•

Reproduction is the process by which living organisms produce new

individuals similar to themselves. It ensures continuity of life on
earth.
• Nucleus of the cell contains DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid) which
is the heredity material.
• DNA replicates and forms new cells causing variation. So, these new
cells will be similar but may not be identical to original cell.
• Variations are useful for the survival of the individual and species
over time as well as basis for evolution.

Types of Reproduction
(a) Asexual Reproduction
• A single individual give rise to new individual.
• Gametes are not formed.
• New individual is identical to parent.
• It is extremely useful as a means of rapid multiplication.
• Adopted by lower organisms.
(b) Sexual Reproduction
• Two individuals i.e., one male and one female are needed to give rise
to new individual.
• Gametes are formed.
• New individual is genetically similar but not identical to parents.
• It is useful to generate more variations in species.
• Adopted by higher organisms.
How do Organisms reproduce 97
Modes of Asexual Reproduction
(i) Fission : The parent cell divides into daughter cells.
• Binary fission : 2 cells are formed. E.g., amoeba.
• Multiple fission : Many cells are formed. E.g., Plasmodium.

Binary fission in Amoeba

(ii) Fragmentation : The organism breaks-up into smaller pieces upon
maturation, each piece develops into new individual. E.g., Spirogyra.

Fragmentation in Spirogyra
(iii) Regeneration : If organism is somehow cut or broken into many pieces,
each piece grows into a complete organism. E.g., Planaria, Hydra.

Regeneration in Planaria and Hydra

(iv) Budding : A bud is formed which develops into tiny individual. It
detaches from parent body upon maturation and develops into new
individual. E.g., Hydra

98 Science Class - 10
 Budding in Hydra
(v) Vegetative Propagation : In many plants, new plants develops from
vegetative parts such as :
• By roots : E.g., dahlias, sweet potato.
• By stem : E.g., potato, ginger.
• By leaves : E.g., bryophyllum (leaf notches bear buds which develop
into plants).
• Artificial methods :
(a) Grafting : E.g., Mango
(b) Cutting : E.g., Rose
(c) Layering : E.g., Jasmine
(d) Tissue culture : New plants are grown by using growing tip of a plant.
These growing cells are kept in a culture medium leads to the formation of
callus. Callus is then transferred to hormone medium which causes growth and
differentiation. E.g., ornamental plants, orchid.

Benefits of tissue culture :

• We can grow plants like banana, rose, jasmine etc. that have lost the
capacity to produce seeds.
• New plants are genetically similar to parents.
• Helps in growing seedless fruits.
(v) Spore Formation : Spores are small bulb like structures which are
covered by thick walls. Under favourable conditions, they germinate and
produce new organism.

How do Organisms reproduce 99

 Spore formation in Rhizopus
Sexual Reproduction
When reproduction takes place as a result of the fusion of male and female
gametes is called sexual reproduction.
Fusion of gametes is called fertilization which results in variation.
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
• Flowers are the reproductive organs of plants.
• A typical flower consists of four main whorls namely sepals, petals,
stamen and pistil.
Types of Flowers
• Bisexual flower : Both male and female reproductive parts are present.
E.g., Hibiscus, mustard.
• Unisexual flower : Either male or female reproductive part is present.
E.g., Papaya, watermelon.
Structure of Flower :

100 Science Class - 10

Process of Seed Formation
• Pollen grains, produced in the anther, are transferred to the stigma of
same flower (self pollination) or stigma of another flower (cross
pollination) through agents like air, water or animals.
• Pollen grains germinate and form pollen tubes which pass through style
to reach upto the ovules present in ovary.
• The fusion of male and female gametes is called fertilization. Zygote is
produced inside the ovary.
• Zygote divides to form embryo. Ovule develops thick coat and changes
into seed gradually.
• Ovary changes into fruit and other parts of flower fall off.

