GSEB Class 12 Biology Solutions Chapter 9 Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production

Exercise 13(A)

Question 1. Explain in brief the role of animal husbandry in human welfare.
Answer: Animal husbandry constitutes an agricultural discipline focused on the rearing and breeding of various livestock. This practice involves managing the care and reproduction of animals beneficial to humans, such as buffaloes, cows, pigs, horses, cattle, sheep, camels, and goats. It also extends to poultry farming and fisheries. Fisheries encompass the cultivation, capture, and sale of aquatic life, including fish, mollusks (like shellfish), and crustaceans (such as prawns and crabs). The current global farm productivity is notably low, around 25 percent, indicating that plant-based food alone cannot sustain the burgeoning population. Recent innovations in animal husbandry have significantly boosted both milk and meat production.
In simple words: Animal husbandry is the practice of breeding and raising farm animals for human benefit, including livestock, poultry, and fish, which significantly contributes to food production like milk and meat.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing animal husbandry, remember to list various animal types involved and mention both direct (food) and indirect (economic) benefits.

Question 2. If your family owned a dairy farm, what measures would you undertake to improve the quality and quantity of milk production?
Answer: To enhance both the quality and quantity of milk production on a dairy farm, the following measures would be implemented:
• Selection of Breed – Milk output is predominantly influenced by the breed. It is essential to choose high-yielding, disease-resistant breeds that are well-adapted to the local climate.
• Cattle shed – The shed should be spacious, well-roofed yet airy, featuring sloping floors for efficient drainage of waste and a constant water supply.
• Feed – A consistent daily supply of fresh fodder and adequate water must be provided to the animals.
• Grooming - Regular brushing, massaging, and cleaning are crucial for maintaining the health of the cattle.
• Sanitation - Maintaining strict hygiene for the cattle, handlers, transportation, and mechanization, alongside the sanitation of the cattle shed, is vital.
• Health care - Mandatory regular check-ups and vaccinations are necessary to prevent diseases.
In simple words: To improve milk production, one would focus on selecting high-quality, disease-resistant breeds, ensuring proper housing, providing nutritious feed and water, maintaining hygiene, regular grooming, and comprehensive health care, including vaccinations.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions about improving dairy farm output, cover aspects from breed selection and housing to nutrition, hygiene, and health management for a complete answer.

Question 3. What is meant by the term 'breed'? What are the objectives of animal breeding?
Answer: A 'breed' refers to a group of animals that share common ancestry and exhibit similar characteristics in terms of general appearance, distinctive features, size, and body configuration. Animal breeding is a critical component of animal husbandry. The primary goals of animal breeding are to increase the yield of animals and to enhance the desirable qualities of the products derived from them.
In simple words: A breed is a group of animals with shared ancestry and similar traits. Animal breeding aims to increase animal productivity and improve the quality of their products.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining 'breed', emphasize shared ancestry and similar physical traits. For objectives of breeding, focus on increased yield and improved product quality.

Question 4. Name the methods employed in animal breeding. According to you which of the methods is best? Why?
Answer: The primary methods utilized in animal breeding include inbreeding and outbreeding. Inbreeding involves breeding animals from the same breed, whereas outbreeding pertains to crosses between different breeds. Since inbreeding can lead to "inbreeding depression" (reduced fitness), outbreeding techniques, particularly hybridization, are generally considered superior.
In simple words: Animal breeding involves inbreeding (within the same breed) and outbreeding (between different breeds). Outbreeding, especially hybridization, is often preferred because inbreeding can cause negative effects.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between inbreeding and outbreeding methods. Highlight the concept of 'inbreeding depression' to explain why outbreeding, especially hybridization, is often considered more advantageous.

To improve the chances of a successful production of hybrids, other means like Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology (MOET) are also employed.

Question 5. What is apiculture? How is it important in our lives?
Answer: Apiculture, also known as beekeeping, involves maintaining honeybee hives specifically for honey production. This practice has a long history as a cottage industry. Honey is highly valued for its nutritional content and is also used in traditional medicine systems. Additionally, honeybees produce beeswax, which has numerous industrial applications, such as in the creation of cosmetics and various polishes. The growing demand for honey has spurred the adoption of large-scale beekeeping, making it a well-established and profitable income-generating industry, whether operated on a small or extensive scale.
In simple words: Apiculture is beekeeping for honey production, which is important for producing nutritious honey, medicinal products, beeswax for industry, and serves as a significant source of income.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define apiculture precisely and then enumerate its diverse benefits, including nutritional, medicinal, industrial (beeswax), and economic contributions.

