💊 Biology — Biology in Human Welfare
1. Economically Important Plants
CEREALS
- Wheat: Triticum aestivum — staple food
- Rice: Oryza sativa — staple food
- Maize: Zea mays — food, starch, oil, alcoholic beverages
- Barley: Hordeum vulgare — beer production
PULSES (LEGUMES)
- Pigeon pea (Arhar): Cajanus cajan — rich in protein
- Chickpea (Gram): Cicer arietinum — rich in protein
- Green gram (Moong): Vigna radiata
- Black gram (Urad): Vigna mungo
- Groundnut: Arachis hypogea — oil, protein
- Cluster bean (Guar): Cyamopsis tetragonoloba — gum production, shale gas extraction
SUGAR YIELDING PLANTS
- Sugarcane: Saccharum officinarum — sugar, molasses, ethanol, bagasse for energy
- Beet sugar: Beta vulgaris — sugar
FIBRE YIELDING PLANTS
- Cotton: Gossypium sp. — cloth, oil cake
- Jute: Corchorus capsularis — bags, ropes ("Golden fibre")
- Coir: Cocos nucifera — ropes, mats
- Hemp: Cannabis sativa — ropes, carpets
MEDICINAL PLANTS
| Plant | Scientific Name | Part Used | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarpgandha | Rauwolfia serpentina | Root | Blood pressure, snake bite |
| Quinine | Cinchona officinalis | Bark | Malaria |
| Opium | Papaver somniferum | Latex | Narcotic, pain relief |
| Belladona | Atropa belladona | Leaves, roots | Narcotic, antispasmodic |
| Amla | Emblica officinalis | Fruit | Vitamin C, diuretic |
| Liquorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra | Root | Cough, bronchitis |
| Digitalis | Digitalis purpurea | Leaves | Cardiac stimulant |
| Sada bahar | Catharanthus roseus | Leaves | Leukaemia, cancer |
SEA BUCKTHORN
- Edible and nutritious berries
- Rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Carotenoids, Amino Acids
- Helps in controlling soil erosion and preventing desertification
- Well-adapted to cold areas of high altitudes
2. Agriculture
FARMING SYSTEMS
- Mixed farming: Crop production + Rearing of livestock
- Ranching: Raising grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, poultry)
- Terrace farming: Farming on sloped land
- Organic farming: Uses crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control
CROP CLASSIFICATION (Based on Season)
- Kharif crops: Sown in monsoon (June-July) — Rice, Maize, Bajra, Cotton, Groundnut
- Rabi crops: Sown in winter (October-November) — Wheat, Barley, Pea, Mustard
- Zaid crops: Grown in summer — Watermelon, Muskmelon, Cucumber
SEED TYPES
- Breeder's seed: Genetically pure seed
- Foundation seed: Produced from breeder's seed
- Certified seed: Commercially available quality seed
- National Seeds Policy (2002): Focus on sustained increase in agricultural productivity
BIOFERTILISERS
- Microorganisms that fix nitrogen (Algae, BGA, Bacteria)
- Reduce chemical pollution but expensive for farmers
- Vermicomposting: Using worms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser
- Green manure: Legume crops are ploughed into soil for manure
3. Animal Husbandry
BREEDS OF INDIAN COWS
- Milch breeds: Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Deoni
- Drought breeds: Nageri, Kangayam, Malvi, Hallikar
- General utility: Ongole, Tharparkar, Haryana, Kankrej
BREEDS OF INDIAN BUFFALOES
- Jaffarabadi (Gujarat), Mehsana (Gujarat), Murrah (Punjab, Haryana)
- Surti (Rajasthan, Gujarat), Nili Ravi (Punjab, Haryana)
OTHER LIVESTOCK
- Sheep: Chhota Nagpuri, Shahabadi, Balangir
- Goats: Ganjam, Bengal, Nubian
- Pigs: Cantonese, Edelschwein
- Camels: Jaisalmeri, Kachchhi, Mewari
FRESHWATER FISHES
- Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita)
- Singhi (Heteropneustes), Magur (Clarias batrachus)
- Calbasu (Labeo calbasu), Mali (Wallago attu)
4. Apiculture and Sericulture
APICULTURE (Honey Bee Rearing)
- Rearing of honey bees for honey and wax
- Bees also play role in pollination
- Common Indian honey bees: Apis mellifera, Apis florea, Apis cerana, Apis dorsata
SERICULTURE (Silkworm Rearing)
- Rearing of silkworms for silk
- Common Indian silk varieties: Mulberry, Tropical Tasar, Oak Tasar, Eri, Muga
- Silkworm: Bombyx mori
5. Plant Breeding
METHODS
- Plant introduction: Introduction of varieties from other countries