Germination of pollen on stigma

• The seed germinates to form a plant under suitable conditions such as air,
moisture etc.

Reproduction in Human Beings

• Humans use sexual mode of reproduction.
• Sexual maturation : The period of life when production of germ cells
i.e., ova (female) and sperm (male) start in the body. This period of
sexual maturation is called puberty.

How do Organisms reproduce 101

Changes at Puberty
(a) Common in male and female
• Thick hair growth in armpits and genital area.
• Skin becomes oily, may result in pimples.
(b) In girls
• Breast size begin to increase.
• Girls begin to menstruate.
(c) In boys
• Thick hair growth on face.
• Voice begin to crack.
These changes signals that sexual maturity is taking place.
Male Reproductive System
(a) Testes : A pair of testes are located inside scrotum which is present
outside the abdominal cavity. Scrotum has a relatively lower temperature needed
for the production of sperms.
• Male germ cell i.e., sperms are formed here.
• Testes release male sex hormone (testosterone). Its function is :
(i) Regulate production of sperms.
(ii) Bring changes at puberty.
(b) Vas deferens : It passes sperms from testes upto urethera.
(c) Urethera : It is a common passage for both sperms and urine. Its outer
covering is called penis.
(d) Associated glands : Seminal vesicles and prostate gland add their
secretion to the sperms. This fluid provide nourishment to sperms and make their
transport easy.
Sperm alongwith secretion of glands form semen.

Human – male reproductive system

102 Science Class - 10

Female Reproductive System
(a) Ovary : A pair of ovary is located in both sides of abdomen.
• Female germ cells i.e., eggs are produced here.
• At the time of birth of a girl, thousands of immature eggs are present
in the ovary.
• At the onset of puberty, some of these eggs start maturing.
• One egg is produced every month by one of the ovaries.
(b) Oviduct or Fallopian tube
• Receives the egg produced by the ovary and transfer it to the uterus.
• Fertilisation i.e., fusion of gametes takes place here.
(c) Uterus : It is a bag-like structure where development of the baby takes
place.
• Uterus opens into vagina through cervix.

Fig. Human – female reproductive system

When egg is fertilised :

• The fertilized egg called zygote is planted in uterus and develops into an
embryo.
• The embryo gets nutrition from the mother’s blood with the help of a
special tissue called placenta. It provides a large surface area for the
exchange of glucose, oxygen and waste material.
• The time period from fertilization upto the birth of the baby is called
gestation period. It is about 9 months.

How do Organisms reproduce 103

When egg is not fertilised :
• The uterus prepares itself every month to receive fertilized egg.
• The lining of the uterus becomes thick and spongy, required to support
the embryo.
•
When fertilisation had not taken place, this lining is not needed any
longer.
• This lining breaks and comes out through vagina as blood and mucus.
This cycle takes around 28 days every month and called menstruation.

Reproductive Health
Reproductive health means a total well-being in all aspects of reproduction
i.e., physical, emotional, social and behavioural.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Many diseases can be sexually transmitted such as :
Bacterial : Gonorrhoea and syphilis
Viral : Warts and HIV-AIDS
• Use of condom prevents these infections to some extent.

Contraception
It is the avoidance of pregnancy, can be achieved by preventing the
fertilisation of ova.

Methods of contraception
(a) Physical barrier
• To prevent union of egg and sperm.
• Use of condoms, cervical caps and diaphragm.
(b) Chemical methods
• Use of oral pills
• These change hormonal balance of body so that eggs are not released.
• May have side effects.
(c) Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD)
• Copper-T or loop is placed in uterus to prevent pregnancy.

104 Science Class - 10

 (d) Surgical methods
• In males the vas deferens is blocked to prevent sperm transfer called
vasectomy.
• In females, the fallopian tube is blocked to prevent egg transfer called
tubectomy.