Question 6. Discuss the role of fishery in the enhancement of food production.
Answer: Fish and other edible aquatic organisms serve as vital food sources, being rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins, and also providing a source of oil. This sector offers substantial financial benefits. The significant increase in food availability achieved through fisheries is termed the Blue Revolution.
In simple words: Fisheries enhance food production by providing protein-rich aquatic animals and oils, boosting food security, and creating financial opportunities, collectively known as the Blue Revolution.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the nutritional value of fish and aquatic animals, their economic importance, and correctly associate the term "Blue Revolution" with enhanced food availability from fisheries.

Question 7. Briefly describe various steps involved in plant breeding.
Answer: The main stages involved in developing a new genetic variety of a crop through plant breeding are:
• Collection of variability
• Evaluation and selection of parents
• Cross hybridisation among the selected parents
• Selection and testing of superior recombinants
• Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars
In simple words: Plant breeding involves collecting genetic variations, selecting the best parents, cross-hybridizing them, choosing superior offspring, and finally testing, releasing, and commercializing new crop varieties.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the sequential steps of plant breeding clearly, from variability collection to commercialization, as these represent the logical flow of the process.

Question 8. Explain what is meant by biofortification.
Answer: A crop breeding program aimed at enhancing the nutritional quality of crops is known as biofortification. This involves increasing the content of specific nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, complete proteins, and healthier fats. Examples include the development of lysine and tryptophan-rich maize, and Vitamin A-enriched carrots.
In simple words: Biofortification is a plant breeding method focused on increasing the nutritional value of crops, such as boosting vitamin, mineral, or protein content, to improve public health.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define biofortification by emphasizing its goal of improving crop nutritional quality, and provide specific examples like enhanced maize or carrots to illustrate the concept.

Question 9. Which part of the plant is best suited for making virus-free plants and why?
Answer: Meristem culture is the most suitable method for producing virus-free plants because the meristematic tissues (apical and axillary meristems) are typically free from viruses, even if the rest of the plant is infected.
In simple words: Meristem culture is ideal for creating virus-free plants because meristematic tissues are naturally devoid of viruses, even in infected plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that meristematic tissue is used for virus-free plant production. The key reason is the absence of viruses in these rapidly dividing cells, making them ideal for propagation.

Question 10. What is the major advantage of producing plants by micropropagation?
Answer: The primary benefit of producing plants through micropropagation is the ability to generate a vast number of genetically identical, virus-free plants exhibiting desirable characteristics (such as tolerance, resistance, or specific mutations) within a very short timeframe.
In simple words: Micropropagation's main advantage is rapidly producing many identical, virus-free plants with desired traits from a small plant part.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the high yield of genetically identical, virus-free plants produced quickly as the main advantage of micropropagation.

Question 11. Find out what the various components of the medium used for propagation of an explant in vitro are?
Answer: The nutrient medium used for in vitro culture to propagate an explant must contain a carbon source, such as sucrose, alongside inorganic salts, vitamins, amino acids, and essential growth regulators like auxins and cytokinins.
In simple words: The in vitro propagation medium needs sucrose as a carbon source, plus inorganic salts, vitamins, amino acids, and growth hormones like auxins and cytokinins.

🎯 Exam Tip: For tissue culture media components, remember to include a carbon source (sucrose), essential nutrients (salts, vitamins, amino acids), and plant hormones (auxins, cytokinins).

Question 12. Name any five hybrid varieties of crop plants which have been developed in India.
Answer: Five hybrid varieties of crop plants developed in India include:
• Hybrid Maize
• Hybrid Jowar
• Hybrid wheat
• Hybrid Bajra
• Hybrid Garden Pea.
In simple words: India has developed hybrid crop varieties such as Hybrid Maize, Jowar, Wheat, Bajra, and Garden Pea.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be prepared to list at least five examples of hybrid crop varieties developed in India when asked about plant breeding achievements.

