Biology Test -1

Q.No. 1 Which of the following pigments are not found in flower ?

(A) Anthocynin (B) Carotene (C) Xanthophyll (D) Florigen

Q.No. 2. Which of the following animals are known as comb jelly ?

(A) Annelida (B) Colenterata  (C) Ctenophora (D)Protozoa

Q.No. 3. The cells which are present in the stomach produce the HCL 

(A) Chief cells  (B) Oxyntic cell (C) Argenteffin cell (D)Kuffer cell

Q.No. 4. In which of the following phylum the adult show the radial symmetry while male show bilateral symmetry

(A) Annelida (B) Colenterata  (C) Ctenophora (D)Nematoda

Q.No. 5. Which Genes are responsible for cancer in the cells

(A) Housekeeping genes (B) Garbeg genes (C) Spiliting genes (D) Onco genes

AIPMT 2012 scheduled for April 1 2012 followed by the main exam on May 13.

The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Exam for under graduates (NEET-UG) now being postponed, the CBSE has decided to go ahead with the regular All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) next year. The AIPMT prelims will be held on April 1, 2012 followed by the main exam on May 13.
A statement issued by the CBSE said that it would be conducting the AIPMT in 2012 for the 15 per cent all India quota only.
The statement further said that this was being done "as per communication received from ministry of health and family welfare, regarding seeking permission from the Hon'ble Supreme Court to allow introduction of NEET for under graduate medical courses from the academic year 2013-14 instead of 2012-13". The AIPMT syllabus, exam centres and pattern of the exam will remain exactly as it was in 2011.
The NEET-UG has been engulfed in controversy right from the start with many states opposing it for various reasons. While Tamil Nadu questioned the validity of NEET all together, Maharashtra sought postponement of the exam till the syllabus could be at par.
Maharashtra had approached the Supreme Court in November and was directed to go before the Bombay High Court with their plea. But the state spent almost a month trying to finalize their legal draft even as parents and students grew anxious.
In a desperate attempt even chief minister Prithviraj Chavan wrote to the union health ministry expressing his administration's inability to participate in the NEET. Chavan cited differences in syllabus and lack of Urdu and Marathi as medium of language as the issues for seeking a postponement.
As the lawyers spent time in finishing the draft, a parents' body from Marathwada region decided to take matters in their own hands and approach the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay HC, which ordered a stay on the NEET. Dr Nandini Babhulkar, an active member of a parents body from the city, said, "CBSE announcing the AIPMT dates has come as a huge relief for the students. It is a further affirmation of the fact that an early NEET will no longer burden the students."
Soon enough even the union health ministry approached the SC seeking permission to conduct the NEET directly in 2013, as opposed to a year earlier. Sources say the CBSE too pushed the health ministry to act quickly, either way, since the board had been entrusted the task of holding the NEET. The CBSE could not proceed with the exam formalities unless the NEET had been notified by the health ministry.
The state government ultimately remained a mute spectator in all the frenzied activity, unlike their southern counterparts who wasted no time in taking a legal route to handle the NEET controversy.

AIPMT - All India Pre Medical, Pre Dental Entrance Examination is an Entrance Exam conducted by CBSE for admission to MBBS, BDS courses in top Medical Colleges and Instituttes in India.

AIPMT 2012 Paper Pattern:-

The Preliminary Examination would consist of one paper containing 200 objective type questions (four options with single correct answer) from Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany Zoology) to be answered on the specially designed machine-gradable sheet using Ball Point Pen only.

The duration of paper would be 3 hours.

AIPMT 2012 FINAL EXAM

(Only for those who qualify in the Preliminary Examination)

The Final Examination would consist of two papers each of 2 hours duration. Paper-1 would contain questions from Physics and Chemistry and Paper-2 would contain questions from Biology (Botany Zoology).

The Final Examination will have conventional (non-objective) type of questions to be answered in the Answer Book supplied.

Language of the Question Papers

Candidates can opt for Question Papers either in English or in Hindi. This option should be exercised while filling in the Application Form. It cannot be changed later.

AIPMT 2012 Eligibility:-

(i)     He/She has completed age of 17 years at the time of admission or will complete the age on or before 31st December of the year of his/her admission to the 1st year MBBS/BDS Course and is an INDIAN NATIONAL.

