DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL AGRA

(Under the aegis of The Delhi Public School Society, East of Kailash, New Delhi)
I SEMESTER II CYCLE WEEKLY TEST 2024-25
BIOLOGY GRADE XI
ANSWER KEY
Section-A
(1 Mark each)
Q1) Consider the following statements regarding the major pigments and stored food in
the different groups of algae and choose the correct option
(i) In Chlorophyceae, the stored food material is starch and the major pigments are
chlorophyll-a and d.
(ii) In Phaeophyceae, laminarian is the stored food and major pigments are chlorophyll-a
and b.
(iii) In Rhodophyceae, floridean starch is the stored food and the major pigments are
chlorophyll-a, d and phycoerythrin.
(a) (i) is correct, but (ii) and (iii) are incorrect
(b) (i) and (ii) are correct, but (iii) is incorrect
(c) (i) and (iii) are correct, but (ii) is incorrect
(d) (iii) is correct, but (i) and (ii) are incorrect
Q2) If the cells of root in wheat plant have 42 chromosomes, then the no. of chromosome
in the cell of pollen grain is
(a) 14
(b) 21
(c) 28
(d) 42
Q3) People recovering from long illness are often advised to include the alga Spirulina in
their diet because it
(a) makes the food easy to digest.
(b) is rich in proteins.
(c) has antibiotic properties.
(d) restores the intestinal microflora.
Q4) Scales in Chondrichthyes are
(a) placoid
(b) ctenoid
(c) cycloid
(d) all of these
Q5) Assertion: Birds have one ovary.
Reason: This reduces the body weight for flight.
Mark the correct choice as:
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of
Assertion.
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of
Assertion.
(c) If Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(d) If both Assertion and Reason are false.
Q6) Assertion: Algae and fungi are classified as thallophytes.
Reason: They both are autotrophs.
Mark the correct choice as:
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the correct explanation of
Assertion.
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(b) If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of
Assertion.
(c) If Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(d) If both Assertion and Reason are false.
Q7) Write down the differences between antheridium and archegonium.

Q8) Mention two similarities between

(a) Aves and Mammals
(b) A Turtle and a Frog
(a) Aves (Birds) and Mammals:
1. Endothermic: Both are warm-blooded animals, meaning they maintain a constant
internal body temperature regardless of the external environment.
2. Backbone: Both are vertebrates with a backbone for support and structure.
(b) Turtle and Frog:
1. Amphibians: Both are classified as amphibians, meaning they can live on land and
in water at different stages of their life cycle.
2. Skin: Both have moist, smooth skin that helps them absorb oxygen from the
environment.
Q9) Write one use of the following:
• Laminaria
• Gracilaria
• Brown algae

• Many species like Laminaria, Sargassum, Porphyra etc. are used as food.
• Agar (galactose-based polysaccharide) obtained from Gelidium and Gracilaria (Red Algae)
which is used in ice-creams and jellies and to grow microbes.
• Algin obtained from brown algae and carrageen from red algae used commercially as
hydrocolloids (Substances which form gel with water).

Q10) Define Aestivation. Briefly describe it’s various types with the help of a labelled
diagram.
Aestivation: The Art of Flower Bud Packing
Aestivation refers to the specific arrangement of sepals (protective outer floral leaves) and petals
(colorful inner floral leaves) within a closed flower bud. It's like a unique packing method that protects
the delicate floral parts before they bloom. Aestivation is important for identification of flowers and
plays a role in protecting the developing flower.
Here are the different types of aestivation, each with its own packing style:

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1. Valvate: Imagine placing sepals or petals side-by-side, just touching at the edges with no
overlapping. This is the valvate style, seen in flowers like hollyhock and mustard.

Valvate aestivation in flower bud

2. Imbricate: Picture slightly overlapping shingles on a roof. In imbricate aestivation, one sepal or petal
overlaps partially over the next one, creating a layered effect. This is common in roses, lilies, and
buttercups.

Imbricate aestivation in flower bud

3. Twisted: Imagine twisting each sepal or petal slightly before packing them in the bud. This creates a
spiral pattern, seen in flowers like canna lily and iris.

Twisted aestivation in flower bud

4. Vexillary (Papilionaceous): This unique style is specific to pea flowers and their relatives. The
largest petal (standard) folds over two lateral petals (wings), which in turn cover the two smallest inner
petals (keel).

