IIT JAM Biotechnology Past Year Papers - 2020 | IIT JAM Past Year Papers and Model Test Paper (All Branches) PDF Download

 Page 1


IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
SECTION – A 
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ) 
 
Q. 1 – Q.10 carry one mark each. 
 
Q.1  Deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine 
hydroxylase causes Phenylketonuria. 
Phenylalanine hydroxylase converts 
phenylalanine to 
(A) tryptophan    
(B) alanine  
(C) tyrosine    
(D) threonine 
 
Q.2  T cells and B cells are 
(A) lymphocytes    
(B) erythrocytes  
(C) epithelial cells   
(D) squamous cells 
 
Q.3 In humans, the testis temperature is maintained 
below the core body temperature with the help 
of 
(A) proximal tubule   
(B) loop of Henle 
(C) scrotum    
(D) seminal vesicles 
 
Q.4 Protein that helps other proteins to fold 
correctly is 
(A) chaperone    
(B) proteasome 
(C) ubiquitin    
(D) desmosome 
 
Q.5 The CORRECT sequence of phases during mitosis 
is 
(A) prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase 
(B) prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase 
(C) anaphase, prophase, metaphase, telophase 
(D) anaphase, metaphase, prophase, telophase 
 
Q.6 The curve y=x
4
–4x
3
+4x
2
- 4 has tangents parallel 
to the x-axis at the following points (x,y) 
(A) (1, 4), (-2, 2) and (0, -1) 
(B) (0, -4), (2, -4) and (1, -3) 
(C) (-1, 2), (-2, 1) and (1, -2) 
(D) (1, -4), (1, -3) and (2, -4) 
 
Q.7 In viruses, capsids are made up of 
(A) proteins   
(B) nucleic acids  
(C) lipids    
(D) sterols 
 
 
Q.8 The common component in crustacean 
exoskeleton and fungal cell wall is 
(A) lignin    
(B) cellulose  
(C) chitin    
(D) peptidoglycan 
 
Q.9 The CORRECT sequence of evolution (simplest to 
complex) is 
(A) algae, bryophytes, ferns, angiosperms 
(B) algae, ferns, bryophytes, angiosperms 
(C) bryophytes, ferns, algae, angiosperms 
(D)bryophytes, algae, ferns, angiosperms 
 
Q.10 For an ideal gas at room temperature, choose 
the CORRECT representation(s) of Boyle’s Law. 
(P=Pressure, V=Volume, T =  Temprature) 
 
 
(A)only (i)    
(B) both (ii) and (iii)  
(C) only (iii)    
(D) both (iii) and (iv) 
 
Q. 11 – Q. 30 carry two marks each.  
 
Q.11 During El Niño, 
(A) cold water of the north flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a low-nutrient warm southward 
current  
(B) warm water of the north flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a low-nutrient cold 
southward current  
(C) cold water of the south flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a warm northward current rich in 
nutrients  
Page 2


IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
SECTION – A 
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ) 
 
Q. 1 – Q.10 carry one mark each. 
 
Q.1  Deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine 
hydroxylase causes Phenylketonuria. 
Phenylalanine hydroxylase converts 
phenylalanine to 
(A) tryptophan    
(B) alanine  
(C) tyrosine    
(D) threonine 
 
Q.2  T cells and B cells are 
(A) lymphocytes    
(B) erythrocytes  
(C) epithelial cells   
(D) squamous cells 
 
Q.3 In humans, the testis temperature is maintained 
below the core body temperature with the help 
of 
(A) proximal tubule   
(B) loop of Henle 
(C) scrotum    
(D) seminal vesicles 
 
Q.4 Protein that helps other proteins to fold 
correctly is 
(A) chaperone    
(B) proteasome 
(C) ubiquitin    
(D) desmosome 
 
Q.5 The CORRECT sequence of phases during mitosis 
is 
(A) prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase 
(B) prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase 
(C) anaphase, prophase, metaphase, telophase 
(D) anaphase, metaphase, prophase, telophase 
 
Q.6 The curve y=x
4
–4x
3
+4x
2
- 4 has tangents parallel 
to the x-axis at the following points (x,y) 
(A) (1, 4), (-2, 2) and (0, -1) 
(B) (0, -4), (2, -4) and (1, -3) 
(C) (-1, 2), (-2, 1) and (1, -2) 
(D) (1, -4), (1, -3) and (2, -4) 
 
Q.7 In viruses, capsids are made up of 
(A) proteins   
(B) nucleic acids  
(C) lipids    
(D) sterols 
 
 
Q.8 The common component in crustacean 
exoskeleton and fungal cell wall is 
(A) lignin    
(B) cellulose  
(C) chitin    
(D) peptidoglycan 
 
Q.9 The CORRECT sequence of evolution (simplest to 
complex) is 
(A) algae, bryophytes, ferns, angiosperms 
(B) algae, ferns, bryophytes, angiosperms 
(C) bryophytes, ferns, algae, angiosperms 
(D)bryophytes, algae, ferns, angiosperms 
 
