Chapter 1: The Living World – Very Short Answer Type Questions

CBSE Class 11 Biology Very Short Answer Questions – Chapter 1: The Living World (NCERT Based)

Course Details

Course: CBSE Class 11 Biology
Syllabus: NCERT
Unit: Unit I – Diversity in Living World
Chapter: Chapter 1 – The Living World
CBSE Board Examination: Central Board of Secondary Education – Class 11 (School & Annual Examination)

SEO-Optimised Title

CBSE Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World – 40 Very Short Answer Questions with Answers (NCERT)

Section A: Characteristics of Living Organisms (Q1–Q10)

1. What is meant by growth in living organisms?
   Growth is a permanent increase in size or mass through cell division occurring internally within living organisms.
2. Why is reproduction not considered a defining property of life?
   Some living organisms like mules do not reproduce, yet they exhibit other essential life processes.
3. Define metabolism.
   Metabolism is the sum total of all chemical reactions occurring within the body of a living organism.
4. What is anabolism?
   Anabolism refers to constructive metabolic reactions that synthesize complex molecules from simpler substances.
5. What is catabolism?
   Catabolism includes metabolic reactions that break complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy.
6. Why is metabolism considered a defining feature of life?
   All living organisms show metabolic reactions, whereas non-living objects do not exhibit metabolism.
7. What is meant by cellular organization?
   Cellular organization means all living organisms are made up of one or more cells.
8. What is consciousness in living organisms?
   Consciousness is the ability of living organisms to respond to environmental stimuli.
9. Do plants show consciousness?
   Yes, plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, and chemicals, indicating consciousness.
10. Why are viruses considered at the borderline of living and non-living?
    Viruses show life-like properties only inside host cells and remain inert outside.

Section B: Diversity and Classification (Q11–Q20)

11. What is biological diversity?
    Biological diversity refers to the variety of living organisms present on Earth.
12. Why is classification necessary in biology?
    Classification simplifies the study of organisms and helps in understanding relationships among them.
13. What is classification?
    Classification is the systematic arrangement of organisms into groups based on similarities and differences.
14. Name the two main purposes of classification.
    Identification of organisms and understanding their evolutionary relationships.
15. What is taxonomy?
    Taxonomy is the branch of biology dealing with identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms.
16. What is systematics?
    Systematics is the study of organism diversity and their evolutionary relationships.
17. What is phylogeny?
    Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history and relationships among organisms.
18. On what basis are organisms classified?
    They are classified based on morphology, anatomy, reproductive methods, and genetic relationships.
19. What is meant by artificial classification?
    Artificial classification is based on a few observable characteristics for convenience.
20. What is natural classification?
    Natural classification considers multiple characteristics and reflects natural relationships.

Section C: Nomenclature – Binomial System (Q21–Q28)

21. What is nomenclature?
    Nomenclature is the scientific naming of organisms following internationally accepted rules.
22. What is binomial nomenclature?
    Binomial nomenclature is a system of naming organisms using two words: genus and species.
23. Who proposed binomial nomenclature?
    Binomial nomenclature was proposed by Carolus Linnaeus.
24. Write the scientific name of mango.
    The scientific name of mango is Mangifera indica.
25. Why are scientific names written in italics?
    They are italicised to indicate standardized Latin-based scientific naming.
26. How are scientific names written when handwritten?
    Each word is underlined separately to represent italics.
27. Why are common names not preferred in biology?
    Common names vary across regions and languages, causing confusion.
28. What does the genus name indicate?
    The genus name indicates a group of closely related species.

Section D: Taxonomic Categories and Aids (Q29–Q40)

29. What is a species?
    A species is a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
30. Which is the basic unit of classification?
    Species is the basic and fundamental unit of classification.
31. Arrange taxonomic categories from lowest to highest.
    Species, genus, family, order, class, phylum/division, kingdom.
32. What is a genus?
    A genus is a group of closely related species sharing common characteristics.
33. What is a family in taxonomy?
    Family is a taxonomic category consisting of related genera.
34. What are taxonomical aids?
    Taxonomical aids are tools used for identification, naming, and classification of organisms.
35. What is a herbarium?
    A herbarium is a collection of dried and preserved plant specimens mounted on sheets.
36. State one use of a herbarium.
    It helps in identification and study of plant species.
37. What is a museum in biology?
    A museum preserves plant and animal specimens for study and reference.
38. What is a botanical garden?
    A botanical garden is a place where plants are grown for scientific study and identification.
39. What is a zoological park?
    A zoological park maintains animals in protected environments for study and conservation.
40. What are taxonomic keys?
    Keys are analytical tools used to identify organisms based on contrasting characteristics.

Exam Relevance

✔ Strictly NCERT-based
✔ Ideal for CBSE Class 11 very short answer questions
✔ Perfect for definitions and 1-mark questions
✔ Supports quick revision before exams