Predicted ICSE Biology Question Paper 2026

This predicted paper is based on the 2026 specimen paper blueprint and a thorough analysis of past trends. It is intended for practice and to highlight potentially important topics.

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Maximum Marks: 80 Time allowed: Two hours

Instructions:

• Answers to this Paper must be written on the paper provided separately.
• You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes. This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
• Section A is compulsory. Attempt any four questions from Section B.
• The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

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SECTION A (40 Marks)

(Attempt all questions from this Section.)

Question 1

(i) Select the correct answers to the questions from the given options. [15]

1. The primary function of the corpus luteum is to secrete: (a) Oestrogen (b) Progesterone (c) Luteinizing Hormone (LH) (d) Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

2. The specific part of the nephron responsible for ultrafiltration is the: (a) Loop of Henle (b) Proximal Convoluted Tubule (c) Glomerulus (d) Collecting Duct

3. Assertion (A): The inner wall of the small intestine has numerous villi. Reason (R): The villi increase the surface area for absorption of digested food. (a) (A) is true and (R) is false. (b) (A) is false and (R) is true. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

4. Industrial melanism observed in the peppered moth is a classic example of: (a) Lamarckism (b) Natural Selection (c) Artificial Selection (d) Genetic Drift

5. The diagram shows a stage of mitosis. This stage is: [Image of a cell where chromosomes are aligned at the equatorial plate.] (a) Prophase (b) Metaphase (c) Anaphase (d) Telophase

6. A plant is kept in a dark room for 48 hours before an experiment on photosynthesis to: (a) Activate chlorophyll (b) Destarch the leaves (c) Increase the rate of transpiration (d) Allow stomata to open

7. The part of the human brain that controls body temperature and the urge to eat is: (a) Cerebrum (b) Cerebellum (c) Medulla Oblongata (d) Hypothalamus

8. The surgical method of contraception in males is: (a) Tubectomy (b) Vasectomy (c) Hysterectomy (d) Oophorectomy

9. Which of the following is a non-biodegradable pollutant? (a) Vegetable peels (b) Paper (c) DDT (d) Cow dung

10. The hormone that prepares the body for a "fight or flight" response is: (a) Insulin (b) Thyroxine (c) Adrenaline (d) Growth Hormone

11. In a dihybrid cross, the phenotypic ratio of 9:3:3:1 is explained by Mendel's Law of: (a) Dominance (b) Segregation (c) Independent Assortment (d) Purity of Gametes

12. The opening of stomata is facilitated by the influx of which ions into the guard cells? (a) Calcium (Ca²⁺) (b) Potassium (K⁺) (c) Magnesium (Mg²⁺) (d) Sodium (Na⁺)

13. The blood vessel that carries the most urea is the: (a) Renal Vein (b) Hepatic Vein (c) Hepatic Portal Vein (d) Pulmonary Artery

14. The number of chromosomes in a human ovum is: (a) 46 (b) 44 (c) 23 (d) 22

15. Assertion (A): Veins have valves. Reason (R): Valves prevent the backflow of blood, especially in the limbs. (a) (A) is true and (R) is false. (b) (A) is false and (R) is true. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). (d) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(ii) Name the following: [5] (a) The fluid that surrounds the foetus in the uterus. (b) The specific site of light-dependent reactions in a chloroplast. (c) The point of contact between two neurons. (d) A genetic disorder where blood fails to clot. (e) The statistical study of the human population.

(iii) Give the biological/technical term for the following: [5] (a) The loss of water in the form of water vapor from the aerial parts of a plant. (b) The structure that connects the placenta with the foetus. (c) The alternative forms of a gene occupying the same position on homologous chromosomes. (d) The phase of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles contract. (e) The condition of a cell when it is placed in a hypertonic solution.

(iv) Choose the odd one out and state the category of the rest: [5] (a) Cretinism, Myxoedema, Goitre, Acromegaly (b) Ureter, Urethra, Uterus, Urinary Bladder (c) Malleus, Incus, Stapes, Cochlea (d) Formalin, Iodine, DDT, Lime (e) Auxin, Gibberellin, Insulin, Cytokinin

(v) Match the items in Column A with the most appropriate ones in Column B: [5]

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SECTION B (40 Marks)

(Attempt any four questions from this Section.)

