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Sindh Botany 2019 — Solved Past Paper with Answers
All 16 MCQs from Sindh Botany 2019, solved with the correct answer highlighted and a full explanation for every question. This is a free MDCAT Sindh / DUHS past paper — no signup, no ads. Practise it interactively in timed mode, drill more with free MDCAT MCQs, or browse all Sindh / DUHS papers.
Attempt this paper interactively →Q1. Catkin inflorescence is observed in:
- A. Zinnia
- B. Mulberry✓
- C. Grasses
- D. Rose
Explanation: Mulberry (Morus spp.): Mulberries produce catkin inflorescence, which are long, cylindrical clusters of unisexual flowers. Male and female flowers are borne on separate catkins, with the male catkins being longer and more prominent. This type of inflorescence is characteristic of many members of the Moraceae family, including mulberries.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Zinnias belong to the Asteraceae family, and their inflorescence are composed of numerous small flowers clustered together in a head-like structure called a capitulum. This is quite different from the elongated, pendulous catkins seen in mulberries.
- C. While some grass species do indeed produce catkin-like inflorescence (such as those in the Poaceae family), not all grasses exhibit this trait. Grasses are incredibly diverse, and their inflorescence structures can vary widely between species. However, it's essential to note that not all grasses exhibit catkin inflorescence.
- D. Roses typically have solitary or clustered flowers, which do not form catkins. The flowers of roses are usually large and showy, with multiple petals arranged in a distinctive pattern. Therefore, rose is not typically associated with catkin inflorescence.
Q2. Messenger RNA triplets are called:
- A. Subcodon
- B. Codon✓
- C. Anticodon
- D. Decodon
Explanation: This is the correct term. A codon is a sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. It's the fundamental unit of the genetic code and is crucial for translating genetic information into proteins.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This term isn't commonly used in biology. "Sub-" typically denotes something smaller or subordinate to another, but in the context of genetic code, the triplet code on mRNA is referred to as a codon, not a subcodon.
- C. Anticodons are found on transfer RNA (tRNA), not mRNA. They are complementary to codons and pair with them during translation to ensure the correct amino acid is incorporated into the growing polypeptide chain. So, it's not applicable to mRNA.
- D. This term doesn't have a recognized usage in genetics or molecular biology. It's not commonly encountered in scientific literature or textbooks, so it's incorrect in this context.
Q3. Scientific study—of soil is called:
- A. Geography
- B. Pedology✓
- C. Topography
- D. Geology
Explanation: Pedology specifically focuses on the scientific study of soils, including their formation, classification, and distribution. Pedologists examine soil properties, processes, and how they interact with the environment. It's the branch of soil science dedicated to understanding the characteristics and behavior of soils.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Geography is the study of Earth's landscapes, environments, and the relationships between people and their surroundings. While soil may be studied within the broader field of geography, the detailed scientific study of soil itself is not the primary focus of geography
- C. Topography involves the study and mapping of the physical features of the land, such as elevation, terrain, and contours. While soil characteristics may be considered as part of topographical analysis, topography itself does not encompass the scientific study of soil.
- D. Geology is the study of Earth's physical structure, composition, and history, including processes that shape the planet over time. While soil formation and properties are influenced by geological processes, the study of soil itself is more specifically addressed within the field of pedology rather than geology.
Q4. Plants of intertidal zone of sea produce a jelly-like substance called:
- A. cellulose
- B. agar✓
- C. pectin
- D. lysogen
Explanation: Agar is a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed and is commonly used in laboratories as a solidifying agent for microbiological media. It is indeed produced by some plants of the intertidal zone of the sea, particularly certain species of red algae.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants, including those in the intertidal zone. However, it does not form a jelly-like substance.
- C. Pectin is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants and is responsible for giving fruits their firmness when ripe. While pectin can form a gel-like substance when heated with sugar in cooking, it is not typically produced by plants of the intertidal zone of the sea.
- D. Lysogen is not a substance produced by plants. The term "lysogen" is more commonly associated with bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) that undergo lysogeny, a process where the viral DNA integrates into the host bacterium's genome.
Q5. Multiple effect of a single gene is called:
- A. PIeiotropy✓
- B. Heleiotropy
- C. Epistasis
- D. Epinastic
Explanation: Pleiotropy refers to the phenomenon where a single gene influences multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. This means that a mutation in one gene can lead to various effects throughout the organism. For example, a gene responsible for coat color in animals might also affect other traits such as behavior or susceptibility to diseases.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Heliotropy refers to the growth or movement of an organism in response to sunlight. It's not related to the concept of a gene having multiple effects.
- C. Epistasis is the phenomenon where the effect of one gene is dependent on the presence of one or more modifier genes. It's not about a single gene having multiple effects but rather about the interaction between different genes.
- D. Epinasty is a botanical term referring to the downward curvature of leaves or petals, typically in response to environmental stimuli. It's not related to the concept of a gene having multiple effects.
