BPSC CCE Prelims
Biology Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Biology
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Quinine is a common drug for malaria that is obtained from a plant. Which part of the plant yields this drug?
Detailed Explanation:
Quinine is an alkaloid drug used to treat malaria, extracted from the stem bark of the Cinchona tree.
The bark tissues contain the highest concentration of quinine and related alkaloids, which are harvested, dried, and processed for medicinal use; leaves and roots contain negligible amounts.
Turmeric powder is obtained from which part of turmeric plant?
Detailed Explanation:
Turmeric powder is obtained from the dried rhizome (underground stem) of the turmeric plant, not from root, foot, or seed.
A rhizome is botanically a modified stem that grows horizontally underground; it is distinct from true roots which absorb water and nutrients.
Options 1 ("Dried foot" - not a plant part), 2 ("Dried root" - incorrect organ), and 3 ("Seed" - turmeric rarely produces viable seeds) are all incorrect, making Option 4 ("None of the above") the correct answer.
Besides spreading Malaria, Anopheles mosquito's are also vectors of
Detailed Explanation:
Anopheles mosquitoes are primary vectors of malaria (caused by Plasmodium), and also transmit lymphatic filariasis (caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia species) and certain types of encephalitis (such as O'nyong-nyong fever in Africa).
Dengue is transmitted exclusively by Aedes mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), not Anopheles, making options 1 and 2 incorrect.
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Blood group of an individual is determined by
Detailed Explanation:
Blood group is determined by specific antigens present on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs), not by haemoglobin, WBC/RBC combination, or RBC shape.
The ABO system uses A and B antigens (Type A has A antigen, Type B has B antigen, Type AB has both, Type O has neither), while the Rh system uses the D antigen (present = Rh-positive, absent = Rh-negative).
Haemoglobin carries oxygen and does not determine blood group; WBC/RBC combination refers to cell counts, not blood typing; RBC shape is related to disorders like sickle cell anemia, not blood group determination.
When antigens are introduced in the body through vaccination antibodies are produced to fight off infection
Detailed Explanation:
B cells produce antibodies when antigens are introduced through vaccination.
T cells provide helper functions to activate B cells but do not produce antibodies themselves; only B cells differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
Which of the following vitamins are water soluble?
Detailed Explanation:
Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins that dissolve in fats and oils and are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver.
Vitamin B-complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) and Vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins that dissolve in water, are not stored in the body, and must be replenished regularly through diet.
Since Vitamin A, D, and K listed in options 1–3 are all fat-soluble, the correct answer is "None of these".
Which of the following the chlorophyll in photosynthesis is used for?
Detailed Explanation:
Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy, primarily in the blue and red wavelengths.
This absorbed light energy drives the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, converting light into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH).
Which part of alimentary canal receives bile from the liver?
Detailed Explanation:
Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
It is released into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine) through the common bile duct, where bile salts emulsify fats for digestion.
Which of the following acids is secreted in the stomach?
Detailed Explanation:
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is secreted by parietal cells in the gastric glands of the stomach.
It activates pepsinogen to pepsin for protein digestion, kills ingested bacteria, and maintains a pH of 1.5–3.5 in the stomach.
In which organisms does spore formation occur as a mode of reproduction?
Detailed Explanation:
Spore formation is an asexual reproduction method where organisms produce spores that develop into new individuals without gamete fusion.
✅ Fungi: Commonly reproduce via sporangiospores (Rhizopus, Mucor), conidia (Aspergillus, Penicillium), and basidiospores (mushrooms)—spore formation is their primary reproductive mode.
✅ Algae: Form zoospores (motile spores in Chlamydomonas, Ulothrix) and aplanospores (non-motile in Chlorella) during favorable or unfavorable conditions.
✅ Yeast: Primarily reproduce by budding, but form ascospores during sexual reproduction under stress conditions.
✅ Ferns (Pteridophytes): Produce spores in sporangia on leaf undersides; spores germinate into independent gametophytes (prothallus).
Correct Answer: All four options (Fungi, Algae, Yeast, Fern) utilize spore formation, though the question marks only Option 1 (Fungi) as correct, likely expecting the organism where spore formation is the primary mode.
Which of the following is the fluid part of the blood?
Detailed Explanation:
Plasma is the fluid (liquid) part of blood, making up about 55% of total blood volume.
RBCs, WBCs, and platelets are cellular (solid) components suspended in plasma.
What is the structural and functional unit of life?
Detailed Explanation:
Cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of life, discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665.
Cells perform all essential life processes (metabolism, respiration, growth, reproduction) and form the building blocks of tissues, organs, and organisms.
The parts of the skeleton that are not as hard as bones and which can be bent are called as
Detailed Explanation:
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body, including joints, ears, nose, and larynx.
Vertebrae are the individual bones forming the spinal column, and carpals are the eight small bones in the wrist—both are hard bones, not flexible structures.
In lichen, a chlorophyll-containing partner, _______ live together.
Detailed Explanation:
Lichens are classic examples of symbiotic associations between algae (or cyanobacteria) and fungi.
The algal partner (phycobiont) contains chlorophyll and performs photosynthesis, providing organic nutrients, while the fungal partner (mycobiont) provides protection, water, and minerals.
Therefore, Option 1 (algae and a fungus) is correct.
The most important cell type associated with the immunity of the body is
Detailed Explanation:
Lymphocytes are the most important cell type for body immunity.
Red Blood Cells (RBCs) transport oxygen, platelets aid in blood clotting, while lymphocytes (a type of White Blood Cell) produce antibodies and destroy pathogens, forming the core of the adaptive immune system.