

Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
This time is to be spent in reading the Question Paper,
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
Attempt all questions from Section I and any four questions from Section II.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

Section – I (40 Marks)
Attempt all questions from this Section

Question 1.
(a) Name the following:
(i) The exchange of chromatid parts between the maternal and the paternal chromatids of a pair of homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
(ii) The number of individuals inhabiting per unit area.
(iii) The immunity acquired by providing readymade antibodies from outside for treating certain infectious diseases.
(iv) The pollutants that cannot be broken down to simple and harmless products.
(v) The part of the brain that carries impulses from one hemisphere of the cerebellum to the other.
Answer:
(i) Crossing over
(ii) Population Density
(iii) Passive Immunity
(iv) Non biodegradable
(v) Pons varolii

(b) Choose the correct answer from each of the four options given below: [5]
(1) A plant cell may burst when:
(A) Turgor pressure equalises wall pressure.
(B) Turgor pressure exceeds wall pressure.
(C) Wall pressure exceeds turgor pressure.
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(B) Turgor pressure exceeds wall pressure.

(ii) The individual Flattened stacks of membranous structures inside the chloroplasts are known a:
(A) Grana
(B) Stroma
(C) Thylakoids
(D) Cristae
Answer:
(C) Thylakoids

(iii) The nephrons discharge their urine at the:
(A) Urinary bladder
(B) Urethra
(C) Renal pelvis
(D) Renal pyramid
Answer:
(C) Renal pelvis

(iv) Gigantism and Acromegaly are due to :
(A) Hyposecretion of Thyroxine.
(B) Hyposecretion of Growth Hormone.
(C) Hypersecretion of Thyroxine.
(D) Hypersecretion of Growth Hormone.
Answer:
(D) Hypersecretion of Growth Hormone.

(v) The mineral ion needed for the formation of blood clot is:
(A) Potassium
(B) Sodium
(C) Calcium
(D) Iron
Answer:
(C) Calcium

(c) In each set of terms given below, there is an odd one and cannot be grouped in the same category to which the other three belong, identify the odd term in each set and name the category to which the remaining three belong. [5]

Example: Ovary. Fallopian tube. Ureter. Uterus.
Odd term: Ureter
Category: Parts of female reproductive system.
(i) Sewage, Newspaper. Styrofoam, Hay.
(ii) Thymine, Cytosine. Adenine, Pepsin.
(iii) Malleus, Iris. Stapes, Incus.
(iv) Cortisone, Somatotropin, Adrenocorticotropic hormone, Vasopressin.
(v) Typhoid, Haemophilia, Albinism, Colour blindness.
Answer:
(i) Styrofoam, All others are biodegradable pollutants.
(ii) Pepsin, All others are nitrogenous bases present in nucleic acids
(iii) Iris, All others are earossicles
(iv) Cortisone, All others are secreted by the pituitary gland
(v) Typhoid, All others are congenital genetic disorders.

(d) Complete the following paragraph by filling in the blanks (i) to (v) with appropriate words: [5]

The amount of urine output is under the regulation of a hormone called (i) ___________ secreted by the (ii) ___________ lobe of the pituitary gland. If this hormone secretion is reduced, there is an increased production of urine. This disorder is called (iii) ___________ Sometimes excess glucose is passed with urine due to hyposecretion of another hormone called (iv) ___________ leading to the cause of a disease called (v) ___________.
Answer:
(i) Antidiuretic/Vasopressin Hormone
(ii) Posterior
(iii) Diabetes insipidus/Diuresis
(iv) Insulin
(v) Diabetes mellitus

(e) State the exact location of the following structures: [5]

(i) Centromere
(ii) Chordae tendinae
(iii) Thyroid gland
(iv) Ciliary body
(v) Proximal convoluted tubule.
Answer:
(i) Between two sister chromatids of one chromosome
(ii) Attach free margins of bicuspid and tricuspid valves with the papillary muscles
(iii) In front of the neck just below the larynx.
(iv) Extension of the choroid of the eye.
(v) In the cortex region of the kidney between the Malpighian capsule and loop of Henle.