Female Foeticide
•
The practice of killing a female child inside the womb is called female
foeticide.
• For a healthy society, a balanced sex ratio is needed that can be achieved
by educating people to avoid malpractices like female foeticide and
prenatal sex determination.
• Prenatal sex determination is a legal offence in our country so as to
maintain a balanced sex ratio.

QUESTIONS

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (1 Mark)

1. Name the two types of reproduction.
2. What type of reproduction takes place in plasmodium ?
3. Define vegetative propagation.
4. Where is DNA present in a cell ?
5. Name the glands associated with male reproductive system.
6. What is menstruation ?
7. Name two contraceptive methods.
8. Where are the reproductive parts located in a plant ?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (2 Marks)

1. Write two important functions of testosterone.
2. What is placenta ? Also write its functions.
3. Why do we see different types of organisms around us ?
4. What is the importance of variation ?
5. Why is vegetative propagation practiced for growing some types of plants ?

How do Organisms reproduce 105

 6. Write names of male and female sex hormones.
7. Mention the parts of a flower.
8. Differentiate between bisexual and unisexual flowers.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 Marks)

1. What is tissue culture ?
2. Explain the process of fertilisation in flowering plants.
3. Name the different constituents of semen.
4. Draw a well-labelled diagram of male reproductive system.
5. What is pre-natal sex determination ? Why is it banned ?
6. Draw a labelled diagram of the longitudinal section of a flower.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (5 Marks)

1. What are the different modes of asexual reproduction ?
2. Draw a labelled diagram of female reproductive system and write the function
of its different parts.
3. What is contraception ? Give different methods of contraception.
4. What happens in human female :
(a) when egg is fertilised ?
(b) when egg is not fertilised ?
5. Trace and explain the steps involved in the formation of seed.

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

A pregnant woman, who is a mother of one daughter, requests the doctor of
an ultrasound clinic to test and determine the sex of the baby in her womb.
The doctor, very politely, refused and explained the legal and ethical point of
view of the situation. On the basis of arguments and counseling, the doctor
prepared the woman to happily accept the baby.
(a) Why is pre-natal sex determination ethically wrong ?
(b) Had you been in place of the doctor, what argument you would have
placed to counsel the mother ?
(c) State the values exhibited by the doctor.

106 Science Class - 10

 Hints to Long Answer Type Questions

1. Methods of asexual reproduction :

(a) Fission
(b) Fragmentation
(c) Regeneration
(d) Budding
(e) Vegetative propagation
(f) Spore formation
2. Labelled diagram of female reproductive system.
Functions :
Ovary : Production of eggs.
Oviduct : Site for fertilization.
Uterus : Place of development of embryo.
3. Contraception : Barrier for fertilisation.
• Physical barrier

• Chemical methods

• Surgical methods

• Intrautrine contraceptive device (IUCD)
4. (a) (i) Zygote is formed → Implanted in uterus
(ii) Onset of pregnanacy
(b) Menstruation
5. Labelled diagram of germination of pollen grain on stigma of flower.
qq

How do Organisms reproduce 107

 Genetics

Deals with the study of

Heredity Variation

The transmission of The differences in the characters/traits

characters/traits from one between the parent and offspring.
generation to the next generation.

Somatic variation Gametic variation

• Takes place in the body • Takes place in the gametes/
cells. Reproductive cells.
• Neither inherited nor • Inherited as well as
transmitted. trans mitted.
• Also known as acquired • Also known as inherited
traits. traits.
• Example, boring of pinna, • Example, human height,
cutting of tails in dogs. skin colour.

108 Science Class - 10

Accumulation of Variation during Reproduction

Variations

Appear during reproduction

whether organisms multiply

Asexually Sexually

• Variations are fewer. • Variations are large.

• Occurs due to small • Occurs due to crossing over,
inaccuracies in DNA separation
copying. (Mutation)
of chromosomes, mutation.

