Maharashtra SSC March 2026 Science and Technology Part II Question Paper with Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Identify the three types of asexual reproduction in unicellular organisms: binary fission, multiple fission, and budding.
2. Note that binary fission is seen in Amoeba and Paramecium.
3. Note that multiple fission is seen in Plasmodium.
4. Note that budding is seen in yeast.

Answer: Budding

1. The International Day for Biological Diversity (World Biodiversity Day) is observed every year on 22 May.

Answer: 22 May.

1. The first mammal cloned from an adult body cell was a sheep born in Scotland in 1996, named Dolly.

Answer: Dolly

1. Recall the molecular formula of acetic acid.

Answer: CH₃COOH

1. Identify the head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
2. Recall that the Prime Minister of India is the Chairman of the NDMA.
3. Recall that the Sarpanch is the head of the Panchayat (local self-government).
4. Compare the roles to determine if the statement is true or false.

Answer: False

1. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.
2. They help maintain the balance of gut flora by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting harmful ones.
3. This supports digestion, boosts the immune system, and prevents diseases caused by pathogenic microbes.

Answer: Probiotic products are becoming more popular because they contain live beneficial microorganisms that improve gut health, enhance digestion, and strengthen the immune system by maintaining a healthy balance of intestinal flora.

1. Reptiles are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals.
2. They do not have internal mechanisms to regulate their body temperature.
3. Their body temperature changes according to the temperature of the surrounding environment.

Answer: Reptiles are ectothermic animals that depend on external sources of heat, so their body temperature varies with the environment.

1. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides used in conventional farming cause soil pollution and reduce soil fertility over time.
2. Organic farming uses natural manures and bio-pesticides, which are safe for the environment, do not harm beneficial soil microorganisms, and produce chemical-free, healthy food.

Answer: Farmers choose organic farming to prevent soil pollution, maintain soil fertility, and produce safe, chemical-free food.

1. Carbon dating is a method used to determine the age of organic materials (like fossils, wood, or bones) by measuring the amount of radioactive carbon-14 (C-14) remaining in them.
2. Living organisms absorb carbon-14 from the atmosphere; after death, the C-14 decays at a known rate, allowing scientists to calculate the time elapsed since the organism died.
3. One use of carbon dating is to determine the age of archaeological artifacts and ancient fossils to study human history and prehistoric life.

Answer: Carbon dating is a method to find the age of organic remains by measuring radioactive carbon-14 decay. It is used to date archaeological artifacts and fossils.

1. Identify the protein found in bones: Collagen.
2. Identify the organ that makes insulin: Pancreas.

Answer: Collagen is found in bones, and the pancreas makes insulin.

1. Identify the food chain: Paddy → Grasshoppers → Frogs → Snakes.
2. If the frog population declines, the predation pressure on grasshoppers decreases.
3. As a result, the grasshopper population increases due to lack of natural predators.
4. The increased number of grasshoppers consumes more paddy, leading to damage to the crop.
5. The snake population may decline due to the shortage of their food source (frogs).

Answer: (a) The paddy crop is damaged due to increased grasshopper population. (b) The grasshopper population grows.

1. Hydroelectric power is a renewable source of energy because it uses the flow of water, which is naturally replenished.
2. It does not cause air pollution as it does not involve the burning of fossil fuels.

Answer: 1. It is a renewable source of energy. 2. It does not cause air pollution.

1. (A) Gas leak: do not switch on lights or any electric switch and do not light a flame; close the gas regulator if it is safe; open doors and windows; get everyone out into fresh air and call the gas agency or fire brigade.
2. (B) Storm and flood: stay away from fallen wires and do not touch switches in a wet house; move to higher ground or a safe shelter; drink only boiled or purified water; follow the instructions of the rescue team.

Answer: After a gas leak: no flames or switches, ventilate, move out, call for help. After a storm/flood: avoid wires and wet switches, move to safety, use clean water, follow rescuers.

1. Lamarck's theory is based on two principles: (1) Use and Disuse of organs, and (2) Inheritance of acquired characters.
2. Example 1: The long neck of a giraffe. According to Lamarck, ancestral giraffes stretched their necks to reach high leaves. Due to continuous use, the neck became longer in their lifetime. This acquired character was inherited by the next generation, leading to the evolution of long-necked giraffes.
3. Example 2: The loss of eyes in moles. Moles live in dark underground burrows. As they do not use their eyes, the eyes become smaller and weaker due to disuse. This acquired character of reduced eyesight is passed on to the next generation, resulting in moles with small or absent eyes.

