Q.5.Do you think that "Man has always been a biologist"? If so why?

20
Ails: A man has always been a biologist. He had to be a biologist in order to
live. Early in history,
he was hunter of animals and a gatherer of fruits, seeds, roots etc. The
more he knew about
animals and their habitat, the more successful hunter he was. The more
he knew about plants,
the better he distinguished between edible and non-edible plants.

Q.6 Define Biological Method.

Ans: "The scientific method, in which biological problems are solved, is
termed as Biological
Method."
• It comprises the steps a biologist adopts in order to solve a biological
problem.
•
Q.7 How biological method has played an important part in scientific
research?
Ans: The biological method has played an instrumental role in scientific
research for almost 500
years.
• From Galileo's experiment back in the 1590's to current
research, the biological method
has contributed to advancements in medicine, ecology,
technology, etc.
• The biological method ensures the quality of data for public use.
•
Q.8 Write steps of Biological Method in a sequence.
Ans: Biological method involves the following main steps:
• Recognition of a biological problem
• Observation
• Hypothesis formulation
• Deductions
• Experimentation
• Summarization of results(tables, grapjics etc)
• Reporting the results
•
Q.9 Define Biological Problem.
Ans: "A question related to living organisms that is either asked by some
one or comes in
biologist's mind by himself is called biological problem".
Example:
Malaria
Q.10 What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative observations?

Ans:

Quantitative Qualitative
Observation observation
Qualitative observations Quantative
are considered less observations are
considered more
accurate accurate

These observations These observations are

are variable and less invariable and
measurable measurable
These cannot be These can be recorded
recorded in terms of in terms of numbers
numbers
Examples: Example:
The freezing point of The freezing point of
water is colder than its water is 0°C and the
boiling point boiling points is 100°C.
A litre of water is A litre of water weighs
heavier than a litre of 100 grams and a litre
ethanol of ethanol weighs 789
grams
 Q.11 Why quantitative observations are better in biological method?

Ans: Quantitative observations are better because these are invariable and
measureable and can be

Recorded in terms of numbers.

Example:

The freezing point of water is 0°C and the boiling point is 100°C.

Q.12 Darwin formulate the theory of evolution?

Ans: Darwin not only observed and took notes during his voyage, but he also
read the works of
other naturalists to form his theory of Evolution.

Q.13 Define hypothesis?

Ans: "A tentative explanation of the observations is called hypothesis."
OR
"A proposition that might be true is called hypothesis."
Example:
Plasmodium is the cause of malaria

Q.14 How hypothesis is framed?

Ans: A great deal of careful and creative thinking is necessary for the
formulation of a hypothesis.
Biologists use reasoning to formulate a hypothesis.

Q.15 What are the characteristics of a good hypothesis?

Ans: A good hypothesis should have the following characteristics:
• It should be a general statement
• It should be a tentative idea.
• It should agree with available observations.
• It should be kept as simple as possible.
• It should be testable and potentially falsifiable. In other words, there
should be a way to
show that the hypothesis is false, a way to disprove the
hypothesis.

Q.16 Define deductions. How deduction are formed?

Ans: "The logical consequences of a hypothesis are called deductions".

Formulation:
For this purpose, a hypothesis is taken as true and expected results are
drawn from it.
Generally, in a biological method, if a particular hypothesis is true,
then one should expect (deduction) a certain result. It involves the
use of "if-then" logic.

Q.17 Develop a deduction from the following hypothesis.

"All plant cells have a nucleus."
Ans: "If I examine cells from a blade of grass, then each one will have a
nucleus."
Q.18 Why a biologist go for experimentation during solving a biological
problem?
Ans: A biologist performs experiments to see if hypothesis are true or not.
The deductions which are drawn from hypothesis are subjected to
rigorous testing. Through experimentation, a biologist learns which
hypothesis is correct.
Q.19 What is control in an experiment?
Ans: In science, when doing an experiment, it must be a controlled
experiment. A scientist must
contrast an 'experimental group' with a 'control group'.
The two groups are treated exactly alike except for the one variable
being tested.
Example:
In an experiment to test the necessity for carbon dioxide during
photosynthesis, one can contrast the control group (a plant with
freely available carbon dioxide) with an experimental group (a plant
with no carbon dioxide available). The necessity of carbon dioxide
will be proved when photosynthesis occurs in the control
group and does not occur in the experimental group.

Q.20 What are different ways of reporting results of biological method?

Ans: Biologists publish their findings in scientific journals and books, in talks
at national and
international meetings and in seminars at colleges and universities.
Importance:
Publishing of results is an essential part of the scientific method.
It allows other people to verify the results or apply the knowledge
to solve other problems.
 Q.21 How did physicians describe malaria in early days?
Ails:
• The early physicians described malaria as a disease of chills and
fevers with recurring
attacks.
• They also observed that the disease was more common among peopl e living in
low,
marshy areas.

Q.22 What was the possible cause of malaria in early days?

Ails: It was thought in early days that stagnant water of marshes poisoned
the air and as a result
of breathing in this 'Bad Air', people got malaria.

Q.23 What does the word malaria mean?

Ans: The word malaria has been derived from two Italian words:
• 'MAI.' means 'bad'
• 'Aria' means 'air'
Q.24 What was the treatment of malaria in early days?
Ans: In the 17t' century, when the New World (America) was
discovered, many plants from
America were sent back to Europe to be used as medicines. The
bark of a tree known as `quina-quina' was very suitable for
curing fevers. It was so beneficial that it soon became impossible
to carry enough bark to Europe. Some dishonest merchants
began to substitute the bark of another tree, the 'cinchona' which
closely resembled quina-quina.
This dishonesty proved much valuable for mankind. The
cinchona bark was found to be excellent for treating malaria.
The cinchona bark contains quinine which is effective in
treating the disease. Quinine was the only effective remedy for
malaria from 17th-20th century.

