
UP Board Class 12 Biology 2024 Question Paper (Code 348-GL) PDF is available for download. The exam, conducted by UPMSP in February 2024, was for 70 marks with a 3-hour 15-minute duration. According to initial feedback, the paper was of easy to moderate difficulty. The MCQs were easy, while the Short Answer and Long Answer sections were of moderate difficulty. Overall, students found the paper manageable and are expected to score well.
Candidates can use the link below to download the UP Board Class 12 Biology Question Paper with detailed solutions.
| UP Board Class 12 Biology Question Paper with Answer Key | Check Solution |

Genetic engineering is useful in:
Genetic engineering has applications in various fields such as:• Agriculture: Developing genetically modified crops with improved yield and resistance
to pests.
• Medical treatment: Producing insulin, growth hormones, and gene therapy.
• Formation of vaccines: Development of recombinant vaccines such as the Hepatitis B
vaccine.
Genetic engineering = Agriculture + Medicine + Vaccines.
Which one of the following is not a false fruit?
A false fruit is one that develops from parts of the flower other than the ovary, such as the
receptacle. Examples include apple, strawberry, and cashew. Mango, however, is a true fruit
as it develops solely from the ovary.
False fruits = Apple, Strawberry, Cashew (develop from parts other than ovary).
Mango = True fruit.
The vector of Dengue (Break bone) fever is:
Dengue fever, also known as ”breakbone fever,” is transmitted by the bite of Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes, which are active during the daytime and breed in stagnant water.
Quick Tip
Dengue = Spread by Aedes aegypti, breeds in clean stagnant water, active in the day-
time.
The name of the plant pollinated by water is:
Hydrophily is pollination that occurs through water. Plants like Hydrilla and Vallisneria are
adapted to water pollination, whereas pea and citrus rely on insect or wind pollination.
Quick Tip
Water pollinated plants = Hydrilla, Vallisneria (Hydrophily).
Question 2(a):
Write the full form of IUD.
IUDs are contraceptive devices inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. They can be
hormonal or non-hormonal (copper-based).
Quick Tip
IUD = Intrauterine Device, used for long-term contraception.
Who proposed the Chromosomal theory of Inheritance?
Sutton and Boveri suggested that genes are located on chromosomes, and their behavior
during meiosis explains Mendel’s laws of inheritance.
Quick Tip
Sutton and Boveri linked genes to chromosomes, explaining Mendelian inheritance.
How many pairs of contrasting traits were studied by Mendel in pea plants?
Solution:The seven pairs of contrasting traits included characteristics such as seed shape
(round/wrinkled), plant height (tall/dwarf), and flower color (purple/white).
Quick Tip
Mendel studied 7 contrasting traits in pea plants like height, seed shape, and color.
What are parthenocarpic fruits?
These fruits develop without the formation of seeds. Examples include bananas and seedless
grapes. Parthenocarpy can occur naturally or be induced artificially using hormones.
Quick Tip
Parthenocarpic fruits = Seedless fruits (e.g., banana, seedless watermelon).
What do you understand by patent?
Solution:A patent provides protection to inventors against unauthorized use of their inventions and
promotes innovation by granting commercial rights for a specified duration, usually 20 years.
Quick Tip
Patent = Legal right to protect an invention, prevents unauthorized use.
Draw only the diagram of the structure of an Antibody molecule.
Solution:
Fig. Structure of antibody
Antibody = Y-shaped protein with heavy and light chains, binds to antigens.
Differentiate between homozygosity and heterozygosity.
Solution:
| Homozygosity | Heterozygosity |
|---|---|
| Both alleles of a gene are identical | The alleles of a gene are different |
| Example: TT (Tall), tt (Dwarf) | Example: Tt (Tall) |
Homozygous = Identical alleles (TT, tt), Heterozygous = Different alleles (Tt).
Write a short note on productivity.
Solution:
Productivity refers to the rate at which energy is accumulated in the form of biomass by producers in an ecosystem. Productivity is of two types:
• Primary Productivity:
The rate at which autotrophs convert solar energy into chemical energy.
