CHAPTER Biological Classification

2
Classification of living organisms,Five kingdoms of life and basis of five
kingdom classification.Salient features and Classification of Monera,Protista and
Fungi into major groups,Salient features plantae and animalia Virus, Viroids
and Lichens

Aristotle’s classification

 Aristotle was the earliest to attempt a more scientific basis for classification of organisms.

 He classified plants into trees, shrubs & herbs and animals into two groups, those which had red
blood and those that did not.

Two-kingdom classification

 In Linnaeus’ time Two Kingdom classification (Kingdom Plantae & Kingdom Animalia) was
developed.

Drawbacks of 2-kingdom classification

 Prokaryotes (Bacteria, cyanobacteria) and eukaryotes (fungi, mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and
angiosperms) were included under ‘Plants’. It is based on the presence of cell wall. But prokaryotes
and eukaryotes are widely differed in other characteristics.

 It included the unicellular and the multicellular organisms in same group. E.g. Chlamydomonas
and Spirogyra were placed under algae.

 It did not differentiate between the heterotrophic fungi and the autotrophic green plants. Fungi
have chitinous cell wall while the green plants have cellulosic cell wall.

Five Kingdom Classification

 It is proposed by R.H. Whittaker (1969).

 It includes Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae & Animalia.

 This classification is based on cell structure, thallus organisation, mode of nutrition, reproduction
and phylogenetic relationships.
 Characteristics of the five kingdoms
Five kingdoms
Characters
Monera Protista Fungi Plantae Animalia
Cell type Prokaryotic Eukaryotic Eukaryotic Eukaryotic Eukaryotic
Non-cellular Present
Present
Cell wall (polysaccharide + Present in some (without Absent
(cellulose)
amino acid) cellulose)
Nuclear membrane Absent Present Present Present Present
Tissue/organ
Multicellular,
Body organisation Cellular Cellular Tissue/organ / organ
loose tissue
system

Autotrophic
Autotrophic Heterotrophic
(photosynthetic & Heterotrophic Autotrophic
(photosynthetic) (holozoic,
Mode of nutrition chemosynthetic) and (saprophytic or (photosynthe
and saprophytic
heterotrophic parasitic) tic)
heterotrophic etc)
(saprophyte/parasite)

