III.

Biology
Subdivisions of Biology Gerontology - Study of the social, cultural, physiological,
cognitive, and biological aspects of ageing, or the scientific
study of old age, the process of ageing and the particular
Notes
problems of old people.
ï The word ‘Science’ comes from the Latin word ‘scientia’, Ethology - It is the scientific and objective study of non-human
meaning ‘knowledge’. animal behaviour usually with a focus on behaviour under
ï Science is the systematic knowledge of the physical natural conditions, and viewing behaviour as an evolutionary
or material world gained through observation and adaptive trait.
experimentation. Bionics - It is the study of mechanical systems that function
ï Science has been classified into - (1) Natural Science and like living organisms or parts of living organisms. Bionics is
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(2) Social Science. the application of biological methods and systems found in
nature to the study and design of engineering systems and
ï Natural Science has further classified into - (i) Physical
modern technology. The word ‘bionic’ was coined by Jack E.
Science and (ii) biological Science which has been
Steele in 1958.
further divided into many branches and sub-branches.
Bionomics - The study of the mode of life of organisms in
ï Lamarck and Treviranus introduced the term ‘biology’
their natural habitat and their adaptations to their surroundings.
independently in modern sense in 1802.
Bionomics is the comprehensive study of an organism and its
Branches and Subbranches of Biology relation to its environment. It is also referred as ‘ecology’.
Zoology - Detailed study of different living and extinct animals. Bionomy - Branch of biology concerned with the laws of life.
Botany - Detailed study of plants and their life. Biometry - It is also known as biostatistics. It is the
Palaeontology - The study of history of life on Earth as based on development and application of statistical and mathematical
fossils. Fossils are the remains of plants, animals, fungi, bacteria methods to analyse the data results from biological observations
and single celled living things that have been found in layers of and phenomenon.

rock materials or impressions of organisms preserved in rocks. Phrenology - The detailed study of the shape and size of
the cranium as a supposed indication of character and mental
Palaeobotany - Study of plant fossils.
abilities.
Ecology - The branch of biology that deals with the relation of
Anthology - Study of flowers.
organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Agrostology - It deals with the scientific study of true grasses.
Genetics- The study of heredity or how the characteristics of
It is also called Graminology - Scientific study of grasses (the
living things are transmitted from one generation to the next.
family Poaceae or Gramineae).
Every living thing contains the genetic material that makes
Palynology - The study of pollen grains and other spores
up DNA molecule. This material is passed on when organism
especially as found in archaeological or geological deposits.
reproduces. The basic unit of heredity is ‘Gene’.
Pollen extracted from such deposits may be used for radiocarbon
Physiology - Study of normal functions of living creatures dating and for studying post climates and environments by
and their parts. identifying plants then growing.
Pedology - It is the study of soils in their natural environment. It Oncology - A branch of biology that deals with the prevention,
deals with pedogenesis, soil morphology and soil classification. diagnosis and treatment of tumours/cancer.
Edaphology - It concerns with the influence of soils on living Teratology - The scientific study of congenital abnormalities
things, particularly plants. and abnormal formations.

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 Osteology - It is the scientific and detailed study of the structure Cell biology - Cell biology is a branch of biology that studies
of bones, skeletal elements, teeth, microbone, morphology etc. the structure and function of the cell, which is the basic unit
Chondriology - A branch of anatomy that deals with cartilage. of life.
Serology - The scientific study or diagnostic examination of Histology - The branch of biology dealing with the study of
blood serum, especially with regard to the response of the the microscopic structure of tissues.
immune system to pathogens or introduced substances. Embryology - A branch of biology concerned with the study
Pathology - The science of the causes and effects of diseases, of embryos and their development.
especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory Phycology or Algology - A branch of biology which deals with
examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic the scientific study of seaweeds and other algae.
purposes. Mycology - A branch of biology which deals with the scientific
Parasitology - Parasitology is the study of parasites (viruses, study of fungi.
bacteria, fungus, worms, insects), their hosts and the relationship Lichenology - It is the study of lichens, symbiotic organisms
between them. Parasites are organisms that use other species of made up of an intimate symbiotic association of a microscopic
plants and animals as a host. The hosts provide the environment alga (or a cyanobacterium) with a filamentous fungus
in which the parasite lives. (mycobiont).
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Virology - Virology is the study of viruses - submicroscopic, Main Terminologies and related by-products
parasitic particles of genetic material contained in a protein Apiculture - The raising and care of bees for commercial (honey
coat and virus - like agents. production) and agricultural purposes (cross pollination).
Bacteriology - Study of the morphology, ecology, genetics Aviculture - The breeding and rearing of birds.
and biochemistry of bacteria as well as many other aspects Aquaculture - The rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation
related to them. of aquatic plants for food.
Entomology - A branch of zoology that deals with insects. Algaculture - Algaculture is a form of aquaculture involving
Malacology - Malacology is the branch of invertebrate zoology the farming of species of algae. Algae are used in wastewater
that deals with the study of the Mollusca, the second -largest treatment facilities, reducing the need for greater amounts of
phylum of animals in terms of described species after the toxic chemicals. Algae can be used to capture fertilizers in run
arthropods. Molluscs include snails and slugs, clams, octopus, off from farms, when subsequently harvested, the enriched
and squid (largest invertebrate) and numerous other kinds, many algae itself can be used as fertilizer. Microalgae are called
of which have shells made of calcium carbonate. phytoplanktons.
Ichthyology - Ichthyology, also known as fish science, is the Pisciculture - The controlled breeding and rearing of fishes.
branch of zoology that deals with fishes. Agriculture - The science or practice of farming, including
Serpentology - A branch of zoology that studies snakes. cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing
Herpetology - Herpetology is the branch of zoology which of animals to provide food, wool and other products.
deals with the study of reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, Sericulture - The production of silk and the rearing of
turtles, lizards, tortoises, crocodilians etc. It deals with their silkworms for this purpose.
behaviour, geographic ranges, physiologies, development, Silviculture - Silviculture is the practice of controlling the
genetics etc. growth, composition, health and quality of forests to meet
Ornithology - Ornithology is a branch of zoology that deals diverse needs and values.
with the study of birds. Spongiculture - The cultivation and growing of sponges.
Dermatology - A branch of medicine concerned with the Horticulture - Horticulture is the science and art of growing
diagnosis and treatment of skin, nails and hair diseases. fruits, vegetables, flowers and crops like spices, condiments
Trophology - Study of nutrition. A nutritional approach that and other plantation crops.
advocates specific combinations of foods as central to good Floriculture - Floriculture or flower farming, is a discipline
health and weight loss. of horticulture concerned with the cultivation of flowering and

