Online Test — The Living World
15 Questions • 15 min • Chapter MCQ
15:00
Question 1 of 15
Which of the following is a defining feature of all living organisms?
Growth
Reproduction
Metabolism
Large size
Explanation: Metabolism is present in all living organisms and no non-living thing, so it is defining.
Question 2 of 15
Growth in living organisms is said to be intrinsic because it occurs:
By addition from outside
From inside, by cell division
Only in non-living things
Without any cells
Explanation: Living organisms grow from within by an increase in cell number and mass.
Question 3 of 15
Reproduction is NOT an all-defining feature of life because:
All organisms reproduce
Some living organisms (e.g. mules) do not reproduce
Non-living things reproduce
It needs metabolism
Explanation: Sterile organisms like mules and worker bees are alive but do not reproduce.
Question 4 of 15
The most important defining property of living organisms is considered to be:
Consciousness (response to stimuli)
Colour
Weight
Hardness
Explanation: The ability to sense and respond to the environment (consciousness) is the key defining feature.
Question 5 of 15
The number and types of organisms present on Earth is referred to as:
Taxonomy
Biodiversity
Metabolism
Systematics
Explanation: Biodiversity is the variety and number of organisms on Earth.
Question 6 of 15
The science of identification, naming and classification of organisms is:
Ecology
Genetics
Taxonomy
Anatomy
Explanation: Taxonomy deals with identification, naming and classification.
Question 7 of 15
The study of diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships is:
Systematics
Physiology
Histology
Cytology
Explanation: Systematics studies diversity and evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Question 8 of 15
The two-part scientific naming system is called:
Binomial nomenclature
Vernacular naming
Common naming
Trinomial naming
Explanation: Binomial nomenclature gives a two-part (genus + species) name.
Question 9 of 15
Binomial nomenclature was introduced by:
Charles Darwin
Carolus Linnaeus
Aristotle
Ernst Haeckel
Explanation: Carolus Linnaeus gave the binomial system of nomenclature.
Question 10 of 15
In the name Mangifera indica, the word 'indica' is the:
Genus
Family
Specific epithet (species)
Order
Explanation: The second word is the specific epithet (species name).
Question 11 of 15
According to the rules, the genus name is written with:
A small first letter
A capital first letter
All capital letters
No letters
Explanation: The genus begins with a capital letter; the species with a small letter.
Question 12 of 15
Each rank or level in the classification hierarchy is called a:
Taxon
Species
Gene
Cell
Explanation: Each level in the taxonomic hierarchy is a taxon.
Question 13 of 15
The basic unit of classification is the:
Kingdom
Family
Species
Order
Explanation: The species is the basic unit of classification.
Question 14 of 15
The correct sequence of taxonomic categories from lowest to highest is:
Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom
Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
Genus, Species, Order, Family, Class
Family, Order, Genus, Species, Class
Explanation: From lowest to highest: Species, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum/Division, Kingdom.
Question 15 of 15
A collection of pressed, dried and mounted plant specimens used as a taxonomic aid is a:
Herbarium
Zoo
Museum of rocks
Key
Explanation: A herbarium stores pressed, dried plant specimens for study.