Q11) Answer the questions based on the above paragraph.

(a) Differentiate between prop and stilt roots. (2)

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(b) What are pneumatophores? Give name of one plant where they are present. (2)
OR
Explain how some bacteria and leguminous plants show reciprocal symbiosis or
mutualism. (2)
(a) Difference between Prop and Stilt Roots (2 marks)
• Prop Roots:
o Grow vertically downwards from aerial branches of trees for additional support.
o Examples: Banyan tree, mangrove trees.
• Stilt Roots:
o Develop from the base of the stem and grow outward for support.
o Examples: Corn, sugarcane, pandanus tree.
(b) Pneumatophores and their Example (2 marks)
• Pneumatophores: Root extensions that grow upwards from the underground roots in some
wetland plants, allowing them to breathe in air-deficient soils.
• Example Plant: Mangrove trees
OR
Leguminous plants (e.g., beans, peas, lentils) and certain bacteria (e.g., Rhizobium) engage in a
beautiful example of reciprocal symbiosis, also known as mutualism. This means both organisms
benefit from the relationship. Here's how it works:
• Bacteria:
o Fix Nitrogen: Rhizobia bacteria have the special ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen
(N2) gas, unusable by plants, into a usable form like ammonia (NH3).
o Benefit: The bacteria gain access to carbohydrates produced by the plant through
photosynthesis, providing them with energy.
• Leguminous Plants:
o Uptake Nitrogen: Plants can readily absorb the ammonia produced by the bacteria,
fulfilling their essential nitrogen needs for growth and development.
o Benefit: Plants provide the bacteria with a safe and sheltered environment within
specialized structures called root nodules.
Q12) (a) Give brief description of the classification of Phylum Annelida with examples. (2)
(b) Define the following terms. (3)
(i) Nephridia
(ii) Radula
(iii) Flame cells
OR
Q12 Give the characteristic features of the following, Citing one example of each:
(a) Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes
(b) Urochordata and Cephalochordata.
(a) The characteristics of the organisms present in the Phylum Annelida are as follows:
1. The Annelids are coelomate and triploblastic.
2. They exhibit organ system level organization.
3. Their body is segmented.
4. They respire through their body surface.
5. Nephridia are the excretory organs.
6. They have a well-developed circulatory and digestive system.
7. Their body contains haemoglobin, which gives them a red colour.
8. Regeneration is a very common characteristic of the Annelids.
9. Setae help them in movement.
10. Most of the Annelids are hermaphrodite, i.e., male and female organs are present in the same body.
They reproduce both sexually and asexually. The others reproduce sexually.

(b) Definitions (3 marks):

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 • Nephridia (1 mark): Excretory organs found in annelids and some other invertebrates. They filter waste
products from the coelomic fluid (body cavity fluid) and expel them through an excretory pore.
• Radula (1 mark): A rasping tongue-like organ found in mollusks (e.g., snails, slugs) used for scraping or
shredding food. It's covered in tiny teeth for efficient feeding.
• Flame Cells (1 mark): Microscopic excretory structures found in flatworms (e.g., planarians) and some
other invertebrates. They have a flickering flame-like appearance due to cilia and function similarly to
nephridia, filtering waste from the body.
OR
(a) Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish) vs. Osteichthyes (Bony Fish) (2 marks):
• Chondrichthyes (Example: Shark):
o Have a skeleton made of cartilage instead of bone.
o Gills covered by an operculum (gill cover) are absent.
o Have multiple fin types (dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, caudal).
• Osteichthyes (Example: Goldfish):
o Have a skeleton made of bone.
o Gills are covered by an operculum (gill cover) for protection.
o Have a single dorsal fin (may be split) and paired pectoral and pelvic fins.
(b) Urochordata (Sea Squirts) vs. Cephalochordata (Lancelets) (2 marks):
• Urochordata (Example: Sea Squirt):
o Sessile (attached) as adults, with a tough outer tunic.
o Notochord (flexible rod) present only in the larval stage, lost in adults.
o Filter feeders, drawing water in through a siphon.
• Cephalochordata (Example: Lancelet):
o Marine, free-swimming with a fish-like body shape.
o Notochord persists throughout their life, providing support.
o Filter feeders, drawing water in through the mouth and out through gill slits.

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