NEET Biology Class 9 Chapter 7 Origin Of Life Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Origin Of Life Exercise Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. If the fossil of an organism is found in the deeper layers of the earth, then we can predict that.

  1. The extinction of organisms has occurred recently.
  2. The extinction of organisms has occurred thousands of years ago.
  3. The fossil position in the layers of the earth is not related to its time of extinction
  4. The time of extinction cannot be determined.

Answer: 2. The extinction of organisms has occurred thousands of years ago.

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Question 2. From the list given below, select the character that can be acquired but not inherited.

  1. Colour of eye
  2. Colour of skin
  3. Size of body
  4. Nature of hair

Answer: 3. Size of body

Question 3. A trait is an organism is influenced by

  1. Paternal DNA only
  2. Maternal DNA only
  3. Both maternal and paternal DNA
  4. Neither by paternal nor by maternal DNA

Answer: 3. Both maternal and paternal DNA

Question 4. The theory of the evolution of species by natural selection was given by

  1. Mendel
  2. Darwin
  3. Morgan
  4. Lamarck

Answer: 2. Darwin

Question 5. Some dinosaurs had feathers although they could not fly birds have feathers that help them to fly. In the context of evolution, this means that

  1. Reptiles have evolved from birds
  2. There is no evolutionary connection between reptiles and birds.
  3. Feathers are homologous structures in both organisms
  4. Birds have evolved from reptiles

Answer: 4. Birds have evolved from reptiles

Question 6. Archaeopteryx shows the origin of

  1. Birds from reptiles
  2. Mammals from reptiles
  3. Reptiles from amphibians
  4. Birds from amphibians

Answer: 1. Birds from reptiles

Question 7. Which of the following pairs are homologous?

  1. Sweet potato and ginger
  2. Passiflora tendril and Bougainvillea thorn
  3. Insect wing and bird wing
  4. Tortoiseshell and mollusk shell

Answer: 2. Passiflora tendril and Bougainvillea thorn

Question 8. The oldest age when life existed on the Earth is

  1. Archaeozoic
  2. Azoic
  3. Cenozoic
  4. Proterozoic

Answer: 1. Archaeozoic

Question 9. First photoautotroph organisms were

  1. Bryophytes
  2. Algae
  3. Cyanobacteria
  4. Bacteria

Answer: 4. Bacteria

Question 10. The study of fossils comes under

  1. Organic evolution
  2. Palaeogeography
  3. Paleontology
  4. Herpetology

Answer: 3. Palaeontology

Question 11. Tail is lacking in

  1. Lemurs
  2. Apes
  3. Monkeys
  4. None of these

Answer: 2. Apes

Question 12. Which of the following is most important for the origin of life?

  1. Carbon
  2. Oxygen
  3. Water
  4. Nitrogen

Answer: 3. Water

Question 13. Galapagos islands are associated with the name of

  1. Wallace
  2. Malthus
  3. Darwin
  4. Lamarck

Answer: 3. Darwin

Question 14. Species occurring in different geographical areas are called

  1. Sibling
  2. Neopatric
  3. Sympatric
  4. Allopatric

Answer: 4. Allopatric

Question 15. Lamarck’s theory of evolution is also called

  1. Survival of the finest
  2. Special creation theory
  3. Inheritance of acquired characters
  4. None of these

Answer: 3. Inheritance of acquired characters

Question 16. The theory of spontaneous generation was given by

  1. Louis Pasteur
  2. Spallanzani
  3. F. Redi Van
  4. Helmont

Answer: 4. Helmont

Question 17. Which of the following were first evolved organisms?

  1. Chemoautotrophs
  2. Chemoheterotrophs
  3. Cyanobacteria
  4. Bacteria

Answer: 2. Chemoheterotrophs

Question 18. Darwin’s theory does not include

  1. Natural selection
  2. Survival of the fittest
  3. Evolution through inheritance
  4. Struggle for existence

Answer: 1. Natural selection

Question 19. Which is the most advanced theory of the origin of life?

  1. Spontaneous
  2. Catastrophic
  3. Oparin and Haldane
  4. Non-spontaneous

Answer: 3. Oparin and Haldane

Question 20. Which one of the following aspects was found in Darwin’s fiches?

  1. Biogeographic evidence
  2. Industrial melanism
  3. Biochemical evidence
  4. Embryological evidence

Answer: 1. Biogeographic evidence

Question 21. The wings of bats and birds are

  1. Homologous but not analogous
  2. Neither homologous
  3. Nor analogous analogous but not homologous
  4. Vestigial

Answer: 1. Homologous but not analogous

Question 22. ‘Use and disuse theory was proposed by

  1. Lamarck
  2. Darwin
  3. Hugo de Vries
  4. Malthus

Answer: 1. Lamarck

Question 23. Darwin’s theory states that

  1. Characters are acquired through inheritance
  2. Nature selects species that can adapt
  3. Species change morphologically with
  4. Nature’s effect of environment on Evolution

Answer: 2. Nature selects species that can adapt

Question 24. There is no life on the moon because of the absence of

  1. Water
  2. Oxygen
  3. Nitrogen
  4. Hydrogen

Answer: 1. Water

Question 25. The gases used in the spark-discharge apparatus were

  1. NH3 ,NH4 and O2 O2,
  2. CO2 and NH3
  3. CO2, NH3 and CH4 H2,
  4. CH and NH3

Answer: CH and NH3

Question 26. Which of the following is a living fossil?

  1. Moss
  2. Saccharomyces
  3. Spirogyra
  4. Cycas

Answer: 4. Cycas

Question 27. According to Oparin, which one of the following was not present in the primitive atmosphere of the earth?

  1. Oxygen
  2. Hydrogen
  3. Water
  4. Vapour Methane

Answer: Oxygen

Question 28. The evolutionary history of an organism is known as

  1. Ontogeny
  2. Phylogeny
  3. Ancestry
  4. Paleontology

Answer: 2. Phylogeny

Question 29. Which of the following provides the most evident proof of evolution?

  1. Fossils
  2. Morphology
  3. Embryo
  4. Vestigial organs

Answer: 1. Fossils

Question 30. The concept of chemical evolution is based on

  1. Interaction of water, air, and clay under intense heat
  2. Effect of solar radiation on chemicals
  3. Possible origin of life by combination of chemicals under suitable environmental conditions
  4. Crystallization of chemicals

Answer: 3. Possible origin of life by a combination of chemicals under suitable environmental conditions

Question 31. The fiches of the Galapagos islands provide evidence in favor of

  1. Evolution due to mutation
  2. Retrogressive evolution
  3. Biogeographical evolution
  4. Special Creation

Answer: 1. Retrogressive evolution

Question 32. The first organisms to evolve on the earth were

  1. Saprotrophs
  2. Photoautotrophs
  3. Chemoautotrophs
  4. Chemoheterotroph

Answer: 4. Chemoheterotroph

Origin Of Life Assertion And Reason

Directions: Each of these questions contains an Assertion followed by a Reason. Read them carefully and answer the question on the basis of the following options. You have to select the one that best describes the two statements.

  1. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is a correct explanation for Assertion.
  2. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is NOT a correct explanation for Assertion.
  3. Assertion is True, Reason is False.
  4. Assertion is False, Reason is True.

Question 1.

Assertion: The primary atmosphere of primitive earth was reducing.

Reason: Primary atmosphere had an abundance of NH3, CH4, CO2 but had no free O2

Answer: 1. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is a correct explanation for Assertion.

Question 2.

Assertion: Homologous organs serve different functions and look alike, but have the same embryonic origin.

Reason: Homologous organs have specific significance.

Answer: 2. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is NOT a correct explanation for Assertion.

Question 3.

Assertion: The first living organisms were heterotrophs.

Reason: They were surrounded by preformed organic molecules which they used as food.

Answer: 1. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is a correct explanation for Assertion.

Question 4.

Assertion: Organic compounds gradually accumulate in the ocean.

Reason: These were pre-determined as oceans favored their growth.

Answer: 3. Assertion is True, and Reason is False.

Question 5.

Assertion: A single mutation may produce a new species.

Reason: Mutations cause variation in chromosomes and genes and are, therefore, inheritable.

Answer: 1. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is a correct explanation for Assertion.

Question 6.

Assertion: Acquired characters are noninheritable.

Reason: Acquired characters generally affect the somatic cells and it is the germ cells that are passed on to the next generation.

Answer: 1. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is a correct explanation for Assertion.

Question 7.

Assertion: Man has descended from apes.

Reason: Monkeys resemble humans more than apes do.

Answer: 3. Assertion is True, and Reason is False.

Question 8.

Assertion: Homologous organs are similar in basic structure and embryonic origin, but serve different functions.

Reason: Similarity in basic structure points to common ancestry whereas diversity in function reflects adaptation to different modes of life.

Answer: 1. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is a correct explanation for Assertion.

Question 9.

Assertion: Vestigial organs are greatly reduced and functionless.

Reason: These organs were fully developed and functional in the ancestral forms, but are gradually disappearing due to changes in the mode of life of their descendants.

Answer: 1. Assertion is True, Reason is True; Reason is a correct explanation for Assertion.

Question 10.

Assertion: Tadpole has a bird-like form, tail and gills.

Reason: The Tadpole stage is the recapitulation of the fish-like ancestor of the frog in the latter life history

Answer: 4. Assertion is False, Reason is True.

 

 

NEET Biology Class 9 Chapter 6 Natural Resources Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Natural Resources Multiple Choice Questions

Directions: This section contains multiple-choice questions. Each question has 4 choices (1), (2), and out of which Only One is correct.

Question 1. MAB stands for

  1. Man And Biosphere
  2. Man antibodies and bacteria
  3. Man and biotic community
  4. Mayer, Anderson and Bishby

Answer: 1. Man And Biosphere

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Question 2. The sphere of living matter together with water, air and soil On the surface of the earth is

  1. Lithosphere
  2. Biosphere
  3. Hydrosphere
  4. Atmosphere

Answer: 2. Biosphere

Question 3. The conversion of nitrate to nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas is termed as

  1. Nitrification
  2. Denitrification
  3. Nitrogen-fixation
  4. None of these

Answer: 2. Denitrification

Question 4. The cycling of elements in an ecosystem is called

  1. Chemical cycle
  2. Geochemical cycle
  3. Biogeochemical cycle
  4. Geological cycle

Answer: 3. Biogeochemical cycle

Question 5. The limiting factor in the nitrification of soil is

  1. pH
  2. Temperature
  3. Light
  4. Air

Answer: 1. pH

Question 6. The greenhouse effect is due to the presence of

  1. The ozone layer in the atmosphere
  2. Infrared light reaching the earth
  3. Moisture layer in the atmosphere
  4. CO2 layer in the atmosphere

Answer: The CO2 layer in the atmosphere

Question 7. Acid rain is caused by to increase in concentration of (in the atmosphere)

  1. SO2 and NO2
  2. CO and CO2
  3. CO and SO3
  4. O3and dust

Answer: 1. SO2 and NO2

Question 8. The pollution in a city like Delhi may be controlled to a great extent

  1. By proper sewage and proper exit of chemicals from factories
  2. By wide roads and factories away from the city
  3. By cleaning the city and scanty use of pesticides all of the above
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Question 9. The stratospheric ozone depletion leads to

  1. Global warming
  2. Increase in the incidence of skin cancers
  3. Forest fires
  4. All the above

Answer: 4. All the above

Question 10. Green house effect refers to

  1. Cooling of earth trapping of
  2. UV rays
  3. Production of cereals
  4. Warming of earth

Answer: 4. Warming of earth

Question 11. Which of the following is most poisonous?

  1. CO
  2. CO2
  3. C
  4. SO2

Answer: 1. CO

Question 12. Acid rain is the secondary effect of

  1. Water pollution
  2. Air pollution
  3. Soil pollution
  4. Sound pollution

Answer: 3. Soil pollution

Question 13. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of

  1. Industrial wastes poured into water bodies
  2. The extent to which water is polluted with organic compounds
  3. Amount of carbon monoxide inseparably combined with haemoglobin
  4. Amount of oxygen needed by green plants during the night

Answer: 2. Extent to which water is polluted with organic compounds

Question 14. Which one of the following is not used for disinfection of drinking water?

  1. Chlorine
  2. Ozone
  3. Chloramine
  4. Phenyl

Answer: 4. Phenyl

Question 15. Photochemical smog formed in congested metropolitan cities mainly consists of ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate and NOx smoke, peroxyacetyl nitrate and SO2 hydrocarbons, SO2 and CO2 hydrocarbons, ozone and SOx

  1. Ozone, peroxyacetyl nitrate and NOX
  2. Smoke, peroxyacetyl nitrate and SO
  3. Hydrocarbons, SO2 and CO2
  4. Hydrocarbons, ozone and SOx

Answer: 2. Smoke, peroxyacetyl nitrate and SO

Question 16. Molecules of carbohydrate, fats, and proteins contain

  1. Carbon
  2. Bromine
  3. Chlorine
  4. All of these

Answer: 1. Carbon

Question 17. Soil conservation is the process where

  1. Sterile Soil is converted to fertile soil
  2. Soil is aerated
  3. Soil erosion is allowed
  4. Soil is protected against loss

Answer: 4. Soil is protected against loss

Question 18. Overgrazing causes  negative pollution positive pollution soil erosion reduction in crop yield.

  1. negative pollution
  2. positive pollution
  3. soil erosion
  4. reduction in crop yield

Answer: 1.

Question 19. Water is a resource nondegradable nonmaintainable

  1. Degradable
  2. Maintainable
  3. Renewable
  4. Non-renewable

Answer: 4. Non-renewable

Question 20. In hilly areas, erosion is minimised by

  1. Terracing
  2. Manuring
  3. Ploughing
  4. Mixed cropping

Answer: 1. Terracing

Question 21. The nitrogen cycle involves bacteria capable of changing proteins to ammonia is bacteria of decay denitrifying bacteria

  1. Nitrogen fixing
  2. Bacteria
  3. Ammonifying
  4. Bacteria

Answer: 4. Bacteria

Question 22. Biogeochemical cycles are of

  1. Two types
  2. Three types
  3. Four types
  4. Five types

Answer: 1. Two types

Question 23. Burning of fossil fuels affects

  1. Nitrogen cycle
  2. Carbon cycle
  3. Phosphorus cycle
  4. Water cycle

Answer: 2. Carbon cycle

Question 24. The process of evapotranspiration and precipitation is known as

  1. Carbon cycle
  2. Hydrological cycle
  3. Nitrogen cycle
  4. All of these

Answer: 2. Hydrological cycle

Question 25. The nitrogen content of the biosphere remains constant due to

  1. Nitrogen fixation
  2. Nitrogen cycle
  3. Industrial pollution
  4. Absorption of nitrogen

Answer: 2. Nitrogen cycle

Question 26. The major factor in causing global warming is

  1. Increase in oxygen concentration in the atmosphere
  2. Decrease in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere
  3. Increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere
  4. Decrease in atmospheric nitrogen

Answer: 3. Increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere

Question 27. Non-renewable source is

  1. Water and gas
  2. Plant and coke
  3. Coke and mineral substances
  4. Energy and water

Answer: 3. Coke and mineral substances

Question 28. Conservation is

  1. Protection of natural resources
  2. Management of natural resources
  3. Proper use of natural resources
  4. All the above

Answer: 4. All the above

Question 29. The largest amount of fresh water is found in

  1. Lakes and streams
  2. Underground
  3. Polar ice and glaciers
  4. Rivers

Answer: 3. Polar ice and glaciers

Question 30. Which of the following do most ecologists think is mainly responsible for the current high rate of extinction of species?

  1. Increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere
  2. Global warming
  3. Hunting and fishing
  4. Land and water transformation

Answer: 4. Land and water transformation

Question 31. CO2 absorbs some of the …………………… that radiates from the surface of Earth to space.

  1. Ozone
  2. Heat
  3. Ultraviolet light
  4. Smog

Answer: 2. Heat

Question 32. The conversion of N2 gas to a form of nitrogen that can be used by plants is called

  1. Nitrogen fixation
  2. Nitrogen assimilation.
  3. Nitrogen cycling
  4. Nitrogen uptake.

Answer: 1. Nitrogen fixation

Question 33. Human-caused changes to the nitrogen cycle are expected to result in

  1. An increase in acid rain.
  2. An increase in the loss of species from ecosystems.
  3. Higher concentrations of a greenhouse gas.
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Question 34. Local conditions, such as heavy rainfall or the removal of plants, may limit the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, or calcium available to a particular ecosystem, but the amount of carbon available to the system is seldom a problem

  1. Organisms do not need very much carbon.
  2. Plants can make their own carbon using water and sunlight.
  3. Plants are much better at absorbing carbon from the soil.
  4. Many nutrients come from the soil, but carbon comes from the air.

Answer:  4. Many nutrients come from the soil, but carbon comes from the air.

Question 35. The recent increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration is mainly a result of an increase in

  1. Primary productivity
  2. The biosphere’s biomass
  3. The absorption of infrared radiation escaping from Earth.
  4. The burning of fossil fuels and wood.

Answer: 3. The absorption of infrared radiation escaping from Earth.

Question 36. The major source(s) of carbon for living things is (are)

  1. Coal, oil, and natural gas
  2. Plants
  3. CO2 in the atmosphere and oceans
  4. Methane in the atmosphere

Answer: 3. CO2 in the atmosphere and oceans

Question 37. Which one of the following groups of organisms is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen by living organisms?

  1. Plants
  2. Fungi
  3. Insects
  4. Bacteria

Answer: 4. Bacteria

Question 38. The biological process by which carbon is returned to its reservoir is

  1. Photosynthesis
  2. Denitrification
  3. Carbon fixation
  4. Cellular respiration

Answer: 4. Cellular respiration

Question 39. Herbivores can also be called

  1. Primary producers
  2. Primary consumers
  3. Secondary consumers
  4. Decomposers

Answer: 2. Primary consumers

Question 40. In the nitrogen cycle, which group of bacteria convert nitrates and nitrites back to atmospheric gas?

  1. Denitrifying bacteria
  2. Nitrifying bacteria
  3. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
  4. All of these are correct.

Answer: 1. Denitrifying bacteria

Question 41. Burning of fossil fuels add

  1. CO2,SO2, NO2 gases in air
  2. C, SO2, N2 gases in air
  3. CO, SO3 , NO3 gases in air
  4. CH2,CO2,NO2 gases in air

Answer:  1. CO2, SO2, NO2gases in air

Question 42. The atmosphere maintains the temperature on the surface of the earth because

  1. It contains water vapour in it
  2. It holds air, which is a bad conductor of heat
  3. It reflects the heat rays
  4. It absorbs the heat rays

Answer:  2. It holds air, which is a bad conductor of heat

Question 43. Life cannot be sustained on Mars and Venus because of

  1. Oxygen
  2. Carbon dioxide
  3. Nitrogen
  4. Ozone

Answer: 2. Carbon dioxide

Question 44. On moon the temperature ranges from –190°C to 110°C, this is due to

  1. No water bodies present
  2. No water bodies present
  3. No bio-geochemical cycle
  4. No atmosphere

Answer: 4. No atmosphere

Question 45. The life-supporting zone of Earth is

  1. Lithosphere
  2. Hydrosphere
  3. Atmosphere
  4. Biosphere

Answer: 4. Biosphere

Question 46. The percentage of nitrogen present in the atmosphere is

  1. 20%
  2. 50%
  3. 78%
  4. 86%

Answer: 3. 78%

Question 47. Air is

  1. Exhaustible resource
  2. Inexhaustible resource
  3. Perishable resource
  4. both (2) and (3)

Answer: 2. Inexhaustible resource

Question 48. Nitrosomonas changes

  1. Ammonia to nitrate
  2. Ammonia to nitrite
  3. Nitrite to nitrate
  4. Nitrate to ammonia

Answer: 2. Ammonia to nitrite

Question 49. Biosphere occurs

  1. In lithosphere
  2. In the lithosphere and hydrosphere
  3. Interaction of lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere
  4. In the atmosphere and hydrosphere

Answer: 3. Interaction of lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

Question 50. The daytime temperature of the moon is

  1. 60°C
  2. 70°C
  3. 90°C
  4. 110°C

Answer:  4. 110°C

51. Wind causes weathering of rocks through

  1. Chemical changes
  2. Abrasion
  3. Mechanical forces
  4. Frost action

Answer: 2. Abrasion

Question 52. The amount of rainfall in the wet zones of India is more than

  1. 200 cm
  2. 100-200 cm
  3. 50-100 cm
  4. 20-50 cm

Answer:  200 cm

53. Which one of the following promotes soil erosion?

  1. Conservation tillage
  2. Terracing
  3. Over-grazing
  4. Wind breaks

Answer: 3. Over-grazing

Question 54. Rhizobium is an imprtant…………bacterium.

  1. Nitrogen-fixing
  2. Nitrifying
  3. Denitrifying
  4. Ammonifying

Answer: 1. Nitrogen fixing

Question 55. The ozone hole was discovered in

  1. 1992
  2. 1985
  3. 1995
  4. 1998

Answer: 2. 1985

Question 56. The gas which is mainly responsible for the greenhouse effect is

  1. Nitrogen
  2. Oxygen
  3. Carbon dioxide
  4. Argon

Answer: 3. Carbon dioxide

Question 57. The most exploited non-renewable resource is water petroleum electricity all of the above

  1. water
  2. petroleum
  3. electricity
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Question 58. Of the total fresh water available on earth, what percentage is in a frozen state?

  1. 90%
  2. 77%
  3. 22%
  4. 10%

Answer: 2. 77%

Question 59. Which one of the following is not a biotic natural resource?

  1. Water
  2. Milk
  3. Fruits
  4. Fish

Answer: 1. Water

Question 60. Smog is a combination of

  1. Fie and water
  2. Smoke and fog
  3. Water and smoke
  4. Air and water

Answer: 2. Smoke and fog

Question 61. Which of the following is a renewable resource?

  1. Wood
  2. Wildlife
  3. Forest
  4. All of them

Answer:  4. All of them

Question 62. A lake with an inflow of domestic sewage rich in organic waste may result in 

  1. drying of the lake due to algal bloom
  2. an increased production of fih due to a lot of nutrients
  3. Death of fih due to lack of oxygen
  4. Increased population of aquatic food web organisms

Answer: 3. Increased population of aquatic food web organisms

Question 63. Drip irrigation is a device to recharge the groundwater to reduce the wastage of water to prevent water pollution all of them

  1. to recharge the groundwater
  2. To reduce wastage of water
  3. to prevent water pollution
  4. all of them

Answer: 2. To reduce waste of water

Question 64. Ozone ( O3) is formed in which zone of the atmosphere?

  1. Mesosphere
  2. Stratosphere
  3. Troposphere
  4. Ionosphere

Answer:  2. Stratosphere

Question 65. The term “water pollution” can be defied in several ways. Which of the following statements does not give the correct definition?

  1. The addition of undesirable substances to water bodies.
  2. The removal of desirable substances from water bodies.
  3. A change in pressure of the water bodies.
  4. A change in temperature of the water bodies.

Answer: The removal of desirable substances from water bodies.

Question 66. Which component of the soil makes it porous?

  1. Humus
  2. Water
  3. Minerals
  4. Living organisms

Answer: 1. Humus

Question 67. CFCs cause

  1. Depletion of the ozone layer
  2. Depletion of CO2
  3. Acid rain
  4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Answer: 1. Depletion of ozone layer

Question 68. The hydrological cycle is under the control of

  1. Grassland
  2. Forest
  3. Planktons
  4. Epiphytes

Answer: 2. Forest

NEET Biology Class 9 Chapter 5 Improvement In Food Resources Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Improvement In Food Resources Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. The best way to increase the yield of wheat in India is

  1. To sow seeds of improved varities
  2. To use tractors
  3. To reduce the quantity of ration consumers
  4. To remove weeds from wheat filds

Answer: 1. To sow seeds of improved varities

Read And Learn More: NEET Biology Class 9 Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 2. A plant cell has potential to develop into full plant. This property of the plant cell is called

  1. Tissue culture
  2. Totipotency
  3. Pleuripotency
  4. Gene cloning

Answer: 2. Totipotency

Question 3. Production of plant without fertilization is done by

  1. Vegetative propagation
  2. Transplantation
  3. Grafting
  4. None of these

Answer: 1. Vegetative propagation

Question 4. Cultivation ofbt cotton has been much the news. The prefi “bt” means

  1. “Barium-treated” cotton seeds
  2. “Bigger thread” variety of cotton with better tensile strength
  3. Production by “biotechnology” using restriction enzymes and ligases
  4. Carrying an endotoxin gene from bacillus thuringiensis

Answer: 4. Carrying an endotoxin gene from bacillus thuringiensis

Question 5. A lake with an inflow of domestic sewage rich in organic waste may result in

  1. Drying of the lake very soon due to algal bloom
  2. An increased production offih due to lot ofnutrient
  3. Death offih due to lack ofoxygen
  4. Increased population of aquatic web organism

Answer: 3. Death offih due to lack ofoxygen

Question 6. Birds specially chicken grown for meat only is known as

  1. Hybrid
  2. Broiler
  3. Bird management
  4. Bird culture

Answer: 2. Broiler

7. In poultry industry, production of hatching eggs is more expensive than the production of market eggs mainly because

  1. Cost of males and their depreciation value is high
  2. Mortality among females is usually lower when they are mated with males
  3. Number of eggs produced by hatchery flck are to be sold only as market eggs
  4. Some ofthe eggs produced by hatchery flcks are not acceptable for incubation

Answer: 4. Some ofthe eggs produced by hatchery flcks are not acceptable for incubation

Question 8. Silkworm silk is the product of

  1. The salivary gland of the larva
  2. Cutical of the adult
  3. Cuticle of the larva
  4. Salivary gland of the adult

Answer: 1. Salivary gland of the larva

Question 9. If the source is opposite to the direction of sun, then honey bee will convey the direction by

  1. Clockwise round dance
  2. Upright down tail wagging dance
  3. Anticlockwise round dance
  4. None of these

Answer: 2. Upright down tail wagging dance

Question 10. First commercial pesticide was

  1. Ddt
  2. 2,4-D
  3. Burgandy mixture
  4. Bordeaux mixture

Answer: 4. Bordeaux mixture

Question 11. The major drawback of DDT as a pesticide is that

  1. Organisms at once develop resistance to it
  2. It is signifiantly less effective than other pesticides
  3. Its cost of production is high
  4. It is not easily and rapidly degraded in nature

Answer: 3. Its cost of production is high

Question 12. Nobel prize was awarded to paul muller on the discovery of which of the following pesticides

  1. Malathion
  2. Parathion
  3. Pyrethrum
  4. Ddt

Answer: 4. Ddt

Question 13. The carnivorous fish gamusia, introduced in the lakes, ponds, etc., Control a deadly disease in india, feeds on the larvae of

  1. Nephantis
  2. Dragonfly
  3. Anopheles
  4. All of these

Answer: 3. Anopheles

Question 14. Fish which eradicates the mosquito larvae, is

  1. Anabus
  2. Rohu
  3. Gambusia
  4. Cutter fih

Answer: 3. Gambusia

Question 15. Biological control of agricultural pests, unlike the chemical control, is

  1. Toxic
  2. Polluting
  3. Very expensive
  4. Self-perpetuating

Answer: 4. Self-perpetuating

Question 16. Which of the following plants are used as green manure in crop filds and in sandy soils

  1. Dicanthium annulatum and azolla pinnata
  2. Crotalaria junecea and alhagi camelorum
  3. Calotropis procera and pitylanthus niruri
  4. Saccharum munja and lantana camara

Answer: 2. Crotalaria junecea and alhagi camelorum

Question 17. Which one of the following is a biofertilizer?

  1. Vam
  2. Sporeine
  3. Devine
  4. Agent orange

Answer: 1. Vam

Question 18. Which one of the following is an improved variety of wheat ?

  1. 77
  2. Sonalika
  3. Chandramukhi
  4. Kuber

Answer: 2. Sonalika

Question 19. Which of the following is not used for crop improvement?

  1. Inbreeding
  2. Introduction
  3. Hybridization
  4. Mutations

Answer: 1. Inbreeding

Question 20. In high yielding ‘hybrid crop varieties’ to exploit hybrid vigour, the farmers need to purchase fresh hybrid seen every year, because

  1. They are not allowed to grow their own seed
  2. The hybrid vigour is lost due to inbreeding depression
  3. The government of india has accepted dunkel’s proposals
  4. It is cheaper to purchase fresh seed

Answer: 2. The hybrid vigour is lost due to inbreeding depression

Question 21. Which of the following is a rabi cereal ?

  1. Bajra
  2. Jawar
  3. Wheat
  4. All the above

Answer: 1. Wheat

Question 22. Maize belongs to

  1. Cereals
  2. Millets
  3. Pulses
  4. Oil crop

Answer: 1. Cereals

Question 23. The most important cereal at world level is

  1. Wheat
  2. Maize
  3. Rice
  4. Oat

Answer: 3. Rice

Question 24. One of the plant introduced from new world to the old world

  1. Wheat
  2. Potato
  3. Rice
  4. Sugarcane

Answer: 2. Potato

Question 25. The principal cereal crop in india is

  1. Wheat
  2. Rice
  3. Maize
  4. Sorghum

Answer: 2. Rice

Question 26. The cheapest high-energy fruit crop of india is

  1. Banana
  2. Guava
  3. Apple
  4. Mango

Answer: 1. Banana

Question 27. Cereals are major sources of

  1. Carbohydrates
  2. Proteins
  3. Fats
  4. Vitamins

Answer: 1. Carbohydrates

Question 28. The main source of food and fodder is

  1. Lichen
  2. Cereals
  3. Fungus
  4. Cotton

Answer: 2. Cereals

Question 29. Roughages includes

  1. Cereals
  2. Millets
  3. Abundant fires
  4. Broken grams

Answer: 3. Abundant fires

Question 30. Livestock refers to

  1. Pet animals
  2. Poultry and pet animals
  3. Domestic animals that are kept for use or profit
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Domestic animals which are kept for use or profit

Question 31. Viral diseases of animals include

  1. Cephalitis, blue tongue, foot and mouth disease
  2. Bluetongue, foot and mouth disease, rinderpest, rabies
  3. Bluetongue, rinderpest, cephalitis, rabies
  4. None of these

Answer: 2. Bluetongue, foot and mouth disease, rinderpest, rabies

Question 32. Domestication of silk work is called

  1. Sericulture
  2. Pisciculture
  3. Apiculture
  4. Horticulture

Answer: 1. Sericulture

Question 33. Honey is

  1. Nector of flwer
  2. Nectar is stored in the honey sac.
  3. Nectar mixed with saliva and stored in honey sac
  4. Nectar and water sucked by the honey bee.

Answer: 3. Nectar mixed with saliva and stored in honey sac

Question 34. Number of queens in a hive is

  1. 20
  2. 15
  3. 20
  4. 1

Answer: 4. 1

Question 35. The honey bees exhibit bees exhibit a type of dance to communicate the location of food. This is known as

  1. Waggle dance
  2. Tap dance
  3. Round dance and waggle dance
  4. Breakdance

Answer: 3. Round dance and waggle dance

Question 36. Which one of the following insects produces honey ?

  1. Antherae paphia
  2. Apis indica
  3. Kerria lacca
  4. Bombyx mori

Answer: 2. Apis indica

Question 37. Nutritional diet of poultry birds includes

  1. Cereals, oil cakes, milk cakes, green vegetables
  2. Millets, proteins, oil cakes only
  3. Cereals, millets, proteins, oil cakes, green vegetables
  4. Proteins, oil cakes, cereals only

Answer: 3. Cereals, millets , proteins, oil cakes, green vegetables

Question 38. Pesticides are the chemicals that kill

  1. Weeds
  2. Mites
  3. Insects
  4. All of these

Answer: 4. All of these

Question 39. Most common pesticides used in the crops are

  1. Bhc, aldrin, malathion, pyrethrin
  2. Aldrin, malathion, lead arsinate, sodium floride
  3. Aldrin, malathion, sodium arsinate, lead arsinate
  4. Cryolite, aldrin, pyrethrin
  5. Answer: 1. Bhc, aldrin, malathion, pyrethrin

Question 40. The most common pesticide used in india is

  1. Baygon
  2. Bhc
  3. Ddt
  4. Endrin

Answer: 2. Bhc

Question 41. A green manure is

  1. Rice
  2. Sorghum
  3. Maize
  4. Sesbania

Answer: 4. Sesbania

Question 42. Biofertilizer include

  1. Nitrogen fiing bacteria
  2. Nitrogen fiing cyanobacteria
  3. Both bacteria and cyanobacteria
  4. Bacteria, cyanobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi

Answer: 4. Bacteria, cyanobacteria and mycorrhizal fungi

Question 43. Crop rotation is carried out for

  1. Increasing acidity of soil
  2. Decreasing fertility of soil
  3. Increasing fertility of soil
  4. All the above

Answer: 3. Increasing fertility of soil

Question 44. Ipm (integrated pest management) involves

  1. Biological control
  2. Pesticides
  3. Confusion technique
  4. Biofertilizers

Answer: 4. Biofertilizers

Question 45. Latest trend in plant disease control is

  1. Chemical control
  2. Biological control
  3. Good manure and fertilizer
  4. Breeding for disease resistance

Answer: 2. Biological control

Question 46. The use of fertilizers in farming is an example of

  1. No-cost production
  2. Low cost-production
  3. High-cost production
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Low cost-production

Question 47. Pasturage is related to

  1. Cattle
  2. Fihery
  3. Apiculture
  4. Poultry

Answer: 3. Apiculture

Question 48. Mullets, bhetki, pearl spots, prawns, mussels are the example of

  1. Marine fihes
  2. Fresh water fihes
  3. Fined fihes
  4. Shell fih

Answer: 1. Marine fihes

Question 49. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium are examples of

  1. Micro-nutrients
  2. Macronutrients
  3. Fertilizer
  4. Both (1) and (2)

Answer: 2. Macronutrients

Question 50. Which one of the following is not a milch breed of cattle?

  1. Sahiwal
  2. Malvi
  3. Tharparkar
  4. Red sindhi

Answer: 2. Malvi

Question 51. Which of the following constituent of honey acts as preservative ?

  1. Formic acid
  2. Pantothenic acid
  3. Dextrin
  4. Pyridoxin

Answer: 1. Formic acid

Question 52. The drones in honey bee are

  1. Sterile male
  2. Fertile male
  3. Sterite female
  4. Fertile female

Answer: 2. Fertile male

Question 53. Which one ofthe following is not a marine fih?

  1. Tuna
  2. Salmon
  3. Sardine
  4. Mrigal

Answer: 4. Mrigal

Question 54. Silver revolution is related to

  1. Egg production
  2. Milk production
  3. Grain production
  4. Meat production

Answer: 1. Egg production

Question 55. Which one ofthe following is an exotic fih variety?

  1. Silver carp
  2. Rohu
  3. Catla
  4. Mangur

Answer: 1. Silver carp

Question 56. Which of the following cattle food is included in ‘concentrates’.?

  1. Berseem
  2. Green fodder
  3. Hay
  4. Cotton seeds

Answer: 4. Cotton seeds

Question 57. Which one is an oil yielding plant among the following?

  1. Lentil
  2. Sunflwer
  3. Cauliflwer
  4. Hibiscus

Answer: 2. Sunflwer

Question 58. To solve the food problem of the country, which among the following is necessary?

  1. Increased production and storage of food grains
  2. Easy access of people to the food grain
  3. People should have money to purchase the grains
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Question 59. Which one is not a source of carbohydrate?

  1. Rice
  2. Millets
  3. Sorghum
  4. Gram

Answer: 4. Gram

Question 60. When both crops and livestock are raised on the same farm, it is known as

  1. Mixed farming
  2. Mixed cropping
  3. Inter cropping
  4. Crop rotation

Answer: 1. Mixed farming

Question 61. The technique of growing two or more different crops together in the same fild is known as

  1. Mixed cropping
  2. Mixed farming
  3. Inter-cropping
  4. Crop rotation

Answer: 1. Mixed cropping

Question 62. Rhizobium is present in

  1. Soil
  2. Root nodules of legumes
  3. Stem nodules
  4. Tumours of leaf

Answer: 2. Root nodules of legumes

Question 63. Milk does not provide

  1. Vitamins a and d
  2. Minerals like phosphorus and calcium
  3. Iron
  4. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats

Answer: 3. Iron

Question 64. Opuntia weed can be eradicated by

  1. Gambusia
  2. Cochineal isect
  3. Grass carp
  4. Both (1) and (2)

Answer: 2. Cochineal isect

Question 65. What is the pulse rate of buffalo/minute?

  1. 40-45 Min.
  2. 16-18 Min.
  3. 70-72 Min.
  4. 40-60 Min.

Answer: 1. 40-45 Min.

Question 66. The fistexperimentin artifiial insemination was performed by

  1. Spallanzani
  2. Berzelius
  3. Linneaus
  4. Aristotle

Answer: 1. Spallanzani

Question 67. Kranti, pusa agarni and pusa bold are improved varieties

  1. Urad bean
  2. Sunflwer
  3. Chick pea
  4. Mustard

Answer: 4. Mustard

Question 68. The poultry birds groomed for obtaining meat are called

  1. Layers
  2. Broilers
  3. Pork
  4. Growers

Answer: 2. Broilers

Question 69. Which one of the following is micro-nutrients?

  1. Phosphorus
  2. Potassium
  3. Nitrogen
  4. Boron

Answer: 4. Boron

Question 70. Gundhy bug is a pest of

  1. Rice
  2. Mustard
  3. Wheat
  4. Groundnut

Answer: 1. Rice

Question 71. Sustainable agriculture involves

  1. Mixed cropping
  2. Crop rotation
  3. Mixed farming
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Question 72. Which of the following poultry bird lays maximum number of eggs annually?

  1. Ils-82
  2. B-77
  3. Hh-260
  4. Ibl-80

Answer: 3. Hh-260

Question 73. Iodine solution is the solution of

  1. Pure iodine
  2. Potassium iodide solution
  3. Iodine and potassium iodide solution
  4. Iodine and potassium dichromate solution

Answer: 3. Iodine and potassium iodide solution

Question 74. A solution was dropped over a slice of potato. It turned blue-black. The solution was

  1. Iodine solution
  2. Metanil solution
  3. Benedict’s solution
  4. Hcl

Answer: 1. Iodine solution

Question 75. Besides iodine which other chemical is used to test starch?

  1. Safranin
  2. Methylene blue
  3. Eosine
  4. Hcl

Answer: 1. Safranin

Question 76. An adulterant ofarhar (tuhar) dal is

  1. Brick powder
  2. Metanil yellow
  3. Kesari dal
  4. Gram dal

Answer: 2. Metanil yellow

Question 77. Metanil yellow causes

  1. Stomach ulcer
  2. Diarrhoea
  3. Cancer
  4. Paralysis

Answer: 4. Paralysis

Question 48. Mullets, bhetki, pearl spots, prawns, and mussels are the example of

  1. Agmark
  2. Isi
  3. Nafed
  4. Hafed

Answer: 1. Agmark

Question 79. Wetting arhar/tuar dal with water makes the latter yellow because of

  1. Yellow powder of
  2. Yellow pigment from dal
  3. Adulterant metanil
  4. Kesari dal

Answer: 3. Adulterant metanil

Question 80. The culture ofmarine fi fih is called

  1. Mariculture
  2. Pisciculture
  3. Aquaculture
  4. None

Answer: 1. Mariculture

Question 81. Which one of the following is not a weed?

  1. Xanthium
  2. Amaranthus
  3. Chenopodium
  4. Finger millet

Answer: 4. Figer millet

Question 82. Poultry farming is undertaken for

  1. Egg and feather production
  2. Feather and chicken meat
  3. Egg and chicken meat
  4. Milk and egg

Answer: 3. Egg and chicken meat

Question 83. Which one of the following combinations are most suitable for composite fih culture?

  1. Surface feeders and bottom feeders
  2. Middle zone feeders and bottom feeders
  3. Surface feeders only
  4. Surface feeders, middle zone feeders and bottom feeders

Answer: 4. Surface feeders, middle zone feeders, and bottom feeders

Question 84. Which one of the following is an Italian bee variety?

  1. Apis mellifera
  2. Apis dorsata
  3. Apis flrae
  4. Apis cerana indica

Answer: 1. Apis mellifera

Question 85. Potato tuber wash and iodine solution placed together change their color to

  1. Blue-black
  2. Blue
  3. Brick-red
  4. Magenta

Answer: 1. Blue-black

NEET Biology Class 9 Chapter 7 Origin Of Life Notes

Origin Of Life Introduction

Earth is the only planet we know that can support life. It is a planet with vitality and is home to billions of plants and animals that share a common evolutionary track.

  • The planet Earth came into existence about five billion years ago. At that time, the atmosphere of the planet Earth was extremely hot and the existence of life in any form at that high temperature was not possible.
  • But then the question arises, How and when did life originate on Earth?
  • Secondly, how did primitive organisms evolve into new forms resulting in the evolution of a variety of organisms on Earth?
  • Actually, the fact is, no one has been able to come close to knowing exactly what led to the origin of life, and we may never know.
  • However, scientists have made significant progress in understanding the chemical processes that may have led to the origin of life.

Origin of life means the appearance of simplest life form from non-living forms and Evolution of life means the gradual formation of complex organisms from simpler ones.

Read And Learn More: NEET Class 9 Biology Notes

The evolution of life on Earth has involved the following sequence of events:

  • First living things, the simplest creatures, i.e. one-celled organisms came into existence. From these came more complex, multi-cellular organisms.
  • Complexity meant more than just an increase in cell number.
  • As cell number increased, cellular specialization came into existence, where certain cells within the Multi-cellular organism carried out specific tasks.
  • These changes, for about millions, even billions of years evolved living things that we now call plants and animals.

There are many theories, but most have the same general perspective of how things came to be the way they are. Following is an account of life’s beginnings based on some of the leading research and theories related to the subject, and of course, fossil records, dating back as far as 3.5 billion years ago.

Spontaneous Generation

Spontaneous generation was the idea that living things could be produced by non-living things. One of the firm believers in spontaneous generation was Aristotle, the Greek philosopher (384-322 BC).

NEET Biology Origin of Life Aristotle

  • Aristotle believed that dead leaves falling from a tree into a pond would transform into fishes and those falling on soil would transform into worms and insects. He also held that some insects develop from morning dew and rotting manure.
  • Egyptians believed that the mud of the Nile River could spontaneously give rise to many forms of life. The idea of spontaneous generation was popular almost till the seventeenth century.
  • The theory of Spontaneous Generation was disproved in the course of time due to the experiment conducted by Francesco Redi, (1665), Spallanzani (1765), and later by Louis Pasteur (1864) in his famous Swan neck experiment.
  • This theory was disapproved, as scientists gave definite proof that life comes from pre-existing life.
  • In 1665, Francesco Redi, an Italian physician, challenged the concept of spontaneous generation. With his experiment, he was convinced that life could only come from life.
  • He was even more specific, fles could only come from flies just like humans come from other humans. He showed that maggots come from eggs laid by files, rather than forming spontaneously from the decaying matter in which they are found.

Experiment – 1

He placed the meat in an unsealed jar.

Observation: Flies laid eggs on the meat and maggots emerged.

Experiment – 2

He placed the meat in a sealed jar.