Q6. This biome is called the bread basket of the world:
- A. Tropical rain forest
- B. Tundra
- C. Savannah
- D. Grassland✓
Explanation: Grasslands, also known as prairies or steppes, are characterized by vast expanses of grasses and few trees. They are highly productive ecosystems for agriculture, with fertile soils and favorable climates for growing crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. Due to their high agricultural productivity and contribution to global food production, grasslands are often referred to as the "bread basket of the world."
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Tropical rainforests are characterized by dense vegetation, high rainfall, and high biodiversity. While they are important ecosystems for various reasons, they are not typically referred to as the "bread basket of the world." Instead, they are known for their rich biodiversity and ecological value.
- B. The tundra biome is characterized by cold temperatures, permafrost, and low vegetation. It is not typically referred to as the "bread basket of the world" due to its harsh environmental conditions, which limit agricultural productivity.
- C. Savannahs are characterized by grasslands with scattered trees and are found in tropical and subtropical regions. While savannahs can support agriculture, they are not commonly referred to as the "bread basket of the world" on a global scale.
Q7. The attachment point of two chromatids of a chromosome is called:
- A. Kinetochore
- B. Chromonema
- C. chromomere
- D. Centromere✓
Explanation: The centromere is the region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined together. It plays a crucial role in the separation of chromosomes during cell division
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The kinetochore is a protein structure located at the centromere of chromosomes. It serves as the attachment point for spindle fibers during cell division, facilitating chromosome movement.
- B. Chromonema refers to the thread-like structure formed by the condensation of chromatin during cell division. It is not specifically related to the attachment point of chromatids.
- C. Chromomeres are bead-like structures along the length of a chromosome that represent the coiling and folding of chromatin. They are not specifically associated with the attachment point of chromatids.
Q8. At low temperature, ice crystals are formed in:
- A. Mitochondria
- B. nucleus
- C. Ribosome
- D. Cell Wall✓
Explanation: At low temperatures, ice crystals can form within the extracellular space of plant cells, including the cell wall. These ice crystals can cause damage to the cell wall structure due to the expansion and contraction associated with the freezing and thawing process. This damage can lead to disruption of cell function and ultimately cell death.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Mitochondria are organelles responsible for energy production in eukaryotic cells. While low temperatures can affect mitochondrial function, leading to reduced metabolic activity, ice crystal formation primarily occurs in the extracellular space rather than within mitochondria themselves.
- B. The nucleus is the organelle that houses the cell's genetic material and is involved in regulating gene expression and cell activities. Ice crystal formation typically occurs in the extracellular space and does not directly affect the nucleus.
- C. Ribosomes are cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis. Ice crystal formation primarily affects the extracellular environment rather than the intracellular structures like ribosomes.
Q9. All are chemical messengers except:
- A. Phytohormones
- B. Growth regulators
- C. Hormones
- D. ßiorhythms✓
Explanation: Biological rhythms are cyclic physiological patterns of activities in an organism that are in response to periodic behaviour environmental changes.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Phytohormones, also known as plant hormones, are chemical messengers produced by plants to regulate growth, development, and responses to environmental stimuli. Examples include auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene.
- B. Growth regulators are substances, often synthetic chemicals, that are used in agriculture to regulate plant growth and development. They can mimic or inhibit the action of natural plant hormones. While growth regulators can influence plant physiology, they are not naturally occurring chemical messengers like hormones.
- C. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by organisms (plants, animals, or microorganisms) that are transported through the bloodstream or other bodily fluids to regulate various physiological functions. While the term "hormones" is often associated with animals, plants also produce hormones (phytohormones) to regulate their growth and development.
Q10. This hormone helps in the closing of stomata:
- A. Abscisic acid✓
- B. Cytokine
- C. Gibberellin
- D. Ethene
Explanation: ABA is a plant hormone that plays a key role in regulating various physiological processes, including the closure of stomata. When plants experience water stress or drought conditions, the concentration of ABA increases, leading to the closure of stomata to reduce water loss through transpiration. Therefore, ABA helps in the closing of stomata.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Cytokinins are plant hormones involved in cell division, shoot and root growth, and other developmental processes. However, cytokinins are not directly involved in the regulation of stomatal closure.
- C. Gibberellins are plant hormones that promote stem elongation, seed germination, and flowering. They are not involved in the regulation of stomatal closure.
- D. Ethylene is a plant hormone involved in fruit ripening, senescence, and responses to stresses such as mechanical damage and pathogen attack. While ethylene can influence stomatal behavior indirectly under certain conditions, it primarily affects other physiological processes and is not primarily responsible for stomatal closure.
Q11. Crossing over takes place during this stage:
- A. Leptotene
- B. Zygotene
- C. Pachytene
- D. Diplotene✓
Explanation: Exchange of chromatids parts takes place between paired chromosome due to breakage and rejoining of segments of chromatids as chiasmata . This is known as crossing over
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Leptotene is the first stage of meiosis . Chromosomes in this stage are thin,long threads and longitudinally single rather than double as in mitosis .
- B. Zygotene is the stage in which pairing of the homologous chromosmes occur called as synapsis.
- C. During pachytene phase paired chromosome shortens and thickens. The homologous chromosome twine around each other and each starts splitting into two sister chromatids by a longitudinal splitting forming four sister chromatids called tetrads.
