Open Text Book Assesment: Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan

OPEN TEXT BOOK
ASSESMENT
In accordance to the CBSE circular Acad78/2013 of 10
th
December 2013
regarding introduction of OTBA in the Session Ending Examination in
March 2014 for Class XI an effort has been taken to develop a few
questions for the students and help teachers in this respect.
Class-XI
(Biology)

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
Patron:
Usha Aswath Iyer
Deputy Commissioner & Director
ZIET Bhubaneswar
Author
Dr. Abhijit Saha
PGT (Biology)
ZIET Bhubaneswar
Developed at:
Zonal Institute of Education and Training, Bhubaneswar
KV-3 Campus, Mancheswar Railway colony
Bhubaneswar , Odisha 751017, India
From the Author
Dear Reader
It is now well known that the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi has
introduced Open Text Book Assessment (OTBA) for Class XI. It will make its first
appearance in the Session Ending Examination in March 2014. Students of class XI
appearing in this examination having Biology as a subject will have to answer the
questions on OTBA.
The Board has decided to have OTBA for 10 marks out of the 70 marks for theory.
Accordingly the marks allotted for every unit has changed. Hence forth theory exam
will comprise 60 marks from the different units of the text and 10 marks on OTBA,
totaling 70 marks. Please go through the CBSE circular for details. For your ease it
has been enclosed herewith.
In this text an effort has been made to help the students learn better the text
(Themes 1 and 2) given for OTBA. Though questions are given at the end of the
two themes, more questions are being included which are mostly preparatory in
nature. It will help the students to understand and know the themes better. Few
questions are beyond the capacity of the text but have been included as it has
relevance to the text and will help in advanced learning.
Teachers who are reading this text may please give suggestions to improve this. I
hope it will halp you to help the students on the themes given by the CBSE. You
may please frame your own questions and distribute among your students. Some
activities may also be performed for higher learning and better understanding. The
questions are just suggestive and may be further elaborated.
Please do not forget to mail your valuable comments to us at
feedback2zietbbsr@yahoo.com or abhijitsaha65@gmail.com
Wish you happy reading
Best wishes on this New Year
Abhijit Saha
PGT (Biology), ZIET Bhubaneswar
CBSE/Acad./Addl.Dir./Assoc.Prof./OTBA/2013 10
th
December, 2013
Circular No: Acad-78/2013
All the Heads of Institutions affiliated to CBSE.
Subject: Open Text-based Assessment for Class XI, March 2014.
Reference: Circular No. Acad-39/2013 dated 31
st
May, 2013
Circular No. Acad-53/2013 dated 8
th
August, 2013.
Circular No. Acad-69/2013 dated 30
th
September, 2013.
Dear Principal,
In continuation with the circulars cited above, the following may please be noted with regard to Open
Text-based Assessment (OTBA) in the subjects of Geography, Economics and Biology of Class XI:
1. The Annual Examination in these subjects of Class XI will be conducted by the schools as per
the past practice.
2. The Question papers will be developed by the teachers as per the syllabus and question paper
design prescribed by the Board.
3. The Question papers in these subjects will have an OTBA section of 10 marks based on one of
the open text materials supplied by the Board.
4. The questions for the OTBA section will be supplied by the CBSE through Integrated Test
Management System (ITMS) in the months of February/March 2014.
5. With the inclusion of OTBA section of 10 marks the weightings of marks assigned to various
units of the Geography, Biology and Economics Syllabus will proportionately reduce as shown
below:
Geography (029)
Class XI (2013-14)
One Theory Paper 70 Marks
3 Hours
Part A. Fundamentals of Physical Geography 25 (Marks)
Unit-1: Geography as a discipline
Unit-2: The Earth
Unit-3: Landforms
Unit-4: Climate
Unit-5: Water (Oceans)
Unit-6: Life on the Earth
Unit-7: Map and diagram 5 (Marks)
Part B. India-Physical Environment 25 (Marks)
Unit-8: Introduction
Unit-9: Physiography
Unit-10: Climate, vegetation and soil
Unit-11: Natural hazards and Disasters
Unit-12: Map and Diagram 5 (Marks)
Open Text-based Assessment 10 (Marks)
70 Marks

Economics (030)
Class-XI (2013-14)
One paper 3 Hours
90 Marks
Part A: Statistics for Economics
Unit 1 Introduction
Unit 2 Collection, Organisation and Presentation of Data 13
Unit 3 Statistical Tools and Interpretation 27
40
Part B: Indian Economic Development
Unit 4 Development Experience (1947-90) 08
and Economic Reforms since 1991 08
Unit 5 Current Challenges facing Indian Economy 18
Unit 6 Development experience of India-A Comparison with neighbours 06
40
Open Text-based Assessment 10
90 Marks

Biology (044)
Class-XI (2013-14)
(Theory-one paper)
Time: 3 Hours Max. Marks: 70
Unit Title Marks
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Diversity of Living Organisms
Structural Organisations in Plants and Animals
Cell: Structure and Functions
Plant Physiology
Human Physiology
06
10
12
16
16
60
Open Text-based Assessment 10
70

This may be brought to the notice of concerned teachers.
Yours faithfully,

Sugandh Sharma
Additional Director

Copy with a request to respective Heads of Directorates/KVS/NVS/CTSA as indicated below to
also disseminate the information to all concerned schools under their jurisdiction:
1. The Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, 18-Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh
Marg, New Delhi-110 016.
2. The Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, A-28, Kailash Colony, New Delhi.
3. The Director of Education, Directorate of Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Old Secretariat,
Delhi-110 054.
4. The Director of Public Instructions (Schools), Union Territory Secretariat, Sector 9, Chandigarh-
160 017.
5. The Director of Education, Govt. of Sikkim, Gangtok, Sikkim 737101.
6. The Director of School Education, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar 791 111
7. The Director of Education, Govt. of A&N Islands, Port Blair - 744101.
8. The Director of Education, S.I.E., CBSE Cell, VIP Road, Junglee Ghat, P.O. 744103, A&N
Islands
9. The Secretary, Central Tibetan School Administration, ESSESS Plaza, Community Centre,
Sector 3, Rohini, Delhi-110 085.
10. All the Regional Officers of CBSE with the request to send this circular to all the Heads of the
affiliated schools of the Board in their respective regions.
11. The General Secretary, Council of Boards of School Education in India, 6H,BigJos Tower, A-8,
Netaji Subhash Place, Ring Road,Delhi-110034.
12. The Education Officers/AEOs of the Academic Branch, CBSE.
13. The Research Officer (Technology) with the request to put this circular on the CBSE Academic
website.
14. The Library and Information Officer, CBSE
15. EO to Chairman,/PS to Chairman, CBSE
16. DO/PA to Secretary, CBSE
17. PS to CE, CBSE
18. PA to Director (Acad.)
19. PA to HOD (AIEEE)
20. PA to Joint Director , CBSE
21. PRO, CBSE

