MCQs on Biological Classification – Class 11 Biology NCERT
Below is a well-structured, NCERT-strict set of 50 MCQs with answers and concept-clearing explanations for:
Course: CBSE Class 11 Biology – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Unit I: Diversity in Living World
Topic: Biological Classification (NCERT)
The questions are section-wise, exam-oriented, and fully aligned with the NCERT syllabus, making them ideal for CBSE Board standards.
MCQs on Biological Classification – Class 11 Biology (NCERT)
Section A: Need and Basis of Classification
Q1. Biological classification is mainly required to:
A. Name organisms
B. Study organisms individually
C. Organise vast diversity of life
D. Increase number of species
Answer: C
Explanation:
Classification helps organise the enormous diversity of organisms into manageable groups for easier study and understanding.
Q2. The earliest system of classification was based on:
A. Cell structure
B. Habitat and morphology
C. Mode of nutrition
D. Genetic makeup
Answer: B
Explanation:
Early classification systems grouped organisms based on habitat and external morphological features.
Q3. Artificial system of classification is based on:
A. Evolutionary relationships
B. One or few observable characters
C. Phylogenetic history
D. Genetic similarity
Answer: B
Explanation:
Artificial systems consider only a few easily observable traits, ignoring evolutionary relationships.
Q4. Natural system of classification considers:
A. Only morphology
B. Only habitat
C. Overall similarities and differences
D. Reproductive characters only
Answer: C
Explanation:
Natural classification considers multiple characteristics to reflect natural relationships among organisms.
Q5. Phylogenetic classification is based on:
A. Habitat
B. Mode of nutrition
C. Evolutionary relationships
D. Morphological traits only
Answer: C
Explanation:
Phylogenetic classification reflects evolutionary history and genetic relationships.
Section B: Five Kingdom Classification
Q6. The five-kingdom classification was proposed by:
A. Linnaeus
B. Aristotle
C. Whittaker
D. Darwin
Answer: C
Explanation:
R.H. Whittaker proposed the five-kingdom classification in 1969.
Q7. Which criterion was NOT used by Whittaker?
A. Cell structure
B. Mode of nutrition
C. Reproduction
D. Habitat
Answer: D
Explanation:
Whittaker used cell structure, body organisation, reproduction, and mode of nutrition—not habitat.
Q8. Which kingdom includes unicellular prokaryotes?
A. Protista
B. Fungi
C. Monera
D. Plantae
Answer: C
Explanation:
Monera includes all prokaryotic organisms like bacteria and cyanobacteria.
Q9. Which kingdom includes unicellular eukaryotes?
A. Monera
B. Protista
C. Fungi
D. Animalia
Answer: B
Explanation:
Protista includes unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as protozoans and unicellular algae.
Q10. Which kingdom includes multicellular, heterotrophic organisms without cell walls?
A. Plantae
B. Fungi
C. Animalia
D. Protista
Answer: C
Explanation:
Animalia consists of multicellular heterotrophs lacking cell walls.
Section C: Kingdom Monera
Q11. Members of Monera are:
A. Unicellular eukaryotes
B. Multicellular prokaryotes
C. Unicellular prokaryotes
D. Multicellular eukaryotes
Answer: C
Explanation:
Monerans are unicellular organisms lacking a true nucleus.
Q12. Cell wall in bacteria is made up of:
A. Cellulose
B. Chitin
C. Peptidoglycan
D. Lignin
Answer: C
Explanation:
Bacterial cell walls contain peptidoglycan (murein).
Q13. Cyanobacteria are also called:
A. Blue algae
B. Blue green algae
C. Green algae
D. Diatoms
Answer: B
Explanation:
Cyanobacteria are commonly known as blue-green algae and are photosynthetic prokaryotes.
Q14. Which moneran shows photosynthesis?
A. Mycoplasma
B. Eubacteria
C. Cyanobacteria
D. Archaebacteria
Answer: C
Explanation:
Cyanobacteria contain chlorophyll-a and perform oxygenic photosynthesis.
Q15. Archaebacteria differ from eubacteria due to:
A. Mode of nutrition
B. Cell membrane structure
C. Absence of cell wall
D. Presence of nucleus
Answer: B
Explanation:
Archaebacteria have unique membrane lipids enabling survival in extreme conditions.
Section D: Kingdom Protista
Q16. Protists are mostly:
A. Multicellular autotrophs
B. Unicellular eukaryotes
C. Prokaryotic organisms
D. Colonial bacteria
Answer: B
Explanation:
Protists are primarily unicellular eukaryotic organisms.
Q17. Which protist moves using pseudopodia?
A. Euglena
B. Paramecium
C. Amoeba
D. Chlamydomonas
Answer: C
Explanation:
Amoeba moves with the help of pseudopodia.
Q18. Diatoms possess cell walls made of:
A. Cellulose
B. Calcium carbonate
C. Silica
D. Chitin
Answer: C
Explanation:
Diatoms have siliceous cell walls forming intricate designs.
Q19. Euglena is considered both plant-like and animal-like because it:
A. Has cell wall and chloroplast
B. Has flagella and pseudopodia
C. Photosynthesises and ingests food
D. Lacks nucleus
Answer: C
Explanation:
Euglena performs photosynthesis and also feeds heterotrophically in absence of light.
Q20. Slime moulds are:
A. Autotrophic protists
B. Saprophytic protists
C. Parasitic protists
D. Symbiotic protists
Answer: B
Explanation:
Slime moulds feed on decaying organic matter.
Section E: Kingdom Fungi
Q21. Fungi are:
A. Autotrophic
B. Heterotrophic absorptive
C. Photosynthetic
D. Parasitic only
Answer: B
Explanation:
Fungi obtain nutrients by absorption after extracellular digestion.