• Secondary Productivity:
The rate at which consumers assimilate energy from the organic matter they consume.
Productivity = Energy accumulation in biomass; Primary (plants), Secondary (herbi-
vores).
Explain Mendelian law of segregation.
Solution:
The law of segregation states that during gamete formation, the two alleles of a gene segregate independently, with each gamete receiving only one allele. According to Mendel's first law, each parent contributes one allele to the offspring. In heterozygous individuals (Tt), the two alleles segregate during gamete formation, resulting in 50% T and 50% t in the gametes.
Law of segregation = Alleles separate during gamete formation; each gamete gets one
allele.
Describe natural selection in brief.
Solution:
Natural selection is the process by which organisms with favorable traits survive and reproduce, while those with less favorable traits are eliminated. Natural selection acts on variation within a population, leading to the survival of the fittest. Over generations, advantageous traits become more common, contributing to evolution. Example: Peppered moth adaptation during industrial revolution.
Natural selection = ”Survival of the fittest,” traits that help survival get passed on.
Question 4(a):
Explain the back cross and test cross.
Solution:
Back Cross: A cross of an offspring with one of its parents to achieve desired traits. It helps in maintaining desirable characteristics in subsequent generations.
Test Cross: A cross between an individual with an unknown genotype and a homozygous recessive individual to determine the unknown genotype. Solution:
Back Cross:
• Ensures the inheritance of a desired trait.
• Example: Crossing a hybrid pea plant (Tt) with its parent (TT or tt).
Test Cross:
• Used to determine whether an individual is homozygous dominant or heterozygous.
• Example: Crossing Tt (unknown) with tt (recessive).
Back cross = Offspring × Parent, ensures traits.
Test cross = Unknown genotype × Recessive, reveals genotype.
Describe the structure of seminiferous tubule.
Solution:
Seminiferous tubules are coiled structures in the testes where spermatogenesis occurs.
• Lined with germinal epithelium, which contains spermatogenic cells that develop into sperm.
• Sertoli cells provide nutrition and support to developing sperm.
• Interstitial cells (Leydig cells) present between the tubules secrete testosterone.
Seminiferous tubule = Sperm production site, contains spermatogenic and Sertoli cells.
Describe infectious diseases with examples.
Solution:
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Examples of infectious diseases:
• Bacterial:
Tuberculosis (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
• Viral:
Influenza (caused by the influenza virus).
• Fungal:
Athlete's foot (caused by fungi).
• Parasitic:
Malaria (caused by Plasmodium parasite).
Infectious diseases = Caused by microbes, spread through contact, air, or vectors.
Describe the importance of seed and fruit development.
Solution:
Seeds and fruits play a crucial role in plant reproduction, dispersal, and survival
• Seed Importance:
- Ensures the continuation of plant species.
- Stores food for embryo development.
- Facilitates dispersal to new locations.
• Fruit Importance:
- Protects the developing seeds.
- Aids in seed dispersal through wind, water, and animals.
- Provides food for humans and animals.
Seeds ensure survival; fruits protect and aid in dispersal.
Describe the contribution of biotechnology in agriculture.
Solution:
Biotechnology has revolutionized agriculture by enhancing crop yield, improving resistance to pests, and reducing dependency on chemical inputs.
Contributions of biotechnology in agriculture include:
•Genetically Modified Crops (GMOs):
Crops such as Bt cotton and Golden Rice provide resistance to pests and improved nutrition.
•Tissue Culture:
Allows the production of disease-free plants and rapid multiplication.
•Bio-fertilizers:
Use of beneficial microbes to improve soil fertility and reduce chemical fertilizers.
•Pest and Disease Resistance:
Genetic engineering enables crops to resist harmful insects and pathogens.
•Drought and Salinity Tolerance:
Development of crops that can withstand environmental stress conditions.
Write a short note on Mendelism.
Solution:
Mendelism refers to the principles of inheritance proposed by Gregor Mendel based on his experiments with pea plants.
