Biology: Botany: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Biology: Botany (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–1 of 1 question
UPSC 2006Science and Technology · Biology: Botany
Q1. Assertion (A): Cellulose is used in making shatterproof glass. Reason (R): Polysaccharides are not soluble in water. Codes:
Explanation
Cellulose is a natural polysaccharide and the primary structural component of plant cell walls, providing strength and rigidity. It is widely used in industries for making paper, textiles, and derivatives like cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate for various applications. Assertion (A) is true: Cellulose acetate, derived from cellulose, is used in the manufacture of shatterproof plastics, including glass used for eyewear and safety applications. These derivatives provide durability and impact resistance, essential for safety applications. Reason (R) is true: Polysaccharides such as cellulose are not soluble in water due to their extensive hydrogen bonding and crystalline structure. This insolubility is a key property of cellulose, which contributes to its stability and strength when used in manufacturing materials like shatterproof glass. Hence, Reason (R) provides the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2006
(a) Both ‘A’ and ‘R’ are individually true and ‘R’ is the correct explanation of’ A’.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Biology: Botany?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Biology: Botany (Science and Technology), asked from 1996 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Biology: Botany?
Questions on Biology: Botany (Science and Technology) are available for 14 years, from 1996 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