Additional Director & Associate Professor
Shiksha Kendra, 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi-110 092 India
CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
Themes
1. Life & Living
2. Incredible India
Page
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Open Text - Based Assessment
Annual Examination-2014
Biology (044) : Class-XI
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1. Theme Life & Living
Abstract:
Globalization is an ultra modern term which is spreading its aura in every corner of the world, so it
takes India also in consideration. For a country to become developed and achieve higher standards of
success, it is of great significance. This widespread of the spirit of globalization is also affecting the
style of working, which ultimately affects the health of the country. Since most of the working
population of the country is youth, it is indirectly affecting the future of the country. Awareness about
such consequences can lead to their prevention and it is a well known fact that Prevention is always
better than cure.
India is sitting on the cradle of progress. With massive change in economic policy of Liberalisation,
Privatization and Globalization in 1991, India has moved on the path towards modernisation and
great technical and professional advancements. There has been a tremendous growth of private
sector enterprises in our country and a rise in number of school and college going educated youth
who are employed in these sectors.
A survey on willingness of the people to live a long life reveals following result:

Statistics1 [Source: Survey conducted by NIH]
[http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1708&bih=833&q=lifestyle+dis
eases&oq=life+style+diseases&gs_l=img.]
The interpretation which can easily be drawn is, more than 50% of the population wants to live
atleast for 80 years and not below.
2
Indias youth force is highest in the world, which is extremely determined, ambitious, tech-savvy
and confident. The youth vigour is seen as the prime agent for contributing to the countrys
economic intensification and development. Youngsters are employed in large number in BPO
(Business process Outsourcing), IT and KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) industries, and are
being provided handsome salaries. The most striking feature about Indias youth is its desire to stay
ahead in the rat race of cut-throat competition, and to succeed as fast as possible.
But this picture of India shining comes at a cost and studies reveal that this cost has to be paid by
none other than the very factor that is bringing the country to the brink of high growth, prosperity
and development. Majority of college-going students and young working population is concentrated
in metropolitan cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata and the urban cities like Pune,
Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Surat, Kochi, Kanpur, Indore etc. Rapid urbanisation, growth of
professionalism and the desire to earn fast and more money, has proved extremely detrimental to the
countrys youth. Despite the growth in industry and commerce, the foremost and important sector,
neglected in the process, is health. It is observed that there has been a significant difference in life
style of urban young population compared to the traditional, rather disciplined style of living. It is
seen that the life style adopted by majority of youth is extremely disorganised and unhealthy, and is
further coupled with a defective diet. This can be owed to the idea that time is converted to money,
and corporate and personal ambitions are being kept over and above health priorities.
Employers have fixed long hours of working for their people, in the way it suits them and young
employees are constantly engaged in monotonous and immobile practice of spending hours in front
of computer screen, working. They do not realise that even though they may be progressing
financially and seem to be securing their lives and their familys future, they are moving towards an
even more insecure future, as they are becoming more vulnerable to serious health risks. It is very
unfortunate that they are not conscious about the facts that smoking, consuming calorie rich fast
food, alcoholism and drug consumption and eventually becoming couch potatoes while not at work
or engaged in anything, will, at the end of the day, cut their life span and hinder the countrys
progress at large.

Picture1
3

Today our eating habits are different from those of a generation ago in all ways. Fast food,
takeaways and eating out are parts of life for modern teenagers. There are many changes during
adolescence that can cause changes in eating behaviour. It can be very difficult for parents of
teenagers to convince their children about the benefits of healthier eating when they are also
competing with the powerful messages advertising the taste of unhealthy but enticing food.
Innumerable health issues, which are coming up among todays youth, show a growing concern
among the medicos and health experts. Usually, such issues are attributed to conflicts prevailing in
the country over the last 24-25 years. Sedentary, deskbound life styles and less physical activity are
other contributing factors to it. Change in dietary habits, obesity (which is rapid nowadays due to
sedentary life style), less outside activity and more time spend on social websites are the
contributing factors responsible for health issues among youth says Dr. Aadil Ashraf, senior post
graduate, Deptt. of medicines, Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Kashmir.
Common problems which arise due to todays life style are:
Obesity, a very common problem, arising due to change in life-style
In modern living, there is very limited physical activity, which does not require a dense, calorie rich
food but this is the kind of diet which teenagers are normally taking that leads to increase in their
weight.
Obesity leads to other problems, like young people start to fight to control the weight, which further
leads to diet related disorders like Anorexia, which is more than just a problem because of or with
the food. It is a way of using food or starving oneself to feel more in control of life and to effortlessly
ease tension, stress, anger and anxiety.
Bulimia nervosa is a disorder in the eating disorder range or spectrum. It is a characteristic
disorder of binge eating and characterized by episodes of overeating and then hiding this habit
from others and feeling ashamed of. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of secretive, undue
excessive eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self induced
vomiting, abuse or misuse of laxatives and diuretics or excessive, self planned, self directed
exercise. It is a psychological disorder. This is another condition that goes beyond control dieting.
The cycle of overeating and purging becomes an obsession similar to an addiction to drugs or other
substances. This disorder generally occurs after a number of unsuccessful attempts of dieting. Binge
Have you seen any couch
potato around you?
4
eating is not triggered by extremely intense hunger. It is a response to depression, tension, stress or
other feelings related to body weight, shape or feeding habits.
Dr. Ashraf says, There is a rapid increase in mental illness, by adding that the mental illness has
become common here. For him, conflicts and increase in competition level are some of its
contributing factors.
Various life style diseases including diabetes, drug abuse, depression, obesity, cardiovascular
diseases and various forms of cancer are taking a heavy toll on the health of people. This was stated
by the Deptt. of community medicine, Sher-e-kashmir Institute of medical Sciences(SKIMS).
Kulsoom Bhat, SKIMs Public Relations Officer (PRO), while quoting various health experts in a
seminar on life style diseases and the role of community medicine, organized by the hospital in
January, says, over use of internet causes internet addiction disorder, which is seen as the most
modern life style disease. She adds, the speakers viewed physical inactivity, improper diet, tobacco,
alcohol and stress as the main contributing factors that cause increased risk to human health,
taking the form of very specific life style diseases.
Referring to a study conducted by hospitals Deptt. of General Surgery, Clinical Biochemistry and
Endocrinology, Bhat says, obesity has been found to be an important factor associated with the risk
of having gall bladder stone diseases followed by raised cholesterol. She, while quoting experts,
says, metabolic syndrome is a growing health problem and is closely associated with cardiovascular
diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.
Study revealed that people with high blood pressure, diabetes and hyperglyceridemia are at high
risk of having metabolic syndrome. It further brought to the light the fact that these problems can
be curtailed through multidisciplinary treatment, including life style modifications, combined with
therapeutic pharmacotherapy.
The stress of modern day living is causing an enormous burden on healthcare globally. Poor eating
timings and habits, sleep deprivation and sedentary lifestyles have contributed to the growth of
lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, leading to a literal explosion of cases with
cardiovascular complications.
The situation is worse in a country like India where historically the ratio of a physician to
population is 1,00,000 to 1. Lack of expertise in complete disease management from the providers
side and lack of understanding of life style diseases among people, has created a complicated
situation. Experts forecast that by 2020 nearly half the deaths will occur from complications of
lifestyle diseases in India.

