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Maharashtra HSC Biology Board Paper July 2024 with Solutions

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

2024, July 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 actual Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE) HSC (Class 12) Science Biology (56) board paper of the July 2024 (supplementary) examination, held on 29 July 2024 (Day 10). The paper code printed on the question paper is J-197. The questions are transcribed in full from the board’s own printed question paper, as published on the board’s official website; figures are described in words. The answers are original model 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, all compulsory. 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. Then compare with the model answers, checking key terms, examples and labelled diagrams, which carry most of the marks in Biology.

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) In monocot embryo the protective sheath of plumule is called _____.

    1. (A) perisperm
    2. (B) scutellum
    3. (C) coleorrhiza
    4. (D) coleoptile
    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.1 (ii) The synonymous term for centromere is _______.

    1. (A) primary constriction
    2. (B) telomere
    3. (C) secondary constriction
    4. (D) satellite
    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.1 (iii) Protein digesting enzyme is ______.

    1. (A) polymerase
    2. (B) protease
    3. (C) pectinase
    4. (D) RNA ase
    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.1 (iv) Spermatids get transformed into a functional spermatozoa by the process of ______ .

    1. (A) spermiogenesis
    2. (B) spermatogenesis
    3. (C) gametogenesis
    4. (D) oogenesis
    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.1 (v) Industrial melanism is one of the best example of _____.

    1. (A) geographical isolation
    2. (B) natural selection
    3. (C) reproductive isolation
    4. (D) adaptive radiation
    1 mark See answer →

  6. Q.1 (vi) Value of root pressure is +1 to +2 bars which is enough to pump water to a height of ______.

    1. (A) 50-60 meters
    2. (B) 10-20 meters
    3. (C) 30-40 meters
    4. (D) 20-30 meters
    1 mark See answer →

  7. Q.1 (vii) _____ cellular fragments are formed from megakaryocytes.

    1. (A) Erythrocytes
    2. (B) Leucocytes
    3. (C) Thrombocytes
    4. (D) Monocytes
    1 mark See answer →

  8. Q.1 (viii) Degeneration of dopamine producing neurons in the CNS causes ______ .

    1. (A) Alzheimer’s disease
    2. (B) Addison’s disease
    3. (C) Grave’s disease
    4. (D) Parkinson’s disease
    1 mark See answer →

  9. Q.1 (ix) Choose the correct name of phases A, B and C in the given figure :
    [Figure: An S-shaped (sigmoid) growth curve with Growth on the Y-axis and Time on the X-axis. A marks the slow initial rise near the origin, B marks the steep middle part of the curve, and C marks the flat top where the curve levels off.]

    1. (A) Stationary, Log, Lag
    2. (B) Log, Lag, Stationary
    3. (C) Log, Stationary, Lag
    4. (D) Lag, Log, Stationary
    1 mark See answer →

  10. Q.1 (x) Rivet Popper Hypothesis explains

    1. (A) loss of biodiversity
    2. (B) biomagnification
    3. (C) species area relationship
    4. (D) significance of diversity
    1 mark See answer →

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

  1. Q.2 (i) Write the ratio of methane, ammonia and hydrogen respectively in Urey and Miller’s experiment.

    1 mark See answer →

  2. Q.2 (ii) What are the cells of Rauber?

    1 mark See answer →

  3. Q.2 (iii) Which gene is introduced in tobacco against pest like Zabrotes subfasciatus?

    1 mark See answer →

  4. Q.2 (iv) How many haploid nuclei are present in mature female gametophyte of Angiosperms?

    1 mark See answer →

  5. Q.2 (v) Name the connection between pulmonary trunk and aortic arch representing remnant of embryonic ductus arteriosus.

    1 mark See answer →

  6. Q.2 (vi) Which endocrine gland plays an important role in the development of immune system?

    1 mark See answer →

  7. Q.2 (vii) Mention the type of association between sea anemone and clown fish.

    1 mark See answer →

  8. Q.2 (viii) Name the pioneer species in the aquatic habitat during primary succession.

    1 mark See answer →

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

  1. Q.3 (a) Why DNA replication is called semi-conservative replication?
    (b) Name the scientist who experimentally proved the same.

