SUMMARY: The chapter "The Living World" introduces the fundamental concepts of biology, focusing on the characteristics, classification, and diversity of living organisms. KEY TOPICS: Characteristics of living organisms, biodiversity, taxonomy, nomenclature, classification systems, taxonomic categories, taxonomical aids, herbarium, botanical gardens, zoological parks, museums.
Which of the following is a characteristic of living organisms?
AAbility to reproduce
BAbility to move
CAbility to grow crystals
DAbility to conduct electricity
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 — Ability to reproduce
Q71 Mark
What is the primary purpose of a herbarium?
ATo store live plants
BTo preserve plant specimens
CTo cultivate new species
DTo display animals
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 2 — To preserve plant specimens
Q81 Mark
Which of the following is an example of a taxonomical aid?
AZoological park
BMuseum
CBotanical garden
DAll of the above
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 4 — All of the above
Q91 Mark
Which of the following levels of classification is the most specific?
AGenus
BFamily
COrder
DSpecies
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 4 — Species
Q101 Mark
In the classification of living organisms, which category comes after 'Kingdom'?
APhylum
BClass
COrder
DFamily
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 — Phylum
Q111 Mark
What is the significance of binomial nomenclature?
AIt helps in classifying organisms based on their habitat
BIt provides a universal naming system for organisms
CIt categorizes organisms based on their diet
DIt describes the behavior of organisms
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 2 — It provides a universal naming system for organisms
Q121 Mark
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?
AMetabolism
BGrowth
CReproduction
DInertia
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 4 — Inertia
Q131 Mark
What is the main function of a zoological park?
ATo cultivate plants
BTo conserve animal species
CTo conduct research on fungi
DTo display mineral specimens
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 2 — To conserve animal species
Q141 Mark
Which of the following is a correct example of binomial nomenclature?
AHomo sapiens
BHomo Sapiens
CHomo-sapiens
DHomo sapiens L.
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 — Homo sapiens
Q151 Mark
What does taxonomy primarily deal with?
AStudy of animal behavior
BClassification of organisms
CStudy of ecosystems
DStudy of genetic variations
Check answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 2 — Classification of organisms
Short Answer Questions10 questions
Q163 Marks
Define metabolism. Why is it considered a defining feature of living organisms?
Q173 Marks
Differentiate between growth in living and non-living things.
Q183 Marks
What are the rules to be followed while writing scientific names of organisms?
Q193 Marks
List any three defining properties of living organisms.
Q203 Marks
What is a herbarium? Mention its uses.
Q213 Marks
What is biodiversity and why is it important for ecosystems?
View sample solutionHide solution
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is important because it contributes to ecosystem resilience, provides resources for food, medicine, and materials, and supports ecological processes such as pollination and nutrient cycling.
Q223 Marks
Explain the significance of taxonomy in biology.
View sample solutionHide solution
Taxonomy is the science of classification of living organisms. It is significant because it provides a systematic framework for identifying, naming, and categorizing organisms, which helps in understanding the relationships between different species and facilitates communication among scientists.
Q233 Marks
What are taxonomic categories? Provide examples.
View sample solutionHide solution
Taxonomic categories are hierarchical levels used to classify organisms. Examples include domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Each category groups organisms based on shared characteristics.
Q243 Marks
Describe the role of botanical gardens in the study of plants.
View sample solutionHide solution
Botanical gardens serve as living museums that cultivate a wide variety of plants for research, education, and conservation. They provide opportunities for studying plant diversity, ecology, and horticulture, and often play a role in preserving endangered species.
Q253 Marks
What is the difference between a species and a genus?
View sample solutionHide solution
A genus is a higher taxonomic category that groups together species that are closely related and share a common ancestor, while a species is the basic unit of classification that refers to a group of individuals capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. For example, in the name 'Homo sapiens', 'Homo' is the genus and 'sapiens' is the species.
Long Answer Questions6 questions
Q266 Marks
Explain the taxonomic hierarchy with the example of human classification from species to kingdom.
Q276 Marks
Describe the various taxonomical aids used in identification and classification of organisms.
Q286 Marks
What are the different defining characteristics of living organisms? Discuss any four in detail.
Q296 Marks
Explain the concept of species and discuss the importance of binomial nomenclature in biology.
Q306 Marks
Differentiate between a botanical garden, a zoological park, and a museum as taxonomical aids.
Q316 Marks
Differentiate between living and non-living things in tabular form on the basis of any five characteristics.
Assertion–Reason Questions8 questions
Q321 Mark
Assertion (A): All living organisms can reproduce.
Reason (R): Reproduction is not a defining feature for organisms like sterile mules and worker bees.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q331 Mark
Assertion (A): Binomial nomenclature is universally accepted.
Reason (R): It provides a unique scientific name to every organism worldwide.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q341 Mark
Assertion (A): Species is the basic unit of classification.