(f) Given below is a diagram depicting a defect of the human eye, study the same and then answer the questions that follow: [5]

(i) Name the defect shown in the diagram.
(ii) What are the two possible reasons that cause this defect?
(iii) Name the type of lens used to correct this defect.
(iv) With the help of a diagram show how the defect shown above is rectified using a suitable lens.
Answer:
(i) Myopia/Near-Sightedness
(ii) Excessive thickening of cornea and increase in the length of eye ball from front to back
(iii) Concave lens
(iv)

(g) Given in the box below are a set of 14 biological terms. Of these, 12 can be paired into 6 matching pairs. Out of the six pairs, one has been done for you as an example. [5]

Example : endosmosis – Turgid cell.
Identify the remaining five matching pairs:

Cushing’s syndrome, Turgid cell, Iris, Free of rod and cone cells, Colour of eyes, Hypoglycemia, Active transport, Acrosome, Addison’s disease, Blind spot, Hyperglycemia, Spermatozoa Endosmosis, Clotting of blood.
Answer:
(i) Cushing’s syndrome : Hyperglycemia
(ii) Free of rod and cone cells : Blind spot
(iii) Colour of eye : Iris
(iv) Hypoglycemia: Addison’s disease
(v) Acrosome: Spermatozoa

(h) State the main function of the following: [5]
(i) Lymphocytes of blood
(ii) Leydig cells
(iii) Lymphocytes of blood
(iv) Eustachian tube
(v) Corpus luteum
Answer:
(i) Production of antibodies to provide specific immunity.
(ii) Secrete male sex hormones called Testosterone
(iii) Help in opening and closing of stomata.
(iv) Act as ventilators to equalize air pressure on the two sides of tympanum.
(v) Secrete progesterone hormone to prepare the uterus for Implantation of Zygote.

Section – II (40 Marks)
Attempt any four questions from this Section

Question 2.
(a) The figure given below is a diagrammatic representation of a part of the cross section of the root in the root hair zone. Study the same and then answer the questions that follow: [5]

(i) Name the parts indicated by the guidelines 1 to 4.
(ii) Which is the process that enables the passage of water from the soil into the root hair?
(iii) Name the pressure that is responsible for the movement of water in the direction indicated by the arrows. Define it.
(iv) Due to an excess of this pressure sometimes drops of water are found along the leaf margins of some plants especially in the early mornings. What is the phenomenon called?
(v) Draw a well labelled diagram of the root hair cell as it would appear if an excess of fertiliser is added to the soil close to it.
Answer:
(i)

1. Root hair
2. Soil particles

(ii) Endosmosis, water potential gradient.
(iii) Osmotic pressure, Root pressure. It is the pressure that develops osmotic system due to osmatic entry of water into it.
(iv) Guttation
(v)

(b) Differentiate between the following pairs on the basis of what is mentioned within brackets : [5]
(i) Human skin cell and Human ovum (number of chromosomes)
(ii) Sperm duct and fallopian tube (function)
(iii) Red Cross and WHO (one activity)
(iv) Rod cells and cone cells (pigment)
(v) LUBB and DUP (names of the valves whose closure produce the sound)
Answer:
(i) Human skin cell (23 pairs) is diploid whereas human ovum (23) is haploid.

(ii) Sperm duct is meant for the passage of sperms from testis to urethra whereas fallopian tubes has funnel shaped opening which receives the mature eggs from the ovary which are carried by it to the uterus.

(iii) WHO is concerned with the strengthening of health services whereas Red Cross is mainly concerned with extending relief and help to the victims of any natural calamity.

(iv) Rod cells contain rhodopsin pigment whereas cone cells contain iodopsin pigment.

(v) LUBB is produced due to the closure of AV valves whereas DUP is produced due to the closure of semi-lunar valves.

Question 3.
(a) Given below is the outline of the human body showing the important glands: [5]

(i) Name the glands marked 1 to 4.
(ii) Name the honnone secreted by part 2. Give one important function of this hormone.
(iii) Name the endocrine part of the part numbered 3.
(iv) Why is the part labelled 1 called the master gland? Which part of the forebrain controls the gland labelled 1 ?
(v) Name the gland that secretes the ‘emergency hormone’.
Answer:
(i)

1. Pituitary gland,
2. Thyroid gland,
3. Pancreas,
4. Adrenal gland

(ii) Thyroxine hormone, it controls basal metabolic rate.
(iii) Islet of Langerhans.
(iv) Pituitary gland is known as the master gland of the body because it controls other endocrine glands by the secretion of trophic hormones. Flour of diencephalon called hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland by the secretion of releasing and inhibiting factors/hormones.
(v) Emergency hormone is secreted by the adrenal gland.