Observation: Flies could not enter the sealed jar and therefore, maggots did not form on the raw meat.

Experiment – 3

He then placed the meat in a jar covered with gauze.

Observation: The gauze prevented files from entering the jar, and therefore, maggots did not form on the raw meat.

Conclusion: Maggots arise from the eggs laid by flies, not by spontaneous generation. This supported the theory of biogenesis, which states that “all life arises from other life.”

NEET Biology Origin of Life Francesco Redi Experiment

  • A series of experiments conducted in the 1860s by the French microbiologist Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) also helped to disprove the idea that life originated by spontaneous generation.
  • Pasteur sterilized two containers, both of which contained a broth rich in nutrients. He exposed both containers to the air, but one had a trap in the form of a loop in a connecting tube, which prevented dust and other particles from reaching the broth.
  • Bacteria and mold quickly grew in the open container and made its broth cloudy and rank, but the container with the trap remained sterile. Pasteur interpreted this experiment as indicating that microorganisms did not arise spontaneously in the open container but were introduced by dust and other airborne contaminants.

NEET Biology Origin of Life Pasteurs Experiment

Although Redi, Pasteur, and other scientists thoroughly disproved the theory of spontaneous generation as an explanation for the origin of present-day life on whatever scale, they raised a new question.

If organisms can arise only from other organisms, then how did the first organism arise?

Chemosynthetic Theory Of Origin Of Life

  • The widely accepted theory is the Chemosynthetic theory of the origin of life proposed by A.I. Oparin. It states that life originated on Earth through a series of combinations of chemical substances in the distant past. All these processes took place in water.
  • The earth originated about 5 billion years ago. It was initially made up of hot gases and vapors of various chemicals. Heavy elements such as iron and nickel were found in the center while comparatively lighter ones like those of aluminium and silicon formed the middle layer.
  • The lightest elements like hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon were found in the outermost layer. Due to the extremely high temperature, the atoms of these elements could not combine to form molecules.
  • As the earth started cooling gradually, the atoms started combining with one another to form molecules, and a solid crust was formed.

Steps Involved in the Origin of Life on Earth:

The early atmosphere contained ammonia (NH3), water vapor (H2O), hydrogen (H2), and methane (CH4). At that time there was no free oxygen.

1. Formation of Inorganic Molecules and Compounds:

  • With a considerable decrease in the earth’s temperature over thousands of years, the atoms of different elements came together at random and formed inorganic molecules.
  • Since the lighter elements (hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen) were the most abundant in the outermost layer, their atoms reacted with each other to form the first inorganic molecules.
  • The earliest molecules formed were those of hydrogen ( H2), nitrogen ( N2), ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O).
  • All the atoms of oxygen combined with those of hydrogen and carbon to form water vapor and carbon dioxide.
  • The energy required for the configuration of these molecules came from the ultraviolet rays in the sunlight or electric discharge, heat, or a combination of these.

2. Formation of Simple Organic Compounds:

  • As the earth cooled further, the primitive inorganic molecules interacted and combined with one another to form simple organic compounds.
  • Simple sugars, fatty acids, glycerol, amino acids, and nitrogen bases (purines and pyrimidines) were probably the simple organic compounds that resulted from the interactions of the inorganic molecules. Water vapor present in the primitive atmosphere formed clouds, which then resulted in rainfall continuously for several centuries.
  • This rainwater filled the hollows and basins of the earth’s crust to form the oceans. Water in these oceans contains ammonia and methane. These compounds reacted among themselves to form primitive organic compounds. Thus, ocean water provided the basis for the formation of organic compounds.

3. Formation of Complex Organic Compounds:

  • The smaller and simpler organic compounds that were formed initially on the earth gradually started combining among themselves to form complex organic compounds.
    • Simple sugars combine among themselves to form complex polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose.
    • Fatty acids and glycerol molecules combine to form lipids.
    • Amino acids combine among themselves to form polypeptides and proteins.
    • Purines and pyrimidines combined with simple sugars and phosphates to form nucleotides, which in turn combined to form
      nucleic acids.
    • The heat of the sun probably provided the energy required for the formation of complex organic compounds.
  • Haldane suggested that due to the accumulation of complex organic molecules, the sea ultimately became a sort of ‘hot, dilute soup’ where, the molecules collided, reacted, and aggregated to form more complex molecules.

4. Formation of Molecular Aggregates:

  • It is suggested that the large organic molecules (formed abiotically in the primitive earth) came together spontaneously and due to intermolecular attraction, formed large colloidal aggregates called coacervates.
  • An envelope of water molecules formed around each such aggregate due to the hydrophilic nature of some of these compounds.
  • A membrane of fatty acids protects and encloses these molecules, increasing the chances of chemical reactions.
  • Gradually, breakdown and building up reactions started for which the energy required was provided by the breakdown reactions.
  • The coacervates selectively absorbed proteins and other materials from the ocean resulting in their active growth.
  • The coacervates not only started growing rapidly but also started multiplying

5. Formation of First Cells (Protobionts):

  • The coacervates were in a state of dynamic equilibrium, constantly taking in new materials from the oceans and releasing degraded materials. Thus, they had all the basic properties of life such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
  • However, they lacked the complexity of molecular organization, catalytic proteins (enzymes), and precise control of nucleic acids. Later, the nucleic acids are said to have taken control of coacervate and the process of replication became precise in the due course of time.
  • With the nucleic acids being established as the genetic material, the coacervates got transformed into primitive living systems which have been called protobionts or eobionts.

6. First life forms:

  • The first forms of life developed among the organic molecules, in the oxygen-free atmosphere. They were heterotrophs, requiring ready-made organic compounds as food.
  • The early atmosphere of Earth had no free oxygen, the forms until then could at best be only “anaerobic”. Chlorophyll-bearing organisms later released free oxygen which gave greater possibilities for life to evolve.

Chemoheterotrophs : (Greek-Chemo: Chemical, hetero: another, trophy: nourishment):

Chemoheterotrophs are anaerobic prokaryotes like bacteria that depend nutritionally on an external supply of organic compounds. They are dependent on the organic molecules present in the broth for bodybuilding and obtaining energy.

Chemoautotrophs (Greek-Chemo: Chemical, auto: self, trophy: nourishment):

  • Chemoautotrophs are organisms that obtain energy through a chemical process, which is by the oxidation of electron-donating molecules from the environment, rather than by photosynthesis.
  • Evolutionary scientists believe that chemoautotrophs produced oxygen as a by-product and later evolved into both, aerobic animallike organisms and photosynthetic organisms.

Aerobic Photoautotrophs:

They evolved 3300 to 3500 million years ago. They were like present-day cyanobacteria and could release O2 into the atmosphere because they used water as the reagent. Thus, the whole reducing atmosphere changed to an oxidizing atmosphere.

The appearance of photosynthetic organisms resulted in the release of free molecular oxygen into the atmosphere gradually transforming it into an oxidizing type from the existing reducing type

NEET Biology Origin of Life Volcanos released gases to the atmosphere.

Evolution

  • There is a huge number of living organisms on earth. In addition to this huge diversity of living organisms, the remains of dead organisms are also known. The remains of the organisms that once existed on Earth are known as fossils.
  • Now the question arises, how and from where such a great diversity of living organisms came on this earth? The branch of biology that deals with the study of such changes in organisms is known as evolution.
  • Evolution is the formation of complex organisms through ‘change’ from simple ancestral types over the course of geological time.
  • It is the constant process of evolution (since the origin of life) that has resulted in an enormous variety of plants and animals that have come to exist on this earth at present. All the plants and animals that we see today around us have evolved from some or other ancestors that lived on this earth long, long ago.
  • The term organic evolution is used to describe the slow and gradual process by which living organisms have undergone changes from the simplest unicellular forms of life to the most complex multi-cellular forms that can be seen today.
  • The characteristics of organisms that had been changing in the past; are changing even today, and will continue to do so in the future as well. This is due to the fact that the environment in which organisms live also changes and organisms need to be adapted to survive in the changed environment.

This process of origin of the various forms(species) found on earth has been a gradual and extremely slow process, requiring hundreds or even thousands of years.

NEET Biology Origin of Life Primitive Earth

Evidence For Evolution

  • A number of common features of different kinds of organisms provide evidence in favor of evolution because they are considered to have evolved from common ancestors.
  • For example, in a family, a brother and sister are closely related and they have a recent common ancestor i.e., their parents. A brother and his cousin are also related but less than the sister and her brother.
  • This is because the brother and his cousin have a common ancestor i.e., their grandparents in the second generation. With subsequent generations, the variations make organisms more different than their ancestors.

Let us discuss some of the important sources that provide evidence for evolution.

1. Homologous organs: Homologous organs are similar in origin (or are embryologically similar) but perform different functions.

  • For example, the forelimbs of humans and the wings of birds look different externally but their skeletal structure is similar.
  • It means that their origin is similar (as wings in birds are modifications of the forearm) but their functions are different – the wings help in flight whereas the human forearm helps in various activities.

2. Analogous organs: Analogous organs have different origins but perform similar functions.

For example, the wings of a bird and a bat are similar in function but this similarity does not mean that these animals are more closely related. If we carefully look at these structures, then we will find that the wings of a bat are just the folds of skin that are stretched between its fingers whereas the wings of birds are present all along the arm. Therefore, these organs are analogous organs.

NEET Biology Origin of Life Analogous Organs

3. Fossils: Fossils are the remains of the organisms that once existed on earth. They represent the ancestors of the plants and animals that are alive today. They provide evidence of evolution by revealing the characteristics of past organisms and the changes that have occurred in these organisms to give rise to the present organisms. Thus, fossils discovered provide the ancestral history of an individual.

Let us understand this, with the help of an example.

  • Around 100 million years ago, some invertebrates died and were buried in the soil in that area. More sediment accumulated on top of it turning it into sedimentary rock.
  • At the same place, millions of years later, some dinosaurs died and their bodies were buried on top of the sedimentary rock. The mud containing dinosaurs also turned into a rock.
  • Then, millions of years later, some horse-like creatures died in that area and got fossilized in rocks above the dinosaur fossils. Sometime later, due to soil erosion or floods in that area, the rocks containing horse-like fossils are exposed. If that area is excavated deeper, then the dinosaur and invertebrate fossils can also be found.
  • Thus, by digging that area, scientists can easily predict that horse-like animals evolved later than the dinosaurs and the invertebrates. Thus, the above example suggests that the fossils found closer to the surface of the earth are more recent than the fossils present in deeper layers.

NEET Biology Class 9 Chapter 6 Natural Resources Notes

Chapter 6 Natural Resources Introduction

A natural resource is something that is found in nature and can be used by people. Earth’s natural resources include light, air, water, plants, animals, soil, stone, minerals, and fossil fuels. People need natural resources to stay alive. They also use them to make their lives better.

These resources can be of two types:

Natural resources: Natural resources refer to all the natural things on our earth, such as soil, air, water, minerals, coal, sunlight etc. Human beings use these directly or indirectly for survival and welfare.

Read And Learn More: NEET Class 9 Biology Notes

Artifiial resources: The resources, which have been developed by human beings, are called artifiial resources. For example, biogas, thermal electricity, plastics etc. are man-made resources.

  • Every place on Earth has its own unique group of natural resources. Some countries have lots of oil or diamonds.
  • Others have rich soil and thick forests but few minerals. The wealthiest countries are usually the ones with the greatest amount or variety of natural resources. They are wealthy because they can sell their resources to other countries that need them.

Types Of Natural Resources

On the basis of availability, natural resources are classified into two types:

Inexhaustible resources: The resources that are present in unlimited quantity in nature are called inexhaustible resources. They are not likely to be exhausted by human activities. For example: Air, water, solar rays, etc.

Exhaustible resources: The resources that are present in limited quantity in nature are called exhaustible resources. They are likely to be exhausted by human activities. For example, coal, petroleum, plants, animals etc.

Exhaustible resources are further classified into two types.

Renewable resources: Exhaustible resources that can replenish themselves by quick recycling and replacement within a reasonable time are known as renewable resources. For example, living beings reproduce and can thus replace the killed individuals.

However, if the consumption of these resources exceeds the rate of regeneration, it may also get totally exhausted. A few more examples: Soil, forests, wildlife, vegetation, etc.

Non-renewable resources: The resource that cannot be replaced by recycling and replacement is known as nonrenewable resources. Its increased consumption will result in quicker exhaustion.

Examples: Coal, petroleum, minerals like copper, iron etc.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Classifiation of Resources

The Renewable resources, if not managed properly can become non-renewable

Question 1. Is plastic a natural resource?
Answer: No, Plastic is an artificial (man-made) resource.

Question 2. Is forest an exhaustible non-renewable resource?
Answer: No. Forest is an exhaustible renewable resource. Its availability can be enhanced by increasing replenishment

Why is life possible on earth only?

  • Earth is the only planet on which life exists. It consists of three components Lithosphere (Land), Hydrosphere (Water), and Atmosphere (Air).
  • Life originated and evolved because of this unique combination of the three components and was ideal and favourable for life. The life-supporting zone of the earth where the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere meet, interact and make life possible, is known as the biosphere.
  • The lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere are non-living components of the environment and are known as abiotic. The biotic or living components include plants, animals and microbes living on earth.
  • A constant interaction between the abiotic and biotic components of the biosphere results in the transfer of food and energy, which makes it a dynamic but stable system. The biosphere is the biggest biological system. It consists of smaller functional units known as Ecosystems or Ecological systems.

Let us study some abiotic components in detail in order to understand their role in sustaining life on Earth.

The Breath Of Life Air

  • Air is an inexhaustible natural resource. It is essential for the survival of all the living organisms on Earth. It is found everywhere.
  • It is a mixture of different gases, which we cannot see. It is also necessary for all living organisms because they breathe in air.
  • Hence, air is called the breath of life as life cannot exist without air.
  • The major components of air are nitrogen and oxygen while minor components are carbon dioxide, water vapour, Argon, and traces of Helium, neon, krypton, ozone etc.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Composition of Air

In planets Venus and Mars, where no life is known to exist, the major component of the atmosphere is found to be carbon dioxide (95-97%)

Connecting Topic

Atmosphere

The envelope of air that surrounds the Earth is called the atmosphere. Air is dense below near the surface of the earth. It becomes progressively rare with height. The height to which the atmosphere extends is 500 km.

Atmosphere is divisible into four layers.

  1. Troposphere: It is the lower part of the atmosphere which extends up to a height of 8-16 km. It is the most active region, which contains about 18% of the total mass of air. All the dramatic events of the weather such as air movements, water vapours, cloud formation and dust particles are restricted to it.
  2. Stratosphere: It is found above the troposphere up to a height of 30-50 km. This zone is rich in ozone. Hence, it is also known as the ozone layer or ozoneosphere.
    • In the ozoneosphere, oxygen in the presence of sunlight is converted to ozone by photochemical dissolution. It completely absorbs short wave rays like ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma rays. The stratosphere is free from clouds. Aeroplanes usually fly in this zone.
  3. Mesosphere: It is found above the stratosphere and extends up to a height of 100 km.
  4. Thermosphere: The atmosphere, between 100 to 500 km, is called thermosphere. There is a progressive increase in temperature in this region.
    • This high temperature and high energy radiations cause ionization of gases. This layer of ionized particles is known as the ionosphere. The ionosphere is radio-reflective and is important for telecommunication on Earth.

Importance of Air

  1. Air contains oxygen which is essential for life. It is absolutely necessary for respiration. It is also a supporter of combustion. In nature, oxygen dissolves in water. The dissolved oxygen keeps the water fresh and is a source of respiration for aquatic life.
  2. Carbon dioxide is necessary for the production of food. It is the raw material for the photosynthesis of plants. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and water vapour from the air and convert it into carbohydrates in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.
  3. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and traps infrared radiation.
  4. The atmosphere condenses water vapours to produce rain. Rain is the source of all fresh water on land.
  5. The movement of air determines the climate of different places.
  6. The atmosphere filters high energy rays and UV rays, thereby protecting the Earth from their harmful effects.

In The Lab

Let us perform an activity to prove that air is used in burning.

Take a candle and place it in a tray of water. Light the candle and cover it with a jar

NEET Biology Natural Resources Light the candle and cover it with a jar

What did you observe?

The candle stops burning in a short while. This is because all the oxygen present inside the jar is used up. Water goes up the jar to take the place of the air that has been used.

Question 1. Which of these candles will burn the longest?
Answer: (3) The candle under the biggest container will burn the longest as it has the most air in it.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Light the candle and cover it with a jar

Role of Atmosphere in Climate Control:

  • The position of the Earth in the solar system and its distance from the Sun helps in maintaining the temperature of the Earth and thus supports life
  • The atmosphere acts as a blanket for Earth’s surface. It keeps the Earth’s temperature fairly constant during the time and even during the course of the whole year. You must be wondering how. Air is a bad conductor of heat.
  • During the day time, it resists the heat from entering the Earth and at night, it does not allow the heat to escape from the Earth.
  • Thus, the atmosphere does not allow a sudden increase in temperature during the day and a sudden decrease in temperature at night. This helps to maintain a moderate temperature, which is essential for life.

Movement of Air: Winds

  • You all must have felt the presence of air although you can not see it. You can see the movement of leaves of plants and trees.
  • How it happen so? It is due to the moving air. The horizontal movement of air over the surface of Earth is called wind.
  • Let us now understand how wind is formed. Wind is formed as a result of the uneven heating of the atmosphere (Earth’s surface).
  • A portion of the solar rays that reach the Earth’s surface is radiated back into the atmosphere. This heats up the atmosphere.
  • The extent of this heating varies across land and water. During the day, solar radiation heats up the land surface. This causes the air over the land surface to heat up. The hot air expands and rises upwards. This vertical movement of air is known as convection current. This creates a low-pressure area over the land surface.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Movement of Air

  • Solar radiation takes a longer time to heat up water as compared to land. Therefore, during the daytime, when the air over the land surface is heated up, the air over the water surface is relatively cooler.
  • This creates a high-pressure area over the water surface. When the hot air over the land surface rises up, it creates a vacant space. This space in the low-pressure area (over the land) is occupied by the air present in the high-pressure area (over the water).

Thus, the air over the water surface starts blowing towards the land surface during the day.

NEET Biology Natural Resources the water surface starts blowing towards the land surface during the day

  • During the night, this situation gets reversed. The land surface cools down much faster as compared to the water surface.
  • Therefore, the air over land is cooler in comparison to the air over water. A high-pressure area is thus created over the land surface and a low-pressure area prevails over the water surface. This causes the wind to blow from the land surface towards the water surface during the night.

Characteristics of Wind :

  • The wind blows from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area.
  • A region with a high temperature has low pressure as hot air moves up, thereby creating a vacant space in that area.
  • During the day, wind blows from sea to land and is known as a sea breeze.
  • During the night, wind blows from land to sea and is known as the land breeze.

The other factors that influence the formation of winds are the rotation of the Earth and the presence of mountain ranges.

Importance of winds:

Wind helps in the formation of clouds and brings rain.

Cloud formation: When the air over the land and water body heats up, a large amount of water evaporates from various water bodies as water vapour rises along with the air. A part of this water vapour also reaches the atmosphere through transpiration and respiration.

  • When this heated air rises, it expands and cools and starts condensing forming water droplets. The formation of water droplets leads to the formation of clouds. Gradually, the millions of tiny water droplets in the clouds keep growing in size.
  • When these drops become so large that they can no longer be held in the clouds, they fall down as rain. Thus, during precipitation, water vapour forms raindrops. At lower temperatures, rain freezes and precipitates as snow, hail, or sleet.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Cloud formation

Air Pollution

  • You all must have seen traffic policemen wearing a mask or people covering their noses with handkerchiefs at traffic signals. Why?
  • It is because of heavy smoke emanating from the automobiles, which makes breathing difficult at busy traffic intersections.
  • Air pollution is the addition of unwanted substances into the atmosphere that has an adverse effect on organisms and the environment.

Sources of air pollution:

All human activities from cooking at home to the working of industries contribute to air pollution.

The sources of air pollution can be divided into two categories.

  1. Natural sources-
    1. Forest fire
    2. Dust storm
    3. Pollen grains from flowers.
    4. Smoking volcanoes
  2. Man-made sources-
    1. Burning of fossil fuels in industries, vehicles and thermal power plants.
    2. Emissions from industries.
    3. Vegetable oils, kerosene, and coal as household fuels
    4. Pesticide residues in air
    5. Sewers and domestic drains emanating foul smell
    6. Deforestation (cutting down of trees)

Important fact:  Pollution by natural sources is much less in comparison to man-made pollution.

Air Pollutants:

The agents that pollute the environment are called pollutants. Major air pollutants are :

1. Carbon dioxide (CO2): It is mainly produced during the combustion of fuel in factories, power stations, households etc.

Effects:

  1. It increases the atmospheric temperature due to the greenhouse effect.
  2. It reduces the productivity of marine ecosystems. It is because, the water in the oceans becomes more acidic due to increased concentration of CO2 in the air, which then gets dissolved in the water.
  3. The increased temperature of the Earth causes the melting of continental and mountain glaciers. This in turn would cause flooding of coastal areas of some countries. This process is known as global warming.

2. Sulphur dioxide (SO2): It is produced by the burning of coal in powerhouses and vehicles.

Effects:

  1. In plants, it causes chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) and necrosis.
  2. In humans, it causes, irritation in the eyes and injury to the respiratory tract leading to diseases like asthma and bronchitis.
  3. SO2 is also responsible for discolouration and deterioration of buildings.
  4. It causes acid rain. The high concentration of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in raindrops to form sulphuric acid which causes acid rain.

3. Carbon monoxide (CO): It is produced as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum. Carbon monoxide is more dangerous than CO2. It is a poisonous gas, which causes major respiratory diseases. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it reaches the bloodstream. Due to its high affinity for (200 times more than CO2) haemoglobin, it replaces oxygen.

Effects:

It causes giddiness, and headache and interferes with the normal functioning of the heart.

4. Nitrogen oxides (NO): Oxides of nitrogen such as nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (NO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are produced from thermal power stations, automobiles, industries and aircraft due to the burning of coal and petroleum.

Effects:

  1. It reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.
  2. It may also cause irritation in the eyes and lungs, and skin cancer in human beings.
  3. Acid rain damages materials (metals and stones).

Smog: It is a dark brown smoky mist that occurs in cold weather. It is a mixture of smoke, dust particles and small drops of fog. It is a visible indicator of air pollution.

Effects:

  1. It causes necrosis and develops a white coating on the leaves of the plants.
  2. In humans, it may cause asthma and allergies. It is highly suffocating.

Aerosol spray propellants: These are suspended fine particles in the air. It contains chlorofloro carbons (CFCs) and florocarbons.

Effects:

It causes depletion of the ozone layer and thereby, the exposure of humans to the harmful effects of UV rays of the Sun.

Water A Precious Resource

Like air, water is another inexhaustible natural resource, which is essential for all living beings. It covers about three-quarters of Earth’s crust. Life is impossible without water.

Note: Water exists in three states: Solid (Snow, hail and ice), liquid (Water) and gas (Water vapour).

You must be surprised to know that only 3% of the total water resources of the world consist of fresh water, found in rivers, lakes, streams and ponds. The rest 97% is found in oceans, which is unusable.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Diagrammatic representation of the water on Earth

Terrestrial life cannot use seawater, because their bodies cannot tolerate high salt contents of seawater and also cannot eliminate the salts from the body.

Sources of Water:

  1. Rain: Rainwater is considered to be the purest form of natural water free from impurities. Now, you must be wondering, why it is so. The water from the sea and rivers gets evaporated during the day time due to the heat of the Sun.
    • As a result, impurities are left behind and water gets evaporated. When water vapours go high up in the air they condense to form clouds. Then these water drops come down to Earth as rain.
  2. Well: The rainwater seeps through the soil and goes down. On digging the well, this underground water is available to us.
    • However, this water is not pure and contains impurities such as bacteria, suspended particles and other micro-organisms.
  3. Spring: Springs are formed by the percolation of rainwater into the soil. It supplies water to wells and lakes.
  4. River: Rivers are formed by the melting of snow on the mountains and from the rainwater. It is also not pure and is unfit for drinking.
  5. Sea: The sea is the largest natural source of water. However, it is the most impure source of water as all the impurities dissolved in rivers are carried into the sea.

Importance of Water:

  1. Water plays an important role in the metabolic reactions taking place within the body.
  2. It acts as a universal solvent, thus providing a medium for chemical reactions to take place.
  3. Water helps in the transportation of substances such as food from one part of the body to another in a dissolved form.
  4. Turgidity is maintained by water in living structures.
  5. Water prevents sudden changes in the temperature of living beings. Excessive heating is checked by evaporation of water in transpiration and perspiration.
  6. Metabolic wastes are separated from the blood in the solution form with the help of water.

Question 1. There is an abundance of water on our Planet Earth. But then why do we talk of water shortage in future?
Answer: We talk of water shortage because only a small fraction of water is fit for consumption. Most of the water that exists on Earth is in seas and oceans, which is highly salty and unfit for drinking.

Water Pollution

Water pollution is the addition of undesirable substances in water bodies that have an adverse effect on organisms and their surrounding environment.

Sources of Water Pollution: It could be due to natural or man-made activities.

  1. Natural sources of water pollution:
    1. Soil erosion
    2. Decaying organic matter
    3. Leaking of minerals from rocks
  2. Man-made sources of water pollution:
    1. Domestic sewage is discharged into rivers from areas located on its banks. Sewage contains organic matter and several pathogens that can cause diseases in animals and humans.
    2. Industrial effluents containing a high concentration of heavy metals, toxic chemicals, acids, oils, grease etc. All of these are harmful to aquatic life and also make the water unfit for drinking.
    3. Fertilizers added to crop fields also lead to water pollution. A small part of fertilizers leach down to pollute the ground
    4. water while a large part of it passes down to water bodies through rainwater.
    5. Pesticides sprayed over crops are passed into water bodies during rains. It has an adverse effect on aquatic organisms.
    6. Oils from refineries, and automobile workshops pollute water thereby killing aquatic life and affecting the growth of phytoplankton.
    7. The passage of hot water from thermal plants changes the temperature of the water source. As a result, the content of oxygen decreases. Reduced oxygen content kills the aquatic animals and reduces the decomposition rate of organic matter, which, therefore accumulates.

Effects of Water Pollution

  1. The toxic materials in water cause serious water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid, jaundice and hepatitis in humans.
  2. The presence of acids and alkalies in water destroys microorganisms, thereby disturbing the self-purification process in rivers.
  3. Polluted water causes the spread of epidemics like cholera, tuberculosis, jaundice, and typhoid in human beings.
  4. The usage of polluted water for irrigation of agricultural fields damages crops severely. This in turn reduces agricultural productivity.
  5. Heavily polluted water affects the fertility of the soil and kills soil microorganisms.
  6. Contamination of seawater due to oil spilling causes ecological disasters which result in the death of aquatic organisms including fish.
  7. Water pollution affects the fish and other aquatic life

NEET Biology Natural Resources The Ecosystem Degradation of A Pond

Biomagnification:

  • To protect the crops from several diseases and pests, a large number of pesticides are used. These pesticides reach the soil and are absorbed by plants with water and minerals from the soil.
  • Due to rain, these chemicals can also enter water sources and into the bodies of aquatic plants and animals. As a result, chemicals enter the food chain. Since these chemicals cannot be decomposed, they keep on accumulating at each trophic level.
  • The maximum concentration is accumulated at the top carnivore’s level. This increase in the concentration of pollutants or harmful chemicals with an increase in the trophic level is called biological magnification.
  • For example, high DDT concentrations were found in a pond. The producers (phytoplankton) were found to have 0.04 ppm concentration of DDT. Since many types of phytoplankton were eaten by zooplankton (consumers), the concentration of DDT in the bodies of zooplankton was found to be 0.23 ppm.
  • Small fish that feed on zooplankton accumulate more DDT in their body. Thus, large fish (top carnivores) that feed on several small fish have the highest concentration of DDT

NEET Biology Natural Resources Biomagnification

Soil

  • Soil is the uppermost layer of the land, which supports plant life and contains numerous living organisms and their remains.
  • It is a complex mixture of mineral particles formed from rocks, humus, wind, water, mineral salts, and living organisms like earthworms, insects, bacteria and fungi.

Important term: Humus is a brown or black organic substance formed from decaying plant remains or animal matter.

  • It determines the fertility of the soil. It is porous in nature and increases the ability of soil to retain water.
  • Soil is a renewable as well as non-renewable natural resource. Its productivity can be maintained with fertilizers and manures rich in humus.
  • Hence, it is a renewable natural resource. On the contrary, if the soil has been removed from a certain place by erosion, it may take hundreds and thousands of years to form new soil. Hence, soil is also considered a non-renewable resource.

Question 1. How can you alter the nutrient and humus content of soil to support plant life?
Answer: The nutrient and humus content of the soil can be increased by using manures and fertilizers. Manures are naturally decomposed organic materials that increase soil fertility. Fertilizers are either natural or chemical in nature and add essential nutrients to the soil.

The use of fertilizers is a common practice in agriculture.

Soil Formation

Soil is formed from parent rock material over millions of years by a process of weathering. The process of formation of soil is called pedogenesis. What is weathering? Weathering is the process of breaking down rock present on the surface of the Earth into fine particles.

Weathering occurs through two main processes:

  1. Physical weathering is caused by physical means like atmospheric changes (heating, cooling, wetting-drying etc.).
  2. Biological weathering involves the breaking down of rocks by the action of living organisms.

Let us discuss some of the processes in detail.

  1. Sun: During the day, sunlight heats up the rocks on the Earth’s surface and during the night, it cools them down. Rocks expand when heated and contract when cooled down. This repeated heating and cooling of rocks causes them to break down into smaller particles.
  2. Water: It causes weathering of rocks by following methods:
    • Water enters the rocks through the cracks in them and freezes at low temperatures. This expands and contracts the rocks, which results in the breaking down of the rocks.
    • Sometimes, water flows along rocks. The flow of water along the rocks creates friction between water and rocks, which results in the weathering of rocks. This leads to the formation of soil. The soil thus formed may flow along with the water and get deposited elsewhere.
    • Continuous beating of rocks by rain and hail, and wave action on shores causes the breaking down of rock particles into fiery particles through their abrasive effects.
  3. Wind: Wind has an abrasive action due to the presence of dust and fine sand particles in it. Strong winds erode the rock surfaces by rubbing and striking its abrasive particles against the rock surface. Sometimes the eroded particles are carried by wind to distant places. As wind speed decreases, the wind-borne particles settle down and form soil.
  4. Frost: Rainwater seeping into rock crevices and cracks may get trapped in it. In winter, this water freezes to ice. The ice expands producing a lateral pressure sufficient to break all rocks.
  5. Living organisms: Weathering by living organisms is known as biological weathering. Certain life forms, like lichens, grow on rock surfaces. They secrete acids which corrode the rocky surface and produce fine particles. Then, in these fie soil particles other organisms like microbes; insects etc. grow and die, building more soil.

Sometimes, mosses grow over these crevices. They cause the deepening of crevices and the building up of more soil in them.

Deeper crevices form cracks. Roots further weather the rocks and produce soil.

In The Lab:

  • We find soil all around us. What is the composition of soil? Let us perform an experiment to find out the major components of soil.
  • Dig a pit in a suitable area using a spade. Collect a sample of soil from this pit and mix it with water in a glass jar. Stir well and then allow the contents to settle. Observe the contents.

Results: The bottom of the jar has a layer of coarse sand. Then you would find a layer of sand. Then there is a layer of silt.

Clay lies above the silt. Above clay, you would find clay as well as mineral salts. Humus flats over the top of turbid water. dead matter water.

NEET Biology Natural Resources dead matter

Soil, thus formed, contains the following components:

  1. Soil particles like sand, silt, clay, gravel etc.
  2. Humus, is an organic matter formed by the decomposition of dead organisms.
  3. Air
  4. Water
  5. Soil organisms.

Different soils have different amounts of stone, sand, clay and plant and animal matter. For example, soil taken from the beach has more sand than clay. Garden soil is rich in plant and animal matter

A fertile soil contains a mixture of all different-sized particles. The fertility of soil depends on:

  1. Presence of humus and nutrients.
  2. The capacity of soil to retain water and air.

Importance of Soil

  1. Soil anchors the terrestrial plants.
  2. It provides water and minerals to the plants.
  3. Soil is a home for a number of soil organisms. Many of them are involved in the decomposition of dead organic matter and the release of minerals bound in it.
  4. Some bacteria and cyanobacteria in soil take part in nitrogen fixation.
  5. Soil provides water for various human needs and irrigation.

Question 1. The fertility of the soil is threatened due to various actions of humans. Can you explain one activity that destroys the soil?
Answer: Most fertilizers and pesticides are made of chemicals. Excessive use of fertilizers and chemicals can kill the natural microorganisms present in soil.

  • It also affects earthworms, which help in the conversion of organic matter into humus. If the use of fertilizers and pesticides is not controlled, then the soil may lose its fertility and no longer be able to sustain life.
  • This change in soil fertility, brought about by the addition of harmful substances that affect the useful components present in the soil, is called soil pollution.

Experiment 1

Soil contains Air. Put a can of soil in a basin of water as shown in the figure.

What did you observe?

NEET Biology Natural Resources To show that soil contains Air

You will find air bubbles coming out of the soil. This shows that the soil contains air.

What is the importance of air in the soil? The roots of the plants grow in the soil. Since they are living parts of plants they need air to breathe. The animals that live in the soil also need air to breathe hence, to support them, air is found in the spaces between the soil particles.

Experiment 2:

Air contains Water. Take a tin of soil. Put it in a clear plastic bag and tie the bag tight. Leave the bag with soil for a few hours.

What did you observe?

NEET Biology Natural Resources To show that air contains water

  • You will find water droplets in the bag. The water could have only come from the soil. The water in the soil evaporates into the air and then condenses as water droplets. Thus, this experiment proves that soil contains water.
  • What is the importance of water in the soil? Plants need water for photosynthesis and to stiffen them, so as to stand upright.
  • The root hairs of the plant absorb water from the soil.
  • As you know, plants need nutrients from the soil to grow strong and healthy. So, plants take up nutrients in the dissolved form. Water is needed to dissolve the nutrients.

Soil Erosion

  • During summers, you all might have noticed, blowing wind carrying sand and soil particles from one place to another. Similarly, flowing water carries some amount of soil along with it. What this process is known as? It is commonly known as soil erosion.
  • Soil erosion is the removal of topsoil by wind and water. Wind and water are the key agencies which cause the weathering of rocks and carry the fie particles to other places for the formation of soil.
  • However, as we all know, the topsoil contains humus and mineral salts, which are vital for the growth of plants. So, the removal of topsoil by water and wind leaves the underneath subsoil and rocky base exposed.

Thus, erosion causes a significant loss of humus and nutrients and hence, decreases the fertility of soil.

Causes of Soil Erosion:

There are several causes of soil erosion, which can be divided into two categories.

  1. Natural causes: It involves natural agents like wind and water.
    • High wind velocity over lands, that have no vegetation, carries away the loose topsoil.
    • Pouring raindrops, over areas with no or very little vegetation, also carries away the topsoil.
  2. Man-made causes: Besides natural agents, there are certain man-made activities, which cause soil erosion. For example:
    • Deforestation: It is the cutting or removal of trees or other vegetation for timber or for farming purposes. The roots of plants hold soil particles together.
      • In the absence of plants, the top layer of soil is easily removed by the action of high-speed winds or water flow, thereby increasing the chances of soil erosion. Also, deforestation leads to desertification.
      • In the absence of trees, soil erosion occurs more rapidly exposing the lower hard and rocky layer. As a result, soil loses humus and becomes less fertile.
      • Hence, fertile land, which acts as a source of living for farmers, gets converted into a desert. This process is known as desertification of land.
    • Overgrazing: Overgrazing by flicks of cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep leaves very little plant cover on the soil. The hooves of the animals make the soil dry, which reduces its porosity and percolation.
    • Improper agricultural practices: Improper tillage and burning of stubble of weeds reduces the water-holding capacity of the soil. As a result, soil becomes dry and hence, can be easily blown away as dust.
    • Heavy rainfall and strong winds: Uncovered soil is eroded quickly by heavy rain and strong winds.
    • Slope: A run of water passing along the slope gathers speed and develops high cutting and carrying capacity.

Effects of Soil Erosion:

  1. Soil erosion reduces the fertility of the soil.
  2. It leads to landsliding.
  3. Soil erosion exposes the lower hard and rocky layer. As a result, the fertile land gets converted into a desert. This process is known as desertification of land.
  4. It leads to flash floods. The roots of plants hold soil particles together. In the absence of plants, the seeping of water is reduced and thus the groundwater does not get replenished. This could then cause floods.

Control of Soil Erosion:

As we have learnt, soil loses its fertility due to erosion. So it is necessary to conserve soil. What is soil conservation? Soil conservation means checking soil erosion and improving soil fertility by adopting various methods.

  1. Deforestation should be stopped and more and more plants/trees should be planted. Plantation of more trees and vegetation reduces soil erosion by both water and wind.
  2. Contour Bunding should be adopted. To reduce the effect of strong winds in the fields, the boundaries of the fields should be planted with trees in two or three rows.
  3. Wind erosion is reduced if rows of trees and shrubs are planted at right angles to the prevailing direction of the wind.
  4. Contour ploughing should be done. Ploughing at right angles to the slope allows the furrows to trap water and check erosion by rainwater.
  5. There should be a control on grazing. Grazing should be allowed only in areas meant for it and not on agricultural land.
  6. Adopt a terracing office. In this, the slope is divided into a number of fields for slowing down the flow of water.
  7. On the sloping areas in hills, strip cropping should be practised. Strip cropping means the planting of crops in rows or strips to check the flow of water. This reduces the steepness of the slopes and checks the soil erosion.

Biogeochemical Cycles

The cyclic flow of nutrients between the non-living environment (soil, air and water) and the living organisms is called the biogeochemical cycle.

They are called biogeochemicals as they are obtained from Earth. Nutrients are generally derived from the abiotic surroundings to which they finally return by way of the decomposition of dead organisms or waste matter. This maintains a constant recycling of nutrients. The nutrients are never lost from the ecosystems

NEET Biology Natural Resources Solar energy is trapped by green plants during photosynthesis.

In the biosphere the nutrients exist in two states :

  1. Reservoir pool: It is the pool/storehouse of nutrients from which the nutrients are slowly transferred to the cycling pool.
  2. Cycling pool: It is the pool of nutrients which is repeatedly exchanged between the biotic and abiotic components of the biosphere.

Importance of Biogeochemical Cycles:

  1. The minerals such as carbon, nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen cycle through living and non-living components of the biosphere.
  2. The amount of various materials cycling through the biosphere remains more or less constant.

Let us discuss the events of the biogeochemical cycle from the following examples:

Carbon Cycle:

The cyclic flow of carbon in the biosphere between its abiotic (soil, air and water) and biotic (plants and animals) components is called the carbon cycle.

In the abiotic environment, carbon is present in four forms:

  1. As CO2 in the atmosphere.
  2. As dissolved CO2 or carbonic acid and bicarbonates in water (oceans).
  3. Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas
  4. As carbonates in the rocks

The carbon cycle comprises the following processes: The basic movement of carbon is from the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis: Terrestrial and aquatic plants utilize CO2 for photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, the inorganic form of carbon is converted into organic matter in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. The CO2 is thus found and assimilated by plants.

Passage to other organisms: CO2 found by plants becomes available to herbivores as organic food. From herbivores, it passes to carnivores. The animals use these carbon compounds in the synthesis of their own organic substances.

Fossil fuels: At times, large-scale upheavals (an upward displacement of part of the Earth’s crust) trap a large number of organisms inside Earth. The heat, pressure and chemical changes convert them into fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and gas.

Carbon dioxide is returned to the biosphere in five ways:

  1. Respiration: It is a metabolic process reverse of photosynthesis. During the process, the food is oxidized to liberate energy from CO2 and water. Thus, CO2 is produced, which passes back into the environment.
  2. Decomposition: After the death of plants and animals, the decomposers (such as bacteria and fungi) break down the remaining dead organic matter and release the leftover carbon back into the atmosphere.
  3. Combustion: Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas on burning release CO2 and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. Fossil fuel is a product of the complete or partial decomposition of plants and animals as a result of exposure to heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust over millions of years ago.
  4. Weathering of rocks: Weathering of carbonate-containing rocks releases CO2 into the air. It occurs through the action of soil microorganisms, plant roots and acid rain.
  5. Volcanic eruptions: Volcanic eruptions also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Carbon cycle

Question 1. Animals continuously take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. Oxygen is used for burning also. How is that quantity (percentage) not decrease in the atmosphere?
Answer: Plants and animals exchange the gases- oxygen and carbon dioxide with their surroundings all the time. Animals take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide when they breathe. When green plants make food during the day, they remove carbon dioxide from the air and give oxygen to it. The amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air are kept more or less the same all the time because of breathing and photosynthesis.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Breathing by plants and animals

Nitrogen Cycle

  • The nitrogen cycle is a cyclic process that involves the conversion of elemental nitrogen of the atmosphere into simple molecules that enter living beings forming complex molecules. Then these complex molecules are broken down to release nitrogen back into the atmosphere.
  • Earth’s atmosphere has about 78% of nitrogen gas. It forms essential constituents of all living organisms and is essential for many biological processes. It is present in all amino acids, nucleic acids and vitamins.

Broadly, the nitrogen cycle in the biosphere involves fie main steps:

Atmospheric nitrogen → Nitrogen fixation → Nitrogen assimilation →Ammonifiation → Nitrification → Denitrification

Plants cannot absorb nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. So, how is atmospheric nitrogen then utilized by plants? It is through nitrogen fixation.

  1. Nitrogen fixation: It is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms like nitrates. It is of three types:
    • Biological nitrogen fixation: Certain bacteria and blue-green algae can fi atmospheric nitrogen directly into ammonia that combines with organic acids to form amino acids.
      The nitrogen-fixing bacteria can be –

      • Free-living, like Azotobacter and Clostridium
      • Symbiotic bacteria like Rhizobium that occur in the roots nodules of legume roots like peas and beans.
    • Atmospheric nitrogen fixation: During lightning and thunder, the high temperature and pressure in the air convert atmospheric nitrogen into oxides of nitrogen that can dissolve in water to produce nitric and nitrous acids. The nitrogen oxide then dissolves in rainwater and passes down as nitrites and nitrates.
    • Industrial nitrogen fixation: In this, nitrogen is made to combine with hydrogen under high temperature and pressure to form ammonia. Ammonia is then converted to urea. Urea is less toxic than ammonia.
  2. Nitrogen assimilation: This process is carried out by plants. Plants cannot absorb nitrogen in its elemental form. It has to be first converted into nitrates for the use of plants by the process of nitrogen fixation. The atmospheric nitrogen after nitrogen fiation gets converted into nitrates which are then absorbed by plants.
    • Nitrate first changes into an ammonium state. Ammonium ions combine with organic acids to form amino acids. Amino acids give rise to proteins and nucleotides, which in turn produce nucleic acids.
      Animals take organic nitrogen directly or indirectly from plants.
  3. Ammonifiation: It is the process of conversion of complex organic compounds like proteins into ammonia, in the presence of ammonifying bacteria or putrefying bacteria.
    • Part of the plant proteins are broken down into nitrogenous animal proteins. In the animal body, the plant proteins are consumed and are broken down into nitrogenous wastes like urea, and ammonia.
    • Nitrogenous wastes are then excreted out which are then acted upon by decomposing bacteria for decomposition.
    • Proteins → Amino acids → Organic acids + Ammonia
  4. Nitrification: It is the process of conversion of ammonia into nitrites and nitrates. Nitrification is brought about by nitrifying bacteria such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.
    1. Nitrosomonas oxidizes ammonia to nitrite.
      2NH 3 + 3O2 → 2NO2– + 2H+ + 2H2O
    2. Nitrobacter oxidizes nitrite further to nitrate.
      2NO2– + O2 → 2NO3– + Energy
      Nitrates are now available for plant absorption and assimilation.
  5. Denitrification: It is the process of conversion of nitrate salts present in the soil and water to gaseous nitrogen which escapes into the atmosphere. It takes place with the help of bacteria called Pseudomonas present in water-logged soils.

