Diversity in Living World Part 4: MCQs (Q76–Q100)

Part 4 — Questions 76–100 (Plant & animal classification, human uses, threats & conservation)

76. Binomial nomenclature gives each species a two-part scientific name. Which language is used for these names?

A. Hindi.
B. Latin (or Latinized names). ← Correct answer: B
C. English only.
D. Sanskrit.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect — scientific names are standardized in Latin to avoid local language confusion.
B) Correct — Latin is historical standard for scientific names.

77. Which of the following is the correct scientific way to write a species name?

A. Homo sapiens (italicized; genus capitalized, species lowercase). Correct answer: A ← Correct answer: A
B. homo Sapiens.
C. HOMO SAPIENS.
D. Homo Sapiens (with S capitalized is incorrect formatting).
Explanations:
A) Correct — proper binomial formatting: genus capitalized, species lowercase, italics.
B/C/D) Incorrect formatting or capitalization rules.

78. Which of these is NOT a threat to biodiversity?

A. Deforestation.
B. Pollution.
C. Conservation parks. ← Correct answer: C
D. Over-exploitation of species.
Explanations:
A/B/D) These are major threats.
C) Correct — conservation parks help protect biodiversity, not threaten it.

79. Which practice helps protect biodiversity?

A. Cutting all trees.
B. Hunting endangered species.
C. Creating protected areas and conserving habitats. ← Correct answer: C
D. Polluting rivers.
Explanations:
A/B/D) Harm biodiversity.
C) Correct — reserves and habitat protection conserve species.

80. Which is an example of a decomposer?

A. Grass.
B. Fungi and bacteria. ← Correct answer: B
C. Tiger.
D. Sparrow.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect — producers and consumers, not decomposers.
B) Correct — fungi and bacteria break down dead material.

81. Which plant is a leguminous plant that helps in nitrogen fixation (in association with bacteria)?

A. Mango.
B. Pea or gram (legumes). ← Correct answer: B
C. Rose.
D. Rice.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect — not leguminous nitrogen-fixers.
B) Correct — legumes host Rhizobium bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen.

82. Which of these is used as a biological control agent against pests?

A. Chemical pesticide only.
B. Predatory insects or microbes (e.g., ladybirds eat aphids). ← Correct answer: B
C. Burning crops.
D. Using more water only.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Chemical/physical methods not biological control.
B) Correct — natural predators or microbes can control pests environmentally.

83. Which one of these crops is a cereal (grass family)?

A. Potato.
B. Wheat. ← Correct answer: B
C. Pea (legume).
D. Apple (fruit).
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect.
B) Correct — wheat is a cereal crop (grass family Poaceae).

84. Which adaptation helps animals that live in trees (arboreal) to grasp branches?

A. Fins.
B. Prehensile tail or grasping limbs (monkeys). ← Correct answer: B
C. Gills.
D. Webbed feet.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect.
B) Correct — adaptations like prehensile tails and grasping hands/feet aid arboreal life.

85. In a simple classification, which feature is most useful to group flowering plants?

A. Colour of soil near them.
B. Presence or absence of certain structures like flowers, seeds and leaf types. ← Correct answer: B
C. Favourite human food.
D. Whether they grow on mountains only.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Not useful classification features.
B) Correct — morphological features (flowers, leaves, seeds) help group plants.

86. Which of the following is an example of domestication where humans keep and breed animals/plants for use?

A. Wild tiger.
B. Domestic cow used for milk and ploughing. ← Correct answer: B
C. Untamed eagle.
D. Undisturbed forest.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect — not domesticated.
B) Correct — cows are domesticated livestock.

87. Which animal is commonly used as a model organism in biology for study due to short lifecycle?

A. Elephant.
B. Fruit fly (Drosophila). ← Correct answer: B
C. Whale.
D. Oak tree.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Long lifespan or growth — not ideal models.
B) Correct — fruit flies are widely used due to short life cycles and easy maintenance.

