Applied Biology (VSAQs)
Zoology-2 | Unit-8: Applied Biology – VSAQs:
Welcome to VSAQs in Unit-8: Applied Biology. This page includes the most important FAQs from previous exams. Each answer is presented in the exam format to help you prepare effectively and aim for top marks in your final exams.
VSAQ-1: What Factors Constitute Dairying?
Imagine running a dairy farm where everything revolves around cows and their milk. Dairying encompasses a variety of tasks and responsibilities. First and foremost, it involves the care of milk animals, including their breeding, feeding, and overall management to ensure they are healthy and productive. Think of it like taking care of pets but on a larger scale, where proper nutrition and regular health checks are key.
Then, there’s the process of taking the milk from these animals, processing it, and finally marketing it. This includes transforming raw milk into various products like cheese and yogurt and ensuring they are sold in a way that’s economically viable. So, dairying is not just about milking cows but also about managing the whole process from farm to market.
VSAQ-2: Mention Any Two Advantages of Inbreeding
Inbreeding might sound a bit complex, but it’s essentially about breeding within the same family or line of animals. One advantage of this practice is that it increases homozygosity, which means that the offspring are more likely to have uniform traits. This can lead to a pure line of animals with consistent characteristics.
Another benefit is that inbreeding allows for the accumulation of superior genes while eliminating undesirable ones. By focusing on breeding animals with desirable traits, it’s possible to enhance those traits in the population over time, improving the overall quality of the herd.
VSAQ-3: Distinguish Between Out-Cross and Cross-Breed
Imagine you’re working on improving a breed of animals, and you have two different strategies: out-crossing and cross-breeding.
Out-crossing involves mating animals from the same breed who do not share common ancestors in their recent family trees, like distant cousins meeting for the first time. This technique helps introduce new genetic material into the breed, which can improve health and vitality. The offspring of these matings are referred to as outcrosses.
On the other hand, cross-breeding is like mixing two different breeds to combine their best traits. For instance, you might mate a superior male of one breed with a top-quality female of another breed. The resulting offspring, called cross-breeds, can potentially inherit the best traits from both parent breeds, making them a bit like a hybrid model that benefits from the strengths of each breed.
VSAQ-4: Define the Terms Layer and Broiler
When it comes to poultry, layers and broilers are two distinct types of chickens, each with its own purpose.
Layers are chickens specifically raised for their egg production. They are selected and bred to lay a high number of eggs. Think of them like the “egg factories” of the poultry world. Their meat isn’t usually the main focus, as it may not be as tender or desirable as that of broilers.
Broilers, on the other hand, are raised primarily for their meat. They grow quickly and efficiently convert feed into muscle. Broilers are typically ready for harvest at a younger age, around 8 to 10 weeks, making them the “meat machines” of the poultry industry.
VSAQ-5: What Is Apiculture?
Apiculture, or beekeeping, is the practice of maintaining bee colonies for various benefits. Beekeepers, or apiarists, manage these hives to produce honey, beeswax, pollen, and other products derived from bees. Think of it like caring for a small, buzzing farm where the bees are essential workers producing a range of goods. Apiculture not only helps in getting honey but also plays a crucial role in agriculture by pollinating plants, which is vital for growing many of the fruits and vegetables we eat.
VSAQ-6: Define the Term Fishery
Think of fishery as a bustling industry dedicated to everything related to fish and other aquatic life. It includes a range of activities from catching fish in oceans, rivers, and lakes, to processing, storing, and selling them. Imagine a large seafood market where various kinds of fish and shellfish are prepared for people to eat, or a farm where fish are raised and cared for before they are sent to markets. This industry not only provides a crucial source of protein for many people but also creates jobs and supports communities around the world.
VSAQ-7: Differentiate Aquaculture and Pisciculture
When it comes to growing aquatic life, aquaculture and pisciculture are two important practices.
Aquaculture is like the big umbrella that covers the cultivation of a variety of aquatic organisms. This includes fish, shellfish, crustaceans like shrimp, and even aquatic plants. It’s used for many purposes, such as producing food, conserving species, or restocking natural bodies of water.
Pisciculture is a specific part of aquaculture, focusing only on the farming of fin fish. If you think of aquaculture as a large, diverse garden with many types of plants, pisciculture would be like a section of that garden dedicated solely to growing a particular type of plant—fish in this case. It’s all about raising fish for food and making sure they grow in the best conditions.