Denitrification reduces soil fertility

NEET Biology Natural Resources Nitrogen cycle

Oxygen Cycle

  • The cyclic flow of oxygen in biosphere between its abiotic (soil, air and water) and biotic (plants and animals) components is called the oxygen cycle.
  • Oxygen forms about 21% of the atmospheric gases. About 0.7% of oxygen is found dissolved in water while most of the oxygen occurs in a combined state as oxides of metals, carbonate, sulphate, nitrate and other compounds. Oxygen also occurs in gases like CO2, SO2 and NO2.

The oxygen cycle comprises the following processes:

The common storehouse of oxygen is the atmosphere.

  1. Respiration: All living organisms like plants, animals and decomposers, take atmospheric oxygen and utilize it for respiration. During respiration, oxygen is used for the oxidation of glucose. Carbon dioxide and water are formed while an enormous amount of energy is released.
    Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
  2. Combustion: Burning of fossil fuels in homes, industry and automobiles utilizes oxygen and releases
  3. CO2 in the atmosphere.
  4. Atmospheric fixation of nitrogen: In the presence of lightning and other high-energy sources, atmospheric nitrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen to produce nitrogen oxides.
  5. Decomposition and decay: Oxygen is utilized in the decay and decomposition of dead organisms.

On the contrary, oxygen is returned to the biosphere by the process of photosynthesis. In fact, green plants are a major source of oxygen in the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide along with water and release oxygen as a byproduct.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Carbon cycle

  • The part of the atmosphere which is rich in ozone is called the ozone layer or ozonosphere.
  • The high-energy ultraviolet radiations split ozone into molecular and atomic oxygen with a large amount of heat. This heat is used in warming the stratosphere. Ozone is reformed as atomic oxygen as ozone is highly reactive.
  • Farman et al, in 1985, found that the ozone hole is more prominent over the region of Antarctica.

Ozone Depletion: Ozone depletion is the reduction in the concentration of the ozone layer. It is formed due to an increased concentration of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, chlorine, methyl bromide, nitrogen oxides etc. in the atmosphere.

  • Chlorine is mainly released from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) widely used as refrigerants. The CFCs travel from the troposphere to the stratosphere, where they release chlorine atoms by the action of UV rays on them.
  • The release of Chlorine atoms causes the conversion of ozone into molecular oxygen. One atom of chlorine can destroy around 10,000 molecules of ozone and cause ozone depletion.

Effects of ozone hole: The formation of the ozone hole will result in an increased concentration of UV-B radiations on the Earth’s surface. UV-B damages DNA and activates the process of skin ageing. It also causes skin darkening and skin cancer. High levels of UV-B cause corneal cataracts in human beings. It is also harmful to crops and animals.

Water Cycle (Also Known as Hydrological Cycle)

  • The water cycle is the cyclic process of water between various components of the biosphere especially the evaporation of water from the sea, falling on land and then flwing back into sea by rivers.
  • Water is not evenly distributed throughout the surface of the Earth. A major percentage of the total water on the Earth is chemically bound to rocks and does not cycle. Out of the remaining, nearly 97.3% is in the oceans and 2.1% exists as polar ice caps.
  • Thus only 0.6% is present as fresh water (in the form of atmospheric water vapors, ground and soil water). The ice caps and the water deep in the oceans form the reservoir.

There are two overlapping water cycles operating in nature.

  1. Global water cycle: It does not involve life. It involves three main processes that keep on alternating with each other.
    • Evaporation/Vapourisation: It is the process of converting liquid water into a vapour state. Water molecules change into water vapour and move into the atmosphere by the process of evaporation. Water evaporates from water bodies like seas, oceans, rivers and lakes.
    • Condensation: The process by which water vapour rises up, cools down in the higher atmosphere, and forms clouds is called condensation. Water vapours being lighter, rise in the air and cool down when the air becomes rarified. Cooling of water vapours produces tiny droplets around dust particles. The condensed water vapours form clouds.
    • Precipitation: As condensation proceeds, water vapour changes into water droplets. When enough water droplets accumulate, they fall down as rain. This process is called precipitation. The clouds precipitate to produce rain or snow in very cold areas. Rain is the source of all fresh water.
    • Infiltration and runoff: A part of rain falling on land percolates into the soil to replenish soil water and groundwater. The process of rainwater thus entering the soil is known as infiltration. The rest of the rainwater flows over the land surface as runoff.
      • When rainwater flows over the surface of land before entering the water bodies, it is called surface runoff. It forms lakes, streams, or ponds.
      • Springs and streams give rise to rivers. Rivers ultimately pass water into the sea. The global water cycle is in a steady state as total precipitation is balanced by total evaporation.
  2. Biological water cycle: It involves the entry of water into living beings and then returning back to the environment.

Underground water acts as a starting point.

Utilisation of water by living organisms:

  1. Aquatic animals take water from their surroundings.
  2. Terrestrial plants absorb water from the soil through their roots.
  3. Terrestrial animals obtain water directly from different water bodies or indirectly from the plants they consume.

Production of water by living organisms:

  1. Plants lose water to the atmosphere through transpiration in the vapour form.
  2. Animals lose a lot of water in vapours in their breathing and liquid forms in urine and perspiration.
  3. Water returns to the atmosphere after the death and decay of plants and animals.

Water vapour results in the formation of clouds; clouds precipitate to produce rain, which then enters the global water cycle. Thus, there is always an exchange of water between the global water cycle and the biological water cycle.

NEET Biology Natural Resources Process of water cycle

NEET Biology Class 9 Chapter 5 Improvement In Food Resources Notes

Chapter 5 Improvement In Food Resources Introduction

All living organisms require food for survival. Food is a basic need for the existence of life on earth. It provides energy for doing work, and materials for growth, repair, development, and health. You must have heard people discussing the methods to improve ways of crop production.

  • But, why do we require devising methods to improve the production of crops? It is because our country is overpopulated and supports around one billion people. Therefore, in order to feed such a large population, we need to produce several million tonnes of grains every year along with higher requirements of milk, eggs, and meat.
  • Therefore, we need to increase the production of both plant and animal products. Do you know, to produce such a huge amount of food we need a large area of land under cultivation? However, this is not possible as our land availability is limited. India is already intensively cultivated.
  • So, what now? The only possibility is to increase the production efficiency of both plants and animals. We can increase the production by the development and use of improved varieties with high yield and better agricultural practices Improved agricultural practices have increased the production of about 400 million tonnes of plant food products and about 90 million tonnes of animal food products.

Read And Learn More: NEET Class 9 Biology Notes

Also, it has resulted in a variety of “revolutions” which made India self-reliant.

These revolutions include:

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Agriculture revolution and production

Agriculture

The term “agriculture” is derived from two Latin words Agger-field and cultural-cultivation. Thus, agriculture is the branch of science that deals with the mass production of plants and animals useful to human beings.

It involves the study of:

  1. New methods of food production
  2. How new and better varieties of crops can be grown
  3. How animals like cows and hens can be reared well and made to give more milk or better quality eggs…etc.

All these new methods that scientists develop come under agricultural practices. We need vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, etc. as food. For our clothes, we need the fire of plants or animals. We get all these foods and fires by farming or agriculture.

Dependence Of Humans On Plants And Animals

  • Humans are dependent on plants and animals for food. Most of our food items are either plant products such as grains, vegetables, and fruits or animal products like milk, egg, mutton, chicken, etc.
  • We eat various parts of the plant as food. For example, grains of rice and wheat are seeds; radishes and carrots are roots; potatoes and ginger are stems. We also eat leaves and stems of spinach and plenty of fruits.

Crop:

  • A Crop is a plant grown in the fields on a large scale to obtain food. For example, if all the plants of rice are grown in the field, then it is called a rice crop.
  • Similarly, if all the plants of wheat are grown, then it is called a wheat crop. Crops are cultivated by humans for food, fodder, and other materials.

Let us discuss some important types of crops:

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Categories of food items.

Types of Crops

Different crops are grown in different seasons. Have you ever thought why? This is because each crop requires a different climatic condition, temperature range, and photoperiod for its growth and to carry out its life cycle. Therefore, some crops are grown in the rainy season while others are grown during winter.

Based on the seasons of cultivation, crops are classified into two categories:

  • Kharif crops: The crops that are grown in the rainy season (or kharif season) are known as Kharif crops. These crops are cultivated between the months of June and October.
    Examples of Kharif crops include paddy, maize, cotton, green gram, soybean, pigeon pea, and black gram.
  • Rabi crops: The crops that are grown in the winter season (or Rabi season) are known as Rabi crops. These crops are cultivated between the months of November and April.

Examples of Rabi crops include wheat, barley, gram, peas, mustard, and linseed. Such seasonal cultivation of crops assures maximum productivity of crops.

Question 1. Kharif crops are more susceptible to infestation by pests than the Rabi crops. Why?
Answer: Kharif crops are grown in the rainy season. Hence, these crops are more susceptible to infestation by pests as humid and warm conditions at that time are favorable for infestation.

Also, the yield of a crop can be increased by adopting a number of improved agricultural activities, which include three scientific approaches.

  1. Crop variety improvement
  2. Crop production improvement
  3. Crop protection management

These activities can be understood by following practices involved in farming.

The practices involved in farming can be divided into the following three stages:

  1. Choosing appropriate seeds for planting
  2. Nurturing the crop plant
  3. Protecting the growing crops and minimizing the loss of harvested plants Firstly, let us discuss the Crop variety improvement methods

1. Crop Variety Improvement Methods

  • The high yield from the crops is directly related to the inputs and the agricultural practices that the farmers adopt. The higher the inputs, more is the yield.
  • But before, going into the details of various methods of crop variety improvement, let us understand the need for crop variety improvement.

The various aspects for which crop variety improvement is carried out are as follows:

  1. To obtain a higher yield of crop
  2. To enhance the desirable quality of food items: Improvements are aimed at maintaining the quality of crop plants (nutritional factors). Improving crop quality is done in the following parts of plants:
    1. Protein quality in pulses
    2. Oil quality in seeds
    3. Preserving quality in fruits to reduce loss by spoilage
  3. To produce crop variety that is resistant to biotic and abiotic factors :
    1. Abiotic Stress: The problems caused by non-living factors are termed abiotic stress. The produced plants, which can resist them, are called abiotic stress-resistant plants
      Some abiotic stress-resistant plants produced are

      1. Drought resistant
      2. Salinity resistant
      3. Flood (water-logging) resistant
      4. Heat/cold/frost resistant
        Therefore, producing plants, that can resist the attack by pathogens, is beneficial.
    2. Biotic Stress: Plants are attacked by insects, nematodes, and other disease-causing microbes, which can decrease the yield.
    3. The problems caused by living factors are termed biotic stress. The plants, that can resist them, are called biotic stress-resistant plants. Biotic stress-resistant plants are also called disease-resistant plants.
  4. To change the maturity duration of crops: By growing a plant that grows and yields faster, the crop cycle is reduced to increase profits. This reduces the cost that a farmer incurs during crop production. Thus, the shorter the duration of crops, the more economical the variety.
  5. ActivityUniform maturity allows the farmer to harvest crops together. Let us discuss, how? Take a handful of beans and sow them in the soil. Water the soil regularly and allow the beans to grow. You will observe that all plants do not grow together. Some grow faster while others grow much later.
  6. Imagine this problem in a vast farmland. If a farmer sows seeds and they do not grow uniformly, then they would not mature uniformly and thus he would not be able to harvest the yield at the same time. Therefore, it is necessary to germinate seeds that require similar conditions for sowing and maturity at the same time.
    • To induce desirable agronomic traits: Tall branching plants are beneficial for plants whose leaves are to be utilized. For example, fodder crops that are grown to feed farm animals. Short plants are beneficial in cereals so that nutrients are not consumed by plants to grow taller.
    • To develop plant varieties with wider adaptability: India is a country with varied regions. Certain regions are very fertile while others are dry with very low rainfall.
    • Hence, all crop plants cannot grow in all regions. Therefore, crop plants that produce high yields in all regions with different conditions need to be produced.

Methods of Crop Variety Improvement

1. A farmer grows two varieties of rice, one which produces nutritionally rich grains during the monsoon season and the other which produces nutritionally poor grains in all seasons. He wonders if he could grow nutritionally rich grains in all seasons. Is it possible for him to do so?

  • Hybridization is the method by which two characteristics present in different organisms can be brought together into one organism.
  • A hybrid plant produced from two varieties will have characteristics from both the parent plants. Therefore, the farmer will be able to produce nutritionally rich grains, which can be cultivated throughout the year.

Steps to be followed to obtain an improved variety of crops are:

  1. Choice of parental plants: Select two existing varieties of plants having different desirable characteristics; say for example, one having higher yield and the other having more resistance to diseases.
  2. Cross-breeding of selected parental plants: This produces a new variety, which has characteristics of both parents. The process of crossing plants of two varieties having different traits to produce a hybrid having good traits of both is called hybridization.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources High-yielding, disease resistant variety

2. Introduction: It is the oldest method of crop improvement. It involves taking a new variety of a plant from an area where it grows naturally to a region where it does not occur before. The initial introduction of new varieties is carried out in those areas which have similar climatic and soil conditions. Slowly, the area is allowed to spread as the variety gets acclimatized to other conditions.

3. Artificial Selection: It involves picking up of plants with better traits for further multiplication. The selection operating for long time spans can give rise to varieties different from the starting generation. For example, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli have been obtained through artificial selection from wild cabbage.

4. Recombinant DNA technology: Genes are responsible for the features present in an organism. Therefore, another method to grow plants with the desired characteristics is to incorporate genes responsible for that character into plants. This method will result in the production of genetically modified plants. Thus, recombinant DNA technology transfers genes from one organism to another so as to modify the latter.

For example: Bt cotton is a genetically modified crop, which carries bacterial genes that protect the crop from insects.

By now, about 200 genetically modified crop varieties have been produced.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Recombinant DNA technology

Crop Production Improvement

It involves controlling the various aspects of crop production so as to obtain the maximum quality yield. It has three components:

  1. Nutrient management
  2. Irrigation
  3. Cropping patterns

Let us discuss each of these components in detail.

1. Nutrient Management

Have you ever observed a plant growing in your garden? Have you ever thought about the sources from which a plant obtains nutrition? The plants absorb the nutrients and inorganic raw materials from their surroundings and utilize the same building up their organic matter. The main sources of nutrients for plants are air, soil, and water. In total, there are sixteen nutrients required by plants.

  1. Out of these, two nutrients (Carbon and Oxygen) are obtained from air.
  2. Hydrogen is obtained from water.
    These three elements – Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen are called non-essential elements as they are not obtained from the soil.
  3. The remaining thirteen nutrients are obtained from soil with the help of roots. They are called mineral nutrients or essential nutrients.

Maze in 1915 divided essential plant nutrients into two categories-

  1. Micronutrients: Nutrients required in small quantities are called micronutrients.
  2. Macronutrients: Nutrients required in larger quantities are called macronutrients. Nutrients are essential elements, which are used by plants in large quantities.

The plant nutrients and their sources.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources The list of various essential nutrients

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Difference between macronutrients and micronutrients

Mineral Replenishment

  • Plants require essential elements for the growth and development of the body. When nutrients are not available to plants, physiological activity, such as growth, reproduction, and vulnerability to diseases, increases. Providing the proper quantity of nutrients to plants ensures proper growth.
  • Sanjana germinated a few gram seeds in two different pots. She observed that some of the plants in pot A showed weak growth while the plants in pot B grew vigorously.
  • Can you guess, why such variation is seen? One of the reasons for such variations could be a lack of certain nutrients. Lack of nutrients makes the soil infertile. So, unless the depleted plant nutrients are put back into the soil from time to time the growth of crops would be poor.
  • But what are the ways by which nutrients can be added to soil? Soil can be replenished and the lost nutrients can be retrieved by adding manures and fertilizers. Let us learn about them.

Manures and Fertilizers

1. Manure: Manure is a natural fertilizer. It is prepared by the decomposition of plant and animal waste.

Composition of Manure

Manure is a source of many plant nutrients. It is composed of organic matter and minerals. Ammonia, nitrate, organic substances, etc. are predominant organic matters found in manures. Manures are mostly composed of micronutrients such as zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, sodium, etc.

Types of manures

Based on the kind of biological material used, manures can be classified as:

  1. Farmyard manure: Farmyard manure is formed from decomposed cattle dung (excreta) and urine, leftover fodder (cattle feed), and litter (bedding provided to cattle on the farm). These waste materials are collected daily from cattle sheds and stored in a pit for decomposition by micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi).
  2. Compost: Compost is manure made from vegetable and animal refuse collected from domestic waste, straw, and weeds, etc., dumped in a deep pit to decompose. During the process, microbes decompose the animal and plant waste and convert it into inorganic materials. These inorganic materials are excellent nutrients for plants.

Composting: is a biological process of converting dead organic matter into rich humus. It takes about 3 to 6 months for decomposition of organic refuse.

Vermicompost: is compost broken down by earthworms. Earthworms can consume practically all kinds of organic matter. This organic matter undergoes biochemical changes in the intestines of earthworms. Hence, earthworm converts matter into rich humus, thereby enriching the soil with nutrients.

  • Earthworm used in vermicomposting is Dichogaster bolani and Drawida Willis.
  • The process of composting ensures the continuance of the fertility cycle.

3. Green Manure: Green manure is formed inside soil from young green crop plants plowed back into soil. The crops plowed are generally quick-growing legume crops that are mulched by plowing them back into the field in the tender stage only. Examples of green manure are Sunn hemp, Cluster bean, Cowpea, Lentil, etc.

Advantages of manure

  1. It enriches the soil with organic material called humus to the soil.
  2. It increases the water-holding capacity of soil.
  3. It aerates the soil by making it porous.
  4. It helps in the growth of microorganisms. The organic matter of manures provides food for the soil organisms which helps in making nutrients available to plants.
  5. It improves the soil texture.
  6. It increases the crop production.

Disadvantages of manure

  1. Manures are bulky with low nutrient content.
  2. They are inconvenient to handle, store, and transport.
  3. Manures are not nutrient-specific. Hence, it is not very useful when a particular nutrient is required in the soil for a particular crop.
  4. The nutrients of manures are released slowly, not keeping pace with the high and rapid demand for nutrients by crops. So far, we have seen how natural materials are used as sources of nutrition for plants. Let us now discuss synthetic nutrients that are available to plants.

2. Fertilizers: What if plant nutrients are required in large quantities? Are there any synthetic nutrients available? Fertilizers are plant nutrients, which are commercially available.

  • They can be organic or inorganic in nature. They ensure healthy growth and development in plants by providing them with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.
  • However, the addition of fertilizers to soil requires special guidelines to be followed such as dosage, time, post-addition precautions, etc. Fertilizers should not be applied directly to soil if the crop is standing. This is because, then it would bring about withering of crops due to the development of high osmotic concentrations around plants.
  • Let us now discuss how composting is better than manufacturing fertilizers. Are there any advantages (or disadvantages) associated with the use of fertilizers in comparison to manures? Yes, there are.

Advantages of fertilizers

  1. They are mostly inorganic compounds, which can readily dissolve in water. They are easily available for plants.
  2. They are a good source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, they are good only for short-term use.
  3. They are nutrient-specific.
  4. They are compact and easy to store and transport.
  5. They are required in very small amounts.

Disadvantages of fertilizers

  1. They get washed away because of irrigation. Hence, they are a cause of water pollution.
  2. Continuous use of fertilizers causes harm to useful or symbiotic microorganisms living in soil.
  3. They can also result in the reduction of soil fertility.
  4. They cannot replenish the organic matter of the soil.
  5. They are quite expensive.
  6. They have only short-term benefit

Therefore, to get an optimum yield, it is necessary to use a balanced combination of manures and fertilizers.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Difference between Manure and Fertilizer

In the Lab

Let us perform an activity to find out how fertilizers and manures affect the growth of plants. Take some healthy gram seeds and allow them to germinate in a pot

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Let us perform an activity to fid out how fertilizers and manures affect the growth of plant

Then take three empty jars and label them as A, B, and C. In jar A, add a small amount of soil mixed with green manure.

In jar B, add a similar amount of soil but mixed with urea, a fertilizer.

In jar C, add a similar amount of soil without any manure or fertilizer.

Now water all these vessels bearing soil.

Now from the pot, select three equal-sized seedlings and plant them in jars A, B, and C. Keep the vessel in a safe and lighted place.

Water them regularly and observe their growth.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Soil mixed with manure and Soil mixed with urea and Soil

What did you observe after a few weeks?

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources The observe after few weeks

You can observe that seedlings develop into small plantlets in all three jars after a few days. However, their growth varies in all the three. Jar B showed maximum growth while jar C showed the least growth.

Plantlets in jar B showed the maximum growth because urea is readily soluble in water and is quick-acting. When it is supplied to the soil, nitrogen is rapidly changed into ammonia. Later seeds use this ammonia for their growth and development. The plantlets in jar A also show growth but less as compared to jar B.

The growth of plantlets in jar C is the least because the soil is infertile as it lacks certain essential soil nutrients.

Question 1. Which one of the following crops would require a minimum quantity of NPK or urea for its proper growth and development?
Answer: The pea plant would require a minimum quantity of NPK or urea as they are leguminous plants and have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen themselves.

Question 2. Why is organic matter important for crop production?
Answer: Organic matter forms humus. Humus makes the soil fertile.

Importance of organic matter

  1. It improves soil structure by forming soil crumbs
  2. It increases the water-holding capacity of the soil.
  3. It improves the aeration of the soil.
  4. Decaying organic matter improves the growth of crop plants.

Is there any other method of providing nutrients to plants? Yes, Organic Farming.

Organic Farming: Organic farming is the practice of raising crops through the limited use of chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified organisms, etc. Sometimes they are not used at all. This method utilizes farm wastes such as excreta, a healthy cropping system (mixed cropping, intercropping, and crop rotation), the use of bio-pesticides such as neem and turmeric leaves mixed with stored gains, etc.

Advantages of Organic Farming

  1. It does not cause pollution of crop plants, soil, air, and water.
  2. It helps in recycling of waste materials.
  3. The food obtained from organic farming is free from pesticides and chemicals.
  4. It maintains the health of the soil.
  5. It keeps insects, pests, and weeds under check.

2. Irrigation

Water is essential for the growth of plants. Plants obtain water from soil and soil obtains water from rain. However, sufficient rain is not always there. It is, therefore, necessary to supply water to crop plants in the fields, periodically. The process of supplying water to crops in the fields is called irrigation. The various sources of irrigation are wells, canals, rivers, dams, ponds, and lakes.

Importance of irrigation

  1. It makes the soil soft which plowing easier.
  2. It provides moisture for the germination of seeds as seeds do not germinate in dry soils.
  3. Irrigation water helps in the absorption of nutrient elements by plants from the soil. The water dissolves the nutrients present in the soil to form a solution, which is then absorbed by the roots for the development of plants.
  4. Irrigation is essential for the growth and elongation of the roots of crop plants as the roots of crop plants fail to develop and elongate in dry soil.

The crop is irrigated according to its requirements and soil characteristics. Irrigation is essential during the seedling, flowering, and grain-filling stages of the crop. Rice crop needs standing water.

The irrigation of crop plants depends on the following two factors:

Nature of crop plants: Water requirements of different crops are different during various stages of growth. Some plants require more water, while others require less. For example, paddy crop is transplanted in standing water and requires continuous water supply while crops like wheat and maize require less water.

Nature of soil: The crops grown in sandy soil need irrigation more frequently than crops grown in clayey soil. This is because; clayey soil has good water-retaining capacity and thus needs irrigation less frequently. Sandy soil, on the other hand, is highly porous with poor water retaining capacity. Thus, crops grown in sandy soil need more frequent irrigation.

Irrigation Systems

There are a number of irrigation systems in India depending on the availability of water resources and the requirement of water by crops. The various sources of irrigation are wells, canals, rivers, dams, ponds, and lakes.

Based on water resources, the various irrigation systems are as follows:

  1. Tanks: Tanks are small storage reservoirs, which catch and store the runoff of smaller catchment areas. Small dams are built below the higher elevation of catchment areas. The outflows are regulated according to the water availability.
  2. Canal system: In this system, human-made canals receive water from rivers, storage lakes, dams, etc. The main canal passes into a branch canal, which in turn divides into distributaries. The distributaries ultimately supply water to the individual fields or groups of fields. Each field or group of files is given water by rotation.
  3. Wells: Wells are shafts sunk into the ground that reach the water table and are used to draw water. They are of two types:
    1. Dug wells: They are deep pits with the bottom reaching below the groundwater table. The water from the shallow strata slowly accumulates in the pits. The water is lifted by bullock-operated devices as well as pumps.
    2. Tube wells: They are deep bores used for pumping out water. The water is lifted by diesel or electricity or steam-operated pumps.
  4. River lift system: In this system, water is directly drawn from the rivers for supplementing irrigation in the areas near to rivers. This type of system is more useful in areas where canal flow is insufficient or irregular due to inadequate water release.
  5. River valley system: In riverine valleys with heavy rains, the slopes and valleys remain wet for a long duration to grow perennial crops like coconut, rubber, and tapioca.
  6. Drip system: In this method, water is delivered at or near the roots of the plant drop by drop. Water is passed through plastic pipes that have holes in it. These plastic pipes are then laid along the rows of crops. It is the most efficient method of irrigation as there is no wastage of water at all.
  7. Sprinkler system: This system supplies water to plants in the form of rain. The water is supplied using pipes to one or more central locations within the file. When water is allowed to flow under high pressure with the help of a pump, it gets sprinkled on the crops

Question 1. In a village, there is low rainfall throughout the year. What measure will you suggest to the farmers for better cropping?
Answer: Farmers should enrich the soil with humus. Humus increases the water-holding capacity of soil.

Farmers should use drought-resistant and early-maturing varieties of crops.

3. Cropping Patterns

Cropping patterns are models of raising crops that help in obtaining maximum benefits from a single piece of land. These patterns reduce the risk of crop failure, disease, and infestation.

The common types of cropping patterns are:

1. Crop Rotation: Have you ever been to a village? Farmers plant wheat crops during the month of November and harvest them in March and April. Similarly, rice crop is planted in June-July and harvested in October and November. The land that lies fallow in between these two cereal crops is used by the farmers for sowing a leguminous crop at this time.

  • A leguminous crop does not take as long as wheat or rice to grow. So, by the time the farmer has to plant the cereal crops (rice, wheat, etc.) the pulse is ready to be harvested. Have you ever thought about why it is done so? What this type of method is known as? The practice of growing two or more varieties of crops on the same field in a sequential season is known as crop rotation.
  • Generally, a leguminous crop like pulses, beans, and peas, is rotated with a non-leguminous crop such as wheat, maize, etc. Leguminous crops harbor nitrogen-fixing bacteria in nodules of their roots. These bacteria convert free nitrogen from the atmosphere into usable form.
  • Thus, after the leguminous crop is harvested, the soil is left fertile for other crops. In this way, rotating different crops (leguminous and non-leguminous crops) in the same field replenishes the soil with nitrogen naturally and thereby increases crop production.

Advantages of crop rotation:

  1. It improves the fertility of the soil and hence brings about an increase in food production.
  2. It helps in weed control.
  3. It protects crops from diseases.
  4. It reduces the dependence on fertilizers.
  5. It results in the optimum utilization of nutrients as different crops obtain nutrients from different layers of soil.

Question 1. How do crop rotations save a lot of nitrogenous fertilizer?
Answer: Growing a leguminous crop, during the rotation fixes atmospheric nitrogen with the help of their nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This reduces the need to add fertilizer to the soil.

Question 2. How does crop rotation restore the fertility of the soil and give better yield?
Answer: The practice of growing two or more varieties of crops on the same field in a sequential season is known as crop rotation. Generally, a leguminous crop like pulses, beans, and peas, is rotated with a non-leguminous crop such as wheat, maize, etc. The pulse crop uses different nutrients from the soil.

  • It fixes the nitrogen from the air and makes the soil richer in nitrogen and thereby more fertile. This way the next cereal crop gives a better yield.
  • If we do not practice crop rotation by growing different crops on a piece of land, but continue to grow the same crop, year after year, they will keep on using the same nutrients from the soil till all the nutrients in the soil get used up.
  • The newly grown plants get poor nourishment from the soil and grow up to be weak and of bad quality. When plants are weak the insects can easily attack them and destroy them. Thus, crop rotation restores the fertility of the soil and gives better yield.

2. Multiple cropping: Multiple cropping is the growing of two or more crops one after another in the same field. It is of two types:

  1. Mixed Cropping: It is the technique of growing two or more different crops simultaneously on the same field. The farmers mix the seeds of two crops and sow in the field. It is like insurance against crop failure due to abnormal weather conditions and attacks of pests and pathogens.

For example:

  • Maize + Urad bean
  • Soybean + Pigeon pea
  • Wheat + Chickpea
  • Wheat + Mustard
  • Barley + Gram

There are certain criteria that farmers follow while selecting different crops for mixed cropping.

Some of these are discussed below:

  1. The crops should not have the same root pattern. If one crop is deep-rooted, the other should have shallow roots.
  2. Both crops should have different water and nutrient requirements. If one crop plant requires a higher amount of water and nutrients, the other should require a lesser amount.
  3. Both crops should have different maturity times. If one is a long long-duration crop, the other should be of short duration or early maturity.
  4. The crops should have different growth habits. They should have a different structure of leaves, stems, branching patterns of stem, and flowers. If one plant is tall, the other should be dwarf.
  5. Always select the crops such that the products and waste materials of one crop stimulate the growth of the other crop. For example, if a wheat crop is grown along with a leguminous crop, then the usage of nitrogen from the soil by a wheat plant is compensated by the addition of nitrogen in the soil by the nitrogen-fixing legume. This in turn increases the soil fertility and ultimately the yield of the crop.

Need of following above criteria:

  • All these criteria ensure that the component crops do not compete with each other for any of their requirement.
  • It ensures that in case one crop fails, the other crop continues to flourish and cover the risk of the complete failure of one crop.

Advantages of mixed cropping:

  1. It reduces the risk of total crop failure.
  2. It increases the yield of crops due to the complementary effect of component crops.
  3. It tends to harvest a variety of produce such as pulses, cereals, vegetables, etc.
  4. It improves the fertility of soil and reduces the requirement for fertilizers.
  5. It helps in the optimum utilization of the soil.
  6. It reduces the chances of pest infestation.
  7. It enhances the optimum utilization of nutrients as they are absorbed from different layers of the soil.

Disadvantages of mixed cropping:

  1. The seeds of two crops are mixed and there is no set pattern of rows of crops. As a result, harvesting and threshing of crops separately is not easy.
  2. Farmers face difficulty in spraying pesticides and applying fertilizers to individual crops.

2. Intercropping: It is the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same fild in a definite row pattern. This technique enhances the productivity per unit area. The crops selected have different nutrient requirements and different sowing and harvesting dates.

For example:

  1. Soybean + Maize
  2. Bajra + Lobia

Advantages of intercropping:

  1. It increases the productivity per unit area.
  2. It saves time and labor of the farmer.
  3. It makes better use of natural resources of sunlight, land, and water.
  4. Since the seeds of different crops can be sown separately, so specific fertilizers required for each crop can be added.
  5. The produce of each crop can be harvested, threshed, and marketed separately.
  6. This method keeps a check on soil erosion.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Inter-cropping

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Difference between mixed cropping and intercropping

Question 1. A farmer cultivated soybeans in the field of Maize in well-planned rows. Explain the method of cultivation
Answer: Intercropping. Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously in the same field in a definite row pattern. This technique enhances the productivity per unit area.

Crop Protection Management

Crops are affected by pests and a large number of weeds in fields. Uncontrolled growth of weeds and pests reduces productivity. Also, after harvesting, the produce is still in danger of getting spoilt by various biotic and abiotic factors. Therefore, these factors must be controlled to prevent loss. Crop protection management involves the protection of crops from their pests, pathogens, and weeds.

Let us first learn about the factors that affect crop plants and the measures used to control them.

  1. When you sow a food crop in the field, you must have noticed the growth of certain other plants along with major cultivated crops. What are these? These undesirable plants that grow in cultivated fields along with the crop plants are called weeds.
    They compete with the crop plant for nutrients, light, and space. As a result, the crop plant gets lesser nutrients, light, and space. This also reduces the productivity of crop plants. Xanthium (gokhroo), Parthenium (gajar ghas), and Cyperus rotundus (motha) are some examples of weeds.
  2. Pests are organisms like rats, insects, mites, fungi etc. that damage or destroy cultivated plants or plant products and make them unfit for human consumption. They destroy crops by the following methods:
    • Sucking the cellular sap from various parts of the plant example. aphids, leaf hoppers, bugs.
    • Cutting the roots, stem, and leaves of plants example. Locusts, hoppers, caterpillars, etc.
    • Boring into stems, roots, fruits, and seeds example. shoot borer, cotton boll weevil, grain weevil, etc.
      Examples of plant pests are the Gundhy bug that affects rice, shoot borer that affects sugar cane, aphid that affects mustard, etc.
  3. Microorganisms or pathogens cause diseases in crop plants. Pathogens can be bacteria, fungi, or viruses. These pathogens are generally transmitted through soil, water, and air.

Preventive measures of insect pests and weeds :

  1. Using pesticides is the most common method used to eradicate weeds, pests, and infectious diseases. These chemicals are generally sprayed on crops.
    • Herbicides are used to eradicate weeds.
    • Fungicides are used to destroy the fungus.
    • Insecticides are used against insects.
      Chemicals should be used in limited amounts. Excessive use of chemicals can lead to several environmental problems. Moreover, these chemicals are poisonous to plants and animals.
  1. The process of removing weeds from the cultivated field is called weeding. Weeds can be eradicated by the following methods:
    1. Mechanical removal: It involves pulling weeds with a hand. You must have seen farmers sitting in the field and uprooting certain plants with Khurpi. What are they doing? Farmers are actually uprooting the undesirable plants that are grown along with the main crop. Removal of weeds by using a trowel (Khurpi) and harrow is a manual method of removing weeds.
    2. Proper soil and seed preparation
    3. Timely sowing of crops, intercropping, and crop rotation. Weeds are very choosy about the crops with which they grow. Rotating the crop that has different nutrient requirements in the same field, disturbs the weed’s life cycle and reduces their growth in the same field.
    4. Use of a resistant variety of crops, which resist the attack of pathogens
    5. Proper plowing before sowing seeds helps in uprooting weeds.
    6. Spraying special chemicals called weedicides, like 2,4-D, Butachlor, Atrazine etc. on weeds.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Harrow and Trowel (Khurpi)

Question 1. Why growth of weeds in the fields is harmful?
Answer: Weeds compete with the crops for nutrients, water, space, and light. They grow quickly, pick up more nutrients and water, and deprive the crop plants of essential inputs. As a result, the growth and yield of crop is reduced.

Question 2. A farmer was using excessive amounts of pesticides to safeguard the crop from blight. Will this have any ill effect on mankind? Justify.
Answer: Pesticides are toxic, poisonous, and often nonbiodegradable chemical compounds. They may have long-term damage to mankind. They cause irritation to the skin and the respiratory system.

Storage of Grains

After harvesting, the grains are stored in storehouses. There are certain factors (biotic and abiotic) that affect the produce after harvesting.

Different biotic and abiotic factors that affect the storage of grains are listed below in table

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Biotic factors and Abiotic factors

These Factors Result In:

  • Weight loss
  • Poor seed quality
  • Poor germination capacity
  • Discoloration of grains
  • Poor marketability
  • Infestation by insects, pests, etc

These factors bring down the cost and profits. Therefore, proper management of stored grains is important.

Preventive Measures to be Taken Before Storing the Food Grains

  1. Maintenance of Hygiene: This includes:
    • Cleaning of floors before storing the grains.
    • The containers used for storing grains should be clean and dry with air-tight lids.
    • Frequent chemical fumigation to kill pests, fungi, etc.
    • Proper aeration and ventilation to control moisture and temperature levels.
  2. Drying: The grains can be dried in the sun or by blowing hot air on them. They are dried by spreading them over plastic sheets or on cemented floors. This is because, if the grains are spread directly on the ground, they will absorb more moisture from the ground.
  3. Maintaining storage containers: Godowns gunny bags or tanks or earthen pots used for storage should be free of cracks and holes and should be clean.
  4. Chemical treatment: Spraying or fumigation (insecticide solution converted into fumes) of godowns and containers with insecticides and fungicides should be done before storage. Care should be taken to ascertain that the grains for consumption by human beings are not treated with chemicals poisonous to human beings. Grains are often treated with neem kernel powder or pepper or mineral oil which prevents the laying of eggs by insect pests.
  5. Use of improved storage structures: Structures that are airtight, rat-proof, moisture-proof and can maintain a steady temperature are now used for storage. A few of them are named Pusa bin, Pusa cubicle, and Pusa other.

Animal Husbandry

  • Ever since the beginning of civilization, humans have been trying to make use of animals around them for many requirements, such as food (milk, meat, and egg), clothing (wool), labor (carrying the load) security, etc. The development of desirable qualities in all such animal species, through creating better breeds, has been an important human achievement.
  • For this, humans have consistently tried to improve the breeds of domesticated animals to make them more useful for them. The branch of science, that deals with the study of various breeds of domesticated animals and their management for obtaining better products and services, is known as animal husbandry.
  • The term husbandry is derived from the word “husband”, which means “one who takes care”. Animal husbandry is the science of managing animal livestock. It involves feeding, breeding, and controlling diseases in farm animals. It involves the rearing of animals like cattle, poultry, and fish to obtain desired products from them.
    • Milk-giving (milch) animals: Cows, buffaloes, and goats who give us milk.
    • Meat and egg-giving animals: Pigs, cattle, goats, sheep, fowls, and ducks are the main sources of meat. From hens and ducks, we get eggs.
    • Working (draught) animals: Bullocks, buffaloes, camels, and horses are draught animals used for doing work in the field and for the transportation of goods and human beings. Mules are also used especially by the army to take things from one place to another in the hilly areas.

Need for Animal Husbandry

  1. To increase milk production
  2. To increase egg production
  3. To increase meat production
  4. To increase fish production
  5. For proper utilization of cattle wastes like urine and feces. Cattle wastes are natural manure that enriches our soil and is used to generate biogas fuel.

Cattle Farming

  • Have you ever visited a dairy farm? Many products like curd, cheese, butter, etc. are produced in a dairy. A dairy farm rears cows and buffaloes, which provide milk, the primary material for all these products.
  • Milk as drawn from the cattle is known as full cream milk. When the cream is separated, the remaining milk is called toned milk.

This milk contains no fat and is known as skimmed milk.

The various milk products are:

  1. Cream: It is prepared by churning milk. The fat comes on the top which is separated by draining out the liquid. It is known as a cream with 10-70% fat content.
  2. Curd: Milk is converted to curd due to bacterial activities.
  3. Butter Milk: It is the leftover liquid after the removal of butter.
  4. Ghee: After heating butter, the water evaporates and the fat contents are almost 100%, forming ghee.

Cattle Breeds

In India, two different species of cattle are widely reared, Bos indicus (cow) and Bos bubalis (buffalo). The purpose of cattle farming is usually for the production of milk and labor in agricultural fields.

1. Milch animals (Milk-giving animals): Female dairy animals used to obtain milk are known as milch animals. The production of milk depends upon the lactation period.

Lactation Period is the period of milk production between the birth of a young one and the next pregnancy and it usually lasts about 300 days.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Breeds of Cow And Breeds of Buffaloes

2. Draught animals (Working animals): Male animals engaged in agricultural fields for labor work like carting, irrigation, tilling, etc. are called draught animals.

Animal Breeding

  • Animal breeding is the method of mating closely related individuals. In this process, two individuals of desirable characters are selected as parents. These are then crossed to obtain new breeds of animals. The new breed so obtained possesses the characteristics of both.
  • For example, exotic or foreign breeds like Jersey, Brown Swiss, etc. are selected for increased milk production while local breeds like Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, etc. are selected for being highly resistant to diseases.
  • These two breeds are crossed to produce a hybrid breed, in which both characteristics are available. Therefore, the offspring not only produces more milk but is also more resistant to diseases.

Objectives of Animal Breeding:

  1. To increase the yield of animals.
  2. To improve the desirable qualities of the animal produce.
  3. To produce disease-resistant varieties of animals.

A breed is a special variety of animals within a species. It is similar in most characteristics such as general appearance, size, configuration, and features to other members of the same species. Jersey and Brown Swiss are examples of foreign breeds of cattle. These two varieties of cattle have the ability to produce abundant quantities of milk. This milk is very nutritious with high protein content.

It is of three types:

1. Local or Desi or Indigenous breed: They are high-yielding varieties of indigenous (Indian) breed examples. Gir, Sahiwal, Thararkar, Kankrej etc.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Local or Desi or Indigenous breed

2. Foreign or exotic breed: They are high-yielding varieties that have been imported from foreign and reared widely in India example. Holstein, Friesian, Jersey, Swiss, etc

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Foreign or exotic breed

3. Improved Breeds: They are hybrids that possess characteristics of both indigenous and exotic. example. Friewal, Karan Swiss.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Improved Breeds

There are several methods employed in animal breeding, which can be classified into the following categories:

  1. Natural methods: of breeding include inbreeding and out-breeding. Breeding between animals of the same breed is known as inbreeding while breeding between animals of different breeds is known as outbreeding. Out-breeding of animals is of three types:
    1. Out-crossing: In this type of out-breeding, the mating of animals occurs within the same breed. Thus, they have no common ancestors up to the last 4-5 generations.
    2. Cross-breeding: In this type of out-breeding, mating occurs between different breeds of the same species, thereby producing a hybrid.
    3. Interspecific hybridization: In this type of out-breeding, mating occurs between different species.
  2. Artificial methods of breeding include modern techniques of breeding.

It involves controlled breeding experiments, which are of two types:-

  1. Artificial insemination: It is a process of introducing the semen (collected from the male) into the oviduct or the uterus of the female body by the breeder. This method of breeding helps the breeder overcome certain problems faced in abnormal mating.
  2. Multiple ovulation embryo technologies (MOET): It is a technique for cattle improvement in which super-ovulation is induced by a hormone injection.
  3. Then, fertilization is achieved by artificial insemination and early embryos are collected. Each of these embryos is then transplanted into the surrogate mother for further development of the embryo.

