The Heredity and Evolution chapter is all about how changes occur and are inherited in living beings and how they influence evolution. The main topics in the NCERT Exemplar Class 10 Science Solutions Chapter 9 Heredity and Evolution are Griffith's experiment, Mendel's laws, and the theories of Lamarckism and Darwinism. NCERT Exemplar Solutions not only help the students to overcome board exams, but also help in building a good foundation for future study in biology. Studying through these allows students to get accurate answers of the questions present in their NCERT textbooks.
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Students need to go through the NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science to score better marks in the Class 10 Science examination. These solutions provide correct answers and descriptions to each question of the chapter and serve as valuable study guides. Subject experts have provided NCERT Exemplar Class 10 Science Solutions Chapter 9 Heredity and Evolution in a well-understandable language along with well-labelled diagrams. Topics such as patterns of inheritance and the evolution process are required for scoring high marks in board exams as well as in competitive exams.
Different forms of questions, like MCQs, short answers, and long answers with the required diagrams, are provided below. Practising these will help you understand the pattern and these concepts easily and effectively.
Question:1
Exchange of genetic material takes place in
(a) vegetative reproduction
(b) asexual reproduction
(c) sexual reproduction
(d) budding
Answer: (c)
Solution: Sexual reproduction: The exchange of genetic material takes place as genes of two parents are involved, and both the genetic materials are combined to form a new genetic output.Question:2
Two pink coloured flowers on crossing resulted in 1 red, 2 pink and 1 white flower progeny. The nature of the cross will be
(a) double fertilization
(b) self pollination
(c) cross fertilization
(d) no fertilization
Answer:(c)
Solution:Question:3
A cross between a tall plant (TT) and short pea plant (tt) resulted in progeny that were all tall plants because
(a) tallness is the dominant trait
(b) shortness is the dominant trait
(c) tallness is the recessive trait
(d) height of pea plant is not governed by gene ‘T’ or ‘t’
Answer:(a)
Solution:Question:4
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
(a) For every hormone, there is a gene.
(b) For every protein, there is a gene.
(c) For the production of every enzyme, there is a gene.
(d) For every molecule of fat, there is a gene
Question:5
If a round, green seeded pea plant (RR yy) is crossed with wrinkled, yellow seeded pea plant, (rr YY) the seeds produced in F1 generation are
(a) round and yellow
(b) round and green
(c) wrinkled and green
(d) wrinkled and yellow
Question:6
In human males all the chromosomes are paired perfectly exceptone. This/these unpaired chromosome is/are
(i) large chromosome
(ii) small chromosome
(iii) Y chromosome
(iv) X chromosome
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (iii) only
(c) (iii) and (iv) (d) (ii) and (iv)
Question:7
The maleness of a child is determined by
(a) the X chromosome in the zygote
(b) the Y chromosome in the zygote
(c) the cytoplasm of the germ cell, which determines the sex
(d) sex is determined by chance
Question:8
A zygote which has an X chromosome inherited from the father will develop into a
(a) boy
(b) girl
(c) X- chromosome does not determine the sex of a child
(d) either boy or girl
Question:9
Select the incorrect statement
(a) Frequency of certain genes in a population changes over several generations, resulting in
evolution
(b) Reduction in weight of the organism due to starvation is genetically controlled
(c) Low-weight parents can have heavy-weight progeny
(d) Traits which are not inherited over generations do not cause evolution
Question:10
New species may be formed if
(i) DNA undergoes significant changes in germ cells
(ii) chromosome number changes in the gamete
(iii) there is no change in the genetic material
(iv) mating does not take place
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
Question:11
Two pea plants, one with round green seeds (RRyy) and another with wrinkled yellow (rrYY) seeds, produce F1progeny that have round, yellow (RrYy) seeds. When F1plants are selfed, the F2progeny will have a new combination of characters. Choose the new combination from the following
(i) Round, yellow
(ii) Round, green
(iii) Wrinkled, yellow
(iv) Wrinkled, green
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i) and (iv)
(c) (ii) and (iii)
(d) (i) and (iii)
Question:12
A basket of vegetables contains carrot, potato, radish and tomato. Which of them represent the correct homologous structures?