Importance of Variation :
(i) Depending upon the nature of variations different individuals would
have different kinds of advantage.
Example, Bacteria that can withstand heat will survive better in a heat
wave.
(ii) Main advantage of variation to species is that it increases the chances of
its survival in a changing environment.
Free ear lobes and attached ear lobes are two variants found in human
populations.

Mendel and His Work on Inheritance

• Gregor Johann Mendel (1822 & 1884) : Started his experiments on
plant breeding and hybridisation. He proposed the laws of inheritance in
living organisms.
Mendel was known as Father of Genetics.
• Plant selected by Mendel : Pisum sativum (garden pea). Mendel used a
number of contrasting characters for garden pea.

Heredity and Evolution 109

 (TABLE OF CONTRASTING CHARACTERS. SEVEN PAIRS)
CHARACTER DOMINANT TRAIT RECESSIVE TRAIT
Flower colour Violet White
Flower position Axial Terminal
Seed colour Yellow Green
Seed shape Round Wrinkled
Pod shape Inflated Constricted
Pod colour Green Yellow
Height of plant Tall Dwarf/Short
Seven pairs of contrasting characters in Garden Pea.
Medel’s Experimental Material : He chose Garden Pea (Pisum sativum) as
his experiment material because of :
(i) Availability of detectable contrasting traits of several characters.
(ii) Short life span of the plant.
(iii) Normally allows self-fertilisation but cross-fertilisation can also be
carried out.
(iv) Large no. of seeds produced.
• Mendel’s Experiments : Mendel conducted a series of experiments in
which he crossed the pollinated plants to study one character (at a time).

Monohybrid Cross
Cross between two pea plants with one pair of contrasting characters is called
a monohybrid cross.
Example : Cross between a tall and a dwarf plant (short).
MONOHYBRID CROSS
PARENT → Tall plant × Dwarf plant
ALLELIC PAIR → TT × tt
OF GENES

GAMETES → T T × t t

F1 GENERATION → Tt All tall plants

(First filial generation)

110 Science Class - 10

 SELF POLLINATION → Tt × Tt
of F1 gametes

GAMETES T t T t

F2 GENERATION → Gametes → T t
TT Tt
T tall tall
Tt tt
t tall dwarf

Phenotypic ratio → 3 : 1 Tall : Dwarf

3:1
Genotypic ratio → 1 : 2 : 1 TT : Tt : tt
1:2:1

CHARACTER DOMINANT TRAIT RECESSIVE TRAIT

Seed shape
Round Wrinkled

Seed colour
Yellow Green

Flower colour
Violet White

Pod shape
Inflated/full Constricted

Heredity and Evolution 111

 Pod Colour
Green Yellow

Flower position
Axial Terminal

Stem height
Tall Dwarf

TT Both dominant traits Pure or homozygous

tt Both recessive alleles condition

Tt One dominant, one Hetrozygous

recessive trait condition − Hybrid

Phenotypic ratio → 3 : 1
Genotypic ratio → 1 : 2 : 1
Phenotype → Physical appearance [Tall or Short]
Genotype → Genetic make up [TT, Tt or tt]

112 Science Class - 10

Observations of Monohybrid Cross
(i) All F1 progeny were tall, no medium height plant. (Half way
characteristic)
(ii) F2 progeny ¼ were short, ¾ were tall.
(iii) Phenotypic ratio F2 – 3 : 1 (3 tall : 1 short)

 TT : Tt : tt 
Genotypic ratio F2 – 1 : 2 : 1  
 1 : 2 : 1
Conclusions
1. TT and Tt both are tall plants while tt is a short plant.
2. A single copy of T is enough to make the plant tall, while both copies have
to be ‘t’ for the plant to be short.
3. Characters/traits like ‘T’ are called dominant trait (because it express
itself) and ‘t’ are recessive trait (because it remains suppressed).