Can we plan something to adopt a healthy
lifestyle in our VISION 2020?
5

Picture2
[Source:http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1708&bih=833&q=lifes
tyle+diseases&oq=life+style+diseases&gs_l=img.]
RJ, 33 years old, was highly dedicated to his job and lived a very hectic lifestyle. He was considered
as the hardest working employee in his organisation. He never liked to waste time during lunch
hours and worked continuously during office time. He either frequently ate from outside, grabbing
quick meals from hawkers or stalls, cafes and fast food restaurants, or he just skipped food. He
never had time for exercise and was very overweight. He was also a heavy smoker, and frequently
used the excuse that cigarettes helped him deal with stress.
Research on the most fascinating components of so called harmful substances uncovers the
components, intake of which is being enjoyed by smokers:

Picture3
6
One day, he suffered with severe chest pain and collapsed because of that. His colleagues rushed
him to the hospital. Upon investigations, the doctor revealed that he had partial blockage of his
blood vessels and had suffered a heart attack during the meeting.
RJs lifestyle is characteristic of many working people who tend to focus more on their careers than
their health. This kind of lack of concern for their health is extremely disturbing and alarming. It is
because of this that incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart diseases have
been on the rise.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diet-related chronic diseases and the main ones include
heart diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and different cancers. According to the World Health
Organisation (WHO), more than nine million deaths worldwide, attributed to Non Communicable
Diseases, occur before the age of 60.

Statistics2: [Source: WHR, 2002]
The pie chart above reveals that the larger number of deaths is contributed by non communicable
diseases, which includes life style related diseases too.
The report of the year 2011 of National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) gives clear
indications of the rise in NCDs and its risk factors.
According to the survey, the prevalence for the following has increased compared to previous
years:
Diabetes increased from 11.6% (2006) to 15.2%.
Hypertension in adults above 30 years old increased from 32.2% (2006) to 32.7%.
Obesity increased more than three-folds from 4.4% (1996) to 15.1%.
7

Statistics3 [Source: Survey conducted by NGO]

Statistics4

Statistics5 [Source: Data by NIH]
eases&oq=life+style+diseases&gs_l=img.1%252Ffig8.gif%3Bhttp%253A%2]
8
These changes have been occurring in our country and worldwide over the past few decades, but
the most worrying fact is that most of the people do not realise that their health is in danger.
These lifestyle disorders affect adolescents in all ways, that is, psychological, emotional, physical
and behavioural. Stress is very common in all diseases. They generally eat abruptly leading to other
common problems, like gain in weight and nutrient deficiencies leading to anaemia etc.
A major cause of concern is the lack of exercise leading to excess weight. Adolescents who are
involved in sports or dancing may want to change their diet for fitness or morphological
appearance. This is all - right in moderation and temperance, but if they are becoming obese or
cutting down their food too much, this may be a problem or may cause a problem. In these
situations, an exercising schedule should be made and followed strictly. They like to go out with
their peer group/friends and it is very common for this age group to eat fast food which is
readymade and easily available. This could mean that they wont want to eat the evening meal.
Doing this once or twice a fortnight is not harmful to them but excessive indulgence into this
practice should be avoided.
It should be understood that skipping meals actually hinders the process of weight control.
Skipping breakfast is not a good practice. Many researches show that this is the most important
meal of the day.
All such harmful practices are contributing to a number of chronic diseases in the long run, like
heart stroke and diseases, cancer, diabetes, obesity, stress and respiratory infections at a very
young age. Improper, faulty life style and dietary habits can be seen as going against nature and
against mother earth too, the result of which definitely does not augur very well for the future. Rise
in fast food joints across the country and immersion of a western culture of clubbing and eating out
and alcoholism, especially in the metropolitan and urban cities, has only accelerated the process of
Progression towards regression. Contemporary lifestyle has become a disease in itself,
gradually working as a leisurely poison, leading to fatal consequences.
Lifestyle diseases are spreading very rapidly across the world. Quoting Dr. Syed Shuja Qadri, senior
resident community medicine, the PRO of SKIMs says, these diseases are different from other
diseases as they are potentially preventable and can be controlled with changes in diet, life style
and environment, and are manageable through life style modifications like proper sleep, age
appropriate and regular exercise, effective handling of stress, good work-life balance and abstaining
from alcohol and smoking to maintain and organize life style.
9

