ARS Mains Examination Previous Year Question Paper GPB - 2007

1. List the basic difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene control.

2. What are the significant uses of genome analysis in crop plants?

3. From a three-point testcross mapping experiment, the following genotypic frequencies were obtained:

   Xyz    2  
   Xyz   380  
   xYz    96  
   xyZ   109  
   XYZ   364  
   xyZ    24  
   xYZ     3  
   Xyz    22  
   

   (a) What is the correct gene order?

   (b) From the data provided, draw a linkage map showing the distances between these genes.

   (c) What is the coefficient of coincidence in the cross?

4. Differentiate between mis sense, nonsense, same sense and frame shift mutations.

5. Explain the cis-trans test. What is its utility and limitations?

6. Defend or refute the following statement citing suitable examples.
   Transposable elements are junk DNA with no useful biological function.

7. Define maternal inheritance. How does it differ from cytoplasmic inheritance?

8. How are deletions used for gene mapping?

9. Briefly describe the features of polytene chromosomes.

10. What is Mendel's law of independent assortment? Explain why Mendel did not encounter the problem of linkage in his experiments.

11. Describe sex determination systems in plants.

12. Describe the experiment that proved that DNA replication is semi conservative.

13. Discuss various features of genetic code.

14. What is the significance of complimentarity and antiparallel nature of the DNA double helix?

15. Mention the cytological and genetic procedures to detect chromosomal interchange in plants.

Section 'B'

16. How is mode of pollination determined in a species? Describe the procedure for determination the extent of cross pollination in a species.

17. Discuss the patterns of evolution in cultivated crops, giving suitable examples.

18. List different types of apomixes. What are the indicators of apomixes?

19. What are the prerequisites of backcross breeding? Illustrate diagrammatically the procedure to transfer a recessive gene from a donor to the recurrent parent.

20. Describe the procedure for production of alien substitution lines, citing suitable examples.

21. Distinguish between macro mutation and micro mutation. Briefly describe the procedure to develop high yielding cultivars using micro mutation breeding approach.

22. Compare the effectiveness of various recurrent selection schemes for population improvement.

23. Mention the barriers to wide hybridization and the scientific methods to overcome such barriers.

24. Briefly describe the basic features of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and mention its applications in genetics and plant breeding.

25. Compare the strengths and limitations of F2:3 and RIL mapping populations in relation to QTL mapping in crop plants.

26. Define a biparental cross. Give different designs used for biparental matings and their relative merits and demerits.

27. Write a short note on:
(a) Bt cotton;
(b) Transgenic crops with virus resistance.

28. Write ‘multilines’ and briefly describe how these lines are produced. Why are multilines not so popular?

29. Define briefly the constraints in breeding for drought stress tolerance in crop plants.
30. Write short note on:
(a) QPM
(b) 0-0 mustard
(c) Golden rice
(d) Biofortification

Section 'C'

31. Describe briefly the binomial system of classification and its significance.
32. Give the botanical classification of groundnut and describe its various uses.
33. Give floral and diagram of the family Poaceae.
34. Classify briefly the various industrial and specialty uses of maize.
35. Classify the endosperms on the basis of storage tissues. Discuss the role of storage tissues.
36. Discuss why Sunhemp and Dhaincha are used as the most favoured green manure crops.
37. Mention various ecosystem species and highlight their distribution and economic importance.
38. Name 5 species of minor millets. Highlight the nutritional importance of minor millets particularly for eradication of hidden hunger.
39. Write short notes on the economic use of:
(a) Herbaria curcas
(b) Aloe vera
(c) Azadirachta indica
(d) Ocimum sanctum
40. What is the center of origin of sugarcane? List various species of Saccharum and comment on their utility in sugarcane breeding.
41. What are the different cultivated species of rice? Mention the salient characteristics and importance of Basmati rice.
42. Trace the evolutionary history of bread wheat.
43. Discuss the origin and various uses of cultivated soybean.
44. Give the botanical classification and morphological description of pigeon pea.
45. Illustrate the U triangle and discuss its significance.

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