Mendel formulated three laws of inheritance:
•Law of Dominance:
In a heterozygous individual, the dominant allele is expressed while the recessive allele remains hidden.
•Law of Segregation:
Alleles separate during gamete formation, ensuring each gamete carries only one allele.
•Law of Independent Assortment:
Genes for different traits assort independently during gamete formation.
His work laid the foundation for modern genetics.
Write notes on the following:
(i) Ringworm
Solution:
Ringworm appears as red, itchy, circular rashes on the skin. It spreads through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or contaminated surfaces. Treatment involves antifungal medications such as creams and oral drugs.
(ii) Amoebiasis
Solution:
It spreads through contaminated food and water, causing symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. In severe cases, it may lead to liver abscesses. Prevention includes proper sanitation and hygiene.
Explain symbiosis with suitable examples.
Solution:
Symbiosis is a close and long-term biological interaction between two different species. The term "symbiosis” encompasses a variety of relationships, which can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral to the organisms involved. Based on the nature of the interaction, symbiotic relationships are classified into three main types: mutualism, commensalism , and parasitism. Types of symbiosis with examples:
•Mutualism:
Both species benefit. Example: Lichen (fungus and algae), where algae provide food, and fungi offer support.
•Commensalism:
One species benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited. Example: Barnacles on whales.
•Parasitism:
One species benefits at the expense of the other. Example: Tapeworm in the human intestine.
Explain competition and parasitism with examples.
Solution:
Competition:
• Occurs in populations of the same species (intraspecific) or different species (interspecific).
• Leads to reduced availability of resources for both organisms.
Parasitism:
• Parasites may cause harm but usually do not kill the host.
• Examples include lice on humans and mistletoe on trees.
When a cross is made between a tall plant with yellow seed (TtYy) and a tall plant with green seed (Ttyy), in what proportion of the following phenotypes could be expected?
Solution:
TtYy × Ttyy
Phenotypes:
1. Tall and green:
T-Yy, T-yy = 3⁄4 × 1⁄2 = 3⁄8
2. Dwarf and green:
ttYy, ttyy = 1⁄4 × 1⁄2 = 1⁄8
Write a note on National Park.
Solution:
• National Parks prohibit activities such as hunting, grazing, and deforestation.
• They serve as tourist attractions and educational sites.
• Examples in India: Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Kaziranga National Park (Assam).
Describe the development of the male gametophyte of an angiospermic plant with a suitable diagram.
Solution:
• The microspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to form haploid microspores.
• Each microspore undergoes mitosis to form a pollen grain with two cells:
1.Vegetative cell:
Responsible for pollen tube formation.
2.Generative cell:
Divides to form two male gametes.
• The mature pollen grain is released for pollination.

How does fertilization take place in an angiospermic plant? Describe post-fertilization structures and events.
Solution:
Fertilization Process:
• The pollen grain lands on the stigma and germinates, forming a pollen tube.
• The pollen tube grows through the style and reaches the ovule in the ovary.
• The generative cell divides to form two male gametes.
• One male gamete fuses with the egg cell to form the diploid zygote (syngamy).
• The other male gamete fuses with the two polar nuclei to form the triploid endosperm (triple fusion).
Post-fertilization structures and events:
•Zygote formation:
The fertilized egg develops into an embryo.
•Endosperm development:
Provides nourishment to the developing embryo.
•Ovule transformation:
The ovule develops into a seed.
•Ovary transformation:
The ovary matures into a fruit.
•Other floral parts:
Sepals, petals, and stamens usually wither away.
OR
Write an essay on human evolution.
Solution:
Stages of human evolution:
•Australopithecus (4–2 million years ago):
Early bipedal hominins with small brain capacity.
•Homo habilis (2.4–1.4 million years ago):
First tool users, known as "handy man."
•Homo erectus (1.9 million–110,000 years ago):
First to use fire and migrate out of Africa.
•Neanderthals (400,000–40,000 years ago):
Lived in Europe and Asia, skilled hunters with complex social behavior.