Picture4
[Source:http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1708&bih=833&q=lifes
tyle+diseases&oq=life+style+diseases&gs_l=img.]
What is needed today is an extension of focus from organ based expertise endocrinology,
nephrology, neurology and cardiology to a more holistic approach where physicians can provide
holistic care in a clinical setting, helping people avoid medical complications which require
expensive treatment in hospitals. This new approach towards health and well being requires a
dedicated team effort of physicians, dieticians, nutritionists, yoga experts and physiotherapists who
work across their traditional silos.
The World Health Organisation and the World Economic Forum has recently said that India will
incur an accumulated loss of 236.65 billion by 2015 on account of unhealthy lifestyle and wrong
diet. It is seen that 31.2 percent of Indias urban population is overweight or can be called as obese.
Two out of three employees in India are victims of stress in the cities. India is also considered as the
diabetes capital of the world. Studies show that the possibility of Indians suffering from a lifestyle
disease is 4% more than that of any other nationality. Such is the grim, grey, dark side of the
prettified picture of India shining.
The situation demands a general growth of awareness among todays youth, shaking them from
their compliances towards the self-destructive life-style they have adopted, and requires to make
them realise the dangers posed by it. It urgently calls for implementation of workplace health
programmes, as the work place environment largely influences the youth to promote better health
behaviour. Moreover, the corporate needs to adopt a healthier work style for their employees and
also for themselves. On a personal level, we are required to strive towards leading a more fit and
suitable lifestyle that nurtures the body, mind and soul by consuming a diet that is truly balanced in
its nutrient value, and finding time for regular physical exercises from our busy schedules. There is
10
also an emergent need to give equal time to have a better social life and go back to the old, popular
saying early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
Since we uphold the countrys future, there is the dire need to ensure that we take care of ourselves
as the country depends on us. The country can not hope to move forward if its own people are not
healthy enough to contribute towards its rise to glory and sustainable development.
References:
Dailykashmirimages.com/news-multiple-health-issues
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles
youthkiawaz.com/2012/02 by Tanima Banerjee
bfysportsfitness.com/articles
Sample Questions
1. Dont be static, start living a healthier lifestyle today, support the negative and positive
approach towards life mentioned in the statement by quoting the examples from above text.
(2+3=5)
2. Justify the provision of this particular open text material in examination by mentioning its
approach and objectives. (2+3=5)
3. Critically analyze all the pictures given in the text and give a detailed comment upon their
relevance with the text. (1+1+1+2=5)
4. Identify some life style related disorders other than those which are mentioned in the text
and also enlist some of the habits which may lead to any such disease in the long run. (5)
Marking Scheme
Question 1:
Positive Approach
Being aware about life style and its effect on human health
Provision of better infrastructure and facilities to ensure healthier life style of employees (3 marks)
Negative approach
Sedentary life style
Eating fast food/junk food
Drug use and abuse
Example: Life style of RJ (2 marks)
11
Question 2:
To develop an understanding about various life style related disorders and diseases.
To sensitize the stakeholders about vulnerability of their physiological systems to such disorders.
To make the students aware about causes and consequences of such diseases.
To strengthen decision making ability of students so that they can select the most suitable amongst
the options available.
To refine the cognitive skills of the students so that they can apply their knowledge about Biology in
opting a better life style and hence be able to remain healthy.
To infuse the sense of belongingness and being a responsible citizen of the country so that they
spread their information and share their knowledge with others in society and hence contribute
positively towards the cause of society. (3+2)
Question 3:
Relevance of pictures with text.
Picture 1: Highlighting/illustrating one of the very common examples of sedentary life style.
Picture 2: Real picture of life style of community with data.
Picture 3: Relation of chemistry of smoking with human physiology.
Picture 4: Importance of natural food over artificial supplements
Pretending to be following healthy life style and ignoring important health issues and bitter
realities.
Question 4:
A student may write any disease/disorder by using her/his thinking process and applying
biological concepts to it.
Some of them may include: piles because of long hours of sitting, colitis due to frozen shoulder due
to writing continuously on black board, varicose veins due standing for hours may be related to the
kind of job and its requirements.
(Question to be assessed as a whole)

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2. Theme Incredible India
Abstract:
India is known for its rich heritage of biological diversity. With only 2.5% of the worlds land area,
India accounts for 7.8% of recorded species of the world including 46,000 recorded species of plants
and 91,000 recorded species of animals. It possesses an exemplary diversity of ecological habitats like
forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems, and desert ecosystems.
Therefore it is not surprising that India is considered to be one of the worlds 17 mega diverse
countries in terms of biodiversity.
India takes its commitment to preserve biodiversity very seriously. This is not only because of Indias
international obligations as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, it is also because
India believes that protecting our biodiversity is a critical national priority as it is linked to local
livelihoods of millions of people in the country. Sustainable use of our biodiversity therefore has both
ecological and economic value.
This text focuses on the biodiversity found in one of the two major hotspots of biodiversity in India i.e.
Western Ghats.
India is a nation, rich in cultural heritage and biodiversity. Biodiversity here is related to socio-cultural
practices. Efforts have been made since ancient times to conserve biodiversity either consciously or by
relating it to culture and religion. But due to population explosion, urbanization, fragmentation of
habitats, climate change and the careless attitude of human being, several species are facing the threat
of extinction. This is not only affecting food chains, but is also affecting the livelihood and culture of
many Indians as their life is intricately knit around the biodiversity of their area.
India is situated at the tri junction of the three realms- Afro-tropical, Indo-Malayan and Paleo-
Arctic. It has characteristic elements from each one of them. This assemblage of three distinct
realms makes the country rich and unique in biodiversity.
As measured by the number of plant and animal species, maximum biodiversity is seen in tropical
rain forests. For this reason the Western Ghats and the North-East in India are the richest habitats
for species diversity. They are also included in the worlds list of hotspots of biodiversity; small
geographical areas with high species diversity. Western Ghats have more endemic species, those
that are found nowhere else.
Approximately 65 percent of total geographical area in India has been surveyed and approximately
46,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals have been described so far by the Botanical
Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India respectively. Of these about 4,900 species of
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flowering plants are endemic to India. They belong to 141 genera spread over 47 families. These
are distributed mainly in floral valleys of NorthEast India, North- West Himalayas, Western Ghats
and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A biogeography region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is threatened with
destruction is called biodiversity hot-spot. A hot-spot should have at least 0.5 percent of endemic
plant species which are found nowhere else. 25 biodiversity hot-spots have been identified at global
level, of which two are present in India. These include: Indo- Burma and the Western Ghats and Sri
Lanka. These two hot-spots cover less than 2% of the worlds land area but have about 50% of the
total terrestrial biodiversity. They contribute prominently in geographic extent, bio-physical, socio-
cultural diversity and uniqueness. The extent of species endemism in vascular plants alone ranges
from 32% to 40% in these mountain ecosystems.
The Indo-Burma hot-spot is one of the most threatened biodiversity hot-spots because of the rapid
rate of habitat loss and resource exploitation. It is spread over Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos,
Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, parts of Nepal, far eastern India and extreme southern China, Mainan
islands in South China Sea and Andaman and Nicobar islands in Indian Ocean.
The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Hills constitute mountain forests along the south-
western side of India and on the neighboring islands of Sri Lanka. This too enjoys the status of
UNESCO World Heritage site. The range runs north to south along the Western edge of the Deccan
Plateau and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain called the Konkan along the Arabian
Sea. The range starts near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, south of Tapti river and runs
over 1600 Km through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala ending at
the southern tip of India. It is one of the worlds ten hottest biodiversity hotspots.

