CUET UG Categorised PYQ Biology Unit 6 -

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CUET UG Categorised PYQ Biology Unit 6

BIOLOGY

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 16 Questions

📅 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025

✍️ Long Answers

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG Categorised PYQ Biology Unit 6

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QUESTION 1 OF 16

To prove theory of mutation, Hugo de Vries used ______ plant. (PYQ 2022 Shift 1)

Answer Review

1 To prove theory of mutation, Hugo de Vries used ______ plant. (PYQ 2022 Shift 1)

A Snap dragon or Antirrhinum

B Evening primrose

C Dog flower

D Pisum sativum

💡 Short Explanation

Hugo de Vries proposed mutation theory. Studied Oenothera lamarckiana. Commonly called Evening Primrose.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Hugo de Vries developed the Mutation Theory of Evolution after studying the plant Oenothera lamarckiana (Evening Primrose), where sudden heritable changes were observed.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Used in incomplete dominance studies.
Option C) Another name for Antirrhinum.
Option D) Mendel's experimental plant.

🎯 Strategy

Used: NCERT Recall

Option A → Antirrhinum.
Option B → Correct.
Option C → Antirrhinum.
Option D → Mendel's pea plant.

Final Answer → Evening Primrose.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Mutation Theory

2 Which one of the following is not an example of adaptive radiation? (PYQ 2022 Shift 1)

A Australian Marsupials

B Australian Placental Mammals

C Moths in England

D Darwin's Finches

💡 Short Explanation

Moths in England demonstrate industrial melanism. Adaptive radiation produces multiple species from common ancestors. Darwin's finches are classic examples.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Industrial melanism in peppered moths demonstrates natural selection, not adaptive radiation. Adaptive radiation involves diversification of a common ancestor into multiple species occupying different ecological niches.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Classic adaptive radiation example.
Option B) Example discussed in adaptive radiation context.
Option D) Classic adaptive radiation example.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Odd One Out

Option A → Adaptive radiation.
Option B → Adaptive radiation.
Option C → Natural selection.
Option D → Adaptive radiation.

Final Answer → Moths in England.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Adaptive Radiation

3 Which of the following pairs is not an example of homology? (PYQ 2023 Shift 1)

A Forelimbs of whale and forelimbs of cheetah

B Wings of butterfly and wings of bird

C Forelimbs of human and forelimbs of whale

D Thorn of Bougainvillea and tendril of Cucurbita

💡 Short Explanation

Homologous structures have common origin. Butterfly and bird wings have different origins. They are analogous structures.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Bird wings are modified vertebrate forelimbs, whereas butterfly wings arise as cuticular outgrowths. Their function is similar (flight) but origin is different, making them analogous rather than homologous.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Common vertebrate forelimb origin.
Option C → Same basic pentadactyl limb plan.
Option D → Both are stem modifications.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Odd One Out

Option A → Homologous.
Option B → Analogous.
Option C → Homologous.
Option D → Homologous.

Final Answer → Option B.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Homologous and Analogous Organs

4 Which of the following statements are correct with reference to evolution? (PYQ 2023 Shift 1)

A (A) and (B) only

B (B) and (C) only

C (C) and (D) only

D (A) and (D) only

💡 Short Explanation

Seaweeds existed around 400 mya. Dinosaurs disappeared around 100 mya (NCERT timeline). Statements B and A do not match NCERT chronology.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to the NCERT evolutionary timeline, seaweeds existed around 400 million years ago and dinosaurs disappeared roughly around 100 million years ago. Jawless fishes evolved much earlier than 350 mya, making statement B incorrect.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Includes incorrect statement B.
Option B → Includes incorrect statement B.
Option D → Includes incorrect statement A.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Option A → B incorrect.
Option B → B incorrect.
Option C → Correct pair.
Option D → A incorrect.

Final Answer → Option C.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Evolutionary Timeline

5 Brain capacities of Homo erectus was around: (PYQ 2023 Shift 2)

A 900 cc

B 650 – 800 cc

C 1400 cc

D 650 cc

💡 Short Explanation

Homo erectus had larger brain than Homo habilis. Approximately 900 cc. Important evolutionary stage.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

According to NCERT, Homo erectus possessed a brain capacity of about 900 cc, larger than Homo habilis but smaller than modern humans.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) Homo habilis range.
Option C) Modern Homo sapiens.
Option D) Too low.

🎯 Strategy

Used: NCERT Recall

Option A → Homo erectus.
Option B → Homo habilis.
Option C → Modern humans.
Option D → Incorrect.

