BioNotesICSE 2024 Biology Specimen Question Paper
Complete specimen question paper for ICSE 2024 Biology examination (Science Paper 3) with 80 marks, covering topics from genetics, human physiology, plant biology, and environmental science.
2018 Biology Paper 1 - Theory Examination
Complete biology theory examination paper with multiple sections covering genetics, ecology, molecular biology, evolution, and biotechnology. Maximum marks 70, duration 3 hours.
Created by Titas Mallick
Biology Teacher • M.Sc. Botany • B.Ed. • CTET (CBSE) • CISCE Examiner
Online
Solutions for the ICSE 2027 Biology Specimen Question Paper.
Maximum Marks: 80 | Time: 2 hours
(i) Komal, a biology student of class X observed that the smell of freshly cut grass in her garden spread rapidly in the air around it. This phenomenon is an example of: (a) diffusion (b) osmosis (c) imbibition (d) capillarity
Answer: (a) diffusion
(ii) While playing cricket on a hot, summer afternoon, Rohan felt a little dizzy though he had a balanced meal. The doctor advised him to take an oral rehydration solution. What was most likely the reason for Rohan's condition? (a) Excessive urination (b) Asphyxiation (c) Low blood glucose level (d) Excessive perspiration
Answer: (d) Excessive perspiration
(iii) Assertion (A): Plants do not have sense organs but still respond to different stimuli. Reason (R): Plants have a well-developed hormonal system to respond to sunlight, gravity, water, etc. (a) (A) is true and (R) is false. (b) (A) is false and (R) is true. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Answer: (c) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(iv) Which of the following correctly describes the level of urea in the two blood vessels after a meal containing protein? (a) Renal Artery – High; Renal Vein – High (b) Renal Artery – High; Renal Vein – Low (c) Renal Artery – Low; Renal Vein – Low (d) Renal Artery – Low; Renal Vein – High
Answer: (b) Renal Artery – High; Renal Vein – Low
(v) A patient suffering with severe cholera: (a) passes very little urine due to severe dehydration. (b) passes excessive urine due to kidney overactivity. (c) has blood in the urine as the first symptom. (d) produces normal amounts of urine despite severe fluid loss.
Answer: (a) passes very little urine due to severe dehydration.
(vi) Which of the following statements are correct? P – Cobalt ions help in the opening of stomata. Q – Strawberry leaves show guttation. R – Duplicated chromosomes are joined at centrosome. S – Conversion of ADP to ATP occurs in the light dependent phase. (a) P and R (b) Q and R (c) P and S (d) Q and S
Answer: (d) Q and S
(vii) Meena's mother prepared a cucumber salad and garnished it with salt and pepper. After some time, she noticed that a lot of water had accumulated in the salad bowl. The cucumber slices underwent: (a) active transport (b) transpiration (c) exosmosis (d) endosmosis
Answer: (c) exosmosis
(viii) Which parts of the nephrons are present in the renal cortex and renal medulla? (diagram: 1–7 labelled parts of nephron) (a) Renal Cortex – 1, 2, 3; Renal Medulla – 4, 5, 6, 7 (b) Renal Cortex – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Renal Medulla – 6, 7 (c) Renal Cortex – 4, 5, 6, 7; Renal Medulla – 1, 2, 3 (d) Renal Cortex – 1, 2, 3, 4; Renal Medulla – 5, 6, 7
Answer: (b) Renal Cortex – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Renal Medulla – 6, 7
(ix) As the school bell rang for the lunch break, Tina's mouth started watering thinking of her favourite food in the lunch box. This is a/an: (a) voluntary action (b) somatic reflex (c) acquired reflex (d) natural reflex
Answer: (c) acquired reflex
(x) The path of blood flow during pulmonary circulation is: (a) Right auricle, Right ventricle, Pulmonary artery, Lungs, Pulmonary veins, Left auricle. (b) Left auricle, Left ventricle, Pulmonary veins, Lungs, Pulmonary artery, Right auricle. (c) Left auricle, Left ventricle, Aorta, Tissues, Vena cava, Right auricle. (d) Right auricle, Right ventricle, Pulmonary veins, Lungs, Pulmonary artery, Left auricle.
Answer: (a) Right auricle, Right ventricle, Pulmonary artery, Lungs, Pulmonary veins, Left auricle.