Question 1. Name the wheat varieties which were introduced all over the wheat-growing belt of India and were high-yielding and disease resistant.
Answer: The high-yielding and disease-resistant wheat varieties that were widely introduced across India's wheat-growing regions are Sonalika and Kalyan Sona.
In simple words: Sonalika and Kalyan Sona are important high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat varieties popularized in India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the specific names "Sonalika" and "Kalyan Sona" as key examples of successful wheat varieties in India known for high yield and disease resistance.

Question 2. Define livestock.
Answer: Livestock refers to domesticated animals that are raised for various purposes, including their use in agriculture, or for generating profit.
In simple words: Livestock are farm animals raised for human use or economic benefit.

🎯 Exam Tip: A concise definition of livestock should include both domestication and their purpose for use or profit.

Question 3. Name the two sugar cane varieties which were successfully crossed to produce high-yielding sugar cane varieties.
Answer: The two sugarcane varieties successfully hybridized to yield high-producing sugarcane varieties are:
a. Saccharum barberi
b. Saccharum officinarum
In simple words: Saccharum barberi and Saccharum officinarum were crossed to create new, high-yielding sugarcane types.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the scientific names *Saccharum barberi* and *Saccharum officinarum* as the parent varieties used for high-yielding sugarcane development.

Question 4. Mention the two major practices included in animal husbandry.
Answer: The two principal practices involved in animal husbandry are:
• Management of the animals (including caring, feeding, housing, etc.)
• Animal breeding.
In simple words: Animal husbandry primarily involves managing animal care (feeding, housing) and animal breeding.

🎯 Exam Tip: The core components of animal husbandry are animal management (care) and breeding. Highlight these two fundamental aspects.

Question 5. Name some crop varieties bred by hybridisation and selection, for disease resistance to fungi, bacteria, and viral diseases.
Answer: Some crop varieties developed through hybridization and selection for resistance against fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases include:
Himgiri (Wheat)
Pusa swarnim (Brassica)
Pusa shubhra (Cauliflower)
Pusa Komal (Cowpea)
Pusa Sadabahar (Chilli)
In simple words: Hybridization and selection have produced disease-resistant crops like Himgiri wheat, Pusa swarnim brassica, Pusa shubhra cauliflower, Pusa Komal cowpea, and Pusa Sadabahar chilli.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing disease-resistant crop varieties, provide examples like Himgiri wheat or Pusa varieties for Brassica, Cauliflower, Cowpea, and Chilli, mentioning the types of pathogens they resist.

Question 6. What is plant breeding?
Answer: Plant breeding is the process of genetically manipulating plant species to create new, improved varieties. These new varieties are designed to be better suited for cultivation, offer higher yields, and exhibit resistance to damage from pests and pathogens.
In simple words: Plant breeding is the deliberate modification of plant genetics to develop new, superior varieties that are better for farming, produce more, and resist pests and diseases.

🎯 Exam Tip: A comprehensive definition of plant breeding should cover genetic manipulation, improved varieties, better cultivation suitability, higher yield, and pest/pathogen resistance.

Question 7. a. Through which method do genes for disease resistance is transferred from a related crop to a cultivated variety?
b. Give example for a vegetable crop which was transferred by this method.
c. Give the name of new variety.
Answer:
a. Genes for disease resistance are transferred from a related crop to a cultivated variety primarily through sexual hybridisation.
b. An example of a vegetable crop that utilized this method is Bhindi (ladies finger).
c. The name of the new variety is Parbhani kranti.
In simple words: Disease resistance genes are transferred via sexual hybridization, as seen in Bhindi (ladies finger), resulting in the new variety 'Parbhani kranti'.

🎯 Exam Tip: For gene transfer for disease resistance, specify "sexual hybridization." Provide the example of Bhindi and its resistant variety, Parbhani kranti.

Question 8. What is a callus?
Answer: A callus is defined as an unorganized, undifferentiated mass of actively dividing cells, typically formed in plant tissue culture.
In simple words: A callus is a disorganized clump of unspecialized, rapidly dividing cells formed in plant cell culture.

🎯 Exam Tip: The key descriptors for a callus are "unorganized," "undifferentiated," and "actively dividing cells."

Question 9. A group of animals related by descent and similar in most characters are said to belong to a breed. Many breeds are produced by inbreeding and outbreeding. Briefly explain the two terms.
Answer:
Inbreeding refers to the mating of individuals that are more closely related within the same breed, typically for 4-6 generations.
Outbreeding is the process of breeding unrelated animals. This can involve individuals from the same breed with no common ancestors for 4-6 generations (outcrossing), individuals from different breeds (cross-breeding), or individuals from different species (interspecific hybridization).
In simple words: Inbreeding involves mating closely related animals within the same breed, while outbreeding involves mating unrelated animals, either within the same breed (outcrossing), between different breeds (cross-breeding), or between different species (interspecific hybridization).