(a) Carrot and potato
(b) Carrot and tomato
(c) Radish and carrot
(d) Radish and potato
Question:13
Select the correct statement
(a) Tendril of a pea plant and the phylloclade of Opuntia are homologous
(b) Tendril of a pea plant and the phylloclade of Opuntia are analogous
(c) Wings of birds and limbs of lizards are analogous
(d) Wings of birds and wings of bat are homologous
Question:14
If the fossil of an organism is found in the deeper layers of earth, then we can predict that
(a) the extinction of organisms has occurred recently
(b) the extinction of organism has occurred thousands of years ago
(c) the fossil position in the layers of earth is not related to its time of extinction
(d) time of extinction cannot be determined
Question:15
Which of the following statements is not true with respect to variation?
(a) All variations in a species have equal chance of survival
(b) Change in genetic composition results in variation
(c) Selection of variants by environmental factors forms the basis of evolutionary processes.
(d) Variation is minimum in asexual reproduction
Question:16
A trait in an organism is influenced by
(a) paternal DNA only
(b) maternal DNA only
(c) both maternal and paternal DNA
(d) neither by paternal nor by maternal DNA
Question:17
Select the group which shares the maximum number of common characters
(a) two individuals of a species
(b) two species of a genus
(c) two genera of a family
(d) two genera of two families
Question:18
According to the evolutionary theory, the formation of a new species is generally due to
(a) sudden creation by nature
(b) accumulation of variations over several generations
(c) clones formed during asexual reproduction
(d) movement of individuals from one habitat to another
Question:19
From the list given below, select the character which can be acquired but not inherited
(a) colour of eye
(b) colour of skin
(c) size of body
(d) nature of hair
Question:20
The two versions of a trait (character) which are brought in by the male and female gametes are situated on
(a) copies of the same chromosome
(b) two different chromosomes
(c) sex chromosomes
(d) any chromosome
Question:21
Select the statements that describe characteristics of genes
(i) genes are a specific sequence of bases in a DNA molecule
(ii) a gene does not code for proteins
(iii) in individuals of a given species, a specific gene is located on a particular chromosome
(iv) each chromosome has only one gene
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (i) and (iv)
(d) (ii) and (iv)
Question:22
In peas, a pure tall plant (TT) is crossed with a short plant (tt). The ratio of pure tall plants to short plants in F2 is
(a) 1 : 3
(b) 3 : 1
(c) 1 : 1
(d) 2 : 1
Question:23
The number of pair (s) of sex chromosomes in the zygote of humans is
(a) one (b) two
(c) three (d) four
Question:24
The theory of evolution of species by natural selection was given by
(a) Mendel (b) Darwin
(c) Morgan (d) Lamarck
Question:25
Some dinosaurs had feathers, although they could not fly but birds have feathers that help them to fly. In the context of evolution this means that
(a) reptiles have evolved from birds
(b) there is no evolutionary connection between reptiles and birds
(c) feathers are homologous structures in both organisms
(d) birds have evolved from reptiles
The detailed answers to the Short Answer questions are given below:
Question:26
How is the sex of a newborn determined in humans?
Answer:
Exchange of genetic material takes place as genes of two parents are involved and both the genetic materials are combined to form new genetic output.Question:27
Do genetic combination of mothers play a significant role in determining the sex of a new born.
Answer:
Mothers have a pair of X chromosomes. So they do not play a significant role in determining the sex of a newborn.Question:28
Mention three important features of fossils which help in the study of evolution.
Answer:
Important features of fossils which help in the study of evolution areQuestion:29
Why do all the gametes formed in human females have an X chromosome?