Reason (R): Members of a species share fundamental similarities and can interbreed.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q351 Mark
Assertion (A): Metabolism is a defining feature of living organisms.
Reason (R): All chemical reactions occurring in our body are collectively called metabolism.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q361 Mark
Assertion (A): Growth in living organisms is from inside.
Reason (R): Non-living things grow by accumulation of material on the surface.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q371 Mark
Assertion (A): Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms in a given ecosystem.
Reason (R): Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem stability and resilience.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q381 Mark
Assertion (A): Taxonomy is the science of naming and classifying organisms.
Reason (R): Taxonomy helps in understanding the evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Q391 Mark
Assertion (A): A herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens.
Reason (R): Herbarium specimens are used for research and education in botany.
Show explanationHide explanation
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Statement-Based Questions8 questions
Q401 Mark
Statement 1: Growth and reproduction are mutually exclusive events in living organisms.
Statement 2: In unicellular organisms growth and reproduction are synonymous.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both statements are true.
Q411 Mark
Statement 1: Linnaeus is regarded as the Father of Taxonomy.
Statement 2: He developed the system of binomial nomenclature.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both statements are true.
Q421 Mark
Statement 1: All living organisms show metabolism.
Statement 2: Isolated metabolic reactions in vitro are also living.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both statements are true.
Q431 Mark
Statement 1: Taxonomic key is a tool for identifying organisms.
Statement 2: Each statement in the key is called a lead.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both statements are true.
Q441 Mark
Statement 1: A monograph contains information on any one taxon.
Statement 2: Flora contains the actual account of habitat and distribution of plants.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both statements are true.
Q451 Mark
Statement 1: The five-kingdom classification system includes Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.
Statement 2: All organisms in the kingdom Animalia are multicellular.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 2 —
Only Statement 1 is true.
Q461 Mark
Statement 1: Taxonomy is only concerned with the naming of organisms.
Statement 2: A monograph provides detailed information about a specific taxon.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both statements are true.
Q471 Mark
Statement 1: Living organisms can be classified based on their cellular organization.
Statement 2: The scientific name of an organism is always written in italics.
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Option 1 —
Both statements are true.
Case Study / Passage Questions2 questions
Q483 Marks
A botanist on a field trip in the Western Ghats discovers a small flowering plant that does not match any species in the regional flora. To classify it she records its morphology, collects samples for a herbarium, photographs the specimen, and consults monographs. She then assigns the plant to its taxonomic hierarchy from species up to kingdom and gives it a binomial name following the rules of nomenclature.
The basic unit at which she places the plant is:
AFamily
BGenus
CSpecies
DOrder
While writing the scientific name in print the genus name should be:
AItalics or underline
BBold
CAll capitals
DQuotation marks
Explain how a herbarium together with a botanical garden helps in classification of plants.
Show answersHide answers
1. Option 3 — Species
2. Option 1 — Italics or underline
3. A herbarium is a store of dried, pressed and mounted plant specimens arranged according to a system of classification. It serves as a reference for identification, provides data on geographical distribution and aids systematic research. Botanical gardens and museums also help in identification by maintaining live and preserved specimens respectively.
Q493 Marks
A class is debating whether viruses should be classified as living organisms. The teacher reminds them of the defining features of life — metabolism, growth from within, reproduction, response to stimuli and cellular organisation. The students note that viruses can replicate only inside a host cell and remain crystalline outside it.
The defining feature that viruses lack outside a host is:
AReproduction
BIndependent metabolism
CSelf-replication
DMutation
Viruses are described as:
ACellular
BTissue
COrgan
DAcellular
Justify why viruses are placed at the borderline between living and non-living.
Show answersHide answers
1. Option 2 — Independent metabolism
2. Option 4 — Acellular
3. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites and lack independent metabolism so most biologists place them at the boundary of living and non-living. They show living characters such as reproduction and mutation only when inside a host cell. Outside the host they exist as inert crystals showing none of the features of life.
Table-Based Questions1 question
Q503 Marks
Study the table of taxonomic ranks for two organisms and answer the questions that follow:
Rank
Human
Mango
Kingdom
Animalia
Plantae
Phylum/Division
Chordata
Angiospermae
Class
Mammalia
Dicotyledonae
Order
Primata
Sapindales
Family
Hominidae
Anacardiaceae
Genus
Homo
Mangifera
Species
sapiens
indica
The most specific rank in the table is:
AOrder
BFamily
CGenus
DSpecies
Humans and mango differ at the level of:
APhylum
BClass
COrder
DFamily
Explain how taxonomic hierarchy reflects evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Show answersHide answers
1. Option 4 — Species
2. Option 1 — Phylum
3. Taxonomic hierarchy is a sequence of categories from the most general (Kingdom) to the most specific (Species). Each higher rank includes the lower ones. Two organisms placed in the same Family must share the same Order, Class, Phylum and Kingdom but may differ at Genus and Species.