1. KINGDOM MONERA (BACTERIA)

 Bacteria are the most abundant microorganisms.
 Hundreds of bacteria are present in a handful of soil.
 They also live in extreme habitats such as hot springs, deserts, snow & deep oceans. Many are
parasites.
Based on the shape, bacteria are 4 categories:
Coccus (Spherical) Bacillus (Rod-shaped)
Vibrium (Comma-shaped) Spirillum (Spiral)
 Bacterial structure is very simple but they are complex in behaviour and show extensive metabolic
diversity.
 Some bacteria are autotrophic (synthesize food from inorganic substrates). Majority are heterotrophs
(they do not synthesize the food but depend on other organisms or on dead organic matter for
food).
Archaebacteria
 They live in harshest habitats such as extreme salty areas (halophiles) , hot springs
(thermoacidophiles) and marshy areas (methanogens).
 Archaebacteria have a different cell wall structure for their survival in extreme conditions.
 Methanogens are present in the guts of ruminant animals (cows, buffaloes etc). They produce
methane (biogas) from the dung of these animals.
Eubacteria (‘true bacteria’)
 They are characterized by the presence of a rigid cell wall and a flagellum (if motile).
 They include Autotrophs (photosynthetic and chemosynthetic) and Heterotrophs.
Photosynthetic autotrophs (E.g. Cyanobacteria):
 They have chlorophyll a similar to green plants.
 Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are unicellular, colonial or filamentous, marine or terrestrial algae.
 The colonies are generally surrounded by gelatinous sheath. They often form blooms in polluted
water bodies. Some of these can fix atmospheric nitrogen in specialized cells called heterocysts, e.g.,
Nostoc and Anabaena.
Chemosynthetic autotrophs:
 They oxidize various inorganic substances such as nitrates, nitrites and ammonia and use the released
energy for their ATP production.
 They play a great role in recycling nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, iron and sulphur.
Heterotrophic bacteria:
 They are the most abundant in nature.
 The majority are important decomposers.
Impacts of Heterotrophic bacteria on human affairs:
 They are used to make curd from milk.
 Production of antibiotics.
 Fixing nitrogen in legume roots etc.
 Some are pathogens causing damage to human beings, crops, farm animals and pets. E.g. Cholera,
typhoid, tetanus, and citrus canker.
Reproduction in Bacteria:
 Bacteria reproduce mainly by fission.
 Under unfavourable conditions, they produce spores.
 They also reproduce by a sort of sexual reproduction by adopting a primitive type of DNA transfer
from one bacterium to the other.
Mycoplasmas are organisms without a cell wall. They are the smallest living cells known. They
can survive without oxygen. Many are pathogenic in animals and plants.
KINGDOM PROTISTA
 It includes single-celled eukaryotes.
 The cell contains a well defined nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Some have flagella
or cilia.
 Protists are primarily aquatic.
 This kingdom forms a link with plants, animals and fungi.
 They reproduce asexually and sexually by a process involving cell fusion and zygote formation.
 Protista includes Chrysophytes, Dianoflagellates, Euglenoids, Slime moulds and Protozoans.
Chrysophytes
 They are found in fresh water and marine environments.
 They are microscopic and float passively in water currents (plankton.
 Most of them are photosynthetic.
 It includes diatoms & golden algae desmids.
 Diatoms: They have siliceous cell walls forming two thin overlapping shells, which fit together as
in a soap box. The cell wall deposit of diatoms over billions of years in their habitat is known as
‘diatomaceous earth’. This is used in polishing, filtration of oils and syrups. Diatoms are the chief
‘producers’ in the oceans.
Dianoflagellates
 Mostly marine and photosynthetic.
 They appear yellow, green, brown, blue or red depending on the main pigments present in their
cells.
 The cell wall has stiff cellulose plates on the outer surface.
 Most of them have 2 flagella; one lies longitudinally and the other transversely in a furrow between
the wall plates.
 Red dianoflagellates E.g. Gonyaulax undergo rapid multiplication so that the sea appears red
red tides. Toxins released by such large numbers can kill other marine animals such as fishes.
Euglenoids
 Mainly fresh water organisms found in stagnant water.
 Instead of a cell wall, they have a protein rich layer called pellicle which makes their body flexible.
 They have two flagella, a short and a long one.
 They are photosynthetic in the presence of sunlight. When deprived of sunlight they behave like
heterotrophs by predating on other smaller organisms.
 The pigments of euglenoids are identical to those present in higher plants. Example: Euglena.
Slime Moulds
 They are saprophytic protists.