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 ornamental plants for gardens and for floristry, comprising the
Question Bank
floral industry.
Olericulture - Olericulture is the science of vegetables 1. Study of Zoology deals with :
growing, dealing with the culture of non-woody (herbaeous) (a) Living animals only
plants for food. (b) Living plants only
Arboriculture - Cultivation of trees and shrubs. (c) Both living and dead animals
Pomology - The science that deals with fruit and fruit growing. (d) Both living and dead plants
Agronomy - A branch of agriculture dealing with crop U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995
production and soil management. Ans. (c)
Vermiculture - The cultivation of earthworms, especially in Zoology is a branch of biology. It deals with the study of
order to use them to convert organic waste into fertilizer. both living and extinct animals including their structure,
Ostriculture - The breeding of oysters for food and pearls. embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution.
Heliculture - It is also known as snail farming. It is the process Aristotle is known as 'Father of Zoology'.
of raising land snails especially for human use, either to use
their flesh to eat or to obtain snail slime for use in cosmetics 2. Match the following List-I to List-II and by using the
given codes in below list. Choose the correct answer.
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and snail eggs for human consumption as a type of caviar.

Viticulture - Cultivation and harvesting of grapes. List -I List- II
Mariculture - Mariculture is a specialized branch of A. Birds 1. Palaeobiology
aquaculture involving the cultivation of marine organisms B. Inheritance 2. Ecology
(animal and plant) for food and other products. C. Environment 3. Ornithology
Moriculture - Moriculture is the science of mulberry D. Fossil 4. Genetics
cultivation for silk production because silk worm (Bombyx Code :
mori) reared on it. A B C D
Citriculture - Cultivation of citrus fruit trees. (a) 1 3 4 2
(b) 3 4 2 1
Vegeculture - The cultivation of vegetables, also the cultivation
(c) 4 2 1 3
of plants, especially root crops, propagated by vegetative means.
(d) 2 4 1 3
Aeroponics - A plant-cultivation technique without soil, in
U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998
which the roots hang suspended in the air while nutrient solution
Ans. (b)
is delivered to them in the form of a fine mist.
Aeroculture - A method of growing plants without soil by The correctly matched order is given below :
suspending them above sprays that constantly moisten the roots Study of Birds — Ornithology
with water and nutrients. Study of Inheritance — Genetics
Hydroponics - It is a method of growing plants without soil by Study of Environment — Ecology
instead of using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent Study of Plant Fossils — Palaeobiology
(see fig.).
3. The study of the flower is known as :
(a) Phrenology (b) Anthology
(c) Agrostology (d) Palynology
Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2003
Ans. (b)

Phrenology — Study of human skull

Anthology — Study of flowers
Agrostology — The study of grasses
Palynology — Study of pollen grains and other
spores

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 ï Organisms that have eukaryotic cells include protozoa,
Cell algae, slime moulds, fungi, plants and animals. These
Notes organisms are grouped into the biological domain
Eukaryota.
ï The cell (from Latin-Cella- meaning small room) is the ï Eukaryotic cells are large and more complex than
basic structural, functional and biological unit of all known prokaryotic cells. These cells are about fifteen times wider
living organisms. than a typical prokaryote and can be as much as a thousand
ï A cell is the smallest unit of life. Cells are often called the times greater in volume.
‘building blocks’ of life. ï Eukaryotic cells contain a variety of structures called
ï The study of cells is called cell biology or cellular biology. organelles, which perform various functions within the
ï The cell consists cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane, cell which are as follows -
which contains many biomolecules such as proteins and (a) Cell wall :
nucleic acid. ï Cell wall is found in the cells of plants and algae, fungi
ï The number of cells in plants and animals varies from and most chromalveolates, which is a layer outside the
species to species. Human contain around 40 trillion (4 × cell membrance, providing the cell with structural support,
1013) cells. protection, and a filtering mechanism.
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ï Most plant and animal cells are visible only under ï Plants cell wall are made up of cellulose, hemicellulose
a microscope, with dimensions between 1 to 100 and pectin. The fungi cell wall is made up of chitin.
micrometres. ï Animal cells lack a cell wall.
ï Cells were discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665 (detailed (b) Plasma membrane/Cell membrane :
description in a book written by him-Micrographia). ï The plasma membrane is a biological membrane that
ï Cell theory, first developed in 1839, by Schleiden and separates the interior of all cells from the outside
Schwann. According to his theory, all organisms are made environment, which protects the cell from its environment,
of one or more cell and all cells originate from pre-existing consisting of lipid bilayer with embedded protein.
cells. ï The cell membrane is a semipermeable or selectively
ï Cells emerged on Earth at least 3.5 billion years ago. permeable membrane which controls the movements
ï On the basis of absence or presence of a nucleus, the cells of ions and organic molecules.
have been divided into two groups- (c) Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) :
I . Prokaryotic cells : ï ER is a cellular organelle. It is the transport network for
ï Prokaryotic cells are cells that do not have a true nucleus molecules going to specific places.
or most cell organelles. Organisms that have prokaryotic ï ER is of two types-
cells are unicellular and called prokaryotes. (i) Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) - The ribosomes
ï Prokaryotic cells do not have a true nucleus that contains are found on its surface (which gives it a rough appearance)
their genetic material as eukaryotic cells do. Instead, so it acts as a site for protein synthesis.
prokaryotic cells have a nucleoid region, which is an (ii) Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) - It is without
irregularly shaped region that contains the DNA and is ribosome. It synthesizes lipids, phospholipids and steroids.
not surrounded by the membrane. The cell wall is present Similar to the SER, Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR) is
in prokaryotes. found only in muscle cells (myocytes). The SR stores and
ï The ribosome is found in cytoplasm. pumps calcium ions.
ï Histone protein is not annexed with the nucleic acid. (d) Ribosome :
ï Such type of cells is found in bacteria and blue green algae. ï The ribosome is a cell organelle. Ribosomes are found free
Prokaryotes include bacteria and archaea, two of the three in the cytoplasm or bound to the endoplasmic reticulum to
domains of life. There cells were the first form of life on form rough ER. It functions as a micromachine for making
Earth. proteins.
II . Eukaryotic cells : (e) Mitochondria :
ï Eukaryotic cells are cells that contain a nucleus and ï Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes and have
organelles, which are enclosed by a plasma membrane. their own genome.

