RBSE Solutions Class 12 Biology Chapter 18 Oil, Fibres, Spices and Medicine Producing

RBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 18 Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Which of the following plants does not contain fatty/fixed/oil?
(a) Mustard
(b) Coconut
(c) Rose
(d) Sunflower
Answer: (c) Rose
In simple words: Among the options, the rose plant is not known for producing fatty or fixed oils, unlike mustard, coconut, and sunflower.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between plants cultivated for oil production and those grown for flowers or other purposes to answer such questions accurately.

Question 2. From which plant, both oil and fibres are obtained?
(a) Coconut only
(b) Cotton only

Question 3. Strong smelling “Allyl Isothiocyanate” is found in oil of which plant?
(a) Soybean
(b) Mustard
(c) Castor
(d) Groundnut
Answer: (b) Mustard
In simple words: The distinctive strong scent of mustard oil is due to the presence of a chemical compound called Allyl Isothiocyanate.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate specific chemical compounds with the characteristic smells or tastes of various plant products.

Question 4. Edible oil is obtained from the endosperm of which plant?
(a) Sunflower
(b) Coconut
(c) Castor
(d) Groundnut
Answer: (b) Coconut
In simple words: The edible oil from coconut comes from its endosperm, which is the nutrient-rich tissue inside the seed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the specific part of a plant from which a product (like edible oil) is derived is crucial for biological questions.

Question 5. Munj fibre is obtained from which part of the plant?
(a) Leaves
(b) Stem
(c) Roots
(d) Seeds
Answer: (a) Leaves
In simple words: Munj fibre is harvested from the leaves of the Munj plant.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fibre-producing plants, remember which specific plant part, such as leaves, stem, or seeds, is the source of the fibre.

Question 6. Fibre obtained from Crotalaria juncea is commonly called as ....?
(a) Cotton

Question 7. Clove, is which part of a plant?
(a) Floral Bud
(b) Seed
(c) Fruit
(d) None of the options
Answer: (a) Floral Bud
In simple words: Cloves are actually the dried, unopened flower buds of the clove tree.

🎯 Exam Tip: Many common spices are specific parts of plants; learn to identify which part corresponds to which spice.

Question 8. The tangy taste of Red Chilli is due to which compound?
(a) Curcumin
(b) Capsaicin
(c) Thymol
(d) Anethole
Answer: (b) Capsaicin
In simple words: The hot and tangy flavor in red chili comes from a chemical compound known as Capsaicin.

🎯 Exam Tip: Relate distinctive tastes of spices to their specific chemical components, as this is a common area of inquiry.

Question 9. Who is known as Father of Medicine?
(a) Charak
(b) Hippocrates
(c) Theophrastus
(d) Dhanvantri
Answer: (b) Hippocrates
In simple words: Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician, is widely regarded as the "Father of Medicine."

🎯 Exam Tip: Key historical figures in science and medicine are important; remember their titles and major contributions.

Question 10. Morphine is obtained from which of the following?
(a) Opium
(b) Quinine

RBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 18 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. The strong smell of Mustard oil is due to the presence of which substance?
Answer: The strong and pungent smell of mustard oil comes from a chemical compound known as Allyl Isothiocyanate.
In simple words: Allyl Isothiocyanate is the chemical that gives mustard oil its strong odor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific chemical compounds that give characteristic properties, like smell, to common plant products.

Question 2. Write botanical name and family of Castor plant.
Answer:
Botanical Name: Ricinus communis.
Family: Euphorbiaceae.
In simple words: The scientific name for the castor plant is Ricinus communis, and it belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family.

🎯 Exam Tip: For botanical names, always ensure the genus name starts with a capital letter and the entire scientific name is italicized.

Question 3. Why fennel seeds taste sweet while chewing?
Answer: Fennel seeds taste sweet when chewed because they contain a chemical compound similar to those found in licorice or anise, which gives them their distinct sweet flavor.
In simple words: Fennel seeds have a natural sweet chemical, like the one in licorice, that you taste when you chew them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link specific plant parts or products to the chemical compounds responsible for their unique sensory properties, such as taste.

Question 4. Why turmeric is yellow in colour?
Answer: Turmeric gets its characteristic yellow color from a natural pigment called Curcumin. This compound is also responsible for many of turmeric's health benefits.
In simple words: Turmeric is yellow because of a natural substance called Curcumin.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that natural colors in plants are often due to specific pigments, and associating the correct pigment with the plant is key.

Question 5. Quinine is effective in curing which disease?
Answer: Quinine is highly effective in curing malaria fever. It works by targeting a specific stage of the malaria parasite's life cycle in the human body.
In simple words: Quinine is a medicine used to treat malaria.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know the primary medicinal uses of important plant-derived compounds, especially for widespread diseases.