 The body moves along decaying twigs and leaves engulfing organic material.
 Under suitable conditions, they form an aggregation called plasmodium which may grow and spread
over several feet.
 During unfavourable conditions, the plasmodium differentiates and forms fruiting bodies bearing
spores at their tips. Spores possess true walls. They are extremely resistant and survive for many
years. The spores are dispersed by air currents.
Protozoans
They are heterotrophs predators or parasites.
They are believed to be primitive relatives of animals.
There are 4 major groups of protozoans:
 Amoeboid protozoans: They live in fresh water, sea water or moist soil. They move and capture
prey by putting out pseudopodia false feet). E.g. Amoeba. Marine forms have silica shells on their
surface. Some of them are parasites. E.g. Entamoeba.
 Flagellated protozoans: They are either free-living or parasitic. They have flagella. The parasitic
forms cause diseases such as sleeping sickness. E.g. Trypanosoma.
 Ciliated protozoans: They are aquatic, actively moving organisms with the help of thousands of
cilia. They have a cavity gullet that opens to the outside. Due to the coordinated movement of
cilia, the water with food enters into gullet. E.g. Paramoecium.
d. Sporozoans: They include organisms that have an infectious spore-like stage in their life cycle. E.g.
Plasmodium (malarial parasite) which causes malaria.
KINGDOM FUNGI
 It is a unique kingdom of heterotrophic organisms.
 Fungi are cosmopolitan and occur in air, water, soil and on animals and plants.
 They prefer to grow in warm and humid places.
 E.g. bread mould, orange rots, mushroom, toadstools etc.
 White spots seen on mustard leaves are due to a parasitic fungus.
 Some fungi are the source of antibiotics, e.g., Penicillium.
 Some unicellular fungi e.g. yeast) are used to make bread and beer.
 Other fungi cause diseases in plants and animals. E.g. wheat rust-causing Puccinia.
 Except yeasts, fungi are filamentous. Their bodies consist of long, slender thread-like structures
called hyphae. The network of hyphae is known as mycelium.
 Some hyphae are continuous tubes filled with multinucleated cytoplasm. These are called coenocytic
hyphae. Others have septae or cross walls in hyphae.
 Fungal cell wall is made of chitin & polysaccharides.
 Most fungi are saprophytes absorb soluble organic matter from dead substrates). Some are parasites.
 Some live as symbionts – in association with algae as lichens and with roots of higher plants as
mycorrhiza.
Reproduction:
 Vegetative propagation: By fragmentation, fission & budding.
 Asexual reproduction: By spores called conidia or sporangiospores or zoospores.
 Sexual reproduction: By oospores, ascospores and basidiospores. They are produced in distinct
structures called fruiting bodies.
 The sexual cycle involves 3 steps:
 Plasmogamy: Fusion of protoplasm between two motile or non-motile gametes.
 Karyogamy: Fusion of two nuclei.
 Meiosis in zygote resulting in haploid spores.
 When a fungus reproduces sexually, two haploid hyphae of compatible mating types come together
and fuse.
 In some fungi the fusion of two haploid cells immediately results in diploid cells (2n.
 In other fungi ascomycetes and basidiomycetes, a dikaryotic stage or dikaryophase n + n i.e. two
nuclei per cell occurs. Such a condition is called a dikaryon. Later, parental nuclei fuse and the cells
become diploid.
 The fungi form fruiting bodies in which reduction division occurs, leading to formation of haploid spores.
Based on the morphology of mycelium, mode of spore formation and fruiting bodies, Fungi are
classified into various classes such as Phycomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and
Deuteromycetes.
Phycomycetes Lower Fungi
 They occur in aquatic habitats and on decaying wood in moist and damp places or as obligate
parasites on plants.
 The mycelium is aseptate and coenocytic.
 Asexual reproduction: takes place by zoospores motile) or by aplanospores non-motile). These
are produced in sporangium.
 Sexual reproduction: Zygospores are formed by fusion of two gametes. These gametes are isogamous
similar in morphology or anisogamous or oogamous dissimilar.
E.g. Mucor, Rhizopus bread mould and Albugo (parasitic fungi on mustard.
Ascomycetes sac-fungi
 They are unicellular (e.g., yeast, Sacharomyces or multicellular (e.g., Penicillium.
 They are saprophytic, decomposers, parasitic or coprophilous (growing on dung.
 Mycelium is branched and septate.
 Asexual reproduction: By conidia produced exogenously on the special mycelium called
conidiophores. Conidia germinate to produce mycelium.
 Sexual reproduction: By ascospores produced endogenously in sac like asci (sing. ascus). The asci
are arranged to form fruiting bodies called ascocarps.
E.g. Aspergillus, Claviceps and Neurospora.
 Neurospora is used extensively in biochemical and genetic work. Many members like morels and