(ii)    The upper age limit for All India Pre-Medical /Pre-Dental Entrance Examination is 25 years as on 31st December of the year of the entrance examination. Further provided that this upper age limit shall be relaxed by a period of 5 (five) years for the candidates of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes.

Candidate must born on or between

(a) 01.01.82 to 01.01.95 (SC/ST/OBC Category)
(b) 01.01.87 to 01.01.95 (Other Category) 

Qualifications :- The Higher/Senior Secondary Examination or the Indian School Certificate Examination which is equivalent to 10+2 Higher/Senior Secondary Examination after a period of 12 years study, the last two years of such study comprising of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Bio-technology (which shall include practical tests in these subjects) and Mathematics or any other elective subject with English at a level not less than the core course for English as prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training after introduction of the 10+2+3 educational structure as recommended by the National Committee on Education. 


AIPMT 2012 Eligibility Criteria:-

    * Candidate should be completed age of 17 years at the time of admission or will complete the age on or before 31st December of the year of his/her admission to the 1st year MBBS/BDS Course and is an Indian National..
    * The upper age limit for All India Pre-Medical /Pre-Dental Entrance Examination is 25 years as on 31st December of the year of the entrance examination.
    * Candidate should have passed 12th or be appearing in 2012 with the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English with 50% marks in PCB for general candidates and 40% for SC/ST/OBC candidates.

Forms of AIPMT 2012 are available in designated branches of Canara Bank/ Regional offices of CBSE

AIPMT Biology / Botony / Zoology Syllabus 2012:-

Unit : 1      Diversity in Living World              

                  Biology – its meaning and relevance to mankind

                  What is living; Taxonomic categories and aids (Botanical gardens, herbaria, museums, zoological parks); Systematics and Binomial system of nomenclature.

                  Introductory classification of living organisms (Two-kingdom system, Five-kingdom  system); Major groups of each kingdom alongwith their salient features (Monera, including Archaebacteria and Cyanobacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia); Viruses; Lichens

                  Plant kingdom – Salient features of major groups (Algae to Angiosperms);

                  Animal kingdom – Salient features of Nonchordates up to phylum, and Chordates up to class level.

Unit : 2      Cell : The Unit of Life ; Structure and Function

                  Cell wall; Cell membrane; Endomembrane system (ER, Golgi apparatus/Dictyosome, Lysosomes, Vacuoles); Mitochondria; Plastids; Ribosomes; Cytoskeleton; Cilia and Flagella; Centrosome and Centriole; Nucleus; Microbodies.

                  Structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic,  and between plant and animal cells. Cell cycle (various phases); Mitosis; Meiosis.

                  Biomolecules – Structure and function of Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic acids.

                  Enzymes – Chemical nature, types, properties and mechanism of action.

Unit : 3      Genetics and Evolution

                  Mendelian inheritance; Chromosome theory of inheritance; Gene interaction; Incomplete dominance; Co-dominance; Complementary genes; Multiple alleles;

                  Linkage and Crossing over; Inheritance patterns of hemophilia and blood groups in humans.

                  DNA –its organization and replication; Transcription and Translation; Gene expression and regulation; DNA fingerprinting.

                  Theories and evidences of evolution, including modern Darwinism.

Unit : 4      Structure and Function – Plants

                  Morphology of a flowering plant; Tissues and tissue systems in plants;

                  Anatomy and function of root, stem(including modifications), leaf, inflorescence, flower (including position and arrangement of different whorls, placentation), fruit and seed; Types of fruit; Secondary growth;

                  Absorption and movement of water (including diffusion, osmosis and water relations of cell) and of nutrients; Translocation of food; Transpiration and gaseous exchange;  Mechanism of stomatal movement.

                  Mineral nutrition – Macro- and micro-nutrients in plants including deficiency disorders; Biological nitrogen fixation mechanism.

                  Photosynthesis – Light reaction, cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation; Various pathways of carbon dioxide fixation; Photorespiration; Limiting factors .

                  Respiration – Anaerobic, Fermentation, Aerobic; Glycolysis, TCA cycle; Electron transport system; Energy relations.

Unit : 5      Structure and Function  - Animals

                  Tissues;

                  Elementary knowledge of morphology, anatomy and functions of different systems of earthworm, cockroach and frog.

