BOTANY PAPER 1 TOPIC WISE UPSC QUESTIONS...L.S capsule of Funaria b. Sex organs of chara 2011: a. Discuss the role of amphibious plants in the evolution of land plants b. Giving suitable

UPSC BOTANY TOPICWISE QUESTIONS – PAPER 1

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BOTANY PAPER 1 TOPIC WISE UPSC QUESTIONS SYLLABUS PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

MicroBiology and plant pathology: Structure and reproduction/ multiplication of viruses, viroids, bacteria, fungi and mycoplasma; Applications of microbiology in agriculture, industry, medicine and in control of soil and water pollution; Prion and Prion hypothesis; Important crop diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi and nematodes; Modes of infection and dissemination; Molecular basis of infection and disease resistance / defense; Physiology of parasitism and control measures; Fungal toxins; Modelling and disease forecasting; Plant quarantine

2018: Describe the following in about 150 words each a. Structure of mycoplasma and its importance b. Replication of plant viruses c. Plant quarantine

2018: a. Describe the role of micro organisms in medicine and industry b. Write and account of defense structures in plants against pathogens 2018: Write the names of the casual organism, symptoms and control measures of the following diseases:

a. Green ear disease of Bajra b. Paddy blast c. Angular leaf spot of cotton d. Sandal spike

2017: Describe the following in about 150 words each

a. Parasexuality in fungi b. Phycobiliproteins c. Tetrapolar heterothallism

2017: What is meant by modeling and how does it help in disease forecasting? 2017: Describe the symptoms, casual organisms and control measures of white rust of crucifers and red rot of sugarcane 2017: Give an account of Genetic recombination in bacteria. 2017: Give an account of different modes of transmission of plant viruses. 2016: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each

a. Role of microbes mining and pharmaceuticals b. Role of soil solarization in disease control

2016: Explain the molecular basis of infection and disease resistance in plants 2016: Describe the characteristic features of Cyanobacteria and mention its role in nitrogen fixation.

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2016: Give the name of the casual organism, symptoms and control measures of any 4 important crop diseases caused respectively by:

a. A fungus b. A Bacterium c. A virus d. A mycoplasma

2015: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each :

a. Role of microbes in soil nutrient cycling b. Chemical nature of viroids and their transmission in

plant 2015: Describe the disease symptoms, causal organism and the control measures of the loose smut of wheat. 2015: Describe the symptoms, causal organism and the control measures of white rust of crucifers. 2015: Give the name o f the causal organism, disease symptoms and disease control measures of the following : Red rot of sugarcane and Late blight o f potato 2014: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each:

a. Role of fungi in agriculture and medicine b. Plant quarantine

2014: Discuss about the physiology of parasitism 2014: Give the casual organism, symptoms and control measures of the following

a. Tikka disease of groundnut b. Citrus canker c. Rust of wheat d. Ergot of rye

2013: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each

a. Role of microbes in medicine industry b. Various kinds of biofertilizers and their uses

2013: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each Lysogenic type of life cycle in viruses




2013: a. With the help of suitable diagrams, describe the life

cycle of a heteroecious rust. b. Describe the various methods of genetic recombination

in bacteria. 2013: Give the causal organism, symptoms and control measures of the following :

a. Wilt of Arhar b. Green ear disease of Bajra c. Tundu disease of Wheat d. Red rot of Sugarcane


a. Fungal Toxins b. Plant quarantines

2012: Differentiate between the following

a. Prions and Viroids b. Rust and Smut diseases c. Downy mildews and Powdery mildews

2011: Briefly describe the importance of the following:

a. Microbes in Bioremediation b. Parasexuality

2011: Citing suitable examples, explain the following

a. What are prions and why is there a need to understand them thoroughly.

b. How are moulds both a bane and boon for human beings?

2011: What is meant by modeling and how does it help in disease forecasting? 2011: Citing suitable examples, explain how laxity in quarantine procedure can have disastrous effects. 2010: Answer the following in about 150 words each :

a. Give an account of Hcterothallism in fungi. b. Describe the process through which the bacterial genes

are transferred from one bacterium to another by the viruses.

2010:




a. With suitable examples, briefly describe the microbial processes occurring in the rhizosphere which help in plant growth.

b. Five different types of spores are produced by the rust fungi. Mention their names and their salient points of distinction from each other.