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 ï Mitochondria acts as the power plants, it means that the (j) Nucleus :
maximum energy in form of ATP is produced within the ï Nucleus was discovered by Robert Brown in 1831.
mitochondria, hence it is also known as Power House of ï The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle found in
the cells. eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotes usually have a single nucleus
ï During cellular respiration, the initial process takes place but a few cell types, such as mammalian R.B.C. have no
in cytoplasm and then in mitochondria. nuclei and few others as Vaucheria and Cladophora has
ï The most prominent roles of mitochondria are to many nuclei.
produce the energy currency of the cell, ATP (adinosine ï It is the controlling and coordinating organ of the nucleus
triphosphate), through respiration, and to regulate cellular
due to the presence of DNA in it. It houses the cell’s
metabolism. During cellular respiration most ATP is
chromosomes, and is the place where almost all DNA
formed in Kreb’s cycle (Citric acid cycle).
replication and RNA synthesis occur.
(f) Golgi body :
ï The nucleus is spherical and seperated from the cytoplasm
ï Golgi body is also known as Golgi complex or Golgi
by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope.
apparatus. It was identified in 1897 by Camillo Golgi.
ï The Golgi complex is responsible for manufacturing, ï DNA is also found in mitochondria and chloroplast (found
warehousing and shipping certain cellular products such only in plant cells).
Programmed Cell Death (PCD) :
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as proteins and lipids that are synthesized by the cell. Its

functional unit is called cisternae. ï Programmed cell death is the death of a cell in any form,
(g) Lysosomes : mediated by an intracellular program, and is also referred
ï Lysosomes are also known as the suicidal bag of cells. to as cellular suicide.
ï These are membrane-enclosed organelles that contain an ï PCD is carried out in a biological process, which usually
array of enzymes capable of breaking down all types of confers advantage during an organism’s life cycle. For
biological polymers-proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates example, the differentiation of fingers and toes in a
and lipids. It functions on the digestive system of the cell developing human embryo occurs because cell between
serving both to degrade material taken up from outside the the fingers apoptose ; the result is that the digits are
cell and to digest absolute components of the cell itself. separate.
ï Lysosomes also take part in killing the viruses and bacteria ï PCD serves fundamental functions during both plant and
which have entered within the cell. animal tissue development.
ï The hydrolyzing enzymes act in acidic medium.
ï Apoptosis and autophagy, both are the forms of
ï After the rupturing of membrane of lysosome, the enzyme
programmed cell death.
came out, which hydrolizes all components of cell wall
by the process hydrolysis. Question Bank
(h) Centrosome :
1. Which organelle in the cell, other than the nucleus,
ï It is the cytoskeleton organiser of the cell. It produces
contains DNA ?
the microtubules of a cell - a key component of the
(a) Centriole (b) Golgi apparatus
cytoskeleton.
ï A single centrosome is present in the animal cells. Plants (c) Lysosome (d) Mitochondrion
and most fungi lacks centrosome. I.A.S. (Pre) 2001
(i) Vacuoles Ans. (d)
ï Vacuoles sequester waste products and in plant cells store Besides the nucleus, DNA is also found in the mitochondria
water. and chloroplast of cells, which is a genetic material and
ï The vacuoles of plant cells and fungal cells are usually carries the symptom signs of creatures to descendants from
larger than those of animal cells. a parent like a horoscope.
Note : By scientific convention, the term lysosome is applied
to these vesicular organelles only in animals and the term 2. Which one of the following statements is correct?
vacuole is applied to those in plant, fungi and algae (some (a) Prions are the smallest free-living cells.
animal cells also have vacuoles). However, some botanists (b) The cell wall of Mycoplasmas is made up of amino
argued that these vacuoles are lysosomes. sugars.

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Digestion in Mouth : ï It is a muscular tube about 25 cm. long. It connects mouth

ï Saliva is the watery and usually somewhat frothy to the stomach.
substance produced in the mouth by salivary glands.
ï When the food is swallowed, the walls of the oesophagus
ï Human saliva comprises 99.5% water plus electrolytes,
squeeze together (contract). This moves the food down the
mucus, white blood cells, epithelial cells (from which
DNA can be extracted), enzymes such as amylase (ptyalin) oesophagus to the stomach.
and lipase, antimicrobial agents such as secretory IgA, and Digestion in Stomach :
lysozymes. ï The stomach is a muscular sac that lies between the
ï The amount of saliva that is produced in a healthy person oesophagus and small intestine, in the upper abdomen.
per day ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 litres. ï The stomach is with strong muscular walls.
ï The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food, ï In addition to holding the food, it is also a mixer and
and helping to create a food bolus, so it can be swallowed grinder.
easily. ï The stomach secretes acid and powerful enzymes that
ï Amylase enzyme (ptyalin) breaks some starches into continue the process of breaking down of the food.
maltose and dextrin. ï Substances secreted by gastric glands of the stomach and
their functions are as follows :
ï The enzyme lysozyme hydrolyzes the cell wall of bacteria
(i) Hydrochloric acid (HCl) :
resulting in their killing. ï Hydrochloric acid provides the acidic medium to the food
In human, digestion starts from the mouth for digestion.
ï It kills the bacteria.
Oesophagus : ï It dissolves the foreign matter such as small stones, or
ï Oesophagus or esophagus is also called the gullet or food bones that come along with food.
pipe. ï It activates the enzyme pepsin and renin.