Question 6. What is the difference between oil and fat?
Answer: Both oils and fats are complex organic compounds that do not dissolve in water. While the question asks for a difference, this is their shared characteristic.
In simple words: Oils and fats are both complicated organic substances that do not mix with water.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for differences, be prepared to state contrasting properties, such as their state at room temperature (oils typically liquid, fats solid).

RBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 18 Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Differentiate between nondrying oil and drying oil with the help of examples.
Answer:
1. Nondrying oil: These oils do not form any solid film or layer when they come into contact with air and remain liquid. Examples include Mustard oil, Castor oil, and Groundnut oil.
2. Drying oil: These oils react with air and form a thin, flexible, and solid layer on the surface. Examples include Soybean oil and Flaxseed oil.
In simple words: Nondrying oils stay liquid in the air (like mustard oil), while drying oils form a solid film when exposed to air (like flaxseed oil).

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state the main chemical or physical difference and provide distinct examples for each type when asked to differentiate.

Question 2. Write a botanical name and important plant part of anyone plant each of fatty oil, fibre, spices, and medicinal plants.
Answer: Here is a list of plants and their useful parts for different categories:

In simple words: This table provides one example for each category: fatty oil (coconut), fibre (moonj), spice (clove), and medicine (quinine), listing their scientific names and the useful plant parts.

🎯 Exam Tip: When presenting plant information, always ensure botanical names are correctly capitalized and italicized, and clearly identify the useful part.

Question 3. Write a detailed account of alkaloids present in opium.
Answer:
• Opium contains more than 25 different kinds of alkaloids. Additionally, it also includes substances like gum, resin, and meconic acid.
• Some of the important alkaloids found in opium are Morphine, Codeine, Thebaine, Narcotine, Papaverine, and Opianine. Morphine, for example, is well-known for its pain-relieving properties.
In simple words: Opium has over 25 alkaloids, like morphine and codeine, and other compounds such as gum and resin.

🎯 Exam Tip: When detailing the components of a plant extract, specify the quantity if available and list prominent examples with a brief mention of their significance.

2. Lovage

1. Cumin:

• Common Name: "Jeera"
• Botanical Name: Cuminum cyminum
• Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
• Useful Plant Part: Dry, ripe cremocarp fruit.

Origin & Production:

• Cumin is thought to have started in the Levant area of the Mediterranean region. It is grown in many countries like Iran, India, Morocco, China, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, and Turkey.
• Iran is the biggest country for producing and selling Cumin.
• In India, Cumin is grown commercially in places like Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (U.P.).

Plant:

• The Cumin plant is a small, unbranched annual herb with a thin, smooth stem. Its leaves are long, divided into many small parts.
• Its flowers grow in a compound umbrella shape, having tiny light purple buds and white flowers.
• The fruit is long, oval, and splits into two smaller parts when ripe.
• The surface of the fruit has five main stripes and four smaller stripes.
• These fruits contain 4.0% of an essential oil called cumin aldehyde and 10.0% of a light-colored non-drying fixed oil.
• Cumin is grown during the winter season as a rabi crop.

Uses:

• Cumin is used to add a pleasant smell to vegetables.
• Roasted cumin powder is used to flavor curd preparations, drinks like Jal Jira, and is also an ingredient in many traditional Ayurvedic powders.
• It helps digestion and is used to treat gas and diarrhea.
• The scented oil from cumin is used in perfumes and to add flavor to soups and syrups.

• Useful plant part - Mature dry cremocarp fruit.

Origin & Production:

• Lovage is believed to have originated in Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
• In India, it is grown in states like Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

Plant:

• The Lovage plant is an upright, somewhat weak, branched perennial herb, about 1 to 1.5 feet long, with a strong smell. Its leaves are divided into many smaller parts. The flowers are small, white, or light blue, growing in an umbrella-like cluster.
• The fruits are small, rough, and curved.
• The fruits contain a volatile oil.
• It is grown during the winter season as a rabi crop.

Uses:

• The fruits help with digestion, act as a stimulant, and boost the body's natural defense. Therefore, they are used for stomach pain, joint pain, cough, and asthma.
• Thymol essential oil is taken from the fruits and used to make balms, creams, and soaps.
• The fruits are also used as a spice in making biscuits and various fried snacks.
• After childbirth, lovage is given to women in different forms to help strengthen their immune system.

Question 5. Classify plant fibres on the basis of origin.
Answer: Plant fibres are obtained from various parts of the plant body. Based on their origin and structure, plant fibres are divided into three main types:
• Surface Fibres: These fibres grow as outgrowths from plant parts like seeds or the surface of fruits.
• Soft, Stem or Bast Fibres: These fibres come from the phloem tissues in the stems of dicotyledonous plants. They are thin, long, and woody cells. Examples include Jute, Hemp, and Patan.
• Hard or Leaf Fibres: These fibres are taken from the leaves of monocotyledonous plants, such as Moonj.