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly differentiate inbreeding as mating close relatives within a breed. For outbreeding, explain its three forms: outcrossing, cross-breeding, and interspecific hybridization, highlighting the degree of relatedness.

Question 10. What is embryo rescue? (Embryo culture)
Answer: Embryo rescue is a technique where embryos that would normally not survive inside seeds are extracted and grown in tissue culture to develop into new plants. This process is often utilized to save hybrid embryos or overcome seed dormancy issues.
In simple words: Embryo rescue is a technique to save and grow embryos in tissue culture that would otherwise fail to develop inside seeds, producing new plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define embryo rescue by explaining its purpose: saving non-viable embryos from seeds by culturing them in vitro to produce complete plants.

Question 11. Outbreeding is the breeding of unrelated animals usually done by outcrossing, cross breeding and interspecific hybridisation.
a. Differentiate these three methods with brief descriptions.
b. Give examples for the last two methods.
Answer:
a. Outcrossing: This involves mating animals within the same breed, but ensuring they have no common ancestors on either side of their pedigree for 4-6 generations.
Crossbreeding: This method entails mating superior males from one breed with superior females from another distinct breed.
Interspecific hybridisation: This is the breeding of male and female animals belonging to two different, yet related, species.
b. Examples for the last two methods are:
Crossbreeding: The Hisardale sheep was developed by crossing Bikaneri ewes with Merino rams.
Interspecific hybridization: A mule is produced by crossing a horse with a donkey.
In simple words: Outbreeding includes outcrossing (unrelated within-breed), crossbreeding (between different breeds), and interspecific hybridization (between different species). Hisardale sheep exemplify crossbreeding, and mules exemplify interspecific hybridization.

🎯 Exam Tip: For outbreeding, define each sub-method (outcrossing, crossbreeding, interspecific hybridization) by the relatedness of the parents. Provide clear, well-known examples for crossbreeding (Hisardale) and interspecific hybridization (mule).

Question 12. Define apiculture?
Answer: Apiculture is the practice of maintaining honeybee hives specifically for the purpose of producing honey.
In simple words: Apiculture is the keeping of honeybees in hives to produce honey.

🎯 Exam Tip: A precise definition of apiculture should mention the maintenance of beehives for honey production.

Question 13. MOET technology is used to produce successful hybrids during breeding programmes for cattle.
a. Give the full form of MOET.
b. Explain the process.
Answer:
a. The full form of MOET is Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer.
b. In this procedure, a cow is treated with hormones having FSH-like activity to stimulate follicular maturation and superovulation, causing her to produce 6-8 eggs instead of the usual one. Following this, the animal is artificially inseminated. The fertilized eggs, typically at the 8-32 cell stage, are then non-surgically retrieved and transferred to surrogate mothers.
In simple words: MOET (Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer) involves hormonally inducing a cow to produce multiple eggs, then artificially inseminating her and transferring the resulting early embryos to surrogate mothers.

🎯 Exam Tip: For MOET, accurately state the full form. In the process explanation, mention hormonal induction of superovulation, artificial insemination, and non-surgical embryo transfer to surrogates.

Question 14. IARI has released several varieties of crop plants that are biofortified. Give 3 examples of crops and there biofortification.
Answer: The IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) has introduced several biofortified crop varieties, including:
• Vitamin A enriched carrots, spinach, pumpkin, etc.
• Vitamin C enriched tomato, mustard, bitter gourd.
• Calcium enriched spinach
• Proteins enriched broad bean, french beans and garden peas, etc.
In simple words: IARI has developed biofortified crops like Vitamin A-rich carrots, spinach, and pumpkin; Vitamin C-rich tomato, mustard, and bitter gourd; calcium-rich spinach; and protein-rich broad beans, French beans, and garden peas.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing IARI's biofortified crops, provide at least three distinct examples, clearly stating the crop and the specific nutrient enhancement for each.

