CBSE 12th Biology Question Paper 2026 (Set 1)

In rice, flowers are usually unisexual/less suitable for emasculation-based hybridization because the anthers and stigmas are not handled in the usual way as in bisexual flowers. Hence emasculation is not required in rice. In pea, emasculation is required because it has bisexual flowers and is commonly used for artificial hybridization. Wheat and papaya are not the standard examples here.

Red blood cells are not a component of the immune system. The immune system includes lymphocytes, plasma proteins such as antibodies and complement, and lymphoid organs like bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. RBCs mainly function in transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Statements (i) and (iii) are correct. Corpus luteum secretes progesterone, and the LH surge induces rupture of the Graafian follicle during ovulation. Statement (ii) is incorrect because both LH and FSH show a mid-cycle rise, though LH rises much more sharply. Statement (iv) is incorrect because the luteal phase is the secretory phase, not the proliferative phase.

The mismatched pair is option (b). India has more than 1000 genetically different strains of rice, not less than 1000. The other pairs are correct: 12 mega-diversity countries are recognized, Robert May estimated about 7 million species globally, and zoological parks are examples of ex-situ conservation.

Pomato was produced by fusing the protoplasts of tomato and potato. This is a somatic hybrid obtained through protoplast fusion. The other options are incorrect because pomegranate is not involved in the formation of pomato.