Page 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
1
BIOLOGY PAPER 1
(THEORY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Marks: 70
Time Allowed: Three Hours
(Candidates are allowed an additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This paper is divided into four sections – A, B, C and D.
Answer all questions.
Section – A consists of one question of one mark / two marks each.
Section – B consists of seven questions of two marks each.
Section – C consists of seven questions of three marks each, and
Section – D consists of three questions of five marks each.
Internal choices have been provided in one question each in Section B,
Section C and Section D.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A – 20 MARKS
Question 1
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Birds build their nests in trees. Identify the type of ecological relationship
between the birds and the trees.
[1]
(ii) A doctor examines the symptoms of a patient who has a high fever with chills.
What disease could this patient be suffering from?
[1]
(iii) The genome size of an organism is around 10
9
base pairs.
Calculate the length of its genome in metres.
[1]
(iv) What is the probability of having a male child if the father's sperm carries an X
chromosome?
[1]
Page 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
1
BIOLOGY PAPER 1
(THEORY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Marks: 70
Time Allowed: Three Hours
(Candidates are allowed an additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This paper is divided into four sections – A, B, C and D.
Answer all questions.
Section – A consists of one question of one mark / two marks each.
Section – B consists of seven questions of two marks each.
Section – C consists of seven questions of three marks each, and
Section – D consists of three questions of five marks each.
Internal choices have been provided in one question each in Section B,
Section C and Section D.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A – 20 MARKS
Question 1
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Birds build their nests in trees. Identify the type of ecological relationship
between the birds and the trees.
[1]
(ii) A doctor examines the symptoms of a patient who has a high fever with chills.
What disease could this patient be suffering from?
[1]
(iii) The genome size of an organism is around 10
9
base pairs.
Calculate the length of its genome in metres.
[1]
(iv) What is the probability of having a male child if the father's sperm carries an X
chromosome?
[1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
2
(v) In the year 2021, the population of fish in a lake was 500. After one year, a
biologist found that the population had an average natality of 120, average
mortality of 65, immigration was 25 and emigration was 30. Calculate the total
number of fish that were present in the lake in 2022.
[1]
(vi) The Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the Amazon rainforest is
approximately 3000 g C/m
2
/yr and the respiration losses (R) of 1800 g C/m
2
/yr.
Calculate the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of this ecosystem.
[1]
(vii) Identify if the given set of structures can be classified as homologous or
analogous structures.
[1]
(viii) Suggest an effective molecular technique that can be used to reduce the
expression of defective genes in the nematode parasite.
[1]
(ix) Which one of the following is an example of naturally acquired active immunity? [1]
(a) Recovering from chickenpox
(b) Newborns gaining antibodies from breast milk
(c) Getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus
(d) Taking antibiotics against a urinary tract infection
Figure 1
Page 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
1
BIOLOGY PAPER 1
(THEORY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Marks: 70
Time Allowed: Three Hours
(Candidates are allowed an additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This paper is divided into four sections – A, B, C and D.
Answer all questions.
Section – A consists of one question of one mark / two marks each.
Section – B consists of seven questions of two marks each.
Section – C consists of seven questions of three marks each, and
Section – D consists of three questions of five marks each.
Internal choices have been provided in one question each in Section B,
Section C and Section D.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A – 20 MARKS
Question 1
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Birds build their nests in trees. Identify the type of ecological relationship
between the birds and the trees.
[1]
(ii) A doctor examines the symptoms of a patient who has a high fever with chills.
What disease could this patient be suffering from?
[1]
(iii) The genome size of an organism is around 10
9
base pairs.
Calculate the length of its genome in metres.
[1]
(iv) What is the probability of having a male child if the father's sperm carries an X
chromosome?
[1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
2
(v) In the year 2021, the population of fish in a lake was 500. After one year, a
biologist found that the population had an average natality of 120, average
mortality of 65, immigration was 25 and emigration was 30. Calculate the total
number of fish that were present in the lake in 2022.
[1]
(vi) The Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the Amazon rainforest is
approximately 3000 g C/m
2
/yr and the respiration losses (R) of 1800 g C/m
2
/yr.
Calculate the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of this ecosystem.
[1]
(vii) Identify if the given set of structures can be classified as homologous or
analogous structures.
[1]
(viii) Suggest an effective molecular technique that can be used to reduce the
expression of defective genes in the nematode parasite.