Question 15. Different steps of plant breeding are given. Arrange them in order.
a. Selection and testing of superior recombinants.
b. Collection of variability.
c. Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars.
d. Evaluation and selection of parents.
e. Cross hybridisation among selected parents.
Answer: The correct order of steps in plant breeding is:
a. Collection of variability.
b. Evaluation and selection of parents.
c. Cross hybridisation among selected parents.
d. Selection and testing of superior recombinants.
e. Testing, release and commercialisation of new cultivars.
In simple words: The steps are: collecting variations, selecting parents, cross-hybridizing, selecting superior offspring, then testing and releasing new cultivars.

🎯 Exam Tip: For plant breeding steps, ensure the correct sequence: collection of variability, parent selection, cross-hybridization, recombinant selection, and finally, testing and commercialization.

Question 16. Name and explain the method employed these days for breeding for disease resistance give an example.
Answer: A method commonly used for breeding disease resistance today is Mutation breeding. This process involves inducing mutations in plants using chemicals or radiation, followed by selecting and utilizing those plants that exhibit desirable characteristics, such as disease resistance. For instance, this method has successfully produced mung bean varieties resistant to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew.
In simple words: Mutation breeding, a modern method for disease resistance, involves inducing genetic changes in plants with chemicals or radiation, then selecting resistant individuals, like mung bean varieties resistant to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew.

🎯 Exam Tip: Name 'Mutation breeding' as the method. Explain it as inducing mutations and selecting for desirable traits, and provide the example of mung bean resistance.

Question 17. Suppose you have a crop plant with high protein quality, but prone to diseases. If you want to bring high protein quality and disease resistance to one plant, what type of plant breeding method do you follow? Why?
Answer: To combine high protein quality and disease resistance into a single plant, the recommended plant breeding method is Hybridization. This approach involves cross-hybridizing two parent plants – one possessing high protein quality and the other exhibiting disease resistance. The resulting hybrids will genetically combine the desired characteristics from both parents into one plant.
In simple words: To combine high protein quality and disease resistance, hybridization is the best method because it merges desirable genetic traits from two different parent plants into one hybrid offspring.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify 'Hybridization' as the method. Justify it by explaining how it allows the combination of multiple desirable traits (e.g., high protein and disease resistance) from different parents into a single hybrid.

Question 8. What is the significance of sheep and goats? Give the name of three Indian species of each.
Answer: The zoological name for sheep is *Ovis aries*. Sheep are significant as they provide wool, meat, and leather. Three Indian species (breeds) are:
• Lohi: Known for carpet quality wool and meat production.
• Bakharwal.
• Patanwadi.
The zoological name for goat is *Capra aegagrus hircus*. Goats are valuable for both meat and milk. Three Indian species (breeds) are:
• Cashmere goat.
• Sirohi.
• Jamunapari.
In simple words: Sheep (*Ovis aries*) provide wool, meat, and leather, with Indian breeds like Lohi and Bakharwal. Goats (*Capra aegagrus hircus*) offer meat and milk, including Indian breeds like Cashmere and Jamunapari.

🎯 Exam Tip: For sheep and goats, mention their zoological names (*Ovis aries*, *Capra aegagrus hircus*) and primary products (wool, meat, milk, leather). List three distinct Indian breeds for each.

Question 19. Explants, totipotency, micropropagation, and soma clones are terms related to a modern plant breeding method. Name the method and explain the terms.
Answer: The modern plant breeding method to which these terms are related is Tissue culture.
Explants: This refers to any part of a plant (e.g., a cell, tissue, or organ) that is excised and grown in a test tube under aseptic conditions during tissue culture technique.
Totipotency: This is the inherent capacity of a single plant cell to divide and differentiate to generate a complete, whole plant.
Micropropagation: This technique involves producing a large number of plants, genetically identical to the parent, using tissue culture technology in a short period.
Soma clones: These are individuals (plants) that are genetically identical to the original plant from which they were produced through somatic cell culture.
In simple words: These terms relate to Tissue Culture: Explants are plant parts used for culture; totipotency is a cell's ability to form a whole plant; micropropagation is producing many identical plants from explants; and soma clones are the genetically identical offspring.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify 'Tissue culture' as the core method. Define each associated term (explants, totipotency, micropropagation, soma clones) clearly and concisely, highlighting their role within the tissue culture context.

