Short Answer Questions (Exercise)

Q.1 Define the following branches of biology: (i) Genetics (ii) Anatomy (iii) Palaeontology (iv) Marine Biology (v) Pathology

Ans. i. Genetics

Definition: It is the branch of Biology that deals with the study of transfer of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Applications: In Genetics, scientists also study the causes of genetic diseases and develop better varieties of plants.

ii. Anatomy

Definition: It is the branch of Biology that explores the internal physical structure of organisms, particularly humans.

Application: It helps in disease diagnosis, medical device development, and improving quality of life.

Example: The study of the organs of the digestive system.

iii. Palaeontology

Definition: It is the branch of Biology that deals with the study of fossils.

Application: The examination of fossils helps scientists to know the evolutionary history of organisms.

Example: Dinosaur fossils provide evidence of giant reptiles that roamed the Earth millions of years ago.

iv. Marine Biology

Definition: It is the branch of Biology that deals with the study of life in oceans and salt water.

Applications: It helps to understand ocean biodiversity, discover new species, and address marine conservation issues.

Example: Coral reefs support a wide variety of marine life.

v. Pathology

Definition: It is the study of diseases, their causes, and effects.

Applications: Pathology helps in disease diagnosis, treatment development, and disease prevention.

Example: Cancer, for instance, is characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Q.2 Which branch of biology involves the study of the development and growth of organisms from fertilization to adulthood? 

Ans. It is embryology. It is the study of the process of development of organism from fertilized egg to adulthood.

Applications: In this branch, scientists study organ and tissue formation, identify birth defects and develop medical treatments.

Q.3 How is the profession of medicine and surgery different from animal husbandry?

Ans.

Medicine and Surgery

Animal Husbandry

The profession of medicine deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In surgery the defective parts of the body are repaired, replaced or removed.

This field involves breeding and caring for livestock to improve their quality and productivity.

For this profession, students need to complete a 5-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree.

For this profession, students can pursue a 4-year BS degree in Animal Husbandry.

 

Q.4 Differentiate between morphology and physiology. 

Ans.

Morphology

Physiology

Definition: The study of the size, shape and structure of animals, plants and microorganisms is called morphology. This branch is also called external morphology.

Definition: It is the branch of Biology that deals with the functioning of body parts.

Example: Morphology of a flowering plant includes the structure of roots, stem, leaves, flowers and fruits.

Example: Circulatory system transports vital substances throughout the body.

 

Q.5 What is computational biology?

Ans. Definition

In Computational Biology, scientists use mathematical models, algorithms, and computer simulations to understand biological systems and relationships.

Role of Computational Biology

It involves analysing biological data, such as sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Q.6 What is the role of observation and experimentation in the scientific method?

Ans. Role of Observation

Observations are very important step in solving a biological problem. Observations are made by five senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch.

Role of Experimentation

It is the most important step of biological method. Experiments are performed to prove if hypothesis is true or not. The deductions drawn from the hypothesis are subjected to rigorous testing. Through experimentation, biologist learns which hypothesis is correct.

Short Answer Questions (Additional)

Q.7 Differentiate between zoology and botany.

Ans. The division of biology which deals with the study of plants is called botany e.g., mustard, rose. The division of biology which deals with the study of animals is called zoology e.g. frog.

Q.8 Define the following terms: (i) Cell biology (ii) Embryology

Ans. (i) Cell Biology: The study of the structure and functions of the cell is called cell biology.

(ii) Embryology: The study of the developmental stages of an organism from egg to the formation of a new organism is called embryology.

Q.9 Define the term fossil:

Ans. Fossils are remains of the living things preserved by natural process. Fossils help the study of life in the past and process of evolution.

Science as Collaborative Field

Q.10 How interdisciplinary collaboration is helpful in medical research?

Ans. Interdisciplinary collaboration promotes innovation and addresses real world challenges in medical research.

Example: In cancer research oncologists, biologists, biochemists, geneticists, pharmacologists and statisticians work in collaboration.

Q.11 Observations are mainly of two types i.e., qualitative and quantitative. Sort the following observation according to these two types.

“Colour of cat, Height of giraffe, Weight of mango fruits, Body temperature of birds, Volume of blood in humans, Shape of leaves, Climate of desert, Speed of tiger, Song of a bird.”

Ans.

Qualitative Observations

Quantitative Observations

i. Colour of cat

i. Height of giraffe

ii. Shape of leaves

ii. Weight of mango fruits

iii. Climate of desert

iii. Body temperature of birds

iv. Song of a bird

iv. Volume of blood in humans

 

v. Speed of tiger

 

Q.12 Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative observations.

Ans.

Qualitative Observations

Quantitative Observations

1. These involve characteristics that cannot be measured with numbers.

i. These involve measurements or numerical data that can be expressed in terms of quantity.

ii. These are less accurate.

ii. These are more accurate.

Example: Colour of parrot.

Example: Height of a human.

 

Q.13 Differentiate between theory and principle.

Ans.

Theory

Principle

If the hypothesis is found to be correct then it becomes a theory. It is supported by a number of evidence. A theory can be changed if better evidence is available.

A theory that has been verified and appears to have wide application may become biological principle or law.

Example: The theory of evolution.

Example: Mendel's laws of inheritance.

 

Q.14 What are basic characteristics of hypothesis?

Ans. Characteristics of Hypothesis

A hypothesis has the following characteristics:

• It is a proposed statement to answer the problem.

• It always matches with the available observations.

• It can be tested through experiments.

• There is always a way to disprove the hypothesis.

Q.15 What is difference between control group and experimental group?

Ans.

Control Group

Experimental Group

i. The group in an experiment that does not receive the variable being tested.

i. The group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested.

ii. It is used as a baseline to compare results.

ii. It is used to test the effect of the variable.

Example: We will provide CO₂ to the plants as normal.

Example: We will not provide CO₂ to plant to check its effect.

 

Q.16 What is the contribution of the following scientists? (a) A.F.A. King (b) Ronald Ross (c) Laveran 

Ans. (a) A.F.A. King

In 1883, a Physician A. F. A. King listed twenty observations. Some important observations of King are:

1. People who slept outdoors were more likely to get malaria than those who slept indoors.

2. People who slept under fine nets were less likely to get malaria than those who did not use such nets.

3. People who slept near a smoky fire usually did not get malaria.

Based on these observations, King suggested a hypothesis: “Mosquitoes transmit Plasmodium so are involved in the spread of malaria”.

(b) Ronald Ross

Ross, a British army physician working in India performed important experiments to confirm that mosquito transmits plasmodium.

(c) Laveran

A French physician Laveran in 1882 formulated following hypothesis based on malarial observations: “Plasmodium is the cause of malaria”.

Q.17 How malaria is treated?

Ans.

• For the treatment of malaria, quinine extracted from the bark of Cinchona plant is used.

• Apart from quinine certain anti-malarial drugs are also used for the treatment.

Q.18 How the malarial parasite enters into the body of healthy person?

Ans. Patients suffering from malaria have Plasmodium in their blood. When a female Anopheles mosquito bites a malarial patient, it sucks blood from him/her. Thus, the Plasmodium enters the body of mosquito, when the infected mosquito bites a healthy person, it injects Plasmodium in his / her blood.

Q.19 Write major observations about malaria.

Ans. There were four major observations about malaria.

a) Malaria and marshy areas have some relation.

b) Quinine is an effective drug for treating malaria.

c) Drinking the water of marshes does not cause malaria.

d) Plasmodium is seen in the blood of malarial patient.