Additionally, economic botanist A.F. Hill (1952) classified plant fibres into six groups based on their utility:
• Textile Fibres: Used for making clothes, ropes, strings, and cloth bags.
• Brush Fibres: Used for making brooms and brushes. An example is fibres from a palm tree (Khajur tree).
• Plaiting and Rough Weaving Fibres: Used for making baskets, mats, caps, and chair seats. Bamboo is an example.
• Filling Fibres: Used to stuff mattresses, blankets, and pillows. Examples include Cotton, Madar, Semal, and Coir (Coconut).
• Natural Fibres: Used directly to cover the body. For example, Broussonetia papyrifera, whose bark is used to make tapa cloth.
• Papermaking Fibres: Used for making paper and cardboard. Examples include Bamboo, Eucalyptus, certain grasses, and Populus alba.
In simple words: Plant fibres are classified by where they grow on the plant (surface, stem, or leaf) and also by their uses, like for textiles, brushes, or paper.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly distinguish between classifications based on origin/structure versus utility, and provide distinct examples for each category.

Question 6. Write a note on Quinine.
Answer: Quinine is a very important medicine, primarily known for its powerful effect against malaria. It specifically targets the schizont stage of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium vivax), which helps stop the infection.

Medicinal Uses:
• Quinine is the most effective and widely used medicine for malaria. It works by attacking the malaria parasite at a certain stage.
• It is also helpful in treating pneumonia and a type of stomach infection called amoebic dysentery.
• Quinine can be used as a general tonic to improve health and as an antiseptic to kill germs.
• It helps in treating joint pain (arthritis) and throat infections (tonsillitis).
• However, using quinine without proper guidance can be harmful, leading to side effects like deafness, feeling tired, vomiting, and blindness. For pregnant women, it might even cause miscarriage.
In simple words: Quinine is a key medicine for malaria and also helps with other issues like pneumonia, but using too much can be dangerous.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a note on a medicinal plant product, include its primary use, other benefits, and any important precautions or side effects.

RBSE Class 12 Biology Chapter 18 Essay Type Questions

Question 1. Classify the plants on the basis of utility and explain in detail about textile fibres?
Answer:
Fibre Producing Plants:
• Plant fibres are essential for various human needs.
• Economically, plants that produce fibres are very important, second only to food crops.
• Clothing is one of the three basic necessities for humans.
• Since ancient times, people have used plant fibres to make clothes. Animal fibres like wool, silk, and fur have been used to a lesser extent.

Classification of Plant Fibres by Utility (A.F. Hill, 1952):
Economic botanist A.F. Hill (1952) categorized plant fibres into six main groups based on how they are used:
• Textile Fibres: Used for making clothes, ropes, strings, and cloth bags.
• Brush Fibres: Used for making brooms and brushes. An example is fibres from a palm tree (Khajur tree).
• Plaiting and Rough Weaving Fibres: Used for making baskets, mats, caps, and chair seats. Bamboo is an example.
• Filling Fibres: Used to stuff mattresses, blankets, and pillows. Examples include Cotton, Madar, Semal, and Coir (Coconut).
• Natural Fibres: Used directly to cover the body. For example, Broussonetia papyrifera, whose bark is used to make tapa cloth.
• Papermaking Fibres: Used for making paper and cardboard. Examples include Bamboo, Eucalyptus, certain grasses, and Populus alba.

Detailed Explanation of Textile Fibre - Cotton:
Cotton is a highly important textile fibre, produced by the cotton plant (Gossypium). Its fibres are found on the surface of the seeds.

Plant Description (Cotton):
• Cotton plants are annual.
• Sowing happens from April to July, and harvesting is from October to March.
• The plant is 2-6 feet tall, with an upright, branched, woody brown stem.
• Leaves are palmately lobed, and flowers are large, yellow, and twisted, growing with three large bracts.
• The flowers are bisexual with many stamens, and the ovary is superior with two or more compartments.
• Fruits are capsules that split open (loculicidal), called bolls when young.
• Seeds are oval, brown, and have long, fine white fibres (lint or staple) growing on their outer coat.
• Smaller fibres called fuzz are also present.
• Chemically, lint is mainly cellulose (94%) and a small amount of protein (1.3%).

Uses of Cotton:
• Cotton is used to make clothes, blended fabrics, and hosiery items.
• Its almost pure cellulose content makes it a raw material for the cellulose industry.
• It's used in blankets, ropes, floor coverings, and the tire industry.
• Used as filling material in pillows, cushions, mattresses, and quilts.
• Absorbent cotton for medical bandages is also made from it.
• Cotton seeds provide semi-drying cottonseed oil.
• The leftover seed cake after oil extraction is nutritious fodder for cattle.
In simple words: Plants are classified by their useful products. Textile fibres, like cotton, are crucial for clothing and are explained by their plant type, growth, and many uses, from clothes to oil and paper.