Cryptogams: Algae, Fungi, lichens, bryophytes, pteridophytes – structure and reproduction from the evolutionary view point; Distribution of cryptogams in India and their ecological and economic importance

2018: Describe the following in about 150 words each a. spermocarp and cystocarp b. b. Structure and importance of Lichens

2018: Comment on morphological nature of sporocarp in Marsilea 2018: Give an account of distribution and economic importance of Bryophytes in India. 2017: Describe the following in about 150 words each

a. Salient features of Lichens b. Peristome

2017: Describe the diplobiontic life cycle of polysiphonia. 2017: Make a comparision of Hepaticopsida and Bryopsida classes of Bryophyta with special reference to sporophytes only. 2017: Describe the evolution of stellar system in Pteridophyta with proper diagrams 2016: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each

a. Ultrastructure of flagella in algae b. Lytic cycle of bacteriophage c. Physiological relationship of two partners in Lichens

2016: Write down the characters of pteridophytes resembling bryophytes and gymnosperms. 2016: Discuss the evolution of Sporophyte in Bryophytes. 2016: Trace the transition from multisporangia to conidia in Mucorales with illustrations and suitable examples 2015: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each :

a. Algae as bioindicators b. Evolution o f sexual, reproduction in fungi




2015: Draw well labelled diagram of the L.S. of Anthoceros sporophyte. Discuss the evolutionary significance of Anthoceros also. 2015: Draw well labelled diagram of the T.S. of Teleutosorus o f Puccinia and give a brief description of the same. 2015: Give an account of sexual fruiting bodies in Ascomycetes. 2015: Describe the method o f vegetative reproduction in Bryophytes. 2015: Describe the following in about 150 words -each; Mycotoxins 2014: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each:

a. Fructifications in Fungi b. Reproductory organs in chara

2014:

a. With the help of suitable diagram describe the evolution of sporophyte in Bryophytes

b. Give an account of pigments in algae 2014: Draw well labeled diagrams of the following

a. Male thallus with antheridiophore of Marchantia b. VLS of Marsilea sporocarp c. VS of sporophyte of Polysiphonia d. VS of apothecium of Peziza

2013: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each Different types of life cycles found in algae 2013: Draw well-labelled diagrams of the following :

a. LS of antheridiophore of Funaria b. LS of sporophyte of Anthoceros c. Section through a sorus of fern d. Female thallus with archegoniophore of Marchantia


a. Bipolar and Tetrapolar heterothallism in fungi b. Elaters

2012:




a. Give an account of Ascus development in fungi with suitable examples.

b. Give an illustrated account of range of thallus structure in algae.

2012: Draw well labelled diagrams of the following :

a. L.S. of sporophyte of Riccia b. L.S. of sporophyte of Funaria c. L.S. of strobilus of Selaginella d. H.L.S. of Marsilea sporocarp.

2012: Differentiate between the following Eusporangiate and Leptosporangiate ferns 2011: Briefly describe the importance of the following

a. Lichens in Environment b. Cryptogams

2011: Draw well labeled diagram of the following:

a. L.S capsule of Funaria b. Sex organs of chara

2011:

a. Discuss the role of amphibious plants in the evolution of land plants

b. Giving suitable reasons, describe inter-alia evolutionary status of psilotum, selaginella and marsilea.

2010: Answer the following in about 150 words each Comment on Heterospory in Pteridophytes and its evolutionary significance 2010:

a. Discuss ecological significance of Lichens. b. Distinguish clearly between Keratinophilic and

Thermophilic fungi. c. Draw labelled diagrams of transverse and longitudinal

sections of sporocarp of Marsilea. 2010: Differentiate the archegonium of Funaria from that of Anthoceros

Phanerogams: Gymnosperms: Concept of progymnosperms; classification and distribution of gymnosperms; salient features of cycadales,

2018: a. Describe the male and female cones of pinus b. Explain distinguishing characters of Dipterocarpaceae,

Asteraceae and Orchidaceaea

2018: Describe the following in about 150 words each




Ginkgoales, coniferales and Gnetales, their structure and reproduction; a general account of cycadofilicales, Bennettitales and cordaitales; Geological time scale; Types of fossils and their study techniques. Angiosprems : Systematics, anatomy, embryology, palynology and phylogeny Taxonomic hierarchy; International code of Botanical Nominclature; Numerical taxonomy and chemotaxonomy; Evidence from anatomy,embryology, palynology and Phylogeny. Origin and evolution of angiosperms; Comparative account of various systems of classification of angiosperms; Study of angiospermic families – Magnoliaceae, Ranunculaceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Apiaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Verbenaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Arecaceae, Liliaceae, Musaceae and Orchidaceae. Stomata and their types; Glandular and non-gladular trichomes;

a. Floral morphology (Fructification) and LS of ovule of Cycadeoidea

b. Typification in plant nomenclature c. Development of endosperm and its functions