[1]
(ix) Which one of the following is an example of naturally acquired active immunity? [1]
(a) Recovering from chickenpox
(b) Newborns gaining antibodies from breast milk
(c) Getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus
(d) Taking antibiotics against a urinary tract infection
Figure 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
3
(x) If oogenesis occurs conventionally in a human, which one of the following
represents the correct ploidy levels of the primary and secondary oocytes?
[1]
Primary oocytes Secondary oocytes
I haploid diploid
II diploid haploid
III haploid haploid
IV diploid diploid
(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) IV
(xi) Assertion: The external application of insecticides is negligible for Bt crops.
Reason: Bt crops contain a gene that produces toxins harmful to certain insects.
Which one of the following is correct?
[1]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
(xii) Assertion: The spent slurry after biogas production is used as a fertiliser for
soils that are nitrogen deficient.
Reason: Only nitrogen from the slurry is utilised in the production of biogas.
Which one of the following is correct?
[1]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Page 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
1
BIOLOGY PAPER 1
(THEORY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Marks: 70
Time Allowed: Three Hours
(Candidates are allowed an additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This paper is divided into four sections – A, B, C and D.
Answer all questions.
Section – A consists of one question of one mark / two marks each.
Section – B consists of seven questions of two marks each.
Section – C consists of seven questions of three marks each, and
Section – D consists of three questions of five marks each.
Internal choices have been provided in one question each in Section B,
Section C and Section D.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A – 20 MARKS
Question 1
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Birds build their nests in trees. Identify the type of ecological relationship
between the birds and the trees.
[1]
(ii) A doctor examines the symptoms of a patient who has a high fever with chills.
What disease could this patient be suffering from?
[1]
(iii) The genome size of an organism is around 10
9
base pairs.
Calculate the length of its genome in metres.
[1]
(iv) What is the probability of having a male child if the father's sperm carries an X
chromosome?
[1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
2
(v) In the year 2021, the population of fish in a lake was 500. After one year, a
biologist found that the population had an average natality of 120, average
mortality of 65, immigration was 25 and emigration was 30. Calculate the total
number of fish that were present in the lake in 2022.
[1]
(vi) The Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the Amazon rainforest is
approximately 3000 g C/m
2
/yr and the respiration losses (R) of 1800 g C/m
2
/yr.
Calculate the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of this ecosystem.
[1]
(vii) Identify if the given set of structures can be classified as homologous or
analogous structures.
[1]
(viii) Suggest an effective molecular technique that can be used to reduce the
expression of defective genes in the nematode parasite.
[1]
(ix) Which one of the following is an example of naturally acquired active immunity? [1]
(a) Recovering from chickenpox
(b) Newborns gaining antibodies from breast milk
(c) Getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus
(d) Taking antibiotics against a urinary tract infection
Figure 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
3
(x) If oogenesis occurs conventionally in a human, which one of the following
represents the correct ploidy levels of the primary and secondary oocytes?
[1]
Primary oocytes Secondary oocytes
I haploid diploid
II diploid haploid
III haploid haploid
IV diploid diploid
(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) IV
(xi) Assertion: The external application of insecticides is negligible for Bt crops.
Reason: Bt crops contain a gene that produces toxins harmful to certain insects.
Which one of the following is correct?
[1]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
(xii) Assertion: The spent slurry after biogas production is used as a fertiliser for
soils that are nitrogen deficient.
Reason: Only nitrogen from the slurry is utilised in the production of biogas.
Which one of the following is correct?
[1]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
4
(xiii) A student aims to insert a foreign gene into the plasmid shown below for an
experiment.
Suggest a method that can help the student in selecting the cells that contain this
plasmid.
[1]
(xiv) A biotechnological firm aims to manufacture certain clotting factors to treat
Haemophilia in patients.
Mention any one aspect to be considered while choosing the transgenic animal
to produce these clotting factors.
[1]
(xv) A group of virologists aim to inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase enzymes
as part of their effort to find a solution to viral infections. Which aspect of the
virus's function would be impacted by inhibiting the activity of reverse
transcriptase?
[1]
(xvi) Answer the following questions: [2]
(a) In recombinant DNA technology, biologists use the enzyme restriction
endonuclease. Name the scientist who discovered this enzyme.
(b) Expand the abbreviation MMR.