Figure1: Western Ghats
http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/wghat.jpg
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The word 'ghats' refers to a series of steps leading to a sacred river. Here, the steps are really a long
range of hills and mountains covered in tropical vegetation. These hills drain water into large river
systems which, according to the researcher, benefits 'over 200 million people'. A wholly unique
forest, the Western Ghats also serves as a long standing agricultural area.
The climate here is humid and tropical, tempered by its proximity to the sea. Elevations of 1,500
m (4,921 ft) and above in the north and 2,000 m (6,562 ft) and above in the south have a more
temperate climate. Average annual temperature here is around 15C (60F). In some parts, frost is
common, and temperatures touch freezing point during winter months. Mean temperature ranges
from 20C (68F) in the south to 24C (75F) in north. It has also been observed that the coldest
periods in south Western Ghats coincide with the wettest.
Unlike many of the world's other great rainforests, the Western Ghats has long been a region of
agriculture. This is one place in the world where elephants walk through tea fields and tigers
migrate across betel nut plantations. While wildlife has survived alongside humans for centuries in
the region, continuing development, population growth and intensification of agriculture are
putting increased pressure on this inherently precarious relationship.

Figure2: An Asian elephant wandering in tea fields in Western Ghats
http://lh4.ggpht.com/RANt3jmxMOamziHzAhijM3nID8iGiLZwJG99ZlI4d_fcn7i9UOeq-R0QsU8T4jT0Smnlw=s128
Four types of tropical and sub-tropical broad leaf forests are found in the Western Ghats. These
include:, North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, North Western Ghats mountain rain
forests, South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, South Western Ghats mountain rain forests.
The northern portion of the range is generally drier than the southern portion.
In the north, the lower elevation has deciduous forests whereas the higher altitude (above 1000 m)
has mountain rain forests. The North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests are rich in teak trees
15
and North Western Ghats mountain rain forests are characterised by trees of family Lauraceae. The
family comprises over 3000 species of flowering plants in over 50 genera world-wide. Most are
aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs, but one or two genera such as Sassafras are deciduous, and
Cassytha is a genus of parasitic vines. Lauraceae are among the top five families in terms of the
number of species present. The fruit of Lauraceae is a drupe, a one-seeded fleshy fruit with a hard
layer, endocarp, surrounding the seed. However, the endocarp is very thin, so the fruit resembles a
one-seeded berry.
These plants are adapted to high rainfall and humidity, and have leaves with a generous layer
of wax, making them glossy in appearance, and a narrow, pointed-oval shape with a 'drip tip', which
permits the leaves to shed water despite humidity, allowing transpiration to continue.
Many members of family Lauraceae contain high concentrations of essential oils, some of
which are valued for spices and perfumes. Some of the essential oils are valued as fragrances,
such as in the traditional laurel wreath of classical antiquity, or in cabinet making, where the
fragrant woods are prized for making insect-repellant furniture chests. Some are valued in
cooking, for example, bay leaves are a popular ingredient in European, American and Asian
cuisines. Avocados are important oil-rich fruit that are cultivated in warm climates around the
world.
Many species are exploited for timber.
Some species are valued as sources of medicinal material.
The following genera include some of the best known species of particular commercial value:
Cinnamomum: Cinnamon, Cassia and Camphor Laurel
Laurus: Bay Laurel
Persea: Avocado
Loss of habitat and over-exploitation for such products, has put many species in danger of
extinction, as a result of overcutting, extensive illegal logging and habitat conversion.
Lauraceae flowers have a complex flowering system to prevent inbreeding. The fruits are an
important food source for birds. Seed dispersal of various species in the family is also carried out
by monkeys, arboreal rodents, porcupines and opossums.
The evergreen Wayanad forests of Kerala mark the transition zone between northern and southern
ecologic regions of the Western Ghats. The southern ecologic regions are generally wetter and more
species-rich. At lower elevations are the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, with
Cullenia, the characteristic tree genus, accompanied by teak and other trees.
Above 1,000 meters are the South Western Ghats mountain rain forests, also cooler and wetter than
the surrounding low-land forests, and dominated by evergreen trees, although some mountain
16
grasslands and stunted forests can be found at the highest elevations. The South Western Ghats
mountain rain forests are the most species-rich ecologic region in peninsular India; eighty percent
of the flowering plant species of the entire Western Ghats range are found in this ecologic region.
Historically Western Ghats were well-covered in dense forests that provided wild foods and natural
habitats for the native tribal people. Its inaccessibility made it difficult for people from the plains to
cultivate the land and build settlements. After arrival of the British in the area, large swathes of
territory were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber. Forest in the Western Ghats has been
severely fragmented due to human activities, especially clear felling for tea, coffee, and teak
plantations during 1860 to 1950. Species that are rare, endemic and habitat specific are more
adversely affected and tend to be lost faster than other species. Complex and species rich habitats
like the tropical rainforest are much more adversely affected than other habitats.

Figure3: Animal Species diversity in Western Ghats
http://amoghavarsha.com/stories/western-ghats/western-ghats-infographic.jpg
Western Ghats are home to thousands of animal species with more than thousand vertebrate
species including at least 325 globally threatened species. Many are endemic species, especially in
amphibian and reptilian classes. Thirty two threatened species of mammals live in the Western
Ghats. Of the 16 endemic mammals, 13 are threatened.
Mammals There are at least 140 mammal species. The Malabar large-spotted civet (Viverra
civettina), also known as the Malabar civet, is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It is listed
as Critically Endangered by IUCN as its population size is estimated to number fewer than 250
mature individuals. The arboreal lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), is an Old World
monkey, endemic to the Western Ghats of South India. It has been listed as endangered, as only
2500 members of this species are remaining. The largest population of the Lion tailed macaque
is in Silent Valley National Park. Kudremukh National Park also protects a viable population.
17

Figure4 a): Lion tailed macaque

Figure4 b): large-spotted civet
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTbXhQZ0CcdEwRyteZhVHa8SL4Mf2CprrJGPwgeBgOTdPhn9B
http://media5.picsearch.com/is?MzA8Gtmg9ZNdcy5sucew71jScAvn0Y51kTV0ab_YTC8&height=228
These hill ranges serve as important wildlife corridors, allowing seasonal migration of endangered
Asian elephants. The Nilgiri Bio-sphere is home to the largest population of Asian Elephants and
forms an important part of Project Elephant and Project Tiger. Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri wildlife
sanctuaries are important elephant habitats. Karnataka's Ghat areas hold over six thousand
elephants (as of 2004) and ten percent of India's critically endangered tiger population.
The largest population of India's tigers outside the Sundarbans is in unbroken forests
bordering Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It has an important elephant corridor connecting
the forests of Tamil Nadu with those of Karnataka. It is a home to Black Panther and normal
variety of leopards and significant populations of Great Indian Hornbill.
Reptiles 260 species of reptiles are found in this region. The snake family Uropeltidae of the
reptile class is almost entirely restricted to this region.
Amphibians Amphibians of the Western Ghats are diverse and unique, with more than 80%
of the 180 amphibian species being endemic to the region. Most of the endemic species have
their distribution in the rainforests of these mountains. The endangered Purple frog was
discovered in 2003 as a living fossil.