Q.10 For an ideal gas at room temperature, choose 
the CORRECT representation(s) of Boyle’s Law. 
(P=Pressure, V=Volume, T =  Temprature) 
 
 
(A)only (i)    
(B) both (ii) and (iii)  
(C) only (iii)    
(D) both (iii) and (iv) 
 
Q. 11 – Q. 30 carry two marks each.  
 
Q.11 During El Niño, 
(A) cold water of the north flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a low-nutrient warm southward 
current  
(B) warm water of the north flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a low-nutrient cold 
southward current  
(C) cold water of the south flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a warm northward current rich in 
nutrients  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
(D)warm water of the south flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a cold northward current 
rich in nutrients  
 
Q.12 Match the deficiency conditions in Group I With 
the corresponding vitamin in Group II  
Group I    Group II 
(P) Beriberi    (1) Ascorbic acid 
(Q) Scurvy    (2) Retinol 
(R) Birth defects   (3) Thiamine 
(S) Night blindness  (4) Folic acid  
(A) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4  
 
Q.13 Eutrophication refers to an aging process from a  
(A) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to availability of 
excess nutrients  
(B) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to nutrient 
deficiency  
(C) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity  
(D) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity 
 
Q.14 Which one of the following ions has the 
maximum number of unpaired electrons?  
(A) Cu2+     
(B) Na+   
(C) Cr3+     
(D) Fe3+   
 
Q.15 Match the enzymes in Group I with the 
corresponding substrate in Group II  
Group I                        Group II 
(P) Amylase   (1) Protein 
(Q) Pepsin    (2) Fat 
(R) Lipase    (3) RNA 
(S) Ribozyme   (4) Starch 
(A) P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-4, Q-2, R-3, S-1  
 
Q.16 In ABO blood group testing, which one of the 
following is INCORRECT  
(A) A group – agglutination with anti-A 
antibodies  
(B) B group – agglutination with anti-B 
antibodies  
(C) AB group – no agglutination with either anti-
A or anti-B antibodies  
(D) O group – no agglutination with either anti-A 
or anti-B antibodies  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.17 If a coin is tossed three times, what is the 
probability that NO two successive tosses show 
the same face?  
(A) 0.25     
(B) 0.33  
(C) 0.20     
(D) 0.125  
 
Q.18 Match the RNAs in Group I with their 
corresponding function in Group II  
Group I     Group II 
(P) snRNA   (1) rRNA processing 
(Q) piRNA    (2)RNA splicing 
(R) snoRNA  (3) Selected mRNAs 
degradation 
(S) siRNA   (4) Germ line 
protection from 
transposable 
elements  
(A) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-3, S-2  
(C) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(D) P-2, Q-4, R-1, S-3  
 
Q.19 In a typical mammalian cell, the protein content 
is 20 % of its net weight. If the density and 
volume of the cell are 1.2 g/mL and 4 × 10
-9
 
mL, respectively, then the concentration (in 
mg/mL) of the protein is  
(A) 60     
(B) 600  
(C) 166     
(D) 240  
 
Q.20 Consider a spherical particle of mass m and 
radius r moving in a medium. Its velocity at any 
time t is given by v = v 0 exp (
-???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ) , where 
?? 0 is initial velocity of the particle. The 
dimensions of X are  
(A) MLT
-1
    
(B) M
-1
LT  
(C) ML
-1
T 
-1
    
(D) Dimensionless 
 
  
Page 3


IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
SECTION – A 
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ) 
 
Q. 1 – Q.10 carry one mark each. 
 
Q.1  Deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine 
hydroxylase causes Phenylketonuria. 
Phenylalanine hydroxylase converts 
phenylalanine to 
(A) tryptophan    
(B) alanine  
(C) tyrosine    
(D) threonine 
 
Q.2  T cells and B cells are 
(A) lymphocytes    
(B) erythrocytes  
(C) epithelial cells   
(D) squamous cells 
 
Q.3 In humans, the testis temperature is maintained 
below the core body temperature with the help 
of 
(A) proximal tubule   
(B) loop of Henle 
(C) scrotum    
(D) seminal vesicles 
 
Q.4 Protein that helps other proteins to fold 
correctly is 
(A) chaperone    
(B) proteasome 
(C) ubiquitin    
(D) desmosome 
 
Q.5 The CORRECT sequence of phases during mitosis 
is 
(A) prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase 
(B) prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase 
(C) anaphase, prophase, metaphase, telophase 
(D) anaphase, metaphase, prophase, telophase 
 
Q.6 The curve y=x
4
–4x
3
+4x
2
- 4 has tangents parallel 
to the x-axis at the following points (x,y) 
(A) (1, 4), (-2, 2) and (0, -1) 
(B) (0, -4), (2, -4) and (1, -3) 
(C) (-1, 2), (-2, 1) and (1, -2) 
(D) (1, -4), (1, -3) and (2, -4) 
 
