DISTANCE EDUCATION
M.Sc. (Botany) (Specialization Plant Bio-Technology)
DEGREE EXAMINATION, MAY 2016.
CELL BIOLOGY, GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING
(2008 onwards)
Time Three hours Maximum 100 marks
Answer any FIVE questions.
Each question carries 20 marks.
20 100)
1. What are Mitochondria? What is the basic
morphology of these organelles and which cells can
they found?
What is the difference between smooth and rough
endoplasmicreticulum?
What are the main structures within cell nucleus?

2. What are the chemical substances that compose the
plasma membrane?
What are the main components of cytoskeleton?
How do the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the
Golgi apparatus act in the production and releasing
of proteins?
3. What is the Mendel's first law?
What is gene interaction? What are the three main
types of gene interactions?
What is crossing over? In which period of meiosis
does this event occur?
Sub. Code
22
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4. Enumerate the types of polyploidy, and briefly
describe each type.
What are transitions and transversions? How can
they be induced due to chemical mutagens and
physical mutagens?
Discuss Hardy-Weinberg law, using a hypothetical
example of two alleles locus. How the situation
differ when more than one allele are present at a
locus?
5. Explain a suitable selection method to breed
vegetatively reproducing plants. Describe its merits
and demerits.
What is inbreeding depression? How does it affect
plant breeding?
Write a detailed account of the method of breeding
for disease resistance.
6. Why are lysosomes known as 'the cleaners' of the
cell waste? Explain.
What is cell cycle? What are three periods into
which interface is divided?
Enumerate cytoplasmic male sterility in maize and
its significance.
7. Discuss in brief the possible source and mechanism
of spontaneous mutations in nature.
Enumerate the induction and applications of prions.

Describe the different stages in prophase I of
meiosis. Give a short account on its importance.
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8. Discuss protein sorting in endoplasmic reticulum.

Enumerate the breeding method in apomictic
plants.
Explain the back-cross method of plant breeding.