Advantages of artificial method of breeding:

The best method to carry out animal breeding is the artificial method of breeding, which includes artificial insemination and MOET technology.

  1. These technologies are scientific in nature. They help overcome problems of normal mating and have a high success rate of crossing between mature males and females.
  2. It ensures the production of hybrids with the desired qualities.
  3. This method is highly economical as a small amount of semen from the male can be used to inseminate several cattle.
  4. This method is more reliable and hygienic than the natural method of breeding animals by mating

Farm Management Practices :

Farm management practices play an important role in improving our livestock. It looks after the health of animals as well as the production of clean milk.

Farm management practices have four components:

  1. Feeding
  2. Housing
  3. Grooming
  4.  Health care

Let us discuss each of these one by one.

1. Feeding of Cattle

  • All animals must be fed properly. The food should contain essential nutrients required for the growth, development, and general maintenance of the body. The food that contains essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water is known as feed.
  • The main feed of cows and buffaloes is grass but this does not provide them all the nourishment. They require a balanced diet in the form of roughage which is firous food containing large amounts of fire such as hay fodder, leguminous plants-soybeans, peas, and cereals like maize, jowar, etc.
  • The feed requirement of an animal depends upon age, growth, pregnancy, nature of work, and state of health.

For example, the food requirement of milch animals is of two types:

  1. The food helps in maintaining normal metabolic activities of the body.
  2. The food that is required during milk milk-producing period i.e. lactation period.

The cattle feed consists of two components:

  1. Concentrates: Concentrates are rich in nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins, with very little fibrous matter. They are provided in the form of oil cakes, grains and seeds, rice bran, Grain chaff, etc.
  2. Roughage: Roughage is a coarse and fibrous substance that has a low nutrient content. It includes feed like straw and stems of cereal crops.

A poor quality of feed directly affects the yield of milk in cows and buffaloes.

2. Housing

Providing proper shelter to cattle is an important part of animal husbandry. It is necessary to protect animals from too much heat, rain, and cold. Cattle shelters have well-demarcated partially or completely covered areas where cattle can live comfortably and are protected from predators as well as natural factors like heat, cold, etc.

Characteristics of a good animal shelter:

  1. The shelter should be spacious. Each animal should get enough space to stay comfortably. It should not be overcrowded.
  2. The shelter should be clean, dry, airy and well-ventilated.
  3. It should have proper arrangements for hygienic disposal of animal wastes like urine and excreta.
  4. There should be proper arrangements for clean drinking water. Plenty of water should be available for cleaning the shelter and bathing animals.
  5. Prevention and cure of diseases at the right time should be ensured. Shelters should protect the animals from various diseases. The cattle shed to be properly covered with cemented floors having slopes for quick drainages.

3. Grooming

Cattle must be groomed regularly so as to remove dirt and loose hair from their body. Also, grooming removes parasites. Washing of animals should be done at regular times to further clean them so that they provide clean milk.

4. Health Care

Like human beings, castles are also prone to many infectious diseases. These diseases may affect milk production and may even cause death.

Some of the common diseases of cattle are:

  1. Viral diseases: These are caused by a virus and include foot and mouth disease, Rinderpest (cattle plague), Cowpox, etc.
  2. Bacterial diseases: These are caused by bacteria and example includes Anthrax, Salmonellosis, and Tuberculosis etc.

Prevention of cattle diseases:

  1. Cattle should be kept in a spacious, airy shelter with proper light and ventilation.
  2. They should be given regular baths and grooming to keep them protected from diseases.
  3. They should be given good, nutritive feed which will help them to resist infections.
  4. Each and every cattle should be vaccinated at regular intervals to immunize them against common infections and diseases.
  5.  The shelter of animals should be cleaned properly and regularly.

Benefits of cattle farming:

  1. Good quality and quantity of milk can be produced.
  2. Draught labor animals can be produced for agricultural work.
  3. New varieties that are resistant to diseases can be produced by crossing two varieties with the desired traits.

2. Poultry Farming

Poultry is the rearing of domesticated birds –chicken, ducks, geese, and turkey, for eggs and meat. It is one of the fastest-growing segments of animal husbandry, as it is comparatively easy to start and maintain. It is the cheapest source of animal proteins for the non-vegetarian population.

There are two kinds of poultry:

  1. Broilers: The poultry reared for obtaining meat is called chicken or broiler.
  2. Layers: Poultry reared for obtaining eggs is called egger or layers.

How come you will know whether given eggs are of good quality or not? To understand this, let us perform a small activity.

Activity

  • Take a few eggs and put them all in a container containing warm water. What did you observe? You will find that some of the eggs may be flat in water, while some of them will settle at the bottom of the containers.
  • These settled eggs are of good quality while floating eggs are spoiled ones. This is because the shell is made up of calcium carbonate. Its deficiency results in a soft shell and makes it lighter in weight

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Eggs in warm water

Poultry Breeds

Poultry breeds are divided into three categories:

1. Indigenous or desi breeds: These include Aseel, Kadaknath, Chattisgarh, and Bursa. These desi breeds are strong and possess natural immunity against common diseases. However, they have certain disadvantages:

  1. They are smaller in size.
  2. They are slow-growing.
  3. They lay small-sized eggs.
  4. They produce less number of eggs i.e. 60 eggs/year.

2. Exotic breeds: These are foreign breeds that have been successfully acclimatized in India. The example includes White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red. They have high egg-laying capacity but carry less flesh as compared to indigenous breeds.

3. Crossbreeds: These are improved breeds of poultry. The majority of present-day chickens are cross-bred blocks. For example, HH260, IBL-80, B-77 etc.

The crossbreeds of chicken have few advantages over the indigenous breed, such as,

  1. They lay more eggs i.e. 200 eggs/year.
  2. They yield more meat than desi varieties.
  3. The eggs produced are quite large as compared to indigenous breeds.
  4. Crossbreeds consume less feed as compared to indigenous breeds.
  5. They are best suited to the Indian climate.

Variety Improvement

It involves cross-breeding between Indigenous (Indian) and Exotic (foreign) breeds to develop improved varieties.

The improved varieties are developed for the following desirable traits:

  1. To produce improved quality and quantity of chicks.
  2. To develop dwarf broiler parent for commercial production for tolerance to high temperature.
  3. To develop a variety that has low maintenance requirements.
  4. To develop varieties, which utilize more cheap fibrous diet.
  5. To develop the reduced size of egg-laying birds, without reduction in the size of eggs.

Need for Poultry Farming

  1. Egg Production: Hens (Female fowls) raised for egg production are layers. For increasing egg production for the development of new improved variety with respect to quantity and quality of eggs, the following points are considered:
    • Egg number/weight/size/shape
    • Shell color/quality
    • The internal quality of egg
    • Body weight
    • Feed efficiency
    • Sexual maturity etc.
  2. Meat Production: Fowls raised to obtain meat are called broilers. They are generally males but can also be female. Broilers are fed with vitamin-rich supplementary feed for a good growth rate and better feed efficiency. Care is taken to maintain feathering and carcass quality.

Management Practices

Good management practices are required to produce good quality birds. Nutritional, environmental, and housing conditions required by broilers are different from those required by egg layers.

The good management practices include

  1. Maintenance of temperature and hygienic conditions in housing
  2. Poultry feed
  3. Prevention and control of diseases and pests.

Housing and Feed: Layers are meant for egg production, whereas broilers are meant for poultry meat. They both require different types of care.

Depending upon the requirement of meat or egg production, poultry feed mainly consists of maize, rice, wheat bran, ground nut cake, fish meal, limestones, bone meal, common salt, vitamins, and minerals.

Care for the layers: Layers have two distinct phases in their life:

  1. Growing period, up to sexual maturity: The chickens at this stage are called growers. They require enough space. The feed is given in a restricted and calculated manner.
  2. Laying period: The period from sexual maturity till the end of egg laying is called the laying period. The chicks are known as eggers or layers. The layers, like growers, require enough space and adequate lighting. These factors have a favorable effect on the laying output of the hens.

The feed given to layers should be rich in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients.

Care for broilers: A broiler chicken, for proper growth, requires vitamin-rich supplements, especially vitamins A and K. Also, their diet includes protein-rich food and enough fat. They also require extra care and maintenance to increase their survival rate in comparison to egg layers.

Shelter

Characteristics of a good poultry shelter:

  1. The shelter should be clean, dry, ventilated and well-illuminated
  2. It should be spacious and airy. Birds of different ages, like growing, egg-laying and brooding should be housed separately.
  3. The floor of the house should be covered with a litter of some dry absorptive material; which keeps the floor dry and warm.
  4. The poultry shed should be rat-proof and should be well protected from cat and dogs.
  5. It should have a proper temperature.

Diseases

Poultry birds are prone to many infectious diseases. These diseases may affect their growth and may even cause death.

Some common poultry diseases are:

  • Bacterial diseases, like Cholera, Diarrhoea, Tuberculosis
  • Viral diseases, like Ranikhet, Bird fl
  • Fungal diseases like Aspergillosis

Prevention of diseases:

  1. Poultry farms should be spacious, airy, and well-ventilated.
  2. The shelter should be cleaned properly and regularly.
  3. Quick and hygienic disposal of excreta should be ensured.
  4. Birds should be vaccinated against common diseases and infections.
  5. Good nutritive, hygienic feed and clean water should be given to poultry birds.
  6. During winters, windows and walls of the shed of the poultry farm are covered to protect the birds from cold

Question 1. Write down three management practices that are common in dairy and poultry farming.
Answer:

  1. Spacious shelter: The shelter of both dairy and poultry farm animals should be clean, spacious, airy, well-ventilated, and safe.
  2. Proper feed: A regular, proper, and nourishing diet and fresh water should be provided to these animals.
  3. Timely vaccination: Animals should be properly vaccinated and checked for sickness.

3. Fish Production

Fish is an aquatic food that is a rich source of proteins. It is highly nutritious and easily digestible. A large section of the Indian population especially those living in the coastal areas uses fish as food.

Fisheries: It is the occupation of catching fish, prawns, lobsters, oysters, etc.

On the basis of the mode of obtaining fish, fisheries are of two types:

  1. Capture fishing: It is the process of obtaining fish from natural resources, both marine and inland.
  2. Culture fishery: It is the practice of farming fish. It is also known as fish farming or pisciculture.

Aquaculture: The growing of various types of aquatic animals that are of high economic value such as prawns, lobsters, fishes, crabs, etc. is called aquaculture.

Marine Fisheries: They are fish-catching areas found in the sea. It is of three types: coastal, offshore, and deep sea. The edible marine capture fish are tuna, sardines, Bombay duck, pamphlets, etc.

Mariculture: The culture of marine fish for commercial use is called Mariculture. For example, Mullets, Bhetki, Pearl spots, Eel, and Milkfish. Mariculture is growing rapidly as the demand for fish is decreasing while the stock is declining due to excessive exploitation from the sea.

Inland fisheries: The fisheries that deal with fresh and brackish water are known as inland fisheries. Fresh water occurs in rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds while brackish water is found in estuaries and lagoons. Inland fisheries account for about 50% of total fish production in the country.

Inland fisheries are of two types: Culture fishery and Capture fishery.

Cultural fishery is a type of fishery practiced in small water bodies where fish is first reared and then harvested.

The fish culture is of different types:

  1. Monoculture, where a single species of fish is grown.
  2. Monosex culture, where fish of only one sex is grown.
  3. Poly-culture, where a combination of five to six species is grown.

Composite Fish Culture

  • Due to over-exploitation and pollution, the availability of fish in natural water has declined considerably, which in turn has forced scientists to adopt various methods to increase its production.
  • Farming fish under artificial conditions is the easiest way of increasing fish production and its availability for consumption. Farmers can take up fish culture in village ponds; tanks etc.
  • And can improve their financial position, The technology developed for fish culture in which more than one type of fish is cultured simultaneously is known as composite fish culture. The technology enables to get maximum fish production from a pond or tank.
  • Fishes with different food habitats are chosen so that they do not compete for food among themselves. For example, in an experiment, a combination of five to six species was used.
  • Out of six species, three are of Indian origin (Catla, Rohu, and Mrigal) and three are exotic (Silver carp, Grass carp, and Common carp) from China.
  • These six species have complementary feeding habits and do not harm each other. Basically, it constituted a good example of polyculture.

The food habits of six species are :

  1. Catla is a surface feeder that feeds on small animals.
  2. Silver carp is also a surface feeder but feeds on phytoplankton.
  3. Rohu feeds in the middle zone of the pond
  4. Grass carp feed on water weeds.
  5. Mrigal carp is a bottom feeder, which feeds on decaying plants and detritus.
  6. Common carp is an omnivorous bottom feeder. It feeds on all types of living organisms.

Advantages of Composite Fish Culture:

  1. Fishes do not compete among themselves for food as they all have different types of food habits.
  2. It ensures a complete utilization of food resources in the pond.
  3. It increases the yield of fish.

4. Bee Keeping

The practice of beekeeping is called apiculture (Latin. apis-bee, culture-cultivate). Apiculture is the rearing, care, and management of honey bees for obtaining products like honey, propolis, bee venom, etc.

Importance of Bee Keeping:

  1. It provides honey, a valuable nutritional food.
  2. It provides beeswax. Beeswax is secreted by the wax glands located on the underside of the last four abdominal segments (4th to 7th) of the worker bee. This wax is used in constructing bee combs in which the colony of the bees develops. Bee wax has many uses in the industry. It is used in cosmetics, creams, and ointments.
  3. It provides Propolis, which is antiseptic and antibiotic.
  4. Bee venom is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
  5. Honey bees are excellent pollinating agents. Thus, it helps in increasing agricultural yield.

Purity Standards

  • The term “adulterated honey” implies that the honey has been mixed with glucose, dextrose, molasses, corn syrup, sugar syrup, inverted sugar, flour, starch, or any other similar product, other than the floral nectar gathered, processed, and stored in the comb by honey bees.
  • There is no ready method to test the purity of honey by the customers. Homogenous granulation is a probable sign of its purity.

However, let us perform a small activity to understand the purity of honey.

  • Take a cotton wick and dip it in honey. Now burn the wick with a matchstick, if it burns, it is pure and if it is adulterated, the presence of water will not allow the honey to burn, and if still it burns, it produces a cracking sound.
  • Generally, honey is adulterated by adding syrup of jaggery. Pure honey does not dissolve in water but impure honey dissolves. So, to test its purity, mix a spoon of honey in a cup of water and find out whether it dissolves or not.

Common Species of Honey bee:

There are two varieties of honey bees that are used for the commercial production of honey in India.

  1. Indigenous varieties, which include:
    • Apis cerana indica (Indian bee)
    • Apis dorsate (Rock bee)
    • Apis flare (Little bee)
  2. Exotic varieties, which include:
    • Apis mellifera (Italian or European bee)
    • Apis Adamson (South African bee)

The Honey Bee Colony

Honey bees are social insects that live in colonies in nests or hives. There are different groups of bees in the same colony that perform different tasks.

A honey bee colony has three castes:

  1. Queen: The honey bee Queen is the supreme bee in a colony. All the activities in the hive revolve around her. Basically, she is the mother of the colony. She is responsible for laying eggs and lays about 2000 eggs in a day. She lays two types of eggs:
    • Fertilized eggs that produce either sterile workers or fertile females, i.e., new queen.
    • Unfertilized eggs that produce drones.
      The queen lives for about 3 to 4 years.
  2. Workers: They are the most active members of the colony. They are actually imperfectly developed females, which cannot reproduce. Workers live for 3 to 12 months. The function of workers changes with age.
    • During 1 first half of their life cycle, they do indoor duties. Each worker bee acts as a scavenger, cleaning the hive, like walls and floor of empty cells of the colony for reuse.
    • They also start feeding the entire brood, with a mixture of honey and pollen. By the 7th day, it starts producing royal jelly. Royal jelly is fed to the queen and future queen bees. They also defend the colony from intruders by stinging.
    • During the second half, they become field workers and perform duties outside the colony. They explore new sources of nectar. They collect nectar, pollen, and propolis. The nectar collected changes into honey in their crops.
    • Drones: Drones are male bees produced by unfertilized eggs. They are males of the colony and depend for food on worker bees. rones are stingless and their main role is to mate with the queen.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources The three castes of Honey Bee Colony

Formation of different castes in honey bee

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Formation of different castes in honey bee

Management of High Yield of Honey

Apis mellifera, an Italian variety of honey bee, is commonly used for producing honey at commercial purposes. This variety is preferred and domesticated in our country as:

  1. Apis mellifera is gentle in nature.
  2. It has a good honey collection capacity
  3. It has the ability to protect itself from enemies.
  4. It has a prolific queen with less swarming

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Apis mellifera

Let us now discuss the points that need to be considered in order to obtain good quality and high yield of honey.

1. Beehive: It is made of a series of square boxes without tops or bottoms, set one above the other. This hive has a floor at the bottom a crown board at the top, and a roof all over. Inside these boxes, wooden frames are vertically hung parallel to each other. The wooden frames are filled with sheets of wax foundation on which the combs are built by the bees.

The only entrance to the hive is below the large bottom box (brood chamber). The queen is usually confined to the brood chamber. The boxes termed “supers” are used for the storage of honey. The queen is prevented from going to the “supers” by the “queen excluder” who allows only the workers to move.

NEET Biology Improvement in Food Resources Elements of a beehive

2. Apiary location: Apiary is a place where bees are raised and bred to get honey. It has a number of bee hives. It is set in a locality rich in vegetation, especially flowering plants. The hive should face the east side as it should receive sunlight during the morning and evening and some shade during mid-day.

3. Honey flow and season: To increase the yield of honey, apiaries should be established, at a location where there is an abundance of flora. The total time period during which honey bees collect nectar and pollens is called the honey flow period. This helps the bees to collect nectar and pollens in larger amounts which is ultimately converted into honey.

4. Swarming: Swarming is a natural phenomenon whereby the mass movement of bees takes place from one place to another. It takes place in the spring season for the purpose of reproduction. It is an old queen accompanied by a huge population of workers flinging to start a new hive. Swarms are collected from where they are settled. Some kind of a container is needed to collect the bees. The container is usually a straw basket with a lid.

5. Selection of variety: For honey production, the bee varieties with the following desirable characteristics are considered.

  1. The variety yields a high quantity of honey.
  2. Variety that does not sting much.
  3. A variety that stays in the beehive for long durations.
  4. A variety that breeds very well.

6. Site for beekeeping: A suitable site for apiary should be selected. It should have good pasturage which has a longer honey flow time.

Pasturage:

Pasturage is the availability of flowers from which bees collect nectar and pollen. The fruit trees, ornamental plants, and forest trees comprise important bee pasturage. It is related to the production of honey as it determines the taste and quantity of honey

Diseases of Honey Bees:

Honey bees are prone to many infectious diseases. These diseases may affect their yield. They are commonly infected by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

  1. Bacterial diseases: Example. Septicemia is caused by the Bacteria Bacillus apisceptious.
  2. Protozoan diseases: Example. Nosema disease, caused by Nosema APIs, and Amoeba disease caused by Vahlkampfi mollified.
  3. Fungi: Example. Brood foul disease caused by Schizomycetes.

Enemies of Honey Bees:

Common pests of honey bees are wasps, wax moths, mites, and king crows.

  1. Wasps are controlled manually by destroying wasp nests from the locality of the apiary.
  2. The wax moth is controlled by exposing bees in the bee hive to the sun, i.e. by increasing temperature.
  3. Bees eater birds like crows, sparrows, etc. are scared away by some device.

NEET Biology Population Interaction Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET Population Interaction

Question 1. Interaction between individuals of two different species is called

  1. Interference interaction
  2. Apparent interaction
  3. Intraspecific interaction
  4. Interspecific interaction

Answer: 4. Interspecific interaction

The interspecific interaction arises from the interaction of a population of two different species. They could be beneficial, detrimental, or neutral to one of the species or both.

Question 2. What sort of results can be observed in an interspecific interaction?

  1. Beneficial
  2. Detrimental
  3. Neutral
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

The interspecific interaction arises from the interaction of a population of two different species. They could be beneficial, detrimental, or neutral to one of the species or both.

Read And Learn More: NEET Biology Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 3. An interaction in which both species are neither harmed nor benefitted is called

  1. Positive interaction
  2. Negative interaction
  3. Antagonistic interaction
  4. Neutral interaction

Answer: 4. Neutral interaction

Different types of interspecific interactions have different effects on the two participants, which may be positive (+), negative (-) or neutral (0). In neutral interaction, both species are neither benefitted nor harmed from the interaction.

NEET Biology Population Interaction Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 4. Different types of interactions and the nature of interactions between species a and b are given in columns 1 and 2, respectively. Choose the correct answer from the answer key where they are matched.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 4 Different types of interactions and the nature of interactions between species A and B are .

Answer: 3. A–2, b–5, c–4, d–3, e–1

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 5. If the ‘+’ sign is assigned to beneficial interaction, the ‘–’ sign to detrimental, and the ‘0’ sign to neutral interaction, then the population interaction represented by ‘+’ ‘–’ refers to

  1. Mutualism
  2. Amensalism
  3. Commensalism
  4. Parasitism

Answer: 4. Parasitism

  • The association of organisms that benefit one of the partners at the expense of the other is called parasitism and is denoted by + −. Commensalism refers to a relationship where one organism benefits, while the other remains unaffected and is denoted by + 0.
  • Amensalism refers to the association where one partner is inhibited, while the other remains nearly unaffected and is denoted by – 0. Mutualism is an association of organisms where both are benefitted and is denoted by + +. Thus, the option is correct

Question 6. Predation and parasitism are which type of interactions?

  1. (+, +)
  2. (+, 0)
  3. (–,–)
  4. (+,–)

Answer: 4. (+,–)

Both predation and parasitism show negative interactions. In negative interaction, one species is harmed (–), while the other is benefitted (+). Predation occurs when members of one species eat those of another species. But not always, this involves the killing of prey. Parasitism is a kind of harmful coaction between two species.

Question 7. An association of two species where both the partners derive mutual benefit from each other is

  1. Parasitism
  2. Symbiosis
  3. Commensalism
  4. Predation

Answer: 2. Symbiosis

Symbiosis or mutualism is an obligatory positive interspecific interaction strongly beneficial to both species.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 8. An interaction between two organisms of different species, without physically interacting with each other, in which both are benefitted are called

  1. Commensalism
  2. Protocooperation
  3. Scavenging
  4. Amensalism

Answer: 2. Protocooperation

Protocooperation is a relationship in which organisms in association are mutually beneficial to each other (without physically interacting). This interaction is similar to mutualism, but the relationships between the organisms in protocooperation are not obligatory as in mutualism.

Question 9. Interaction between two organisms of different species in which one organism inhibits the growth of another organism is called

  1. Commensalism
  2. Amensalism
  3. Mutualism
  4. Protocooperation

Answer: 2. Amensalism

Amensalism is any relationship between organisms of different species in which one organism is inhibited or destroyed while the other organism remains unaffected.

Question 10. In which of the following interactions both partners are adversely affected?

  1. Parasitism
  2. Mutualism
  3. Competition
  4. Predation

Answer: 3. Competition

Competition is the rivalry between two or more organisms to obtain the same resources such as food, light, water, space, shelter, mate, etc. Competitors adversely affect each other.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 11. The relationship between the two organisms where one receives benefit at the host of the other is

  1. Parasitism
  2. Amensalism
  3. Scavenging
  4. Symbiosis

Answer: 1. Parasitism

Parasitism is the relationship between two organisms of different species in which one organism called a parasite obtains its food directly from another living organism called the host.

Question 12. The mode of nutrition by killing the host is called

  1. Predation
  2. Parasitism
  3. Symbiosis
  4. Commensalism

Answer: 1. Predation

In predation, the predator kills the prey and consumes it to draw nutrition.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 13. If the stronger partner is benefitted and the weak partner is damaged, it is known as

  1. Predation
  2. Allelopathy
  3. Symbiosis
  4. Commensalism

Answer: 1. Predation

If the stronger partner is benefitted and the weak partner is damaged, it is known as predation. Predation is an interaction between members of two species in which members of one species capture, kill, and eat up members of other species. The former is called predator, while latter is called prey

Question 14. Predation is

  1. An unnatural way of transferring energy to a higher trophic level
  2. A natural way of obtaining energy from lower trophic level
  3. A natural way of obtaining nutrition
  4. All of the above

Answer: 2. A natural way of obtaining energy from a lower trophic level

  • Predation is a natural way of transferring energy to a higher trophic level or obtaining energy from a lower trophic level.
  • It is an interaction between members of two species in which members of one species capture, kill, and eat up members of other species. The former is called predators, while later are spoken as prey.

Question 15. Predation helps keep a check on

  1. Prey population
  2. Biological control of weeds and pests
  3. Species diversity
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Predators help maintain species diversity in a community by reducing the intensity of competition among competing prey species. Predators can also be used for biological control of weeds and pests. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 16. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding predators? 

  1. Predators keep prey populations under control
  2. Predators help in maintaining species diversity in a community
  3. If a predator is not efficient, then the prey population will become extinct
  4. Herbivores (predators) have a greater advantage since the plants cannot run away to avoid predation
  5. Tiger is an example of a predator

Answer: 3. If a predator is not efficient, then the prey population will become extinct

The statement in option (3) is incorrect and can be corrected as if a predator is too efficient and overexploits its prey, then the prey might become extinct, and following it, the predator will also become extinct for lack of food that is the reason prey species have to evolve various mechanisms to protect themselves so that the balance is maintained. Rest statements are correct regarding predators.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 17. Assertion predation is an interspecific interaction with a feeding strategy. Reason (R) predator and their prey maintain a fairly stable population through time and rarely does one population become abundant or scarce.

  1. Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a
  2. Both a and r are true, but r is not the correct explanation of a
  3. A is true, but r is false
  4. Both a and r are false

Answer: 1. Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a

  • Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a. Predation is a natural way of transferring energy to a higher trophic level.
  • It is the interaction between members of two species in which members of one species capture, kill, and eat up members of other species, i.e. Interspecific interaction.
  • The former are called predators, while the latter are called prey. So, predator and their prey maintain a fairly stable population through time, and rarely does one population become abundant or scarce.

Question 18. Assertion Sometimes one population adversely affects the other by direct attack, but yet depends upon them. Reason (R) in predation, the contact is instant.

  1. Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a
  2. Both a and r are true, but r is not the correct explanation of a
  3. A is correct, but r is incorrect
  4. Both a and r are false

Answer: 1. Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a

  • Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a. All living things within an ecosystem are interdependent.
  • Any change in the population of one organism affects all other organisms within the ecosystem. Further one population may adversely affect another by a direct attack like predator attacks prey.
  • In predation, the predator may or may not kill the prey prior to feeding, during predation the contact is instant on the prey population. Nevertheless, this is unavoidable as the predator population survives on the prey population for its food.

Question 19. Predators also help in …A… Species diversity in a community, by …B… The intensity of competition among competing prey species.

Here A and  B can be

  1. A–exceeding, b–increasing
  2. A–maintaining, b–reducing
  3. A–reducing, b–maintaining
  4. A–maintaining, b–increasing

Answer: 2. A–maintaining, b–reducing.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 20. Pests are organisms that cause harm to plants and/or animals. They show …………………… Which is made use of in creating biological control methods towards it.

  1. Predator-prey interaction
  2. Prey feeding habitat
  3. Prey interaction with other predators
  4. Predator-predator interaction

Answer: 1. Predator-prey interaction

Biological control method in agriculture pest control based on the predator-prey interaction.

Question 21. Many species of fungi, for example. Dactylella, dactylaria, arthrobotrys, and zoophagus capture insects, nematodes, and other worm-like animals. These fungi are

  1. Parasitic
  2. Hyperparasites
  3. Predatory
  4. Holophytic

Answer: 3. Predatory

Predatory fungi attack nematodes and other microorganisms using a remarkable assay of trapping devices to attract, capture, kill, and digest nematodes for food.

Question 22. Plants have developed various means of protecting themselves from predators. One of the methods is by producing toxic chemicals. Identify such chemicals from the list given below.

  1. Nicotine
  2. Caffeine
  3. Quinine
  4. Strychnine
  5. Opium

Choose the correct combination.

  1. Only 1
  2. 1, 2, 3 And 4
  3. 1, 2 And 3
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5

Answer: 4. 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5

A wide variety of chemical substances that we extract from plants on a commercial scale (nicotine, caffeine, quinine, strychnine, opium, etc….) Are produced by them actually as a defense against grazers and browsers. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 23. Monarch butterflies are highly distasteful to predator

  1. As it can camouflage
  2. Due to a special chemical present in his body
  3. Due to a poison secreted by their special glands
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Due to a special chemical present in his body

Monarch butterfly is highly distasteful to their predators because of a special chemical present in their body. Interestingly, the butterfly acquires this chemical during its caterpillar stage by feeding on poisonous weeds.

Question 24. Identify an example of a defense used by plants against herbivores.

  1. Production of caffeine, tannin quinine.
  2. Production of non-woody tissues.
  3. Productions of hair, thorns, and spines.
  4. Production of hormone-like chemicals that interfere with insect metamorphosis.

Select the correct pair.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 2, 3 And 4
  3. 1, 2 And 3
  4. 1, 3, And 4

Answer: 4. Production of hormone-like chemicals that interfere with insect metamorphosis.

  • Production of caffeine, tannin, and quinine are examples of secondary metabolites, that are secreted by plants against herbivores.
  • Production of hormones like chemicals, thorns, and spines is also the strategy of plants to avoid grazing by herbivores. Production of non-woody tissues is not the adaptation for plants from predation. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 25. A secondary compound in plants is a result of

  1. Normal metabolism
  2. Secondary metabolism
  3. Evolution
  4. Genetic difference

Answer: 2. Secondary metabolism

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 26. Prickly pear cactus species was introduced in Australia in

  1. 1920’S
  2. 1930’S
  3. 1960’S
  4. None of these

Answer: 1. 1920’S

The prickly pear cactus was introduced in Australia in the 1920s’s caused havoc by spreading rapidly into millions of hectares of range land. Finally, invasive cactus was brought under control only after a cactus-feeding predator (a moth) from its natural habitat was introduced into the country.

27. How does an exotic species become invasive?

  1. Because of natural predators
  2. Because of competition for natural resources
  3. Because invaded land does not have native predators
  4. Because of mutations occurring in their genome

Answer: 3. Because invaded land does not have native predators

When there is no natural predator for a species then it increases in number. Therefore an exotic species becomes invasive when that invaded land does not have any native or natural predator to control its increase.

Question 28. When an organism is ‘cryptically-colored’, it refers to a state where a

  1. Prey can feed abundantly
  2. Prey can lessen the impact of predator
  3. Predator can increase their number
  4. Predator can increase their reproductive fitness

Answer: 2. Prey can lessen the impact of predator

Prey species have evolved various defenses to lessen the impact of predation. Some species of insects and frogs are cryptically colored, i.e. Camouflage, to avoid being detected easily by the predator

Question 29. Why cannot a predator always have an upper hand over the prey?

  1. Since prey populations evolve anti-predatory traits
  2. Since prey populations reproduce at a fast rate
  3. Since predator populations reproduce at a fast rate
  4. Since predators are much larger in size than prey communities

Answer: 1. Since prey populations evolve anti-predatory traits

No predator becomes proficient in acquiring prey because prey populations also evolve anti-predatory traits to protect themselves.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 30. Animals have the innate ability to escape from predation. Examples for the same are given below. Select the incorrect example.

  1. Colour change in chameleon
  2. Enlargement of body size by swallowing air in puffer fish
  3. Poison fangs in snakes
  4. Melanism in moths

Answer: 3. Poison fangs in snakes

  • Color change in chameleons and melanism in moths are examples of camouflage in animals adapted to prevent predation from prey. As a defense mechanism, puffers have the ability to inflate rapidly, filling their extremely elastic stomach with water or air until they are almost spherical.
  • This prevents them from being identified by the predator. But poison fangs in snakes are a method adopted for preying and not escaping predation. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 31. The starfish, disaster is an important predator in intertidal communities of

  1. American pacific coast
  2. Indian pacific coast
  3. Middle pacific coast
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Middle Pacific coast

Predator helps in maintaining species diversity. In the rocky intertidal, communities of the American Pacific coast, starfish pisaster is an important predator.

Question 32. Scavenging is an interaction between two organisms in which

  1. Certain animals feed on dead organisms
  2. One is benefitted, while the other is neither benefitted nor harmed
  3. One organism inhibits the growth of another organism
  4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Certain animals feed on dead organisms

Scavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation. Thus, scavenging is an interaction between two organisms in which certain animals feed on dead organisms.

Question 33. When both partners/components are affected negatively, the nature of the interaction is

  1. Commensalism
  2. Predation
  3. Competition
  4. Amensalism

Answer: 3. Competition

Competition occurs when closely related species compete for the same resources that are limiting.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 34. Competition is best defined as a process in which the fitness of one species (measured in terms of its ‘r’ the intrinsic rate of increase) is significantly

  1. Lower in the presence of another superior species
  2. Higher in the presence of another superior species
  3. Equal in the presence of another superior species
  4. Competition exists irrespective of the presence or absence of competing species

Answer: 1. Lower in the presence of another superior species

Competition is best defined by the fitness of one species as compared to the other competitive species. It is lower in the case of other superior competing species.

Question 35. When the value of ‘r’ is significantly low as compared to others it is better known by

  1. Competition exclusion
  2. Resource partition
  3. Interference competition
  4. Competition release

Choose the correct option.

  1. 1, 3 And 6
  2. 6, 5 And 3
  3. 1, 3 And 4
  4. 1, 2 And 2

Answer: 3. 1, 3 And 4

When the value of ‘r’ is significantly low as compared to others it is better known by competition exclusion, interference competition, or competition release. It states that two competing species cannot co-exist in the same habitat at the same time for the same resource. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 36. Competition occurs when

  1. Organisms are at their fittest for reproduction
  2. Unrelated species compete for the same resources
  3. Closely related species compete for the same resources
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 4. Both (2) and (3)

Competition occurs for the same limited resources between closely related and unrelated species. It is said that competition occurs when closely related species compete for the same resources that are limiting. But this is not true, unrelated species also compete for the same resources. Thus, option (4) is correct.

37. Competition for food, light, and space is most severe between the two

  1. Closely related species growing in different niche
  2. Distantly related species growing in different niche
  3. Closely related species growing in the same niche
  4. Distantly related species growing in the same niche

Answer: 3. Closely related species growing in the same niche

Species that are living close to one another, i.e. In the same habitat and have similar or same requirements, there is maximum competition for food, light, and space between them.

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Question 38. Competition of species leads to

  1. Extinction
  2. Mutation
  3. A greater number of niches are formed
  4. Symbiosis

Answer: 1. Extinction

  • When both partners/components are affected negatively the nature of interaction is known as competition. When two organisms compete for a particular resource in the same niche, both cannot survive.
  • No two organisms can live in the same niche. One of the two is eliminated. So, in the course of time elimination may lead to extinction as only the fittest will survive.

Question 39. The level of competition between species depends on

  1. Availability of resources
  2. Population density
  3. Climatic condition of an area
  4. Group interaction of the organism

Choose the option containing

Correct combination.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 1 And 3
  3. 2 And 4
  4. 1, 2 And 4

Answer: 4. Extinction

  1. The level of competition depends upon many factors like
  2. Resources availability
  3. Population density
  4. Group interaction of organisms.

Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 40. To avoid the competitive exclusion principle two similar species living in the same area, may evolve to become more different in order to

  1. Reduce competition
  2. Increase competition
  3. Use other species’ resources
  4. Both (1) and (3)

Answer: 1. Reduce competition

To avoid the competitive exclusion principle two similar species adapt differently to reduce the competition. So, that two species can live in the same area. Therefore, competition does not always result in the extinction of species.

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Question 41. …A… Being the common food source for migratory flamingos and fishes in lakes of America, need not necessarily be limiting for competition to occur. Here, …B… Will be observed, where the feeding efficiency of any one species …C… Due to the interference of the other species.

  1. A–zooplankton, b–sharing competition, c–increases
  2. A–zooplankton, b–interference competition, c–decreases
  3. A–phytoplankton, b–weak competition, c–reduces
  4. A–phytoplankton, b–null competition, c–increases

Answer: 2. A–zooplankton, b–interference competition, c–decreases.

Question 42. Competition will be severe in a population with ………………. Distribution.

  1. Non-random
  2. Irregular
  3. Uniform
  4. Random

Answer: 1. Non-random

  • Population dispersion can be defined as the spatial distribution of individuals on the basis of favorable conditions available for their survival non-random distribution is the most common type of dispersion found in nature. In this type of distribution, the distance between neighboring individuals is minimized.
  • Animals need certain resources to survive and when the resources become rare during certain parts of the year animals tend to clump together around these crucial resources.

Question 43. Assertion interspecific competition is the only potent force in organic evolution. Reason (R) Unexceptionally two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely.

  1. Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a
  2. Both a and r are true, but r is not the correct explanation of a
  3. A is true, but r is false
  4. Both a and r are false

Answer: 4. Both a and r are false

  • Population dispersion can be defined as the spatial distribution of individuals on the basis of favorable conditions available for their survival non-random distribution is the most common type of dispersion found in nature. In this type of distribution, the distance between neighboring individuals is minimized.
  • Animals need certain resources to survive and when the resources become rare during certain parts of the year animals tend to clump together around these crucial resources.
  • The same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely and the competitively inferior one will be eliminated eventually. This may be true if resources are limiting, but not otherwise.

Question 44. Hydroxylamine toxins are released by

  1. All parasites
  2. Members of actinomycetes
  3. Blue-green algae
  4. All of the above

Answer: 3. Blue-green algae

  • Blue-green algae (BGA) are cyanobacteria. The toxins produced by cyanobacteria are called cyanotoxins. Hydroxylamine is an inorganic cyanotoxin secreted by the bag.
  • This compound is highly toxic to aquatic life. When the bacteria form aquatic blooms they release a lot of cyanotoxins killing aquatic life on a large scale. When these cyanotoxins enter the shells of molluscans they lead to shellfish poisoning.

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Question 45. Interspecific competition between plants may manifest itself in chemical aggression called

  1. Parasitism
  2. Predation
  3. Allelopathy
  4. Ecological sere

Answer: 3. Allelopathy

Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influence the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms from the same community. So, interspecific competition between plants may manifest itself by chemical aggression called allelopathy.

Question 46. A high density of elephant population in an area can result in

  1. Intraspecific competition
  2. Interspecific competition
  3. Predation on one another
  4. Mutualism

Answer: 1. Intraspecific competition

  • Competition is rivalry for obtaining the same resource. It is competition between individuals of the same species.
  • The intraspecific competition may be very severe because all the members of a species have similar requirements of food, habitat, mate, etc., And they also have similar adaptations to meet their needs. So, if the density of the elephant population in an area increases, it will lead to intraspecific competition.

Question 47. Territoriality occurs as a result of

  1. Parasitism
  2. Predation
  3. Co-operation
  4. Competition

Answer: 4. Competition

  • Territoriality is the separation of competitors. Due to competition between two or more organisms, populations of species that share the same environmental resources (when this is in short supply competition) ultimately result in displacement by one competitor to the others.
  • It is to the advantage of the competitors to avoid one another wherever possible. So, territoriality occurs as a result of competition.

Question 48. An indirect competition for shared resources such as a particular nutrient is called

  1. Mutualism
  2. Exploitation
  3. Advantageous
  4. None of these

Answer: 2. Exploitation

An indirect competition for shared resources such as particular nutrients is called exploitation.

Question49. The principle of competitive exclusion was stated by

  1. C. Darwin
  2. Gf gause
  3. Mac Arthur
  4. Verhulst and pearl

Answer: 2. Gf gause

The principle of competitive exclusion was given by GF Gause

Question 50. Consider the following statements.

  1. Two closely related species may not live in the same habitat.
  2. The more dissimilar the niches of the two species the stronger their competition.
  3. Two species can occupy the same niche in a geographical area.
  4. No two species may occupy the same ecosystem.

Choose the option containing

Correct statements.

  1. Only 1
  2. 2, 3 And 4
  3. 1, 2, 3 And 4
  4. Only 4

Answer: 4. Only 4

  • Only 4 statement is correct. Two or more species with closely niche requirements cannot exist indefinitely in the same area as sooner or later they come into competition for possession of it.
  • This is called as Gause’s competitive exclusion principle, which states that an ecological niche cannot be simultaneously and completely occupied by established populations of more than one species.
  • Two species can live in the same habitat but not in the same niche more similar the two niches are, severe the competition is so, the correct answer is no two species may occupy the same ecosystem.

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Question 51. ‘Two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely’. This law is also called

  1. Gause’s law
  2. Competitive exclusion principle
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Both (1) and (2)

  • Gause (1934) found that out of two species of paramecium grown together, one is eliminated. This phenomenon is called Gause’s hypothesis or principle of competitive exclusion.
  • This principle operates when the resources are limited and two species compete for the same resources. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 52. Gause’s principle of competitive exclusion states that

  1. More abundant species will exclude the less abundant species through competition
  2. Competition for the same resources excludes species having different food preferences
  3. No two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely for the same limiting resources
  4. Larger organisms exclude smaller ones through competition

Answer: 3. No two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely for the same limiting resources

Gause’s principle of competitive exclusion states that no two species can occupy the same niche indefinitely for the same limiting resources

Question 53. Gause’s law is true only when

  1. Resources are limited
  2. Resources are unlimited
  3. Predation is absent
  4. Prey are unlimited

Answer: 1. Resources are limited

Gause (1934) found that out of two species of paramecium grown together, one is eliminated. This phenomenon is called Gause’s hypothesis or principle of competitive exclusion. This principle operates when the resources are limited and two species compete for the same resources. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 54. Carnivorous animals, lions and leopards, occupy the same niche but lions predate mostly larger animals and leopards take smaller ones. This mechanism of competition is referred to as

  1. Character displacement
  2. Altruism
  3. Resource partitioning
  4. Competitive exclusion

Answer: 3. Resource partitioning

  • Carnivorous animals, lions and leopards occupy the same niche but lion predate mostly larger animals and leopard takes smaller ones. This is called resource partitioning.
  • It is a mechanism in which there is the division of limited resources by species to avoid competition in an ecological niche and in this way, they find ways to co-exist with one another. That is why lions predate mostly larger animals and leopards take small ones.

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Question 55. Resource partitioning includes

  1. Temporal partitioning
  2. Spatial partitioning
  3. Morphological partitioning
  4. All of the above

Answer: 1. Temporal partitioning

Resource partitioning is the phenomenon where the species are divided on the basis of their food, space, resting sites, etc. They divide a niche for the competition of resources. Thus option (1) is correct.

Question 56. When Darwin spoke of the struggle for existence and survival of the fittest in nature, he was convinced that

  1. Interspecific competition is a potent force in organic evolution
  2. Intraspecific competition is a potent force in organic evolution
  3. Predator-prey interaction is a potent force in organic evolution
  4. Both and (c)

Answer: 1. Interspecific competition is a potent force in organic evolution

It is generally believed that competition occurs when closely related species compete for the same resources that are limiting. But this is not true, unrelated species also compete for the same resources. This is called interspecific competition which proves to be the potent force in organic evolution.