Figure5: Purple frog
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDfx9fNli8HYh36OlrEB4aRn9S1kmgy6EqPdgfUMtf8TOrVQ2TNw
18
The bizarre purple frog is one of the wonders of Western Ghats. It spends most of its life
underground.
Fish 102 species of fish are listed for the Western Ghats water bodies. Western Ghats streams
are home to several brilliantly coloured ornamental fishes like Red line torpedo barb, Red-
tailed barb, freshwater puffer fish and marine forms like mahseers such as Malabar mahseer.
Birds There are approximately 510 bird species. Most of Karnataka's five hundred species of
birds are from the Western Ghats region alone. There are at least 16 species of birds endemic
to Western Ghats, including the vulnerable Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Broad-tailed Grass bird,
nearly threatened, Grey-breasted Laughing thrush and Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey
Hornbill.
Insects There are roughly 6,000 insect species from Kerala alone. Of 334 butterfly species
recorded from the Western Ghats, 316 species have been reported from the Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve.
Molluscs Seasonal rainfall patterns of the Western Ghats necessitate a period of dormancy
for its land snails, resulting in their high abundance and diversity, including at least 258
species of gastropods from 57 genera and 24 families.

Figure6: Comparative account of animal species found in Western Ghatsz
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/7080/1125107647414726/1600/chart.jpg

19
No. in
India
No. in
WG
Percentage in of total population in India Western Ghats
Families 26 24 92.31
Genera 140 57 40.71
Species 1488 269 18.10
Source: Aravind et al. 2005

Table: Taxonomic break up and comparison of land snail diversity in India and in the Western Ghats
The area is ecologically sensitive to development and was declared an ecological hotspot in 1988
through the efforts of ecologist Norman Myers. Though this area covers barely five percent of
India's land, 27% of all species of higher plants in India (4,000 of 15,000 species) are found here.
Almost 1,800 of these are endemic to the region. The range is home to at least 84 amphibian
species, 16 bird species, seven mammals, and 1,600 flowering plants which are not found elsewhere
in the world.
Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) has been initiated in Western Ghats. At present,
there are 137 Protected Areas (PAs) (47,208 sq km) in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and 88
PAs (13,695 sq km) in Western Ghats. Over the years, there has been a steady progression in
number and area covered under the PA network in both the regions. Multi-ethnic composition
within the mountain ecosystems makes it a distinct microcosm of biodiversity. Human
interventions, including developmental activities and rampant poverty are leading to change in
land use patterns, habitat loss and fragmentation in the IHR. Similarly, in Western Ghats, in the past,
selective logging, and conversion to agriculture and cash crop plantations, river valley projects, etc.,
have contributed to the decline of biodiversity. Of late, mass tourism, unsustainable land use
practices, excessive subsistence dependence on forests, etc., are major challenges.
The Government of India established many protected areas including two biosphere reserves,
13 National Parks to restrict human access, several Wildlife Sanctuaries to protect specific
endangered species and many Reserve Forests, which are all managed by the forest departments of
their respective state to preserve some of the eco regions that are still undeveloped. Many National
Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve comprising 5500 km of the
evergreen forests of Nagarahole, deciduous forests of Bandipur National Park and Nugu in
Karnataka and adjoining regions of Wayanad, Mudumalai National Park and Mukurthi National
Park in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu has the largest contiguous protected area in the
Western Ghats. The Western Ghats is home to numerous serene hill stations like Munnar, Ponmudi
and Waynad. The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is among the last tracts of virgin tropical
evergreen forest in India.
20
References
http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0808-hance_ghats_anand.html
http://www.isid.ac.in/~som/papers/BiodiversityinIndia_rev.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauraceae
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ghats
http://nbaindia.org/uploaded/Biodiversityindia/4th_report.pdf
http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/Radioserials/Mega%20BD%20H.P%20N.P%20San%20Zoo.pdf
Sample Questions
1. Biodiversity is under threat worldwide. What can be the causes for it? What are its possible
consequences? (2+3=5)
2. Suggest a method of classification of flora and fauna of Western Ghats. Give reason for your
selection of method. Which characteristics you will take into account for this purpose? Which
taxonomical aids would be of your help in this process? Try to develop a dichotomous key to
present an example of classification by taking animals explained in the text into account.
(1x5=5)
Marking Scheme
Question 1:
Causes
Cutting of trees
Hunting
Over exploitation of natural resources for commercial use
Selfish attitude of human beings
Preference to short term benefits over long term sustainable use (2 marks)
Consequences
Habitat destruction
Species extinction
Disturbance in ecological balance
Ecological disasters (3 mark)