Q.7 In viruses, capsids are made up of 
(A) proteins   
(B) nucleic acids  
(C) lipids    
(D) sterols 
 
 
Q.8 The common component in crustacean 
exoskeleton and fungal cell wall is 
(A) lignin    
(B) cellulose  
(C) chitin    
(D) peptidoglycan 
 
Q.9 The CORRECT sequence of evolution (simplest to 
complex) is 
(A) algae, bryophytes, ferns, angiosperms 
(B) algae, ferns, bryophytes, angiosperms 
(C) bryophytes, ferns, algae, angiosperms 
(D)bryophytes, algae, ferns, angiosperms 
 
Q.10 For an ideal gas at room temperature, choose 
the CORRECT representation(s) of Boyle’s Law. 
(P=Pressure, V=Volume, T =  Temprature) 
 
 
(A)only (i)    
(B) both (ii) and (iii)  
(C) only (iii)    
(D) both (iii) and (iv) 
 
Q. 11 – Q. 30 carry two marks each.  
 
Q.11 During El Niño, 
(A) cold water of the north flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a low-nutrient warm southward 
current  
(B) warm water of the north flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a low-nutrient cold 
southward current  
(C) cold water of the south flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a warm northward current rich in 
nutrients  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
(D)warm water of the south flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a cold northward current 
rich in nutrients  
 
Q.12 Match the deficiency conditions in Group I With 
the corresponding vitamin in Group II  
Group I    Group II 
(P) Beriberi    (1) Ascorbic acid 
(Q) Scurvy    (2) Retinol 
(R) Birth defects   (3) Thiamine 
(S) Night blindness  (4) Folic acid  
(A) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4  
 
Q.13 Eutrophication refers to an aging process from a  
(A) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to availability of 
excess nutrients  
(B) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to nutrient 
deficiency  
(C) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity  
(D) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity 
 
Q.14 Which one of the following ions has the 
maximum number of unpaired electrons?  
(A) Cu2+     
(B) Na+   
(C) Cr3+     
(D) Fe3+   
 
Q.15 Match the enzymes in Group I with the 
corresponding substrate in Group II  
Group I                        Group II 
(P) Amylase   (1) Protein 
(Q) Pepsin    (2) Fat 
(R) Lipase    (3) RNA 
(S) Ribozyme   (4) Starch 
(A) P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-4, Q-2, R-3, S-1  
 
Q.16 In ABO blood group testing, which one of the 
following is INCORRECT  
(A) A group – agglutination with anti-A 
antibodies  
(B) B group – agglutination with anti-B 
antibodies  
(C) AB group – no agglutination with either anti-
A or anti-B antibodies  
(D) O group – no agglutination with either anti-A 
or anti-B antibodies  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.17 If a coin is tossed three times, what is the 
probability that NO two successive tosses show 
the same face?  
(A) 0.25     
(B) 0.33  
(C) 0.20     
(D) 0.125  
 
Q.18 Match the RNAs in Group I with their 
corresponding function in Group II  
Group I     Group II 
(P) snRNA   (1) rRNA processing 
(Q) piRNA    (2)RNA splicing 
(R) snoRNA  (3) Selected mRNAs 
degradation 
(S) siRNA   (4) Germ line 
protection from 
transposable 
elements  
(A) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-3, S-2  
(C) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(D) P-2, Q-4, R-1, S-3  
 
Q.19 In a typical mammalian cell, the protein content 
is 20 % of its net weight. If the density and 
volume of the cell are 1.2 g/mL and 4 × 10
-9
 
mL, respectively, then the concentration (in 
mg/mL) of the protein is  
(A) 60     
(B) 600  
(C) 166     
(D) 240  
 
Q.20 Consider a spherical particle of mass m and 
radius r moving in a medium. Its velocity at any 
time t is given by v = v 0 exp (
-???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ) , where 
?? 0 is initial velocity of the particle. The 
dimensions of X are  
(A) MLT
-1
    
(B) M
-1
LT  
(C) ML
-1
T 
-1
    
(D) Dimensionless 
 
  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
Q.21 Match the type of bacterial flagella in Group I 
with their definitions in Group II  
Group I    Group II 
(P) Monotrichous   (1) Flagella only at 
both poles of the cell  
(Q) Peritrichous   (2) Two or more 
flagella at one pole of 
the cell 
(R) Lophotrichous   (3) Flagella 
distributed over the 
entire cell 
(S) Amphitrichous  (4) A single polar 
flagellum  
(A) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(B) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1  
(C) P-4, Q-3, R-1, S-2  
(D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
 
Q.22 Consider monoatomic ideal gas molecules of 
equal mass ?? in thermal equilibrium, at 
temperature ?? . Which one of the following 
equations is correct? (the angular brackets 
denote average, ?? ?? is Boltzmann constant, ?? is 
velocity, and v x is the x-component of velocity)  
(A) <
3
2
 ????
2
> = 
1
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(B) < 
1
2
 ????
2
> = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(C) 
1
2
 ????
2
 = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(D) < 
1
2
 ?????? 
2
?? > = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
 