Question 57. Diversity in the type of beaks of finches adapted to different feeding habits on the Galapagos islands, as observed by Darwin, provides evidence

  1. Origin of species by natural selection
  2. Intraspecific variations
  3. Intraspecific competition
  4. Interspecific competition

Answer: 1. Origin of species by natural selection

  • Darwin during his famous voyage, observed that finches from various islands of the Galapagos had beaks of different sizes and shapes they observed that this was due to adaptation to different available food types.
  • He concluded that the ancestral finches on reaching different islands occupied all empty ecological niches in the absence of competition and evolved into different species. This provides evidence for the origin of species by natural selection.

NEET Biology Mcq Chapter Wise

Question 58. In laboratory experiments, two species of paramecium were grown alone and in the presence of the other species. The following graphs show the growth of species 1 and species 2, both alone and when in mixed culture.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Number of individuals.

Interpretation of the graphs.

  1. Competitive exclusion has occurred in these experiments
  2. Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 1 is less affected
  3. Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 2 is less affected
  4. Both species are affected equally by interspecific competition

Answer: 3. Both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 2 is less affected

As we can see from graph I there is more gap between lines of species 1 and 2 than graph. So, it clearly infers that both species are affected by interspecific competition but species 2 is less affected.

Question 59. Relationship between organisms of different species where one organism gets benefits and the other is harmed is called

  1. Mutualism
  2. Commensalism
  3. Parasitism
  4. Symbiosis

Answer: 3. Parasitism

Parasitism is a negative interaction in which one individual derives benefit at the expense of the other. So, the relationship between organisms of different species where one organism gets benefitted and the other is harmed is called parasitism.

Question 60. A true parasite is one which

  1. Wholly completes its life cycle in one host
  2. Completes its life cycle in different host
  3. Is completely attached to the host
  4. Is not completely dependent on the host

Answer: 1. Wholly completes its life cycle in one host

A true parasite is one which wholly completes its life cycle in one host. These parasites attach to the host or live and feed on it. The parasites are benefitted, while the host is harmed.

Question 61. Nosema notabilis is an example of

  1. Commensalism
  2. Symbiosis
  3. Parasitism
  4. Hyperparasitism

Answer: 3. Parasitism

When a parasitic species is parasitized by another parasite species. Such a parasite is called hyperparasite, as in the case of nosema notabilis, which is a hyperparasite on a myxosporidian. So, nosema notabilis is an example of parasitism

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Question 62. Adaptation of parasites may be

  1. Loss of unnecessary organs
  2. Presence of adhesive organs
  3. Origin of suckers to cling to host
  4. Development of a digestive system
  5. High reproductive capacity

Choose the option containing

Correct combination.

  1. 1, 3 And 4
  2. 2, 4 And 5
  3. 1, 4 And 5
  4. 1, 2, 3 And 5

Answer: 4. 1, 2, 3 And 5

In accordance with their lifestyle, parasites evolved special adaptations such as loss of digestive systems, loss of unnecessary organs, presence of adhesive organs, origin of suckers, and high reproductive capacity in accordance to their host. So, the development of the digestive system is not an adaptation of parasites. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 63. Which of the following is categorized as a parasite in true sense?

  1. Koel (cuckoo)
  2. Housefly
  3. Head louse
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 3. Head louse

Question 64. Man and Ascaris show

  1. Predation
  2. Parasitism
  3. Commensalism
  4. Symbiosis

Answer: 2. Parasitism

Scaris is an intestinal parasite of humans. It is the most common human worm infection. The larvae and adult worms live in the small intestine and cause intestinal diseases. So, man and Ascaris show parasitism.

Question 65. During parasitic life, the animal is bound to lose

  1. All the sense organs
  2. Most of the nervous system
  3. Complete gut
  4. Both (1) and (3)

Answer: 4. Both (1) and (3)

  • A parasite must remain in close contact with its host. It depends on the host for its food and is unable to live a free life for a very long. This is because most parasites have become thoroughly adapted to parasitic existence.
  • In doing so they have often lost the power of locomotion, their sense organs are reduced, the gut may be reduced or absent and the reproduction system and nervous system have become greatly developed. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 66. Parasitodism is a case where the larval form

  1. Lives after host’s death
  2. Dies with host’s death
  3. Is a parasite but the adult is free-living
  4. Is a parasite on another parasite

Answer: 3. Is a parasite but an adult is a free-living

The Ladybird beetle, Cuccinelli is a parasite in its larval stage and is free-living in adults. Other include parasitic hymenopteran and orthopteran.

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Question 67. …A… Is observed in many parasites which have enabled …B… Of host-parasite. …C… Developed by the host and parasite enable them to survive the adaptations that each of them gain over the course of evolution.

  1. A–parasite-specificity, b–co-evolve, c–counteract
  2. A–host specificity, b–co-evolution, c–counter mechanisms
  3. A–enzyme specificity, b–evolve, c–counteract
  4. A–source-specific, b–extinction, c–counter mechanisms

Answer: 2. A–host specificity, b–co-evolution, c–counter mechanisms

Question 68. Parasite capable of living without a host is called

  1. Facultative
  2. Permanent
  3. Obligate
  4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Facultative

The facultative parasite is an organism that may survive and dwell in the absence of a host but that occasionally infects a host organism also.

Question 69. Cuscuta is an example of

  1. Ectoparasitism
  2. Brood parasitism
  3. Predation
  4. Endoparasitism

Answer: 1. Ectoparasitism

  • Cuscuta or dodder plant, is a parasitic plant that wraps around other plants for nourishment. Cuscuta is found on the outer side of the host and is a total stem parasite. It is a good example of ectoparasitism.  It is commonly found growing on hedge plants. It has lost chlorophyll and leaves in the course of evolution.
  • It attaches and wraps itself around the stem of the host plant and produces haustoria that gets inserted into the vascular system of the host. The parasitic plant sucks all the nutrients from the host plant with the help of haustoria.

Question 70. Endoparasites are the parasites which live

  1. In the intercellular spaces of the host
  2. Within the cells in the host’s body
  3. On the surface of the host
  4. Both (1) and (2)

Answer: 4. Both (1) and (2)

Endoparasites are the parasites that live inside the host’s body. It can live in the intercellular spaces or within the cells in the host’s body. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 71. A phenomenon when a parasite parasitizes another parasite is

  1. Hyperparasitism
  2. Parasitoids
  3. Monoxenous parasitism
  4. Polyxenous parasitism

Answer: 1. Hyperparasitism

  • Hyperparasitism means that a parasite lives in or on another parasite. Common examples are insects that lay their eggs inside or near parasites which are themselves parasitizing the tissue of a host (insect).
  • So, indirectly insect is feeding on itself only. Hyperparasitism results in a cycle of energy and nutrients between the host and its parasitoid.

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Question 72. ‘Parasitic castration’ refers to

  1. Parasites induce their hosts to form antibodies
  2. Parasites make their hosts form fibrous capsules around them
  3. Change brought about by the parasite on the host resulting in sexual impotency
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Change brought about by the parasite on the host resulting in sexual impotency

Parasite castration refers to the change brought about by the parasite on the host resulting in sexual impotency. It is a strategy by the parasites. Blocking reproduction is its main target.

Question 73. Which of the following is brood parasitism?

  1. Snake feeding on rat
  2. Oxpeckers eat the parasites on rhinoceros
  3. Jackals and hyenas feeding on dead lions and tigers
  4. Cuckoo female lay their eggs in the crow’s nest

Answer: 4. Cuckoo females laying their eggs in the crow’s nest

Brood parasites also called social parasites which parasite birds lay eggs in to nests of their host. Thus, the cuckoo female laying their egg in the cow’s nest is brood parasitism.

Question 74. Obligate parasites are those organisms which

  1. Live only on living host
  2. Are essentially parasites, but can also become saprophyte
  3. Live only on dead and decaying organic matter
  4. Are essentially saprophytes, but can also parasites

Answer: 1. Live only on living host

Obligate parasites can grow only upon suitable living host tissues. The best examples of obligate parasites are the causal organisms of downy and powdery mildews as perenospora and erysiphe.

Question 75. The parasite that completely depends on the host for its entire requirement is called

  1. Ectoparasite
  2. Holoparasite
  3. Hemiparasite
  4. Semiparasite

Answer: 2. Holoparasite

The parasite which completely depends on the host for its entire requirement is called holoparasite.

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Question 76. A parasite that lives within plant tissue is called

  1. Ectophyte
  2. Epiphyte
  3. Hydrophyte
  4. Endophyte

Answer: 4. Endophyte

  • An endophyte parasite remains inside the cells of plant tissue. Other options are explained as ectophytes when the parasite remains outside the cells of plant tissue.
  • Hydrophytes plants growing in water are called hydrophytes. Epiphytes are those plants that live on another plant for shelter only. They are photosynthetic and do not depend on another plant for nutrition.

Question 77. Which of the following is hemiparasite?

  1. Rafflesia
  2. Viscum
  3. Loranthus
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 3. Loranthus

Rafflesia is a hemiparasite.

Question 78. Newly developed pathogens are more damaging to the host therefore are called

  1. Distant pathogen
  2. Chronic pathogen
  3. Instant pathogen
  4. Bt pathogens

Answer: 3. Instant pathogen

Newly developed pathogens are more damaging than the host therefore are called instant pathogens, which have not yet developed adaptation to negative interaction, for example. Sars.

Question 79. Human liver fluke (a trematode parasite) depends on which two intermediate hosts.

  1. Snail
  2. Fish
  3. Pig
  4. Mosquito

Choose the option containing

Correct combination.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 3 And 4
  4. 4 And 5

Answer: 1. 1 And 2

Human liverfluke depends upon two intermediate hosts, i.e. A snail and fish to complete its life cycle. Thus, option (1) is correct.

Question 80. Which one is incorrect regarding parasitism?

  1. Parasite shows a special adaptation
  2. Ectoparasite shows a more complex life cycle
  3. Endoparasite shows a more complex life cycle
  4. Crow is an example of a brood parasite

Answer: 2. Ectoparasite shows a more complex life cycle

The statement in option is incorrect and can be corrected as ectoparasites show a simple life cycle as compared to endoparasite as their life cycle involve mostly one host, whereas an endoparasite completes its life cycle as more than one host and hence has a complex life cycle. Rest options are correct regarding parasitism.

Question 81. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 81 Match the following columns.

Answer: 4. A–2,3; b–4, 5; c–1

82. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 82 Match the following columns.

Answer: 1. A–4, b–3, c–2, d–1

Question 83. Choose the incorrect statements.

  1. Parasites might render the host more vulnerable to predation by making it physically weak
  2. The majority of the parasites harm the host and reduce their population density
  3. Ideal parasites should be able to thrive within the host without harming it
  4. The malarial parasite does not need a vector in order to spread to another host.

Answer: 4. Malarial parasite does not need a vector in order to spread to another host.

The statement in the option is incorrect and can be corrected as the malarial parasite needs a vector female anopheles mosquito to spread to other hosts. Rest options are correct statements.

NEET Biology Mcq Chapter Wise

Question 84. Consider the following statements.

  1. The life cycle of a human liver fluke involves only the snail as an intermediate host.
  2. The malarial parasite needs a vector (mosquito) to spread to other hosts.
  3. The female mosquito is not considered a parasite, however, it needs our blood for reproduction.
  4. In case of brood parasitism, the eggs of parasitic birds (e.g. Cuckoo) are not detected and ejected from the nest because of parasite’s eggs resemble the host’s eggs in morphology and colour.
  5. A population of frogs protected from all predators would increase indefinitely.

Choose the option containing

Correct statements.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 3, 4 And 5
  4. 2, 3 And 4

Answer: 4. 2, 3 And 4

  • Statements 2, 3, and iv are correct. Statements I and v are incorrect and can be corrected as the life cycle of a human liver fluke involves the snail and pig as intermediate hosts. A population of frogs protected from all predators would not increase indefinitely because nature’s resources are limited.
  • Beyond a carrying capacity, the population would not increase because it is the maximum number of populations that can be sustained by the habitat.

Question 85. The percentage of insects known to be phytophagous is

  1. Nearly 75%
  2. Nearly 25%
  3. Nearly 50%
  4. Nearly 35%

Answer: 2. Nearly 25%

For plants, herbivores are the predators of nearly 25% of all insects known to be phytophagous (feeding on plant sap and other parts of plants). The problem is severe in the case of plants because they are non-motile.

Question 86. In a biotic community, which one of the following can be called a protective device?

  1. Symbiosis (commensalism)
  2. Mimicry
  3. Competition
  4. Parasitism

Answer: 3. Competition

Mimicry is the superficial but resemblance of one organism to another or to natural objects to secure its concealment or protection. Thus, mimicry can be called a protective device.

Question 87. In commensalism

  1. One species is benefitted and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted
  2. One species is no benefit and the other is harmed
  3. One species is no benefit and the other is not harmed
  4. Both species benefit

Answer: 1. One species is benefitted and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted

Commensalism is the interaction in which one species (commensal) benefits and another species (host) is neither harmed nor benefitted, for example. An orchid grows as an epiphyte on a mango branch to absorb sunlight in the tropics.

Question 88. In commensalism

  1. The population of commensal and host remain unaffected
  2. The population of commensal increases while that of the host remains unaffected
  3. The population of both commensal and cost increases
  4. The population of commensal increases, while the population of the host gradually decreases

Answer: 2. The Population of commensal increases while that of the host remains unaffected

In commensalism, the population of commensals increases while that of the host remains unaffected.

Question 89. The interaction between the organisms of one of the following pairs is an example of commensalism.

  1. Cattle or sheep and grass
  2. Wasps and fig tree
  3. Orchid and mango tree
  4. Cuckoo and crow

Answer: 1. Cattle or sheep and grass

  • Commensalism is the type of interaction in which one of the partners is benefitted, while the other partner is unharmed. This type of interaction takes place in the cattle or other grazing animals and the egrets. The grazing animals, while grazing disturbs the grass come out.
  • The egrets are present on the back of the grazing animals. The egrets feed on these insects. There is no harm done to the cattle. So, cattle or sheep and grass is an example of commensalism.

Question 90. Between which of the following, the relationship is not an example of commensalism?

  1. Orchid and the tree on which it grows
  2. Cattle egret and grazing cattle
  3. Sea anemones and clown fish
  4. Female wasp and fig species

Answer: 4. Female wasp and fig species

  • Among the given examples, the relationship between a female wasp and fig species does not show commensalism. In commensalism, one species derives the benefit, and the other is neither harmed nor benefitted.
  • Wasp and fig trees show mutualism. Here, the fig flower is pollinated by the wasp and the female wasp uses the fig fruit for oviposition. In this way, both organisms are benefitted. Other options show examples of commensalism.

Question 91. Pencillium does not allow the growth of the bacterium, staphylococcus. This sort of relationship is called

  1. Commensalism
  2. Antagonism
  3. Amensalism
  4. Mutualism

Answer: 3. Amensalism

Amensalism is an interaction between two living individuals of different species in which an organism does not allow another organism to grow or live near it. So, penicillium does not allow the growth of the bacterium staphylococcus.

Question 92. If the strong partner is benefitted and the weak partner is damaged, the relationship is known as

  1. Amensalism
  2. Symbiosis
  3. Commensalism
  4. Allotropy

Answer: 1. Amensalism

If the strong partner benefits and the weak partner is damaged, the relationship is known as amensalism.

Question 93. Which one of the following population interactions is widely used in medical science for the production of antibiotics?

  1. Commensalism
  2. Amensalism
  3. Parasitism
  4. Mutualism

Answer: 2. Amensalism

  • Amensalism/antibiosis (0, –) is widely used in medical science for the production of antibiotics as
  • Antibiotics are chemicals secreted by one microbial group (for example. Penicillium) that harm other microbes (for example. Staphylococcus).
  • It has no effect on the penicillium or the organism that produces it

Question 94. A plant that grows inside a plant of another species symbiotically is called

  1. A semiparasite
  2. A parasite
  3. An endophyte
  4. A saprophyte

Answer: 3. An endophyte

  • Endophyte is a plant growing inside a plant of another species symbiotically. Other options are explained as semiparasite depends upon other organisms for its practical requirements.
  • A parasite is an organism that obtains some benefit from other organisms at its (other organisms) expense. Saprophyte finds its food from dead material.

Question 95. A praying mantis is a good example of

  1. Warning coloration
  2. Social insects
  3. Camouflage
  4. Mullerian mimicry

Answer: 3. Camouflage

A praying mantis is a good example of camouflage. Camouflage is the natural colouring of an animal which enables it to blend in with its surroundings. A praying mantis is the common name for an insect of the order–Mantodea.

Question 96. The pilot fish always accompanies …………… For feeding on falling pieces of food.

  1. Shark
  2. Hermit crab
  3. Labeo
  4. Golden fish

Answer: 1. Shark

The pilot fish always accompanies the shark to feed on falling pieces of food. This association between pilot fish and sharks is called commensalism.

Question 97. Which one is true?

  1. Commensalism–when none of the interacting populations affect each other
  2. Symbiosis–when the interaction is useful to both populations
  3. Symbiosis–when neither population affects the other
  4. Commensalism–when the interaction is useful to both populations

Answer: 2. Symbiosis–when the interaction is useful to both the populations

(2) Option (2) is true as when the interaction is useful to both populations it is called symbiosis. Symbiosis means living together. It is a beneficial co-action between two or more different species in which both species are benefitted. Rest options are false.

Question 98.

  1. The concept of mimicry was given by …A…
  2. …B… Is known as the father of Indian plant ecology.
  3. The term ‘ecology’ was coined by …C….

Choose the option containing

  1. A–Haeckel, B–Ramdeo Misra, C–reiter
  2. A–Hw bates,  B–ramdeo misra, C–ernst haeckel
  3. A– Ramdeo Misra, B–birbal sahani, C– reiter
  4. A–Hw bates, B–birbal sahani, C– ernst haeckel

Answer: 2. A–hw bates, B–ramdeo misra, C–ernst haeckel

  1. The concept of mimicry was first given by HW Bates (1) in 1862.
  2. The Father of Indian plant ecology is Ramdeo Misra (2).
  3. The term ‘ecology’ was coined by Ernst Haeckel (3) in 1861.

Question 99. An interesting modification of flower shape for insect pollination occurs in some orchids, in which a male insect mistakes the pattern on the orchid flower for the female of his species and tries to copulate with it, thereby pollinating the flower. This phenomenon is called

  1. Mimicry
  2. Pseudopollination
  3. Pseudocopulation
  4. Pseudoparthenocarpy

Answer: 1. Mimicry

  • Mimicry is a resemblance of an organism to its natural surroundings, a non-living object or another organism to conceal itself from its enemies.
  • Flowers of Ophrys muscifera resemble the female wasps of Colpa aurea so that the male wasp tries to copulate with the flowers and pollinate them.

Question 100. A type of mimicry where the mimic closely resembles the model and both are harmful to the predator is

  1. Mullerian mimicry
  2. Batesian mimicry
  3. Webrian mimicry
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Batesian mimicry

Batesian mimicry is a form of biological resemblance in which a noxious or dangerous, organism (the model), equipped with a warning system such as conspicuous coloration, is mimicked by a harmless organism (the mimic). The mimic gains protection because predators mistake it for the model and leave it alone.

Question 101. Which type of association is found between entomophilous flower and pollinating agent?

  1. Mutualism
  2. Commensalism
  3. Cooperation
  4. Co-evolution

Answer: 4. Co-evolution

Co-evolution can occur in any interspecific relationship like symbiosis or mutualism. The relation between an entomophilous flower and a pollinating insect shows co-evolved mutualism. In this, the plant depends exclusively on the insect for pollination and the insect relies on the plant for food.

Question 102. Assertion in mutualism, both the population benefit and neither can survive under natural conditions without the other. Reason (R) Both populations benefit from the association, but their relationships are not obligatory.

  1. Both a and r are true and r is the correct explanation of a
  2. Both a and r are true, but r is not the correct explanation of a
  3. A is true, but r is false
  4. Both a and r are false

Answer: 3. A is true, but r is false

A is true, but r is false. Reason can be corrected as in mutualism, both populations benefit by the association, but their relationships are obligatory, i.e. The species are in close proximity and interdependent with one another in a way that one cannot survive without the other.

Question 103. Mutualism is a kind of …………………. Interaction.

  1. Positive interspecific
  2. Negative interspecific
  3. Positive intraspecific
  4. Negative intraspecific

Answer: 1. Positive interspecific

Mutualism is defined as an interaction between individuals of different species that results in positive (beneficial) effects on per capita reproduction or survival of the interacting population. Thus, option (1) is correct.

Question 104. Mutualism is found in

  1. Hermit crab and sea anemone
  2. Butterfly and flower
  3. Zoochlorella and hydra
  4. E. Coli and man

Answer: 3. Zoochlorella and hydra

Mutualism is an obligatory positive interspecific interaction strongly beneficial to both species. Hydra can form a symbiotic relationship with algae such as zoochlorella which is green algae, zoxantheal which is referred to as brown algae. The relationship will assist in the benefits to both organisms.

Question 105. Which of the following associations shows mutualism?

  1. Fig and wasp
  2. Barnacles on whale
  3. Roundworms in the human intestine
  4. Orchids on mango tree

Answer: 1. Fig and wasp

  • Mutualism is an interaction between two organisms of different species in which both partners benefit, with none of the two capable of living separately. In many species of fig trees there is a relationship with the pollinator species of wasp.
  • The female wasp uses the fruit not only as an oviposition site but also uses the developing seeds within the fruit for nourishing its larvae.
  • The wasp pollinates the fig inflorescence while searching for suitable egg-laying sites. So, fig and wasp associations show mutualism.

Question 106. Flagellate protozoan living in the gut of termites is a case of

  1. Mutualism
  2. Parasitism
  3. Amensalism
  4. Commensalism

Answer: 1. Mutualism

Termites feed on wood though they do not possess enzymes for digesting the same. Termites harbor cellulose-digesting flagellates (trichonympha campanula) for this purpose. Flagellates are unable and live independently. Termites would die of starvation in the absence of flagellates. Thus, flagellate protozoan living in the gut of termites is a case of mutualism.

Question 107. Orchids can be found associated with

  1. Oryza sativa
  2. Brassica crucifer
  3. Nerium oleander
  4. Shorea robusta

Answer: 4. Shorea robusta

Orchids can be found associated with Shorea robusta.

Question 108. The association of fungus and alga is an example of

  1. Ammensalism
  2. Commensalism
  3. Competition
  4. Symbiosis
  5. predation

Answer: 4. Symbiosis

  • The association of a fungus and an alga in the lichens is considered an example of symbiosis, in which each partner of the association derives something essential for its survival.

Question 109. A female fig wasp enters the syconium of a fig to lay her eggs in the process of which she pollinates the flower. The young larvae feed on some of the seeds and complete their life cycle. The fig is completely dependent on the wasps to pollinate its flowers and the fig wasp requires figs to complete their life cycle. The interaction between figs and fig wasps has aspects of

  1. Mutualism
  2. Host-parasite interaction
  3. Competition
  4. Ammensalism
  5. Proto-cooperation

Select the correct option.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 1 And 3
  3. 5 And 6
  4. 3 And 4

Answer: 1. 1 And 2

  • The given examples show two types of interaction
  • Mutualism – the fig plant is completely dependent on the fig wasp to pollinate its flower and the fig wasp requires figs to complete its life cycle.
  • Host-parasite interaction– fig wasps are completely dependent on the fig plant for their food shelter, development, etc. Fig wasp acts as a parasite and fig plant acts as a host. Thus, option (1) is correct

Question 110. A free-living nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium that can also form a symbiotic association with the water fern Azolla is

  1. Chlorella
  2. Nostoc
  3. Anabaena
  4. Tolypothrix

Answer: 3. Anabaena

Anabaena is a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that exist as plankton. They are known for nitrogen-fixing abilities and they form symbiotic relationships with certain plants, such as the mosquito fern, azolla.

Question 111. The association between ants and petioles of certain plants is called

  1. Interaction
  2. Mutualism
  3. Myrmecophily
  4. All of these

Answer: 4. All of these

The association between ants and petioles of certain plants is called interaction mutualism or myrmecophily.

Question 112. The relationship between leguminous plants and the rhizobium present in their root nodules is

  1. Synergism
  2. Commensalism
  3. Parasitism
  4. Mutualism

Answer: 4. Mutualism

Root nodule symbiosis is a mutualistic interaction observed between mainly leguminous plants and nitrogen-fixing soil rhizobia, in which plants can obtain fixed atmospheric nitrogen and provide rhizobia with photosynthate as a carbon source.

Question 113. Besides paddy fields, cyanobacteria are also found inside the vegetative part of

  1. Equisetum
  2. Psilotum
  3. Pinus
  4. Cycas

Answer: 4. Cycas

Coralloid roots of cycas have symbiotic associations with blue-green algae like nostoc and anabaena. Coralloid roots are irregular, negatively geotropic, dichotomously branched coral-like roots that do not possess root hairs and root caps.

Question 114. Lichens are seen growing in areas with low pollution. They represent an intimate mutualistic relationship between

  1. Fungus and bacteria
  2. Fungus and photosynthetic algae
  3. Fungus and archaebacteria
  4. Fungus and roots of higher plants

Answer: 2. Fungus and photosynthetic algae

Lichens represent an intimate mutualistic relation between a fungus and photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria. It is the interaction conferring benefit to both the interacting species, called mutualism.

Question 115. Mycobiont and phycobiont association is

  1. Symbiotic
  2. Commensal
  3. Parasitic
  4. Helotism

Answer: 4. Helotism

In lichens, there is the association of mycobiont and phycobiont called helotism because, in this relationship, algae act as slaves, prepare food for fungi and fungi act as masters. The reproduction in algae is inhibited by the influence of fungi.

Question 116. Pollination is an example of

  1. Mutualism
  2. Proto-cooperation
  3. Synergism
  4. Both (1) and (2)

Answer: 1. Mutualism

Pollination is an example of mutualism in which the pollinator obtains nectar, pollen grain, etc., And in turn, the flower gets pollinated.

Question 117. Mycorrhiza, a relationship between fungi and roots of higher plants is

  1. Parasitic relationship
  2. Saprophytic relationship
  3. Symbiotic relationship
  4. Epiphytic relationship

Answer: 3. Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between fungi and roots of higher plants, which grow in mineral-deficient soil. It helps to absorb water and minerals like phosphorus from soil for the benefit of plants and in turn gets nutrition from the plant, as fungi cannot synthesize its own food.

Question 118. Which of the following is an example of symbiosis?

  1. Sea anemone and hermit crab
  2. Mycorrhiza
  3. Lichens
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Symbiosis is a term given to any type of interspecific interaction. Thus, all options are correct.

Question 119. One of them shows a symbiotic relationship with man.

  1. Paramecium
  2. Trypanosoma
  3. Leishmania
  4. Entamoeba coli

Answer: 4. Entamoeba coli

Entamoeba coli is a non-pathogenic species of entamoeba that frequently exists in the human gastrointestinal tract and shows a symbiotic relationship. It relies on intestinal contents for nutrients and humans derive certain vitamins from e. Coli, particularly vitamin-k

Question 120. Mutualism observed in plants is a special kind of interaction involving …a… And …b… .the former obtains nutrition and the latter plays a role in its life cycle.

Whereas the latter gets pollinated in return.

  1. A–insect, b–plants
  2. A–plants, b–insect
  3. A–prey, b–plants
  4. A–predator, b–plants

Answer: 1. A–insect, b–plants.

Question 121. Which one of the following microbes forms a symbiotic association with plants and helps them in their nutrition?

  1. Azotobacter
  2. Aspergillus
  3. Glomus
  4. Trichoderma

Answer: 3. Glomus

Azotobacter, Aspergillus, and Trichoderma all are free-living microbes that help plants in their nutrition. Glomus is a fungus that symbiotically forms endomycorrhiza that helps in the absorption of nutrition especially phosphorus from soil.

Question 122. Roots of higher plants show symbiosis with mycorrhiza for obtaining

  1. Sulfates
  2. Nitrogen
  3. Phosphates
  4. All of these

Answer: 3. Phosphates

Mycorrhiza is an association of a soil fungus, e.g. Boletus, and with the roots of higher plants such as conifers, for example. Pinus. The fungus absorbs water and minerals (mainly phosphates) from the soil and passes them to the plant. The carbohydrate synthesized by the plant is absorbed by the fungus.

Question 123. The association between hermit crabs and sea anemones is

  1. Symbiosis
  2. Commensalism
  3. Parasitism
  4. Protocooperation

Answer: 4. Protocooperation

  • In protocooperation, the two organisms are mutually benefitted by each other. But the association is non-obligatory, i.e. Not necessary for their existence, for example.
  • Association between a hermit crab and sea anemone. Hermit crab takes sea anemone on their back to other feeding zone and in turn, gets protection from his enemies.

Question 124. A bird enters the mouth of a crocodile and feeds on parasitic leeches. The bird gets food and the crocodile gets rid of blood-sucking leeches. Both the partners can live independently. Such an association is called

  1. Mutualism
  2. Amensalism
  3. Commensalism
  4. Protocooperation
  5. Answer:

Question 125. Which one of the following is a matching pair of certain organism(s) and the kind of association?

  1. Shark and sucker fish–commensalism
  2. Algae and fungi in lichens–mutualism
  3. Orchids growing on trees–parasitism
  4. Cuscuta (dodder) growing on other flowering plants–epiphytes

Answer: 2. Algae and fungi in lichens–mutualism

Mutualism is a type of symbiotic association between two organisms in which both are benefitted. Lichen is a symbiotic association of an alga and fungus in which an algal partner provides food to the fungal partner by photosynthesis and a fungal partner helps in the absorption of water and minerals.

Question 126. Consider the following statements.

  1. The mutualistic relationship evolves when the benefit of both species outweighs the loss.
  2. Mutualism evolves when the benefits of both species outweigh the loss.
  3. Humans cause an ecological imbalance by eradicating common predators.
  4. Humans bring about an alteration in competition between species.

Choose the option containing incorrect statements.

  1. 1 And 3
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 1 And 4
  4. 2 And 4

Answer: 2. 2 And 3

Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect and can be corrected as mutualistic relationships evolve when the benefit is more than the cost. Human causes ecological imbalance by eradicating common parasite and anthropogenic pollution is causing the extinction of many species. Rest all statements are correct.

Question 127. Which of the following can only reproduce only once in their lifetime?

  1. Pacific salmon fish
  2. Bamboo
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Both (1) and (2)

The organism that breeds only once in its lifetime are called monocapric, for example. Pacific salmon fish, bamboo.

Question 128. …A… Are organisms that obtain their nutrition only from plants. This mode of nutrition is also a kind of … B…

Choose the correct option A and B.

  1. A–herbivores, b–predation
  2. A–herbivores, b–mutualism
  3. A–omnivores, b–commensalism
  4. A–omnivores, b–predation

Answer: 1. A–herbivores, b–predation

Question 129. Herbivores do not prefer calotropis

  1. Due to its appearance
  2. Due to the production of foul odor
  3. Due to the formation of cardiac glycosides
  4. Due to its distasteful leaves

Answer: 3. Due to the formation of cardiac glycosides

Question 130. Find the incorrect match.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 130 Find the incorrect match.

Answer: 1. Only (1) is an incorrect match and can be corrected as crab and sacculina do not show positive interaction. They show negative or parasitic interaction. Parasitic sacculina destroys a crab’s gonads, rendering the crab permanently infertile. The rest matches are correct.

Question 131. Which of the following is inappropriately defined?

  1. The parasite is an organism that only lives inside the body of other organisms and is detrimental to it.
  2. A host is an organism that only provides food and shelter to another organism.
  3. Amensalism is a relationship in which one species is benefitted, whereas the other is unaffected. 4. A predator is an organism that catches and kills other organisms of the same species for food.

Choose the correct option.

  1. 1 And 4
  2. 3 And 4
  3. 1, 2, 3 And 4
  4. 1, 3 And 4

Answer: 1. 1 And 4

  • Statements I and iv are correct, while ii and iii are incorrect because a host is an animal or plant in which a parasite lives. Amensalim is a relationship between two organisms in which one is inhibited or destroyed and the other is unaffected.
  • Predators are those that obtain food by the killing and consuming of other organisms. A parasite is an organism that lives in another organism called the host and harms it.

Question 132. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 132 Match the following columns.

Answer: 3. A–3, b–2, c–1, d–5, e–4

Question 133. Consider the following statements.

  1. Some species of insects and frogs show critical coloration.
  2. Some animals are poisonous.

Monarch butterflies are distasteful.

  1. The above adaptations are against
  2. Predation
  3. Mimicry
  4. Symbiosis
  5. Protection

Answer: 1. Predation

Given statement are the adaptations through which prey can avoid their predators. Mimicry, camouflage, and poisonous chemicals are the different strategies to avoid predators.

Question 134. Match the items in column I with

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 134 Match the items in Column 1 with those in Column 2.

Answer: 2. A–3, b–2, c–4, d–1

Question 135. Interactions observed in the ecosystem.

  1. Fig: wasp:: sea anemone: …A…
  2. …B… : Barnacle :: plants: grasshopper
  3. Sacculina : crab:: …C… : Human
  4. Cat: mouse:: grizzly bear: …d… Identify the option

With the correct set of answers.

  1. A–shark, b–whale, c–plasmodia, d–sea lion
  2. A–clown fish, b–dolphin, c–gut flora, d–salmon
  3. A–clown fish, b–whale, c–plasmodia, d–salmon
  4. A–crab, b–whale, c–plasmodia; d–elephant seal

Answer: 3. A–clown fish, b–whale, c–plasmodia, d–salmon

Question 136. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  1. Lichen, an association of fungus and algae is an example of mutualism
  2. Those epiphytes which use other plants only for support and not for nutrition supply are examples of commensalism
  3. Sea anemone on hermit crab is an example of protocooperation
  4. Mutualism, protocooperation, and commensalism cannot be included under symbiosis

Answer: 4. Mutualism, protocooperation, and commensalism cannot be included under symbiosis

  • The statement in the option is incorrect and can be corrected as symbiosis means ‘living together’. It is a beneficial co-action between two (or more) different species in which one or both the species are benefitted and neither species is harmed.
  • Symbiotic relationships are manifested through commensalism, protocooperation, and mutualism and are widespread in nature.
  • Commensalism is an association or relationship between two different organisms in which one is always benefitted, while the other is neither benefitted nor harmed.

137. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 137 Match the following columns.

Answer: 3. A–2, b–1, c–3

Question 138. In the case of the peppered moth (Biston betularia), the black-coloured form became dominant over the light-coloured form in England during the Industrial Revolution. This is an example of

  1. The appearance of the darker-colored individuals due to very poor sunlight
  2. Protective mimicry
  3. Inheritance of darker color character acquired due to the darker environment
  4. Natural selection whereby the darker forms were selected

Answer: 4. Natural selection whereby the darker forms were selected

  • In the case of the peppered moth (Biston betularia), the black-coloured form became dominant over the light-coloured form in England during the Industrial Revolution.
  • This is an example of natural selection. This group is about species that gain protection from predators due to selection caused by nature.

Question 139.

  1. Bears go into …A… During winters.
  2. Conical age pyramid with a broad base …B… Human population.
  3. Pollination of fig by wasp …C…
  4. An area with a high level of species richness is known as …D…

Choose the correct combination.

  1. A–hibernation, B–expanding, C–mutualism, D–hotspot
  2. A–hibernation, B–expanding, C–mutualism, D–hotspot
  3. A–hibernation, B–expanding, C–hotspot, D–mutualism
  4. A–aestivation, B–hotspot, C–expanding, D–mutualism

Answer: 2. A–hibernation, b–expanding, c–mutualism, d–hotspot

Question 140. Match the column 1 with column 2 and select the correct option.

NEET Biology Population Interaction MCQs Question 140 Match the items in Column 1 with those in Column 2 and select the correct option.

Answer: 4. A–4, b–3, c–1, d–2

Question 141. Which of the following statements regarding species interdependence are true?

  1. An association of two species where one is benefitted and the other remains unaffected is called mutualism.
  2. An interspecific association where both partners derive benefit from each other is called commensalism.
  3. A direct food relation between two species of animals in which one animal kills and feeds on another is referred to as predation.
  4. A relationship between two species of organisms where both the partners are benefitted from each other is called symbiosis.

Choose the correct option.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 3 And 4
  3. 1 And 3
  4. 2 And 3
  5. 2 and 4

Answer: 2. 3 And 4

Statements 3 and 4 are correct as predation is the direct food relation between two species of animals in which one animal (predator) captures and feeds on another (the prey). In symbiosis (mutualism) two organisms live together in close physical association in which both derive benefits, for example. Lichen.

NEET Biology Population Attributes Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET Population Attributes

Question 1. The study of population is called

  1. Demography
  2. Bibliography
  3. Both and (b)
  4. Cartography

Answer: 1. Demography

Demography is the study of population in all aspects.

Question 2. The term ‘demography’ was first used by

  1. Darwin
  2. Guillard
  3. Millar
  4. Lamarck

Answer: 2. Guillard

The term demography was coined by Achille Guillard in 1855. But, in fact, John Grant is considered the real founder of demography, who wrote the book ‘Natural and Political Observations Made Upon the Bills of Mortality’, in 1762.

Read And Learn More: NEET Biology Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 3. July 11th is observed

  1. World population day
  2. No tobacco day
  3. World environmental day
  4. World health day

Answer: 1. World Population Day

World population day – 11th July No tobacco day – 31st May World environment day – 5th June World health day – 7th April

Question 4. In demography, we study

  1. Decrease or increase in population
  2. The ratio of different age groups of males and females
  3. Distribution of population in different countries
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

In demography, we study the decrease or increase in population, the ratio of different age groups of males and females, distribution of the population in different countries.

Question 5. Population

  1. Total number of interbreeding individuals of a species found in a particular place
  2. Total number of interbreeding individuals of a species found in the same geographical area
  3. Total number of interbreeding individuals of a species found in different geographical areas
  4. All of the above

Answer: 1. Total number of interbreeding individuals of a species found in a particular place

Population is the total number of interbreeding individuals of a species found in a particular area who share and compete for similar resources.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

NEET Biology Population Attributes Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 6. The significance of the study of population is to know

  1. The consequences of an uncontrolled population only
  2. The benefits of planned family
  3. The population growth, distribution, and density
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

The significance of population study is to know the consequence of uncontrolled population, the benefits of family planning, population growth, density, and distribution.

Question 7. The present population of the world is about

  1. 500 Million
  2. 100 Billion
  3. 7 Billion
  4. 15 Billion

Answer: 3. 7 Billion

The human population of the world is estimated to have crossed 7 billion in the year 2011 (as per the United Nations Organization)

Question 8. The least densely populated state of India is

  1. Kerala
  2. Sikkim
  3. Arunachal Pradesh
  4. Jammu and Kashmir

Answer: 3. Arunachal Pradesh

The state with the lowest population density is Arunachal Pradesh and the union territory with the lowest density of population is Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The union territory with the highest population density is Delhi.

Question 9. Census

  1. Official and periodic counting of the population of a species
  2. Unofficial counting of population
  3. Official and periodic counting of population of all species in a given area
  4. Official counting of males only

Answer: 1. Official and periodic counting of the population of a species

A census is an official counting of the population of a species and preparing data about age groups, birth rate, death rate, sex ratio, education, etc

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 10. According to the latest census, the most densely populated country in the world is

  1. Pakistan
  2. India
  3. Japan
  4. Bangladesh

Answer: 4. Bangladesh

Among these four Bangladesh is the most densely populated country. Monaco, one of the world’s smallest countries, is also second most densely populated country in the world

Question 11. The increase in population per unit of time is called

  1. Population growth
  2. Population dynamics
  3. Population ratio
  4. Population density

Answer: 1. Population growth

Population growth can be defined as the increase in population per unit of time.

Question 12. What is the most important factor for the success of the animal population?

  1. Natality
  2. Unlimited food
  3. Adaptability
  4. Inter-species activity

Answer: 3. Adaptability

The process by which a species becomes fit for its survival in the environment is called adaptability. When the environmental factor changes the organism has to adapt to the surroundings by changing its temperature or metabolism over a period of time. Hence, adaptability is the result of natural selection.

Question 13. The technical term that describes population size is

  1. Population density
  2. Demography
  3. Population growth
  4. Population dynamics

Answer: 1. Population density

  • Population size is technically called population density (designated as n).
  • The size of a population depends upon several factors like mortality, natality, etc.
  • The size in nature could be as low as less than 10 (Siberian cranes at Bharatpur wetlands in any year) or go in millions (Chlamydomonas in a pond).

Question 14. Which of the following is not a dynamic of population?

  1. Natality
  2. Mortality
  3. Sex ratio
  4. Water potential

Answer: 4. Water potential

The main dynamics of the population are population density, natality, mortality, sex ratio, and age groups. Option (4) is not a dynamics of a population as water potential is the potential energy of water per unit volume relative to pure water.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 15. Disturbed sex ratio is observed in which Indian state?

  1. Madhya Pradesh
  2. Arunachal Pradesh
  3. Bihar
  4. Haryana

Answer: 4. Haryana

Among the given states the worst sex ratio is seen in Haryana. As of today, Haryana’s sex ratio is 924 girls for 1000 boys. This is due to sex-selective abortion, infanticide, and neglect of the girl child.

Question 16. Population density means

  1. The number of individuals per unit area
  2. The number of individuals in a unit area at a specific time
  3. The concentration of the human population in a place
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. The number of individuals in a unit area at a specific time

Population density is the number of individuals per unit (geographical) area at a specific time.

Question 17. Which of the following states has the highest population density?

  1. Bihar
  2. Madhya Pradesh
  3. Nagaland
  4. Maharashtra

Answer: 1. Bihar

Bihar is a highly populated state (1106 persons/sq km.) Followed by West Bengal 1028 and Kerala 860.

Question 18. Population density can be calculated by

  1. D = s/n
  2. D = n/s
  3. D = s/w
  4. N = w/sd

Answer: 2. D = n/s

The total number of individuals present in a unit area or volume at a specific time is called its population density.

It can be calculated as

  • D = n/s,
  • Where, d = density,
  • N = total number of individuals in a region and
  • S = size of unit area in the region.

Question 19. The formula for the calculation of population density is d = n/a in this formula ‘a represents

  1. Whole world population
  2. Unit of time
  3. Population density
  4. Area of the land

Answer: 4. Area of the land

The formula for population density is d = n/a, where d is the population density, n is the total population and a is the land area covered by the population.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 20. Find out the population density when n is 1000 and s is 100 m 2.

  1. 10
  2. 100
  3. 1
  4. 1000

Answer: 1.10

Population density

\(=\frac{\text { Number of individuals }}{\text { Area }}=\frac{1000}{100}=10\)

Question 21. If a pond has 20 lotus plants 8 new plants are added through reproduction. Then the birth rate is

  1. 0.8 offspring per lotus per year
  2. 0.2 offspring per lotus per year
  3. 0.4 offspring per lotus per year
  4. 0.6 offspring per lotus per year

Answer: 3. 0.4 offspring per lotus per year

  • Current number of lotus plants = 20
  • New plants added = 8
  • Birth rate = 8/20 = 0 4. Offspring per

Question 22. The country that shows a negative population growth rate is

  1. Brazil
  2. France
  3. Sweden
  4. America

Answer: 3. Sweden

Sweden, Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Hungary show negative population growth, i.e. The population is not growing but is actually losing population.

