UPSC IFS 2018 Question Paper for Botany Paper - II

FSI-D-BTN
I.F.S. EXAM-(M) 2018
BOTANY

PAPER—II

Time Allowed : Three Hours Maximum Marks: 200

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each of the following instructions carefully
before attempting questions

There are EIGHT questions in all, out of which FIVE are to be attempted.

Question Nos. I and 5 are compulsory. Out of the remaining SIX questions, THREE are
to be attempted selecting at least ONE question from each of the two Sections A and B.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order. Unless struck off, attempt of a
question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left
blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

All questions carry equal marks. The number of marks carried by a question/part is
indicated against it.

Neat sketches may be drawn, wherever .required.

Answers must be written in ENGLISH only.

FSI-D-BTN/43 1 P.T.O.

SECTION—A
•
1. Write a short note on each of the following : 8x5=40

Packaging of DNA in chromatin

Chloroplast dimorphism

Post-transcriptional modifications of mRNA

Role of endoplasmic reticulum in protein sorting and targeting

Objectives and properties of probability

2. (a) Describe the molecular basis of cell cycle transitions with suitable illustrations.
Explain the role of CDKs in controlling transitions between cell cycle stages.
10+10=20

(b) Discuss the mechanism of transport of molecules across the cell membrane by
uniport, symport and antiport. Add a note on co-transport by symporter and
uniporter. 15+5=20

3. (a) Describe the molecular mechanism of gene linkage and crossing-over. Explain
how gene mapping is constructed using gene linkage with suitable diagrams.
10+10=20

(b) Describe different methods of selection and hybridization in plant breeding.
Give a note on heterosis breeding. 15+5=20

4. (a) Describe different stages of micropropagation in detail, mentioning the
significances of each stage. Give a brief account on commercial
micropropagation. 15+5=20

(b) Describe the initiation of translation process in prokaryotes with suitable
illustrations. How does it differ from eukaryotes? 15+5=20

SECTION—B

5. Write a brief note on each of the following : 8x5=40

Role of Rubisco in carbon metabolism

Importancg of different types of secondary, metabolites ip plant defense and as
pharmaceuticals •

FSI-D-BTN/43 2

Endemism and endangered plant species

Hot spots in India : Characteristics and conservations

(e) Allosteric enzymes and metabolic control

(a) Illustrate the structure of ATP synthase and discuss the mechanism of
ATP synthesis in higher plants. 5+15=20

(b) Explain elaborately the molecular basis of fruit ripening. How can this process
be manipulated? 15+5=20

(a) Discuss the mechanism of nitrogen fixation associated with legumes and
elaborate the factors controlling the process. 10+10=20

(b) Describe the adaptive responses at the morphological and physiological levels
in higher plants to water deficit stress conditions. 10+10=20

(a) Explain the ecological characteristics of different types of forests found in
India. Describe briefly about the dominance of vegetation types of tropical and
alpine forests. 10+10=20

(b) Discuss the concept of climax community. Write a note on succession of
estuarine ecosystem. 10+10=20

* * *

FSI-D-BTN/43 3 BS9-90

•

-.