Chapter 2: Biological Classification – Very Short Answer Type Questions

CBSE Class 11 Biology Very Short Answer Questions – Chapter 2: Biological Classification (NCERT Based)

Course Details

Course: CBSE Class 11 Biology
Syllabus: NCERT
Unit: Unit I – Diversity in Living World
Chapter: Chapter 2 – Biological Classification
CBSE Board Examination: Central Board of Secondary Education – Class 11 (School & Annual Examinations)

CBSE Class 11 Biology Chapter 2 Biological Classification – 40 Very Short Answer Questions (NCERT)

Section A: Five Kingdom Classification (Q1–Q10)

1. Who proposed the Five Kingdom Classification?
   The Five Kingdom Classification was proposed by R.H. Whittaker in 1969 based on cell structure, nutrition, and evolution.
2. Name the five kingdoms of Whittaker’s classification.
   Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia are the five kingdoms proposed by Whittaker.
3. State one basis of Five Kingdom Classification.
   One basis is cell structure, distinguishing organisms as prokaryotic or eukaryotic.
4. Which kingdom includes prokaryotic organisms?
   Kingdom Monera includes all prokaryotic organisms lacking a true nucleus.
5. Which kingdom consists of unicellular eukaryotes?
   Kingdom Protista consists mainly of unicellular eukaryotic organisms.
6. Which kingdom shows absorptive heterotrophic nutrition?
   Kingdom Fungi shows absorptive heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
7. Which kingdom includes autotrophic multicellular organisms?
   Kingdom Plantae includes multicellular autotrophic organisms with chlorophyll.
8. Which kingdom includes multicellular heterotrophs without cell walls?
   Kingdom Animalia includes multicellular heterotrophs lacking cell walls.
9. Why is classification necessary?
   Classification helps organize biodiversity, making the study and identification of organisms systematic and easier.
10. Which classification reflects evolutionary relationships?
    Natural or phylogenetic classification reflects evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Section B: Kingdom Monera (Q11–Q18)

11. Define Kingdom Monera.
    Monera includes unicellular prokaryotic organisms lacking a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
12. Name the cell wall component of bacteria.
    The bacterial cell wall is mainly composed of peptidoglycan.
13. How do bacteria reproduce?
    Bacteria reproduce mainly by asexual reproduction through binary fission.
14. What are cyanobacteria?
    Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes commonly called blue-green algae.
15. Name one autotrophic bacterium.
    Nostoc is an autotrophic photosynthetic bacterium.
16. What is the mode of nutrition in Monera?
    Monerans show autotrophic or heterotrophic modes of nutrition.
17. What is Mycoplasma?
    Mycoplasma is the smallest living cell and lacks a cell wall.
18. State one economic importance of bacteria.
    Bacteria help in nitrogen fixation, increasing soil fertility.

Section C: Kingdom Protista and Fungi (Q19–Q28)

19. Define Kingdom Protista.
    Protista includes unicellular eukaryotic organisms with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
20. Name the locomotory organs in protozoans.
    Protozoans move using cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia.
21. What are diatoms?
    Diatoms are photosynthetic protists with siliceous cell walls.
22. Why are dinoflagellates important?
    Dinoflagellates are major components of marine plankton and food chains.
23. Define Kingdom Fungi.
    Fungi are eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms with chitinous cell walls.
24. What is mycelium?
    Mycelium is a network of hyphae forming the vegetative body of fungi.
25. Name the mode of nutrition in fungi.
    Fungi show absorptive heterotrophic nutrition.
26. Name one unicellular fungus.
    Yeast is a unicellular fungus.
27. How do fungi reproduce?
    Fungi reproduce by vegetative methods, asexual spores, and sexual reproduction.
28. Name a fungus used in antibiotic production.
    Penicillium is used in the production of the antibiotic penicillin.

Section D: Plantae, Animalia, Viruses, Viroids, Lichens (Q29–Q40)

29. State one characteristic of Kingdom Plantae.
    Plantae are multicellular autotrophs possessing chlorophyll and cellulose cell walls.
30. What is the main mode of nutrition in plants?
    Plants are autotrophic and prepare food by photosynthesis.
31. Mention one feature of Kingdom Animalia.
    Animals are multicellular heterotrophs lacking cell walls.
32. Why are animals considered ingestive heterotrophs?
    They ingest complex food and digest it internally.
33. What are viruses?
    Viruses are acellular obligate parasites composed of nucleic acid and protein coat.
34. Why are viruses considered non-living outside host cells?
    They show no metabolism or reproduction outside a host cell.
35. What are viroids?
    Viroids are small infectious RNA molecules without protein coats.
36. Which disease is caused by viroids?
    Potato spindle tuber disease is caused by viroids.
37. Define lichens.
    Lichens are symbiotic associations between algae and fungi.
38. What is the role of algae in lichens?
    Algae synthesize food through photosynthesis in lichens.
39. What is the role of fungi in lichens?
    Fungi provide shelter, minerals, and protection to algae.
40. Why are lichens called pollution indicators?
    Lichens are sensitive to air pollution and do not grow in polluted environments.

Exam Relevance

✔ Strictly NCERT-based
✔ Ideal for 1-mark CBSE Class 11 questions
✔ Covers all key kingdoms and special groups
✔ Useful for quick revision and concept recall