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 ï There are 10 essential amino acids and 10 non-essential Main Vitamins, Sources and Deficiency Diseases
amino acids which are required to synthesize protein in Vitamins Deficiency Diseases Sources
human body.
Vitamin A Night blindness, Carrot, milk,
Essential Amino Acids :
(Retinol) xeropthalmia, cheese,
ï Essential amino acids are not synthesized in human body. keratinization of butter, egg,
Human must obtain them from their diet in order to prevent skin infection Cod liver oil
protein energy malnutrition and resulting death.
Vitamin B1 Beri-beri, growth Cereals, legumes,
ï Essential amino acids include : phenylalanine, valine, (Thiamin) retardation soyabeans, milk,
threonine, tryptophan, methionine, leucine, isoleucine, yeast, green
lysine, histidine and arginine. vegetables
ï Arginine and histidine are essential only for juveniles but
Vitamin B2 Cheilosis, glossitis, Milk, egg white,
not for adults because these are synthesized in adults.
(Riboflavin) dermatosis, liver, kidney,
(ii) Non-essential Amino Acids : digestive disorders yeast, meat,
ï Non-essential amino acids are such amino acids which green leafy
are synthesized within the human body. vegetables
ï These are alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, Vitamin B3 Pellagra Egg, meat, fish,
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glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and (Niacin) milk, yeast,
tyrosine. vegetables,
ï α-Keratin is a protein, which is the main constituent of mushroom
horn, nail, hoof, hair, skin etc. Vitamin B5 Paraesthesia, Yeast, meat, fish,
ï Tyrosine helps in synthesis of neurotransmitters such as (Pantothenic burning sensation egg milk,
adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain. Acid) legumes
ï In milk, water percentage is approximately 87%. Besides it Vitamin B6 Anaemia, skin milk, yeast,
contains fats, proteins, carbohydrates, calcium, potassium, (Pyridoxine) problem and cereals, egg,
so it is considered as Complete Diet, which is globally muscular twisting grams, yolk
accepted food for all ages. Vitamin B7 Skin disease, fall Meat, wheat,
ï Nursing mothers need at least 65 grams of protein per day, (Vitamin-H; of hair egg, vegetables,
while in other females its requirement per day is 45-46 Biotin) fruits
grams. Vitamin B9 Anaemia, growth Green vegetables,
ï Due to protein deficiency, marasmus and kwashiorkor (Folic Acid) retardation legumes, yeast,
diseases are developed in humans. liver
Vitamins : Vitamin B12 Pernicious anaemia, meat, fish, egg,
ï It has been observed that certain organic compounds are (Cobalamin; abnormality in curd, bacteria
required in small amounts in our diet but their deficiency a vitamin nervous system of intestine
causes specific diseases. These compounds are called with cobolt)
vitamins. Vitamin C Scurvy (bleeding Amla, fruits of
ï Most of the vitamins cannot be synthesised in our body (Ascorbic gums) citrus family,
but plants can synthesise almost all of them, so they are Acid) tomato and green
considered as essential food factors. leafy vegetables
ï Vitamins are classified into two groups depending upon Vitamin D Rickets, Cheese, fish,
their solubility in water or fat. (Calciferol) osteomalacia egg, yolk, sunlight
(i) Fat soluble vitamins : These are vitamins A, D, E and K.
Vitamin E Sterility and weaken- Vegetable oils,
They are stored in liver and adipose (fat storing) tissues.
(Tocopherol) ing of reproductive wheat, soyabean
(ii) Water soluble vitamins : B group vitamins and vitamin organ and muscles
C are soluble in water. Water soluble vitamins must be
Vitamin K Increased blood Green leafy
supplied regularly in diet because they are readily excreted
(Naphtho- clotting time vegetables,
in urine and cannot be stored (except vitamin B12) in our
quinone) bacteria of intestine
body.

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General Science General Studies G–483

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 ï Ethylene has several effects on the vegetative and (c) Insulin (d) None of the above
reproductive growth of plants. It is used as both plant U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015
growth promoter and plant growth inhibitor. Ans. (b)
ï The effect of ethylene are as follows :
See the explanation of above question.
ï Enhances respiration rate through the ripening of fruits.
This phenomenon is called as 'respiratory climacteric'. 5. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer
ï Induction of epinasty. from the code given below the lists.
ï Inhibition of elongation growth in stems and roots. List-I List-II
ï Stimulation of cells to grow isodiametrically rather than (Plant hormone) (Function)
longitudinally thus enhancing radial growth rather than A. Auxin 1. Cell elongation
elongation growth in stems and roots. B. Gibberellin 2. Cell division
ï Induction of root hair formation. C. Cytokinin 3. Growth inhibition
ï Promotion of leaf and flower abscission and senescence. D. Abscisic acid 4. Apical dominance
Code :
ï It is applied to rubber trees to stimulate the flow of latex.
A B C D
Question Bank (a) 2 3 4 1
(b) 4 1 2 3
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1. Which one of the following is not a plant hormone ? (c) 3 4 2 1

(a) Cytokinin (b) Ethylene (d) 4 1 3 2
(c) Insulin (d) Gibberellin U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016
U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011 Ans. (b)
Ans. (c)
The correctly matched lists of plant hormones and their
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas by islets functions are as follows :
of Langerhans, which regulates the amount of glucose in List-I List-II
the blood. The lack of insulin causes diabetes. Cytokinin, (Plant hormone) (Function)
ethylene and gibberellin are plant hormones. Auxin - Apical dominance
Gibberellin - Cell elongation
2. Which one of the following is a plant hormone? Cytokinin - Cell division
(a) Insulin (b) Thyroxine Abscisic acid - Growth inhibition
(c) Estrogen (d) Cytokinin
U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015 6. The hormone related to drought tolerance is –
U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016 (a) Abscisic acid (b) Gibberellin
Ans. (d) (c) Indole acetic acid (d) Cytokinin
U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013
Plant hormones are naturally occurring special organic
Ans. (a)
compounds found in plants. They affect and control many
metabolic activities after being transported to different parts of The hormone abscisic acid was discovered in the early 1960s
the plants in very low quantity. Auxins, gibberellin, cytokinin, and plant biologists have known for decades that it plays
abscisic acid, and ethylene are examples of the plant hormone. a crucial role in keeping plants alive during the drought.
Abscisic acid causes the temporary closure of stomata when
3. Which of the following is a plant hormone?
there is a shortage of water. It is very useful for the plants
(a) Insulin (b) Thyroxine
growing in water deficient soil. It functions as antitranspirant
(c) Estrogen (d) Cytokinin
and also known as the stress hormone.
(e) None of the above
Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2014 7. Which hormone is found in the gaseous form ?
Ans. (d) (a) Abscisic acid (b) Ethylene
(c) Gibberellins (d) Auxins
See the explanation of above question.
(e) None of these
4. Which one of the following is a plant hormone? Chhattisgarh P.C.S (Pre) 2013
(a) Thyroxine (b) Cytokinin Ans. (b)

