Diversity in the Living World Practice Questions
20 free Diversity in the Living World practice questions for the NCERT Biology. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
What is the estimated number of species that are known and described on Earth?
- A 1.2 to 1.5 million
- B 1.7 to 1.8 million
- C 2.5 to 3.0 million
- D 7.0 to 8.0 million
Correct answer: 1.7 to 1.8 million
According to NCERT, the number of species known and described ranges between 1.7-1.8 million. This refers to the biodiversity currently documented by science.
In binomial nomenclature, the first word denotes the _______ and the second component denotes the _______.
- A Specific epithet, Genus
- B Genus, Specific epithet
- C Family, Order
- D Species, Variety
Correct answer: Genus, Specific epithet
The binomial system consists of two names: the generic name (Genus) starting with a capital letter, and the specific epithet (Species) starting with a small letter.
Which organization provides the set of rules for naming plants?
- A ICZN
- B ICBN
- C IUPAC
- D WHO
Correct answer: ICBN
Scientific names for plants are based on agreed principles and criteria provided by the International Code for Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).
Which of the following is written correctly according to the rules of binomial nomenclature?
- A Mangifera Indica Linn.
- B mangifera indica linn.
- C MANGIFERA INDICA LINN.
- D Mangifera indica Linn.
Correct answer: Mangifera indica Linn.
The genus starts with a capital letter and the specific epithet with a small letter, and both are italicised. The author's name (Linn.) is written in Roman type at the end. Only 'Mangifera indica Linn.' follows all these rules.
The process by which anything is grouped into convenient categories based on some easily observable characters is called:
- A Nomenclature
- B Identification
- C Classification
- D Characterization
Correct answer: Classification
Classification is the grouping of organisms into categories (taxa) based on observable traits to make the study of diverse organisms easier.
Which term is used to represent a taxonomic unit at any level of the hierarchy?
- A Taxon
- B Species
- C Phylum
- D Cohort
Correct answer: Taxon
Taxon (plural: taxa) is a scientific term used for classification categories at any level, such as 'Mammals', 'Dogs', or 'Wheat'.
Modern taxonomic studies are based on which of the following?
- A External and internal structure
- B Structure of cell
- C Developmental process and ecological information
- D All of the above
Correct answer: All of the above
Modern taxonomy incorporates external/internal structures, cellular details, development, and ecological data to determine relationships between organisms.
The branch of study that deals with the systematic arrangement of organisms and their evolutionary relationships is:
- A Cytology
- B Systematics
- C Anatomy
- D Physiology
Correct answer: Systematics
Systematics is derived from the Latin word 'systema', and it includes the identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms while considering evolutionary histories.
The correct hierarchical order of taxonomic categories in ascending order is:
- A Species → Genus → Family → Order → Class → Phylum → Kingdom
- B Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
- C Species → Genus → Order → Family → Class → Phylum → Kingdom
- D Genus → Species → Family → Order → Class → Phylum → Kingdom
Correct answer: Species → Genus → Family → Order → Class → Phylum → Kingdom
The taxonomic hierarchy starts from the most specific (Species) and moves toward the most general (Kingdom). Ascending order means starting from the lowest rank.
A group of individual organisms with fundamental similarities is known as:
- A Genus
- B Family
- C Species
- D Order
Correct answer: Species
Species is the basic unit of classification, consisting of individuals that are morphologically similar and capable of interbreeding.
Solanum tuberosum, Solanum melongena, and Solanum nigrum belong to the same:
- A Species
- B Genus
- C Family
- D Order
Correct answer: Genus
All three share the generic name 'Solanum', indicating they belong to the same genus but are different species (potato, brinjal, and makoi).
Families are characterized on the basis of which features of plant species?
- A Vegetative features only
- B Reproductive features only
- C Both vegetative and reproductive features
- D Only height and leaf shape
Correct answer: Both vegetative and reproductive features
In botany, plant families like Solanaceae are classified based on a combination of vegetative traits and reproductive (floral) characteristics.
The suffix '-oideae' is used for which taxonomic category in plants?
- A Sub-family
- B Sub-species
- C Tribe
- D Family
Correct answer: Sub-family
While '-aceae' is the standard suffix for plant families, '-oideae' is the suffix used for sub-families. The rank sits between family and tribe in the botanical hierarchy.
Which of the following contains the least number of similar characters?
- A Genus
- B Family
- C Class
- D Kingdom
Correct answer: Kingdom
As we go higher from species to kingdom, the number of common characteristics decreases. Kingdom is the highest and most diverse category.
To which family does the Housefly (Musca domestica) belong?
- A Muscidae
- B Diptera
- C Insecta
- D Arthropoda
Correct answer: Muscidae
Musca domestica belongs to the family Muscidae, the order Diptera, the class Insecta, and the phylum Arthropoda.
The order 'Polymoniales' includes families like Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae based mainly on:
- A Vegetative characters
- B Floral characters
- C Root system
- D Climatic requirements
Correct answer: Floral characters
Plant orders are identified based on floral characteristics, which are more stable and reliable for higher-level classification than vegetative traits.
Wheat belongs to the order:
- A Poaceae
- B Poales
- C Monocotyledonae
- D Angiospermae
Correct answer: Poales
The biological name of wheat is Triticum aestivum. Its family is Poaceae and its order is Poales.
In the case of animals, the category equivalent to 'Division' in plants is:
- A Class
- B Order
- C Phylum
- D Family
Correct answer: Phylum
The taxonomic hierarchy uses the term 'Phylum' for animals and 'Division' for plants to represent the level between Kingdom and Class.
Who is known as the 'Father of Taxonomy' and proposed the Binomial nomenclature?
- A Aristotle
- B Carolus Linnaeus
- C Robert Whittaker
- D Charles Darwin
Correct answer: Carolus Linnaeus
Carolus Linnaeus developed the binomial system of nomenclature and authored 'Systema Naturae', laying the foundation for modern taxonomy.
Which of the following is the 'Specific Epithet' in the name Panthera leo?
- A Panthera
- B leo
- C Panthera leo
- D None of these
Correct answer: leo
In the binomial name Panthera leo (Lion), 'Panthera' is the generic name and 'leo' is the specific epithet.