    2 marks See answer →

  2. Q.4 Distinguish between Asexual and Sexual reproduction with reference to :
    (a) Cell division
    (b) Genetic makeup

    2 marks See answer →

  3. Q.5 Arrange the following stages of human evolution in the order of their increasing cranial capacity :
    (a) Homo - Sapiens
    (b) Neanderthal man
    (c) Australopithecus
    (d) Homo-erectus

    2 marks See answer →

  4. Q.6 Identify chromosomal disorder caused due to non-disjunction of 21st chromosome and enlist its characteristics.

    2 marks See answer →

  5. Q.7 What is radial and tangential translocation of food in plants?

    2 marks See answer →

  6. Q.8 Explain any two causes of genetic variation.

    2 marks See answer →

  7. Q.9 Identify A, B, C and D from the following table regarding respiratory system :

    OrganismHabitatRespiratory organ
    ATerrestrialTracheal tubes and spiracles
    ScorpionsTerrestrialB
    SpongesCPlasma membrane
    TurtlesUnderwaterD
    2 marks See answer →

  8. Q.10 Give the function of Nebenkern and Zona pellucida.

    2 marks See answer →

  9. Q.11 Give location of corpus callosum and arbor vitae of human brain.

    2 marks See answer →

  10. Q.12 Match cells of immune system in column-I and their functions in column-II and rewrite it.

    Column-IColumn-II
    (i) Cytotoxic T cells(a) Activation of helper T cells
    (ii) Plasma cells(b) Blood group antigens
    (iii) Antigen presenting cells(c) Secretion of perforins
    (iv) Red blood cells(d) Antibody production
    2 marks See answer →

  11. Q.13 Give any two examples of commercially exploited products of transgenic plants.

    2 marks See answer →

  12. Q.14 Write causative agent, two symptoms and mode of transmission of typhoid.

    2 marks See answer →

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

  1. Q.15 Suggest the specific term for the following :
    (a) Both male and female reproductive organs present in same organism.
    (b) Y- linked gene
    (c) Unfertilised egg develops into haploid male bee.

    3 marks See answer →

  2. Q.16 Explain the role of diazotrophs in nitrification.

    3 marks See answer →

  3. Q.17 Explain the following events of cardiac cycle with respect to type of valves and duration :
    (a) atrial systole
    (b) ventricular systole
    (c) joint diastole

    3 marks See answer →

  4. Q.18 What is reflex action? Explain with one example each of the types of reflex actions based on previous experiences.

    3 marks See answer →

  5. Q.19 Select and fill in the boxes (i) to (vi) from given list of options.
    List of options — Sickle cell anaemia, Widow’s peak, Flower colour of Mirabilis, Human blood groups, Coat colour of cattle, Klinefelter’s syndrome.

    Genetic traitExample
    (a)Incomplete dominance(i)
    (b)Pleiotropy(ii)
    (c)Codominance(iii)
    (d)Multiple allelism(iv)
    (e)Sex chromosomal disorder(v)
    (f)Autosomal disorder(vi)
    3 marks See answer →

  6. Q.20 Give the role of following mycoherbicides
    (a) Phytophthora
    (b) Alternaria
    (c) Fusarium

    3 marks See answer →

  7. Q.21 Explain the following terms with respect to survival of an organism in a changed environment.
    (a) Regulate
    (b) Conform
    (c) Migrate

    3 marks See answer →

  8. Q.22 Describe any three causes for loss of biodiversity.

    3 marks See answer →

  9. Q.23 Give physiological effects and applications of cytokinin.

    3 marks See answer →

  10. Q.24 What is mycorrhiza? Name its types and state any two benefits of mycorrhiza.

    3 marks See answer →

  11. Q.25 (a) Explain the following :
    (i) Leaching
    (ii) Humification and mineralisation
    (b) What is humus?

    3 marks See answer →

  12. Q.26 (a) What is hematocrit?
    (b) Mention the term with respect to –
    (i) Temporary increase in number of WBCs
    (ii) Decrease in number of RBCs

    3 marks See answer →

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

  1. Q.27 Describe mechanism of opening and closing of stomata with reference to :
    (a) Starch-sugar interconversion theory
    (b) Proton transport theory

    4 marks See answer →

  2. Q.28 (a) Define Hormone.
    (b) Enlist any two properties of hormones.
    (c) Give diagrammatic representation of mode of hormone action through membrane bound receptors.

    4 marks See answer →

  3. Q.29 With respect to diagram, answer the following :
    [Figure: L.S. of an inverted ovule. The rounded body of the ovule has the chalaza at the top and the micropylar end facing downwards; the funicle runs up alongside the body of the ovule from the placenta at the base, so the opening A between the tips of the integuments lies at the lower end, close beside the funicle. Labelled parts: chalaza, antipodals (upper end of the shaded embryo sac), B (a single nucleus in the centre of the embryo sac), embryo sac, synergids, egg, outer integument, inner integument, nucellus, A, funicle and placenta.]
    (a) Which type of ovule is given in the figure?
    (b) Name the first cell of embryo sac.
    (c) Identify and write the function of ‘A’ and ‘B’.

    4 marks See answer →

  4. Q.30 How transgenic pigs and cattle are commercially beneficial?

    4 marks See answer →

  5. Q.31 With the help of a suitable diagram describe histology of testis.

    4 marks See answer →