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 Quinine occurs naturally from the bark of the cinchona Diseases and Treatment
tree and was used in the treatment of malaria but now it is
substituted by Chloroquine. It is a synthetic drug used to kill I. Viral Diseases
sensitive malaria parasites.
Notes
41. Hydroxychloroquine drug used for the treatment of
CORONA patients is obtained from the bark of which ï Word ‘VIRUS’ is originated from the Latin neuter ‘virus’
of the following plants? which means ‘venomous substance’.
(a) Aswagandha (b) Sarpagandha ï The virus is an ultramicroscopic (20-300 nm in diameter),
(c) Cinchona (d) Aloe vera metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only
U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants and
Ans. (*) animals; composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat
and in more complex type, a surrounding envelope.
Quinine is extracted from the bark of cinchona tree, which is
ï The protein coat is known as capsid and its subunit is
used to treat malaria, arthritis and prion-related diseases. For
known as capsomere.
the treatment of malaria, chlroquine and hydroxychloroquine
are nowadays widely used instead of quinine, both of ï Most viruses have either RNA or DNA as their genetic
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which are synthetic drugs. Thus, this question is wrong as material, which may be single or double-stranded.
hydroxychloroquine is not obtained from the plants. It is not ï The entire infectious virus particle is called virion. Virus
the same as quinine, which is a naturally-occurring compound. is the nucleoprotein particle where as virion is the active,
Hydroxychloroquine is being studied to prevent and treat infectious form of the virus.
COVID-19, but all clinical trials conducted during 2020 found ï It was discovered by Russian scientist Dmitri Ivanovsky
it is ineffective and may cause dangerous side effects. in 1892. He found that a disease of tobacco plants could
be transmitted by an agent, later called tobacco mosaic
42. Cork is obtained from which of the following plant? virus, passing through a minute filter that would not allow
(a) Dalbergia (b) Cedrus the passage of bacteria.
(c) Quercus (d) Argemone ï In 1898, Martinus Beijerinck independently replicated
Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2003 Ivanovsky’s filtration experiments and then showed that
Ans. (c) the infectious agent was able to reproduce and multiply
Cork is obtained from the bark of the oak tree, whose botanical in the host cells of the tobacco plant. He coined the term
name is Quercus suber. It is native to the Mediterranean region. ‘virus’.
Cork consists of irregularly shaped, thin-walled, waxy cells. ï Tobacco mosaic virus was the first virus to be crystallized.
It was achieved by Wendel Meredith Stanley in 1935 who
43. Tapa cloth is obtained from the plants of which one of
also showed that TMV remains active after crystallization.
the following family?
ï The virus is a link between non-livings and livings. Viruses
(a) Asclepiadaceae (b) Moraceae are non-livings when they are outside the host cell as they do
(c) Graminae (d) Malvaceae not have any cellular machinery of their own. But when they
U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2021 are present inside the body of the host, they are living. They
Ans. (b) take over the host cell machinery to replicate themselves,
eventually destroying the host cell.
Bark cloth, or tapa, is not a woven material, but made from
bark that has been softened through a process of soaking and ï The river Ganga is self-cleansing and has healing powers,
beating. The inner bark is taken from several types of trees indeed its water has bacteriophages, who infect and kill
or shrubs, Moraceae often mulberry and fig, and designs are bacteria.
applied with paints and vegetable dyes of light brown, red, ï Phage Therapy is the use of bacteriophages to treat
and black. Tapa cloth is made in the islands of the Pacific pathological infections caused by bacteria.
Ocean, primarily in Samoa, Toga and Fiji, but as far afield as ï The branch of biology which deals with the study of the
Nine, Cook Islands, Soloman Islands, Vanuatu, New Zealand, virus is called virology.
Papua New Guinea and Hawaii (where it is called 'Kapa'). ï In 1977, India was declared to be free from smallpox.

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 Bird flu is the prevalent name of avian influenza which is 69. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly
caused by H5N1 virus. It is a contagious disease and affects matched?
mainly birds especially hens, cock and ducks. H5N1 can infect (a) Ebola virus - Small Pox
human by two method- (b) Biometric identification - Fingerprints and Iris scan
(1) Directly hen to man contact. (c) Cloning - Genetic replica
(2) Human to human transmission. (d) DNA Fingerprinting - Paternity or criminal
Tamiflu is an anti-viral medication that blocks the actions of identification
influenza virus types A and B. Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012
Ans. (a)
65. Which of the following is responsible for ‘Bird flu’?
(a) H5N1 (b) H1N1 The pair given in option (a) is not correctly matched. Ebola,
(c) Zika (d) Retro previously known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever is a rare and
U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2016 deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus
Ans. (a) strains. Ebola can cause disease in humans and non-human
primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).
See the explanation of the above question.
70. EBOLA is a –
66. H5N1 virus causing global pandemic influenza is - (a) Terrorist Organization (b) Deadly virus
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(a) Goat flu (b) Bird flu (c) AIDS Test (d) None of these
(c) Horse flu (d) Cow flu U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014
R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2010 Ans. (b)
Ans. (b)
Ebola is a serious and deadly virus transmitted by animals
See the explanation of the above question.
and humans. In 1976, it was initially detected in a village
67. H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with near Ebola river in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
reference to which one of the following diseases? Researchers named the virus and disease after the Ebola
(a) AIDS (b) Bird flu river. The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which
(c) Dengue (d) Swine Flu is often fatal if untreated.
I.A.S. (Pre) 2015
Ans. (d) 71. The name of Ebola virus is derived from the name of a
(a) City (b) Province
H1N1 is a flu virus. When it was first detected in 2009, it was
(c) River (d) Mountain
called ‘swine flu’ because the virus was similar to those found
in pigs. Flu viruses have the ability to mutate quickly and U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013
pigs provide an excellent host for this. The H1N1 virus has Ans. (c)
developed the ability to spread among humans, who then See the explanation of above question.
infect each other through coughing and sneezing.
68. Consider the following statements : II. Bacterial Diseases
1. In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted
by the same mosquito that transmits dengue. Notes
2. Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is
possible. Bacteria are single-celled, prokaryotic microorganisms.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? They are cosmopolitan. They can thrive in a diverse
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only environment. They can live within the soil, in the ocean
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
and inside the human gut.
I.A.S. (Pre) 2017
Ans. (c) The human relationship with bacteria is complex.
Sometimes they lend a helping hand, such as by curdling
Zika virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite
of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes milk into yogurt or helping with our digestion. In other
aegypti and Aedes albopictus in tropical regions. These are cases, they are destructive, causing diseases.
the same mosquitoes that transmits dengue, chikungunya and The pathogenic bacteria are capable to infect all the
yellow fever. Sexual transmission of Zika virus is also possible. systems of the human.

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 Some main bacterial diseases and their factors are as follows :

Disease Bacteria Affected organs

Cholera Vibrio cholerae Infection of the small intestine.
Plague Pasteurella (Yersinia) pestis Formation of swollen lymph nodes (buboes) in groin, armpit or neck.
It can be fatal.
Leprosy Mycobacterium leprae or It affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper
Mycobacterium lapromatosis respiratory tract and the eyes.
Pneumonia Streptococcus pneumoniae An infection of the lungs. Symptoms include - chest pain, fever, cough,
shortness of breath.
Typhoid Salmonella typhi The infection is often passed on through contaminated food and drinking
water. Its symptom is high fever, diarrlea and vomiting. It can be fatal.
Diphtheria Corynebacterium diphtheriae It affects the throat and nose.
Gonorrhoea Neisseria gonorrhoeae It is a sexually transmitted disease that can affect the reproductive organs.
Syphilis Treponema palladium It is spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore
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typically on genitals, rectum or mouth.