•Homo sapiens (300,000 years ago–present):
Modern humans with advanced language, culture, and technological development.
Key evolutionary concepts:
•Bipedalism:
Walking on two legs, allowing hands to be free for tool use.
•Brain development:
Increased brain size leading to higher intelligence and social organization.
•Cultural evolution:
Development of language, agriculture, and civilization.
Answer the following question in detail:
(i) Characteristic features of the structure of double-stranded DNA.
Solution:
The key features of the DNA double helix are:
•Double helix structure:
Two strands of nucleotides run in opposite directions (antiparallel).
•Sugar-phosphate backbone:
Provides structural support and is composed of deoxyribose sugar and phosphate groups.
•Base pairing:
Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T), and Guanine (G) pairs with Cytosine (C) via hydrogen bonds.
•Helical structure:
The two strands coil around an axis with a right-handed twist.
•Uniform diameter:
The structure has a constant diameter of 2 nm due to base-pair complementarity.

(ii) Components of an ecosystem.
Solution:
The components of an ecosystem include:
Biotic Components (Living):
•Producers:
Autotrophs like plants that convert solar energy into food.
•Consumers:
Heterotrophs that consume producers (herbivores) or other consumers (carnivores).
•Decomposers:
Microorganisms like fungi and bacteria that break down organic matter.
Abiotic Components (Non-living):
•Physical factors:
Light, temperature, humidity, water, and soil.
•Chemical factors:
Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen.

(iii) Human ovum.
Solution:
Key features of the human ovum:
•Size:
The ovum is one of the largest cells in the human body (about 0.1 mm in diameter).
•Structure:
It has a nucleus, cytoplasm, and protective layers such as the zona pellucida and corona radiata.
•Function:
Carries genetic material and nutrients for the early development of the embryo after fertilization.

OR
Describe the dihybrid cross with a diagram.
Solution:
Mendel's dihybrid cross involved pea plants with contrasting traits of seed shape (round/wrinkled) and seed color (yellow/green).
Steps in the dihybrid cross:
•Parental generation (P):
RRYY (round yellow) × rryy (wrinkled green).
•First filial generation (F1):
All RrYy (round yellow).
•F2 generation (self-cross):
Produces a phenotypic ratio of 9:3:3:1 (round yellow, round green, wrinkled yellow, wrinkled green).

Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
Solution:
Key characteristics of GM crops:
•Increased Yield:
GM crops produce higher yields compared to traditional crops.
•Pest Resistance:
Crops like Bt cotton produce their own insecticidal proteins.
•Herbicide Tolerance:
GM crops can survive the application of herbicides without damage.
•Improved Nutritional Value:
Crops like Golden Rice are enriched with essential vitamins.
(ii) Components of a Nucleotide
Solution:
Each nucleotide consists of three components:
•Sugar:
A five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose in DNA, ribose in RNA).
•Phosphate Group:
Provides a negative charge and links nucleotides together.
•Nitrogenous Base:
Includes adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and uracil (U in RNA).
(iii) In-situ Conservation
Solution:
In-situ conservation methods include:
•Biosphere Reserves:
Large protected areas for conservation of biodiversity.
•National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries:
Areas designated to protect specific species.
•Sacred Groves:
Traditionally protected forest patches preserved by local communities.
This method allows organisms to continue evolving in their natural surroundings.
OR
What is addiction? Write a note on its ill effects on the young generation and its control measures.
Solution:
Ill effects of addiction:
•Physical health issues:
Chronic diseases, weakened immunity, and neurological damage.
•Mental health disorders:
Anxiety, depression, and impaired cognitive function.
•Social problems:
Decline in academic performance, strained relationships, and financial loss.
•Legal issues:
Involvement in criminal activities and legal penalties.
Control measures for addiction:
•Awareness programs:
Educating youth on the dangers of addiction.
•Rehabilitation centers:
Providing medical and psychological support.
•Parental guidance:
Encouraging healthy habits and monitoring behavior.
•Counseling services:
Professional help to cope with addiction.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.