                  Human Physiology – Digestive system - organs, digestion and absorption; Respiratory system – organs, breathing and exchange and transport of gases. Body fluids and circulation – Blood, lymph, double circulation, regulation of cardiac activity; Hypertension, Coronary artery diseases.

                  Excretion system – Urine formation, regulation of kidney function

                  Locomotion and movement – Skeletal system, joints, muscles, types of movement.

                  Control and co-ordination – Central and peripheral nervous systems, structure and function of neuron, reflex action and sensory reception; Role of various types of endocrine glands; Mechanism of hormone action.

Unit : 6      Reproduction, Growth and Movement in Plants

                  Asexual methods of reproduction; Sexual Reproduction - Development of male and female gametophytes; Pollination (Types and agents); Fertilization; Development of embryo, endosperm, seed and fruit (including parthenocarpy and apomixis).

                  Growth and Movement – Growth phases; Types of growth regulators and their role in seed dormancy, germination and movement; Apical dominance; Senescence; Abscission; Photo-  periodism; Vernalisation; Various types of movements.

Unit : 7      Reproduction and Development in Humans

                  Male and female reproductive systems; Menstrual cycle; Gamete production; Fertilisation; Implantation; Embryo development; Pregnancy and parturition; Birth control and contraception.

Unit : 8      Ecology and Environment

                  Meaning of ecology, environment, habitat and niche.

                  Ecological levels of organization (organism to biosphere); Characteristics of Species, Population, Biotic Community and Ecosystem; Succession and Climax.

                  Ecosystem – Biotic and abiotic components; Ecological pyramids; Food chain and Food web; Energy flow; Major types of ecosystems including agroecosystem.

                  Ecological adaptations – Structural and physiological features in plants and animals of aquatic and desert habitats.

                  Biodiversity – Meaning, types and conservation strategies (Biosphere reserves, National parks and Sanctuaries)

                  Environmental Issues – Air and Water Pollution (sources and major pollutants); Global warming and Climate change; Ozonedepletion; Noise pollution; Radioactive pollution; Methods of pollution control (including an idea of bioremediation); Deforestation; Extinction of species (Hot Spots).

Unit : 9      Biology and Human Welfare

                  Animal husbandry – Livestock, Poultry, Fisheries; Major animal diseases and their control.  Pathogens of  major communicable diseases of humans caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoans and helminths, and their control.

                  Cancer; AIDS.

                  Adolescence and drug/alcohol abuse;

                  Basic concepts of immunology.

                  Plant Breeding and Tissue Culture in crop improvement.

                  Biofertilisers (green manure, symbiotic and free-living nitrogen-fixing microbes, mycorrhizae);

                  Biopesticides (micro-organisms as biocontrol agents for pests and pathogens); Bioherbicides;

                  Microorganisms as pathogens of plant diseases with special reference to rust and smut of wheat, bacterial leaf blight of rice, late blight of potato, bean mosaic, and root - knot of vegetables.

                  Bioenergy – Hydrocarbon - rich plants as substitute of fossil fuels.

Unit : 10    Biotechnology and its Applications

                  Microbes as ideal system for biotechnology;

                  Microbial technology in food processing, industrial production (alcohol, acids, enzymes, antibiotics), sewage treatment and energy generation.

                  Steps in  recombinant DNA technology – restriction enzymes, DNA insertion by vectors and other methods, regeneration of recombinants.

                  Applications of R-DNA technology.  In human health –Production of  Insulin, Vaccines and Growth hormones, Organ transplant, Gene therapy. In Industry – Production of expensive enzymes, strain improvement to scale up bioprocesses.  In Agriculture – GM crops by transfer of genes for nitrogen fixation, herbicide-resistance and pest-resistance including Bt crops. 

Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants,
which produce the male gametes (sperm cells).
Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement between the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the female cone of coniferous plants. When pollen lands on a compatible pistil of flowering plants, it germinates and produces a pollen tube that transfers the sperm to the ovule of a receptive ovary.