Whooping cough Haemophilus pertussis or A highly contagious respiratory tract infection. In many people, it is
or Pertussis Bordetella pertussis marked by a severe hacking cough followed by a high pitched intake of
breath that sounds like ‘whoop’.
Tetanus (Lockjaw) Clostridium tetani It is characterized by muscle spasm. The spasm begins in the jaw and
progress to the rest of the body.
Tuberculosis (TB) Mycobactericum tuberculosis Mainly affects the lungs; a potentially serious infectious disease.
Rheumatic fever Streptococcus pyogenes Inflammatory disease that can involve the heart, joints, skin and brain.

Salmonella bacilli is responsible for food poisoning. It is Sulpha Drugs :

a gram-negative, flagellated facultatively anaerobic bacilli. Sulpha drugs are used to cure the diseases caused by
Flagella are found around it. Generally, it is transmitted bacteria.
by means of contaminated water and food. Prontosil is the first sulpha drug to be discovered. The
discovery was made by the great German physician and
Botulism :
chemist Gerhard Domagk (1895-1964).
Botulism poisoning is a rare but serious illness caused by
Sulpha drug, also called sulphonamide, is any member
a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty
of a group of synthetic antibiotics containing the
in breathing, muscle paralysis and even death. sulphanilamide molecular structure. Sulpha drugs were
This toxin is produced by the bacteria Clostridium the first chemical substances systematically used to treat
botulinum and sometimes C. butyricum and C. baratli. and prevent bacterial infections in humans.
These bacteria can be spread by food and sometimes by Broad-spectrum antibiotic :
other means. The term broad-spectrum antibiotic can refer to an
The concerned bacteria are gram-positive bacteria. antibiotic that acts on the two major bacterial groups,
DPT & BCG Vaccine : gram-positive and gram-negative, or any antibiotic that
DPT vaccine conveys immunity to three different acts against a wide range disease-causing bacteria.
These medications are used when a bacterial infection is
infectious bacterial diseases. They are -
suspected but the group of bacteria is unknown or when
i. Diptheria
infection with multiple groups of bacteria is suspected.
ii. Pertussis This is in contrast to a narrow-spectrum antibiotic,
iii. Tetanus which is effective against only a specific group of bacteria.
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a vaccine primarily Ampicillin is the commonly used broad-spectrum
used against tuberculosis (TB). antibiotic.

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 III. Fungal Diseases by the Claviceps purpurea fungus that infects rye and
other cereals and more recently by the action of a number
of ergoline based drugs.
It is also known as ergotoxicosis, ergot poisoning and
The Fungi are a separate kingdom of living things. Saint Anthony’s Fire.
A fungus (plural fungi) is a kind of living organisms; yeast, Toxins affect the nervous, vascular (vasoconstriction and
moulds (molds) and mushrooms are types of fungi. resultant gangrene), and endocrine system.
Fungi have cells with nuclei (eukaryotic organisms). Clinical signs include decreased food intake and growth,
Fungus cell wall contains chitin unlike the cell wall of necrosis of beak, comb and toes, distorted feather
plants, which contain cellulose. development and enteritis.
Most fungi grow as tubular filaments called hyphae. An Ergotism primarily affects leghorns and other laying
interwoven mass of hyphae is called a mycelium. The breeds and only trace amounts remain in their meat.
walls of hyphae are often strengthened with chitin, a
Athlete’s Foot :
polymer of N-acetylglucosamine.
Athlete’s foot (Tinea pedis) is a fungal infection that
The study of fungi is called Mycology.
usually begins between the toes. It affects the uper layer
All fungi are heterotrophs either parasitic or saprotrophs.
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of the skin of the foot.

Fungi have a close relation to humans. Several species of
It commonly occurs in people whose feet have become
fungi are useful and harmful to humans.
very sweaty while confined with tightfitting shoes.
Some main fungal infections have been described as
Signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash
below :
that usually causes itching, cracking, stinging and burning.
Aflatoxins :
Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be spread via
Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi
contaminated floors, towels or clothing.
that are found on agricultural crops such as maize, peanuts,
cotton seeds and tree nuts. The fungal infection is called athlete’s foot because it is
The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus commonly seen in athletes.
flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant Athlete’s foot is caused by the fungus Trichophyton,
in warm and humid regions of the world. Epidermophyton and Microsporum.
Aflatoxin-producing fungi can contaminate crops in the Mucormycosis :
field, at harvest, and during storage. Mucormycosis (previously called zygomycosis) is a
Aflatoxin is a natural carcinogen which is associated with serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of
an increased risk of liver cancer. molds called mucormycetes. These molds live throughout
Aflatoxin causes DNA damage and with prolonged the environment.
exposure to aflatoxin, cells accumulate DNA mutations Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health
and thus are at increased risk of developing into cancer problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability
cells. to fight germs and sickness.
Aspergillosis : It is also known as black fungus.
Aspergillosis is the name given to a wide variety of Symptoms depend on where in the body the infection
diseases caused by infection by fungi of the genus occurs. It most commonly infects the nose, sinuses, eye,
Aspergillus. and brain resulting in a runny nose, one-sided facial
Aspergillosis occurs in humans, birds and other animals. swelling and pain, headache, fever, blurred vision, bulging
The majority of the cases occur in people with an or displacement of the eye (proptosis), and tissue death.
underlying illness such as tuberculosis or chronic Other forms of disease may infect the lungs, stomach and
obstructive pulmonary disease. intestines, and skin.
Ergotism :
Dermatitis, baldness, candidiasis, geotrichosis are the
Ergotism is the effect of long-term ergot poisoning,
traditionally due to the ingestion of the alkaloids produced fungal borne diseases.