Q.23 Match the diseases in Group I with their 
causative organisms in Group II  
Group I     Group II 
(P) Syphilis   (1) Shigella 
dysenteriae 
(Q) Bacillary dysentery   (2) Bordetella 
pertusis 
(R) Gas gangrene   (3) Treponema 
pallidum 
(S) Whooping cough  (4) Clostridium 
perfringens  
(A) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3  
(B) P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1  
(C) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1  
(D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.24 Determine the correctness or otherwise of the 
following Assertion [a] and the Reason [r]. 
Assertion [a]: The difference in the respective 
melting points of butter and coconut oil is 
caused by the degrees of saturation of the 
corresponding fatty acid chain.  
 
Reason [r]: Unsaturated fatty acid chains in 
fats/lipids become solid more easily because 
they are relatively straight and thus able to 
pack together more closely than saturated 
chain.  
 
(A) Both [a] and [r] are true and [r] is the correct 
reason for [a]  
(B) Both [a] and [r] are true but [r] is not the 
correct reason for [a]  
(C) Both [a] and [r] are false  
(D) [a] is true but [r] is false 
 
Q.25 Match the techniques in Group I with their 
applications in Group II for protein analysis  
Group I  
(P) Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy  
(Q) Fluorescence resonance energy transfer  
(R) Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy  
(S) Dynamic light scattering 
 
    Group II  
(1) Proximity between specific sites  
(2) Concentration  
(3) Size  
(4) Structure 
(A) P-3, Q-1, R-2, S-4  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(C) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3  
(D) P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-2 
 
Q.26 The following carboxylic acids have a general 
formula, R-COOH.  
(i) HCOOH  
(ii) CH3 - COOH  
(iii) ClCH2 - COOH  
(iv) CF3 - COOH  
Which one of the following represents the 
decreasing order of their respective ?? ?? ?? 
values?  
(A) i > ii > iii > iv    
(B) ii > i > iii > iv  
(C) iv > iii > i > ii    
(D) iv > iii > ii > i 
 
  
Page 4


IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
SECTION – A 
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ) 
 
Q. 1 – Q.10 carry one mark each. 
 
Q.1  Deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine 
hydroxylase causes Phenylketonuria. 
Phenylalanine hydroxylase converts 
phenylalanine to 
(A) tryptophan    
(B) alanine  
(C) tyrosine    
(D) threonine 
 
Q.2  T cells and B cells are 
(A) lymphocytes    
(B) erythrocytes  
(C) epithelial cells   
(D) squamous cells 
 
Q.3 In humans, the testis temperature is maintained 
below the core body temperature with the help 
of 
(A) proximal tubule   
(B) loop of Henle 
(C) scrotum    
(D) seminal vesicles 
 
Q.4 Protein that helps other proteins to fold 
correctly is 
(A) chaperone    
(B) proteasome 
(C) ubiquitin    
(D) desmosome 
 
Q.5 The CORRECT sequence of phases during mitosis 
is 
(A) prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase 
(B) prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase 
(C) anaphase, prophase, metaphase, telophase 
(D) anaphase, metaphase, prophase, telophase 
 
Q.6 The curve y=x
4
–4x
3
+4x
2
- 4 has tangents parallel 
to the x-axis at the following points (x,y) 
(A) (1, 4), (-2, 2) and (0, -1) 
(B) (0, -4), (2, -4) and (1, -3) 
(C) (-1, 2), (-2, 1) and (1, -2) 
(D) (1, -4), (1, -3) and (2, -4) 
 
Q.7 In viruses, capsids are made up of 
(A) proteins   
(B) nucleic acids  
(C) lipids    
(D) sterols 
 
 
Q.8 The common component in crustacean 
exoskeleton and fungal cell wall is 
(A) lignin    
(B) cellulose  
(C) chitin    
(D) peptidoglycan 
 
Q.9 The CORRECT sequence of evolution (simplest to 
complex) is 
(A) algae, bryophytes, ferns, angiosperms 
(B) algae, ferns, bryophytes, angiosperms 
(C) bryophytes, ferns, algae, angiosperms 
(D)bryophytes, algae, ferns, angiosperms 
 
Q.10 For an ideal gas at room temperature, choose 
the CORRECT representation(s) of Boyle’s Law. 
(P=Pressure, V=Volume, T =  Temprature) 
 
 
(A)only (i)    
(B) both (ii) and (iii)  
(C) only (iii)    
(D) both (iii) and (iv) 
 
Q. 11 – Q. 30 carry two marks each.  
 
Q.11 During El Niño, 
(A) cold water of the north flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a low-nutrient warm southward 
current  
(B) warm water of the north flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a low-nutrient cold 
southward current  
(C) cold water of the south flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a warm northward current rich in 
nutrients  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
(D)warm water of the south flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a cold northward current 
rich in nutrients  
 
