Short Answer Type(a) How do organic farmers control pests ? Give two examples.
(b) State the difference in their approach from that of conventional pest control methods.
(a) Name the selectable markers in the cloning vector pBR322 ? Mention the role they play.
(b) Why is the coding sequence of an enzyme 
-galactosidase a preferred selectable marker in comparison to the ones named above ?
(a) Selectable markers in the coming vectors pBR322 :
i. Ampicillin resistance antibiotics
ii.Tetracycline
(b) The selection of recombinants due to inactivation of antibiotics is a difficult process and requires simultaneous plating on two plates having different antibiotics. Thus, to differentiate between the non-recombinants and recombinants The enzyme 
- galactosidase is preferred as a selectable marker as it allows the person to differentiate the non-recombinants from recombinants. in this case when the recombinant DNA is inserted into the coding sequence of the enzyme 
-galactosidase. The insertion leads to the inactivation of the enzyme and hence in the presence of a chromogenic substance the recombinants do not give coloured colonies, while the non-recombinants produce blue colonies. Thus no separate plating is required.
(a) Why must a cell be made 'competent' in biotechnology experiments ? How does
calcium ion help in doing so ?
(b) State the role of 'biolistic gun' in biotechnology experiments.
Long Answer TypeA large number of married couples the world over are childless. It is shocking to know that in India the female partner is often blamed for the couple being childless.
(a) Why in your opinion the female partner is often blamed for such situations in India ? Mention any two values that you as a biology student can promote to check this social evil.
(b) State any two reasons responsible for the cause of infertility.
(c) Suggest a technique that can help the couple to have a child where the problem is with the male partner.
(a) What is polygenic inheritance ? Explain with the help of a suitable example.
(b) How are pleiotropy and Mendelian pattern of inheritance different from polygenic pattern of inheritance ?
(a) Name the stage in the cell cycle where DNA replication occurs.
(b) Explain the mechanism of DNA replication. Highlight the role of enzymes in the process.
(c) Why is DNA replication said to be semiconservative ?
(a) Name the two growth models that represent populations growth and draw the respective growth curves they represent.
(b) State the basis for the difference in the shape of these curves.
(c) Which one of the curves represent the human population growth at present ? Do you think such a curve is sustainable ? Give reason in support of your answer.
(a) Taking an example of a small pond explain how the four components of an ecosystem function as a unit.
(b) Name the type of food chain that exists in a pond.
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