2018:

a. Compare the systems of classifications proposed by Hutchinson and Cronquist with a note on their merits and Demerits

b. Describe the different types of Stomata in dicots 2018:

a. Describe the role of Xylem and Phloem in secondary growth of plants

b. Comment on salient features of Cordiatales c. Discuss the leaf anatomy of C3 and C4 plants d. Describe the major types of embryos with suitable

examples 2018: Write an account of the following families with reference to floral formula and floral diagram. Give botanical names of four important plant species belonging to each of the families and mention their uses:

a. Euphorbiaceae b. Asclepiadaceae c. Poaceae

2018: Write notes on the following: NPC system of classification of pollen grains 2017: Draw a well labeled diagram of LS of Gnetum ovule and briefly describe its female gametophyte also. 2017: Give an account of distribution of living gymnosperms in India. 2017: Describe the following in about 150 words each

a. Embryology in relation to Taxonomy, with examples b. International code of Botanical Nomenclature

2017: Comment on polyembryony and apomixis in flowering plants 2017: Describe the classification given by Engler and Prantl and comment on its merits and demerits. 2017: Give an account of the following

a. Developmental details of interxylary phloem




Unusual secondary growth; Anatomy of C3 and C4 plants; Xylem and Phloem differentiation; Wood anatomy Development of male and female gametophytes, pollination, fertilization, endosperms – its development and functions; patterns of embryo development; Polyembryony and apomixes; Applications of palynology; Experimental embryology including pollen storage and test tube fertilization

b. Anomalous secondary growth of Dracaena stem 2017: Write an account of the following families with reference to floral formula and floral diagram. Give botanical names of four important plant species belonging to each of the families and mention their uses:

a. Cucurbitaceae b. Solanaceae c. Liliaceae

2017: Write short notes on the following: Chemotaxonomy 2016: Describe the different stages in the development of female gametophyte within the ovule in cycas. 2016: Briefly describe the following in about 150 words each

a. Forensic application of palynology b. Xylem and phloem differentiation

2016: Describe the principles and application of embryo culture techniques, mentioning the protocol for embryo culture. 2016: Write an account of the following families with reference to floral formula and floral diagram. Give botanical names of four important plant species belonging to each of the families and mention their uses:

a. Asclepiadaceae b. Musaceae c. Apiaceae

2016: Describe the principle and application of Numerical Taxonomy. 2016: Compare and contrast the systems of classification of angiosperms proposed by Hutchinson and Takhtajan. 2016: Differentiate between normal and abnormal secondary growth in dicot system. Discuss with suitable examples. Draw labeled diagrams. 2016: Write notes on the following:

a. Heart wood and sap wood b. Diffierent types of trichomes

2015: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each:




Concept of Progymnosperms 2015: Describe the range of vegetative structures with suitable diagrams in volvocales and their phylogenetic relationships. 2015: Discuss the distribution of living Gymnosperms in India and their economic importance. 2015: Write an account of the following families with respect to floral structures. Give the botanical names o f three important plant species belonging to each o f the families and specify their uses: Ranunculaceae and Fabaceae 2015: Distinguish the Androecium of Malvaceae, Asteraceae and Asclepiadaceae from each other. 2015: Compare the floral characters of the family Solanaceae and Malvaceae. 2015: Describe the anomalous secondary growth in monocots with suitable diagram. 2014: Describe the following in about 150 words each:

a. Formation of petrification b. Numerical taxonomy c. Position of monocots in APG classification d. Embryo development in Arabidopsis e. Importance of typification in plant nomenclature

2014: Draw well labeled diagrams of the following

a. Cone of cycadeoidea b. T.S of cyathium of Euphorbia c. T.S of coralloid root of cycas d. V.S of leaf of Welwitschia

2014: Write an account of the floral structure of the following families. Give the botanical names of three important plant species belonging to each of the three families and specify their uses

a. Orchidaceae b. Magnoliaceae c. Asteraceae d. Rubiaceae

2014: Describe in detail Hutchinson’s system of classification and compare it with the classification system of Engler and Prantl