Dihybrid Cross
A cross between two plants having two pairs of contrasting characters is
called dihybrid cross.
PARENT → Round green × Wrinkled yellow
GENERATION seeds seeds
RRyy rrYY
↓ ↓

GAMETES → Ry rY

F1 → RrYy
[Round, yellow]
F1 × F1
Selfing F1 → RY RY
gametes Rr Yy Ry × Rr Yy Ry
rY rY
ry ry

Heredity and Evolution 113

 RY Ry rY ry
RY RRYY RRYy RryY RrYy
F1 gametes → Ry RRYy RRyy RrYy Rryy
rY RrYY RrYy rrYY rrYy
ry RrYy Rryy rrYy rryy

Phenotypic Ratio
Round, yellow : 9
Round, green : 3
Wrinkled, yellow : 3
Wrinkled, green : 1

Observations
(i) When RRyy was crossed with rrYY in F1 generation all were Rr Yy
round and yellow seeds.
(ii) Self pollination of F1 plants gave parental phenotype and two mixtures
(recombinants round yellow and wrinkled green) seeds plants in the
ratio of 9 : 3 : 3 : 1.
9 : 3 : 3 : 1
 Round   Round   Wrinkled   wrinkled 
       
 yellow   green   yellow   green 

Conclusions
1. Round and yellow seeds are Dominant characters.
2. Occurrence of new phenotype combinations show that genes for round
and yellow seeds are inherited independently of each other.

How do these traits get expressed

Cellular DNA (Information source)
↓ For synthesis of
Proteins (Enzyme)
↓ Works efficiently
More Hormone

114 Science Class - 10

 ↓ produced
Tallness of plant
Therefore, genes control characteristics/traits.

SEX DETERMINATION
Determination of sex of an offspring.
FACTORS
Responsible for Sex Determination

Environmental Genetic
In some animals, the temperature In some animals like humans
at which gender or
the fertilized eggs are kept decides individual is determined by a
the gender. pair of
E.g., in turtle chromosomes called sex
chromosome.
XX – Female
XY – Male
Sex Chromosomes : In human beings, there are 23 pairs of chromosome.
Out of these 22 chromosomes pairs are called autosomes and the last pair of
chromosome that help in deciding gender of that individual is called sex chro-
mosome.
XX – Female
XY – Male
Sex determination in Human Beings

Heredity and Evolution 115

 This shows that half the children will be boys and half will be girls. All chil-
dren will inherit an X chromosome from their mother regardless whether they
are boys or girls. Thus, sex of children will be determined by what they inherit
from their father, and not from their mother.

EVOLUTION
Evolution is the sequence of gradual changes which takes place in the primi-
tive organisms, over millions of years, in which new species are produced.
Situation I
Group of red beetles
↓
Colour variation arises during reproduction

All beetles red except One beetle green

one that is green
↓ ↓ Reproduction
Crows feed on red beetle Progeny beetles green
↓ ↓
No. of beetles reduces Crows could not feed on
green beetles as they got
camouflaged in green bushes
↓
Number of green bettles increases

Conclusion
Green beetles got the survival advantage or they were naturally selected as
they were not visible in green bushes. This natural selection is exerted by crows
resulting in adaptations in the beetles to fit better in their environment.

116 Science Class - 10

 Situation II
Group of red beetles
↓ Reproduction
All beetles are red except one that is blue One blue beetle
↓ Reproduces ↓ Reproduces
Number of red beetles increases No. of blue beetles increases

↓
Crows can see both blue and red beetles and can eat them
↓
Number reduces but still red beetles are more and blue ones are few
↓
Suddenly elephant comes and stamps on the bushes
↓
Now beetles left are mostly blue
Conclusion
Blue beetles did not get survivals advantage. Elephant suddenly caused ma-
jor havoc in beetles population otherwise their number would have been consid-
erably large.
From this we can conclude that accidents can change the frequency of some
genes even if they do not get survival advantage. This is called genetic drift and
it leads to variation.
Situation III
Group of red beetles
↓
Habitat of beetles (bushes)
suffer from plant disease
↓
Average weight of beetles
decreases due to poor nourishment
↓
Number of beetles kept on reducing
↓
Later plant disease gets eliminated
↓
Number and average weight of beetles increases again

