Complete The Living World Question Bank & Solutions (68 Questions)
Q1 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The number of described species on Earth is approximately:
(A)
0.7–0.8 million
(B)
1.7–1.8 million
(C)
7–8 million
(D)
17–18 million
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) 1.7–1.8 million
The chapter states roughly 1.7–1.8 million species have been described.
Q2 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Binomial nomenclature was introduced by:
(A)
Aristotle
(B)
Ernst Mayr
(C)
Carolus Linnaeus
(D)
R.H. Whittaker
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Carolus Linnaeus
Carolus Linnaeus gave the two-word naming system.
Q3 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
In Mangifera indica, the word 'indica' is the:
(A)
Genus
(B)
Specific epithet
(C)
Family
(D)
Author name
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Specific epithet
The second word is the specific epithet; Mangifera is the genus.
Q4 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The code that governs naming of animals is:
(A)
ICBN
(B)
ICZN
(C)
ICVN
(D)
ICNB
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) ICZN
ICZN = International Code of Zoological Nomenclature; ICBN is for plants.
Q5 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which is the correct way to write the scientific name of mango?
(A)
mangifera indica
(B)
Mangifera Indica
(C)
Mangifera indica
(D)
MANGIFERA INDICA
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Mangifera indica
Genus capitalised, specific epithet small, both italicised.
Q6 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
When handwritten, the two parts of a scientific name should be:
(A)
Written in bold
(B)
Separately underlined
(C)
Put in quotes
(D)
Written in capitals
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Separately underlined
Handwritten names are separately underlined to show Latin origin.
Q7 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The correct descending sequence of taxonomic categories is:
(A)
Species → Genus → Order → Phylum
(B)
Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
(C)
Genus → Species → Family → Order
(D)
Species → Family → Genus → Class
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species
Highest to lowest: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Q8 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The lowest taxonomic category is:
(A)
Genus
(B)
Family
(C)
Species
(D)
Order
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Species
Species is the lowest rank, common to plants and animals.
Q9 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
'Systema Naturae' was the publication of:
(A)
Ernst Mayr
(B)
Linnaeus
(C)
Aristotle
(D)
Whittaker
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Linnaeus
Linnaeus titled his work Systema Naturae.
Q10 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The term 'systematics' is derived from the Latin word:
(A)
systema
(B)
species
(C)
taxis
(D)
nomen
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) systema
From 'systema' meaning systematic arrangement.
Q11 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Potato and brinjal belong to the same:
(A)
Species
(B)
Genus
(C)
Family only
(D)
Order only
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Genus
Both are species of genus Solanum.
Q12 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Lion, leopard and tiger are grouped under the genus:
(A)
Felis
(B)
Panthera
(C)
Canis
(D)
Carnivora
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Panthera
Panthera leo, P. pardus and P. tigris share the genus Panthera.
Q13 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Solanum, Petunia and Datura are placed in the family:
(A)
Poaceae
(B)
Solanaceae
(C)
Anacardiaceae
(D)
Muscidae
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Solanaceae
These three genera form the family Solanaceae.
Q14 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Families Felidae and Canidae belong to the order:
(A)
Primata
(B)
Carnivora
(C)
Diptera
(D)
Poales
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Carnivora
Carnivora includes Felidae (cats) and Canidae (dogs).
Q15 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Orders Primata and Carnivora are placed in the class:
(A)
Insecta
(B)
Aves
(C)
Mammalia
(D)
Reptilia
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Mammalia
Both orders are within class Mammalia.
Q16 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The phylum Chordata is characterised by the presence of:
(A)
Cell wall and chitin
(B)
Notochord and dorsal hollow neural system
(C)
Three pairs of legs
(D)
Pseudocoelom
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Notochord and dorsal hollow neural system
Notochord plus a dorsal hollow neural system define Chordata.
Q17 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
In plants, the category equivalent to phylum is called:
(A)
Order
(B)
Division
(C)
Class
(D)
Cohort
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Division
Plants use 'Division' where animals use 'Phylum'.
Q18 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
As one moves from species to kingdom, the number of shared characters:
(A)
Increases
(B)
Decreases
(C)
Stays the same
(D)
First increases then decreases
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Decreases
Higher categories share fewer common characters.