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 IV. Other Parasitic Diseases symptoms may not develop for several months. Some
malarial parasites can enter the body but will be dormant
for long periods of time.
Notes
Common symptoms of malaria include shaking chills that
Besides virus, bacteria and fungus some members of can range from moderate to severe, high fever, profuse
phylum-protozoa, platyhelminthes and nematoda are sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting etc.
responsible for different diseases. Malaria can cause a number of life-threatening
Some parasites like Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium complications. The following may occur :
spp. can cause disease directly, but other organisms can (1) Swelling of the blood vessels of the brain or cerebral
cause disease by the toxins that they produce. malaria.
The most important parasitic diseases are as follows- (2) An accumulation of fluid in the lungs that causes breathing
Malaria : problems or pulmonary oedema.
Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It is typically (3) Organ failure of the kidney, liver or spleen.
transmitted through the bite of female Anopheles (4) Anaemia due to the destruction of RBCs.
mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium
(5) Low blood sugar.
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parasite. When this mosquito bites, the parasite is released

Ronald Ross was a British Medical doctor who received
into the bloodstream. The primary host of Plasmodium is
the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for
a man and the secondary host is female Anopheles.
his work on the transmission of malaria. His discovery
Once the parasites are inside the body, they travel to the
of the malarial parasite in the gastro-intestinal tract of
liver, where they mature. After several days, the mature
mosquito in 1897 proved that malaria was transmitted
parasite enters the bloodstream and begin to infect red
by mosquitoes, and laid the foundation for the method of
blood corpuscles (RBCs).
combating the disease.
Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red blood Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites by
corpuscles multiply, causing the infected cells to burst using mosquito repellants (Pyrethrum) and nets.
open.
Quinine is a medication used to treat malaria. It was first
The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting isolated in 1820 from the bark of cinchona tree.
in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three
Some antimalarial drugs as chloroquine, amodiaquin,
days at a time.
atovaquone, proguanil, sulphonamides, mefloquine,
Malaria is typically found in tropical and subtropical primaquine are also used to cure malaria.
climates where the parasites can live.
Use of antimalarial drugs to prevent the development
There are four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect of malaria is known as chemoprophylaxis. These drugs
humans : Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae and should be used regularly in malaria affected regions.
P. falciparum (unicelled protozoan).
To eradicate the Anopheles mosquito, pesticides such as
P. falciparum causes a more severe form of the disease DDT should be used.
(malignant malaria) and those who contract this form of
Mosquito larvae eating fish Gambusia affinis is used to
malaria have a higher risk of death.
control the population of mosquito.
An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby
The ducks are also helpful in eradicating the larvae of
at birth. This is known as congenital malaria.
mosquito.
Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be
World Malaria Day is an international observance
transmitted through-
commemorated every year on 25 April and recognizes
(1) An organ transplant global efforts to control malaria.
(2) A transfusion Kala-azar (Visceral leishmaniasis) :
(3) Use of shared needles or syringes Kala-azar is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite of
The symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 the genus Leishmania. It is a chronic and potentially fatal
days to 4 weeks following the infection. In some cases, disease chiefly of tropical areas.

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 14. Sleeping sickness happens due to : 17. Leander Paes was forced off the Court of Tennis in
(a) Deficiency of Vitamin-A 2003 after a problem was detected in his brain. What
(b) Deficiency of calcium in body was the problem ?
(c) Rising of blood pressure (a) A tumour
(d) Unicellular animal named Trypanosoma (b) A haemorrhage
U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007 (c) Some spinal fluid
Uttarakhand U.P.A/L.D.A. (Pre) 2003 (d) A cyst
Ans. (d) U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005
Sleeping sickness, also called ‘human African trypanosomi- Ans. (d)
asis’ is a widespread tropical disease that can be fatal if not Leander Paes was forced off the Court of Tennis in 2003
treated. Sleeping sickness is caused by two different parasites, after a cyst was detected in his brain. A cyst is a closed sac,
Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei having a distinct membrane and division compared to the
gambiense. It is spread by the bite of an infected tse-tse fly nearby tissue. Hence, it is a cluster of cells that have grouped
(genus Glossina), a species native to the African continent. together to form a sac. One rather common infection in India
The tse-tse fly bite erupts into a red sore and within a few causing such a brain lesion is cysticercus granuloma caused
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weeks, the person can experience fever, swollen lymph by the larval for of a tapeworm.
glands, aching muscles and joints, headaches and irritability.
15. Which of the following is NOT mosquito borne disease? V. Genetic Disorders
(a) Dengue fever
(b) Filariasis
Notes
(c) Sleeping sickness
(d) Malaria ï A genetic disease is any disease that is caused by an
U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2021 abnormality in an individual genome.
Ans. (c) ï Some genetic disorders are inherited from the parents,
Mosquito-borne diseases are those spread by the bite of an while other genetic disorders are caused by acquired
infected mosquito. Diseases that are spread to people by changes or mutations in pre-existing genes or group of
mosquitoes include Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya genes.
virus, dengue, and malaria.
ï Mutations can occur either randomly or due to some
Sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis, is a
life-threatening disease caused by related parasite strains, environmental exposure.
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei ï Some genetic disorders in man are Albinism, Haemophilia,
rhodesiense, transmitted by the tse-tse fly. Muscular Dystrophy, Phenylketonuria, Alkaptonuria,
etc. These genetic disorders are transferred from one
16. Due to unsafe drinking water and lack of Sanitation,
generation to the next generation.
three main communicable diseases in developing
ï Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome
countries are -
are such genetic disorders which are caused due to
(a) Diarrhoea, cancer, gout
chromosomal abberations.
(b) Malaria, Acute diarrhoea, Schistosomiasis
Sex chromosomes and sex-linked inheritance :
(c) Orchociasis, white blindness, arthritis
ï Sex chromosome, either of a pair of chromosomes that
(d) Rheumatism, Malaria, AIDA
determine whether an individual is male or female.
I.A.S. (Pre) 1993
ï Besides sex-determining gene, there are some other genes,
Ans. (b)
which are found on the sex chromosomes, determining
Malaria, Acute Diarrhoea and Schistosomiasis are the three the body character of an individual. Such characters are
main communicable diseases in developing countries caused termed as a sex-linked character and its inheritance is
by unsafe water and lack of Sanitation. called sex-linked inheritance.

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 ï Binge eating refers to eating a large amount of food in a Urine
short time. ï Urine is an aqueous solution of greater than 95% water.
ï Purging refers to the attempts to get rid of the food ï Other constituents include urea, chlorides of sodium
consumed. This may be done by vomiting or taking and potassium, creatinine, uric acid, and other dissolved
ions and organic and inorganic compounds.
laxatives.
ï Urea is a non-toxic compound made of toxic ammonia
Itai-itai Disease :
and carbon dioxide.
ï Itai-itai disease was the name given to the mass cadmium ï Urobilin or Urochrome is the chemical primarily
poisoning of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, starting around responsible for the yellow colour of urine.
1912.
Main Deficiency Diseases
ï The term ‘itai-itai’ was coined by locals for the severe pain
Disease Cause
people with the condition felt in the spines and joints.
Anemia Deficiency of Iron
ï Cadmium poisoning can also cause softening of the bones
Goitre Deficiency of Iodine
and kidney failure.
Marasmus Severe malnutrition
ï The cadmium was released into rivers by mining
Kwashiorkor Deficiency of Protein
companies in the mountains, which were successfully
Rickets in children Deficiency of Vitamin-D
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sued for the damage.