2013: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each Types of protosteles 2013: Describe the following in about 150 words each :

a. Beta taxonomy b. NPC System c. Application of palynology d. Distribution of cycads in India e. Double fertilization

2013: Write an account of the floral structure of each of the following families. Give the botanical names of three important plant species belonging to each of the three families and specify their uses :

a. Poaceae b. Liliaceae c. Asclepiadaceae

2013: Describe the following :

a. Types of endosperms b. Types of ovules c. Apomixis

2013: Compare and contrast Bentham and Hooker's system of classification with Hutchinson's system of classification. 2012: a. Answer the following in about 150 words each : Write the botanical names and the families to which the following plants belong :

• Flax • Guar • Date Palm • Cocaine • Ginseng • Any timber plant

b. Give a brief account of Dwarf shoot in Pinus. c. Differentiate between interxylary and intraxylary phloems d. Make a comparison of Androecium in Malvaceae,

Asteraceae and Cucurbitaceae e. Give a brief account of polyembryony in Angiosperms. 2012:

a. Compare the female strobili of Pinus and Ephedra. b. Compare the development of typical monosporic,

bisporic and tetrasporic embryo sacs. c. Draw a labelled diagram of L.S. of Ovule of Cycas.




d. Why is Ginkgo biloba considered as a living fossil ? Explain.

2012: "Gymnosperms were perhaps the immediate ancestors of angiosperms." Substantiate the statement, and also give reasons to disprove the statement. 2012:

a. Embryology has also played an important role in Taxonomy of angiosperms. Elaborate the statement with the help of some examples.

b. Asteraceae is considered as one of the highly evolved families of angiosperms. Give an account of advanced characters in Asteraceae.

c. Compare and contrast the floral characters of the three sub-families of Leguminosae.

2011: Draw well labeled diagrams of the following

a. L.S cone of selanginella b. Cleistothecia of Erysiphe and Phyllactinia

2011: What are the differences between the following :

a. Systematics and classification b. Fascicular and cork cambium c. Megasporogenesis and Megagametogenesis d. Apiaceae and Umbelliferae e. Isotype and Syntype

2011:

a. What are Ubisch bodies? How and where are these formed and what is their role?

b. What is interxylary phloem? How it is formed? Support your reply with suitable examples and atleast one diagram

2011:

a. Explain the role of macro and micro biomolecules in taxonomy.

b. What is Nemec phenomenon? Comment on its significance.

2011: Describe the following:

a. Gynoecium in Asclepiadaceae, Brassicaecea and Poaceae

b. Stomatal apparatus in Brassica, Dianthus and Poa c. Pollinium d. OTUs




2011: Write a note on Psilotum as a living fossil 2010: Answer the following in about 150 words each

a. Origin of angiosperms from gymnosperms is suggested on the basis of vessels. Give your critical comments

b. Describe the development of pollen exine and point out the role of sporopollenin.

2010: Answer the following in about 150 words each Describe the fructification in Williamsonia. 2010:

a. With the help of labelled diagrams, compare the female gametophyte of Cycas with that of Gnetum.

b. What arc the changes that occur during the conversion of sapwood into heartwood ? Which is more durable - sapwood or heartwood, and why ?

c. Discuss whether the angiOsperms are monophyletic or polyphyletic.

2010:

a. Give an account of the mmn events in the differentiation of a tracheary element.

b. Give the botanical names of the plant species, their families, part used and the uses of annatto and haematoxylin

c. Define agamospermy. What is its significance in crop improvement?

2010:

a. Describe the structure and function of synergids in angiosperms.

b. With suitable examples, enumerate the floral characteristics of bird pollinated trees

2010: Compare the androecium in the following groups of families

a. Malvaceae and Fabaceae b. Asclepiadaceae and Asteraceae c. Solanaceae and Brassicaceae

Plant resource Development: Domestication and introduction of plants; Origin of cultivated plants; Vavilov’s centres of origin; Plants as

2018: Describe in about 150 words each Different types of Herbaria

2018: Discuss the essential components of a botanical garden. Write the names of important botanical gardens in India.




sources for food, fodder, fibre, spices, beverages, edible oils, drugs, narcotics, insecticides, timber, gums, resins and dyes, latex, cellulose, starch and its products; Perfumery; Importance of Ethnobotany in Indian context; Energy plantations; Botanical gardens and Herbaria