Answer:
Human females have two X chromosomes, called sex chromosomes. During meiosis at the time of gamete formation, one X chromosome enters each gamete. Hence, all the gametes formed in human females possess an X chromosome.Question:30
Answer:
Question:31
Answer:
A very small population of a species faces a greater threat of extinction than a larger population because of the following reasons:Question:32
Answer:
The structures that are similar in related organisms because they were inherited from a common ancestor are Homologous structures. These may or may not have the same function as in the descendants.Question:33
Answer:
Common ancestry may extraordinarily restrict the degree of diversity, e.g., all birds are closely related, they have common ancestors, but birds and reptiles are also related.Question:34
Answer:
Character Contrasting traitsQuestion:35
Why did Mendel choose the pea plant for his experiments?
Answer:
Mendel chose the pea plant for his experiment for the following reasonsQuestion:36
A woman has only daughters. Analyse the situation genetically and provide a suitable explanation.
Answer:
Humans have two sex chromosomes, X and Y.The detailed answers to the Long Answer questions are given below:
Question:37
Answer:
Yes, the geographical isolation of individuals of a species leads to the formation of a new species.Question:38
Answer:
Evolution is basically the generation of diversity and the moulding of diversity by ecological selection. Additionally, it isn't as though the recently created species are in any capacity better than the older ones.Irrespective of their races, all humans belong to a single species. We can notice features like:
Evolutionary events indicate the origin of humans from a common African ancestor. Homo sapiens (the earliest members of the human species) can be traced there. On the basis of the above information, we can conclude that all human races seem to have a common ancestor.
Question:40
Differentiate between inherited and acquired characters. Give one example for each type.
Answer:
Differences between inherited and acquired charactersQuestion:41
Give reasons why acquired characters are not inherited.
Answer:
Acquired characters are traits that are not inherited, i.e., the acquired traits are simply changes in non-reproductive tissues, so, cannot be passed on to the DNA of germ cells.Question:42
Answer:
Morphological structures are easily visible to us. As the name suggests, molecular structures exist at the sub-atomic level. Different biomolecules are required to form an organism. Diversity in morphological structures leads to the diversity of organisms we see around us. Life began in simple forms and gradually developed into many complex organisms. Therefore, morphological structures are considered to have the least stability.
At the molecular level, all life forms are made of the same biomolecules. DNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, etc., are present in all organisms. The structure of DNA is the same in every organism, but the amount of DNA varies from one organism to another. Regardless of the type of organism, a DNA molecule or a protein molecule has the same basic structure. Hence, molecular structures are considered to have high stability.
Question:43
In the following crosses write the characteristics of the progeny
Cross Progeny
(a) RRYY x RRYY
Round, yellow Round, yellow ________
(b) RrYy x Rr Yy
Round, yellow Round, yellow ________
(c) rryy x rryy
wrinkled, green wrinkled, green _______
(d) RRYY x rryy
Round, yellow wrinkled, green ________
Answer:
(a) Parents: RRYY x RRYYQuestion:44
Study the following cross and showing self-pollination in F1, fill in the blank and answer the question that follows
Parents: RRYY × rryy
Round, Yellow wrinkled. green
F1: RrYy × ?
Round, yellow?
Answer:
Self-cross in F1 shows dominant character (law of dominance) in F1 generation.Question:45
In question 44, what are the combinations of characters in the F2progeny? What are their ratios?
Answer:
RrYy x RrYyFeatures of the mechanism of inheritance are as follows:
(i) Genes control characters.
(ii) Genes are found on chromosomes.
(iii) Genes may exist in two or more forms. One form may be dominant while the other is recessive.
(iv) Each parent has a pair of genes for each characteristic on a chromosome.
(v) The zygote carries the characteristics of both parents, which are inherited through the genes. It is formed when a male gamete fuses with a female gamete during fertilisation. The zygote has a full set of genes, which leads to variation from one generation to the next.