(b) The diagram of an apparatus given below demonstrates a particular process in plants. Study the same and answer the questions that follow: [5]

(i) Name the apparatus.
(ii) Which phenomenon is demonstrated by this apparatus?
(iii) Explain the phenomenon mentioned in (ii) above.
(iv) State two limitations of using this apparatus.
(v) What is the importance of the air bubble in the experiment?
(vi) Name the structures in a plant through which the above process takes place.
Answer:
(i) Ganong’s potometer.
(ii) Rate of transpiration.
(iii) The loss of water in the form of vapours from the aerial exposed parts of a plant is called transpiration.
(iv) The first limitation of this apparatus is that it is very difficult,u to introduce the air bubble at the lower end of the capillary tube. Secondly, various changes in the environment such as, temperature humidity, air velocity etc. may influence the position of air bubble.
(v) Rate of water uptake can be calculated by timing the air bubble movement over a fixed distance on the scale.
(vi) Transpiration takes place through stomata, cuticle and lenticels.

Question 4.
(a)
(i) Draw a well labelled diagram of the membranous labyrinth found in the inner ear. [5]
(ii) Based on the diagram drawn above in (i) give a suitable term for each of the following descriptions:

1. The sensory cells that helps in hearing.
2. The part that is responsible for static balance of the body.
3. The membrane covered opening that connects the middle ear to the inner ear.
4. The fluid present in the middle chamber of cochlea.
5. The structure that maintains dynamic equilibrium of the body.

Answer:
(i)

(ii)

1. of Organs of Corti,
2. uriculus and sacculus,
3. round window,
4. Endolymph,
5. semicircular canal

(b) Give the Biological / technical term for the following: [5]
(i) Complete stoppage of menstrual cycle in females.
(ii) Pigment providing colour to urine.
(iii) The vein which drains the blood from the intestine to the liver.
(iv) The canal through which the testes descend into the scrotum just before the birth of a male baby.
(v) The process causing an undesirable change in the environment.
(vi) The removal of nitrogenous wastes from the body.
(vii) The repeating components of each DNA strand lengthwise.
(viii) An alteration in the genetic material that can be inherited.
(ix) The process of uptake of mineral ions against the concentration gradient using energy from the cell.
(x) Blood vessels carrying blood to the left atrium.
Answer:
(i) Menopause
(ii) Urochrome
(iii) Hepatic portal vein
(iv) Inguinal canal
(v) Pollution
(vi) Excretion
(vii) Nucleotides
(viii) Mutation
(ix) Active transport
(x) Pulmonary veins

Question 5.
(a) The given diagram shows a stage during mitotic division in an animal cell: [5]

(i) Identify the stage. Give a reason to support your answer.
(ii) Draw a neat labelled diagram of the cell as it would appear in the next stage. Name the stage.
(iii) In what two ways is mitotic division in an animal cell different from the mitotic division in a plant cell?
(iv) Name the type of cell division that occurs during:
A. Growth of a shoot
B. Formation of pollen grains.
Answer:
(i) Prophase-Chromosomes have duplicated, nuclear membrane is disappearing, nucleus has disappeared.
(ii) Next stage is Metaphase as shown below :

(iii) Animal cell

1. Asters are formed.
2. Cytokinesis by formation of furrow in the cytoplasm.
3. Occurs in most tissues of the Whole body.

Plant cell

1. Asters are not formed
2. Cytokinesis by cell plate Formation.
3. Occurs mainly at the growing tips and sides

(iv) A-Mitosis and B-Meiosis.

(b) Give scientific reasons for the following statements:
(i) Colour blindness is more common in men than in women.
(ii) Injury to medulla oblongata leads to death.
(iii When an ovum gets fertilized, menstrual cycle stops temporarily in a woman.
(iv) Mature erythrocytes in humans lack nucleus and mitochondria.
(v) Blood flows in arteries in spurts and is under pressure.
Answer:
(i) Colourblindness is more common in men as compared to women because it is a sex-linked and recessive trait. It need two alleles for its expression in women as she contains 2 X-chromosomes whereas only one X-chromosome is present in males, hence a single gene expresses it.

(ii) Injury to medulla oblongata may lead to death as it controls the involuntry actions like breathing movements and beating of heart.

(iii) When fertilization takes place, the corpus luteum is maintained which secretes large amounts of progesterone hormone. This hormone maintains the endometrium of the uterus and prevents its rupturing. Hence, no menstruation takes place.