21
Question 2:
Any one of the following criteria for classification:
Morphological, cytological, embryological, evolutionary evidences, physiological etc.
Characteristics will be related to the criterion mentioned For example: Morphological, identifying
features of animals.
Taxonomical aids: Herbarium, botanical garden, zoo, specimens or any other.
Development of a dichotomous key or classification of lion tailed macaque, maabar parakeet,
torpedo barb, purple frog, snake
a) External ear/hair present...................... if yes, Lion tailed macaque ..................If no, go to question b
b) Wings present.........................................if yes, Malabar parakeet .........................................If no, go to
question c
c) Dry, hard and scaly skin present.......If yes, Snake ..........................................If no, go to question d
d) Moist and slippery skin........................If yes, Purple frog ..............................If no, go to question e
e) Scales and fins present...........................If yes, topedo barb (1 mark for each)
OTBA Sample Paper-XI-Biology
ZIET Bhubaneswar / Dr. A. Saha, PGT (Biology)/ Jan2014 1
Open Text Book Assessment 2013-14
For Session Ending Examination, March 2014
Sample Paper Class-XI (BIOLOGY)
Theme: Life and Living
Students of class XI (Science) having Biology as an elective subject and appearing in the Annual
Examination / Session Ending examination in March 2014 may note that the theory QP of 70 marks will be
containing 10 marks OTBA. Accordingly the mark distribution among the different units (I-V) as per the
NCERT book / CBSE Syllabus has been changed. Please follow the new mark distribution given by CBSE.
About 3-4 questions will be asked from the text provided for 10 marks. Here different types of questions
are being given for your practice.
Some questions whose answers are beyond the text have been included to improve your knowledge on the
subject. The questions are extensions and relevant to this text.
One Mark Questions
Q.1 Study statistics-1 and comment on the questions:
a) For how many years 57.3% people want to live?
b) What percent of people want to live for 120 years?
+
Ans. a) 80 Years
b) 29.1
Q What are couch potatoes? 1
This term is used for people who prefer to stay indoors sitting on sofa eating and watching
the TV for long hours of leisure rather than playing outdoors or doing some physical
exercise. It leads to obesity and related disorders.
Two Mark Questions
Q. How has the picture of India shining proved detrimental to the countrys youth? 2
Ans. India shining has been reflected through the economic growth and prosperity which the
country can boast of. Unfortunately this trend has caused youth concentrating in the
metros and progressive urban cities. To earn higher and at a faster rate and fulfil their
corporate life styles compels them to work for longer periods and adopt indiscipline life
styles causing serious health problems which are being neglected.
Q What difference in eating habits is seen in the present youth compared to the past
generations?
2
Ans. Fast food and eating out are an integral part of modern teenagers. Self -planned diet
programs are made by them either to be slimmer (for girls) or be more muscular (for boys)
is causing serious damage to their health which is a matter of concern. In modern living and
job nature there has been a significant reduction in physical exercise and significantly
increase in high calorie diet leading to obesity and related disorders. Working with other
countries having a different time slot like the US versus India.
Q. What is Vision 2020? 2
India Vision 2020 was initially a document prepared by the Technology Information,
Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) of India's Department of Science and
Technology under the chairmanship of Dr. A P J Kalam and a team of 500 experts. The
details of this plan may be read in the book India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium,
which Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam coauthored with Dr. Y.S. Rajan. Education and Health care is
one of the five areas identified where illiteracy, social security and overall health of the
population will be taken care of.
Q. Study picture -2 and answer the following questions:
a) What percent of boomers admit that they exercise less than once a week?
b) What do 30% people think about their health?
2
a) 20% i.e 1 out of 5 think that they exercise less than once a week
b) 30% think that they are always under stress.
Q. If you study the statistics given by NIH (refer to statistics-5) on prevalence of
smoking, it is found that there is a decline in the percentage of adult smokers
compared to high school smokers. What can be the possible reason? Give your
own thoughts.
2
a) High school students are teenagers. Their curiosity, transitory adult attitude and
heroism attract smoking.
b) Misconception that smoking relieves stress and mental tiredness increases young
smokers.
c) By the time they grow into adults, many realize the ill effects of smoking, some
suffer from health problems and give up smoking. Naturally the percentage of adult
smokers reduces.
Q. Enumerate the economic loss India is expected to incur only due to unhealthy life
styles.
2
Ans. a) India is expected to incur a loss of 236.65 Billion by 2015 due to poor life style and
defective diet.
b) 31.2% urban population is obese
c) 2 out of 3 employees are victim of stress
d) India became the Diabetic capital of the world
e) India leads any other country by 4% in having life style diseases.
Three Mark Questions
Q. Growth of professionalism in youth is leading to serious health hazard. Explain
how?
3
Ans. It has caused drastic change in lifestyle due to their higher income. Consuming high calorie
fast food, smoking, alcoholism and also drug consumption has become more dependable
than the traditional life styles. The tension for completing the time bound work led to long
hours sitting in front of computer screens ending up the day with no physical work inviting
high blood pressure, obesity and other diseases. Often youth give up breakfast and meals
and also reduce the sleeping period to increase their working hours leading to series of
disorders.
Q. Enlist the common health problems arising due to todays life style. 3
a) Obesity
b) Bulimia nervosa
c) Mental illness
d) Addiction related diseases
e) Gall bladder stone
f) Stress
g) High Blood Pressure and Blood sugar
h) Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease
i) Cardio-vascular disorders etc.
Q. Study picture-3 and answer the following questions:
a) Name any four substances in a cigarette which are cancer causing.
b) Part of a cigarette smoked contains poisonous substances. The unburnt
part (called filter) also contains poisonous substances. Name them.
c) Name the substance which is a non- biodegradable pesticide found in
cigarettes.
3
Ans. a) Polonium 210 / Cadmium/ Pyrene/ Urethane/ etc
b) DDT/ Carbon monoxide/Vinyl chloride
c) DDT
Q Mention the highlights of the survey report of the year 2011 by NHMS. 3
Ans a) Diabetes increased from 11.6% (2006) to 15.2%
b) Hypertension (in adults above 30 years) increased from 32.2% (2006) to 32.7%
c) Obesity increased from 4.4% (1996) to 15.1% almost 3.5 folds
Q. Life style diseases are spreading very rapidly. Still there is a positive aspect of
these diseases since they are potentially preventive. How can it be done?
3
Ans. a) changing the diet
b) change in life style
c) proper sleeping habit
d) age appropriate and regular exercise
e) effective handling of stress
f) good work-life balance
g) abstaining alcohol and smoking
Q Progression towards regression. Comment upon the statement and give your
own views.
3
Ans. With advancement, income has increased among Indian youth. This has led to a drastic
change in their life styles. The changed life style is proving detrimental to the health aspect
of the present youth generation.
Students are asked to elaborate progress and its ill effects in their own way.
What you may also do
Q During a visit to an urban school, it was discovered that a good number of children in the
middle classes were obese. Now do the following activities
a) Find out the causes of obesity in the students. (Hints: Food habit / Physical exercise
/ sleeping habit)
b) Frame a programme which the school can undertake to bring obesity of their
students under control.
Q While passing along a school campus, some students were found smoking hiding behind a
tree. On reporting, the Principal took some active measures to check smoking among the
children. Here are some activities which you may try to apply in your vidyalaya. Now
answer/do these
a) Write a slogan on anti-Smoking.
b) Make a poster on the ill effects of smoking
c) Arranging an awareness programme in school
d) Make a leaflet for distribution against smoking
e) Write a skit (3-4 characters) giving a message to abstain from smoking
Open Text Book Assessment 2013-14
For Session Ending Examination, March 2014
Sample Paper Class-XI (BIOLOGY)
Theme: Incredible India