Q19 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The scientific name of the housefly is:
(A)
Musca domestica
(B)
Drosophila melanogaster
(C)
Periplaneta americana
(D)
Apis indica
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Musca domestica
Housefly = Musca domestica, genus Musca.
Q20 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which family does mango belong to?
(A)
Poaceae
(B)
Anacardiaceae
(C)
Solanaceae
(D)
Fabaceae
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Anacardiaceae
Mango (Mangifera indica) is in family Anacardiaceae.
Q21 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Wheat belongs to which family?
(A)
Anacardiaceae
(B)
Poaceae
(C)
Muscidae
(D)
Hominidae
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Poaceae
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is in family Poaceae.
Q22 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Man belongs to the family:
(A)
Muscidae
(B)
Hominidae
(C)
Felidae
(D)
Canidae
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Hominidae
Homo sapiens belongs to family Hominidae.
Q23 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which is NOT one of the four processes basic to taxonomy?
(A)
Characterisation
(B)
Identification
(C)
Multiplication
(D)
Nomenclature
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Multiplication
The four are characterisation, identification, classification and nomenclature.
Q24 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The earliest classifications of organisms were based on their:
(A)
Cell structure
(B)
DNA
(C)
'Uses' to humans
(D)
Evolutionary relationships
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) 'Uses' to humans
Early classification was based on uses — food, shelter, clothing.
Q25 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
A 'taxon' refers to:
(A)
A single organism
(B)
A unit/rank of classification
(C)
A scientific name
(D)
An author abbreviation
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) A unit/rank of classification
Taxon = a category or rank in the hierarchy.
Q26 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The author citation in Mangifera indica Linn. indicates:
(A)
The plant grows in India
(B)
The species was first described by Linnaeus
(C)
Linnaeus owns the plant
(D)
It is a hybrid
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) The species was first described by Linnaeus
The abbreviated author name shows who first described the species.
Q27 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Genus Felis differs from Panthera in that Felis includes:
(A)
Lions
(B)
Tigers
(C)
Cats
(D)
Leopards
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Cats
Felis includes cats; the big cats are in Panthera.
Q28 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The scientific name of human being is:
(A)
Homo erectus
(B)
Homo habilis
(C)
Homo sapiens
(D)
Homo neanderthalensis
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Homo sapiens
Modern humans are Homo sapiens.
Q29 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which statement about a genus is correct?
(A)
It is the highest category
(B)
It is an aggregate of closely related species
(C)
It is below species
(D)
It applies only to animals
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) It is an aggregate of closely related species
A genus is an aggregate of closely related species.
Q30 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Order Polymoniales groups plant families mainly on the basis of:
(A)
Root characters
(B)
Floral characters
(C)
Leaf shape
(D)
Seed colour
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Floral characters
Polymoniales is based on floral characters.
Q31 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Class Insecta is a class within which phylum?
(A)
Chordata
(B)
Arthropoda
(C)
Annelida
(D)
Mollusca
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Arthropoda
Insects such as the housefly are placed in phylum Arthropoda.
Q32 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which pair correctly matches rank → example?
(A)
Family → Carnivora
(B)
Order → Felidae
(C)
Class → Mammalia
(D)
Genus → Solanaceae
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Class → Mammalia
Mammalia is a class; Carnivora=order, Felidae=family, Solanum=genus.
Q33 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
'Identification' becomes possible only when the organism is first:
(A)
Named
(B)
Correctly described
(C)
Sold
(D)
Cultivated
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Correctly described
Naming requires correct description and recognition of the organism.
Q34 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Biodiversity refers to:
(A)
Only plant species
(B)
Only animal species
(C)
The number and types of organisms on Earth
(D)
Extinct species only
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) The number and types of organisms on Earth
Biodiversity = number and types of organisms present on Earth.
Q35 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which sequence is in correct ascending order?
(A)
Species → Genus → Family → Order
(B)
Genus → Species → Order → Family
(C)
Order → Family → Genus → Species
(D)
Family → Genus → Species → Order
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Species → Genus → Family → Order
Ascending (low→high): Species, Genus, Family, Order…
Q36 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia and Amphibia are examples of:
(A)
Phyla
(B)
Classes
(C)
Orders
(D)
Families
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Classes
These are classes grouped under phylum Chordata.