Question 23. The population of any species is

  1. A static phenomena
  2. A dynamic phenomena
  3. Neither (1) nor (2)
  4. Both (1) and (2)

Answer: 2. A dynamic phenomena

The population keeps on changing due to various factors like immigration, emigration, natality, and mortality. So, it is a dynamic rather than a stable phenomenon.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 24. The dynamism of the population is

  1. Increase in population
  2. Change in population
  3. Decrease in population
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Population dynamics refers to how populations of a species change over time (i.e. Increase or decrease in population). Important factors in population dynamics include rates of reproduction, death, and migration.

Question 25. The relative proportion of individuals of various age groups in the population is called ………… Of the population.

  1. Diversity
  2. Density
  3. Age structure
  4. Community

Answer: 3. Age structure

The age structure of a population is the distribution of people of various ages. It is a useful tool for social scientists, public health and health care experts, policy analysts, and policy-makers because it illustrates population trends like rates of births and deaths.

Question 26 The age distribution of a population is determined by the

  1. Timing of birth and deaths
  2. The rate at which the population is growing
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Both (1) and (2)

The age distribution of a population is determined by the timing of birth and deaths and the rate at which the population is growing.

Question 27. According to the population of the world, India is placed

  1. First
  2. Second
  3. Third
  4. Fourth

Answer: 2. Second

The ten countries with the largest population in the world today are China followed by India, the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Russia, and Mexico, therefore India resulted second.

Question 28. The average population density of developing countries such as India in comparison to developed countries like USA is

  1. Equal
  2. Less
  3. More
  4. Ever changing

Answer: 3. More

In 2018, the population density of the USA was approximately 36 residents per square kilometer of land area. In 2018, the population density of India was approximately 455 residents per square kilometer (the World Bank data). Therefore, the average density of India is higher in comparison to the USA.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 29. According to which theory will the human population out-run food supply?

  1. Intrusion theory
  2. Malthusian theory
  3. Eltons theory
  4. Malthusian theory

Answer: 2. Malthusian theory

Thomas R. Malthus put forward a theory of human population growth in 1778. A Malthusian catastrophe was a prediction of a forced return to subsistence-level conditions once population growth had outpaced agricultural production.

Question 30. Which one of the following is a population?

  1. A spider and some trapped flies in its web
  2. Earthworm that lives in grassland along with other arthropods
  3. All the plants in a forest
  4. All the oak trees in a forest

Answer: 4. All the oak trees in a forest

Out of the given option, all the oak trees in a forest are considered as population. Population refers to the number of organisms/individuals of the same species that live in a particular geographic area at the same time with the capability of interbreeding.

Question 31. Who was the first scientist to estimate the human population?

  1. Darwin
  2. Malthus
  3. Garrod
  4. Vavilor

Answer: 2. Malthus

Malthus was the first man to publicly predict the limits of the human population and how population and well-being are connected. In 1798, Malthus wrote an essay on the principle of population, which explained his predictions and changed the views of many people.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 32. The higher human population in cities is mainly due to

  1. A lot of opportunities for education
  2. Availability of clean drinking water
  3. Better sanitation
  4. Higher-income resources

Answer: 4. Higher income resources

Birth and death rates are two major factors that determine the population growth of a country. Better medical facilities, food availability, and better economic condition have decreased the death rate as well as the birth rate have increased considerably. Thus, the higher human population in cities is mainly due to higher income resources.

Question 33. The highest and lowest population in India is in ………… And ……………. Respectively.

  1. Mp, Tripura
  2. Up, Sikkim
  3. Maharashtra, Nagaland
  4. Andhra Pradesh, Assam

Answer: 2. Up, Sikkim

According to the state census 2011, the most populated state in India is Uttar Pradesh with a population of 19.96 crores. The least populated state in the country is Sikkim with a population of 60,7688.

Question 34. The socio-religious cause of growth in population is

  1. Early marriages
  2. Non-adoption of family planning methods
  3. Desire to have a male child
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

The socio-religious cause of growth in population is an increase in the number of young married couples, high fertility rates for the same ethnic groups, non-adoption of family planning methods, desire to have a male child, inadequate sexual education, and birth control provision.

Question 35. In Delhi, there is a large gap between birth and death rate. This shows that delhi has a population of

  1. School going children
  2. More old persons
  3. Middle-aged persons
  4. Adult ones

Answer: 1. School going children

Maximum death occurs in infants and old age people and maximum individuals are added by middle-aged persons. School-going children have lower mortality (death rate), hence there should be a large gap between birth rate and death rate in a population that has the maximum population of school-going children.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 36. Categorization of age groups for constituting population pyramids was done by

  1. Odum
  2. Karmonby
  3. Bodenheimer
  4. Daubenmier

Answer: 1. Odum

A population pyramid or age structure pyramid is a graphical representation of the distribution of various age groups in a population of a country or any particular region. It was developed by the American ecologist Howard Thomas Odum.

Question 37. The number of deaths per 1000 individuals in a population per year is called

  1. Sex ratio
  2. Mortality
  3. Natality
  4. Age structure

Answer: 2. Mortality

Mortality refers to the death of individuals in the population.

Question 38. The age structure of a population influences population growth. Identify the reason for this statement.

  1. Different age groups have different reproductive capabilities
  2. Different age groups have the same reproductive capabilities
  3. The age of an individual is directly proportional to reproductive capabilities
  4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Different age groups have different reproductive capabilities

Different age groups have different reproductive capabilities due to which population growth is influenced. For example, when the pre-reproductive age group is more than the reproductive and post-reproductive. This type of population is expanding population.

Question 39. Age pyramids are of

  1. Two types
  2. Three types
  3. Four types
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Three types

The age pyramid is the graphic representation of different age groups found in a population with the pre-reproductive group at the base, reproductive ones in the middle, and the post-reproductive group at the top.

Age pyramids are of three types:

  1. Triangular age pyramid
  2. Bell-shaped age pyramid
  3. Urn-shaped age pyramid

Question 40. Which of the following factors regulate human life with reference to population density?

  1. Availability of food, housing, and health facilities
  2. Urbanization
  3. Climatic conditions
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Factors that regulate population density are

  1. Physical factors water supply, climate, the shape of land, vegetation, soils, and availability of natural resources and energy.
  2. Human factors are social, political, and economic factors. Thus, option is correct.

Question 41. In India, human population is heavily weighted toward the younger age groups as a result of

  1. The short lifespan of many individuals and a low birth rate
  2. The long lifespan of many individuals and a low birth rate
  3. Short lifespan of many individuals and a high birth rate
  4. Long lifespan of many individuals and a high birth rate

Answer: 3. Short lifespan of many individuals and high birth rate

In India, there is a short lifespan of individuals and a high birth rate as compared to other countries. That is why the human population is heavily weighted towards the younger age groups.

Question 42. The present century has witnessed a remarkable increase in the population of India. One major factor for this is that

  1. Older people have begun to live longer
  2. More children are born in each family
  3. More children per family have begun to reach the reproductive age
  4. More people are marrying in the younger age group

Answer: 1. Older people have begun to live longer

Due to the advancement in medical facilities, the average lifespan of a human has increased adding to the population of India as older people have begun to live longer with proper medical treatment.

Question 43. In any growing population, the maximum contribution is of

  1. Post-reproductive members
  2. Reproductive members
  3. Pre-reproductive members
  4. All of the above

Answer: 2. Reproductive members

A country’s age structure tracks the number of people in the pre-reproductive, reproductive, and post-reproductive years. In any growing population, the maximum contribution is of reproductive members.

Question 44. The reproductive value of an individual is greatest just before

  1. First reproduction
  2. Death
  3. Birth
  4. None of the above

Answer: 1. First reproduction

Fisher defined the reproductive value of individuals of a given age as their expected contribution to future population growth. It is highest just before first reproduction as with subsequent reproduction and increase of age there‘s a decrease in the chances of the individual contributing to future population.

Question 45. In a growing population of a country.

  1. Pre-reproductive individuals are more than reproductive individuals
  2. Pre-reproductive individuals are less than reproductive individuals
  3. Reproductive and pre-reproductive individuals are equal in number
  4. Reproductive individuals are less than post-reproductive individuals

Answer: 1. Pre-reproductive individuals are more than the reproductive individuals

Whenever the pre-reproductive individuals or the younger population size is larger than the reproductive group, the population will be an increasing population

Question 46. Population pyramids were first made by

  1. Bodenheimer
  2. Van Humboldt
  3. Daubenmire
  4. Elton

Answer: 1. Bodenheimer

  • Bodenheimer (1985) was the first ecologist to propose three major age groups in any population. These are pre-reproductive, reproductive, and post-reproductive.
  • A graphical representation of different age groups found in a population with pre-reproductive groups at the base, reproductive ones in the middle, and post-reproductive groups at the top is called age pyramid.

NEET Biology Mcq Chapter Wise

Question 47 The age pyramid with a broad base indicates

  1. A high percentage of young individuals
  2. A high percentage of old individuals
  3. A low percentage of young individuals
  4. A stable population

Answer: 1. High percentage of young individuals

  • An age pyramid is a pyramid that determines the number of individuals in a particular age group in a particular population. A pyramid with a broad base indicates a high percentage of young individuals. The base of the pyramid is formed by people in the age group of 0-14 years.
  • This also indicates the reproductive fertility of the individual of that population. The top of the pyramid is formed by the individuals of older age groups showing increased mortality.

Question 48. The ecological age group of a population includes

  1. Pre-reproductive
  2. Reproductive
  3. Post-reproductive
  4. Old-age group
  5. Adolescent age group
  6. Infertile age group

Choose the correct option for the given statements.

  1. 1, 2 And 3
  2. 3, 4 And 5
  3. 4, 5 And 6
  4. 1, 5 And 6

Answer: 1.1, 2 and 3

Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct. A population has three ecological age groups

  1. Pre-reproductive
  2. Reproductive
  3. Post-reproductive this division of population was given by Bodenheimer in 1958.

Question 49. Which of the following age groups fall in the pre-reproductive age category?

  1. 15-59 Years
  2. 23-54 Years
  3. 0-14 Years
  4. 50-60 Years

Answer: 3. 0-14 Years

The portion of individuals in different age groups. Pre-reproductive age (0-14) reproductive age (15-44) post-reproductive age (45+)

Question 50. Age pyramid a, b, and c indicates.

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Post reproductive reproduclive pre reproductive

  1. A–expanding population, b–stable population, c–declining population
  2. A–expanding population, b–declining population, c–stable
    population
  3. A–stable population, b–declining, population c–expanding population
  4. A–declining population, b–stable, population c–expanding population

Answer: 1. A–expanding population, b–stable population, c–declining population

Question 51. A population having a large number of post-reproductive and a small number of pre-reproductive age groups is called

  1. Growing population
  2. Steady population
  3. Declining population
  4. Reproductive isolation

Answer: 3. Declining population

A population with a large number of post-reproductive or older individuals and a lesser number of pre-reproductive individuals will show a negative growth rate or decline in growth.

NEET Biology Mcq Chapter Wise

Question 52. The apex of the age pyramid of a stationary population is

  1. Very narrow
  2. Broad
  3. Almost equal to the base
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Broad

The apex of a diminishing population is broad and an expanding population is narrow, whereas in a stabilized population it is only smaller than pre-reproductive and reproductive age groups.

Question 53. A bell-shaped age pyramid of a population is indicative of

  1. The number of pre-reproductive and reproductive individuals is almost equal
  2. Post-reproductive individuals are comparatively fewer
  3. The population size remains stable
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

In a bell-shaped age pyramid, the number of pre-reproductive and reproductive individuals is almost equal. Post-reproductive individuals are comparatively fewer. Population size is stable.

Question 54. When it is observed that a population is grown then the type of age pyramid obtained is

  1. Bell-shaped age pyramid
  2. Urn-shaped age pyramid
  3. Triangular age pyramid
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Triangular age pyramid

In a triangular age pyramid population size is growing. The number of pre-reproductive individuals is very large whereas the number of reproductive individuals is moderate and post-reproductive are fewer.

Question 55. Zero growth in population is observed when

  1. Less number of births happen
  2. Less number of reproductive females are present
  3. The number of reproductive individuals is equal to pre-reproductive individuals
  4. A smaller number of males than females are present

Answer: 3. Number of reproductive individuals is equal to pre-reproductive individuals

Zero growth of population is indicated when various age groups are evenly balanced. This is observed in a bell-shaped age pyramid. The number of pre-reproductive and reproductive individuals is almost equal. Post-reproductive individuals are comparatively fewer thus population size is stable.

Question 56. Which of the following statements correctly correlates with the diagrams?

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Post reproductive

  1. A and B are steady population
  2. A and D are declining population
  3. C and D are growing population
  4. B and D are declining population

Answer: 2. A and D are declining population

NEET Biology Mcq Chapter Wise

Question 57. A country with a high rate of population growth took measures to reduce it. The figure below shows age-sex pyramids of populations a and b twenty years apart. Select the correct interpretation of the interpretations

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Age and Inte rpretations

  1. B is the earlier pyramid and shows a stabilized growth rate
  2. B is more recent showing that the population is very young
  3. A is the earlier pyramid and no change has occurred in the growth rate
  4. A is more recent and shows a slight reduction in the growth rate

Answer: 4. A is more recent and shows a slight reduction in the growth rate

Question 58. Consider the following statements.

  1. The proportion of the reproductive age group is higher than the individuals in the pre-reproductive age group.
  2. The number of post-reproductive individuals is moderate.
  3. Declining or diminishing population.

Choose the pyramid that is descriptive of the above population characteristics.

  1. Bell-shaped age pyramid
  2. Triangular age pyramid
  3. Sphere-shaped age pyramid
  4. Urn-shaped age pyramid

Answer: 4. Urn-shaped age pyramid

The pre-reproductive and reproductive stages are less than the post-reproductive stages of this population. In this population, more older people are present. This type of age structure indicates the population is declining. This type of pyramid is known as an urn-shaped age pyramid

Question 59. The average ratio of men and women in the human population is

  1. 3:4
  2. 1:1
  3. 3:5
  4. 1:2

Answer: 2. 1:1

Sex ratios are defined as the number of females per thousand males sex ratio in India as percenus 2011 is 940 females per 1000 males

NEET Biology Mcq Chapter Wise

Question 60. Natality refers to

  1. Number of individuals leaving the habitat
  2. Birth rate
  3. Death rate
  4. Number of individuals entering a habitat

Answer: 2. Birth rate

Natality is the number of young individuals produced in a unit of time in a population in a given area and is added to the density. It is equivalent to the birth rate. It is measured either as an absolute (crude) natality rate or a specific natality rate.

Question 61. The total national income is divided by the total population of the country, then it is known as

  1. Per capita income
  2. Population income
  3. Per capita production
  4. Per capita gross income

Answer: 1. Per capita income

(1) Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) In a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area’s total income by its total population.

Question 62. Which of the following is not an attribute of a population?

  1. Natality
  2. Mortality
  3. Species interaction
  4. Sex ratio

Answer: 3. Species interaction

Species interaction is not an attribute of a population. Rest options natality (birth rate), mortality (death rate), and sex ratio are population attributes.

Question 63. The sex ratio is defined as the

  1. The ratio of females to males in a population
  2. The ratio of males to females in a population
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. The ratio of infant to old people in a population

Answer: 1. Ratio of females to males in a population

The number of females and males per 1000 individuals in a given time is called as sex ratio.

NEET Biology Mcq Chapter Wise

Question 64. Natality refers to

  1. Death rate
  2. Number of individuals entering a habitat
  3. Number of individuals leaving the habitat
  4. Birth rate

Answer: 4. Birth rate

Natality refers to the birth rate.

  • The death rate is mortality.
  • Number of individuals entering a habitat is immigration.
  • A number of individuals leaving the habitat are emigration.

Question 65. The permanent decrease in population number occurs due to

  1. Mortality
  2. Natality and migration
  3. Territoriality
  4. Emigration

Answer: 1. Mortality

Mortality is the state of death it reduces the component and population and thus causes a permanent decrease in population number.

Question 66. To keep a population balanced reproduction is the phenomenon, an opposite in order to reduce it is

  1. Biotic control
  2. Mortality
  3. Fecundity
  4. Normality

Answer: 2. Mortality

Mortality is the average number of natural deaths per unit population per unit time.

Question 67. The number of individuals in the population who left the habitat and went elsewhere during the time period under consideration is known as

  1. Natality
  2. Mortality
  3. Emigration
  4. Immigration

Answer: 3. Emigration

Emigration refers to the number of individuals in a population who left the habitat and went elsewhere during the time period under consideration. Emigration decreases the size of a population. It is caused mainly due to calamities.

Question 68. Emigration pertains to

  1. One-way inward movement
  2. One-way outward movement
  3. Periodic departure and return
  4. Two-way movement of the entire population

Answer: 2. One-way outward movement

Emigration pertains to one-way outward movement.

Question 69. Periodic departure and return of an individual to an area is known as

  1. Immigration
  2. Migration
  3. Emigration
  4. Immigrant

Answer: 2. Migration

Migration is the temporary departure and return of organisms to an area due to unfavorable conditions of the environment, for example. Bird migration from Siberia and other extremely cold northern regions. Whereas, immigration and emigration are permanent phenomena.

Question 70. When new individuals come into a population from outside, it is described as

  1. Immigration
  2. Emigration
  3. Growth rate
  4. Natality

Answer: 1. Immigration

When a number of individuals of the same species come into a population from outside, it is described as immigration.

Question 71. The large gap between natality and mortality will result in

  1. Less old people in relation to children
  2. More old people
  3. Low dependency ratio
  4. Prosperous country

Answer: 2. More old people

The population will show an increase in the number of older people if there exists a large gap between natality and mortality.

Question 72. The disturbing aspect of the sex ratio in the population of India is due to

  1. Increased number of females
  2. Decreased number of females
  3. Decreased number of males
  4. Increased number of females and males

Answer: 2. Decreased number of females

India is one of the few countries where the number of males is more than the number of females. There has been a steady decrease in the female population since 1901. Thus, an option is correct.

Question 73. If the birth rate is 100, the death rate is 10, and the number of individuals in the population group is 1000, then what will be the percentage of the natural growth rate?

  1. 0.09%
  2. 9.0%
  3. 0.9%
  4. 90%

Answer: 2. 9.0%

Birth rate = 100

Death rate = 10

Number of individuals in the population = 1000

Natural growth rate = 100 − 10 = 90

So, the percentage of the growth rate

[Latex]=\frac{90}{100} \times 100=9 \%[/latex]

Question 74. According to the law of population growth, if an initial population of yeast cells 10 in number was allowed to grow for 6 hours, the expected number of individuals in the final population will be about

  1. 600
  2. 100
  3. 50
  4. 200

Answer: 4. 200

The projection of population

Growth in yeast is given by

[Latex]\mathrm{n}=n_o e^{r t}[/latex]

Where e = national logarithmic base = 2.72;

No = initial population;

R = intrinsic rate of increase;

T = time.

N = ×10×272(0.5×6)

Hence, n = 200.86, i.e. After 6 hours, the population is expected to have about 200 individuals.

Question 75. Information on the birth rate, death rate, sex ratio, and age distribution of a population can be obtained from

  1. Natality table
  2. Mortality table
  3. Age distribution table
  4. Life table

Answer: 4. Life table

The life table represents the survivorship of people from a certain population.

Question 76. The rapid decline in population due to a high mortality rate is called

  1. Population density
  2. Population crash
  3. Population explosion
  4. All of the above

Answer: 2. Population crash

The term population crash is most often used when referring to a drastic decline in the human population, which impacts the economy and the quality of life of individuals in the population.

Question 77. The rate of natural increase in human population refers to

  1. Birth rate
  2. Mortality
  3. Natality minus death rate
  4. Birth rate plus death rate

Answer: 3. Natality minus death rate

The rate of natural increase is defined as the crude birth rate minus the crude death rate. It is expressed as a rate per 1000 population.

Question 78. The impact of immigration on population density is

  1. Negative
  2. Positive
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. Neutralized by natality

Answer: 2. Positive

  • Population density is the number of individuals present per unit area or volume at a given time. It is calculated by the formula d n s= /, where d = density, n = total number of individuals, and s = number of units of space.
  • Since immigration increases the number of individuals in an area, population density increases. Thus, immigration has a positive impact on population density.

Question 79. The animal population becomes too large for its feeding source or its habitat, and its members starve/die but humans escape this disaster by

  1. Immigration only
  2. Emigration only
  3. Transportation of food
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 2. Emigration only

Humans are the most evolved organisms on earth. They are able to escape disaster by both emigration and transportation of food, unlike other animals on earth.

Question 80. Certain characteristic demographic features of developing countries are

  1. High fertility, low or rapidly falling mortality rate, rapid population growth, and a very young age distribution
  2. High fertility, high density, rapidly rising mortality rate, and a very young age distribution
  3. High infant mortality, low fertility, uneven population growth, and a very young age distribution
  4. High mortality, high density, uneven population growth, and a very old age distribution

Answer: 1. High fertility, low or rapidly falling mortality rate, rapid population growth and a very young age distribution

  • Demography is the study of population in all aspects. Fertility refers to the number of children per couple. The mortality rate is the average number of natural deaths per unit population per unit time. Age distribution refers to the proportionate occurrence of individuals of the three age groups.
  • Developing countries usually have a high rate of population growth, because of increasing fertility and declining mortality.

Question 81. Population explosion means

  1. Sudden loss of population
  2. Reduction in biotic potential
  3. Sudden increases in the old age population
  4. Tremendous increase in overall population

Answer: 4. Tremendous increase in overall population

The rapid increase of population in a short duration is called population explosion. It happens with unlimited resources and the least resistance.

Question 82. Which one of the following causes population explosion?

  1. Decrease in infant mortality rate and increase in death rate
  2. Decrease in death rate, maternal mortality rate, and infant mortality rate
  3. Decrease in infant mortality rate and decrease in the number of people of reproductive age
  4. Decrease in death rate and increase in maternal mortality rate

Answer: 2. Decrease in death rate, maternal mortality rate, and infant mortality rate

Question 83. Bio-index number means

  1. Natality – mortality
  2. Mortality/natality
  3. Natality × mortality
  4. Natality/mortality

Answer: 4. Natality/mortality

The percentage ratio of natality over mortality is known as vital or bio index, i.e. Natality/mortality × 100. It determines the growth of a population.

Question 84. The change in population size at a given time interval t, is given by the expression, n nt = + + − −0 b I d e, i, b and d, respectively stand for

  1. I–rate of immigration, b–mortality rate, d–natality rate
  2. I–the rate of emigration, b–the natality rate, d–the mortality rate
  3. I–mortality rate, b–natality rate, d–rate of immigration
  4. I–mortality rate, b–rate of immigration, d–natality rate
  5. (E) i–rate of immigration, b–natality rate, d–mortality rate

Answer: 5. I–the rate of immigration, b–natality rate, d–the mortality rate

Stands for the rate of immigration, b stands for the natality rate, and d stands for the mortality rate.

Question 85. Which of the following are the most convincing reasons for increasing population growth in a country?

  1. The low population of old people
  2. High birth rate
  3. The high population of young children
  4. Low mortality rate

Answer: 3. High population of young children

  • A population with a large number of pre-reproductive individuals (below the age of 18 years) or young children will show a rapid increase while the one with large numbers of postreproductive individuals (age group of 19 – 45 years) will show a decline.
  • The young children will attain the reproductive age group in the next 10-15 years and contribute to the increase in population

Question 86. Consider the following statements?

  1. In a population, birth rate and death rate refer to per capita births and deaths, respectively.
  2. Isolated individuals of a species are rarely observed in nature.
  3. The size of a population always remains stable at any given point in time.
  4. Ecological effects of any factors on population growth are generally reflected in its size/population density.

Choose the option containing

Correct option.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 1, 2 And 3
  4. 1, 2 And 4

Answer: 4. 1, 2 And 4

All statements are correct except 3. The incorrect statement can be corrected as the size of the population keeps on changing due to various factors or phenomena like birth rate, death rate, emigration, or immigration. So, it is a dynamic phenomenon rather than a stable one.

Question 87. Natality is balanced by mortality. There will be

  1. Decrease in population growth
  2. Zero population growth
  3. Increase in population growth
  4. Overpopulation

Answer: 2. Zero population growth

  • The standard formula for calculating growth rate is gr = n/t
  • Here, gr is the growth rate expressed as a number of individuals. N is the total change in population size for the entire time period also expressed as a number of individuals. Therefore if. Birth = death then n (b–d) = 0 hence, gr = 0/t = 0 so, the correct option is zero population growth.

Question 88. A biologist studied the population of rats in a barn. He found that the average natality was 250, average mortality was 240, immigration was 20, and emigration 30. The net increase in population is

  1. 15
  2. 05
  3. Zero
  4. 10

Answer: 3. Zero

Net increase in population (natality + immigration) − (mortality + emigration) (250 + 20) − (240 + 30) = 270 − 270 = 0 thus, option is correct.

Question 89. The declining phase of a population occurs when

  1. Mortality > natality
  2. Natality > mortality
  3. Mortality = natality
  4. Natality = mortality = 0

Answer: 1. Mortality > natality

The declining population has a higher death rate than the birth rate. So, the population of young members is lower than that of old members, for example. Japan.

Question 90. If there are non-limiting or unlimited conditions are provided then what will happen to the population?

  1. Natality increases
  2. Mortality decreases
  3. Mortality increases
  4. Natality decreases

Choose the correct combination.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 1 And 3
  3. 1 And 4
  4. 4 And 3

Answer: 1. 1 And 2

Statements I and ii are correct as if there is unlimited condition provided to a population then the population will grow fast by increasing their birth rate and decreasing their death rate.

Question 91. Choose the incorrect statement.

  1. Drastic and sudden changes in the surrounding environment do not affect the population density
  2. Mortality and emigration decrease the population density
  3. Natality and immigration increase the population density
  4. Food availability and predation pressure affect population density

Answer: 3. Natality and immigration increases the population density

The statement in option (3) is incorrect and can be corrected as adverse conditions affect the population by influencing the natality and mortality of the population. It also affects immigration and emigration. Rest all statements are correct.

Question 92. Population grows due to

  1. Natality + emigration
  2. Natality + immigration
  3. Mortality + immigration
  4. Mortality + emigration

Answer: 2. Natality + immigration

The addition of new individuals by reproduction, i.e. Natality, and entry of individuals from outside, i.e. Immigration contributes to population growth.

Question 93. Which of the following is correct?

  1. Population change = (birth + immigration)–(death + emigration)
  2. Population change = (birth + immigration) +(death + emigration)
  3. Population change = (birth + emigration) + (death–immigration)
  4. Population change = (birth – immigration)–(death + emigration)

Answer: 1. Population change = (birth + immigration)–(death + emigration)

Population change = (birth + immigration) − (death + emigration)

Question 94. The ratio of natality and mortality of a population expressed in percentages is

  1. Vital index
  2. Growth rate
  3. Survival rate
  4. Biotic potential

Answer: 1. Vital index

The percentage ratio of natality over mortality is known as vital index natality/ mortality × 100. It determines the growth of a population.

Question 95. What is true about the isolated small tribal populations?

  1. There is a decline in population as boys marry girls only from their own tribe
  2. Hereditary diseases like color blindness do not spread in the isolated population
  3. Wrestlers who develop strong body muscles in their lifetime pass this character on to their progeny
  4. There is no change in population size as they have a large gene pool

Answer: 1. There is a decline in population as boys marry girls only from their own tribe

In isolated small tribal populations if boys marry girls only from their own tribe then there will be a decline in population because at some stage marriage will stop due to isolation (neither immigration nor emigration will occur) on the other hand marriages within the same tribe will lead to homozygosity of disease and ultimately death, thus leading to a decline in population.

Question 96. Two opposite forces operate in the growth and development of every population. One of them relates to the ability to reproduce at a given rate. The force opposing to it is called

  1. Mortality
  2. Fecundity
  3. Biotic control
  4. Environmental resistance

Answer: 4. Environmental resistance

  • The environmental factor that can check the growth of population size constitutes environmental resistance. These include predators, food, water, nesting sites, etc. All living things tend to reproduce until the point at which their environment becomes a limiting factor.
  • No population human or otherwise, can grow indefinitely eventually some biotic or abiotic variable will begin to limit population growth.

Question 97. The stationary phase of a population occurs when

  1. Natality > mortality
  2. Natality = mortality
  3. Mortality > natality
  4. Natality = 0

Answer: 2. Natality = mortality

The stationary phase results from a situation in which the growth rate and death rate are equal, i.e. Natality equals mortality

Question 98. Population dispersion can be defined as

  1. Movement from one place to another and as well as immigration
  2. Spatial distribution of individuals
  3. Migration from a natal site
  4. Random mixing of two populations

Answer: 2. Spatial distribution of individuals

Dispersion patterns or distribution patterns refer to how the individuals in a population are distributed in space at a given time.

Question 99. Assertion natural populations are capable of rapid number increase but remain constant in size. Reason (R) Human interference has led to the constancy of the size of natural populations.

  1. Both a and r are true and r is the, but correct explanation of a
  2. Both a and r are true, but r is not the correct explanation of a
  3. A is true, but r is false
  4. Both a and r are false

Answer: 3. A is true, but r is false

Question 100. Match the following columns. Column 1 column 2

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Question 100 Match the following columns.

Answer: 3. A-3, b-2, c-1

Question 101. Study the figure and identify a to d.

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Population density

  1. A–immigration, b–decrease, c–mortality, d–decrease
  2. A–decrease, b–immigration, c–decrease, d–increase
  3. A–increase, b–immigration, c–increase, d–mortality
  4. A–increase, b–decrease, c–decrease, d–mortality

Answer: 3. A–increase, b–immigration, c–increase, d–mortality

Question 102. The mathematical expression of population growth is called

  1. Population curve
  2. Growth curve
  3. Density curve
  4. Biotic curve

Answer: 2. Growth curve

The mathematical expression of population growth is called a growth curve.

Question 103. Geometric representation of age structure is a characteristic of

  1. Biotic community
  2. Population
  3. Landscape
  4. Ecosystem

Answer: 2. Population

Geometric representation of age structure is a characteristic of the population. In most populations, individuals are of different ages. The proportion of individuals in each age group is called the age structure of that population.

Question 104. Population a–has an intrinsic rate of natural increase of 0.2. Population b–has an intrinsic rate of natural increase of 0.3. Population c–has an intrinsic rate of natural increase of 0.4. Population d–has an intrinsic rate of natural increase of 0.5. Which population will increase fastest?

  1. D
  2. C
  3. B
  4. A

Answer: 1. D

The population having the highest (0.5) intrinsic rate will increase fastest among all of the given populations. Thus, population d will increase fast.

Question 105. Who stated that a population is a self-regulating system?

  1. Wynne Edward
  2. Tr Malthus
  3. Lamarck
  4. Darwin

Answer: 2. Tr Malthus

Thomas R. Malthus was an economist of England who in 1838 wrote an article on ‘principles of population’. According to him, increasing population creates an imbalance in population and environment. When the imbalance reaches a certain value, some factors like hunger, epidemics, floods, earthquakes, war, etc., Will bring the population to a desired level. It means the population is a self-regulating system.

Question 106. Who said that the population would exceed food resources?

  1. Oparin theory
  2. Malthus theory
  3. Darwin theory
  4. Theory of Lamarck

Answer: 2. Malthus theory

Malthus in his book ‘Essay of Human Population’ said that the human population increases in geometrical ratio whereas food and space increase in an arithmetic ratio.

Question 107. Who stated that the human population grows geometry

  1. Malthus
  2. Darwin
  3. Cannon
  4. Lamarck

Answer: 1. Malthus

Firstly, Malthus calculated that the number of organisms can increase geometrically (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, …) and food supply increases arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4, …).

Question 108. The equation represents which of the following?

  1. Natality
  2. Growth rate
  3. Mortality
  4. All of the above

Answer: 1. Natality

Natality is the rate of production of new individuals per unit of time. It can be represented by

Question 109. The correct statement is

  1. In a population, the number of births is different from the birth rate
  2. A sigmoid growth curve is a depiction of exponential growth
  3. In a logistic growth curve, the asymptote is beyond the carrying capacity
  4. ‘R’ is equal to the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths in a population

Answer: 1. In a population, the number of births is different from the birth rate

  • (1) Option (1) is correct. Birth, i.e. Production of new offspring is an attribute of an individual whereas birth rate, i.e. Production of new individuals per unit population per unit time is an attribute of population.
  • Other options are incorrect and can be corrected as a sigmoid growth curve is a depiction of logistic growth, a more realistic growth model where individuals compete for limited resources and the fittest individual survives and reproduces.
  • In an exponential growth curve (j-shape curve) the asymptote is beyond carrying capacity as resources are unlimited. ‘R’ is the intrinsic rate of natural increase.

Question 110. The aggregates of a process that determine the size and composition of any population is called

  1. Population dispersal
  2. Population dynamics
  3. Population explosion
  4. Population density

Answer: 2. Population dynamics

Population dynamics is the study of how and why populations change in size and structure over time. Important factors in population dynamics include rates of reproduction, death, and migration.

Question 111. Density-dependent population regulation results when

  1. Only birth rate changes in response to density
  2. Only death rate changes in response to density
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. Population density fluctuates very little

Answer: 3. Both (1) and (2)

Density-dependent population regulation results when there are changes in the birth rate and death rate in a population.

Question 112. If the rate of addition of new members, increases with respect to the individual lost from the population, then the graph obtained has

  1. Declined growth
  2. Zero population growth
  3. Exponential growth
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Exponential growth

If the rate of addition of members in a population increases with respect to the loss of members of the population, then the population is under exponential growth. Exponential growth is a form of population growth in which the rate of growth is related to the number of individuals present.

Question 113. In a population, unrestricted reproductive capacity is called as

  1. Biotic potential
  2. Fertility
  3. Carrying capacity
  4. Birth rate

Answer: 1. Biotic potential

Biotic potential is the maximum (unrestricted) reproductive capacity of an organism under optimum environmental conditions. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals that can be sustained by the environment. Birth rate refers to number of births per unit population.

Question 114. A rapid increase in the population or positive growth is observed if

  1. Less number of young ones are present
  2. A large number of young ones are present
  3. A large number of old ones are present
  4. A large number of childbirth are present

Answer: 2. Large number of young ones are present

A population having a large number of young individuals will show a rapid increase in population. It is called positive growth.

Question 115. Presently human population is following which of these trends?

  1. Sigmoid
  2. J-shaped
  3. Stagnant
  4. None of these

Answer: 1. Sigmoid

  • Sigmoid curves are observed in all those populations that show a vigorous acceleration and never level off for long enough to establish carrying capacity, i.e. The number of individuals is never static but rises and falls about an average.
  • J -curve is seen in populations that have precise survival limits and unfavorable changes such as accumulation of toxic wastes or scarcity of food will kill individuals quickly. Thus, presently human population is following sigmoid trends.

Question 116. Exponential growth in the human population occurs in

  1. Lag phase
  2. Log phase
  3. Plateau stage
  4. First stage

Answer: 2. Log phase

Exponential growth in the human population occurs in the log phase.

Question 117. Carrying capacity is the capacity of

  1. The habitat to sustain a certain number of individuals at par with the resources
  2. Population reproduce and compete with each other for resources
  3. Individuals to adjust to the changes in the environment
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 1. The habitat to sustain a certain number of individuals at par with the resources

Carrying capacity can be defined as a species’ average population size in a particular habitat. The species population size is limited by environmental factors like adequate food, shelter, water, and mates. Thus, option (1) is correct.

Question 118. Below diagram indicates.

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Population size

  1. Exponential growth curve
  2. Logistic growth pattern
  3. J-shaped curve
  4. Both (1) and (3)

Answer: 4. Both (1) and (3)

As we can see clearly in the given diagram the growth of the population is unlimited and increasing. That is the distinguishing feature of the exponential growth model or curve. As it has a j-shaped appearance so, it is also called a j-shaped curve.

119. Population termed r-strategists

  1. Have j-shaped growth curves
  2. Have type-iii survivorship curve
  3. Are usually pioneer species
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

  • During about period of time, some populations produce many offspring that require little care. Therefore, these populations usually have a survivorship curve similar to type 3.
  • These tend to have j-shaped growth curves until some environmental change causes them to decline usually within a short time.
  • From an evolutionary point of view, such species have undergone selection to maximize their rate of natural increase and for this reason, they are termed as r-strategist. So, the correct answer is a have j-shaped growth curves.

Question 120. Exponential growth in plants can be expressed as

  1. Lt = LO + rt
  2. Le = Lt rt
  3. W= WO en
  4. Wt = Wo en
  5. Wt = Wo + en

Answer: 3. W w et = 0 rt

The exponential growth can be expressed as

Where, wt = final size of population (weight, height, number, etc.).

0 = Initial size of population at the beginning of the period

r = growth rate

t = time of growth

e = base of natural logarithms

Question 121. The integral form of the exponential growth equation as

N = Noen

Identify a, b, c, and d from the given equation.

  1. Population density after time t.
  2. Population density at time zero.
  3. Intrinsic rate of natural increase.
  4. The base of natural logarithms (2.71828).

Choose the incorrect statements.

  1. A–r, b-e, c–n0, d–ne
  2. A–nt, b–n0, c–r, d–e
  3. A–n0, b–ne, c–r, d–e
  4. A–n0, b–ne, c–e, d–r

Answer: 2. A–nt, b–n0, c–r, d–e is the integral form of the exponential growth equation. It is also called the Verhulst-pearl logistic growth curve.

Question 122. Identify true statements pertaining to exponential growth.

  1. No population can follow the exponential growth for long
  2. Exponential growth slows down as the population nears its log phase
  3. Bacterial colonies have been observed to maintain exponential growth always
  4. Both (1) and (3)

Answer: 1. No population can follow the exponential growth for long

No population can grow exponentially because

  1. Limited resources
  2. Carrying capacity
  3. Interspecies competition
  4. Natural resistance

Question 123. No resource is …a… For populations of any species thus resulting in …b… For limited resources and limiting exponential growth. Only the survival of the …c… Is observed. Choose the correct option for a, b, and c.

  1. Limited, b–competition, c–fittest
  2. A–unlimited, b–sharing, c–most intelligent
  3. A–unlimited, b–competition, c–fittest
  4. A–limited, b–sharing, c–weakest

Answer: 3. A–unlimited, b–competition, c–fittest

Question 124. Population exploiting a resource rapidly and showing the unbound increase in numbers are

  1. K – selected
  2. R – selected
  3. Growth selected
  4. Unselected

Answer: 2. R – selected

Population exploiting a resource rapidly and showing an unbound increase in numbers are r-selected species. These are the species that produce many cheap offspring and live in unstable environments.

Question 125. Which of the following is correct for r-selected species?

  1. A large number of progeny with small size
  2. A large number of progeny with large size
  3. A small number of progeny with small size
  4. A small number of progeny with large size

Answer: 1. Large number of progeny with small size

R-selected species are the ones that are found in the sparsely crowded ecological niche to exploit it and aim at the production of a large number of small-sized progeny with lower survival rates due to the short gestation period and early attainment of maturity.

Question 126. When food and space for a population are unlimited.

  1. Each species has the ability to realize fully its inherited potential to grow.
  2. Then it is equal to dn
  3. It is described by the j-shaped curve.
  4. It is described by an S-shaped curve.
  5. There is more competition among themselves.

Choose the incorrect statements.

  1. 1, 2 And 3
  2. 2, 3 And 4
  3. 4 And 5
  4. 1, 4 And 5

Answer: 3. 4 And 5

When food and space are unlimited then the population.

  1. Increases by using its maximum biotic potential.
  2. Shows exponential growth where dn dt rn
  3. Shows an exponential growth curve also called a J-shaped curve.
  4. Show greater intrinsic rate. Rest statements iv and v are incorrect as an s-shaped curve and competition is shown by population when food is limited.

Question 127. Which of the following is correct?

  1. Birth rate: number of young ones per 100 individuals in a year
  2. Carrying capacity: maximum number of children which a female
    can carry in her lifetime
  3. Replacement level: the number of young ones that a female should produce to replace her in the population
  4. Exponential growth: the phase of rapid or geometrical growth

Answer: 4. Exponential growth: the phase of rapid or geometrical growth

Question 128. If resources are unlimited the population density can scale greatly. Then this is said to be a …a…. If left unchecked then …b… Animals such as elephants, as proved by Darwin, can grow into large numbers and this characteristic is known as …c….

  1. A–logistic growth, b–fast-growing, c–carrying capacity
  2. A–logistic growth, b–slow growing, c–biotic potential
  3. A–exponential growth, b–slow growing, c–biotic potential
  4. A–exponential growth, b–fast-growing, c–biotic potential

Answer: 3. A–exponential growth, b–slow growing, c–biotic potential

Question 129. Logistic growth is observed when

  1. No resistance to increasing population occurs
  2. Unlimited food is present
  3. Fixed carrying capacity is present
  4. All of the above

Answer: 3. Fixed carrying capacity is present

Logistic growth model, no population can continue to grow exponentially, as the resource availability becomes limiting at a certain point in time. Logistic growth models have fixed carrying capacity. It is described by the equation

Rate of change in population density
N = population density at t
R = intrinsic rate of natural increase
K = carrying capacity

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Population density.N

Question 130. Exponential growth is observed

  1. Only when there is sexual reproduction
  2. Only when there is asexual reproduction
  3. Only when there is a fixed carrying capacity
  4. Only when there is no inhibition from crowding

Answer: 4. Only when there is no inhibition from crowding

When the resource availability is unlimited in the habitat, the population grows in an exponential or geometric fashion. As resources are unlimited then there is no inhibition from crowding.

Question 131. The ability to produce maximum offspring is

  1. Carrying capacity
  2. Biotic potential
  3. Environmental resistance
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Biotic potential

  • Biotic potential refers to the rate at which a population of a given species will increase when there are no limits of any sort on its rate of growth. It is defined by the formula
  • Where n is the number of individuals in the population is the rate of change of its numbers over time and r is the intrinsic rate of natural increase for the population.

Question 132. Choose the correct sequence of stages of the growth curve for bacteria.

  1. Lag, log, stationary, decline phase
  2. Lag, log, stationary phase
  3. Stationary, lag, log, decline phase
  4. Decline, lag, log phase

Answer: 1. Lag, log, stationary, decline phase

The growth curve for bacteria is sigmoid. The first phase is the phase of slow growth − the lag phase. The second phase is the period of accelerated growth − the log phase. The third phase is the phase when the growth rate becomes stable − the stationary phase. Finally growth rate declines.

Question 133. …a… Is the initial phase in a logistic growth curve where the resources are …b… . This phase is followed by acceleration, deceleration and then becomes an asymptote

  1. A–lag phase, b–unlimited
  2. A–log phase, b–unlimited
  3. A–lag phase, b–limited
  4. A–stationary phase, b–limited

Answer: 1. A–lag phase, b–unlimited

Question 134. The logistic population growth model describes a population’s growth when an upper limit to growth is assumed. This upper limit of growth is known as the population …a…and as ‘n’ gets larger, dn dt …b….

  1. A–carrying capacity, b–decrease
  2. A–carrying capacity, b–increases
  3. A–reproductive fitness, b–increases
  4. A–reproductive fitness, b–decreases

Answer: 1. A–carrying capacity, b–decreases.