Q22. Fungal cell wall is composed of:
A. Cellulose
B. Chitin
C. Peptidoglycan
D. Lignin
Answer: B
Explanation:
Chitin is the main component of fungal cell walls.
Q23. The body of fungi is called:
A. Mycelium
B. Thallus
C. Rhizoid
D. Sporophyte
Answer: A
Explanation:
Fungal body consists of thread-like hyphae forming a mycelium.
Q24. Yeast reproduces mainly by:
A. Fragmentation
B. Binary fission
C. Budding
D. Spore formation
Answer: C
Explanation:
Yeast reproduces asexually by budding.
Q25. Which fungus is used in bread making?
A. Penicillium
B. Rhizopus
C. Saccharomyces
D. Aspergillus
Answer: C
Explanation:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) is used in baking.
Section F: Kingdom Plantae
Q26. Members of Plantae are:
A. Heterotrophic
B. Autotrophic
C. Saprophytic
D. Parasitic only
Answer: B
Explanation:
Plants are autotrophic and synthesise food through photosynthesis.
Q27. Cell wall of plants is made of:
A. Chitin
B. Peptidoglycan
C. Cellulose
D. Silica
Answer: C
Explanation:
Plant cell walls are composed mainly of cellulose.
Q28. Which pigment is essential for photosynthesis?
A. Carotene
B. Xanthophyll
C. Chlorophyll-a
D. Phycobilin
Answer: C
Explanation:
Chlorophyll-a is the primary photosynthetic pigment.
Q29. All plants show:
A. Heterotrophic nutrition
B. Locomotion
C. Alternation of generations
D. Parasitism
Answer: C
Explanation:
Plants exhibit alternation of haploid and diploid phases.
Q30. Bryophytes are called amphibians of plant kingdom because they:
A. Live in water
B. Require water for reproduction
C. Lack vascular tissues
D. Grow on rocks
Answer: B
Explanation:
Bryophytes need water for fertilisation.
Section G: Kingdom Animalia
Q31. Animals are characterised by:
A. Cell wall presence
B. Autotrophic nutrition
C. Heterotrophic ingestion
D. Photosynthesis
Answer: C
Explanation:
Animals are heterotrophic and ingest food.
Q32. Reserve food material in animals is:
A. Starch
B. Cellulose
C. Glycogen
D. Sucrose
Answer: C
Explanation:
Animals store food in the form of glycogen.
Q33. Animals differ from plants mainly in:
A. Cellular organisation
B. Mode of nutrition
C. Reproduction
D. Growth pattern
Answer: B
Explanation:
Animals are heterotrophic, whereas plants are autotrophic.
Q34. Which feature is absent in Animalia?
A. Multicellularity
B. Cell wall
C. Sexual reproduction
D. Tissue organisation
Answer: B
Explanation:
Animal cells lack cell walls.
Q35. Animals showing radial symmetry belong to:
A. Arthropoda
B. Annelida
C. Cnidaria
D. Chordata
Answer: C
Explanation:
Cnidarians show radial symmetry.
Section H: Viruses, Viroids, and Lichens
Q36. Viruses are considered living only inside host because they:
A. Have protein coat
B. Show metabolism
C. Replicate only inside host
D. Cause diseases
Answer: C
Explanation:
Viruses replicate only inside living host cells.
Q37. Genetic material in viruses can be:
A. DNA only
B. RNA only
C. Both DNA and RNA (never together)
D. Absent
Answer: C
Explanation:
Viruses possess either DNA or RNA as genetic material.
Q38. Viroids consist of:
A. DNA without protein
B. RNA without protein coat
C. Protein without nucleic acid
D. DNA with protein coat
Answer: B
Explanation:
Viroids are infectious naked RNA molecules.
Q39. Lichens represent a symbiotic association between:
A. Algae and bacteria
B. Fungi and bacteria
C. Algae and fungi
D. Fungi and virus
Answer: C
Explanation:
Lichens are formed by symbiosis between algae (photosynthesis) and fungi (protection).
Q40. Lichens are good indicators of:
A. Water pollution
B. Soil fertility
C. Air pollution
D. Noise pollution
Answer: C
Explanation:
Lichens are sensitive to air pollution, especially sulphur dioxide.
Section I: Higher-Order & NCERT-Based MCQs
Q41. Which kingdom includes organisms with mycelial body?
A. Protista
B. Monera
C. Fungi
D. Plantae
Answer: C
Q42. Which group shows both autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition?
A. Fungi
B. Monera
C. Protista
D. Plantae
Answer: C
Q43. Which kingdom has the simplest cellular organisation?
A. Protista
B. Monera
C. Fungi
D. Plantae
Answer: B
Q44. Bacterial mode of nutrition can be:
A. Only autotrophic
B. Only heterotrophic
C. Both autotrophic and heterotrophic
D. Parasitic only
Answer: C
Q45. Which kingdom shows absorptive nutrition?
A. Plantae
B. Animalia
C. Protista
D. Fungi
Answer: D
Q46. Slime moulds form fruiting bodies called:
A. Sporangia
B. Sporocarps
C. Sori
D. Conidia
Answer: B
Q47. Which group lacks nuclear membrane?
A. Protista
B. Fungi
C. Monera
D. Plantae
Answer: C
Q48. The five-kingdom classification does NOT include:
A. Viruses
B. Plantae
C. Animalia
D. Fungi
Answer: A
Q49. Cyanobacteria belong to:
A. Protista
B. Fungi
C. Monera
D. Plantae
Answer: C
Q50. Which classification system best reflects evolutionary relationships?
A. Artificial
B. Natural
C. Phylogenetic
D. Morphological
Answer: C