buffles are edible and are considered delicacies.
Basidiomycetes
 Includes mushrooms, bracket fungi or puffballs.
 They grow in soil, on logs and tree stumps and in living plant bodies as parasites
e.g., rusts and smuts.
 The mycelium is branched and septate.
 The asexual spores are generally not found, but vegetative reproduction by fragmentation is common.
 The sex organs are absent, but plasmogamy is brought about by fusion of two vegetative or somatic
cells of different strains or genotypes. The resultant structure is dikaryotic which ultimately gives
rise to basidium. Karyogamy and meiosis take place in the basidium producing four basidiospores.
The basidiospores are exogenously produced on the basidium. The basidia are arranged in fruiting
bodies called basidiocarps.
E.g. Agaricus mushroom, Ustilago (smut) and Puccinia rust fungus.
Deuteromycetes
 Commonly known as imperfect fungi because only the asexual or vegetative phases of these fungi
are known.
 When the sexual forms of these fungi were discovered they were moved into classes they rightly
belong to.
 It is also possible that the asexual and vegetative stage have been given one name and placed under
deuteromycetes) and the sexual stage another and placed under another class. Later when the
linkages were established, the fungi were correctly identified and moved out of deuteromycetes.
 Once perfect sexual stages of members of deuteromycetes were discovered they were often moved
to ascomycetes and basidiomycetes.
 Deuteromycetes reproduce only by asexual spores conidia).
 The mycelium is septate and branched.
 Some are saprophytes or parasites while majority are decomposers of litter and help in mineral cycling.
E.g. Alternaria, Colletotrichum and Trichoderma.
KINGDOM PLANTAE (PLANT KINGDOM)
 It includes all plants eukaryotic chlorophyll- containing organisms with cellulosic cell wall.
 Some are partially heterotrophic such as the insectivorous plants e.g. Bladderwort and Venus fly
trap or parasites e.g. Cuscuta.
 Plantae includes algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms.
 Life cycle of plants has two distinct phases – the diploid sporophytic & the haploid gametophytic
– that alternate with each other.
 The lengths of the haploid and diploid phases, and whether these phases are free living or dependent
on others, vary among different groups in plants. This phenomenon is called alternation of
generation.
KINGDOM ANIMALIA ANIMAL KINGDOM)
 They are multicellular, heterotrophic, eukaryotic organisms without cell wall.
 They directly or indirectly depend on plants for food.
 They digest their food in an internal cavity and store food reserves as glycogen or fat. Their mode of
nutrition is holozoic – by ingestion of food.
 They have a definite growth pattern and grow into adults that have a definite shape and size.
 Higher forms show sensory and neuromotor mechanism.
 Most of them are capable of locomotion.
 The sexual reproduction is by copulation of male and female followed by embryological development.
VIRUSES, VIROIDS AND LICHENS
 In the five-kingdom classification, acellular organisms viruses & viroids and lichens are not
mentioned.
 Viruses are not truly ‘living’. So they are not included in five-kingdom classification.
 Viruses are non-cellular organisms having an inert crystalline structure outside the living cell.
 Viruses are obligate parasites.
 When they infect a cell they take over the machinery of the host cell to replicate themselves, killing
the host.
 The name virus means venom or poisonous fluid was given by Pasteur.
 D.J. Ivanowsky 1892) recognized certain microbes that cause mosaic disease of tobacco. They were
smaller than bacteria because they passed through bacteria-proof filters.
 M.W. Beijerinek 1898) demonstrated that the extract of the infected plants of tobacco could cause
infection in healthy plants and called the fluid as Contagium vivum fluidum infectious living fluid.
 W.M. Stanley 1935) showed that viruses could be crystallized and crystals consist largely of proteins.
 In addition to proteins, viruses also contain genetic material RNA or DNA. No virus contains both
RNA & DNA. A virus is a nucleoprotein and the genetic material is infectious.
 In general, viruses that infect plants have single stranded RNA and viruses that infect animals have
either single or double stranded RNA or double stranded DNA. Bacteriophages viruses that infect
bacteria) are usually double stranded DNA viruses.
 The protein coat capsid made of small subunits capsomeres protects nucleic acid. Capsomeres
are arranged in helical or polyhedral geometric forms.
 Viruses cause diseases like mumps, small pox, herpes, influenza and AIDS. In plants, the symptoms
can be mosaic formation, leaf rolling and curling, yellowing and vein clearing, dwarfing and stunted
growth.
 PRACTICE SET

