1. The characteristic of soil that determines the movement of water through pore spaces is known as soil permeability.
2. Soil permeability is directly dependent on the pore size. Water holding capacity of the soil is inversely dependent on soil porosity.

Ecological niche is a term for the position of a species within an ecosystem, describing both the range of conditions necessary for persistence of species, and is ecological role in the ecosystem.

The naturally occurring greenhouse gases in the air, mainly carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour trap radiation from the sun and act like a thermal blanket around our planet earth. Without the greenhouse gases, the earth would have an average temperature of -180 c and be covered in ice. The greenhouse effect keeps the earth warm enough to sustain life.

(i) CFC - Chloro fluoro carbon
(ii) AQI - National Air Quality Index
(iii) PAN - Peroxyacetyl Nitrate

More than 70% of species recorded on earth are animals and 22% are planted. This is because the animals have adapted themselves to ensure their survival in changing environments in comparison to plants. Eg. Presence of nervous system helps animals to control and coordinate their body structures. Therefore diversification in animals is more than in plants.

(i) The chemical found in the medicinal plant Rauwolfia vomitoria is reserpine.
(ii) It belong to Genetic diversity.

Enzymes - Produced from Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bacteria
(i) Eg: pectinase, protease and cellulase - Bottled juices are clarified.
(ii) Rennet - separate milk into solid curds for cheese making.
(iii) Streptokinase (from Streptococcus) - Clot busier - (removing clots from the blood vessels of patients who have undergone myocardial infarction patients).
Cycloporin 'A' - Immuno suppressant used in organ transplantation (produced from the fungus Trichoderma Polysporum).

There are 1.4 million locations where single base DNA differences (Called SNPs - Single Nucleotide Polymorphism - pronounce as snips) occurs in human's genome.
(i) By tracing human history
(ii) By finding chromosomal locations for disease associated sequences

1. The genetic code is universal. It means that all known living systems use nucleic acids and the same three base codons (triplet codon) direct the synthesis of protein from amino acids. E.g, mRNA ,(UUU) codon codes for phenylalanine in all cells of all organisms.
2. Some exceptions are reported in prokaryotic, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes. However similarities are more common than differences.

It is the transmission of a gene from mother to son or father to daughter.
These patterns of inheritance are called criss-cross inheritance (or) skip generation inheritance in which a character is inherited to the second generation through the carrier of first-generation.
E.g., Wing color in the magpie moth (Abraxus) feather pattern in chickens

Interferons: These are the proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites etc
RoIe: They inhibit viral infections and stimulate the entire immune system to fight disease. They also regulate many kinds of cell functions

In monocellular organs cell division is itself a mode of reproduction. (e.g:) Bacteria, Euglena and Amoeba.

Hibernation:
Spending the winter in an inactive dormant state to escape in time, is called hibernation. E.g: Bears and Frogs.
Aestivation:
Spending the dry, hot period in an inactive state to escape in time is called aestivation .E.g: Snails and Fish.

1. Gene therapy would be a better option because it has the potential to completely cure the patient.
2. It is because the correct gene once introduced in the patient; can continue to produce the correct protein enzyme.
3. Enzyme therapy does not offer permanent cure as it needs to be given to the patient on regular basis.
4. It is also more expensive.

1. Production of insulin by recombinant DNA technology started in the late 1970s.
2. This technique involved the insertion of human insulin gene on the plasmids of E. coli.
3. The polypeptide chains are synthesized as a precursor called pre-pro insulin, which contains A and B segments linked by a third chain (C) and preceded by a leader sequence.
4. The leader sequence is removed after translation and the C chain is excised, leaving the A and B polypeptide chains.
5. Insulin was the first eyer pharmaceutical product of recombinant DNA technology administered to human. In 1986 human insulin was marketed under the trade name humulin.