Q.12 Match the deficiency conditions in Group I With 
the corresponding vitamin in Group II  
Group I    Group II 
(P) Beriberi    (1) Ascorbic acid 
(Q) Scurvy    (2) Retinol 
(R) Birth defects   (3) Thiamine 
(S) Night blindness  (4) Folic acid  
(A) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4  
 
Q.13 Eutrophication refers to an aging process from a  
(A) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to availability of 
excess nutrients  
(B) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to nutrient 
deficiency  
(C) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity  
(D) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity 
 
Q.14 Which one of the following ions has the 
maximum number of unpaired electrons?  
(A) Cu2+     
(B) Na+   
(C) Cr3+     
(D) Fe3+   
 
Q.15 Match the enzymes in Group I with the 
corresponding substrate in Group II  
Group I                        Group II 
(P) Amylase   (1) Protein 
(Q) Pepsin    (2) Fat 
(R) Lipase    (3) RNA 
(S) Ribozyme   (4) Starch 
(A) P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-4, Q-2, R-3, S-1  
 
Q.16 In ABO blood group testing, which one of the 
following is INCORRECT  
(A) A group – agglutination with anti-A 
antibodies  
(B) B group – agglutination with anti-B 
antibodies  
(C) AB group – no agglutination with either anti-
A or anti-B antibodies  
(D) O group – no agglutination with either anti-A 
or anti-B antibodies  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.17 If a coin is tossed three times, what is the 
probability that NO two successive tosses show 
the same face?  
(A) 0.25     
(B) 0.33  
(C) 0.20     
(D) 0.125  
 
Q.18 Match the RNAs in Group I with their 
corresponding function in Group II  
Group I     Group II 
(P) snRNA   (1) rRNA processing 
(Q) piRNA    (2)RNA splicing 
(R) snoRNA  (3) Selected mRNAs 
degradation 
(S) siRNA   (4) Germ line 
protection from 
transposable 
elements  
(A) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-3, S-2  
(C) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(D) P-2, Q-4, R-1, S-3  
 
Q.19 In a typical mammalian cell, the protein content 
is 20 % of its net weight. If the density and 
volume of the cell are 1.2 g/mL and 4 × 10
-9
 
mL, respectively, then the concentration (in 
mg/mL) of the protein is  
(A) 60     
(B) 600  
(C) 166     
(D) 240  
 
Q.20 Consider a spherical particle of mass m and 
radius r moving in a medium. Its velocity at any 
time t is given by v = v 0 exp (
-???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ) , where 
?? 0 is initial velocity of the particle. The 
dimensions of X are  
(A) MLT
-1
    
(B) M
-1
LT  
(C) ML
-1
T 
-1
    
(D) Dimensionless 
 
  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
Q.21 Match the type of bacterial flagella in Group I 
with their definitions in Group II  
Group I    Group II 
(P) Monotrichous   (1) Flagella only at 
both poles of the cell  
(Q) Peritrichous   (2) Two or more 
flagella at one pole of 
the cell 
(R) Lophotrichous   (3) Flagella 
distributed over the 
entire cell 
(S) Amphitrichous  (4) A single polar 
flagellum  
(A) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(B) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1  
(C) P-4, Q-3, R-1, S-2  
(D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
 
Q.22 Consider monoatomic ideal gas molecules of 
equal mass ?? in thermal equilibrium, at 
temperature ?? . Which one of the following 
equations is correct? (the angular brackets 
denote average, ?? ?? is Boltzmann constant, ?? is 
velocity, and v x is the x-component of velocity)  
(A) <
3
2
 ????
2
> = 
1
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(B) < 
1
2
 ????
2
> = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(C) 
1
2
 ????
2
 = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(D) < 
1
2
 ?????? 
2
?? > = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
 
Q.23 Match the diseases in Group I with their 
causative organisms in Group II  
Group I     Group II 
(P) Syphilis   (1) Shigella 
dysenteriae 
(Q) Bacillary dysentery   (2) Bordetella 
pertusis 
(R) Gas gangrene   (3) Treponema 
pallidum 
(S) Whooping cough  (4) Clostridium 
perfringens  
(A) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3  
(B) P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1  
(C) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1  
(D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.24 Determine the correctness or otherwise of the 
following Assertion [a] and the Reason [r]. 
Assertion [a]: The difference in the respective 
melting points of butter and coconut oil is 
caused by the degrees of saturation of the 
corresponding fatty acid chain.  
 
Reason [r]: Unsaturated fatty acid chains in 
fats/lipids become solid more easily because 
they are relatively straight and thus able to 
pack together more closely than saturated 
chain.  
 