Q37 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The specific epithet of the potato is:
(A)
melongena
(B)
tuberosum
(C)
nigrum
(D)
indica
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) tuberosum
Potato = Solanum tuberosum.
Q38 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Two parts of a scientific name represent, respectively:
(A)
Family and order
(B)
Genus and specific epithet
(C)
Class and family
(D)
Author and date
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Genus and specific epithet
First = genus, second = specific epithet.
Q39 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Leopard's scientific name is:
(A)
Panthera leo
(B)
Panthera pardus
(C)
Panthera tigris
(D)
Felis domestica
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Panthera pardus
Leopard = Panthera pardus.
Q40 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which is true of higher categories like kingdom?
(A)
They share more characters
(B)
Relationships are easier to determine
(C)
They share fewer characters; relationships harder
(D)
They are the lowest rank
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) They share fewer characters; relationships harder
Higher categories share fewer characters; relationships are harder to determine.
Q41 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Ernst Mayr is best known for the modern definition of a:
(A)
Genus
(B)
Biological species
(C)
Kingdom
(D)
Family
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Biological species
He pioneered the biological species concept.
Q42 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which of these is a Division (plant phylum equivalent)?
(A)
Chordata
(B)
Arthropoda
(C)
Angiospermae
(D)
Mammalia
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Angiospermae
Angiospermae is a Division used for flowering plants.
Q43 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The brinjal (baingan) is:
(A)
Solanum melongena
(B)
Solanum tuberosum
(C)
Solanum nigrum
(D)
Petunia hybrida
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (A) Solanum melongena
Brinjal = Solanum melongena.
Q44 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Taxonomic categories are best described as:
(A)
Random groupings
(B)
Morphological aggregates only
(C)
Distinct biological entities
(D)
Names without ranks
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Distinct biological entities
They are distinct biological entities, not merely morphological aggregates.
Q45 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Wheat is placed in the class:
(A)
Dicotyledonae
(B)
Monocotyledonae
(C)
Insecta
(D)
Mammalia
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Monocotyledonae
Wheat is a monocot — class Monocotyledonae.
Q46 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which prize did Ernst Mayr NOT win (per the chapter)?
(A)
Balzan Prize
(B)
International Prize for Biology
(C)
Crafoord Prize
(D)
Nobel Prize
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Nobel Prize
His triple crown was Balzan, International Prize for Biology and Crafoord.
Q47 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The number of words in a binomial name is:
(A)
One
(B)
Two
(C)
Three
(D)
Four
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Two
Binomial = two words (genus + specific epithet).
Q48 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae are examples of:
(A)
Orders
(B)
Classes
(C)
Families
(D)
Genera
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Families
Both are plant families grouped in order Polymoniales.
Q49 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which statement about the genus name is correct?
(A)
Written in small letters
(B)
Italicised and starts with a capital
(C)
Underlined only when printed
(D)
Always abbreviated
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Italicised and starts with a capital
Genus is italicised (or underlined) and begins with a capital letter.
Q50 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
A monograph contains information on:
(A)
All living organisms
(B)
Any one taxon
(C)
Only animals
(D)
Only extinct species
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Any one taxon
A monograph is a detailed account of a single taxon.
Q51 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which option is written in fully correct binomial form?
(A)
panthera Leo
(B)
Panthera leo
(C)
PANTHERA LEO
(D)
Panthera Leo
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Panthera leo
Genus capital, epithet small, both italic/underlined — only 'Panthera leo' fits.
Q52 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Choose the only sequence that is internally consistent (all ascending):
(A)
Species, Family, Genus, Order
(B)
Species, Genus, Family, Order
(C)
Genus, Species, Order, Family
(D)
Order, Class, Family, Genus
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Species, Genus, Family, Order
Correct low→high order is Species, Genus, Family, Order.
Q53 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
A student writes 'Mangifera indica Linn.' The 'Linn.' tells an examiner that:
(A)
Mango is a Linn variety
(B)
Linnaeus first described the species
(C)
It is the family name
(D)
It is the order
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Linnaeus first described the species
The abbreviated author after the epithet credits the first describer.