Question 135. Exponential growth occurs in

  1. Yeast
  2. Asexual reproduction
  3. Bacteria
  4. All of these

Answer: 4. All of these

Exponential growth occurs when the increase in population becomes rapid and soon attains its full potential rate due to constant requirements with respect to the availability of food and other requirements. Exponential growth occurs in bacteria, yeast as well and amoeba asexual reproduction.

Question 136. After an exponential increase, population growth declines and stagnates. The growth curve is

  1. S-shaped
  2. J-shaped
  3. Straight line
  4. Circular

Answer: 1. S-shaped

In a S-shaped growth curve, first, there is a slow increase in population. Following this, there is a rapid increase in growth. After this, the growth becomes stagnant and the population becomes stable.

Question 137. Which of the following shows Verhulst-pearl logistic growth?

  1. \(\frac{d N}{d t}=r N\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)\)
  2. Nt = Noert
  3. \(\frac{d N}{d t}=r N\)
  4. \(N\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)\)

Answer: 1. \(\frac{d N}{d t}=r N\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)\)

  • A population growing in a habitat with limited resources shows initially a lag phase, followed by phases of increase and decrease, and finally, the population density reaches the carrying capacity.
  • A plot of n in relation to time (t) results in a sigmoid curve. This type of population growth is called Verhulst-pearl logistic growth as explained by the following equation \frac{d N}{d t}=r N\left(\frac{K-N}{K}\right)
  • where n = population density at a time t, r = intrinsic rate of natural increase, and k = carrying capacity.

Question 138. Which option is correct for curves A and B?

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Population density.N

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Population density.N .

Answer: 2. NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Population density.N ..

An exponential growth curve is also called a J-shaped curve or geometric growth curve. A logistic curve is also called a sigmoid growth curve or s-shaped curve. Thus, option (2) is correct for curves a and b.

Question 139. A population growing in a habitat with limited resources shows four phases of growth in the following sequence.

  1. Acceleration → deceleration → lag phase → asymptote
  2. Asymptote → deceleration → deceleration → lag phase
  3. Lag phase → acceleration → deceleration → asymptote
  4. Acceleration → lag phase → deceleration → asymptote

Answer: 3. Lag phase → acceleration → deceleration → asymptote

When the population grows in a habitat with limited resources it first increases slowly, i.e. Lag phase, then the population grows rapidly in the acceleration phase. After the acceleration phase, the rate of growth slows down and reaches the asymptote phase when the population density reaches carrying capacity.

Question 140. The asymptome stage of the population is the stage of
population in which the population is

  1. Changing
  2. Decreasing
  3. Increasing
  4. At equilibrium

Answer: 4. At equilibrium

The asymptome stage of the population is the stage of population in which the population birth rate is equal to the death rate in other words population is stabilised or at equilibrium.

Question 141. When in a population birth rate and death rate exactly balance each other, it is called

  1. Plateau phase
  2. Acceleration phase
  3. Exponential phase
  4. Initial growth

Answer: 1. Plateau phase

The plateau phase is also called a steady state when the population is in equilibrium, i.e. Birth rate balances the death rate.

Question 142. Most of the invertebrates and plant populations have

  1. Less biotic potential
  2. More biotic potential
  3. The high mortality rate in the younger stages
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 4. Both (2) and (3)

Most of the invertebrates and plant populations have more biotic potential and a high mortality rate in the younger stages.

Question 143. Which of the following is an r-strategist?

  1. Human
  2. Insect
  3. Rhinoceros
  4. Whale

Answer: 2. Insect

Organisms that show r-strategy are relatively small organisms with short lifespans and often live in unstable environments. Their survival depends on their ability to produce a large number of offspring rather than on their ability to compete.

Question 144. The rapid decline in the population, due to the high mortality rate, is called

  1. Population explosion
  2. Population crash
  3. Population density
  4. All of the above

Answer: 2. Population crash

Population crashes may occur due to any sudden environmental change or occurrence of natural calamities such as earthquakes, famine, epidemics, drought, etc. In these situations, a rapid death toll may occur which might cause a rapid decline in the population.

Question 145. The best way to reduce the population of undesirable species is

  1. Reduce the carrying capacity of the environment for that species
  2. Elimination of females
  3. Elimination of the young generation
  4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Reduce the carrying capacity of the environment for that species

The best way to reduce the population of undesirable species is by reducing the carrying capacity of the environment for that species.

Question 146. If the mean and the median pertaining to a certain character of a population are of the same value, the following is most likely to occur

  1. A bi-modal distribution
  2. A t-shaped curve
  3. A skewed curve
  4. A normal distribution

Answer: 4. A normal distribution

If the mean and the median pertaining to a certain character of a population are of the same value a normal distribution is most likely to occur.

Question 147. The period or the duration required to double the population is called

  1. Doubling time
  2. Growth period
  3. Exponential (log) period
  4. All of these

Answer: 1. Doubling time

Doubling time is the amount of time it takes for a given quantity to double in size or value at a constant growth rate.

Question 148. Find out, when carrying capacity is 400, population size is 300 and r is 0.01.

  1. 0.01
  2. 0.8
  3. 0.75
  4. 0.45

Answer: 3. 0.75

In the given question k is the carrying capacity, i.e. 400, Population size (N) is 300, and ‘r’ is the intrinsic rate of natural increase is 0.01.

Question 149. A population increases in size on adjusting to the changes in its environment. This is observed in the

  1. Log phase
  2. Lag phase
  3. Decline phase
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Lag phase

The lag phase represents a population adjusting new environment. It is the initial phase in which a population adapts themself according to the environment and starts to increase its number even with the availability of unlimited resources.

Question 150. The equation = rn (the law of population growth) given by French mathematician pf Verhulst suggests the rate of increase of population per unit of time depends upon

  1. Innate capacity for increase
  2. Population size
  3. Unutilized opportunity for population growth
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

  • Verhulst published in 1838 the
  • Where n represents the number of individuals at time t, r is the intrinsic growth rate and k is the carrying capacity. So, the rate of increase of population per unit of time depends upon population size, innate capacity for increase, and unutilized opportunity for population growth.

Question 151. The population of an insect species shows an explosive increase in numbers during the rainy season followed by its disappearance at the end of the season. What does this show?

  1. S-shaped or sigmoid growth of this insect
  2. The food plants mature and die at the end of the rainy season
  3. Its population growth curve is of j-type
  4. The population of its predators increases enormously

Answer: 3. Its population growth curve is of j-type

Question 152. Match column 1 with column 2 and choose the correct option.

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Question 152 Match Column 1 with Column 2 and choose the correct option.

Answer: 4. A–2, b–3, c–4, d–1

Question 153. In the sigmoid growth curve given by the side, the alphabets indicate the sequence of events. Choose the correct option where the alphabet specifies the event.

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Growth

  1. A – phases of slow growth, b – phases of exponential growth, c – phases of diminishing growth, d – stationary phase
  2. A – phase of rapid growth, b – phase of diminishing growth, c – stationary phase, d – phase of slow growth
  3. A – diminishing growth, b – exponential growth, c – slow growth, d – stationary growth
  4. A – stationary phase, b – phase of slow growth, c – phase of rapid growth, d – phase of diminishing growth

Answer: 1. A – phases of slow growth, b – phases of exponential growth, c – phases of diminishing growth, d – stationary phase

Question 154. Given population growth curve represents the logistic growth curve. In this curve find out what A, B, and C indicate.

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Stationary phase

  1. A–log phase, b–population size, c–stationary phase
  2. A–population density, b–lag phase, c–carrying capacity
  3. A–population density, b–carrying capacity, c–lag phase
  4. A–carrying capacity, b–log phase, c–population density

Answer: 3. A–population density, b–carrying capacity, c–lag phase

Question 155. Which model is considered a more realistic one?

  1. Logistic model
  2. Exponential model
  3. Spherical model
  4. J-shaped model

Answer: 1. Logistic model

No population have the unlimited resources to survive and reproduce. Every population in nature has given a certain amount of limited natural resources that is limited. Keeping this point of view logistic growth is more realistic than the exponential growth curve.

Question 156. Identify the statement pertaining to the logistic model of population growth.

  1. The growth rate increases as the size of the population approaches the
    carrying capacity.
  2. All individuals have the same effect on population growth.
  3. There are unlimited natural resources.

As population increases the competition goes on increasing. Select the correct combination.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. Only 4
  3. 4 And 3
  4. 1 And 3

Answer: 2. Only 4

Statement iv is correct as the logistic model shows that as the population increases the competition goes on increasing. No population can continue to grow exponentially, as resource availability becomes limiting at a certain point in time. Logistic growth models have fixed carrying capacity.

Question 157. The carrying capacity of an environment is represented by

  1. S
  2. K
  3. J
  4. C

Answer: 2. K

A given habitat has limited resources to support a certain number of individuals of a population beyond which no further growth is possible. This limit is called nature’s carrying capacity (k) for that species.

Question 158. Match the terms in column 1 with column 2 and select the correct option.

NEET Biology Population Attributes MCQs Question 158 Match the terms in Column I with Column II and select the correct

Answer: 3. A–2, b–5, c–1, d–3

Question 159. As a country becomes industrialized, its population growth

  1. Gradually increases
  2. Gradually decreases
  3. Rapidly comes down
  4. Becomes stable

Answer: 1. Gradually increases

Industrialization resulted in an increase in population.

Question 160. The maximum growth rate occurs in

  1. Stationary phase
  2. Senescent phase
  3. Lag phase
  4. Exponential phase

Answer: 4. Exponential phase

Maximum growth rate occurs in exponential acceleration or log phase. The point at which the exponential growth begins to slow down is known as inflection point

Question 161. Exponential growth in a given population of a microorganism is limited by

  1. Competition for food
  2. Accumulation of waste matter
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Both (1) and (2)

  • The exponential phase is characterized by the vigorous growth of the bacteria where it is in the constant state of division. As the bacterial population continues to grow, all the nutrients in the growth medium are used up by the microorganism for their multiplication.
  • This results in the accumulation of waste materials. The reproduction rate will slow down, the cells undergoing division will be equal to the number of cell death, and finally, bacteria stops its division completely. Thus, the correct answer is option (3).

Question 162. Identify the condition in which the logistic and exponential growth of the population have zero growth rate.

  1. B = d
  2. R = 0
  3. K = n
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

In the stationary phase of logistic growth K = N then the population growth becomes zero. In the exponential phase when b = d or r (increase rate) =0 then the population increase becomes zero (stable).

Question 163. When environmental conditions are non-limiting what will happen?

  1. Maximum mortality and minimum natality
  2. Mortality minimum
  3. Natality minimum
  4. Mortality maximum

Answer: 2. Mortality minimum

Maximum reproductive capacity or biotic potential (R) can be realized only when environmental resources are non-limiting and conditions favor minimum mortality (specific mortality). However, the environment has a limiting effect on the rise of population. The sum of abiotic (e.g. Temperature, water, space, etc.) And biotic (e.g. Food, competition, disease, predation, etc.) Factors check the rise in population size and prevent the species from realizing its biotic potential. It helps in limiting population size below the carrying capacity.

Question 164. A population fluctuates when it attains carrying capacity

  1. Due to unlimited natural resources
  2. Due to exponential growth
  3. Due to limiting factors
  4. Due to Darwin’s fitness

Answer: 3. Due to limiting factors

Due to limiting factors, increased competition, and environmental resistance, the population fluctuates when it reaches carrying capacity.

Question 165. Asymptote in a logistic growth curve is obtained when

  1. The value of ‘r’ approaches zero
  2. K = n
  3. K > n
  4. K < n

Answer: 2. K = n

A population growing in a habitat with limited resources shows a logistic growth curve.

For logistic growth,

If k = n then

The population reaches an asymptote.

Question 166. When does the growth rate of a population following the logistic model equal zero? The logistic model is given as dn/dt or rn (1-n/k).

  1. When n/k is exactly one
  2. When n nears the carrying capacity of the habitat
  3. When n/k equals zero
  4. When the death rate is greater than the birth rate

Answer: 1. When n/k is exactly one

When N/k is exactly one, the growth rate of a population following the logistic growth model is equal to zero. The logistic model is given as

Where n = population density at the time ‘t’.

R = intrinsic rate of natural increase

K = carrying capacity

When n/k = 1 , then 1 − n/k = 0

Therefore, dn/dt = 0

Question 167. In the sigmoid growth curve, the upper asymptote represents the period of

  1. Establishment
  2. Positive acceleration
  3. Negative acceleration
  4. Equilibrium

Answer: 4. Equilibrium

The upper limit of the sigmoid curve is known as the upper asymptote. This represents the period of equilibrium. A sigmoid curve is also known as an s-shaped growth curve. The point of stabilization or zero growth value (symbolized by k) or carrying capacity of the environment for that organism.

Question 168. The semi-log of per minute growing bacteria is plotted against time. What will be the shape of the graph?

  1. Sigmoid
  2. Hyperbolic
  3. Ascending straight line
  4. Descending straight line

Answer: 3. Ascending straight line

Semi-log of per minute growing bacterium when plotted against time would yield an ascending straight line.

Question 169. Consider the following statements.

  1. Populations evolve in their habitats, to maximize their reproductive fitness, also called Darwinian fitness.
  2. The population growth rate r is inversely related to generation time.
  3. The short lifespan housefly producing a large number of eggs could be considered as a k-selected species.
  4. Under a particular set of selection pressures, organisms evolve toward the most efficient reproductive strategies.
  5. Studies regarding traits from the history of organisms show that these traits have evolved in relation to the constraints imposed by biotic and abiotic factors in their habitat.

Choose the option containing the correct statements.

  1. 1, 2 And 3
  2. 1, 3 And 4
  3. 3, 4 And 5
  4. 1, 2, 4 And 5

Answer: 4. 1, 2, 4 And 5

All statements are correct except statement iii and it can be corrected as the housefly which has a short lifespan, produces a large number of eggs, hence can be considered as ‘r’ selected species. Depending on the number of offspring an organism gives birth to, there are two types of species

  • R-selected species of organisms of this type give birth to more young ones during their life cycle. Parents care for their offspring less and their size is also small.
  • K-selected species of organisms of this kind give less birth during their life cycle. They care more about their children. Their size and lifespan are more than r-selected species, e.g. Man, mammal, bird, etc.

Question 170. Which mechanism prevents the integrity of species?

  1. Geographical isolation
  2. Reproductive isolation
  3. Recombination
  4. Mutation

Answer: 2. Reproductive isolation

Reproductive isolation prevents the integrity of species. Sexual attraction between males and females of a given species may be weak or absent. In most animal species, members of the two sexes must first search for each other and come together.

Question 171. The various factors like environment, weather, climate, food, and various other factors limit the population of an area near its

  1. Carrying capacity
  2. Biotic potential
  3. Negative effective point
  4. Managing capacity

Answer: 1. Carrying capacity

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals that can be sustained by the environment.

Question 172. An association of individuals of different species living in the same habitat and having functional interactions is

  1. Ecosystem
  2. Population
  3. Ecological niche
  4. Biotic community

Answer: 4. Biotic community

A biological or biotic community is an assemblage of populations of different species of plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi that live in a particular area and interact with one another through competition, predation, mutualism, etc.

Question 173. Life history traits of organisms have evolved in relation to the constraints imposed by which components of habitat. Ecological studies pertaining to adaptations of organism’s reproductive traits are due to

  1. Water
  2. Abiotic components
  3. Biotic components
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 4. Both (2) and (3)

Life history traits of organisms have evolved in relation to the constraints imposed by biotic and abiotic components of the habitat in which they live

Question 174. Community is

  1. Groups of independent populations of the same species interact with each other.
  2. Groups of independent populations of the same species interact with each other in a specific area.
  3. Group of independent interacting populations of different species in a specific area.
  4. Group of independent and interacting populations of different species in different areas

Select the correct option.

  1. 1, 2 And 4
  2. 1, 3 And 4
  3. 1, 2 And 3
  4. Only 3

Answer: 4. Only 3

Statement iii is correct as a community in an assemblage of populations of different species of plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, etc., Which live in a particular area and interact with one another. Each biotic community has a specific composition and structure.

Question 175. Species differ from each other due to

  1. Mutations
  2. Adaptations
  3. Variations
  4. Isolation

Answer: 4. Isolation

The field of biology describes ‘isolation’ as a process by which two species that could otherwise produce hybrid offspring are prevented from doing so.

Question 176.

  1. Species-level
  2. Population-level
  3. Individual level
  4. Community level

At which level does selection come into existence?

  1. 1 And 2
  2. Only 2
  3. 3 And 4
  4. Only 4

Answer: 2. Only 2

  • Level selection operates on the population level. Population is a grouping of similar individuals in a particular geographical area or space. The different populations of the same organism present in particular geographical areas are called local populations/demes.
  • Selection operates only at the population level. A local population adapted genetically to its particular environment is called ecotype.

Question 177. Some animals do not like others to enter their habitat. This habitat is

  1. Territory
  2. Parasitism
  3. Predation
  4. Symbiosis

Answer: 1. Territory

Some animals do not like others to enter their habitat. This habitat is territory Animals that defend territories in this way are referred to as territorial

Question 178. Organisms compete for resources to survive and sustain and be able to reproduce efficiently, so as to increase their population. They have evolved ways of doing so and this can be referred to as

  1. Mendel’s fitness
  2. Darwinian fitness
  3. Lamarck’s fitness
  4. Individual fitness

Answer: 2. Darwinian fitness

When food and space for the population are unlimited. Each species has the ability and potential to grow, as Darwin observed while developing his theory of natural selection. He called this the reproductive or Darwinian fitness.

Question 179. Aspects such as sedentary habit, territoriality, etc., Not aiding diversification are classified as

  1. Reproductive isolation
  2. Mutational effects
  3. Biological barriers
  4. Genetic incompatibility

Answer: 3. Biological barriers

  • Biological barriers are factors that prevent species migration, interbreeding, or free movement. What determines the barrier depends on the species and its method of movement.
  • For some species, biological barriers are sedentary habits, physical like bodies of water, mountains, or deserts. Mutation effects is the formation of altered protein from mutated genes. When the species are not able to cross-breed it is called genetic incompatibility. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 180. Which factor maintains the distinctive traits of species?

  1. Specific niche
  2. Reproductive isolation
  3. Cooperative interaction
  4. Continuous inter-communication

Answer: 2. Reproductive isolation

  • A species is a group of individuals, which resemble with each other in morphological, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral characters.
  • These individuals are capable of breeding, feeding in between themselves under natural conditions, but are incapable of breeding with members of other species. This is referred to as reproductive isolation.

Question 181. Keystone species is one which

  1. Is present in a maximum number
  2. Governs the property of the ecosystem
  3. Is present in the minimum number
  4. All of the above

Answer: 2. Governs the property of the ecosystem

Keystone species help maintain the structure and functioning of an ecosystem. This is because compared to other species in a given habitat, their numbers are greater. Keystone species also determine the numbers and types of other species in an ecosystem. It governs the property of the ecosystem.

Question 182. What is a keystone species?

  1. A rare species that has minimal impact on the biomass and on other species in the community
  2. A dominant species that constitutes a large proportion of the biomass and which affects many other species
  3. A species that makes up only a small proportion of the total biomass of a community yet has a huge impact on the community’s organization and survival
  4. A common species that has plenty of biomass yet has a fairly low impact on the community’s organization

Answer: 3. A species that makes up only a small proportion of the total biomass of a community yet has a huge impact on the community’s organization and survival

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. They play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and number of various other species in the community. Thus, option (3) is correct

Question 183. The removal of ‘keystone’ species will affect

  1. The producers
  2. The consumers
  3. The ecosystem
  4. The decomposers

Answer: 3. The ecosystem

Without the keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. Keystone species have low functional redundancy This means that if the species were to disappear from the ecosystem, no other species would be able to fill its ecological niche.

Question 184. Keystone species deserve protection because these

  1. Are capable of surviving in harsh environmental conditions
  2. Indicate the presence of certain minerals in the soil
  3. Have become rare due to overexploitation
  4. Play an important role in supporting other species

Answer: 4. Play an important role in supporting other species

  • Keystone species deserve protection because they play an important role in supporting other species. A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.
  • They play a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community, affecting many other organisms in an ecosystem and helping to determine the types and number of various other species in the community. Thus, option (3) is correct.

NEET Biology Organism And Its Environment Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET Organism And Its Environment

Question 1. Different organisms are adapted to their environment in terms of not only survival but also reproduction’.

This statement belongs to

  1. Physiological ecology
  2. Species ecology
  3. Population ecology
  4. All of the above

Answer: 1. Physiological ecology

Ecology at the organism level is essentially called physiological ecology which tries to understand how different organisms are adapted to their environments.

Question 2. A wide variety of habitats are formed by

  1. Different kinds of species inhibiting that area
  2. Different kinds of predation
  3. Regional and local variations of environmental conditions
  4. All of the above

Answer: 3. Regional and local variation of environmental conditions

Regional and local variations of environmental conditions within each biome lead to the formation of a wide variety of habitats.

Read And Learn More: NEET Biology Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 3. Major biomes of India include

  1. Tropical rainforest
  2. Alpine region
  3. Deciduous forest
  4. Desert
  5. Himalayan region
  6. Sea Coast

Choose the correct combination for a given question.

  1. 1, 3, 4 And 5
  2. 1, 2, 3 And 4
  3. 2, 3, 4 And 6
  4. 1, 3, 4 And 6

Answer: 4. 1, 3, 4 And 6

There are four major biomes in India tropical rainforest, deciduous forest, desert, and sea coast.

According to the climate conditions, there are four major forest types in India.

Forest Types

  • Mean Annual Temperature
  • Tropical rainforest – 23-27ºC
  • Tropical deciduous forest – 22-32ºC
  • Temperate broad-leaved forest – 6-20°C
  • Temperate needle-leaved forest – 6-15°C

Thus, option (4) is correct.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 4. The formation of major biomes such as deserts, and rainforests takes place by

  1. Rotation of earth around the sun
  2. Tilting of the earth on its axis
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. None of the above

Answer: 4. Both (1) and (2)

The rotation of our planet around the sun and the tilt of the earth on its axis causes annual variations in the intensity and duration of the temperature, which leads to the formation of major biomes. Thus, option (3) is correct.

NEET Biology Organism And Its Environment Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 5. Which determines the flora and fauna of a place?

  1. Weather
  2. Climate
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. Habitat

Answer: 2. Climate

Climate

  • It is the long-term property of the atmosphere. It is an average weather.
  • The climate is the same over larger areas.
  • Climate determines the flora and fauna of a place.
  • Climate remains the same over a long period of time.

Question 6. Severe winters with few months of summer are found in

  1. Tundra
  2. Arctic
  3. Taiga
  4. Antarctica

Answer: 1. Tundra

Light is very poor in Tundra with temperatures as low as –30 to –40°C in winter. Summer is only for about 60 days with l0ºC.

Question 7. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 7 Match the following columns

Answer: 4. A-6, B-5, C-4, D-3, E-2, F-1, G-7

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 8. Which part of the world has a high density of organisms?

  1. Grasslands
  2. Savannahs
  3. Deciduous forests
  4. Tropical rainforests

Answer: 4. Tropical rainforests

  • Tropical rainforests occur in equatorial and subequatorial regions. The forests receive all the external inputs for optimum plant growth.
  • Due to abundant plant growth, a large number of animals live in tropical rainforests. Thus, tropical rainforests of the world have a high density of organisms.
  • Other options are explained as If grassland fire occurs periodically it prevents tree growth. In savannahs, periods of drought are common. In deciduous forests are found
    predominantly broad-leaved hardwood deciduous trees.

Question 9. Select the incorrect statement about the coniferous forest.

  1. They are found in cold regions of heavy rainfall and high humidity
  2. They have long winters with short summers
  3. The soil is basic (alkaline) and mineral-rich
  4. Essential nutrients like ca, n, and k are leached down due to the absence of evaporation

Answer: 3. The soil is basic (alkaline) and mineral-rich

The statement in option (3) is incorrect and can be corrected as The soil in the coniferous forests is low in minerals and nutrient content. The soil is light in color and usually acidic in nature. Rest statements are correct about coniferous forests.

Question 10. Dense evergreen vegetation of broad sclerophyllous leaves and shrubs with fire-resistant resinous plants is known as

  1. Chaparral vegetation
  2. Savannah vegetation
  3. Steppe grassland
  4. Tundra vegetation

Answer: 1. Chaparral vegetation

Chaparral vegetation is composed of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs, bushes, and small trees usually less than 2.5 m (about 8 feet) tall. It is an evergreen shrub forest that usually contains resin but is resistant to fires. Chaparral is found in regions with a climate similar to that of the Mediterranean area, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 11. Plants such as Prosopis, acacia, and Capparis represent examples of tropical

  1. Thorn forests
  2. Deciduous forests
  3. Evergreen forests
  4. Grasslands

Answer: 1. Thorn forests

  • Prosopis, Acacia, and Capparis are non-succulent, thorny hot desert plants, i.e. examples of thorn forest plants. Other options are explained as Deciduous forests are present in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres and contain broad-leaved, hardwood deciduous trees, for example. oak, maple, chestnut, etc.
  • Evergreen forests occur in equatorial and sub-equatorial regions important plants are rosewood ebony, mahogany, fig, etc. Grasslands are large plains covered by grasses.

Question 12. One of the following biomes has evergreen vegetation and animals well-adapted to drought

  1. Chaparral
  2. Veldts
  3. Tundra
  4. Pampas

Answer: 1. Chaparral

The extreme conditions found in the chaparral biome are very different just like day and night. As a result, animals and plants that live here have to be highly adaptable.

Question 13. Which one of the following pairs is mismatched?

  1. Tundra – permafrost
  2. Savannah – acacia trees
  3. Prairie – epiphytes
  4. Coniferous forest – evergreen trees

Answer: 3. Prairie – epiphytes

(3) Option (3) is a mismatched pair and can be corrected as Prairie is grassland and epiphytes and ephemerals are found in the desert. Rest options are correct matched pairs as

  • In Tundra, much of the ground stays frozen around the year, this condition is called permafrost.
  • The Acacia trees are common in African savannahs.
  • In coniferous forests, all plants do not shed their leaves at the same time hence forests remain evergreen.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 14. The presence of plants arranged into well-defined vertical layers depending on their height can be seen best in

  1. Tropical savannah
  2. Tropical rainforest
  3. Grassland
  4. Temperate forest

Answer: 2. Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest exhibits five different vertical strata, i.e. ground vegetation, shrubs, short canopy trees, tall canopy trees, and tall emergent trees.

Question 15. The geographical limit within which a population exists is called

  1. Niche
  2. Ecosystem
  3. Habitat
  4. Biome

Answer: 3. Habitat

The geographical limit within which a population exists is called habitat. A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant, or other type of organism.

Question 16. According to Odum, …………… Is the address of an organism.

  1. Habitat
  2. Niche
  3. Adaptation
  4. Community

Answer: 1. Habitat

According to Odum, habitat is the address of an organism and a niche is its ‘profession’.

Question 17. Environmental factors that characterize the habitat of an ecosystem is/are

  1. Abiotic components
  2. Biotic components
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. Temperature

Answer: 3. Both (1) and (2)

  • The most important elements that lead to so much variation are temperature, water, light, and soil.
  • Physiochemical components alone do not characterize the habitat of an organism completely.
  • They include biotic factors also. So, for the characterization of habitat, both abiotic and biotic components are needed. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 18. Biotic factors are

  1. Chemical factors of soil which affect life
  2. Physical factors of soil which affect life
  3. Any living component that affects another organism
  4. Factors of atmosphere that affect life

Answer: 3. Any living component that affects another organism

Biotic components or biotic factors can be described as any living component that affects another organism or shapes the ecosystem.

Question 19. Which of the following factors cannot be regarded as non-living?

  1. Light
  2. Temperature
  3. Interspecific competition
  4. Rainfall

Answer: 3. Interspecific competition

Interspecific competition in ecology is a form of competition in which individuals of different species compete for the same resources in an ecosystem (for example. food or living space). So, it is not regarded as a non-living factor.

Question 20. Which of these is an edaphic factor?

  1. Soil
  2. Light
  3. Rainfall
  4. Wind

Answer: 1. Soil

Edaphic factors are environmental conditions that are determined by the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil.

Question 21. Which of the following is an indirect ecological factor?

  1. Temperature
  2. Soil structure
  3. Light
  4. Air

Answer: 2. Soil structure

Temperature, light, and air are direct ecological factors because these factors have a direct influence on the processes and behavior of the organisms. So, soil organism slopes are indirect ecological factors.

Question 22. Abiotic factors affect

  1. Structure of organisms.
  2. Physiology of organisms.
  3. Behaviour of organisms.

Choose the correct option.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 1, 2 And 3
  4. 1 And 3

Answer: 3. 1, 2 And 3

Abiotic factors are non-living or physical factors that influence the survival, growth, structure, physiology, behavior, interactions, and reproduction of organisms in an ecosystem. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 23. Niche is

  1. All the biological factors in the organism’s environment
  2. The functional role played by the organism where it lives
  3. The range of temperature that the organism needs to live
  4. The physical space where an organism lives

Answer: 2. The functional role played by the organism where it lives

Ecological niche was termed by J. Grinnell. It refers to the functional role played by the organism where it lives.

Question 24. Temperature decreases progressively from the

  1. The equator towards the poles
  2. Poles towards the equator
  3. Plain towards mountain
  4. Both (1) and (3)

Answer: 4. Both (1) and (3)

Temperature decreases progressively from the equator towards the poles because the sun is less far from the equator and it receives more direct sunlight as we go to the equator it decreases and in poles, it becomes very little or none.

Question 25. Temperature plays a key role in the sustenance of living beings because

  1. Kinetics of locomotion depend on temperature
  2. The Kinetics of enzymes depend on the temperature
  3. High temperature facilitates digestion
  4. Low temperature facilitates digestion

Answer: 2. Kinetics of enzymes depend on temperature

Enzymes are very sensitive to variations in temperature. A slight decrease or increase in temperature can cause denaturation or inactivation of enzymes. That way temperature is very significant to living beings.

Question 26. Metabolic reactions in animals take place at very …… temperature ranges as enzymes are sensitive to temperature changes. But for some microorganisms such as those living in deep-sea thermal vents or geysers, metabolism occurs at a temperature beyond … b….

  1. A–narrow, b–100°c
  2. A–broad, b–100°c
  3. A–median, b–100°c
  4. A–broad, b–40°c

Answer: 1. A–narrow, b–100°c

Question 27. The temperature gradient over the earth’s surface is

  1. 6.4 to 6.5ºc per 1000 m altitude
  2. 6.4 to 6.5ºc per 1000 m latitude
  3. 7.5 to 9.5°c per 1000 m latitude
  4. 7.5 to 9.5°c per 1000 m altitude

Answer: 1. 6.4 to 6.5ºc per 1000 m altitude

  • The temperature gradient over the earth’s surface is 6.4-6.5ºC per 1000 m altitude or 10° latitude. Therefore, there is a lowering of mean temperature from the equator to the poles.
  • Tropical, subtropical, temperate, and Arctic organisms living in these zones are respectively called megatherms, mesotherms, microtherms, and hekistotherms.

Question 28. The average temperature of thermal springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents exceeds

  1. 50°C
  2. 60°C
  3. 70°C
  4. 100°C

Answer: 4. 100°C

There are unique habitats such as thermal springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents where average temperature exceeds 100°C.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 29. Organisms that can tolerate a narrow range of temperatures are called

  1. Polythermal
  2. Stenothermal
  3. Oligothermal
  4. Eurythermal

Answer: 2. Stenothermal

Stenothermal organisms are those organisms, which can tolerate a narrow range of temperature. They live within a narrow range of temperatures because of their requirement for nearly constant temperature throughout the year, for example. amphibians, reptiles.

Question 30. Eurythermal are

  1. Organisms that can tolerate a wide range of temperature
  2. Organisms that can tolerate a low range of temperature
  3. Organisms that cannot tolerate a low range of temperature
  4. Organisms that cannot tolerate a wide range of temperature

Answer: 1. Organisms that can tolerate a wide range of temperature

Eurythermal organisms are those organisms, that can tolerate a wide range of temperature variations. Most mammals and birds can live in very wide temperature variations.

Question 31. Given below are examples of various organisms. Identify stenothermals from the given examples.

  1. Birds
  2. Family-Asteraceae
  3. Polar bear
  4. Human
  5. Lizards
  6. Amphibians
  7. Coconut

Choose the correct option.

  1. 3, 5, 6 And 7
  2. 2, 3, 4 And 6
  3. 1, 2, 3 And 4
  4. 7, 6, 5 And 1

Answer: 1. 3, 5, 6 And 7

Stenothermal organisms are those organisms, that live within a narrow range of temperatures because of their requirement of nearly constant temperature throughout the year, e.g. polar bears, lizards, amphibians, and coconut (warm tropical areas). Thus, option (1) is correct.

Question 32. The organisms present in tropical regions are

  1. Mesotherms
  2. Megatherms
  3. Microtherms
  4. Hekistotherms

Answer: 2. Megatherms

Organisms, which present in tropical regions are called megatherms. Tropical, subtropical, temperate, and Arctic organisms living in these zones are respectively called megatherms, mesotherms, microtherms, and hekistotherms.

NEET Biology Mcq

Question 33. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 33 Match the following columns.

Answer:

Question 34. The productivity and distribution of plants mainly depend on

  1. Soil
  2. Temperature
  3. Water
  4. Light

Answer: 3. Water

A–3, B–2, C–1

Question 35. Life on Earth is said to have originated in

  1. Air
  2. Water
  3. Soil
  4. All of these

Answer: 3. Soil

Next to temperature water is the most important factor that influences life. Life originated in water. Life is unsustainable without water.

Question 36. Salt concentration (parts per thousand) is less than 5% in

  1. Sea water
  2. Inland water
  3. Hypersaline water
  4. Freshwater

Answer: 2. Inland water

  • The salinity of water bodies is generally measured in parts per thousand. It determines what kind of organisms can live in it.
  • The salinity of the sea is 30-35 parts per thousand, while inland water and some lagoons is less than 5 parts per thousand or more than 100 parts per thousand, respectively.

Question 37. Salt concentration in

  1. Sea water is …a…
  2. Hypersaline water is …b….

Choose the correct option for a and b.

  1. A–30-35%, b–>100%
  2. A–> 100%, b–30-35%
  3. A–>100%, b–<10%
  4. A–< 10%, b–< 10%

Answer: 1. A–30-35%, b–>100%

Question 38. An animal species was found to have a wide tolerance towards salinity and habitat conditions but narrow towards temperature conditions. Which of the following options expresses the said species correctly?

  1. Stenothermal, euryhaline, and precious
  2. Eurythermal, stenohaline and stenophagic
  3. Eurythermal, trihydric, and tenacious
  4. Stenophagic, euryhaline, and eurythermal

Answer: 1. Stenothermal, euryhaline, and precious

Question 39. 1. Eel, 2. Whale, 3. Sting ray which of them is/are stenohaline and euryhaline?

Stenohaline euryhaline

  1. 1, 3 2
  2. 1, 2 3
  3. 2, 3 1
  4. 1 2, 3

Answer: 1. 1, 3 2

Stenohaline (whale and string rays) and euryhaline (eel). Thus, option (3) is correct.

NEET Biology Mcq

Question 40. The plant of this group is adapted to live partly in the water, partly above the substratum, and free from water.

  1. Xerophytes
  2. Thalophytes
  3. Halophytes
  4. Hydrophytes

Answer: 3. Halophytes

  • Halophytes are plants adapted to grow in saline conditions. They adapted to live partly in water, partly above the substratum, and free from water. They grow in mangroves, coastal dunes, and marshes.
  • The environmental conditions are high salinity and high levels of water. A number of these plants possess negatively geotropic vertical roots called pneumatophores.

Question 41. Pneumatophores are characteristic of

  1. Halophytes
  2. Freshwater plants
  3. Oxylophytes
  4. Psammophytes

Answer: 3. Oxylophytes

  • Halophytes are plants adapted to grow in saline conditions. They adapted to live partly in water, partly above the substratum, and free from water. They grow in mangroves, coastal dunes, and marshes.
  • The environmental conditions are high salinity and high levels of water. A number of these plants possess negatively geotropic vertical roots called pneumatophores.

Question 42. Which of the following is a xerophytic condition?

  1. High temperature and high humidity
  2. High temperature and low humidity
  3. Low temperature and high humidity
  4. Low temperature and low humidity

Answer: 2. High temperature and low humidity

A xerophyte is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with low humidity and high temperatures such as a desert or an ice or snow-covered region in the Alps or the Arctic.

Question 43. Xerophytes are mostly

  1. Succulents
  2. Water-related
  3. Mesophytes
  4. None of the above

Answer: 1. Succulents

Desert plants (xerophytes) are generally succulent, i.e. the plants conserve water by storing it in fleshy leaves or stems.

NEET Biology Mcq

Question 44. Which of the following is an ecological energy source?

  1. Air
  2. Sunlight
  3. Soil
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 2. Sunlight

Sunlight is the primary ecological energy source for all living organisms.

Question 45. Sunlight is crucial for

  1. Photosynthesis
  2. Heterotrophic mode of nutrition
  3. Chemosynthesis
  4. All of the above

Answer: 1. Photosynthesis

Light is essential for photosynthesis. The amount of photosynthesis depends upon the quality, intensity, and duration of light. Photosynthetic yield is maximum in equator and tropical areas.

Question 46. Photosynthetic yield is maximum at the

  1. Equator region
  2. Polar region
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. Arid region

Answer: 1. Equator region

In tropical areas (equator region), there is more sunlight than the other areas. So, tropical areas have more photosynthetic yield than other areas.

Question 47. Differentiation in certain organisms occurs in light. It is called

  1. Morphogenesis
  2. Photomorphogenesis
  3. Organogenesis
  4. Embryogenesis

Answer: 2. Photomorphogenesis

  • In plants, growth is favored by increased availability of food, moderate light intensity, and red light. Maximum photosynthesis occurs in red light. Blue light favors moderate but normal growth.
  • The differentiation of various tissues and organs in response to light is called photomorphogenesis.

NEET Biology Mcq

Question 48. The radiation with a greater wavelength than visible light is

  1. Uv
  2. Ir
  3. Microwaves
  4. Radiowaves

Answer: 1. Uv

  • Radiation below the visible light (less than 400 nm) is ultraviolet (UV) radiation, while those above (more than 700 nm) the visible light are infrared or heat waves.
  • The amount of light and its intensity vary with latitude and season. Light intensity, light duration, and light quality influence a number of life processes of organisms.

Question 49. Plants adapted to grow in shade are

  1. Psammophytes
  2. Sciophytes
  3. Mesophytes
  4. Xerophytes

Answer: 2. Sciophytes

Sciophytes are shade plants that grow in 10 areas having moderate to low intensity of light. Optimum growth occurs with light of 10-30% of full sunlight.

Question 50. The sun-loving plants are referred to as

  1. Halophytes
  2. Heterotrophs
  3. Sciophytic
  4. Heliophysics

Answer: 4. Heliophytic

Heliophytes are plants which grow under sunlight. Their buds lie in the mud. They are referred to as sun-loving plants. Other options are explained as

  • Halophytes are plants that grow in saline soil.
  • Sciophytes are those plants that grow in shades.
  • Heterotrophic organisms do not make their own food and depend on other plants and animals for their nutritional requirements.

Question 51. The environment is perpetually dark in oceans at depths of

  1. More than 100 m
  2. More than 500 m
  3. Less than 100 m
  4. Less than 500 m

Answer: 2. More than 500 m

Deep (>500 m) in the oceans, the environment is perpetually dark and its inhabitants are not aware of the existence of celestial sources of light.

Question 52. In which area, do diurnal temperatures in the soil surface vary?

  1. Sea
  2. Lake
  3. Tundra
  4. Desert

Answer: 4. Desert

Diurnal temperature variations are greatest very near the earth’s surface. High desert regions typically have the greatest diurnal temperature variations, while low-lying humid areas typically have the least.

NEET Biology Mcq

Question 53. Edaphology is the relationship between

  1. Plant and biosphere
  2. Soil and living organisms
  3. Animal and ecosystem
  4. Soil and biosphere

Answer: 2. Soil and living organisms

  • Edaphic factors are environmental conditions that are determined by the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the soil.
  • The study of edaphic factors is called edaphology. So, edaphology is the relationship between soil and living organisms.

Question 54. Plants that grow in sandy soil are known as

  1. Heliophytes
  2. Psammophytes
  3. Sciophytes
  4. Mesophytes

Answer: 2. Psammophytes

Plants growing on sandy soils are known as psammophytes. Psammophytic plants can be grown on sand and gravel. So, these plants can convert desert areas into greenland.

Question 55. What is the best pH of the soil for the cultivation of plants?

  1. 3.4-5.4
  2. 6.5-7.5
  3. 4.5-8.5
  4. 5.5-6.5

Answer: 4. 5.5-6.5

  • Soil nature is described in pH values. It can be alkaline, acidic, or neutral. Highly acidic and highly saline soil often remains injurious to plant growth, microorganisms, etc.
  • Soil pH strongly affects microbial activities. Neutral or slightly acidic soil (5.5-6.5) remains best for the growth of the majority of plants.

Question 56. Soil salinity is measured by

  1. Parameter
  2. Potometer
  3. Calorimeter
  4. Conductivity meter

Answer: 4. Conductivity meter

  • The conductivity meter measures soil salinity. A photometer is used for measuring the rate of transpiration. A pedometer is an apparatus for knowing the relative sizes of stomata.
  • A calorimeter is an object used for calorimetry for the process of measuring the heat at any chemical reaction.

Question 57. Abundant plant growth can be observed in

  1. Acidic soil
  2. Basic soil
  3. Neutral soil
  4. Slightly acidic soil

Choose the option containing the correct combination.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 1 And 3
  4. 3 And 4

Answer: 4. 3 And 4

  • Most of the plants grow in neutral or slightly acidic soil with pH = 6.5.
  • Some plants like chilli grow in acidic soil (pH = 5).
  • Basic soils are clay soils with high pH, a poor soil structure, and a low infiltration capacity. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 58. A major source of soil moisture is

  1. Rainwater
  2. Underground water
  3. River water
  4. Atmospheric humidity

Answer: 1. Rainwater

The major source of soil moisture is mainly rainwater, which is retained by the soil. Sand can retain very less water and clay soil can retain maximum water.

Question 59. Clay soil is obtained

  1. In desert
  2. On seashore
  3. Around ponds
  4. On rocks

Answer: 3. Around ponds

Clay particles are rich in nutritive salts and can hold or retain water very firmly. They are mostly found near lakes and ponds.

Question 60. Good soil is

  1. Which holds the whole of the water that enters into it
  2. Which allows the percolation of the water slowly from it
  3. Which allows water to pass very quickly from it
  4. Which allows a limited amount of water to be retained in it

Answer: 1. Which holds the whole of the water that enters into it

A good soil is one that is airy, has water held between its particles, and allows slow percolation of water.

Question 61. Main factors determining the vegetation of any area.

  1. Ph of soil.
  2. Mineral composition of the soil.
  3. Water holding capacity of soil.
  4. Precipitation.

Choose the correct option.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 1, 2 And 3
  4. 1, 2, 3 And 4

Answer: 3. 1, 2 And 3

All given factors (1, 2, and 3) determine the vegetation of any area except 4.