VSAQ-8: Explain the Term Hypophysation
Hypophysation is a special technique used in fish farming to help fish reproduce more easily and predictably. Imagine a fish farmer wanting to make sure their fish spawn at the right time. They use hypophysation by injecting hormones into the fish to trigger spawning. It’s like giving a gentle nudge to the fish to start reproducing, making it easier for the farmer to manage and increase their fish stocks. This method is very useful for ensuring that there’s a steady supply of young fish for farming or restocking purposes.
VSAQ-9: List Out Any Two Indian Carps and Two Exotic Carps
In the world of carps, which are a type of freshwater fish, there are both Indian and exotic varieties.
Indian carps include:
- Catla catla: Known for its fast growth and high value in aquaculture.
- Labeo rohita: Also called Rohu, it’s a popular fish in Indian cuisine.
Exotic carps are species introduced from other regions:
- Grass carp: Known for eating aquatic plants and helping control weeds in water bodies.
- Silver carp: Valued for its ability to filter plankton and improve water quality.
VSAQ-10: Mention Any Four Fish By-Products
When processing fish, many useful products come from parts that aren’t always eaten directly. These fish by-products include:
- Fish meal: Made from ground fish and used as feed for animals or in fertilizers.
- Fish oil: Extracted from fish and used in supplements, cooking oils, and even as a dietary supplement for its omega-3 fatty acids.
- Fish collagen: Found in fish skin and used in cosmetics and health supplements for its skin benefits.
- Fish scales: Sometimes used in cosmetics and dietary supplements due to their unique properties.
VSAQ-11: Define the Term ‘Vaccine’
Imagine a vaccine as a practice run for your immune system. It’s a preparation containing small amounts of weakened or inactivated germs, or parts of them. When you get a vaccine, it helps your body learn to recognize and fight off these germs without making you sick. It’s like training your immune system to be prepared for a future encounter with the real disease, helping to keep you healthy and protected.
VSAQ-12: What Does ADA Stand for? Deficiency of ADA Causes Which Disease?
ADA stands for Adenosine Deaminase, an important enzyme in our bodies. When there’s a deficiency in ADA, it leads to a severe condition known as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). This rare genetic disorder severely weakens the immune system, making it very difficult for affected individuals to fight off infections. It’s like having a security system in your body that doesn’t work properly, leaving you vulnerable to illnesses that most people can fend off easily.
VSAQ-13: Define the Term Transgenic Animal
Imagine if you could add a new feature to an animal by giving it a gene from another species. This is what happens with transgenic animals. These animals have had their DNA altered to include genes from different organisms. For example, scientists might insert a gene that makes a human protein into a cow, allowing the cow to produce this protein in its milk. This technique helps in creating animals that can produce useful substances, which might be used for medical treatments or research.
VSAQ-14: What Is Popularly Called the ‘Guardian Angel of Cell’s Genome’?
The P^53 gene is often called the “Guardian Angel of the Cell’s Genome.” Think of it as a vigilant security guard for your cell’s DNA. This gene helps protect the cell by checking for damage in the DNA and stopping the cell cycle at a crucial checkpoint, called the G_1 checkpoint. If the DNA is damaged, P^53 halts the cell’s progression so repairs can be made. This process is crucial in preventing the development of cancerous cells, making P^53 an important protector against cancer.
VSAQ-15: List Out Any Four Features of Cancer Cells
Cancer cells are quite different from normal cells in several ways.
For one, cancer cells grow uncontrollably, forming large masses or tumors. They have a tendency to spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis, where they travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. These cells also lose contact inhibition, meaning they don’t stop growing when they bump into other cells, leading to overcrowded areas. Additionally, they can avoid apoptosis, the natural process of programmed cell death, which allows them to survive longer than they should. Lastly, cancer cells can stimulate angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, to supply their ever-growing needs with nutrients and oxygen.
VSAQ-16: What Is Tomogram?
A tomogram is like taking a detailed slice-by-slice picture of the inside of your body. This technique, part of the CAT scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) process, uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images, which can then be stacked to form a 3D view. It’s useful for finding and examining various conditions, such as blood clots, tumors, and fractures. By looking at these detailed slices, doctors can get a clearer understanding of what’s happening inside the body.