(iv) Absence of nucleus increases surface area for absorption and transport of O₂ to tissues. No cellular respiration as mitochondria is absent and hence does not use O₂ for itself.

(v) because of the rhythmic ventricular contractions and the narrow lumen of arteries.

Question 6.
(a) The diagram given below is that of a developing human foetus. Study the diagram and then answer the questions that follow: [5]

(i) Label the parts numbered 1 to 3 in the diagram.
(ii) Mention any two functions of the part labelled 2 in the diagram.
(iii) Explain the significance of the part numbered 3 in the diagram.
(iv) Define the term ‘Gestation’. What is the normal gestational period of the developing human embryo?
(v) Mention the sex chromosomes in a male and female embryo.
Answer:
(i) 1-Umbilical cord, 2-Placenta, 3-Amniotic cavity full of amniotic fluid
(ii)

1. Diffusion of O₂ antibodies and nutrients from maternal blood to foetal blood.
2. Diffusion of carbon dioxide, urea, uric acid from foetal blood to maternal blood
3. Acts as a barrier and prevents germs from entering foetal blood
4. Secretes Oestrogen and progesterone

(iii) Amniotic fluid maintains even temeperature around the foetus. It also prevents the foetus from jerks.

(iv) Pregnancy or gestation is the process or period of development of embryo inside the womb of the mother between conception and parturition in viviparous mammals including humans. For humans it is of 40 weeks.

(v) Sex chromosome in male embryo is XY whereas in female it is XX.

(b) The following diagram demonstrates a physiological process taking place in green plants. The whole set up was placed in bright sunlight for several hours. Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow: [5]

(i) What aspect of the physiological process is being examined?
(ii) Explain the physiological process mentioned in (i) above.
(iii) Label the parts numbered 1 and 2 in the diagram.
(iv) Write a well-balanced chemical equation for the physiological process explained in (ii) above.
(v) What would happen to the rate of bubbling of the gas if a pinch of sodium bicarbonate is added to the water in the beaker? Explain your answer.
Answer:
(i) Oxygen is released during photosynthesis.

(ii) Photosynthesis is a physiological process during which green plants synthesize complex organic compounds (Glucose) from simple inorganic compounds- CO₂ and H₂O in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.

(iii) 1-Oxygen, 2- aquatic plant
(iv) 6CO₂ + 12H₂O C₆H₁₂O ₆+ 6H₂O + 6O₂
(v) Rate of bubbling will increase by the addition of a pinch of sodium bicarbonate. Plants get more C02, hence rate of photosynthesis increases.

Question 7.
(a) A homozygous tall plant (T) bearing red coloured (R) flowers is crossed with a homozygous dwarf (t) plant bearing white (r) flowers   [5]
(i) Give the genotype and phenotype of the plants of F, generation.
(ii) Mention the possible combinations of the gametes that can be obtained from the F hybrid plant.
(iii) State the Mendel’s law of Independent Assortment.
(v) Mention the phenotypes of the offsprings obtained in F₂ generation.
(vi) What is the phenotypic ratio obtained in F₂ generation?
Answer:
(i) Genotype of F₁ plants : TtRr and the Phenotype will be Tall and red flowered.
(ii) The possible combination of gametes of F₁ plants TR, Tr, tR and tr.

(iii) Mendel’s law of independent assortment states that the factors or genes controlling different characters assort independently without influencing each other during the formation of gametes.

(iv) Phenotypes in F₂ generation:
Tall plants with red flowers, Tall plants with white flowers, Dwarf plants with red flowers and Dwarf plants with white flowers’

(v) Phenotypic ratio in F₂ generation : 9 : 3 : 3 : 1

(b) Briefly explain the following terms: [5]
(i) Reflex action
(ii) Power of accommodation
(iii) Photophosphorylation
(iv) Hormone
(v) Synapse
Answer:
(i) Reflex action is the spontaneous, automatic and stereotyped response to stimuli without consulting the will power.
(ii) Ability of the eye to see the object equally clear from various distances is called Power of accommodation.

(iii) Photophosphorylation is the synthesis of ATP from ADP and phosphate that occurs in a plant using radiant energy absorbed during photosynthesis.

(iv) Hormone is a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.

(v) Close proximity between the terminal arborization of axon of one neuron and the dendrons of another neuron without any physical contact is called synapse.