Shortcut Methods and Tricks for JEE Main and Advanced and NCERT Numericals

Cell size and number:

• Use a microscope with a calibrated eyepiece graticule to measure the length of a representative sample of cells.
• Calculate the cell volume using the appropriate formula (e.g., for a rectangular cell, Volume = length × width × height).
• Divide the total volume by the volume of a single cell to determine the number of cells.

Cell wall thickness:

• Use an electron microscope to take a cross-section of a plant cell.
• Measure the thickness of the cell wall at several points and calculate the average.

Surface area and volume:

• For simple shapes (e.g., a cube or a sphere), use the appropriate formula to calculate the surface area and volume.
• For more complex shapes, divide the object into smaller, simpler shapes and calculate the surface area and volume of each part separately. Then add the results to obtain the total surface area and volume.

Chloroplast number:

• Isolate chloroplasts from a known amount of leaf tissue.
• Count the number of chloroplasts using a microscope.
• Calculate the number of chloroplasts per unit area of leaf tissue.

Water potential:

• Use a pressure chamber or a psychrometer to measure the water potential of plant tissues.
• Compare the water potential of different tissues or plants to determine the direction of water movement.

Stomatal density:

• Peel off a thin layer of epidermis from the leaf.
• Stain the epidermis with a dye that makes the stomata visible.
• Count the number of stomata in a known area of the epidermis.
• Calculate the stomatal density (number of stomata per unit area of leaf).

Xylem vessel diameter:

• Cut a thin section of a stem.
• Stain the section with a dye that makes the xylem vessels visible.
• Use a microscope to measure the diameter of several xylem vessels.
• Calculate the average xylem vessel diameter.

Phloem sieve tube element length:

• Cut a longitudinal section of a stem or leaf.
• Stain the section with a dye that makes the phloem sieve tube elements visible.
• Use a microscope to measure the length of several phloem sieve tube elements.
• Calculate the average phloem sieve tube element length.

Root hair length:

• Grow seedlings in a hydroponic system.
• After several days, remove a few roots and place them on a microscope slide.
• Stain the roots with a dye that makes the root hairs visible.
• Use a microscope to measure the length of several root hairs.
• Calculate the average root hair length.

Pollen grain size:

• Collect pollen grains from a flower.
• Place the pollen grains on a microscope slide.
• Add a drop of water or glycerin to the slide.
• Use a microscope to measure the diameter of several pollen grains.
• Calculate the average pollen grain size.

Seed germination rate:

• Place a known number of seeds on a moistened paper towel in a Petri dish.
• Seal the Petri dish and place it in a warm place.
• Count the number of seeds that germinate after a few days.
• Calculate the seed germination rate (percentage of seeds that germinated).

Numericals from CBSE Board Exams:

• Cell division:

• Use Punnett squares to predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring in genetic crosses.
• Solve problems related to the inheritance of single genes and multiple genes.

• Tissue organization:

• Identify different animal tissues and describe their functions, including epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue.

• Transport of substances:

• Explain the mechanisms of nutrient uptake and transport in animals, including digestion, absorption, and circulation.
• Solve problems related to the rate of nutrient transport.

• Respiration:

• Determine the respiratory quotient of animals, using methods such as the respirometer or the closed-system method.

• Animal growth:

• Analyze the factors affecting animal growth, such as nutrition, hormones, and environmental conditions.

• Animal reproduction:

• Describe the process of fertilization, gestation, and birth in mammals.
• Solve problems related to the reproductive cycles of animals.

These numerical provide practice in applying mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills to real-world animal biology scenarios, helping students to develop a deeper understanding of the structural organization and morphology of animals.