Q54 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Lion and house cat share which highest common rank?
(A)
Genus
(B)
Family
(C)
Order
(D)
Species
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Family
Both are in Felidae (family); they differ at genus (Panthera vs Felis).
Q55 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which statement is FALSE?
(A)
Species is the lowest taxon
(B)
Division is used for plants
(C)
Higher taxa share more characters
(D)
Mango is in Anacardiaceae
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Higher taxa share more characters
Higher taxa share FEWER characters, not more.
Q56 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Mango and wheat share the same:
(A)
Class
(B)
Order
(C)
Division
(D)
Family
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Division
Both are in Division Angiospermae, but mango is a dicot and wheat a monocot (different classes).
Q57 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which pairing of organism → family is INCORRECT?
(A)
Man → Hominidae
(B)
Housefly → Muscidae
(C)
Wheat → Poaceae
(D)
Mango → Solanaceae
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Mango → Solanaceae
Mango is in Anacardiaceae; Solanaceae is the potato/brinjal family.
Q58 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Systematics differs from older classification chiefly because it considers:
(A)
Only morphology
(B)
Only uses of organisms
(C)
Evolutionary relationships
(D)
Only cell structure
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Evolutionary relationships
Systematics incorporates evolutionary (phylogenetic) relationships.
Q59 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Order Carnivora and order Primata illustrate that a class can:
(A)
Contain only one order
(B)
Contain several orders
(C)
Be lower than a family
(D)
Equal a species
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Contain several orders
Class Mammalia holds multiple orders (Carnivora, Primata, and others).
Q60 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
If two organisms belong to the same genus, they necessarily share the same:
(A)
Species
(B)
Specific epithet
(C)
Family and all higher ranks
(D)
Author
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Family and all higher ranks
Same genus guarantees the same family, order, class, etc. (all higher ranks).
Q61 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which is the best reason classification systems keep changing?
(A)
Names run out
(B)
Criteria and understanding of relationships improve
(C)
Latin is outdated
(D)
Species go extinct
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Criteria and understanding of relationships improve
As criteria (e.g., cell structure, phylogeny) improve, classifications are revised.
Q62 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
The features 'notochord + dorsal hollow neural system' are used to define a:
(A)
Family
(B)
Order
(C)
Phylum
(D)
Genus
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Phylum
These shared features define the phylum Chordata.
Q63 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Solanum nigrum, S. melongena and S. tuberosum demonstrate that one genus can have:
(A)
Only one species
(B)
Several specific epithets
(C)
No epithet
(D)
Two genera
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Several specific epithets
A genus may include many species (specific epithets).
Q64 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which best explains why local names are inadequate for science?
(A)
They are too long
(B)
They vary from place to place
(C)
They are in Latin
(D)
They lack authors
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) They vary from place to place
Local names differ by region, so a universal standard name is needed.
Q65 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Choosing the odd one out — three are taxa at the SAME rank, one is not: Felidae, Canidae, Muscidae, Carnivora.
(A)
Felidae
(B)
Canidae
(C)
Muscidae
(D)
Carnivora
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Carnivora
Felidae/Canidae/Muscidae are families; Carnivora is an order.
Q66 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
In Table 1.1, which organism is a monocot?
(A)
Man
(B)
Mango
(C)
Wheat
(D)
Housefly
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (C) Wheat
Wheat is class Monocotyledonae; mango is a dicot.
Q67 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Ernst Mayr's 'triple crown' of biology did NOT include:
(A)
Balzan Prize
(B)
Crafoord Prize
(C)
International Prize for Biology
(D)
Lasker Award
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (D) Lasker Award
His three were Balzan, Crafoord and the International Prize for Biology.
Q68 of 68
NEET NCERT Line-by-Line
Which statement about taxa is most accurate?
(A)
Taxa are only morphological aggregates
(B)
Taxa are distinct biological entities representing ranks
(C)
Taxa apply only to animals
(D)
A taxon is always a species
Show Answer & NCERT Explanation
Correct Answer: (B) Taxa are distinct biological entities representing ranks
Taxa are distinct biological entities, each representing a rank.