Mad cow disease in cattle Prions (a protein)
ï Itai-Itai disease is known as one of the Four Big Pollution
Diseases of Japan. Diabetes Deficiency of Insulin
Xeropthalmia Deficiency of Vitamin-A
ï The Four Big Pollution Diseases of Japan are-
(1) Itai-Itai Cerebral Palsy :
(2) Minimata Disease ï Cerebral Palsy is a group of permanent movement
(3) Niigata minimata disease disorders that appear in early childhood.
(4) Yokkaichi asthama. ï Symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak
Blue Baby Syndrome (Methemoglobinemia) : muscles, and tremors.
ï The blue baby syndrome is potentially caused by nitrates in ï There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing,
drinking water. It results in blueness of the skin in babies. swallowing, and speaking.
ï Nitrates from polluted drinking water form compounds ï The case of cerebral palsy is a brain injury or brain
in the body that change haemoglobin to methemoglobin malformation that occurs while the brain is developing
(which cannot bind oxygen) decreasing the ability of blood before, during or after birth. As a result of the brain damage
to carry oxygen. during brain development a child’s muscle control, muscle
ï In infants, the condition can be fatal. coordination, muscle tone, reflexes, posture and balance
ï A number of cardiovascular defects may also lead to the can be affected.
blue baby syndrome. The most common cyanotic heart Alzheimer’s Disease :
defects include tetralogy of Fallot (a combination of ï Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease
four congenital abnormalities. The four defects include that causes brain cells to degenerate. It usually starts
a ventricular septal defect, pulmonary valve stenosis, a slowly and gradually worsens over time.
misplaced aorta and a thickened right ventricular wall); ï Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of
persistent (patent) truncus arteriosus (a condition in dementia- a continuous decline in thinking, behavioural
which the embryological structure known as truncus and social skills that disrupts the person’s ability to
arteriosus fails to properly divide into the pulmonary function independently.
trunk and aorta), tricuspid atresia (tricuspid heart valve ï The early signs of the disease may be forgetting recent
is missing or abnormally developed), transposition of events or conversations. As the disease progresses, a person
the great vessels (an abnormal spatial arrangement of with Alzheimer’s disease will develop severe memory
any of the great vessels : superior and/or inferior venae impairment and loose ability to carry out everyday tasks.
cavae, pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins, and aorta) and ï Dr. Alois Alzheimer a German psychiatrist and
anomolus pulmonary venous connection. neuropathologist firstly identified this disease.

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 ï Under low infestation yellow patches appear on the leaves. (5) Sugarcane mosaic virus (10) Yellow vein mosaic of
ï Photosynthesis is reduced resulting in the reduction of (6) Cauliflower mosaic virus Lady’s finger (okra) - Its
sucrose content of the juice by up to 30%. (7) Lettuce mosaic virus vector is Bemisia tebaci
ï Leafhoppers secrete a sweet substance called honey dew (white flies).
(8) Maize mosaic virus
that coats the leaves and attracts a blackish fungus, which
reduces photosynthesis resulting in yield loss. (9) Peanut stunt virus
White Rust : Plant Diseases caused by Bacteria
ï White Rust is a disease in plants caused by the oomycetes
Disease Bacterium name
Albugo candida.
ï Plants susceptible to the disease generally include Potato Wilt Pseudomonas solanacearum
members of the family Brassica as mustard, broccoli, Crown gall disease Agrobacterium tumefaciens
cauliflower, cabbage, etc. Black rot of cabbage Xanthomonas campestris
ï Signs and symptoms of infection include chlorosis on Canker of Citrus Xanthomonas axonopodis
leaf surfaces, white blister-like growths on the underside
of leaves and on the stems of the plant, and swelling of Plant Diseases caused by Fungus
the roots. Name of Disease Fungus Name
ï Fungicides are used for the treatment of white rust of
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Black rust of wheat Puccinia graminis tritici

crucifers.
Kernal Bunt : Loose smut of wheat Ustilago nuda tritici
ï Kernal Bunt, also known as partial bunt, is a fungal Early blight of potato Alternaria solani
disease of wheat, durum wheat, and triticale. Late blight of potato Phytophthora infestans
ï It is caused by smut fungus Tilletia indica.
Wart disease of potato Synchytrium endobioticum
ï It invades the kernels and obtains nutrients from the
endosperm, leaving behind waste products with a Tikka disease of groundnut Cercospora personata
disagreeable odour that makes bunted kernels too Red rot of sugarcane Colletotrichum falcatum
unpalatable for use in flour etc. Brown leaf spot of rice Sphaerulina oryzina
ï Kernal bunt affects the quality of wheat.
Wilt of arhar Fusarium oxysporum
Ergot disease :
ï Ergot of cereals and grasses is a plant disease caused by the Plant Diseases due to lack of Nutrient
fungus Claviceps purpurea, which infects the developing
Name of deficiency Disease / Symptom
grains of cereals and grasses.
Zinc (Zn) Khaira disease of Paddy
ï Ergot symptoms become evident during kernel formation
when ergot bodies are formed in place of kernels. Zinc (Zn) White bud disease in maize

ï Ergot affects the productivity and quality of the crop and Boron (B) Internal cork in apple fruit
if livestock eat infected grain or hay it may cause a disease Boron (B) Browning in cauliflower
called ergotism. Boron (B) Sugarbeet heart rot
Tungro disease : Molybdenum (Mo) Whiptail disease of cabbage
ï Tungro disease in rice is caused by the combination of two
viruses, which are transmitted by leafhoppers. Viruses are Question Bank
(1) RTSV-rice tungro spherical virus and (2) RTBV-rice
1. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
tungro bacilliform virus.
Viruses can infect
ï It causes leaf discoloration, stunted growth, reduced tiller
1. Bacteria 2. Fungi
numbers and sterile or partly filled grains.
3. Plants
ï It is one of the most destructive diseases of rice in South Select the correct answer using the code given below:
and Southeast Asia. (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only
List of some diseases in Plants Caused by Viruses : (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(1) Tobacco mosaic virus (3) Barley Yellow Dwarf I.A.S. (Pre) 2016
(2) Cucumber mosaic virus (4) Bud Blight Ans. (d)

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