Part 1 — Five-Kingdom Classification (Q1–Q25)
Part 1 — Five-Kingdom Classification (Q1–Q25)
25 MCQs covering principles, Whittaker’s criteria, kingdom features, differences among kingdoms, and examples.
Q1. Whittaker’s five-kingdom classification was mainly based on:
- A. Mode of reproduction
- B. Mode of nutrition and cell structure
- C. Complexity of organs
- D. Type of habitat
Answer: B
Explanation: Whittaker classified organisms based on cell type, body organization, and mode of nutrition. A is only partly considered, C and D are not primary criteria.
Q2. Monera is characterized by:
- A. Presence of nuclear membrane
- B. Prokaryotic cell structure
- C. Multicellular organization
- D. Membrane-bound organelles
Answer: B
Explanation: Monerans are prokaryotic. A and D are eukaryotic traits, C is not true since Monera are unicellular.
Q3. Protists differ from Monerans because they:
- A. Are multicellular
- B. Have membrane-bound organelles
- C. Lack nuclei
- D. Are prokaryotes
Answer: B
Explanation: Protists are eukaryotic with nuclei and organelles. A is incorrect as many are unicellular, C and D describe Monera.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT a criterion used by Whittaker?
- A. Cell structure
- B. Mode of nutrition
- C. Complexity of body organization
- D. Chromosome number
Answer: D
Explanation: Chromosome number is not used. A, B, C are main criteria.
Q5. Which kingdom includes organisms with chitinous cell walls?
- A. Plantae
- B. Fungi
- C. Protista
- D. Monera
Answer: B
Explanation: Fungi have chitin walls. Plants have cellulose, Protista vary, Monera have peptidoglycan.
Q6. Which kingdom has organisms that are multicellular and photosynthetic?
- A. Fungi
- B. Plantae
- C. Animalia
- D. Monera
Answer: B
Explanation: Plantae are multicellular autotrophs. Fungi are heterotrophic, Animalia are heterotrophic, Monera are prokaryotic.
Q7. Which kingdom includes organisms that ingest food?
- A. Protista
- B. Plantae
- C. Fungi
- D. Animalia
Answer: D
Explanation: Animals are heterotrophs by ingestion. Protists may ingest but not multicellular, Plantae autotrophic, Fungi absorb.
Q8. Which organisms are placed in Monera?
- A. Algae
- B. Bacteria
- C. Amoeba
- D. Yeast
Answer: B
Explanation: Bacteria are prokaryotes (Monera). Algae (Protista/Plantae), Amoeba (Protista), Yeast (Fungi).
Q9. Which feature separates fungi from plants?
- A. Cell wall presence
- B. Eukaryotic cells
- C. Mode of nutrition
- D. Presence of mitochondria
Answer: C
Explanation: Plants are autotrophs; fungi are heterotrophs. Both have walls and mitochondria.
Q10. Which is an example of Protista?
- A. Penicillium
- B. Amoeba
- C. Streptococcus
- D. Pinus
Answer: B
Explanation: Amoeba is unicellular eukaryote. Penicillium is fungus, Streptococcus bacterium, Pinus plant.
Q11. The five kingdoms as per Whittaker are:
- A. Monera, Protista, Plantae, Animalia, Fungi
- B. Monera, Protista, Plantae, Animalia, Chromista
- C. Monera, Protista, Algae, Bryophyta, Animalia
- D. Bacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
Answer: A
Explanation: Correct list. Others are partial or incorrect.
Q12. Which feature is exclusive to Monera?
- A. Nucleus absent
- B. Mitochondria present
- C. Cellulose wall
- D. Multicellularity
Answer: A
Explanation: Monera lack true nuclei. Other features belong to eukaryotes or plants.
Q13. Protozoans belong to:
- A. Fungi
- B. Protista
- C. Monera
- D. Plantae
Answer: B
Explanation: Protozoans are unicellular eukaryotes placed in Protista.
Q14. Which kingdom contains absorptive heterotrophs without chlorophyll?
- A. Fungi
- B. Plantae
- C. Protista
- D. Animalia
Answer: A
Explanation: Fungi absorb food; plants photosynthesize, protists vary, animals ingest.
Q15. Members of Animalia are:
- A. Multicellular heterotrophs without cell walls
- B. Multicellular autotrophs with cellulose walls
- C. Unicellular eukaryotes
- D. Prokaryotes
Answer: A
Explanation: Correct definition. Others describe plants, protists, or bacteria.
Q16. Common feature of Plantae and Fungi:
- A. Chlorophyll presence
- B. Cell wall presence
- C. Prokaryotic nature
- D. Motility
Answer: B
Explanation: Both have walls. Chlorophyll only in plants, both are eukaryotic, not motile.
Q17. Binomial nomenclature consists of:
- A. Family and genus
- B. Genus and species epithet
- C. Order and family
- D. Kingdom and phylum
Answer: B
Explanation: Scientific names use genus + species epithet.
Q18. Which statement is false?
- A. Monera includes bacteria
- B. Protista are unicellular eukaryotes
- C. Fungi are photosynthetic
- D. Plantae are multicellular autotrophs
Answer: C
Explanation: Fungi are heterotrophic, not photosynthetic.
Q19. Some protists have:
- A. Cellulose walls
- B. Chitin walls
- C. No walls
- D. All of these
Answer: D
Explanation: Protists are diverse; can have cellulose (algae), chitin (some slime moulds), or no walls (protozoa).
Q20. Insects and birds have wings that are:
- A. Homologous
- B. Analogous
- C. Vestigial
- D. Both A and B
Answer: B
Explanation: Wings serve same function but evolved differently (analogous).
Q21. Natural classification is based on:
- A. Habitat
- B. Evolutionary relationships
- C. Convenient traits
- D. DNA only
Answer: B
Explanation: Natural classification reflects phylogeny. Artificial uses convenience traits.
Q22. Some algae like Ulva show:
- A. Only unicellular form
- B. Only multicellular form
- C. Both unicellular and multicellular stages
- D. Prokaryotic organization
Answer: C
Explanation: Some algae alternate between unicellular and multicellular forms. D is false.
Q23. Whittaker used criteria like:
- A. Cell structure, mode of nutrition, body organization
- B. Habitat, size, color
- C. Presence of wings, roots, leaves
- D. Chromosome number only
Answer: A
Explanation: Correct. Other options are irrelevant.
Q24. Biological species concept defines species as:
- A. Similar morphology
- B. Ability to interbreed producing fertile offspring
- C. Sharing habitat
- D. Same chromosome number
Answer: B
Explanation: Correct definition. Others are incomplete.
Q25. Binomial nomenclature rules include:
- A. Both names capitalized
- B. Genus capitalized, species lowercase, italicized
- C. Only family name written
- D. Names in all caps
Answer: B
Explanation: Correct formatting rule.