Final Answer → 900 cc.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Human Evolution

6 In Miller's experiment, the closed flask contained: (PYQ 2023 Shift 2)

A C₂H₆, H₂, N₂O and NH₃

B CH₄, H₂, NH₃ and H₂O

C CH₄, O₂, NO₂ and H₂O

D CO₂, H₂O, NH₃ and O₂

💡 Short Explanation

Simulated primitive atmosphere. Reducing environment. Produced amino acids.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Miller and Urey used methane (CH₄), hydrogen (H₂), ammonia (NH₃) and water vapour (H₂O) to mimic the primitive atmosphere. Electrical sparks simulated lightning.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Not used in the experiment.
Option C) Oxygen absent in primitive atmosphere.
Option D) Oxygen-containing atmosphere is incorrect.

🎯 Strategy

Used: NCERT Recall

Option A → Wrong gases.
Option B → Correct.
Option C → Contains oxygen.
Option D → Contains oxygen.

Final Answer → Option B.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Origin of Life

7 Select the factor which does not affect Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium? (PYQ 2023 Shift 2)

A Genetic drift

B Mutation

C Genetic recombination

D Random mating

💡 Short Explanation

Random mating is an assumption of equilibrium. Mutation changes allele frequency. Drift changes allele frequency.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is maintained when random mating occurs. Mutation, genetic drift and recombination disturb equilibrium by altering genetic composition of populations.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Alters allele frequency.
Option B) Introduces new alleles.
Option C) Disturbs genetic equilibrium.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Option A → Disturbing factor.
Option B → Disturbing factor.
Option C → Disturbing factor.
Option D → Maintains equilibrium.

Final Answer → Random mating.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Hardy-Weinberg Principle

8 The brain capacity of the Neanderthal man was: (PYQ 2023 Shift 3)

A 800 cc

B 1400 cc

C 900 cc

D 500 cc

💡 Short Explanation

Neanderthals had large brains. Brain capacity around 1400 cc. Comparable to modern humans.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Neanderthals lived about 100,000–40,000 years ago and possessed a cranial capacity of approximately 1400 cc, indicating advanced brain development.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Too low.
Option C) Closer to Homo erectus.
Option D) Far below Neanderthal capacity.

🎯 Strategy

Used: NCERT Recall

Option A → Incorrect.
Option B → Correct.
Option C → Homo erectus range.
Option D → Too low.

Final Answer → 1400 cc.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Human Evolution

9 Which of the following experimentally demonstrated that life comes only from pre-existing life? (PYQ 2023 Shift 3)

A Alfred Wallace

B Hugo de Vries

C Louis Pasteur

D S.L. Miller

💡 Short Explanation

Swan-neck flask experiment. Disproved spontaneous generation. Supported biogenesis.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Louis Pasteur performed the famous swan-neck flask experiment, proving that microorganisms arise only from pre-existing microorganisms and not through spontaneous generation.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Co-developed theory of natural selection.
Option B) Mutation theory.
Option D) Miller-Urey experiment on origin of organic molecules.

🎯 Strategy

Used: NCERT Recall

Option A → Evolution.
Option B → Mutation theory.
Option C → Biogenesis.
Option D → Chemical evolution.

Final Answer → Louis Pasteur.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Origin of Life

10 Match List I with List II (PYQ 2023 Shift 3)

List I	List II
A. Tendrils of cucurbita and thorns of Bougainvillea	I. Convergent evolution
B. Sweet potato and potato	II. Adaptive radiation
C. Evening primrose	III. Divergent evolution
D. Darwin finches	IV. Mutation

A A–III, B–I, C–IV, D–II

B A–II, B–IV, C–I, D–III

C A–IV, B–II, C–III, D–I

D A–I, B–III, C–II, D–IV

💡 Short Explanation

Tendrils and thorns are homologous structures. Sweet potato and potato are analogous. Evening primrose relates to mutation. Darwin finches show adaptive radiation.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Tendrils of Cucurbita and thorns of Bougainvillea → Divergent evolution. Sweet potato and potato → Convergent evolution. Evening primrose → Mutation (Hugo de Vries). Darwin finches → Adaptive radiation.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) Multiple mismatches.
Option C) Incorrect evolutionary associations.
Option D) Several pairings wrong.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Option A → Correct.
Option B → Incorrect.
Option C → Incorrect.
Option D → Incorrect.

Final Answer → Option A.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Evolutionary Concepts

11 Analogous structures are a result of : (PYQ 2024 Shift 1, 2024 Shift 2)

A Divergent evolution

B Convergent evolution

C Genetic drift

D Point mutations

💡 Short Explanation

Similar function. Different origin. Evolve independently.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Analogous structures arise due to convergent evolution where unrelated organisms evolve similar adaptations because they face similar environmental pressures. Example: wings of birds and insects.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Divergent evolution → Produces homologous organs.
Option C) Genetic drift → Random allele frequency changes.
Option D) Point mutations → Mutation mechanism, not evolutionary pattern.

🎯 Strategy

Used: NCERT Recall

Option A → Homologous organs.
Option B → Analogous organs.
Option C → Population genetics concept.
Option D → Mutation.