- Selection: Choosing plants with desirable traits
- Hybridisation: Crossing two varieties with different traits
IMPROVED VARIETIES
| Crop | Variety | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat | Sonara 63, Sonara 64 | USA |
| Rice | IR-8 | Philippines |
| Maize | Dixie 11, 12 | USA |
| Tomato | Sioux | USA |
| Pea | Rimpus | Germany |
6. Vaccination
BASIC CONCEPTS
- Antigen: Foreign particle that stimulates immune system
- Antibody: Defence protein that destroys antigens
- Vaccine: Non-harmful antigen
- Vaccination: Term given by Louis Pasteur
- First vaccine: Smallpox by Edward Jenner (1796)
PRINCIPAL VACCINES (BACTERIAL)
| Disease | Vaccine |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Purified diphtheria toxoid |
| Pertussis (Whooping cough) | Killed Bordetella pertussis |
| Tetanus | Purified tetanus toxoid |
| Typhoid fever | Killed/attenuated Salmonella typhi |
| Cholera | Crude fraction of Vibrio cholerae |
PRINCIPAL VACCINES (VIRAL)
| Disease | Vaccine |
|---|---|
| Polio | Attenuated/Killed virus |
| Measles | Attenuated virus |
| Rabies | Killed virus |
| Hepatitis-B | Antigenic fragments |
| Yellow fever | Attenuated virus |
MISSION INDRADHANUSH
- Launched on 25th December, 2014
- Aims to immunise all children under 2 years and pregnant women
- Against 7 vaccine-preventable diseases: Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, Tuberculosis, Measles, Hepatitis B
- Target: 2020
RECOMBINANT VECTOR VACCINES
- Developed through Genetic Engineering
- Bacteria and viruses used as vectors
- Second generation vaccines
Summary: Biology in Human Welfare at a Glance
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Guar | Gum used in shale gas extraction |
| Jute | "Golden fibre" of India |
| Sarpgandha | Rauwolfia serpentina — blood pressure |
| Kharif Crops | Rice, Maize, Cotton, Groundnut |
| Rabi Crops | Wheat, Barley, Pea, Mustard |
| First Vaccine | Smallpox by Edward Jenner (1796) |
| Mission Indradhanush | Launched 2014; 7 vaccine-preventable diseases |
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR UPSC
- Guar (Cluster bean): Gum used in shale gas extraction
- Jute: Called "Golden fibre" of India
- Sea buckthorn: Prevents desertification; rich in Vitamin C, E
- Sarpgandha: Rauwolfia serpentina — blood pressure
- Digitalis: Cardiac stimulant; from Digitalis purpurea
- Kharif crops: Rice, Maize, Cotton, Groundnut
- Rabi crops: Wheat, Barley, Pea, Mustard
- Biofertilisers: Reduce chemical pollution; expensive
- Apiculture: Honey bee rearing; pollination
- Sericulture: Silkworm (Bombyx mori) rearing for silk
- Vaccination: Term by Pasteur; first vaccine by Jenner (1796)
- Mission Indradhanush: 2014; 7 diseases; target 2020
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Biology — Biology in Human Welfare)
Q1. Which plant is called the "Golden fibre" of India?
Correct Answer: B. Jute is known as the "Golden fibre" of India.
Q2. Which crop is used in the production of gum for shale gas extraction?
Correct Answer: B. Guar (cluster bean) gum is used in the extraction of shale gas.
Q3. Rauwolfia serpentina is used for treating:
Correct Answer: B. Rauwolfia serpentina (Sarpgandha) is used for treating blood pressure.
Q4. Which of the following is a Kharif crop?
Correct Answer: B. Rice is a Kharif crop (sown in monsoon season).
Q5. Who developed the first vaccine?
Correct Answer: B. Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine (smallpox) in 1796.
Q6. Mission Indradhanush was launched in which year?
Correct Answer: C. Mission Indradhanush was launched on 25th December, 2014.
Q7. Which plant is used in the treatment of leukaemia?
Correct Answer: C. Catharanthus roseus (Sada bahar) is used in the treatment of leukaemia.
Q8. Sea buckthorn helps in:
Correct Answer: B. Sea buckthorn helps in controlling soil erosion and preventing desertification.
Q9. Which is the silkworm used in sericulture?
Correct Answer: B. Bombyx mori is the silkworm used in sericulture.
Q10. The term "vaccination" was coined by:
Correct Answer: B. The term "vaccination" was coined by Louis Pasteur.