Q12. Only one of the following is a topographic factor of an ecosystem:
- A. Earth surface✓
- B. Temperature
- C. Water
- D. Fire
Explanation: Topography refers to the physical features of the Earth's surface, including its elevation, slope, and relief. These features influence factors such as drainage patterns, soil formation, and microclimates, which in turn affect the distribution and abundance of organisms within an ecosystem. For example, mountain ranges can create barriers to the movement of species and influence precipitation patterns, while valleys may collect water and create unique habitats.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Temperature is an important abiotic factor in an ecosystem, but it is not considered a topographic factor. Instead, temperature variations may be influenced by topographic features such as elevation and aspect, which can affect exposure to sunlight and air circulation.
- C. Water availability and distribution are critical factors in determining the structure and function of ecosystems. However, water availability is not considered a topographic factor. Instead, topographic features such as slope and elevation can influence the movement of water through an ecosystem, affecting factors such as drainage patterns and the formation of aquatic habitats.
- D. Fire is an ecological process that can influence the structure and dynamics of ecosystems. However, it is not considered a topographic factor. Instead, fire regimes may be influenced by topographic features such as slope and aspect, which can affect fire behavior and spread.
Q13. The sea below 2000 meters having no light is called:
- A. Abyssal zone✓
- B. Euphotic zone
- C. Benthic zone
- D. Neritic zone
Explanation: abyssal zone is the deepest region of the ocean, typically found at depths greater than 2,000 meters (6,562 feet). It is characterized by complete darkness, extremely high pressure, and low temperatures. Due to the lack of light penetration, photosynthesis cannot occur in this zone, and the biodiversity is relatively low compared to shallower zones.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The euphotic zone, also known as the sunlight or photic zone, is the upper layer of the ocean where sunlight penetrates sufficiently to support photosynthesis. It typically extends from the surface down to about 200 meters (656 feet) deep. In this zone, light is available for photosynthetic organisms, such as phytoplankton, which form the base of the marine food chain.
- C. The benthic zone refers to the bottom region of the ocean, including the seafloor and sediment layers. It can encompass various depths, from shallow coastal areas to the deep ocean floor. While some parts of the benthic zone may receive minimal light, it is not specifically characterized by depths of 2,000 meters or more without light.
- D. The neritic zone is the region of the ocean that extends from the coast to the edge of the continental shelf, typically to depths of about 200 meters. It is characterized by relatively shallow waters and high levels of productivity due to sunlight penetration, making it an important habitat for marine life.
Q14. Exocytosis takes place if cell is placed in:
- A. Hypotonic solution
- B. Isotonic solution
- C. Equitonic Solution
- D. Hypertonic solution✓
Explanation: In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside the cell. This causes water to move out of the cell via osmosis, leading to cell shrinkage. Exocytosis may still occur in a hypertonic solution, but the cell may be under stress due to the loss of water and subsequent shrinking.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. In a hypotonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is lower than inside the cell. As a result, water moves into the cell via osmosis, causing the cell to swell.
- B. isotonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is equal to that inside the cell. Therefore, there is no net movement of water into or out of the cell, and exocytosis is not significantly affected.
- C. There is no commonly recognized term "equitonic solution" in biology. It may be a term that was coined, but it's not standard terminology.
Q15. Plants, infected with disease, produce these chemical substances:
- A. Photoreceptors
- B. Chemoreceptors
- C. Phytoalexins✓
- D. Heat-shock proteins
Explanation: Phytoalexins are antimicrobial compounds synthesized by plants in response to infection by pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses. They act as defense mechanisms to inhibit the growth of pathogens and protect the plant from disease. Phytoalexins are a crucial part of the plant's immune response.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Photoreceptors are proteins found in plants (and other organisms) that are sensitive to light and involved in various light-mediated processes such as phototropism and photoperiodism. They are not chemical substances produced by plants in response to disease.
- B. Chemoreceptors are sensory receptors that detect chemical stimuli in the environment. While plants do have receptors that detect chemical signals, such as plant hormones, chemoreceptors are not typically associated with the plant's response to disease.
- D. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of proteins produced by cells, including plant cells, in response to stress conditions such as heat shock, cold, or infection. While they play a role in protecting cells from damage caused by stress, they are not specifically produced in response to disease infection.
Q16. Indole acetic acid is the name of:
- A. Abscissic acid
- B. Gibberellin
- C. Cytokinin
- D. Auxin✓
Explanation: Auxin is a plant hormone that regulates various aspects of plant growth and development, including cell elongation, apical dominance, and tropic responses. Indole acetic acid (IAA) is a naturally occurring auxin found in plants. It is involved in promoting cell elongation and differentiation, as well as root initiation. Therefore, indole acetic acid is a type of auxin.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone involved primarily in stress responses, seed dormancy, and stomatal regulation. It is not the same as indole acetic acid.
- B. Gibberellins are plant hormones involved in various growth and developmental processes, including stem elongation, seed germination, and flowering. They are not the same as indole acetic acid
- C. Cytokinins are plant hormones involved in cell division, shoot and root growth, and other developmental processes. They are not the same as indole acetic acid.
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