🎯 Exam Tip: For essay questions, structure your answer with clear headings. Address all parts of the question, providing classifications and detailed examples as requested. Ensure to include scientific names where appropriate and summarize key uses.

3. Sunn:

• Botanical Name: Crotalaria juncea
• Family: Leguminosae/Fabaceae
• Sub-family: Papilionatae
• Useful Plant Part: Bast fibres from the stem

• In India, Sunn has been grown since ancient times for its fibres and as green manure.
• Although its exact origin is not known, some scientists believe it may have started in the Indian subcontinent.
• It is grown on a large scale in Asian and African countries.
• In India, it is cultivated extensively in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, and on a normal scale in other states.

Plant:

• The Sunn hemp plant is an annual plant, growing about 1.5 meters long. It thrives in the rainy season and is ready for harvest in about four months.
• Sunn fibres are taken from the stem of the Sunn plant and are separated through a process called Retting.
• During retting, bundles of mature plants are soaked in water for 5-7 days to allow them to rot.
• This rotting process is carried out by a specific type of bacteria, Clostridium.
• After retting, the fibres are pulled out from the stem, washed, dried, and then bundled.

Uses of Fibres:

• Sunn fibres are twisted to make strong ropes.
• These fibres are also used to create thin ropes, canvas, bags, and fishing nets.
• Younger, less mature fibres are used to make cigarette paper and tissue paper.
• The entire Sunn plant can be used as green manure to enrich the soil.
• A gum extracted from the seeds is utilized in the printing and dyeing industries.

4. Rauvolfia (Serpent Wood Plant):

• Local Name: "Chotachand" or "Medicine of Mad"
• Botanical Name: Rauvolfia serpentina
• Family: Apocynaceae
• Useful Plant Part: Dry roots and bark of roots.

Origin:

• Rauvolfia is native to India and can also be found in other countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Africa.
• In India, it is grown commercially in Assam, the Tarai regions of Uttar Pradesh, the Himalayas, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Maharashtra.
• It does not grow in Rajasthan.

Plant:

• It is an evergreen perennial shrub that usually grows to a height of 60 cm. The roots are thick and spiral, with a wrinkled, rough, pale brown color.
• The fresh roots are shaped like a snake and are also believed to smell like a snake, which is why the plant is called snakeroot.
• The leaves are small, arranged in whorls, and have a large spear-like shape. The flowers are white or light pink and grow in racemose clusters.

Question 4. Make a list of main medicinal plants of Rajasthan.
Answer: Rajasthan is home to several plants used for medicinal and other purposes. Oil-producing plants form a significant category. Fatty oils are complex organic compounds that do not mix with water and can be liquid, solid, or semi-solid at normal temperatures. These oils are typically extracted from different plant parts like fruits or seeds.

Plants generally produce two types of oils: 1. **Aromatic (essential or volatile) oils:** These are volatile hydrocarbons with a strong smell, obtained through mechanical extraction or distillation. Examples include edible oils from groundnut, mustard, soybean, sunflower, and non-edible oils like castor, "neem," and Karan. 2. **Fatty (fixed or non-volatile) oils:** These are categorized based on their behavior when exposed to air: * **Drying oil:** Forms a thin, delicate layer on the surface when exposed to air (e.g., Linseed oil, Soybean oil). * **Semi-drying oil:** Forms a thin layer after being exposed to air for a longer time (e.g., Cottonseed oil, Sunflower oil). * **Non-drying oil:** Does not form any layer and stays in liquid form even after long exposure to air (e.g., Groundnut oil, Castor oil, Mustard oil). * **Fat or tallow:** Remains in a solid or semi-solid state at normal room temperature (e.g., Coconut oil, Palm oil).

Mustard is a prominent oil-producing plant widely cultivated in Rajasthan. Its oil has a heavy, bright yellow color, and its strong, pungent odor comes from the sulfur-containing compound Allyl isothiocyanate. Some varieties suitable for Rajasthan include Poosa Kalyani (Lotni Sarson), Varuna, Durgamani, RH-30, and TM-11, with TM-11 known for higher oil content.
In simple words: Rajasthan has many useful plants, especially those that produce oil. Oils are divided into aromatic and fatty types. Fatty oils are further classified by how they dry. Mustard is a key oil plant in Rajasthan, known for its strong-smelling oil, and specific varieties grow well there.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing plants, remember to specify their common and botanical names if known, and highlight their primary uses or characteristics relevant to the question. Group similar plants for clarity.