(A) Both [a] and [r] are true and [r] is the correct 
reason for [a]  
(B) Both [a] and [r] are true but [r] is not the 
correct reason for [a]  
(C) Both [a] and [r] are false  
(D) [a] is true but [r] is false 
 
Q.25 Match the techniques in Group I with their 
applications in Group II for protein analysis  
Group I  
(P) Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy  
(Q) Fluorescence resonance energy transfer  
(R) Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy  
(S) Dynamic light scattering 
 
    Group II  
(1) Proximity between specific sites  
(2) Concentration  
(3) Size  
(4) Structure 
(A) P-3, Q-1, R-2, S-4  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(C) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3  
(D) P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-2 
 
Q.26 The following carboxylic acids have a general 
formula, R-COOH.  
(i) HCOOH  
(ii) CH3 - COOH  
(iii) ClCH2 - COOH  
(iv) CF3 - COOH  
Which one of the following represents the 
decreasing order of their respective ?? ?? ?? 
values?  
(A) i > ii > iii > iv    
(B) ii > i > iii > iv  
(C) iv > iii > i > ii    
(D) iv > iii > ii > i 
 
  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
Q.27 Which one of the following compounds is the 
simplest alkane that is optically active? 
 
 
 
 
Q.28 In the following reaction, X is an intermediate 
and Y is one of the end products. 
 
 
 
Which one of the following compounds is the end 
product Y? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.29 Determine the correctness or otherwise of the 
following Assertion [a] and the Reason [r].  
 
Assertion [a]: lac operon is an inducible operon.  
Reason [r]: lac operon is not induced when the 
repressor protein remains bound to operator 
DNA sequence.  
(A) Both [a] and [r] are true and [r] is the correct 
reason for [a]  
(B) Both [a] and [r] are true but [r] is not the 
correct reason for [a]  
(C) Both [a] and [r] are false  
(D) [a] is true but [r] is false  
 
Q.30 IR spectrum of a compound C 5H 10O shows a 
band at 1715 cm-
1
 . The same compound 
showed two signals, a triplet and a quartet, in 
its NMR spectrum. Identify the compound 
from the following. 
 
 
  
Page 5


IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
SECTION – A 
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ) 
 
Q. 1 – Q.10 carry one mark each. 
 
Q.1  Deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine 
hydroxylase causes Phenylketonuria. 
Phenylalanine hydroxylase converts 
phenylalanine to 
(A) tryptophan    
(B) alanine  
(C) tyrosine    
(D) threonine 
 
Q.2  T cells and B cells are 
(A) lymphocytes    
(B) erythrocytes  
(C) epithelial cells   
(D) squamous cells 
 
Q.3 In humans, the testis temperature is maintained 
below the core body temperature with the help 
of 
(A) proximal tubule   
(B) loop of Henle 
(C) scrotum    
(D) seminal vesicles 
 
Q.4 Protein that helps other proteins to fold 
correctly is 
(A) chaperone    
(B) proteasome 
(C) ubiquitin    
(D) desmosome 
 
Q.5 The CORRECT sequence of phases during mitosis 
is 
(A) prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase 
(B) prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase 
(C) anaphase, prophase, metaphase, telophase 
(D) anaphase, metaphase, prophase, telophase 
 
Q.6 The curve y=x
4
–4x
3
+4x
2
- 4 has tangents parallel 
to the x-axis at the following points (x,y) 
(A) (1, 4), (-2, 2) and (0, -1) 
(B) (0, -4), (2, -4) and (1, -3) 
(C) (-1, 2), (-2, 1) and (1, -2) 
(D) (1, -4), (1, -3) and (2, -4) 
 
Q.7 In viruses, capsids are made up of 
(A) proteins   
(B) nucleic acids  
(C) lipids    
(D) sterols 
 
 
Q.8 The common component in crustacean 
exoskeleton and fungal cell wall is 
(A) lignin    
(B) cellulose  
(C) chitin    
(D) peptidoglycan 
 
Q.9 The CORRECT sequence of evolution (simplest to 
complex) is 
(A) algae, bryophytes, ferns, angiosperms 
(B) algae, ferns, bryophytes, angiosperms 
(C) bryophytes, ferns, algae, angiosperms 
(D)bryophytes, algae, ferns, angiosperms 
 
Q.10 For an ideal gas at room temperature, choose 
the CORRECT representation(s) of Boyle’s Law. 
(P=Pressure, V=Volume, T =  Temprature) 
 
 
(A)only (i)    
(B) both (ii) and (iii)  
(C) only (iii)    
(D) both (iii) and (iv) 
 
Q. 11 – Q. 30 carry two marks each.  
 
Q.11 During El Niño, 
(A) cold water of the north flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a low-nutrient warm southward 
current  
(B) warm water of the north flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a low-nutrient cold 
southward current  
(C) cold water of the south flowing Peru current 
is displaced by a warm northward current rich in 
nutrients  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
(D)warm water of the south flowing Peru 
current is displaced by a cold northward current 
rich in nutrients  
 