Heredity and Evolution 117

Conclusion
No genetic change has occurred in the population of beetle. The population
gets affected for a short duration only due to environmental changes.
ACQUIRED AND INHERITED TRAITS

Acquired Traits Inherited Traits

1. These are the traits which are 1. These are the traits which are
developed in an individual passed from one generation
due to special conditions. to the next.
2. They cannot be transferred to 2. They get transferred to the
the progeny. progeny.
3. They cannot direct evolution. 3. They are helpful in evolution.
E.g., Low weight of starving E.g., Colour of eyes and hair.
beetles.
WAYS BY WHICH SPECIATION TAKES PLACE
Speciation takes place when variation is combined with geographical isola-
tion.
1. Gene flow : Occurs between population that are partly but not completely
separated.

2. Genetic drift : It is the random change in the frequency of alleles (gene

pair) in a population over successive generations.
3. Natural selection : The process by which nature selects and consolidate
those organisms which are more suitable adapted and possesses favourable vari-
ations.
4. Geographical isolation : It is caused by mountain ranges, rivers etc.
Geographical isolation leads to reproductive isolation due to which there is no
flow of genes between separated groups of population.

118 Science Class - 10

 Genetic drift takes place due to :
(a) Severe changes in the DNA
(b) Change in number of chromosomes

Evolution and Classification

Both evolution and classification are interlinked.
1. Classification of species is reflection of their evolutionary relationship.
2. The more characteristic two species have in common the more closely
they are related.
3. The more closely they are related, the more recently they have a common
ancestor.
4. Similarities among organisms allow us to group them together and to
study their characteristic.

Heredity and Evolution 119

 Homologous organs of some vertebrates

Analogous organ of flying birds

TRACING EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS
(Evidences of Evolution)
I. Homologous Organs : (Morphological and anatomical evidences). These
are the organs that have same basic structural plan and origin but different func-
tions.
Homologous organs provides evidence for evolution by telling us that they
are derived from the same ancestor.
Example :
Forelimb of horse (Running)
Winds of bat (Flying) Same basic structural plan, but
Paw of a cat (Walk/scratch/attack) different functions perform.
II. Analogous Organs : These are the organs that have different origin and
structural plan but same function.
Example : Analogous organs provide mechanism for evolution.

120 Science Class - 10

 Wings of bat → Elongated fingers with
skin folds Different basic structure,
but perform similar
Wings of bird → Feathery covering along function i.e., flight.
the arm
III. Fossils : (Paleontological evidences)
The remains and relics of dead organisms of the past.

FOSSILS ARE PRESERVED TRACES OF LIVING ORGAN-

ISMS
Fossil Archaeopteryx possess features of reptiles as well as birds. This sug-
gests that birds have evolved from reptiles.

Examples of Fossils
AMMONITE - Fossil-invertebrate
TRILOBITE - Fossil-invertebrate
KNIGHTIA - Fossil-fish
RAJASAURUS - Fossil-dinosaur skull
AGE OF THE FOSSILS
I. Deeper the fossil, older it is. 1. (Top layer of the earth
Recent surface)
II. Detecting the ratios of difference of the 2. ....................................
same element in the fossil material i.e., 3. ....................................
Radio-carbon dating [C-(14) dating] 4. ....................................
5. ....................................
• Older
6. ....................................

Evolution by Stages
Evolution takes place in stages i.e., bit by bit generations.
I. Fitness Advantage
Evolution of Eyes : Evolution of complex organs is not sudden. It occurs
due to minor changes in DNA, however takes place bit by bit over generations.
• Flat worm has rudimentary eyes. (Enough to give fitness advantage)
• Insects have compound eyes.
• Humans have binocular eyes.