Q.25 Describe the contributions of Laveran in discovery of Plasmodium.

Ans: Contribution of Laveran
In 1878, a French army physician Laveran began to search for the cause
of malaria.
Experiments:
He took a small amount of blood from a malarial patient and
examined it under a microscope. He noticed some tiny living
creatures. His discovery was not believed by other scientists.
Confirmation:
• Two years later, another physician saw the same creatures in the
blood of another malarial
patient.
• Three years later after this second discovery, the same
creatures were observed for the
third time.
Naming of Organism:
The organism was named 'Plasmodium'.
 Q.26 What were observations for malaria until 19th century?
Ails: In the last part of 19th century, many different causes of malaria were
being suggested. By
that time there were four major observations about malaria.
• Malaria and marshy areas have some relation.
• Quinine is an effective drug for treating malaria.
• Drinking water from marshes does not cause malaria.
• 'Plasmodium' is seen in the blood of malarial patients.

Q.27 What is incubation period?

Ans: "The period between the entry of parasite in host and the appearance
of symptoms is called
incubation period."
Q.28 Design a deduction from following hypothesis.
"Plasmodium is cause of malaria"
Ans: One of the deductions from the above hypothesis can be:
If Plasmodium is the cause of malaria, then all persons ill with
malaria should have Plasmodium in their blood'.

Q.29 Write down observations of A.F.A king about malaria.

Ans: In 1883, a physician, A.F.A King, listed 20 observations:

Some of his important observations were:
• People who slept outdoors were more likely to get malaria than
those who slept indoors.
• People who slept under fine nets were less likely to get malaria
than those who did not
use such nets.
• Individuals who slept near a smoky fire usually did not get malaria.

Q.30 What is required for the maturation of eggs of female mosquito?

Ans: Female mosquitoes need blood of mammals or birds for the maturation
of their eggs.

Q.31 Why Ronald Ross used sparrow in his experiment?

Ans: Ronald Ross used sparrow in his experiment because scientists avoid
using human beings
for experiments when results could be so serious.

Q.31 How did Ross prove that mosquitoes transmit plasmodium and spread
malaria?(GRW 2012)
Ans: Ronald Ross, a British army physician working in India, in 1880's,
performed important
experiments.
Experiment 1:
• He allowed a female Anopheles mosquito to bite a malarial patient.
• He killed the mosquito some days later.
• On examining the mosquito, Plasmodium was found multiplying in
mosquito's
stomach.
Experiment 2
• He allowed a female Culex mosquito to bite the sparrows suffering
from malaria.
 • Some of the mosquitoes were killed and studied at various times.
• Ross found that Plasmodium multiplied in the wall of mosquito's stomach
and then
moved into the mosquito's salivary glands.
• He kept some of the mosquitoes alive and allowed them to bite healthy sparrows.
Results:
Ross found that saliva of the infected mosquitoes contained
Plasmodia and these entered sparrow's blood. When he
examined the blood of these previously healthy sparrows, he
found many Plasmodia in it.

Q.32 Why does female mosquito injects small amount of saliva into the
wound?

Ans: When a female mosquito pierces the skin with her mouth parts, she
injects a small amount
of saliva into the wound before drawing blood. This saliva prevents the
blood from clotting
in her food canal.

Q.33 Why do welts appear after mosquito bite?

Ans: The welts that appear atter the mosquito leaves is not a reaction to
the wound, but an allergic
reaction to the saliva. In most cases, the itching sensation and
swellings subside within
several hours.

Q.34 What is scientific law? Give two examples?

Ans: "If a theory survives doubtful approach and continues to be
supported by experimental
evidence, it becomes a law or principle."
A scientific law is a uniform or constant fact of nature. It is an irrefutable
theory.
Examples:
Hardy-Weinberg law and Mendel's laws of inheritance.

Q.35 What is difference between theory and law?

Ans:
CTheory Law
A hypothesis that A scientific law is a
stands the test of uniform , cobstant fact of
time( often tested and nature. It is irrefutable
never rejected) is theory
called theory.
A theory may be A law cannot be
challenged challenged
A theory can be altered A law is already an
in case of new evidence established and define
entity. It cannot be
aktered
A theory is always A law is not subjected to
subjected to new testing further testing
Example: Example:
Darwin’s theory of Hardy- Weinberg law
evolution
Q.36 Define data.
Ails: "The information such as names, dates, or values made from
observations and
experimentation is called data."

Q.37 In which formats data is organized?

Ans: Data is organized into different formats like:
• Graphics
• Tables
• Flow charts
• Maps
• Diagrams
Q.38 Define ratio.
Ans: "When a relation between two numbers e.g. 'a' and `b' is expressed in
terms of quotient (alb)
it is called the ratio of one number to the other."
Expression of a ratio:
A ratio is expressed by putting a division (+) or colon ( : ) mark
between two numbers. Example:
The ratio between 50 malarial patients and 150 normal patients is 1:3.

Q.39 In what major biological problems is the knowledge of Mathematics

used?
Ans: Major biological problems, in which knowledge of mathematics is used
include:
• Gene finding
• Protein structure
• Protein-protein interactions

Q.40 Define Bioinformatics.

Ans: "The use of the computational and statistical techniques for the
analysis of biological data is
called bioinformatics."