1. Five kingdom system of classification suggested by 6. 4 All viruses do not have helical symmetry
R.H. Whittaker is not based on: [AIPMT-2014] 7. The cyanobacteria are also referred to as
1 Presence or absence of a well defined nucleus [AIPMT Prelims-2012]
2 Mode of reproduction 1 Slime moulds 2 Blue green algae
3 Mode of nutrition 3 Protists 4 Golden algae
4 Complexity of body organisation 7. 2 Cynobacteria = Blue green algae
1. 1 Five kingdom system was not based on 8. How many organisms in the list given below
presence or absence of a well-defined nucleus are autotrophs? Lactobacillus, Nostoc, Chara,
2. Archaebacteria differ from eubacteria in : Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter, Streptomyces,
[AIPMT-2014] Saccharomyces, Trypanosoma, Porphyra,
1 Cell membrane structure Wolfia [AIPMT Mains-2012]
2 Mode of nutrition 3 Cell shape 1 Four 2 Five 3 Six 4) Three
4 Mode of reproduction 8. 3 Autotrophs – Nostoc, Chara, Nitrosomonas,
2. 1 Archaebacteria differ from eubacteria in cell Nitrobacter, Porphyra & Wolffia
membrane structure. 9. In the five-kingdom classification,
3. Which of the following shows coiled RNA Chlamydomonas and Chlorella have been
strand and capsomeres? [AIPMT-2014] included in [AIPMT Mains-2012]
1 Polio virus 2 Tobacco mosaic virus 1 Protista 2) Algae
3) Measles virus 4 Retrovirus 3 Plantae 4 Monera
3. 2 TMV – Coiled RNA strand and capsomeres 9. 1 Chlamydomonas & Chlorella – Protista
4. Viruses have [AIPMT-2014] 10. Membrane-bound organelles are absent in
1 DNA enclosed in a protein coat [AIPMT Prelims-2010]
2 Prokaryotic nucleus 1 Plasmodium 2 Saccharomyces
3 Single chromosome 4 Both DNA and RNA 3 Streptococcus 4 Chlamydomonas
4. 1 Viruses – DNA enclosed in a protein coat 10. 3 Membrane-bound organelles are absent in
5. Pigment-containing membranous extensions in Prokaryotes.
some cyanobacteria are : [NEET-2013] 11. Single-celled eukaryotes are included in
1) Basal bodies 2 Pneumatophores [AIPMT Prelims-2010]
3 Chromatophores 4 Heterocysts 1 Monera 2 Protista 3 Fungi 4 Archaea
5. 3) Chromatophores : 11. 2 Protista – Single celled eukaryotes
– Cynaobacteria 12. Some hyperthermophilic organisms that grow
– Pigment-containing membranous extensions in highly acidic pH–2) habitats belong to the
6. Which statement is wrong for viruses? two groups [AIPMT Prelims-2010]
[AIPMT Prelims-2012] 1 Liverworts and yeasts
1 They have ability to synthesize nucleic acids 2) Eubacteria and archaea
and proteins 3 Cyanobacteria and diatoms
2 Antibiotics have no effect on them 4 Protists and mosses
3 All are parasites 12. 2) Eubacteria and Archaea
4 All of them have helical symmetry – Hyperthermophilic
– Can grow in highly acidic pH.
13. Select the correct combination of the statements
a-d regarding the characteristics of certain
organisms [AIPMT Mains-2010]
a Methanogens are Archaebacteria which
produce methane in marshy areas.
b Nostoc is a filamentous blue-green alga
which fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
c Chemosynthetic autotrophic bacteria
synthesize cellulose from glucose.
d Mycoplasma lack a cell wall and can survive
without oxygen.
The correct statement are
1 b, c 2) a), b, c
3) b, c, d 4) a), b, d
13. 4 Chemosynthetic autotrophic bacteria
synthesize glucose from CO2