(vi) Offspring inherit two genes (a pair of genes) for each trait from their parents.
Question:47
Give reasons for the appearance of new combinations of characters in the F2progeny.
Answer:
Law of independent assortment: This is the reason for the appearance of new combinations in the F2 generation. It states that:Also, check the NCERT Books and the NCERT Syllabus here
To solve the Heredity and Evolution questions effectively, follow these simple steps:
NCERT Class 10 Exemplar Solutions for Other Subjects:
The key topics and subtopics covered in the Chapter Heredity:
Main Topic | Subtopics |
Understanding the concept of heredity | |
Accumulation of Variation During Reproduction | How variations are formed and passed on |
Characteristics that are passed from parents to offspring | |
Rules for the Inheritance of Traits | |
Mechanisms that determine the sex of an organism | |
| Evolution | How Life Originated on Earth |
| Evolutionary Patterns | Convergent and Divergent Evolution |
| Human Evolution | Stages in Human Evolution |
Must check the NCERT Solution Subject-wise
The chapter Heredity and Evolution builds a strong conceptual understanding of heredity, traits, and evolutionary processes. With clear explanations, these exemplar problems offer many benefits to students, some of which are given below:
Here are some extra questions along with the answers to help students practice and strengthen their understanding of the chapter Heredity and Evolution:
Question 1: A zygote which has an X chromosome inherited from the father will develop into a:
(a) boy
(b) girl
(c) The X chromosome does not determine the sex of a child
(d) Either boy or girl
Answer: The correct answer is option(b), girl
Explanation:
The sex of a child is determined by the combination of sex chromosomes. A father can pass either an X or a Y chromosome. If the zygote gets an X from the father (and an X from the mother), it will be XX, which develops into a girl. If it gets a Y from the father, it will be XY, a boy.
Question 2: In organisms like Planaria, the eyes present are used to
(a) as a survival advantage
(b) to detect light
(c) to provide stimulus
(d) All of the above
Answer: The correct answer is option(b), to detect light
Explanation:
In organisms like Planaria, eyes present are just really eye spots, which detect light.
Question 3: The Formation of fossils takes place
(a) deeper to deepest
(b) Layer by layer
(c) rock by sand
(d) rock by stone
Answer: The correct answer is option(b), Layer by layer
Explanation:
Fossil formation takes place layer by layer.
Read more NCERT Notes Subject Wise
Below mentioned are the chapters to go through:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Key questions include:
Mendel’s experiments and laws of inheritance.
Differences between acquired and inherited traits.
Mechanisms of natural selection and speciation.
Role of fossils in evolution.
Homologous and analogous organs.
Mendel’s experiments with pea plants demonstrated that traits are inherited through discrete units called genes, following principles like dominance, segregation, and independent assortment.
Acquired traits: Develop during an organism's lifetime due to environmental influence; not passed to offspring (e.g., muscle development).
Inherited traits: Transmitted genetically from parents to offspring (e.g., eye color).
Variations arise due to mutations, genetic recombination during reproduction, and environmental factors. These variations contribute to evolution by enabling adaptation.
The law of segregation states that during gamete formation, alleles for a trait separate so each gamete carries only one allele. Mendel demonstrated this using monohybrid crosses.
Natural selection contributes to evolution by favouring individuals with advantageous traits that enhance their survival and reproductive success in a given environment. Over time, these advantageous traits become more common in the population, leading to gradual changes in species as they adapt to their surroundings
Males have only one X chromosome, so recessive sex-linked traits (e.g., color blindness) are expressed directly, whereas females require two copies of the recessive allele for expression.
Natural selection favors individuals with advantageous traits, increasing their survival and reproduction rates. Over time, these traits become more common in the population, driving evolution.
Fossils provide evidence of past organisms, showing transitional forms and evolutionary changes over time, helping trace the lineage of species.
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