2018: Write botanical names and their families of plants yielding spices, drugs and insecticides and mention the parts used therein 2017: Describe the following in about 150 words each vavilov's centres of origin in plants 2017: Write an account of Ethnobotany in relation to modern day drug discovery. 2017: Describe the plants used as sources of fibers, dyes and resins with suitable examples. 2016: Briefly describe in about 150 words each:

a. Energy plantations b. Procedure and maintenance of Herbarium

2016: Give the botanical names of latex yielding plants with narcotic properties and also write the names of the plants used therein. 2015: Describe the following in about 150 words -each;

a. Dye yielding plants b. Ethnobotanical knowledge and beliefs in species

conservation 2015: Discuss the components o f a full-fledged Botanical garden. 2015: Describe the oil yielding plants o f India and their economic importance. 2015: Give an account of Vavilov’s “Centres o f Origin” of the cultivated plants 2014: Describe the following in about not more than 150 words each Energy plantations 2013: Give the botanical names of ten important fibre-yielding plants and describe their uses. 2012: Vavilov's theory indicates that "a region with the greatest genetic diversity is also the centre of origin of that particular species." This statement is no longer tenable. Explain with any two examples.




2012: Ethnobotany has provided important clues to discovery of modern drugs. Give an account of Ethnobotany taking some suitable examples 2011: Describe the characteristic features of the component on the basis of which the basic source/s of a sample of honey is / are determined. 2011: Citing suitable examples, defend the statement that “ there is need to combine ethnobotany with IPR? 2011: Describe the evolutionary status of Gnetum. 2011: Describe the following

a. Energy plantations b. Retting

2010: Answer the following in about 150 words each Name five edible oil yielding plants. Give their botanical names and families.

Morphogenesis: Totipotency, polarity, symmetry and differentiation; cell, tissue, organ and protoplast culture; Somatic hybrids and Cybrids; Micropropogation; Somaclonal variation and its applications; Pollen haploids, embryo rescue methods and their applications

2018: Describe in about 150 words each Generation of Symmetric Hybrids

2018: Describe the process of protoplast isolation and mention the applications of protoplast culture. 2018: Write notes on the following: Cytodifferentiation and its regulation 2017: Describe the following in about 150 words each:

a. Symmentry in plants with relation to morphogenesis b. Androgenic haploid plants

2017: “Clonal micropropogation is useful in Floriculture industry”. Explain the process with some suitable examples. 2017: Explain the somaclonal variations and their applications in plant breeding 2017: Write a short notes on the following Cytoplasmic hybrids. 2016: Briefly describe in about 150 words each: Tumour cells and their culture 2016: How anthers and pollens are cultured in Vitro? Discuss its importance in the production of haploid plants.




2015: Describe the following in about 150 words -each; a. Concept of totipotency in higher plants b. Use of somaclonal variations in crop improvement

2015: Give an account o f micropropagation and its utility towards ex-situ conservation of rare and endangered plants. 2015: “Somatic hybrids can be characterized by a variety of methods.” Substantiate the above statement. 2015: Describe the method of production of Androgenic haploids 2014:

a. Discuss the role of tissue culture in crop improvement b. How are plant protoplasts isolated and fused?

2013: Discuss the importance of totipotency in tissue culture. 2012: Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each :

a. Cytoplasmic hybrids 2012:

a. Somaclonal variations can be used for variety of crop development. How ? Explain with suitable examples.

b. Describe the enzymatic method of isolation of protoplasts taking the example of Carrot

2012: Differentiate between the following

a. Polarity and Symmetry 2012: Draw a cross section of a typical anther and label the parts carefully. 2011: Briefly describe the importance of the following:

a. Somaclonal Variation b. Polarity

2011: Citing suitable examples, explain the following: The embryo rescue techniques for successful raising of recombinants. 2011: Describe to what extent has the technique of micropropogation been successful in achieving our goals 2011: Describe various mechanisms employed to raise hybrids between incompatible species.




2010: Answer the following in about 150 words each How would you test the clonal fidelity of the micropropagated plants ? Describe. 2010:

a. What are somaclonal variations ? How are these utilized for crop improvement ?

b. What is the importance of Bacillus thuringiensis in the current efforts to raise crop productivity ?





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BOTANY PAPER 1 TOPIC WISE UPSC QUESTIONS...L.S capsule of Funaria b. Sex organs of chara 2011: a. Discuss the role of amphibious plants in the evolution of land plants b. Giving suitable