14. Thermococcus,Methanococcus and Methano—
bacterium exemplify[AIPMT Prelims-2008]
1 Bacteria that contain a cytoskeleton and
ribosomes
2 Archaebacteria that contain protein
homologous to eukaryotic core histones
3 Archaebacteria that lack any histones
resembling those found in eukaryotes but
whose DNA is negatively supercoiled
4 Bacteria whose DNA is relaxed or positively
supercoiled but which have a cytoskeleton as
well as mitochondria
14. 3 Thermococcus, Methanococcus and
Methanobacterium – Archaebacteria
15. Cellulose is the major component of cell walls
of [AIPMT Prelims-2008]
1 Saccharomyces 2 Pythium
3 Xanthomonas 4 Pseudomonas
15. 2 Pythium is oomycetes and having cellulosic
cell wall.
16. In the light of recent classification of living
organisms into three domains of life bacteria,
archaea and eukarya, which one of the
following statements is true about archaea?
[AIPMT Prelims-2008]
1 Archaea completely differ from prokaryotes
2 Archaea resemble eukarya in all respects
3 Archaea have some novel features that are
absent in other prokaryotes and eukaryotes
4 Archaea completely differ from both
prokaryotes and eukaryotes
16. 3 Archaebacteria have some novel features that
are absent in other prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
17. Which one of the following statements about
Mycoplasma is wrong?
[AIPMT Prelims-2007]
1 They cause disease in plants
2 They are also called PPLO
3 They are pleomorphic
4 They are sensitive to penicillin
17. 4 Mycoplasma is insensitive to penicillin
18. Which pair of the following belongs to
Basidiomycetes?[AIPMT Prelims-2007]
1 Morchella and Mushrooms
2 Birds’ nest fungi and Pufballs
3 Pufballs and Claviceps
4 Peziza and Stink horns
18. 2
Basidiomycetes Ascomycetes
Puffballs Claviceps
Stink horns Peziza
Mushrooms Morchella
Birds nest fungi
Cyathus
19. Auxospores and hormocysts are formed,
respectively, by : [AIPMT Prelims-2005]
1 Several diatoms and a few cyanobacteria
2 Several cyanobacteria and several diatoms
3 Some diatoms and several cyanobacteria
4 Some cyanobacteria and many diatoms
19. 1 Auxospores – Diatoms
Hormocysts – Cyanobacteria
20. All of the following statements concerning the
actinomycetous filamentous soil bacterium
Frankia are correct except that Frankia :
[AIPMT Prelims-2005]
1) Can induce root nodules on many plant species
2 Can fix nitrogen in the free-living state
3) Like Rhizobium, it usually infects its host
 plant through root hair deformation and 25. 3 Cyanobacteria, Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and
stimulates cell proliferation in the host’s cortex Archaebacteria–Monera
4 Forms specialized vesicles in which the 26. In five kingdom system, the main basis of
nitrogenase is protected from oxygen by a classification is
chemical barrier involving triterpene hopanoids 1Structure of nucleus 2 Mode of nutrition
20. 2 Frankia is free living bacteria but can fix 3 Structure of cell wall 4 Asexual reproduction
nitrogen in free living as well as symbiotic state. 26. 2) Main basis of five-kingdom system is – mode
21. Which of the following environmental conditions of nutrition.
are essential for optimum growth of Mucor on a 27. In which kingdom would you classify the
piece of bread ? [AIPMT Prelims-2006] archaea and nitrogen-fixing organisms, if the