Question 2

(a) The diagram below shows the structure of a nephron. [5] [Image of a nephron with parts labeled 1 (Glomerulus), 2 (Bowman's Capsule), 3 (Proximal Convoluted Tubule), 4 (Loop of Henle), 5 (Distal Convoluted Tubule).] (i) Label the parts 1, 2, and 4. (ii) Name the process that occurs in the part labeled 1. (iii) What is the main function of the part labeled 4? (iv) Name two substances that are selectively reabsorbed in part 3. (v) What is the fluid called that enters part 2?

(b) Differentiate between the following pairs on the basis of what is mentioned in the brackets: [5] (i) Artery and Vein (Nature of blood flow) (ii) Myopia and Hyperopia (Type of corrective lens) (iii) Photosynthesis and Respiration (End product) (iv) Mitosis and Meiosis (Number of daughter cells) (v) Turgor Pressure and Wall Pressure (Direction of pressure)

Question 3

(a) The diagram below represents an experiment to demonstrate a physiological process in plants. [5] [Image of an experimental setup with a leaf partially covered with black paper and another part enclosed in a flask containing KOH.] (i) What is the aim of this experiment? (ii) Why is the plant destarched before the experiment? (iii) What is the role of KOH in the flask? (iv) What will be the result of the starch test on parts A, B, and C of the leaf? (v) Write the overall balanced chemical equation for the process being investigated.

(b) Give biological reasons for the following: [5] (i) The human testes are located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity. (ii) Mature erythrocytes in mammals lack a nucleus. (iii) It is not advisable to sleep under a tree at night. (iv) A person with a bleeding wound is given an injection of Vitamin K. (v) We feel blinded for a moment when we come out of a dark room into bright light.

Question 4

(a) A pure-bred tall pea plant (TT) is crossed with a pure-bred dwarf pea plant (tt). [5] (i) What is the phenotype and genotype of the F1 generation? (ii) Draw a Punnett square to show the results of a cross between two F1 hybrids. (iii) What is the phenotypic ratio and genotypic ratio in the F2 generation? (iv) State the Mendelian law that is demonstrated by this cross. (v) What is a dihybrid cross?

(b) State the main functions of the following: [5] (i) Cerebrospinal fluid (ii) Eustachian tube (iii) Placenta (iv) Stomata (v) Medulla Oblongata

Question 5

(a) Draw a neat, labeled diagram of the human eye (vertical section). [5]

(b) Briefly explain the following terms: [5] (i) Population Density (ii) Mutation (iii) Guttation (iv) Synapse (v) Parturition

Question 6

(a) The diagram below shows the human female reproductive system. [5] [Image of the female reproductive system with parts labeled 1 (Ovary), 2 (Fallopian Tube), 3 (Uterus), 4 (Cervix).] (i) Label the parts 1, 2, and 3. (ii) Where does fertilization normally occur? (Use the number from the diagram). (iii) Name the hormone produced by the part labeled 1. (iv) What is the function of the part labeled 3? (v) Name the surgical procedure for female sterilization that involves cutting and tying part 2.

(b) Answer the following: [5] (i) Mention two reasons for the rapid increase in the human population in India. (ii) What are two objectives of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? (iii) Give two examples of vestigial organs in humans. (iv) What is the full form of WHO and what is its main function? (v) Name two greenhouse gases.

Question 7

(a) The diagram below represents a stage in cell division. [5] [Image of a cell in anaphase, with sister chromatids moving to opposite poles.] (i) Identify the stage shown. Give a reason for your answer. (ii) Is this a plant cell or an animal cell? Justify your answer. (iii) Name the parts labeled 1 and 2. (iv) What is the chromosome number of this cell? (v) Draw a neat, labeled diagram of the stage that precedes this one.

(b) Complete the following table: [5]

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Brief Answer Key

SECTION A

Question 1

• (i) Multiple Choice:

  1. (b) Progesterone
  2. (c) Glomerulus
  3. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
  4. (b) Natural Selection
  5. (b) Metaphase
  6. (b) Destarch the leaves
  7. (d) Hypothalamus
  8. (b) Vasectomy
  9. (c) DDT
  10. (c) Adrenaline
  11. (c) Independent Assortment
  12. (b) Potassium (K⁺)
  13. (b) Hepatic Vein
  14. (c) 23
  15. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

• (ii) Name the following: (a) Amniotic fluid (b) Thylakoid / Granum (c) Synapse (d) Haemophilia (e) Demography

• (iii) Biological/Technical Terms: (a) Transpiration (b) Umbilical cord (c) Allele (d) Systole (e) Plasmolysis / Flaccidity

• (iv) Odd One Out: (a) Odd: Acromegaly, Category: Disorders of the thyroid gland. (b) Odd: Uterus, Category: Parts of the human urinary system. (c) Odd: Cochlea, Category: Ear ossicles of the middle ear. (d) Odd: DDT, Category: Disinfectants/Antiseptics. (e) Odd: Insulin, Category: Plant growth hormones (Phytohormones).