Figure 2
Page 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
1
BIOLOGY PAPER 1
(THEORY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Marks: 70
Time Allowed: Three Hours
(Candidates are allowed an additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This paper is divided into four sections – A, B, C and D.
Answer all questions.
Section – A consists of one question of one mark / two marks each.
Section – B consists of seven questions of two marks each.
Section – C consists of seven questions of three marks each, and
Section – D consists of three questions of five marks each.
Internal choices have been provided in one question each in Section B,
Section C and Section D.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION A – 20 MARKS
Question 1
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Birds build their nests in trees. Identify the type of ecological relationship
between the birds and the trees.
[1]
(ii) A doctor examines the symptoms of a patient who has a high fever with chills.
What disease could this patient be suffering from?
[1]
(iii) The genome size of an organism is around 10
9
base pairs.
Calculate the length of its genome in metres.
[1]
(iv) What is the probability of having a male child if the father's sperm carries an X
chromosome?
[1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
2
(v) In the year 2021, the population of fish in a lake was 500. After one year, a
biologist found that the population had an average natality of 120, average
mortality of 65, immigration was 25 and emigration was 30. Calculate the total
number of fish that were present in the lake in 2022.
[1]
(vi) The Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) of the Amazon rainforest is
approximately 3000 g C/m
2
/yr and the respiration losses (R) of 1800 g C/m
2
/yr.
Calculate the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of this ecosystem.
[1]
(vii) Identify if the given set of structures can be classified as homologous or
analogous structures.
[1]
(viii) Suggest an effective molecular technique that can be used to reduce the
expression of defective genes in the nematode parasite.
[1]
(ix) Which one of the following is an example of naturally acquired active immunity? [1]
(a) Recovering from chickenpox
(b) Newborns gaining antibodies from breast milk
(c) Getting vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus
(d) Taking antibiotics against a urinary tract infection
Figure 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
3
(x) If oogenesis occurs conventionally in a human, which one of the following
represents the correct ploidy levels of the primary and secondary oocytes?
[1]
Primary oocytes Secondary oocytes
I haploid diploid
II diploid haploid
III haploid haploid
IV diploid diploid
(a) I
(b) II
(c) III
(d) IV
(xi) Assertion: The external application of insecticides is negligible for Bt crops.
Reason: Bt crops contain a gene that produces toxins harmful to certain insects.
Which one of the following is correct?
[1]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
(xii) Assertion: The spent slurry after biogas production is used as a fertiliser for
soils that are nitrogen deficient.
Reason: Only nitrogen from the slurry is utilised in the production of biogas.
Which one of the following is correct?
[1]
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct
explanation for Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true and Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
4
(xiii) A student aims to insert a foreign gene into the plasmid shown below for an
experiment.
Suggest a method that can help the student in selecting the cells that contain this
plasmid.
[1]
(xiv) A biotechnological firm aims to manufacture certain clotting factors to treat
Haemophilia in patients.
Mention any one aspect to be considered while choosing the transgenic animal
to produce these clotting factors.
[1]
(xv) A group of virologists aim to inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase enzymes
as part of their effort to find a solution to viral infections. Which aspect of the
virus's function would be impacted by inhibiting the activity of reverse
transcriptase?
[1]
(xvi) Answer the following questions: [2]
(a) In recombinant DNA technology, biologists use the enzyme restriction
endonuclease. Name the scientist who discovered this enzyme.
(b) Expand the abbreviation MMR.
Figure 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC SPECIMEN QUESTION PAPER 2024
5
(xvii) The figure given below shows a stage in the formation of pollen grain.
Name the cell that undergoes further division to make gametes.
[1]
(xvi) Give a reason for each of the following: [2]
(a) For a breastfeeding mother, the chances of conception are very low.
(b) Organ transplantation patients are given the drug cyclosporine.
SECTION B – 14 MARKS
Question 2 [2]
A couple does not wish to have more children.
Suggest and briefly explain any two methods of family planning that are highly effective
and have low chances of failure, for the couple to consider.
Question 3 [2]
In a population of 5000 individuals, 1800 do not have freckles on their faces (ff), while
the remaining individuals have freckles (F).
Assuming that the population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the presence of
freckles, calculate the expected frequencies for the following genotypes:
(i) FF genotype
(ii) ff genotype
Figure 3
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