(i) Red Data Book or Red list is a catalogue of taxa facing risk of extinction.
(ii) IUCN - International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
(iii) WCU - World Conservation Union maintains the Red Data Book.
(iv) The concept of Red list was mooted in 1963.
The purpose of preparation of Red List are:
(i) To create awareness on the degree of threat to biodiversity
(ii) Identification and documentation of species at high risk of extinction
(iii) Provide global index on declining biodiversity
(iv) Preparing conservation priorities and help in conservation of action
(v) Information on international agreements on conservation of biological diversity
Red list has eight categories of species:
(i) Extinct
(ii) Extinct in wild
(iii) Critically Endangered
(iv) Endangered
(v) Vulnerable
(vi) Lower risk
(vii) Data deficiency
(viii) Not evaluated.

India is home to four biodiversity hotspots (as per ENVIS). They are
(a) Himalaya (The entire Indian Himalayan region)
(b) Western Ghats
(c) Indo-Burma: Includes entire Northeastern India, except Assam and Andaman group of Islands (And Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Southern China)
(d) Sundarlands: Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).

The method I suggest is Artificial lnsemination Technique (AI)
1. In AI, the semen is collected either from the husband or a healthy donor and then artificially introduced into the vagina or into the uterus (IUI- Intra Uterine Insemination) of the female.
2. It is commonly used in cases where male partner are unable to inseminate the female due to very low sperm counts in the ejaculate.

A - Barrier methods
B - Lactational amenorrhoea
C - Tubectomz
D - CuT

When lactose is absent "i" gene regulates and produces repressor mRNA in the absence of lactose, which blocks the transcription. The repressor protein binds to the operator region of the operon and as a result prevents RNA polymerase from binding to the operon. The operon will be switched off (stop) in this situation.

Colostrum is the yellowish fluid produced from the mother's mammary glands during initial few days of location, after parturition.
Significance:
1. It has less lactose than milk and almost no fat, but it contains more proteins, vitamin A and minerals.
2. Colostrum is also rich in IgA antibodies.
3. This helps to protect the infant's digestive tract against bacterial infection.
4. Breast milk is the ideal food for infants as it contains all the constituents in suitable concentration and is easily digestable.
5. It is fully sufficient till about 6 months of age and all infants must be breast fed by the mother to ensure the growth of a healthy baby.

1. In Greek Parthenos means Virgin, Genesis means Produce.
2. Development of a haploid (n) egg into a complete individual without fertilization is known as parthenogenesis.
3. It was first discovered by Charles Bonnet in 1745.
4. Parthenogenesis occurs naturally in some invertebrates (e,g:) Nematodes, Water fleas, Scorpians, Parasitic (wasps).

1. Wastes generated at home include vegetable and fruit peels, tea leaves, egg shells, newspapers, plastic carry bags, domestic sewage, glass, cloth etc.
2. Wastes generated at school include waste papers, pencil shavings, pen refills, food wrappers, sewage etc.
3. Wastes generated during trips include disposable plates, cups, glasses, spoons, paper napkins etc. and wrappers of ready made food items. The generation of following wastes can be reduced.
4. Paper, paper cups, plastic bags, glass bottles, plastic spoons/plates, etc. The generation of following waste is difficult to reduce.
5. E.g. Pencil shavings, refills of pens, peels of fruits etc.

(i) The primary lymphoid organ is thymus.
(ii) The secondary lymphoid organ is tonsils.
Role of Primary lymphoid organ: Thymus
(i) Thymus is most active during the neonatal and pre-adolescent periods.
(ii) The thymus is a flat and bilobed organ located behind the sternum, above the heart.
(iii) Each lobe of the thymus contains numerous lobules, separated from each other by connective tissue called septa (cross walls).
(iv) Each lobule is differentiate into an outer cortex and an inner medulla. Within each lobule, the developing T cells called thymocytes are arranged into an outer cortex and an inner medulla
(v) An inner medulla contains immature thymocytes and outer cortex has matured thymocyte
(vi) One of its main secretions is the hormone thymosin. It stimulates the T cells to become mature and immunocompetent. By the early teens, (upto 12-13 years) the thymus begins to atrophy and is replaced by adipose tissue (binding tissue).
Secondary lymphoid organ :
(i) The tonsils (palatine tonsils) are a pair of soft  tissue masses located at the back of the throat (pharynx ).
(ii) The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system which help to fight against the infections. They stop invading germs including bacterin and viruses.