VSAQ-17: MRI Scan Is Harmless—Justify
An MRI scan is considered safe and harmless for several reasons. First, unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRI doesn’t use ionizing radiation, which is known to be potentially harmful. Instead, it relies on powerful magnets and radio waves to produce images. MRI is also non-invasive, meaning it doesn’t require injections or exposure to harmful substances. Additionally, there are no known harmful side effects associated with MRI scans. This makes MRI a valuable and safe tool for doctors to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions.
VSAQ-18: What Is Electrocardiography and What Are the Normal Components of ECG?
Electrocardiography (ECG) is like taking a snapshot of your heart’s electrical activity. Imagine it as a special camera that records how the heart’s electrical signals move through it. This helps doctors check for any issues with the heart’s rhythm and function.
When you look at an ECG graph, you’ll see several key parts. Waves are the main features, labeled as P, Q, R, S, and T. Each wave represents a different phase of the heart’s electrical activity. For example, the P wave shows the electrical activity as the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) contract.
There are also intervals, which are the times between these waves. The P-R interval measures the time from the start of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex, which shows when the ventricles, the heart’s lower chambers, contract. Another interval, the Q-T interval, measures the time from the start of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave.
Segments are the flat areas between these waves. The S-T segment, for example, is the flat line between the S wave and the T wave. Lastly, the QRS complex is a key part of the ECG, reflecting the electrical activity that causes the ventricles to contract.
VSAQ-19: What Does Prolonged P-R Interval Indicate?
A prolonged P-R interval on an ECG indicates that there’s a delay in the heart’s electrical signals traveling from the upper chambers (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles). This interval measures how long it takes for the signal to move from the sinoatrial (S.A.) node, which is the heart’s natural pacemaker, to the atrioventricular (A.V.) node, which helps pass the signal to the ventricles.
In a normal ECG, this interval is between 0.12 and 0.2 seconds. If it’s longer than this, it might suggest a problem with how the heart’s electrical system is working. Conditions like atrioventricular block can cause this delay. Depending on how severe the block is, it could be classified as first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree. Doctors would need to assess the exact nature of the problem to decide on the best treatment.
VSAQ-20: Differentiate Between Primary and Secondary Antibodies
Think of primary antibodies as the “searchers” in the world of lab work. They are made to find and attach to specific targets, like proteins on cells. For example, if you’re looking for a particular protein, you’d use a primary antibody that binds directly to it.
Secondary antibodies, on the other hand, are like the “helpers” in this process. They don’t find the target directly. Instead, they bind to the primary antibodies. Secondary antibodies are linked to enzymes that help amplify the signal, making it easier to see the primary antibody binding to its target. This is especially useful in techniques like Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, where detecting the target protein can be challenging.
VSAQ-21: Which Substances in a Sample Are Detected by Direct and Indirect ELISA Respectively?
Direct ELISA is a straightforward method for detecting specific antigens in a sample. In this method, the primary antibody, which is linked to an enzyme, directly binds to the antigen. If the antigen is present, the enzyme will produce a signal, showing the presence of the antigen.
Indirect ELISA involves a two-step process. First, a primary antibody is added to the sample to bind to the specific antigen. Then, a secondary antibody, which is linked to an enzyme, is added. This secondary antibody binds to the primary antibody. This setup allows for signal amplification, making it easier to detect the presence of antibodies in the sample.
VSAQ-22: How Many Amino Acids and Polypeptide Chains Are Present in Insulin?
Insulin is a vital hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. It’s made up of two polypeptide chains, known as the A chain and the B chain. The A chain has 21 amino acids, while the B chain has 30 amino acids. Together, these chains have a total of 51 amino acids. The way these chains are arranged and connected by disulfide bonds is crucial for insulin’s ability to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
VSAQ-23: Mention Any Two Features of PCR
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a powerful tool used to make many copies of a specific segment of DNA. It’s incredibly sensitive and can amplify tiny amounts of DNA into a larger, detectable quantity. This process is like using a photocopier to make multiple copies of an important document, but for DNA. PCR can target and amplify specific DNA segments even when they’re mixed with a lot of other DNA, making it a vital technique for genetic research and diagnostics.