• (v) Matching:

  1. Lenticels - (b) Transpiration
  2. Thyroxine - (a) Regulates basal metabolism
  3. Corpus Callosum - (c) Connects cerebral hemispheres
  4. Allele - (e) Alternative form of a gene
  5. Iris - (d) Controls amount of light entering eye

SECTION B

Question 2

• (a) (i) 1-Glomerulus, 2-Bowman's Capsule, 4-Loop of Henle. (ii) Ultrafiltration. (iii) Reabsorption of water. (iv) Glucose, amino acids. (v) Glomerular filtrate.
• (b) (i) Arteries: Blood flows in spurts/under high pressure, Veins: Blood flows smoothly/under low pressure. (ii) Myopia: Concave lens, Hyperopia: Convex lens. (iii) Photosynthesis: Glucose/Oxygen, Respiration: ATP/Carbon Dioxide. (iv) Mitosis: Two, Meiosis: Four. (v) Turgor Pressure: Outward pressure on cell wall, Wall Pressure: Inward pressure exerted by cell wall.

Question 3

• (a) (i) To demonstrate that carbon dioxide and light are necessary for photosynthesis. (ii) To ensure that any starch detected at the end of the experiment was produced during the experiment. (iii) To absorb carbon dioxide from the air inside the flask. (iv) Part A (covered): No color change (remains brown). Part B (exposed): Turns blue-black. Part C (in flask without CO2): No color change. (v) 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
• (b) (i) To maintain a temperature slightly lower than the body temperature, which is optimal for sperm production. (ii) To maximize the intracellular volume available for hemoglobin, increasing oxygen-carrying capacity. (iii) Plants respire at night, releasing CO2 and taking in O2. This can reduce oxygen levels under the tree. (iv) Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver. (v) Due to the time taken for the pupil to dilate and for the rods to become fully sensitive in low light (dark adaptation).

Question 4

• (a) (i) Phenotype: All Tall, Genotype: All Tt. (ii) [Punnett square showing Tt x Tt cross]. (iii) Phenotypic ratio: 3 Tall : 1 Dwarf. Genotypic ratio: 1 TT : 2 Tt : 1 tt. (iv) Law of Dominance. (v) A genetic cross involving two pairs of contrasting characters.
• (b) (i) Provides nutrients to and cushions the brain and spinal cord. (ii) Equalizes air pressure on both sides of the eardrum. (iii) Provides nourishment to the foetus and removes waste products. (iv) Regulates gas exchange (CO2 in, O2 out) in leaves. (v) Controls involuntary vital functions like heartbeat and breathing.

Question 5

• (a) [A neat, well-labeled diagram of the vertical section of the human eye].
• (b) (i) The number of individuals of a species per unit geographical area. (ii) A permanent, heritable change in the DNA sequence of a gene. (iii) The exudation of water droplets from the margins of leaves through hydathodes. (iv) The junction between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another, across which nerve impulses are transmitted. (v) The process of giving birth.

Question 6

• (a) (i) 1-Ovary, 2-Fallopian Tube (Oviduct), 3-Uterus. (ii) Part 2 (Fallopian Tube). (iii) Oestrogen and Progesterone. (iv) Site of implantation of the fertilized egg and development of the foetus. (v) Tubectomy.
• (b) (i) High birth rate and low death rate. (ii) To eliminate open defecation and to clean streets and public infrastructure. (iii) Vermiform appendix, wisdom teeth. (iv) World Health Organization; its main function is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system. (v) Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4).

Question 7

• (a) (i) Anaphase. Reason: Sister chromatids have separated and are moving towards opposite poles. (ii) Animal cell. Reason: Presence of centrioles and lack of a cell wall. (iii) 1-Spindle fibre, 2-Daughter chromosome (separated chromatid). (iv) Chromosome number is 4. (v) [A neat, labeled diagram of the cell in Metaphase].
• (b) (i) Thyroxine. (ii) Cretinism (in children) or Myxoedema (in adults). (iii) Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans). (iv) Lowers blood glucose levels. (v) Prepares the body for emergency situations (fight or flight).