Heredity and Evolution 121

 II. Functional Advantage
Evolution of Feathers : Feathers provide insulation in cold weather but later
they might become useful for flight.
Example, Dinosaurs had feathers, but could not fly using feathers. Birds
seem to have later adapted the feathers to flight.

Evolution by artificial selection

Evolution by Artificial Selection

Humans have been a powerful agent in modifying wild species to suit their
own requirement throughout ages by using artificial selection. E.g.,
(i) From wild cabbage many varieties like broccoli, cauliflower, red cab
bage, kale, cabbage and kohlrabi were obtained by artificial selection.
(ii) Wheat (many varieties obtained due to artificial selection).
Molecular Phylogeny
• It is based on the idea that changes in DNA during reproduction are the
basic events in evolution.
• Organisms which are most distantly related will accumulate greater
differences in their DNA.
HUMAN EVOLUTION
Tools to study Human evolutionary relationship

Determining
Excavating Time dating Fossils
DNA sequences

122 Science Class - 10

 Although there is great diversity of human forms all over the world, yet all
humans are a single species.
GENETIC FOOTPRINTS OF HUMANS
Hundreds/thousand of years ago

• They did not go in a single line.

• They went forward and backward.
• Moved in and out of Africa.
• Sometimes came back to mix with each other.
Genetic Terminology
1. Gene : Mendel used the term factor for a gene. A gene is the unit of
DNA responsible for the inheritance of character.
2. Allele : A pair of genes that control the two alternatives of the same
character e.g., TT/tt.
3. Heterozygous : The organism in which both the genes of a character are
unlike e.g., Tt.
4. Homozygous : The organism in which both the genes of a character are
similar e.g., TT, tt.
5. Dominant : The gene which expresses itself in F1 generation is known
as dominant gene.
6. Recessive : The gene which is unable to express itself in presence of the
dominant gene.
7. Genotype : It is the genetic constitution of an organism which deter-
mines the characters.
8. Phenotype : It is the appearance of an individual.

Heredity and Evolution 123

 9. Micro-evolution : It is the evolution which is on a small scale.
10. Species : A group of similar individuals within a population that can
interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
11. Chromosome : Thread like structures present in the nucleus of a cell,
containing hereditary information of the cell.
12. DNA : Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid.
It is present in chromosomes which carries traits in a coded form, from one
generation to the next.

QUESTIONS

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (1 Mark)

1. Write the scientific name of men and garden pea.
2. Where are genes located ?
3. No two individuals are absolutely alike in a population. Why ?
4. What are the chromosomes XY and XX known as ?
5. Name five varieties of vegetables which have been produced from ‘wild
cabbage’ by the process of artificial selection.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (2 Marks)

1. Differentiate between homologous and analogous organs, with examples.
2. What are fossils ? How can the age of fossils be determined ?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 Marks)

1. Variation is beneficial to the species but not necessarily for the individual.
Give three reasons to justify it.
2. The human hand, cat paw and horse foot, when studied in detail show the
same structure of bones and point towards a common origin.
(a) What do you conclude from this ?
(b) What is the term given to such structures ?

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (5 Marks)

1. Which one is the edible part in kale, kohlrabi, broccoli, cabbage and
cauliflower ?
2. Name a recessive trait which is quiet common in human beings.

124 Science Class - 10

VALUE BASED QUESTION
Raghu often taunts his wife for having only daughters and no son. As a
student of biology, how will you convince Raghu that his wife has no role
in giving birth to girls only ?
Hints to Long Answer Type Questions

1. Kale - Large leaves

Kohl rabi - Swollen part
Broccoli - Arrested flower
Cauliflower - Sterile flower
Cabbage - Leaves with short distance between them
2. (a) Human height
(b) Skin colour
(c) Attachment of ear lobes
(d) Eye colour
qq

Heredity and Evolution 125