(xi) A rabbit in a food chain occupies the position of: (a) producer (b) primary consumer (c) secondary consumer (d) tertiary consumer
Answer: (b) primary consumer
(xii) Assertion (A): Pericardial fluid is present between the heart and pericardium. Reason (R): The human heart has four chambers. (a) (A) is true and (R) is false. (b) (A) is false and (R) is true. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (d) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Answer: (d) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(xiii) Tongue rolling is a dominant trait. Arun who cannot roll his tongue, marries a woman who is a carrier of the trait. What percentage of their children can roll their tongue? (a) 25% (b) 50% (c) 75% (d) 100%
Answer: (b) 50%
(Cross: rr × Rr → 1 Rr : 1 rr → 50% can roll tongue)
(xiv) For the past few years there has been irregular rainfall, leading to crop failures and water shortages. This is a result of: (a) climate change (b) soil erosion (c) earth rotation (d) acid rain
Answer: (a) climate change
(xv) Root hairs are epidermal outgrowths of the outermost layer of roots. They are well suited for absorption of water from the soil due to: P – Large surface area Q – Lower concentration of cell sap R – Higher concentration of cell sap S – Freely permeable cell membrane (a) P and S (b) Q and S (c) P and R (d) R and S
Answer: (c) P and R
(i) Give the biological/technical terms [5]
(a) Respiratory openings present on the stems of woody plants.
Answer: Lenticels
(b) The fluid present between the cornea and lens of the eye.
Answer: Aqueous humour
(c) The canal through which the testes descend into scrotum just before birth of a male baby.
Answer: Inguinal canal
(d) The type of cell division for the formation of gametes in humans.
Answer: Meiosis
(e) The neurotransmitter stored in the axon endings of neurons.
Answer: Acetylcholine
(ii) Fill in the blanks [5] Word bank: fertilisation, 280, uterus, oviduct, ova, 40, ovulation, ovules, parturition
(a) The gametes produced by ovaries are called ______.
Answer: ova
(b) The release of a mature ovum from graafian follicle is known as ______.
Answer: ovulation
(c) Menstrual flow occurs when ______ of the female gamete fails to occur.
Answer: fertilisation
(d) Implantation of the embryo is in the ______.
Answer: uterus
(e) The gestation period lasts for ______ weeks.
Answer: 40
(iii) Odd one out [5]
(a) Neutrophil, Monocyte, Eosinophil, Basophil.
Odd one out: Monocyte
Category of remaining three: Granulocytes
(b) TSH, ADH, ACTH, FSH.
Odd one out: ADH
Category of remaining three: Secreted by anterior lobe of pituitary gland
(c) Wisdom tooth, Pinna, Tongue, Vermiform appendix.
Odd one out: Tongue
Category of remaining three: Vestigial organs
(d) Haemoglobin, Fibrin, Prothrombin, Fibrinogen.
Odd one out: Haemoglobin
Category of remaining three: Components of blood clotting
(e) Vas deferens, Endometrium, Seminiferous tubule, Vas efferens.
Odd one out: Endometrium
Category of remaining three: Parts of male reproductive system
(iv) Tanya's earache case study [5]
(a) Name the structure that connects the throat and ear.
Answer: Eustachian tube
(b) What is the collective term for the three cartilaginous structures present in the middle ear?
Answer: Ossicles
(c) Which is the sensory organ located in cochlea?
Answer: Organ of Corti / Spiral organ
(d) What is the significance of the tiny hair present in the auditory canal?
Answer: They prevent dust and other small foreign objects from reaching the ear drum.
(e) What is the function of auditory nerve?
Answer: It transports nerve impulses from the inner ear to the brain for hearing and body balance.
(v) Match structure with function (foetus/placenta diagram) [5] Example given: Fallopian tube – (f)
| Structure | Function |
|---|---|
| Placenta | (a) Allows diffusion of glucose from maternal blood into foetal blood |
| Umbilical cord | (b) A tube-like structure that transports substances to and from the foetus |
| Amnion | (c) Protective membrane surrounding the foetus |
| Amniotic fluid | (d) Cushions the foetus and absorbs mechanical shocks |
| Cervix | (e) Dilates to enable the birth of baby |
| Fallopian tube | (f) Site of fertilisation (given example) |
Answer:
Placenta – (a)
Umbilical cord – (b)
Amnion – (c)
Amniotic fluid – (d)
Cervix – (e)
Fallopian tube – (f)
(i) Name the process responsible for the wilting of leaves. [1]
Answer: Transpiration
(ii) Define the above process. [2]
Answer: It is the loss of water as water vapour from the aerial parts of the plant.
(iii) Explain how the process will differ on a rainy day. [2]
Answer: The rate of transpiration will be less, as the atmosphere will have more humidity. This slows down the diffusion of water vapour from the plant to the outside.
(iv) Which are the primary pores through which the above process takes place? Where are they located? [2]
Answer: Stomata; located on the leaves and young green stems.
(v) List three adaptations in plants to reduce this process. [3]
Answer: Narrow leaves, thick cuticle, fewer stomata.