Students of class XI (Science) having Biology as an elective subject and appearing in the Annual
Examination / Session Ending examination in March 2014 may note that the theory QP of 70 marks will be
containing 10 marks OTBA. Accordingly the mark distribution among the different units (I-V) as per the
NCERT book / CBSE Syllabus has been changed. Please follow the new mark distribution given by CBSE.
About 3-4 questions will be asked from the text provided for 10 marks. Here different types of questions
are being given for your practice.
One Mark Questions
Q.1 India is situated in the tri-junction of three realms. Name them.
Ans
.
Afro-tropical, Indo-Malayan and Palaeo-Arctic
Q What is a Hotspot in Biodiversity?
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity
that is under threat from humans.
The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in
The Environmentalist (1988), & 1990 revised after thorough analysis by Myers and
others in Hotspots: Earths Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial
Ecoregions.
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000 edition of the hotspot-map, a region
must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular
plants as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation. Around
the world, 25 areas qualify under this definition, with nine other possible candidate
(write the required portion only as per mark awarded)
Q Name the Biological Hotspots in India.
India has two of the 25 hotspots identified throughout the globe. The two are Indo-Burma
and the Western Ghats and Sri lanka.
Q. Expand IUCN.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Two Mark Questions
Q. Mention the criteria for being selected as hotspot?
a) Species diversity
b) Number of endemic species: at least 0.5% endemic species
c) Degree of threat to species
Q
Why Incredible India?
India has 14 Biosphere reserves, 89 National Parks, 492 Wild life sanctuaries and 2 Biodiversity
hotspots. (Statistics may be verified from latest updates)
Q What is a living fossil? Give examples to Indian context.
An organism that is similar in appearance to its fossilized distant ancestors and usually has no
extant close relatives. .e.g. such as the coelacanth or ginkgo
Example from the text: Purple frog
Q
Name two snakes belonging to the family Uropeltidae.
The Uropeltidae is a family of primitive burrowing snakes endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka.
The name is derived from the Greek words ura ("tail") and pelte ("shield"), indicating the presence
of the large keratinous shield at the tip of the tail. Currently, eight genera are recognized
comprising 47 species. These snakes are not venomous.
The two snakes are Brachyophidium rhodogaster and Melaniphidium bilineatum (Two-lined black
shieldtail)
Q
What role has the Government played in protecting the Biodiversity of the Western Ghats?
Identification of Key Biodiversity areas has already been initiated in the Western ghats. At present
there are 88 Protected areas (13695 sq km) in the Western Ghats. The Government has
established 2 Biosphere reserves, 13 National Parks and several wild life sanctuaries to protect
specific endangered species. Many wild life sanctuaries have been upgraded into National parks.
Q Name the different type of forests in Western Ghats>
Four types of Tropical and sub-tropical broad forests are found in the Western ghats.
These are
a) North Western Ghats moist deciduous forest
b) North Western Ghats mountain rain forest
c) South Western Ghats moist deciduous forest
d) South Western Ghats mountain rain forest
Q How was the ecosystem of the Western Ghats affected by the arrival of the British?
Large area of forest land was cleared for agriculture. The forest was fragmented and trees
felled for tea, coffee and timber plantation. Rare and endemic and habitat specific species
were adversely affected and they were lost faster than any other species.
Three Mark Questions
Q. India is very rich country in Biodiversity. Explain
India is a homeland for about 46,000 plant species and 91,000 animal species. Of these 4,900
species of flowering plants are endemic
Q. Write few adaptive features of the plants belonging to family Lauraceae which makes it
suitable in the Western Ghats. Give a list of its economic importance.
The leaves of the plants belonging to this family have the following adaptive
characteristics-
a) Leaves with layer of wax making them glossy in appearance
b) Leaves are narrow, pointed, oval shaped with drip tip which helps it to shed water.
Economic importance
Many Lauraceae contain high concentrations of essential oils, some of which are valued
for spices and perfumes. Some of the essential oils are valued as fragrances, such as in
the traditional laurel wreath of classical antiquity, or in cabinet making, where the
fragrant woods are prized for making insect-repellant furniture chests. Some are valued in
cooking, for example, bay leaves are a popular ingredient in European, American and
Asian cuisines
Avocados are important oil-rich fruit that are cultivated in warm climates around the
world.
Many species are exploited for timber.
Some species are valued as sources of medicinal material.
The following genera include some of the best known species of particular commercial
value:
Cinnamomum: Cinnamon, Cassia and Camphor Laurel
Laurus: Bay Laurel
Persea: Avocado (Reduce the content as per marks allotted)
Q Write a few lines on how rich the Western Ghats are on its biodiversity.
Western Ghats are a home to thousands of animal species. More than thousand
vertebrate species of animals among of which 325 globally threatened species live here.
Many endemic amphibian and reptiles are found here. It hosts 32 threatened mammalian
species. Among them 16 mammalian species are endemic of which 13 are threatened.
Though it covers only 5% Indias land 4000 of the 15,000 higher plant species are found
here of which 1800 are endemic. It is also home of 84 amphibians, 16 bird, 7 mammal
endemic species.
Q
Find out from the text and make a list of endangered animal species in the Western Ghats.
Mammals
Viverra civettina
(Malabar civet)
Critically endangered Less than 250 mature
individuals
Macaca silenus
(Arboreal lion tailed
macaque)
Endangered 2500 members
Asian Elephant
Amphibia Purple frog Endangered
Q
Prepare a table providing information on the animal diversity of the Western Ghats
Phylum / Class No. of species
Mammals 140
Reptiles 260
Amphibia 180
Fish 102
Birds 510 16 endemic
Insects 6000 (Kerala alone)
Mollusca 258
Five Mark Questions
Q
Explain different methods of Biodiversity conservation.
There are two major approaches to conservation of Biodiversity: in situ (on site) and ex situ (off
site) conservation.
Q
What is IUCN Red list? How are species categorized on the basis of threats?
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List),
founded in 1964, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of
biological species. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world's
main authority on the conservation status of species world's main authority on the conservation
status of species.
Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups
]
set through criteria such as rate of
decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population and
distribution fragmentation.
Extinct (EX) No known individuals remaining.
Extinct in the Wild (EW) Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized
population outside its historic range.
Critically Endangered (CR) Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Endangered (EN) High risk of extinction in the wild.
Vulnerable (VU) High risk of endangerment in the wild.
Near Threatened (NT) Likely to become endangered in the near future.
Least Concern (LC) Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category.
Data Deficient (DD) Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of
extinction.
Not Evaluated (NE) Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Five Mark Question
Q
What are the major causes of biodiversity loss?
Major causes of biodiversity loss
a) Habitat destruction
b) Fragmentation of habitat
c) Introduction of exotic / alien species
d) Environmental pollution
The students are asked to elaborate the four points on their own with reference to the following
points
Clearing of forests and agricultural land
Wild land and agricultural land being converted into residential areas
Extensive deep sea fishing
Damage to coral reefs
Unscientific and rampant use of agro-chemicals specially pesticides
Human Population increase
Illegally filling wetlands
Uncontrolled draining waste in water bodies
Websites to visit for further information
a) http://www.nbaindia.org
b) http://www.indianbiodiversity.org
c) http://thewesternghats.indiabiodiversity.org
d) http://eol.org/collections
e) http://india.gov.in/people-groups/community/environmentalists/conservation-
wildlife
f) www.iucn.org/india
g) http://www.iucn.org/
h) www.iucnredlist.org
i) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IUCN_Red_List
j)

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