Q.12 Match the deficiency conditions in Group I With 
the corresponding vitamin in Group II  
Group I    Group II 
(P) Beriberi    (1) Ascorbic acid 
(Q) Scurvy    (2) Retinol 
(R) Birth defects   (3) Thiamine 
(S) Night blindness  (4) Folic acid  
(A) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4  
 
Q.13 Eutrophication refers to an aging process from a  
(A) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to availability of 
excess nutrients  
(B) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to nutrient 
deficiency  
(C) high production ecosystem to low 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity  
(D) low production ecosystem to high 
production ecosystem due to light scarcity 
 
Q.14 Which one of the following ions has the 
maximum number of unpaired electrons?  
(A) Cu2+     
(B) Na+   
(C) Cr3+     
(D) Fe3+   
 
Q.15 Match the enzymes in Group I with the 
corresponding substrate in Group II  
Group I                        Group II 
(P) Amylase   (1) Protein 
(Q) Pepsin    (2) Fat 
(R) Lipase    (3) RNA 
(S) Ribozyme   (4) Starch 
(A) P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-4  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
(D) P-4, Q-2, R-3, S-1  
 
Q.16 In ABO blood group testing, which one of the 
following is INCORRECT  
(A) A group – agglutination with anti-A 
antibodies  
(B) B group – agglutination with anti-B 
antibodies  
(C) AB group – no agglutination with either anti-
A or anti-B antibodies  
(D) O group – no agglutination with either anti-A 
or anti-B antibodies  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.17 If a coin is tossed three times, what is the 
probability that NO two successive tosses show 
the same face?  
(A) 0.25     
(B) 0.33  
(C) 0.20     
(D) 0.125  
 
Q.18 Match the RNAs in Group I with their 
corresponding function in Group II  
Group I     Group II 
(P) snRNA   (1) rRNA processing 
(Q) piRNA    (2)RNA splicing 
(R) snoRNA  (3) Selected mRNAs 
degradation 
(S) siRNA   (4) Germ line 
protection from 
transposable 
elements  
(A) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-3, S-2  
(C) P-3, Q-2, R-1, S-4  
(D) P-2, Q-4, R-1, S-3  
 
Q.19 In a typical mammalian cell, the protein content 
is 20 % of its net weight. If the density and 
volume of the cell are 1.2 g/mL and 4 × 10
-9
 
mL, respectively, then the concentration (in 
mg/mL) of the protein is  
(A) 60     
(B) 600  
(C) 166     
(D) 240  
 
Q.20 Consider a spherical particle of mass m and 
radius r moving in a medium. Its velocity at any 
time t is given by v = v 0 exp (
-???? ?? ?? ?? ?? ) , where 
?? 0 is initial velocity of the particle. The 
dimensions of X are  
(A) MLT
-1
    
(B) M
-1
LT  
(C) ML
-1
T 
-1
    
(D) Dimensionless 
 
  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
Q.21 Match the type of bacterial flagella in Group I 
with their definitions in Group II  
Group I    Group II 
(P) Monotrichous   (1) Flagella only at 
both poles of the cell  
(Q) Peritrichous   (2) Two or more 
flagella at one pole of 
the cell 
(R) Lophotrichous   (3) Flagella 
distributed over the 
entire cell 
(S) Amphitrichous  (4) A single polar 
flagellum  
(A) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(B) P-4, Q-3, R-2, S-1  
(C) P-4, Q-3, R-1, S-2  
(D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2  
 
Q.22 Consider monoatomic ideal gas molecules of 
equal mass ?? in thermal equilibrium, at 
temperature ?? . Which one of the following 
equations is correct? (the angular brackets 
denote average, ?? ?? is Boltzmann constant, ?? is 
velocity, and v x is the x-component of velocity)  
(A) <
3
2
 ????
2
> = 
1
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(B) < 
1
2
 ????
2
> = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(C) 
1
2
 ????
2
 = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
(D) < 
1
2
 ?????? 
2
?? > = 
3
2
 ?? ?? ??  
 
Q.23 Match the diseases in Group I with their 
causative organisms in Group II  
Group I     Group II 
(P) Syphilis   (1) Shigella 
dysenteriae 
(Q) Bacillary dysentery   (2) Bordetella 
pertusis 
(R) Gas gangrene   (3) Treponema 
pallidum 
(S) Whooping cough  (4) Clostridium 
perfringens  
(A) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3  
(B) P-3, Q-4, R-2, S-1  
(C) P-2, Q-3, R-4, S-1  
(D) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.24 Determine the correctness or otherwise of the 
following Assertion [a] and the Reason [r]. 
Assertion [a]: The difference in the respective 
melting points of butter and coconut oil is 
caused by the degrees of saturation of the 
corresponding fatty acid chain.  
 
Reason [r]: Unsaturated fatty acid chains in 
fats/lipids become solid more easily because 
they are relatively straight and thus able to 
pack together more closely than saturated 
chain.  
 