Question 20. Write the name of the causal organism, symptoms of the disease, and control measures of Ranikhet disease of fowls.
Answer: Ranikhet Disease: This avian disease was first identified in the hills of Ranikhet (Kumau), hence its name. It is a highly contagious and fatal illness affecting poultry.
Causal organism: The disease is caused by a Virus.
Symptoms:
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Diarrhea.
• Paralysis of the head, neck, and legs.
• Loss of appetite.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Secretion of mucilaginous substance from the mouth and nostrils.
• The comb and wattles (body parts) may turn violet.
• Inhibition of egg laying and rupture of eggs.
Control and Treatment:
• Isolation: Infected birds must be isolated immediately.
• Died individuals should be immediately burned to prevent spread.
• Water sources should be disinfected.
• Vaccination using Ranikhet vaccine is crucial:
• F strain vaccine is administered to chicks aged 1 to 3 days.
• Freeze-dried chick embryo vaccine is given to chicks aged 6 to 8 months.
In simple words: Ranikhet disease, caused by a virus in fowls, leads to respiratory issues, diarrhea, paralysis, and egg problems. Control involves isolating sick birds, burning carcasses, disinfecting water, and vaccinating chicks with F strain or chick embryo vaccine.

🎯 Exam Tip: For Ranikhet disease, identify the viral cause. List key symptoms (respiratory, neurological, digestive) and detail control measures, emphasizing isolation, sanitation, and specific vaccination schedules.

Question 21. Single-cell proteins are microbes grown on a large scale to produce proteins. Give the merits of growing SCP.
Answer: Single Cell Proteins (SCP) are microbial biomasses cultivated on a large scale primarily for their protein content. The advantages of producing SCP include:
• They can be cultivated easily on various waste materials like wastewater, straw, sewage, and animal manure, offering a sustainable solution.
• SCP serves as a nutritious food source, rich in protein, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
• Their production helps in reducing environmental pollution by utilizing waste products.
• SCP exhibits a high rate of biomass production, making it an efficient protein source.
In simple words: Single-cell proteins are microbes grown for protein, advantageous because they grow on waste, are nutritious, reduce pollution, and have a high production rate.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing SCP merits, highlight their ability to grow on waste, high nutritional value, environmental benefits (pollution reduction), and efficient biomass production rate.

Question 22. Rahul had a good variety of tobacco plants, which were infected by a virus. He wants to produce new disease-free plants from the old plants. As a student of biology, can you give advice to Rahul for producing virus-free plants?
Answer: As a biology student, I would advise Rahul to employ meristem culture. This technique is suitable because, even if the parent plants are infected with a virus, the apical and axillary meristematic regions typically remain virus-free, allowing for the regeneration of healthy plants.
In simple words: I would advise Rahul to use meristem culture because, even in virus-infected plants, the meristematic tissue is usually virus-free, allowing for the growth of healthy plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: The key to answering this is recommending meristem culture, with the justification being that meristematic tissue is typically virus-free, even in infected plants.

Question 23. If you have to produce a new plant with characters of two separate parents which are unrelated (like potato and tomato)
a. which breeding method do you undertake?
b. Explain the process.
Answer:
a. The breeding method to undertake is Somatic hybridisation.
b. The process involves first isolating single cells from both parent plants. After enzymatically digesting the cell walls of these cells, the naked protoplasts are obtained. These protoplasts are then induced to fuse with the aid of specific physical and chemical agents. The resulting fused cell (somatic hybrid) is then cultured in an appropriate medium to generate plantlets.
In simple words: To combine traits from unrelated parents, one uses somatic hybridization, which involves fusing isolated protoplasts from each parent and then culturing the hybrid cell to grow a new plant.

🎯 Exam Tip: Name 'Somatic hybridisation' as the method. Explain the process by detailing protoplast isolation, cell wall digestion, protoplast fusion (with aids), and subsequent culture to form plantlets.

Question 24. Why does a beekeeper keep beehives in crop fields during the flowering periods?
Answer: A beekeeper positions beehives in crop fields during flowering periods because nectar production in plants is at its peak during this time. Honey bees actively collect nectar from these flowers, which significantly boosts honey production. Concurrently, the bees facilitate pollination, benefiting the crops.
In simple words: Beekeepers place hives in crop fields during flowering to maximize honey production by allowing bees to collect abundant nectar, which also aids crop pollination.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that keeping beehives in fields during flowering maximizes nectar collection for honey production, and also highlight the mutual benefit of crop pollination by the bees.