Skip to content
doubtly
Sign up

Maharashtra HSC Biology Board Paper March 2024 with Solutions

Written board papers. Physics and Chemistry: 70 marks, 3 hours. Mathematics & Statistics: 80 marks, 3 hours.

2024, March 180 minutes 70 marks Save WhatsApp

Sections

Section A : Q.1 Multiple choice questions (10 marks) 10 Q
Section A : Q.2 Very short answer questions (8 marks) 8 Q
Section B : Attempt any eight, Q.3 to Q.14 (16 marks) 12 Q
Section C : Attempt any eight, Q.15 to Q.26 (24 marks) 12 Q
Section D : Attempt any three, Q.27 to Q.31 (12 marks) 5 Q

About this paper

This is the Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE) HSC (Class 12) Science Biology (56) board paper of the February–March 2024 examination (Day 12). The paper code printed on the question paper is J-885. The questions are transcribed in full from the board’s own printed question paper published on its website; graphs and diagrams in the questions are described in words. The answers are original answers written by Doubtly, not the board’s official model answers.

Paper pattern

Maximum marks 70, time 3 hours, four sections. Section A: Q.1 has ten MCQs (1 mark each, only the first attempt is evaluated) and Q.2 has eight very short answer questions (1 mark each) — 18 marks. Section B: Q.3 to Q.14, twelve 2-mark questions, attempt any eight (16 marks). Section C: Q.15 to Q.26, twelve 3-mark questions, attempt any eight (24 marks). Section D: Q.27 to Q.31, five 4-mark questions, attempt any three (12 marks). Each section is to be started on a new page.

How to use it

Attempt the paper in one 3-hour sitting, choosing questions the way the board allows, and practise the labelled diagrams (T.S. of testis, nervous system of planaria, pyramid of energy, white blood cells, breathing movements). Then compare your answers with the model answers, checking key terms, examples and labels.

Chapters covered

Instructions

Solve on paper with a timer, then check against the solutions. Sections: A (MCQ and very short answers), B (short answers, attempt any 8 of 12), C (attempt any 8 of 12), D (long answers with choice).

Section A : Q.1 Multiple choice questions (10 marks)

  1. Q.1 (i) Identify the growth hormone in plants which causes inhibitory effect.

    1. (A) Cytokinins
    2. (B) Abscissic acid
    3. (C) Gibberellin
    4. (D) Ethylene
    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.1 (ii) Which one of the following is not a part of lac operon?

    1. (A) Promoter
    2. (B) Regulator
    3. (C) Inducer
    4. (D) Operator
    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.1 (iii) In absence of fertilization, corpus luteum degenerates into _____.

    1. (A) tunica albugenia
    2. (B) membrana granulosa
    3. (C) zona pellucida
    4. (D) corpus albicans
    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.1 (iv) Which of the following divides nasal cavity?

    1. (A) Hyaline cartilage
    2. (B) Mesethmoid cartilage
    3. (C) Ligamentum arteriosum
    4. (D) Laryngopharynx
    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.1 (v) Which of the following is caused by unsterilized needle?

    1. (A) Elephantiasis
    2. (B) AIDS
    3. (C) Malaria
    4. (D) Dengue
    1 mark See answer →

  6. Q.1 (vi) Recognition sequence of restriction enzymes are generally _____ nucleotides long.

    1. (A) 2 to 4
    2. (B) 4 to 8
    3. (C) 8 to 10
    4. (D) 14 to 18
    1 mark See answer →

  7. Q.1 (vii) Which of the following types require pollinator but result is genetically similar to autogamy?

    1. (A) Geitonogamy
    2. (B) Xenogamy
    3. (C) Apogamy
    4. (D) Cleistogamy
    1 mark See answer →

  8. Q.1 (viii) Which one of the following does not evolve further?

    1. (A) Climax community
    2. (B) Primary Succession
    3. (C) Pioneer Species
    4. (D) Seral Community
    1 mark See answer →

  9. Q.1 (ix) Identify the appropriate term for the number of births under ideal conditions :

    1. (A) Absolute mortality
    2. (B) Realized natality
    3. (C) Realized mortality
    4. (D) Absolute natality
    1 mark See answer →

  10. Q.1 (x) Observe the graph and select correct option :

    [Graph: Species richness (y-axis) plotted against Area (x-axis). Line A is a curve that rises steeply and then levels off (rectangular hyperbola). Line B is a straight line rising from the origin, labelled ‘log-log scale’.]

    1. (A) Line ‘A’ represents S-CA2
    2. (B) Line ‘B’ represents log C = log A + Z log S
    3. (C) Line A represents S = CAZ
    4. (D) Line B represents log S = log Z + C log A
    1 mark See answer →

Section A : Q.2 Very short answer questions (8 marks)

  1. Q.2 (i) What are vestigeal organs?

    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.2 (ii) Expand the term ZIFT.

    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.2 (iii) Give the name of endocrine gland which is prominent at birth but gets gradually atrophied in adult stage.

    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.2 (iv) What is the full form of IAA?