88. Which of the following is a benefit of forests to humans?

A. Soil erosion.
B. Source of oxygen, timber, medicinal plants and habitat for wildlife. ← Correct answer: B
C. Only increased deserts.
D. Reducing water resources.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect — forests prevent erosion and support water cycle.
B) Correct — forests provide ecological and economic services.

89. Which farming practice helps to conserve soil and water?

A. Clear-cutting of trees.
B. Terrace farming and contour ploughing. ← Correct answer: B
C. Overgrazing pastures.
D. Burning crop residues every season.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Harmful practices.
B) Correct — terracing and contour ploughing reduce soil erosion and conserve water.

90. The best description of an endangered species is:

A. A species with very large population.
B. A species whose numbers have reduced and is at risk of extinction. ← Correct answer: B
C. A species that never existed.
D. A species with no predators.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect definitions.
B) Correct — endangered species are at risk due to declining populations.

91. Which is an example of a parasitic relationship?

A. Bee and flower (mutualistic).
B. Tapeworm in human intestine (parasite benefits; host harmed). ← Correct answer: B
C. Bird eating fruit and dispersing seeds (mutual benefit).
D. Clownfish and anemone (mutualism).
Explanations:
A/C/D) Examples of mutualism; both benefit.
B) Correct — parasite derives benefit and host suffers harm.

92. Which of the following animals is nocturnal and has good night vision?

A. Chicken.
B. Owl. ← Correct answer: B
C. Pigeon.
D. Peacock.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Mostly diurnal (active in day).
B) Correct — owls are adapted to night hunting.

93. The main reason for crop rotation in agriculture is to:

A. Grow only one crop forever.
B. Maintain soil fertility and reduce pests/diseases. ← Correct answer: B
C. Make land barren.
D. Increase soil salinity.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Wrong outcomes.
B) Correct — rotating crops cycles nutrients and reduces pests.

94. Which statement about lichens is true?

A. Lichens are a single plant species only.
B. Lichens are a symbiotic association of fungus and alga (or cyanobacterium). ← Correct answer: B
C. Lichens always cause harm to trees.
D. Lichens are animals.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect.
B) Correct — lichens are mutualistic associations between fungi and photosynthetic partners.

95. Which plant part is typically used for vegetative propagation in rose?

A. Seed only.
B. Cutting (stem cutting). ← Correct answer: B
C. Fruit.
D. Root hairs only.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect for vegetative propagation practice.
B) Correct — roses are commonly propagated from stem cuttings.

96. Which of the following is true about endemic species?

A. Species found worldwide.
B. Species native and restricted to a particular geographic region. ← Correct answer: B
C. Species that migrate annually.
D. Species that are always domesticated.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect.
B) Correct — endemic species have limited geographic ranges.

97. Which human activity directly reduces wildlife habitat?

A. Creating national parks.
B. Deforestation and urbanization. ← Correct answer: B
C. Reforestation.
D. Wildlife conservation.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Positive conservation actions.
B) Correct — deforestation and building cities destroy habitats.

98. Which statement is correct about a food chain?

A. A food chain shows only non-living things.
B. A food chain shows the transfer of energy from producers to consumers to decomposers. ← Correct answer: B
C. Food chains are unrelated to ecosystems.
D. Food chain is same as classification.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Incorrect.
B) Correct — food chains represent energy flow through trophic levels.

99. Which practice increases genetic diversity useful in agriculture?

A. Planting only one crop variety everywhere (monoculture).
B. Maintaining seed banks and cultivating diverse crop varieties. ← Correct answer: B
C. Banning crop rotation.
D. Eliminating wild relatives of crops.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Decrease genetic diversity.
B) Correct — conserving diverse varieties enhances resilience and genetic resources.

100. Which of the following is an example of sustainable use of biological resources?

A. Overfishing until stocks collapse.
B. Using renewable resources at a rate that allows regeneration (e.g., selective logging, regulated fishing). ← Correct answer: B
C. Polluting rivers while fishing.
D. Removing all vegetation for short-term gain.
Explanations:
A/C/D) Unsustainable and harmful.
B) Correct — sustainable use balances human needs with conservation. (more…)