Final Answer → Convergent evolution.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Convergent Evolution

12 Who proposed origin of life from non-living organic molecules ? (PYQ 2024 Shift 2)

A Darwin

B Oparin and Haldane

C Lamarck

D Thomas Malthus

💡 Short Explanation

Proposed chemical evolution theory. Life arose from non-living matter. Known as Oparin-Haldane theory.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Oparin and Haldane independently proposed that life originated through chemical evolution from non-living organic molecules under primitive Earth conditions.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) Proposed natural selection.
Option C) Proposed inheritance of acquired characters.
Option D) Influenced Darwin regarding population growth.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Option A → Evolution.
Option B → Origin of life.
Option C → Lamarckism.
Option D → Population theory.

Final Answer → Oparin and Haldane.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Origin of Life

13 Arrange the following geological periods in their occurrence from latest to oldest order: (PYQ 2025 Shift 1)

A (D), (B), (C), (A)

B (A), (B), (D), (C)

C (B), (A), (D), (C)

D (C), (D), (A), (B)

💡 Short Explanation

Tertiary is the most recent. Jurassic follows Tertiary. Triassic precedes Jurassic. Carboniferous is the oldest among these.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The geological sequence from latest to oldest among the given periods is Tertiary → Jurassic → Triassic → Carboniferous. The Tertiary period belongs to the Cenozoic Era, while Jurassic and Triassic belong to the Mesozoic Era. Carboniferous is part of the Paleozoic Era and is therefore older than the other three periods.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) (D), (B), (C), (A) Places Carboniferous after Jurassic and before Tertiary, which is incorrect.
Option B) (A), (B), (D), (C) Starts with Triassic instead of the latest period, Tertiary.
Option C) (B), (A), (D), (C) Places Carboniferous as the latest period, which is incorrect.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Sequential Biology Process

Option A → Incorrect geological order.
Option B → Latest period misplaced.
Option C → Oldest period placed first.

Final Answer → Based on geological chronology.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Geological Time Scale

14 Which of the following statements are true with reference to homology or homologous organs? (PYQ 2025 Shift 1)

A (A), (B) and (D) only

B (A), (B) and (C) only

C (A), (B), (C) and (D)

D (B), (C) and (D) only

💡 Short Explanation

Homology indicates common origin. Structures may perform different functions. All listed examples are homologous.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Homologous organs have a common evolutionary origin but may perform different functions. Whale flippers and cheetah forelimbs possess the same basic skeletal plan. Vertebrate hearts evolved from a common ancestral structure. Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita are modifications of axillary buds and therefore are homologous structures. This is evidence of divergent evolution.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A) (A), (B) and (D) only → Excludes vertebrate heart, which is also homologous.
Option B) (A), (B) and (C) only → Excludes a valid homologous example.
Option D) (B), (C) and (D) only → Excludes the fundamental definition of homology.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Option A → Misses one correct statement.
Option B → Omits homology example.
Option C → Includes all correct statements.

Final Answer → Based on grouping.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Evidence for Evolution

15 Arrange the following groups of plants according to their appearance on earth: (PYQ 2025 Shift 1)

A (C), (D), (B), (A)

B (A), (C), (B), (D)

C (B), (A), (D), (C)

D (C), (B), (D), (A)

💡 Short Explanation

Rhynia appeared earliest. Psilophyton evolved later. Seed ferns preceded angiosperms.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The evolutionary sequence is Rhynia-type plants → Psilophyton → Seed ferns → Angiosperms. Rhynia represents some of the earliest vascular plants. Seed ferns evolved later and eventually gave rise to seed-bearing groups. Angiosperms are the most recent among the listed plant groups.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) (A), (C), (B), (D) Places angiosperms first.
Option C) (B), (A), (D), (C) Reverses much of the evolutionary sequence.
Option D) (C), (B), (D), (A) Psilophyton is incorrectly placed after seed ferns.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Sequential Biology Process

Option A → Correct evolutionary order.
Option B → Latest group placed first.
Option C → Chronology incorrect.

Final Answer → Based on evolutionary sequence.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Plant Evolution

16 Thorn of Bougainvillea and tendril of Cucurbita are: (PYQ 2025 Shift 1)

A Homologous structures

B Analogous structures

C Vestigial structures

D Developing structures

💡 Short Explanation

Both arise from axillary buds. Same origin. Different functions.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita originate from axillary buds. Since they share a common developmental origin but perform different functions, they are considered homologous structures. This is evidence of divergent evolution.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B) Analogous structures → Analogous structures have different origins.
Option C) Vestigial structures → These are functional structures.
Option D) Developing structures → Not a recognized evolutionary category.

🎯 Strategy

Used: NCERT Recall

Option A → Same origin.
Option B → Different origin required.
Option C → Not reduced organs.

Final Answer → Based on NCERT recall.

🧠 Memory Trick

📚 → Section/Theme: Homologous Organs

CUET UG Categorised PYQ Biology Unit 6

Test Complete!

Answer Review