The structure and formation of pollen

Pollen itself is not the male gamete. 
Each pollen grain contains vegetative (non-reproductive) cells (only a single cell in most flowering plants but several tantoe in other seed plants) and a generative (reproductive) cell containing two nuclei: a tube nucleus (that produces the pollen tube) and a generative nucleus (that divides to form the two sperm cells). The group of cells is surrounded by a cellulose-rich cell wall called the intine, and a resistant outer wall composed largely of sporopollenin called the exine.
Pollen is produced in the 'microsporangium' (contained in the anther of an angiosperm flower, male cone of a coniferous plant, or male cone of other seed plants). Pollen grains come in a wide variety of shapes (most often spherical), sizes, and surface markings characteristic of the species (see electron micrograph, right). Pollen grains of pines, firs, and spruces are winged. The smallest pollen grain, that of the forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.), is around 6 µm (0.006 mm) in diameter. Wind-borne pollen grains can be as large as about 90-100 µm.^[2] The study of pollen is called palynology and is highly useful in paleoecology, paleontology, archeology, and forensics.
In angiosperms, during flower development the anther is composed of a mass of cells that appear undifferentiated, except for a partially differentiated dermis. As the flower develops, four groups of sporogenous cells form within the anther. The fertile sporogenous cells are surrounded by layers of sterile cells that grow into the wall of the pollen sac. Some of the cells grow into nutritive cells that supply nutrition for the microspores that form by meiotic division from the sporogenous cells. In a process called microsporogenesis, four haploid microspores are produced from each diploid sporogenous cell (microsporocyte), after meiotic division. After the formation of the four microspores, which are contained by callose walls, the development of the pollen grain walls begins. The callose wall is broken down by an enzyme called callase and the freed pollen grains grow in size and develop their characteristic shape and form a resistant outer wall called the exine and an inner wall called the intine. The exine is what is preserved in the fossil record.
The pollen wall protects the sperm nucleus while the pollen grain is moving from the anther to the stigma; it protects the vital genetic material from drying out and solar radiation. The pollen grain surface is covered with waxes and proteins, which are held in place by structures called sculpture elements on the surface of the grain. The outer pollen wall, which prevents the pollen grain from shrinking and crushing the genetic material during desiccation, is composed of two layers. These two layers are the tectum and the foot layer, which is just above the intine. The tectum and foot layer are separated by a region called the columella, which is composed of strengthening rods. The outer wall is constructed with a resistant biopolymer called sporopollenin. The pollen tube passes through the wall by way of structures called apertures.^[3]
Pollen apertures are any modification of the wall of the pollen grain. These modifications include thinning, ridges and pores, they serve as an exit for the pollen contents and allow shrinking and swelling of the grain caused by changes in moisture content. The elongated apertues/ furrows in the pollen grain are called colpi (s. colpus) which along with pores, are a chief criteria for the identifying pollen classes.^[4]
Pollen grains may have furrows, the orientation of which (relative to the original tetrad of microspores) classify the pollen as colpate or sulcate. The number of furrows or pores helps classify the flowering plants, with eudicots having three colpi (tricolpate), and other groups having one sulcus.^[5][6]
Except in the case of some submerged aquatic plants, the mature pollen-grain has a double wall, a thin delicate wall of unaltered cellulose (the endospore or intine) and a tough outer cuticularized exospore or exine. The exine often bears spines or warts, or is variously sculptured, and the character of the markings is often of value for identifying genus, species, or even cultivar or individual. In some flowering plants, germination of the pollen grain often begins before it leaves the microsporangium, with the generative cell forming the two sperm cells.

Allergy due to pollen grain

Allergy
Normally, the immune system functions as the body's defense against invading agents (bacteria and viruses, for instance). In most allergic reactions, however, the immune system is responding to a false alarm. When allergic persons first come into contact with an allergen, their immune systems treat the allergen as an invader and mobilize to attack. The immune system does this by generating large amounts of a type of antibody (a protein) called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. (Only small amounts of IgE are produced in nonallergic people.) Each IgE antibody is specific for one particular allergen. In the case of pollen allergy, the antibody is specific for each type of pollen: one antibody may be produced to react against oak pollen and another against ragweed pollen, for example.
These IgE molecules attach themselves to the body's mast cells, which are tissue cells, and to basophils, which are cells in the blood. When the enemy allergen next encounters the IgE, the allergen attaches to the antibody like a key fitting into a lock, signalling the cell to which the IgE is attached to release (and in some cases to produce) powerful inflammatory chemicals like histamines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and others. The effects of these chemicals on various parts of the body cause the symptoms of allergy.