  • Weather changes have little impact on the flora and fauna of a place because it is the short-term property of the atmosphere and it changes from place to place. pH, mineral, water water-holding capacity of soil determine the flora and fauna of any area.
  • Incorrect factors can be corrected as Precipitation also plays a key role in determining the vegetation of an area. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 62. Identify the factors that affect the property and nature of soil in different places.

  1. Climate
  2. Weathering process
  3. Topography
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

  • Soil nature and properties of soil depend on climate, topography, and the weathering process or weathering of rocks into fine powder can occur due to atmospheric changes, mechanical forces, chemical changes, and biological breakdown.
  • The physical and chemical properties of soil determine the type of plants that can grow in a particular habitat and the characteristics of the bottom sediments of the aquatic environment determine the type of benthic animals. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 63. Homeostasis is

  1. The tendency of biological systems to change with changes in the environment
  2. The tendency of biological systems to resist change
  3. Disturbance of self-regulatory system and natural controls
  4. Biotic materials used in homeopathic medicines

Answer: 2. Tendency of biological systems to resist change

Homeostasis is any self-regulating process by which an organism tends to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are best for its survival. It is the tendency of biological systems to resist change.

Question 64. The figure given below is a diagrammatic representation of the response of organisms to abiotic factors. What does a, b, and c represent respectively?

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Internal level and External level

  1. Conformer regulator partial regulator
  2. Regulator partial regulator conformer
  3. Partial regulator conformer
  4. Regulator conformer partial regulator

Answer: 4. Regulator conformer partial regulator

  • In the graph, line A represents the regulator, line B represents the conformer, and line C represents the partial regulator. Organisms that are able to maintain homeostasis by physiological means that ensure constant body temperature are called regulators. Organisms that are not able to maintain a constant internal temperature are called conformers.
  • Partial regulators are organisms that have the ability to regulate, but only over a limited range of environmental conditions, beyond which they simply conform.

Question 65. Plants grow sparsely in arid regions of the world

  1. Only because of the high temperature
  2. Because no seeds fall on their soil
  3. Because of several factors combined together
  4. Because the soil is sandy

Answer: 3. Because of several factors combined together

  • The growth of plants in arid regions is sparse. The reason is that the plants have adapted to these regions. They have developed specialized structures which help in the reduction of the transpiration rate.
  • These regions have less amount of water in the soil. The temperature is very high so the level of vegetation is low. Thus, plants grow sparsely in arid regions of the world because of several factors combined together.

66. Most mollusks and cry fishes are

  1. Thermoconformers
  2. Osmoconformers
  3. Osmoregulatory
  4. All of the above

Answer: 3. Osmoregulatory

Most mollusks and cry fishes are osmoregulatory. Birds and mammals are thermoconformers and osmoconformers, respectively. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 67. Organisms capable of maintaining constant body temperature are

  1. Stenothermal
  2. Homoiothermal
  3. Poikilothermal
  4. Conformers

Answer: 2. Homoiothermal

  • Homoiothermal organisms are those who can maintain their internal body temperature at a relatively constant value by using metabolic processes to counteract fluctuations in the temperature of the environment, e.g. birds and mammals.
  • They have relatively high internal temperature which permits fast action of muscles, and nerves and enables them to lead highly active lives.

Question 68. Regulators are also called

  1. Endotherms
  2. Exotherms
  3. Ectotherms
  4. Hydrothermal

Answer: 1. Endotherms

Regulators are also called endotherms. Evolutionary biologists believe that the success of mammals is mainly due to their ability to maintain a constant body temperature (endotherms) and live comfortably.

Question 69. Gloger’s rule is related to

  1. Color
  2. Extremities
  3. Narrow wing
  4. Size

Answer: 1. Colour

Gloger’s rule is related to color. In warm-blooded animals, including, humans, pigmentation is lesser in colder areas, yellow-brown to red in arid climates, and black in humid hot areas.

Question 70. Regulators are the animals that

  1. Cannot maintain their body homeostasis
  2. Maintain their body homeostasis
  3. Regulate their heartbeat
  4. Regulate their blood circulation

Answer: 2. Maintain their body homeostasis

Some organisms are able to maintain a constant body temperature (homeostasis) and constant osmotic concentration despite changes in the external environment. They are called regulators. Only birds, and mammals belong to the category of regulators.

Question 71. What percentage of animals on this earth are regulators?

  1. 2%
  2. 3%
  3. 4%
  4. 1%

Answer: 4. 1%

About 99% of animals and nearly all plants do not have a mechanism to maintain a constant internal body environment. Only 1% of organisms can maintain body temperature changes with the surrounding temperature (ectotherms). Thus, 1% of animals on this earth are regulators.

Question 72. The animals that rely on the heat from the environment rather than metabolism to raise their body temperature are, in the strict sense, called

  1. Ectothermic
  2. Poikilothermic
  3. Homeothermic
  4. Endothermic

Answer: 1. Ectothermic

Ectotherms gain most of their heat from the environment to raise their body temperature. This is because they have a low metabolic rate, i.e. the amount of heat to generate, is too small to have much effect on body temperature.

Question 73. Circadian rhythm is a metabolic or behavioral

  1. 24 Min cycle
  2. 24 Hrs cycle
  3. 24 Sec cycle
  4. 24 Day Cycle

Answer: 2. 24 Hrs cycle

Circadian rhythm is the 24-hour internal clock in our brain that regulates cycles of alertness and sleepiness by responding to light changes in our environment. Our physiology and behavior are shaped by the earth’s rotation around its axis.

Question 74. Partial regulators are organisms which

  1. Can regulate body temperature to a large extent according to environmental conditions
  2. Can regulate body temperature to a limited extent according to environmental conditions
  3. Can regulate body temperature only over a limited range of environmental conditions
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Can regulate body temperature to a limited extent according to environmental conditions

  • Some species are partial regulators. They have the ability to regulate their body temperature up to a certain limit extent according to environmental conditions.
  • Beyond that limit they become conformers. Further, they are not essential that regulators of one attribute would be a regulator of other attributes as well.

Question 75. An overwhelming majority of …a… Animals and nearly all plants cannot maintain a constant internal environment. Their body temperature …b… With the ambient temperature. In aquatic animals, the osmotic concentration of the body fluids …c… With that of the ambient water osmotic concentration. These animals and plants are simply conformers. Choose the correct option for a, b, and c.

  1. A–1%, b–varies, c–constant
  2. A–97%, b–constant, c–varies
  3. A–9%, b–varies, c–constant
  4. A–99%, b–varies, c–changes

Answer: 4. A–99%, b–varies, c–changes

Question 76. Which of the following statements regarding responses of organisms to abiotic factors is false?

  1. All birds and mammals are capable of thermoregulation
  2. The majority of animals and nearly all plants cannot maintain a constant internal environment
  3. Shivering is a kind of exercise that produces heat and raises body temperature
  4. Very small animals are commonly found in polar regions as they have to spend less energy to generate body heat
  5. Diapause is a stage of suspended development seen in zooplanktons

Answer: 4. Very small animals are commonly found in polar regions as they have to spend less energy to generate body heat

  • The statement in option (4) is incorrect and can be corrected as Heat loss or heat gain is a function of surface area.
  • Since small animals have a larger surface area relative to their volume they tend to lose body heat very fast, when it is cold outside and they have to expend much more energy to generate body heat through metabolism.
  • Hence, very small animals are rarely found in polar areas. Rest all statements are correct regarding responses of organisms to abiotic factors.

Question 77. The lowest temperature of any land mass in the universe was recorded in

  1. North America (1949)
  2. Greenland (1950)
  3. Antarctica (2010)
  4. Siberia (1947)

Answer: 3. Antarctica (2010)

The lowest temperature recorded in Antarctica in 2010 was –94.7ºC.

Question 78. The success of mammals on Earth is largely because

  1. They have the ability to maintain a constant body temperature
  2. They can conform to the changes in the environment
  3. They can take care of their young ones as they have mammary glands to suckle them
  4. They can reduce metabolic activity and go into a state of dormancy during unfavorable conditions

Answer: 1. They have the ability to maintain constant body temperature

Mammals are endothermic. Endothermy (maintenance of internal temperature) enables these animals to live at temperatures that other land vertebrates cannot bear. Thus, the success of mammals on earth is largely because they have the ability to maintain constant body temperature.

Question 79. Conformers remain dormant in adverse conditions due to

  1. The inability to move
  2. The inability to digest properly
  3. The inability to maintain homeostasis
  4. The ability to maintain homeostasis

Answer: 3. The inability to maintain homeostasis

Conformers remain dormant in adverse conditions due to the inability to maintain homeostasis. In conformers, the body temperature changes with the surrounding temperature they are also called ectotherms. 99% of animals are conformers.

Question 80. Conformers are also referred to as

  1. Endotherms
  2. Ectotherms
  3. Isotherms
  4. Both (2) or (3)

Answer: 2. Ectotherms

The animals and plants in which the osmotic concentration and temperature of the body change according to ambient conditions of water are called conformers (also known as ectotherms).

Question 81. It is much easier for a small animal to run uphill than for a large animal, because

  1. It is easier to carry a small body weight
  2. Smaller animals have a higher metabolic rate
  3. Small animals have a lower O2 requirement
  4. The efficiency of muscles in large animals is less than in small animals

Answer: 2. Smaller animals have a higher metabolic rate

It is much easier for a small animal to run uphill than for a large animal because smaller animals have higher Basic Metabolic Rate (BMR) related to sustained energy production and delayed muscle fatigue

Question 82. A terrestrial animal must be able to

  1. Conserve water
  2. Actively pump salts out through the skin
  3. Excrete a large amount of salt in urine
  4. Excrete a large amount of water in urine

Answer: 1. Conserve water

Terrestrial animals lose water by evaporation from respiratory and body surfaces, excretion in urine, and elimination in the feces. They replace such losses by water in the food, drinking water when available, and retaining metabolic water formed in cells by oxidation of foods, especially carbohydrates. Thus, a terrestrial animal must be able to conserve water.

Question 83. Ephemerals are xerophytes that are

  1. Drought enduring
  2. Drought escaping
  3. Drought resisting
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Drought escaping

Ephemerals are plants with a short life cycle (seed germination to seed production) having several generations in one year. Desert ephemerals pass the drought/day season as dormant seeds. Therefore, these are called drought escaping.

Question 84. Animals undergo an inactive stage during winter which is known as

  1. Aestivation
  2. Hibernation
  3. Adaptation
  4. Acclimatization

Answer: 2. Hibernation

  • Animals undergo an inactive stage during winter which is known as hibernation. Hibernation is a sleep-like state in which some animals pass the winter months as a way of surviving food scarcity and cold weather.
  • Various physiological changes occur, such as lowering of the body temperature and slowing of the pulse rate and other vital processes and the animal lives on its reserve of body fat. Animals that hibernate include bats, hedgehogs, many fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Question 85. The stage of suspended development shown by zooplanktons is called

  1. Desiccation
  2. Diapause
  3. Hibernation
  4. Homeostasis
  5. Aestivation

Answer: 2. Diapause

Under unfavorable conditions, many zooplankton species in lakes and ponds are known to enter diapause, a stage of suspended development.

Question 86. Consider the following statements.

  1. Cold deserts too exist for example. Tibet, gobi.
  2. Desert can be hot, for example. Thar, Sahara.

Choose the correct option.

  1. Statement 1 is correct, but 2 is incorrect
  2. Statement 1 is incorrect, but 2 is correct
  3. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct
  4. Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect

Answer: 3. Both statements 1 and 2 are correct

Both statements I and II are correct. Desert can be cold (e.g. Tibet, Gobi) and hot (For example. Thar, Sahara). In true desert is a place that has a rainfall of less than 12 cm/yr, while an extreme desert is less than 7cm/yr.

Question 87. Just as a person moves from Delhi to Shimla to escape the heat for the duration of a hot summer, thousands of migratory birds from Siberia and other extremely cold northern regions move to

  1. Western ghats
  2. Meghalaya
  3. Corbett national park
  4. Keoladeo national park

Answer: 4. Keoladeo National Park

A person moving from Delhi to Shimla to escape the heat for the duration of a hot summer, thousands of migratory birds from Siberia and her extremely cold Northern regions move to Keoladeo National Park. Keoladeo National Park is a vast bird sanctuary in Rajasthan.

Question 88. Microorganisms and some lower plants show the formation of …a… To outlive harsh environments, whereas …b… In higher plants are a means of continuing the generation through harsh environmental conditions.

  1. A–spores, B–seeds
  2. A–seeds, B–spores
  3. A–spines, B–spores
  4. A–seeds, B–mucilage

Answer: 1. A–spores, B–seeds

Question 89. Diapause is a stage of suspended development in water bodies such as lakes and ponds. The season in which it occurs in

  1. Summer
  2. Winter
  3. Autumn
  4. Spring

Answer: 2. Winter

Diapause occurs during unfavorable conditions mostly in winter when the temperature is too low to survive.

Question 90. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 90 Match the following columns.

Answer: 5. A–2, B–4, C–1, D–3

Question 91. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 91 Match the following columns.

Answer: 1. A–5, B–1, C–3, D–4

Question 92. An attribute of some organisms that enables them to survive and reproduce in their habitat is called

  1. Phenotypic plasticity
  2. Adaptations
  3. Mimicry
  4. Surviving abilities

Answer: 2. Adaptations

Adaptation develops due to the natural selection of suitable variations appearing in living beings through mutation and recombination. It enables the organism to survive and reproduce in its habitat.

Question 93. The adaptations in an organism are meant for

  1. Optimum primary production
  2. Optimum lifespan
  3. Optimum mobility
  4. Optimum survival and reproduction

Answer: 4. Optimum survival and reproduction

Adaptation is an attribute of an organism (morphological, physiological, and behavioral) that enables it to survive and reproduce in its habitat. It enables the organism to survive and reproduce in its habitat.

Question 94. Different types of adaptations existing in animals are

  1. Morphological
  2. Physiological
  3. Behavioural
  4. All of these

Answer: 4. All of these

There are three different types of adaptations existing in animals. Behavioral–responses made by an organism that help it to survive/reproduce Physiological – a body process that helps an organism to survive and reproduce Morphological feature of an organism‘s body that helps it to survive/reproduce. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 95. Examples of behavioral adaptation.

  1. Basking by desert lizards in the sun.
  2. Hiding in burrows by some animals.
  3. Thermal gaping.

Choose the correct option.

  1. 2 And 3
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 1, 2 And 3
  4. None of the examples

Answer: 1. 2 And 3

  • All given examples (2 and 3) are of behavioral adaptation except because some organisms show behavioral adaptation to cope with variation in the environment. Desert lizards lack the physiological ability to deal with high temperatures.
  • They keep their body temperature fairly constant by behavioral means. They enjoy in sun and absorb heat when their body temperature is low. When their body temperature starts increasing it moves into shades. Thus, option (1) is correct.

Question 96. The development of patagia in animals is a

  1. Cave adaptation
  2. Aquatic adaptation
  3. Volant adaptation
  4. Arboreal adaptation

Answer: 3. Volant adaptation

The animals that show the presence of patagia or wings show volant or flight adaptations. The patagia or wings are enclosed with light feathers that allow the body of the bird to become light in weight.

Question 97. The adjustment of a pupil of our eye to light intensity is an example of

  1. Entropy
  2. Steady-state
  3. Adaptation
  4. All of these

Answer: 3. Adaptation

The adjustment of a pupil of our eye to light intensity is an example of adaptation.

Question 98. In an ecological sense, desert animals are termed as

  1. Arboreal
  2. Benthos
  3. Cursorial
  4. Xeric

Answer: 4. Xeric

The organisms, desert plants, or animals adapted to dry conditions are called xeric. As xeric plants have spinous leaves and animals are uricotelic.

Question 99. Desert plants are generally Manipal 1998, 1999

  1. Herbaceous
  2. Viviparous
  3. Heterophyllus
  4. Succulent

Answer: 4. Succulent

  • Desert plants are generally succulent, i.e. the plants conserve water by storing it in fleshy leaves or stems.
  • Succulents are found either in dry regions or in areas, where there is sufficient water but not easily available (e.g. in salt marshes) such plants are often modified to reduce water loss by transpiration.

Question 100. The succulent stem is found in

  1. Pisum
  2. Casuarina
  3. Oxalis
  4. Euphorbia

Answer: 4. Euphorbia

Opuntia is a xerophytic plant, which lives in dry habitat. The plant has fleshy organs where water and mucilage are stored. The stem is modified into a flat green structure, therefore Opuntia is also called phylloclades.

Question 101. Which one of the following is a xerophytic plant in which the stem is modified into a flat green and succulent structure?

  1. Opuntia
  2. Casuarina
  3. Hydrilla
  4. Acacia

Answer: 1. Opuntia

Opuntia is a xerophytic plant, which lives in dry habitat. The plant has fleshy organs where water and mucilage are stored. The stem is modified into a flat green structure, therefore Opuntia is also called phylloclades.

Question 102. The most effective defense of plants against herbivores are

  1. Morphological
  2. Chemical
  3. Tem oral
  4. Developmental

Answer: 1. Morphological

The first line of defense in plants is an intact and impenetrable barrier composed of bark and a waxy cuticle. Both protect plants against herbivores. Leaf modification into spines, the presence of sharp thorns, and spiny leaf margins are some of the morphological defenses.

Question 103. Acacia arabica is a

  1. Mesophyte
  2. Hydrophyte
  3. Xerophyte
  4. Halophyte

Answer: 3. Xerophyte

Acacia arabica is a xerophyte. Xerophytes are plants of dry habitats, where the environment favors a higher rate of transpiration than absorption. In these plants, leaves are small and vestigial to cut transpiration.

Question 104. Casuarina equisetifolia is a

  1. Mesophyte
  2. Xerophyte
  3. Halophyte
  4. Forest epiphyte

Answer: 2. Xerophyte

Casuarina equisetifolia is a non-succulent xerophyte. In Casuarina, leaves are vestigial to cut off transpiration and to survive in a dry environment.

Question 105. Cactaceae stores water in leaves, it implies

  1. Ephemerals
  2. Drought resistant
  3. Annuals
  4. Non-succulents

Answer: 2. Drought resistant

Cactus are drought-resistant or succulents. The plants have fleshy organs where water and mucilage are stored. The stems and leaves of succulents possess very thick cuticles. Stomata are sunken.

Question 106. A succulent xerophyte is

  1. Capparis
  2. Calotropis
  3. Agave
  4. None of these

Answer: 3. Agave

In succulent xerophytes, plants have fleshy organs where water and mucilage are stored. Depending upon the organ where succulence occurs, the succulents show chylocauly, for example. Opuntia, chylophylly, example. Agave and Chylorhizy example. Asparagus.

Question 107. Which of the following plants has a non-succulent, xerophytic, and thick leathery leaf with a white sticky waxy coating?

  1. Nerium
  2. Bryophyllum
  3. Calotropis
  4. Ruscus

Answer: 1. Nerium

Non-succulents and xerophytes include all non-succulent herbs, shrubs, and trees that can endure wilting. Nerium is a non- succulent xerophyte. Nerium leaves have densely pubescent surfaces which minimize the rate of transpiration because they keep the air current well-elevated above the stomata.

Question 108. Pick up the xerophytic set.

  1. Zizyphus, opuntia, euphorbia
  2. Musa, Ceratophyllum, legume
  3. Labiateae, zizyphus, opuntia
  4. Hydrilla, zizyphus, pisum

Answer: 1. Zizyphus, opuntia, euphorbia

Question 109. Among the plants listed, point out one that does not fit into the ecological group represented by other plants.

  1. Acacia
  2. Rhizophora/vallisneria
  3. Euphorbia
  4. Aloe

Answer: 2. Rhizophora/vallisneria

Acacia, Aloe, and Euphorbia are xerophytic plants, while Vallisneria is a hydrophyte and Rhizophora belongs to the halophyte plant group. So, option (2) does not fit into the ecological group represented by another plant.

110. The features of the xerophytic plant leaves are

  1. Leathery surface
  2. Large surface area
  3. Waxy cuticle

Sunken stomata on the upper epidermis

  1. 1, 2 And 4
  2. 2 And 3
  3. 1, 3 And 4
  4. 1 And 4

Answer: 3. 1, 3 And 4

All given features are of xerophytic plant leaves except 2. Xerophytes are the plants living in xeric (dry) habitats. Plants growing in such regions develop characteristics to tolerate drought. Xerophytes develop the following characteristic features

  • In general, the leaves are highly reduced to decrease the loss of water by transpiration.
  • In some plants, leaves are modified into spines, for example. Euphorbia, Opuntia.
  • The waxy coating is present on leaves and stems as in Calotropis.
  • The presence of sunken stomata covered by hair, for example. Nerium and Ephedra.
  • Stomata are generally found on the lower surface of the leaves. Thus, option (c) is correct.

Question 111. Consider the following statements.

  1. Many xerophytic plants have thick cuticles on the leaf epidermis and sunken stomata.
  2. Some xerophytic plants have special photosynthetic pathway (cam) that enables their stomata to close during the day.
  3. Opuntia has spines (modified leaves), and photosynthetic phylloclade (stem).
  4. An animal can adapt to a totally new environment by acclimatizing itself to its surroundings.
  5. All adaptations are genetically not fixed.

Choose the option containing

Correct statements.

  1. 1, 2, 3 And 4
  2. 2, 3, 4 And 5
  3. 3, 4, 5 And 1
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5

Answer: 4. 1, 2, 3, 4 And 5

All given statements are correct. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 112. Which one of the following is the specific xerophytic adaptation?

  1. Presence of spines
  2. Absence of stomata
  3. Absence of long tap root system
  4. Presence of stipular leaves

Answer: 1. Presence of spines

  • Xerophytes are the plants living in xeric (dry) habitats. The roots of these plants may be deep tap roots penetrating the soil to great depths so as to absorb water to the maximum.
  • Roots can also be shallow but extensive and spread so as to collect and hold rainwater. In many xerophytes, leaves are reduced to form spines to reduce the transpiration losses as in cacti.

Question 113. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 113 Match the following columns

Answer: 1. A–2, B–3, C–1

Question 114. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 114 Match the following columns.

Answer: 1. A–2, B–3, C–1

Question 115. Which one of the following hydrophytes has both hydrophytic and xerophytic adaptation?

  1. Nerium
  2. Agave
  3. Vallisneria
  4. None of these

Answer: 4. None of these

  • Hydrophytes are plants like water lilies that have adapted to living in watery conditions.
  • They have little to no root systems and have leaves that often help in flotation.
  • Xerophytes are the opposite of hydrophytes and are plants adapted for living in extremely dry conditions with little access to water.
  • All given options are not hydrophytes having both hydrophytic and xerophytic adaptations.

Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 116. Which of the following does not have stomata?

  1. Mesophytes
  2. Serophytes
  3. Submerged hydrophytes
  4. Hydrophytes

Answer: 3. Submerged hydrophytes

Stomata are meant for gaseous exchange and are present on the epidermis of the leaf. In submerged hydrophytes, leaves are found submerged in the water and stomata are absent.

Question 117. The waxy surface of the floating leaves of the hydrophytes prevents

  1. Respiration
  2. Photosynthesis
  3. Transpiration
  4. Clogging of stomata

Answer: 4. Clogging of stomata

The wax coating protects the leaves from chemical and physical injuries and also prevents the water clogging of stomata.

Question 118. Hydrophytes are characterized by

  1. Leaf reduced to spines
  2. Well-developed vascular tissue
  3. Well-developed mechanical tissue
  4. Delicate and mucilaginous stem

Answer: 4. Delicate and mucilaginous stem

  • Hydrophytes are water-loving plants. The plant body is covered with mucilage. Mucilage protects the plants from epiphytes, pathogens, and animals.
  • It also functions as a lubricant and reduces friction against water current. The stem is delicate because the xylem is poorly developed. So, hydrophytes are characterized by delicate and mucilaginous stems.

Question 119. Which of the following characteristics are exhibited by heliophytes?

  1. Well-developed conductive and mechanical tissues
  2. Longer branched roots
  3. High osmotic pressure
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

All given characters are exhibited by heliophytes. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 120. Plants that behave as mesophytes in the rainy season and as xerophytes in summer are called

  1. Xerophytes
  2. Mesophytes
  3. Tropophytes
  4. Phreatophytes

Answer: 3. Tropophytes

Tropophytes are plants that behave as xerophytes at one period of the year, i.e. in the summer season, and behave as mesophytes or hydrophytes at another part, i.e. during the rainy season. Phreatophytes are plants that depend for their water supply upon groundwater that lies within reach of their roots.

Question 121. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 121 Match the following columns.

Answer: 4. A–2, B–1, C–3

Question 122. Positively photo-blastic seeds germinate only in the presence of

  1. Soil
  2. Air
  3. Light
  4. None of the above

Answer: 3. Light

A number of seeds are sensitive to light hence they are called photoblastic seeds. Positively photoblastic seeds germinate only in the presence of light, e.g. Viscum, Lactuca, Rumex. Negatively photoblastic seeds do not germinate in the presence of light, for example. onion, tomato.

Question 123. Which one of the following refers to Allen’s rule?

  1. An organism can move from a stressful habitat to a more hospitable area and return when the stressful period is over
  2. If the stressful conditions are localized or remain only for a short duration, an organism either migrates or suspends itself
  3. Low atmospheric pressure in higher altitudes results in altitude sickness
  4. Mammals from colder climates have shorter ears and limbs to minimize heat loss

Answer: 4. Mammals from colder climates have shorter ears and limbs to minimize heat loss

  • The principle of Allen’s rule describes that organisms undergo changes and adaptations depending on the environment and geographical conditions.
  • The organisms When introduced to a stressful climate, organisms develop certain features that will allow them to survive.
  • They have small ears and limbs to prevent loss of heat. This property of warm-blooded organisms was observed and stated in Allen’s rule.

Question 124. Match the following columns.

NEET Biology Organism and Its Environment MCQs Question 124 Match the following columns

Answer: 3. A–4, B–3, C–2, D–1

Question 125. At high altitudes, we do not feel in good health. The reason for sickness may be due to

  1. Low atmospheric pressure
  2. High atmospheric pressure
  3. High temperature
  4. Both (2) and (3)

Answer: 1. Low atmospheric pressure

At high altitudes, there is low atmospheric pressure and due to that body does not get enough oxygen, which leads to altitude sickness.

Question 126. Altitude sickness occurs while in the high mountains or in people not acclimatized to the mountainous environment. Symptoms of this sickness include

  1. Nausea
  2. Fatigue
  3. Heart palpitations
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

Nausea, fatigue, and heart palpitations are due to the unavailability of proper oxygen in the body. At high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is low. So, O2 is not easily available for respiration. So to improve the efficiency of respiration, RBC increases in the blood thus increasing the binding efficiency of haemoglobin. So, all given symptoms include high altitude sickness. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 127. The body compensates for low oxygen availability at high altitudes by

  1. Increasing rbc.
  2. Decreasing binding affinity of hemoglobin.
  3. Increasing binding affinity of haemoglobin.
  4. Increasing breathing rate.
  5. Increasing heartbeat.

Choose the correct option for the given statement.

  1. 1, 2 And 3
  2. 2, 3 And 4
  3. 1, 3 And 4
  4. 1, 2 And 4

Answer: 3. 1, 3 And 4

The body compensates for low oxygen availability at high altitudes by increasing RBC production, increasing the binding capacity of hemoglobin (through increasing 2, 3-bisphosphoglyceric acid), and increasing breathing rate. Thus, option (3) is correct.

Question 128. Many freshwater animals cannot live for long in seawater and vice-versa mainly because of the

  1. Change in n levels
  2. Change in the levels of thermal tolerance
  3. Variations in light intensity
  4. Osmotic problems
  5. Spectral quality of solar radiation

Answer: 4. Spectral quality of solar radiation

  • Organisms found in freshwater have a problem of excess internal water because of endosmosis. Organisms found in the ocean or salt water have a problem with low internal water content due to exosmosis.
  • For aquatic organisms, the quality (chemical composition, pH) of water becomes important. Many freshwater animals cannot live for long in seawater and vice-versa because of the osmotic problems they would face.

Question 129. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

  1. Uricotelism – aquatic habitat
  2. Parasitism – intraspecific relationship
  3. Excessive perspiration – xeric adaptation
  4. Streamlined body – aquatic adaptation

Answer: 4. Stream-lined body – aquatic adaptation

  • (4) Option (4) is a correctly matched pair. Streamlined body–aquatic adaptation. Rest options are not correctly matched pairs and can be corrected as Parasitism–interspecific relationship in which one species (parasite) benefits for growth and reproduction and other species (host) is harmed.
  • Parasites live on or inside the body of the host. Uricotelism is the removal or excretion of uric acid. Excessive perspiration is a warning sign of thyroid problems, diabetes, or infection.

Question 130. What adaptation do seals living in below-freezing temperatures show that enables them to survive?

  1. The body surface is covered with long hair
  2. The presence of a thick layer of fat beneath the skin
  3. Both (1) and (2)
  4. They have genetic regulations for avoiding cold climate

Answer: 2. Presence of a thick layer of fat beneath the skin

Seals have a thick layer of fat called blubber that helps, them to trap warmth in their bodies. Younger seal skin is kept warm by a layer of water-repellent fur, which remains until the seals grow the fat layer. Thus, option (2) is correct.

Question 131. Which of the following adaptations is observed in xerocole?

  1. Nocturnal habit
  2. Concentrated urine
  3. Large ears to regulate the body temperature
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

A xerocole, commonly referred to as a desert animal, is an animal adapted to live in the desert. The main challenges they must overcome are lack of water and excessive heat. The main adaptation features include concentrated urines the nocturnal habit and large ears to regulate the body temperature. Thus, option (d) is correct.

Question 132. The body temperature of many animals corresponds to the environmental temperature. They are known as

  1. Heterothermic
  2. Homeothermic
  3. Endothermic
  4. Poikilothermic

Answer: 4. Poikilothermic

  • Poikilothermic or cold-blooded organisms are animals that have no internal metabolic mechanism for regulating their body temperatures.
  • Some (usually smaller) animals have unregulated temperatures, but most have sophisticated physiological and behavioral techniques for obtaining their desired core body temperature from the environment. Cold-blooded animals are often referred to as ectotherms.

Question 133. Animals that rely on the heat from the environment, rather than on metabolism, to raise their body temperature is, in the strict sense, called

  1. Ectothermic
  2. Poikilothermic
  3. Homeothermic
  4. Endothermic

Answer: 1. Ectothermic

Ectothermic, refers to organisms that control body temperature through external means. As a result, organisms are dependent on environmental heat sources and have relatively low metabolic rates.

Question 134. Ectothermic animals are also called

  1. Poikilotherms
  2. Cold-blooded
  3. Both (1) and (4)
  4. Endotherms

Answer: 3. Both (1) and (4)

Poikilothermic or cold-blooded or ectotherms are those animals (e.g. reptiles, fish, amphibians) in which the body temperature fluctuates with changes in environmental temperature.

Question 135. Which of the following is an adaptation for osmoregulation shown by desert animals?

  1. Shorter ears
  2. Spiny and highly cornified skin
  3. Presence of antifreeze proteins
  4. Shorter limbs

Answer: 2. Spiny and highly cornified skin

Spiny and highly cornified skin is an adaptation for osmoregulation shown by desert animals. Other options are explained as Shorter ears and limbs are adaptations shown by animals that live in extremely cold conditions. Some of them also accumulate antifreeze proteins which lowers the freezing point of their body fluids.

Question 136. The kangaroo rat found in deserts of North America meets its water needs even without an external source of water by

  1. Internal fat oxidation
  2. Taking liquid food
  3. Aestivation
  4. Hibernation

Answer: 1. Internal fat oxidation

Many adaptations have evolved over a long evolutionary time in kangaroo rats. In the absence, of an external source of water, the kangaroo rat in North American deserts is capable of meeting all its water requirements through internal fat oxidation. It also has the ability to concentrate its urine.

Question 137. Which of the following is dominant in the desert?

  1. Lizard
  2. Tiger
  3. Leopard
  4. Hyla

Answer: 1. Lizard

  • Desert lizards lack the physiological ability that mammals have to deal with the high temperatures of their habitat, but manage to keep their body temperature fairly constant by behavioral means.
  • They bask in the sun and absorb heat when their body temperature drops below the comfort zone, but move into shade when the ambient temperature starts increasing. So, the lizard is dominant in the desert.

Question 138. Which one of the following organs helps in physiological adaptation in desert rodents?

  1. Spleen
  2. Liver
  3. Kidney
  4. Lungs

Answer: 3. Kidney

  • Kidneys play a major role in reducing the amount of water lost from the body by producing highly concentrated urine.
  • The loop of Henle in kangaroo rats is longer than most other animals. The longer the loop of Henle is more surface area, the more fluid traveling through it is exposed.
  • This enables efficient reabsorption of water and the production of concentrated urine. Thus, the kidney helps in physiological adaptation in desert rodents.

Question 139. Consider the following four statements (i-iv) about certain desert animals such as kangaroo rats.

  1. They have a dark color and high rate of reproduction and excrete solid urine.
  2. They do not drink water, breathe at a slow rate to conserve water, and have their body covered with thick hairs.
  3. They feed on dry seeds and do not require drinking water.
  4. They excrete very concentrated urine and do not use water to regulate body temperature.

Which two of the above statements for such animals are true?

  1. 1 And 3
  2. 1 And 2
  3. 3 And 4
  4. 2 And 3

Answer: 3. 3 And 4

  • Statements 3 and 4 are true for kangaroo rats as Kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami) feeds on dry seeds. It seldom drinks water. The requirement of water is met by food (10%) and metabolic water (90%).
  • Water loss is prevented by living in burrows during the day, the concentration of urine, and solidification of feces. It has a thick coat to minimize evaporative desiccation. Other statements are not true about certain desert animals such as kangaroo rats.

Question 140. Consider the following statements.

  1. Mammals of warmer climates generally have shorter ears and limbs to minimize heat loss.
  2. All organisms have behavioral adaptations that allow them to respond quickly to stressful situations.
  3. Some organisms possess behavioral adaptations which allow them to migrate temporarily to a less stressful situation.
  4. Invertebrates and fishes live at great depths in the ocean and have biochemical adaptations to cope with high pressure.

Choose the option containing

Correct statements.

  1. 1 And 2
  2. 3 And 4
  3. 1, 3 And 4
  4. 1, 2 And 4

Answer: 2. All organisms have behavioral adaptations that allow them to respond quickly to a stressful situation.

  • Statements 3 and 4 are correct. Some organisms show behavioral adaptation to cope with variation in the environment.
  • Desert lizards lack the physiological ability to deal with high temperatures. Organisms that live in great depths of the oceans are commonly known as deep sea creatures.
  • Many deep sea creatures have organic molecules known as piezolytes that prevent the collapse of macromolecules present in their bodies thereby helping them survive under great pressure. Other statements are not correct.

 

NEET Biology Introduction To Ecology Multiple Choice Question And Answers

NEET Biology Mcq Introduction To Ecology

Question 1. Ecology is the branch of biology which deals with

  1. Interaction between organisms and their environment
  2. Interaction between organisms only
  3. Interaction between humans and other organisms
  4. Interaction between human and their environment

Answer: 1. Interaction between organisms and their environment

Ecology (Gk. Oikos– home, logos– study) is the branch of biology that deals with the interrelationship among organisms and the interaction between organisms and their environment.

Read And Learn More: NEET Biology Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 2. Ecology takes into account

  1. Environmental factors
  2. Plant adaptations
  3. Effect of environment on plants
  4. All of the above

Answer: 4. All of the above

  • Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the characteristics and living styles of different types of animals or plants and the relation they share with each other.
  • Ecology also indicates the relationship of different types of animals with the environment. It consists of environmental factors such as climate, temperature, and rainfall. It also indicates the relationship that the plant shares with the ecosystem. Thus, option (4) is correct.

Question 3. Who is believed to have coined the term ecology’?

  1. Reiter
  2. Ernst haeckel
  3. Von baer
  4. Mendel

Answer: 2. Ernst haeckel

The term ‘ecology’ is believed to have been coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1869. Its first authentic use was made by the Reiter (1885). Two other terms ‘lexicology’ and ‘etiology’ are also used which are equivalent to ecology.

NEET Biology Introduction To Ecology Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 4. Name the famous plant ecologist.

  1. Jagdish chandra bose
  2. Birbal Sahni
  3. Ramdeo Misra
  4. Charles Darwin

Answer: 3. Ramdeo Misra

Prof. Ramdeo Misra is known as the ‘Father of Ecology in India’

Question 5. Ep odum is a leading

  1. Bryologist
  2. Physiologist
  3. Ecologist
  4. Mycologist

Answer: 3. Ecologist

  • Eugene Pleasants Odum was an American biologist, at the University of Georgia, known for his pioneering work on ecosystem ecology. He and Howard T.
  • Odum wrote the popular ecology textbook ‘Fundamentals of Ecology’ published in 1953. Thus, EP Odum is a leading ecologist.

Question 6. Ecology at the organism level is also called

  1. Anatomical ecology
  2. Physiological ecology
  3. Habitat ecology
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Physiological ecology

Ecology at the organism level is essentially called physiological ecology which tries to understand how different organisms are adapted to their environments in terms of not only survival but also reproduction.

NEET Biology Mcq

Question 7. Taxonomy hierarchy refers to

  1. Stepwise arrangement of all categories for classification of plants and animals
  2. A group of senior taxonomists who decide the nomenclature of plants and animals
  3. A list of botanists or zoologists who have worked on the taxonomy of a species or group
  4. Classification of a species based on fossil record

Answer: 1. Stepwise arrangement of all categories for classification of plants and animals

Taxonomy hierarchy refers to the stepwise arrangement of all categories for plants and animals. It is a method of grouping together living organisms that share common features.

Question 8. The basic unit of ecological hierarchy is

  1. Species
  2. Genus
  3. Individual organism
  4. Microorganism

Answer: 3. Individual organism

The individual organism is the basic unit of ecological hierarchy as it continuously exchanges material and information with its environment. It is a distinct living entity having all life processes in its body separate from those in other individuals.

Question 9. Ecological hierarchy comprises, which of the following sequences?

  1. Population → species → organism → ecosystem → biosphere
  2. Species → population → community → ecosystem → biosphere
  3. Ecosystem → population → biosphere → community → organism
  4. Species → population → biosphere → ecosystem → community

Answer: 2. Species → population → community → ecosystem → biosphere

Ecologists study organisms ranging from various levels of organization. The ecological hierarchy sequence is Species → Population → Community → Ecosystem → Biosphere.

Question 10. The branch of ecology which deals with the study of individual species at all stages of their life cycle in relation to the environment is called

  1. Autecology
  2. Synecology
  3. Reproductive ecology
  4. Niche ecology

Answer: 1. Autecology

An autecology is an approach in ecology that seeks to explain the distribution and abundance of species by studying the interactions of individual organisms with their environments.

NEET Biology Mcq

Question 11. The study of the interrelationship between an entire community and its environment is called

  1. Autecology
  2. Synecology
  3. Species ecology
  4. None of the above

Answer: 2. Synecology

Autecology and synecology are two main branches of ecology. Synecology is the study of a group of organisms of different species that are associated together as a unit in the form of a community. Also known as community ecology.

Question 12. Synecology is the study of

  1. Single species
  2. Abiotic environment
  3. Group of species
  4. Ecological reaction

Answer: 3. Group of species

Synecology deals with the study of groups of organisms or species that are associated together as a unit, for example, a forest. It is concerned with structure, nature, and the development of that community.

Read And Learn More: NEET Biology Multiple Choice Question And Answers

Question 13. The sum total of the populations of the same kind of organisms constitute

  1. Colony
  2. Genus
  3. Community
  4. Species

Answer: 4. Species

A species is a group of individuals of the same kind of phenotypic characters and can interbreed easily.

Question 14. A community is defined as

  1. A group of birds
  2. A collection of species
  3. Interacting population
  4. An interactive ecosystem

Answer: 3. Interacting population

A community is formed when more than one organism shares the same habitat and interacts with each other. It is constituted by populations of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in a specific structure that permits interactions amongst them.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 15. In increasing order of organizational complexity, which one of the following is the correct sequence?

  1. Population, species, community, ecosystem
  2. Population, variety, species, ecosystem
  3. Population, ecosystem, species, community
  4. Species, variety, ecosystem, community

Answer: 1. Population, species, community, ecosystem

  • In increasing order of organizational complexity, the correct sequence is Population, Species, Community, and Ecosystem Population is a group of similar individuals in a particular area that share or compete for similar resources and can potentially interbreed.
  • A species is a group of individuals of the same kind of phenotypic characteristics and can interbreed among themselves. A community is a group of two or more different species occupying the same geographical area at the same time.
  • The ecosystem is the community of living organisms in conjunction with non-living components of their environment, interacting as a system.

Question 16. A biome is

  1. A sum of ecosystems in a geographical area
  2. A sum of all ecosystems on the earth
  3. Biotic component in a population
  4. Biotic components in an ecosystem

Answer: 1. Sum of ecosystems in a geographical area

A biome is an area classified according to the species that live in that location. It is a zone characterized by climate, soil, principal vegetation, and the ecosystems that are sustained in it. So, a biome is the sum of ecosystems in a geographical area.

Question 17. The plants and animals living in a given area form

  1. Biological community
  2. Ecotone
  3. Biome
  4. Consociation

Answer: 1. Biological community

A biological community is the assemblage of interdependent and interacting populations of different species present in an area.

Biology MCQs with answers for NEET

Question 18. Population is

  1. Group of similar interbreeding individuals in a particular area that competes for similar resources
  2. Group of dissimilar individuals in a particular area which competes for similar resources
  3. Group of anatomically similar individuals in a particular area which need dissimilar resources
  4. Interbreeding species together make a population

Answer: 1. Group of similar interbreeding individuals in a particular area that competes for similar resources

Population is a group of similar individuals in a particular geographical area that share or compete for similar resources, and potentially interbreed. Different populations of the same organism present in a particular geographical area are called local populations or domes.

Question 19. A group of two or more plant species is called as

  1. Plant community
  2. Animal ecosystem
  3. Plant ecosystem
  4. Ecological niche

Answer: 1. Plant community

A plant community (sometimes phytocoenosis or phytocenosis) is a collection or association of plant species within a designated geographical unit, which forms a relatively uniform patch, distinguishable from neighboring patches of different vegetation types.

Question 20. Which of the following causes a species to be different from others and maintain its own specificity?

  1. Microevolution
  2. Macroevolution
  3. Genetic adaptation
  4. Climatic variations

Answer: 1. Microevolution

Microevolution is a change in gene frequency within the population of a species. In this evolution, change can be seen over a short period of time, i.e. between one generation and the next. This therefore leads to a species being different from others and maintaining its own specificity.

Biology MCQ For NEET With Answers

Question 21. Difference between population and community.

  1. Population is the grouping of individuals of the same species in the same place
  2. Community is the grouping of individuals of the same species at the same place at the same time
  3. Population is the grouping of individuals of different species at the different place
  4. Community is the grouping of individuals of different species in the same place at the same time

Answer: 4. Community is the grouping of individuals of different species at the same place at the same time

Community is the grouping of individuals of different species at the same place at the same time. A population is a member of all the organisms of the same group or species who live in a particular geographical area and are capable of interbreeding.