    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.2 (v) Give the name of microbial source of antibiotic chloromycetin.

    1 mark See answer →

  6. Q.2 (vi) Which cells of islets of Langerhans produce a hormone insulin?

    1 mark See answer →

  7. Q.2 (vii) How many meiotic divisions are required for the formation of 300 seeds in angiosperm?

    1 mark See answer →

  8. Q.2 (viii) Explain the term Emigration.

    1 mark See answer →

Section B : Attempt any eight, Q.3 to Q.14 (16 marks)

  1. Q.3 What are the reasons for the success of Mendel?

    2 marks See answer →

  2. Q.4 Arrange the following steps of DNA fingerprinting in correct sequence :

    (a) Gel electrophoresis
    (b) Isolation of DNA
    (c) Southern blotting
    (d) Restriction digestion

    2 marks See answer →

  3. Q.5 Distinguish between human sperm and ovum.

    2 marks See answer →

  4. Q.6 Enlist the uses of gene therapy.

    2 marks See answer →

  5. Q.7 Define the following terms :

    (a) Gene flow
    (b) Chromosomal aberrations

    2 marks See answer →

  6. Q.8 What are the significances of double fertilization?

    2 marks See answer →

  7. Q.9 Identify and define ‘A’ and ‘B’ in relation to uptake of water by the root :

    [Figure: Transverse section of a part of root from root hair to the central xylem. Path A starts inside the root hair and runs across the cortex through the cells (cytoplasm) to the xylem. Path B starts at an epidermal cell and runs in a zig-zag manner along the cell walls of the cortex up to the endodermis and xylem.]

    2 marks See answer →

  8. Q.10 Describe mutualism.

    2 marks See answer →

  9. Q.11 Explain factors affecting water absorption.

    2 marks See answer →

  10. Q.12 What is differentiation and redifferentiation?

    2 marks See answer →

  11. Q.13 Select and rewrite appropriate disorder of respiratory system with the given symptoms :

    [ sinusitis, emphysema, silicosis and asbestosis, laryngitis ]

    (a) Breakdown of alveoli, shortness of breath.
    (b) Inflammation of the sinuses, mucous discharge.
    (c) Inflammation of larynx, vocal cord, sore throat, hoarseness of voice, mucous build up and cough.
    (d) Inflammation of fibrosis, lung damage.

    2 marks See answer →

  12. Q.14 Explain the steps involved in preliminary treatment of sewage.

    2 marks See answer →

Section C : Attempt any eight, Q.15 to Q.26 (24 marks)

  1. Q.15 Give the different steps involved in formation of m-RNA from hn-RNA.

    3 marks See answer →

  2. Q.16 What is reproductive isolation? Describe any two types each of pre-mating and post-mating isolating mechanism.

    3 marks See answer →

  3. Q.17 Explain unique features of acquired immunity.

    3 marks See answer →

  4. Q.18 Name and describe hormones secreted by ovaries.

    3 marks See answer →

  5. Q.19 Explain different steps involved in PCR technique.

    3 marks See answer →

  6. Q.20

    [Figure: Three white blood cells. A – a cell with a nucleus of three lobes joined by thin strands and fine granules in the cytoplasm. B – a cell with a bilobed nucleus (two rounded lobes joined at the base, U-shaped) and granules scattered in the cytoplasm. C – a large cell with a single large kidney-shaped (bean-shaped) nucleus and agranular cytoplasm.]

    Identify A, B, and C from the above diagrams and give their functions.

    3 marks See answer →

  7. Q.21 What are the limitations of root pressure theory?

    3 marks See answer →

  8. Q.22 Explain green house effect with reference to gases responsible for it and their sources.

    3 marks See answer →

  9. Q.23 Describe physiological effects and applications of ethylene.

    3 marks See answer →

  10. Q.24 Give the name and type of I, IV and VII cranial nerves.

    3 marks See answer →

  11. Q.25 Describe pyramid of energy with the help of diagram.

    3 marks See answer →

  12. Q.26 What is lac? Enlist economic importance of Lac.

    3 marks See answer →

Section D : Attempt any three, Q.27 to Q.31 (12 marks)

  1. Q.27 Describe histological structure of Testis with well labelled diagram.

    4 marks See answer →

  2. Q.28 What are chromosomal disorders? Describe Turner’s syndrome and Klinefelter’s syndrome.

    4 marks See answer →

  3. Q.29 Describe nervous system in planaria with well labelled diagram.

    4 marks See answer →

  4. Q.30 Explain following terms :

    (a) Grafting
    (b) Apomixis
    (c) Polyembryony
    (d) Parthenocarpy

    4 marks See answer →

  5. Q.31 Interpret the given diagrams A and B. Enlist the changes occuring during inspiration and expiration.

    [Figure: Two diagrams of the human chest. A – air arrow pointing down into the trachea, rib cage expanded and the diaphragm pulled down (arrow pointing downward). B – air arrow pointing up out of the trachea, rib cage lowered and the diaphragm raised into a dome (arrow pointing upward).]

    4 marks See answer →