(i)(a) Mention the biological term for the disorder. [1]
Answer: Adrenal virilism
(i)(b) Which hormone is responsible for this disorder? Name the gland which secretes this hormone. [2]
Answer: Cortical hormones/Androgens; secreted by the Adrenal gland.
(i)(c) Explain the term hormone. [2]
Answer: Hormones are secretions of endocrine glands which are directly released into the blood and act on target organs or tissues to regulate physiological processes.
(i)(d) Expand the following abbreviations: [2]
(ii) Draw a neat, labelled diagram of a turgid root hair cell. [3]
Answer: (Diagram should show and label: epidermal cell, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, vacuole, nucleus, root hairs beginning to grow out, and fully grown root hair.)
(i) What message does the picture convey to you? [1]
Answer: To protect our environment, factories should not be constructed near residential areas.
(ii) Name any two types of pollution caused by the factories. [2]
Answer: Air pollution, Water pollution.
(iii) Mention two reasons for population explosion in India. [2]
Answer: High birth rate; lack of awareness of family planning methods.
(iv) State any two health problems that the residents may face in this case. [2]
Answer: Respiratory diseases, allergies (any two of: respiratory diseases, allergies, skin infections).
(v) List any three resources that come under pressure due to rising population. [3]
Answer: Food, fossil fuels, minerals.
(i) Name the type of cell division responsible for the healing of wound. [1]
Answer: Mitosis
(ii) How many chromosomes are present in each cell of the human body? What will be number of chromosomes in the daughter cells during the healing process? [2]
Answer: 46 (23 pairs) in each human body cell; daughter cells will also have 46 (23 pairs).
(iii) State Mendel's Law of Segregation of gametes. [2]
Answer: Pairs of alleles (factors) separate during gamete formation, so that each gamete carries only one allele of a pair.
(iv) Why is haemophilia uncommon in human females? [2]
Answer: Females have 2 X chromosomes. If one carries the recessive gene, the dominant gene on the other X chromosome suppresses the disease. Males have only one X chromosome, so if it carries the recessive gene, they show the disease. Hence haemophilia is uncommon in females.
(v) Draw a neat, labelled diagram of an animal cell having 4 chromosomes in the metaphase stage. [3]
Answer: (Diagram should show the metaphase stage of mitosis with duplicated chromosomes aligned at the equator, labelling: spindle fibres, aster, duplicated chromosomes, chromatids.)
(i) What is the aim of the experiment? [1]
Answer: To prove that CO₂ is necessary for photosynthesis.
(ii) Write the balanced equation for photosynthesis. Name the mineral element essential for the formation of chlorophyll. [2]
Answer:
Mineral element: Magnesium
(iii) Explain the conclusion drawn from this experiment after the iodine test. [2]
Answer: In plant X, CO₂ was absorbed by the KOH, so photosynthesis did not take place and starch was absent (no colour change with iodine). In plant Y, CO₂ was available for photosynthesis, so starch was prepared and the leaves turned blue-black during the iodine test. This proves CO₂ is necessary for photosynthesis.
(iv) Which hormone promotes the growth of plants towards sunlight? What is this tropic movement called? [2]
Answer: Auxin; the movement is called Phototropism.
(v) Draw a neat, labelled diagram of a stomatal apparatus surrounded by epidermal cells. [3]
Answer: (Diagram should show and label: epidermal cell, guard cells, stomatal pore, outer thin wall, inner thick wall, chloroplast, nucleus, vacuole.)
(i) Who proposed the theory of 'Natural Selection'? [1]
Answer: Charles Darwin
(ii) Mention two characteristic features of Australopithecus. [2]
Answer: Lack of chin; body covered by hair.
(iii) What is the reason for Hyperopia? How can it be corrected? [2]
Answer: Hyperopia (long-sightedness) is caused by shortening of the eyeball from front to back, or the lens being too flat. It is corrected using a convex lens.
(iv) State one difference between identical twins and fraternal twins. [2]
Answer:
(v) Draw a neat, labelled diagram of a human blood smear. [3]
Answer: (Diagram should show and label: Red Blood Corpuscles, White Blood Corpuscles, Platelets, Plasma.)
Solutions based on the official CISCE Draft Marking Scheme, ICSE 2027 Specimen Paper (T27 523).
ICSE 2024 Biology Specimen Question Paper
Complete specimen question paper for ICSE 2024 Biology examination (Science Paper 3) with 80 marks, covering topics from genetics, human physiology, plant biology, and environmental science.
2018 Biology Paper 1 - Theory Examination
Complete biology theory examination paper with multiple sections covering genetics, ecology, molecular biology, evolution, and biotechnology. Maximum marks 70, duration 3 hours.