Biology · Science General
Diversity in Living Organisms
3,829 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
-
Unicellular or colonial
-
Prokaryotic
-
Non-filamentous
-
Both (1) and (2)
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Kingdom Monera includes prokaryotic organisms (bacteria) that are unicellular or colonial in organization. They are prokaryotic (lack membrane-bound nucleus and organelles). They can be filamentous or non-filamentous depending on the species, so this is not a universal characteristic.
-
Radial
-
Bilateral
-
Biradial
-
Spherical
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Roundworms (Nematoda) exhibit bilateral symmetry, where the body can be divided into two mirror-image halves along a single plane. This is different from radial symmetry (echinoderms, cnidarians) or spherical symmetry (some protozoans). Biradial symmetry is seen in ctenophores.
-
Chiton
-
Balanoglossus
-
Antedon
-
Scoliodon
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Antedon is a genus of crinoids (sea lilies), which belong to the phylum Echinodermata. Chiton is a mollusk, Balanoglossus is a hemichordate, and Scoliodon is a cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes).
-
Calcium carbonate structures
-
Water driven tube system
-
Acoelomic cavity
-
Triploblastic
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Echinoderms have a coelomic cavity (not acoelomic). The water vascular system (tube feet) is a key characteristic. They have calcium carbonate structures (ossicles/spicules) and are triploblastic. Acoelomate is a feature of flatworms, not echinoderms.
-
Arthropods
-
Echinoderms
-
Annelids
-
Molluscs
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The water vascular system is a hydraulic system used by echinoderms, such as sea stars and sea urchins, for locomotion, food and waste transportation, and respiration.
-
Presence of limbs
-
Presence of heart
-
Presence of nervous system
-
Presence of haemoglobin
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Chordates are defined by five fundamental characteristics: notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, post-anal tail, and endostyle/thyroid gland. The presence of a nervous system (specifically the dorsal hollow nerve cord) is one of these defining features. Limbs, heart, and haemoglobin are not unique to chordates.
-
Both 1 and 2
-
Both 2 and 3
-
Both 1 and 3
-
All three
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps belong to a group of animals known as Cnidaria, which also includes sea anenomes and jellyfish. Often called "rainforests of the sea", coral reefs form some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. They occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean surface, about half the area of France, yet they provide a home for 25% of all marine species including fish, mollusks, worms, crustaceans, echinoderms, sponges, tunicates and other cnidarians.
-
It has two thick layers of fur.
-
It has long curved and sharp claws.
-
It has a long tail.
-
It has a thick layer of fat under its skin.
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Yes, it is not the adaptation of polar bear. The tail of a polar bear is not long rather it has a short tail. It has a stubby short tail which helps it to keep its body warm.
-
Fungus
-
Algae
-
Euglena
-
Land plants
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Pyrenoids are present in the chloroplasts of all species of algae. Their main function is to act as centres of carbon dioxide (CO2) fixation, by generating and maintaining a CO2 rich environment around the photosynthetic enzyme Rubisco.
-
Chlorophyta
-
Rhodophyta
-
Glaucocystophyta
-
Cryptophyta
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Glaucocystophyta class of algae contain primary plastids muroplasts, which are similar to chloroplasts except that they have a cell wall that is similar to that of prokaryotes.
-
Toxoplasma gondii
-
Cryptosporidium parvum
-
Dinoflagellates
-
Heterokonts
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Dinoflagellates exhibit the process of kleptoplasty; they take up algae as food and keep the plastid of the digested alga to profit from the photosynthesis; after a while, the plastids are also digested.
-
Euglena
-
Giardia
-
Trypanosoma
-
Plasmodium
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Euglena is a unique organism that exhibits characteristics of both plants and animals. It contains chlorophyll and can perform photosynthesis like plants, but it's also motile and can ingest food like animals. This dual nature makes it the classic example of a photosynthetic protozoan studied in biology.
-
Fungi
-
Bacteria
-
Algae
-
Virus
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Diatoms are unicellular algae that have unique silica-based cell walls. They are photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments and are classified as algae, specifically within the group of protists. They are neither fungi, bacteria, nor viruses.
-
Amoeba
-
Paramecium
-
Euglena
-
Diatoms
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Diatoms are not protozoans - they are algae. Amoeba, Paramecium, and Euglena are all classified as protozoans. Diatoms are photosynthetic organisms with silica cell walls and belong to the algae group, making them the correct answer for 'not a protozoan'.
-
Spirogyra
-
Mucor
-
Volvox
-
Chlamydomonas
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Mucor is a genus of fungi, not algae. Spirogyra, Volvox, and Chlamydomonas are all well-known types of algae. Mucor is a mold fungus commonly found in soil and decaying organic matter, making it the correct answer for 'not a type of algae'.