(A) Both [a] and [r] are true and [r] is the correct 
reason for [a]  
(B) Both [a] and [r] are true but [r] is not the 
correct reason for [a]  
(C) Both [a] and [r] are false  
(D) [a] is true but [r] is false 
 
Q.25 Match the techniques in Group I with their 
applications in Group II for protein analysis  
Group I  
(P) Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy  
(Q) Fluorescence resonance energy transfer  
(R) Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy  
(S) Dynamic light scattering 
 
    Group II  
(1) Proximity between specific sites  
(2) Concentration  
(3) Size  
(4) Structure 
(A) P-3, Q-1, R-2, S-4  
(B) P-4, Q-1, R-2, S-3  
(C) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3  
(D) P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-2 
 
Q.26 The following carboxylic acids have a general 
formula, R-COOH.  
(i) HCOOH  
(ii) CH3 - COOH  
(iii) ClCH2 - COOH  
(iv) CF3 - COOH  
Which one of the following represents the 
decreasing order of their respective ?? ?? ?? 
values?  
(A) i > ii > iii > iv    
(B) ii > i > iii > iv  
(C) iv > iii > i > ii    
(D) iv > iii > ii > i 
 
  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
 
Q.27 Which one of the following compounds is the 
simplest alkane that is optically active? 
 
 
 
 
Q.28 In the following reaction, X is an intermediate 
and Y is one of the end products. 
 
 
 
Which one of the following compounds is the end 
product Y? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.29 Determine the correctness or otherwise of the 
following Assertion [a] and the Reason [r].  
 
Assertion [a]: lac operon is an inducible operon.  
Reason [r]: lac operon is not induced when the 
repressor protein remains bound to operator 
DNA sequence.  
(A) Both [a] and [r] are true and [r] is the correct 
reason for [a]  
(B) Both [a] and [r] are true but [r] is not the 
correct reason for [a]  
(C) Both [a] and [r] are false  
(D) [a] is true but [r] is false  
 
Q.30 IR spectrum of a compound C 5H 10O shows a 
band at 1715 cm-
1
 . The same compound 
showed two signals, a triplet and a quartet, in 
its NMR spectrum. Identify the compound 
from the following. 
 
 
  
IIT JAM BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020  
             
 
  
 
SECTION -B  
MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTIONS (MSQ) 
Q. 31 – Q. 40 carry two marks each.  
 
Q.31 Which of the following is(are) auxins?  
(A) 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid  
(B) Indole-3-butyric acid  
(C) 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid  
(D) Indole-3-acetic acid  
 
Q.32  Which of the following is(are) TRUE about 
photosynthesis?  
(A) In C3 plants the first organic product of 
carbon fixation is 3-phosphoglycerate  
(B) In C4 plants the first organic product of 
carbon fixation is oxaloacetate  
(C) Crassulacean acid metabolism occurs in 
succulent plants living in arid conditions  
(D) Oxygen is generated from carbon dioxide  
 
Q.33 Which of the following is(are) involved in the 
activation of cytotoxic T cells?  
(A) MHC I     
(B) FcR  
(C) T cell receptor  
(D) CTLA 4  
 
Q.34  DNA and RNA are acidic in nature due to the 
presence of  
(A) pentose sugar  
(B) nitrogenous bases  
(C) phosphate groups  
(D) large number of hydrogen bonds  
 
Q.35 Which of the following is(are) CORRECT?  
(A) Light has wave nature only  
(B) Light can have both wave and particle nature 
(C) Photo electric effect shows that light can 
behave like particles  
(D) Interference experiments show that light 
behaves like particles  
 
Q.36 Protozoa are  
(A) unicellular    
(B) multicellular  
(C) eukaryotic    
(D) prokaryotic  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Q.37  Which of the following curve/straight line 
equations will pass through the origin when 
plotted on a graph?  
(A) 
-?? 2
 + 
?? 2
 = 0 
(B) 1 + y + x = 1  
(C) xy ? 1  
(D) 2y – 2x + 2 = 0  
 
Q.38 Consider two bodies with equal masses of 10
12
 
kg each and R distance apart. Let G be the 
gravitational constant and V 0 be a constant 
with dimensions of energy. Which of the 
following represent(s) gravitational potential 
energy (V) between the bodies, such that 
Newton’s law of gravitation is valid?  
(A) ?? = 
-?? ?? 10
24
  
(B) ?? = 
-?? ?? 10
24
 + 1000 ?? 0  
(C) ?? = 
?? ?? 2
 10
24 
 
(D) ?? = 10
12
????  
 
Q.39 Which of the following is(are) CORRECT?  
(A) Both glucose and fructose have the same  
molecular formula  
(B) The positions of the oxygen and carbon 
differ in the structures of glucose and fructose  
(C) Both glucose and fructose have the same 
physical properties  
(D) Both glucose and fructose are 
monosaccharides  
 
Q.40 Which of the following gas(es) function(s) as 
signaling molecule(s) in the human nervous 
system?  
(A) Nitric oxide    
(B) Carbon monoxide  
(C) Helium   
(D) Argon S