Answer: Lamarck's theory states that organisms change by using or disusing organs, and these acquired changes are inherited by offspring. Examples include the long neck of giraffes (due to stretching) and the loss of eyes in moles (due to disuse in darkness).

1. Mitosis takes place in somatic cells (body cells) or non-reproductive cells.
2. The four stages of karyokinesis are: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

Answer: Mitosis occurs in somatic cells. The four stages of karyokinesis are Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.

1. Endangered species (likely to die out if threats continue): tiger, lion-tailed macaque.
2. Rare species (very small numbers, in a small area): red panda, snow leopard.
3. Vulnerable species (may become endangered soon): Asiatic elephant, gaur (Indian bison).
4. Examples differ between books; if your textbook lists other animals for a category, use those.

Answer: Endangered: tiger, lion-tailed macaque; Rare: red panda, snow leopard; Vulnerable: Asiatic elephant, gaur.

1. A thermal power plant uses fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas as fuel.
2. The main problem is that burning these fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, which causes global warming and climate change.
3. Another problem is the release of pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain and air pollution, leading to respiratory health issues.

Answer: Thermal power plants use fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). Problems include greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming and air pollution causing acid rain and health issues.

1. Identify Animal (A) as a sponge, which belongs to the phylum Porifera and exhibits no body symmetry (asymmetry).
2. Identify Animal (B) as a radially built animal (like a jellyfish or starfish), which exhibits radial symmetry, meaning it can be divided into similar halves by multiple planes passing through the central axis.
3. Identify Animal (C) as a goat, which is a bilaterally symmetrical animal, meaning it can be divided into two mirror-image halves by only one specific plane (the median or sagittal plane).

Answer: (A) Asymmetry, (B) Radial symmetry, (C) Bilateral symmetry

1. Xanthan gum is a thickener made by bacteria (Xanthomonas). Its uses:
2. 1. Thickens sauces, salad dressings and syrups.
3. 2. Keeps ice cream smooth (stops ice crystals).
4. 3. Used in toothpaste.
5. 4. Used in cosmetics and lotions.
6. 5. Used in medicines (syrups, tablets).
7. 6. Thickens the drilling mud used in the oil industry.

Answer: Sauces and dressings, ice cream, toothpaste, cosmetics, medicines, oil-well drilling mud.

1. 1. Wear protective clothing such as a mask, goggles, gloves, and long-sleeved clothes to avoid skin contact and inhalation.
2. 2. Spray pesticides in the early morning or late evening when the wind is calm to prevent the spray from drifting to other areas or being inhaled.
3. 3. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while spraying, and wash hands and face thoroughly with soap and water immediately after the work is done.

Answer: Wear protective gear, spray in calm weather, and maintain strict hygiene by washing after use.

1. 1. List antiseptic solution (like Dettol or Savlon) for cleaning wounds.
2. 2. List sterile gauze pads or cotton for covering injuries.
3. 3. List adhesive bandages (plasters) for minor cuts.
4. 4. List a pair of scissors for cutting bandages or clothing.
5. 5. List a thermometer to check for fever.
6. 6. List a first aid manual or instruction booklet for guidance.

Answer: Antiseptic solution, sterile gauze, adhesive bandages, scissors, thermometer, and first aid manual.

1. (a) Factors that affect social health: 1. family environment, 2. economic condition, 3. addictions (tobacco, alcohol), 4. urbanisation and crowding, 5. overuse of mobile phones, TV and the internet, 6. mental stress.
2. (b) I would talk to my brother calmly and listen to what worries him, help him plan his study in small parts with breaks, and encourage sleep, exercise or a walk. If the stress does not ease, I would tell our parents so they can take him to a counsellor or doctor.
3. Why: talking and listening reduce the load he carries alone, a plan makes the syllabus feel manageable, and expert help is needed if stress becomes serious.

Answer: (a) Family environment, economic condition, addictions, urbanisation, overuse of media, mental stress. (b) Listen, help him plan with breaks, encourage rest and exercise, and get the family / a counsellor involved if needed.

1. 1. The diagram shows the human male reproductive system.
2. 2. Two glands: the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland (Cowper's gland is the third).
3. 3. One duct: the vas deferens (sperm duct).
4. 4. A human sperm is about 0.05–0.06 mm long (about 60 micrometres).
5. 5. The testes secrete the hormone testosterone.

Answer: Male reproductive system; seminal vesicles and prostate; vas deferens; about 0.06 mm (60 µm); testosterone.