Biology · Science General

Diversity in Living Organisms

3,323 Questions

The diversity in living organisms deals with the classification of life forms into various kingdoms and phyla. This topic covers specific traits of bacteria, animal body cavities, and structural adaptations for survival. These fundamentals are crucial for biology sections in medical entrance and state board exams.

Animal phyla characteristicsBacteria and flagellaBiological adaptationsKingdom Animalia classificationBody cavity typesExtinct organism subphylaJawless animals identification

Diversity in Living Organisms Questions

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

Which of the following statements is/are not true?
a. In urochordata, notochord is present only in larval tail.
b. In cephalochordata, notochord extends from head to tail.
c. Branchiostoma belongs to hemichordata.
d. Only one class of living members, class cyclostomata, represents the super class agnatha.

  1. a, b and d only

  2. c, d, and a only

  3. c only

  4. a and d only

  5. c and d only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 'c' is incorrect because Branchiostoma (Amphioxus) belongs to Cephalochordata, not Hemichordata. Statements a, b, and d are biologically accurate.

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

Hemichordates constitute a connecting link between

  1. Protochordates and Chordates

  2. Echinoderms and Chordates

  3. Molluscs and Echinoderms

  4. Molluscs and Chordates
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hemichordates were historically considered a sub-phylum of Chordata, but are now a separate phylum that serves as a link between non-chordate invertebrates and true chordates.

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

The feature that is not a characteristic of Protochordata?

  1. Presence of notochord

  2. Bilateral symmetry and coelom

  3. Jointed legs

  4. Presence of circulatory system
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A Protochordate belongs to any two invertebrate subphyla of the phylum Chordata- the Tunicates (sea squirts, salps, etc.) and the Cephalochordates (amphioxus). Like the remaining subphylum of the chordates, the Vertebrata, the protochordate has a hollow dorsal nerve cord, gill slits and a stiff supporting rod, the notochord, the forerunner of the backbone. The protochordate differs chiefly from the vertebrates in not having a backbone. Hence, they have bilateral symmetry, coelom, and a circulatory system. However, they lack jointed appendages

So, the correct answer is 'Jointed legs'

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

Which of the following is not a character of phylum Hemichordata?

  1. Presence of stomochord which is mesodermal in origin

  2. Excretory organ is proboscis gland

  3. Circulatory system is open

  4. Respiration takes place through gills
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Phylum Hemichordata consists of a small group of worm-like marine animals with an organ-system level of organisation. The body is cylindrical and is composed of an anterior proboscis, a collar, and a long trunk. The circulatory system is of open type. Respiration takes place through gills. The excretory organ is proboscis gland.

So the correct option is "Presence of stomochord which is mesodermal in origin".

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

Which animal is non-chordate - protochordate?

  1. Botryllus

  2. Balanoglossus

  3. Branchiostoma

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Balanoglossus has some characteristics in common with chordates, such as gill slits and a dorsal nerve cord; however, this species also has a ventral nerve cord and the nerve cords in general are not hollow like most chordates, but instead are solid. Therefore they are nonchordate - protochordate. 

So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

The feature that is not a characteristic of protochordata?

  1. Presence of notochord

  2. Bilateral symmetry and coelom

  3. Jointed legs

  4. Presence of circulatory system
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Jointed appendages are the characteristic feature of phylum Arthropoda which includes most of the insects.
Protochordate is an informal category of animals, named mainly for convenience to describe invertebrate animals that are closely related to vertebrates. This group is composed of the Phylum Hemichordata and the Subphyla Urochordata and Cephalochordata.
The Phylum Hemichordata consists of marine worms that share some, but not all of the characteristics of chordates. These animals have pharyngeal gill slits and a dorsal nerve cord, which is usually solid. The three body parts are proboscis, collar, and trunk. What was once thought to be a notochord is no longer considered homologous. Acorn worms are examples of hemichordates
The Urochordates and Cephalochordates are protochordate but belong to the Phylum Chordata
So, the correct answer is 'Jointed legs'
Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

Hemichordata is considered as the sister group of

  1. Arthropoda

  2. Echinoderms

  3. Molluscs

  4. Both A and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Hemichordata is a phylum of marine deuterostome animals, generally considered the sister group of the echinoderms. They appear in the lower or middle Cambrian and include two main classes: Enteropneusta (acorn worms), and Pterobranchia. 

So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

Coelom of hemichordates is

  1. Schizocoel

  2. Enterocoel

  3. Enterocoel with differentiation of three regions

  4. Absent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A) Schizocoel is a type of coelom which is derived by splitting of mesoderm. It is not present in hemichordates.

B) Enterocoel is derived out of gastric pouches during embryonic development.
C) Enterocoel is present in hemichordates and their body is differentiated into three regions- proboscis, collar and trunk.
D) Hemichordates are enterocoelomates and coelom is not absent in them.
Since option c is a more complete answer,  the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice zoology diversity in living world hemichordata phylum hemichordata chordates and hemichordates

The body is distinguished into proboscis, collar, and trunk in

  1. Herdmania.

  2. Amphioxus.

  3. Petromyzon.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The body is distinguished into three unequal regions, proboscis, collar and trunk in hemichordates, like Balanoglossus. Hemichordates are most primitive marine chordates, their body is soft and devoid of any skeleton. 

So, the correct answer is option D.