A. Temperature of about 25°C five-kingdom system of classification is used ?
B. Temperature of about 5°C 1 Plantae 2) Fungi 3 Protista 4 Monera
C. Relative humidity of about 5% 27. 4 Archaebacteria and Nitrogen-fixing
D. Relative humidity of about 95% bacteria–Monera.
E. A shady place 28. Maximum nutritional diversity is found in the
F. A brightly illuminated place group
Choose the answer from the following options 1 Monera 2 Plantae 3 Fungi4) Animalia
1 A, C and E only 2 A, D and E only 28. 1 Maximum nutritional diversity–Monera.
3 B, D and E only 4 B, C and F only 29. Specialized cells for fixing atmospheric nitrogen
21. 2 Essential environmental conditions for in Nostoc are
1 Akinetes 2 Heterocysts
Mucor.25°C
3 Hormogonia 4 Nodules
Relative humidity – 95 % Shady place
29. 2) Heterocystes – Specialised cells for Nitrogen-
22. Curing of tea leaves is brought about by the
fixation in Nostoc.
activity of: [AIPMT Prelims-2006]
30. Nuclear membrane is absent in
1) Bacteria 2 Mycorrhiza 1) Volvox 2) Nostoc
3 Viruses 4) Fungi 3 Penicillium 4 Agaricus
22. 1 To improve the flavour and taste in tea by 30. 2 Nostoc – Prokaryotes Nuclear membrane
bacteria called curing of tea leaves. absent
23. For retting of jute the fermenting microbe used 31. The most abundant prokaryotes helpful to
is: [AIPMT Prelims-2005] humans in making curd from milk and in
1 Helicobactor pylori 2) Methophilic bacteria production of antiobiotics are the ones
3 Streptococcus lactin4) Butyric acid bacteria categorised as
23. 4 Retting of jute – Butyric acid bacteria 1 Chemosynthetic autotrophs
24. T.O. Diener discovered a 2 Heterotrophic bacteria
[AIPMT Prelims-2009 & Mains-2010] 3 Cyanobacteria 4 Archaebacteria
1 Free infectious DNA2) Infectious protein 31. 2 Heterotrophic bacteria
3 Bacteriophage 4) Free infectious RNA – Making curd and antibiotics
24. 4 Free infectious RNA Viroids) – T.O. Diener 32. Organisms called Methanogens are most
abundant in a
25. In the five kingdom system of classification,
1 Hot spring 2 Sulphur rock
which single kingdom out of the following can
3 Cattle yard 4 Polluted stream
include blue-green algae, nitrogen fixing
32. 3 Cattle yard – Methanogens are most
bacteria and methanogenic archaebacteria?
abundant
1 Plantae 2 Protista 3 Monera 4) Fungi
33. Which of the followings is mainly produced by NEET I - 2016)
the activity of anaerobic bacteria on sewage? 1Monera 2Protista
1) Marsh gas 2) Laug hing gas 3)Fungi 4Animalia
3 Propane 4 Mustard gas 40. 2 Protista is a group created by Haeckel which
33. 1) Marsh gas is mainly produced by the activity includes all Eukaryotic unicellular organisms.
of anaerobic bacteria on sewage. 41. Which among the following is not a prokaryote?
34. A peculiar odour that prevails in marshy areas and NEET - 2018)
cow-sheds is on account of a gas produced by 1) Nostoc 2) Mycobacterium
1) Mycoplasma 2 Archaebacteria 3 Saccharomyces 4) Oscillatoria
3 Slime moulds 4 Cyanobacteria 41. 3 Saccharomyces i.e. yeast is an eukaryote
34. 2 Methane is produced by Methanogens. unicellular fungi Mycobacterium – a bacterium
35. Organisms, which fix atmospheric nitrogen in Oscillatoria and Nostoc are cyanobacteria.
the soil, fall under the category of 42. Select the wrong statement : NEET - 2018)
1) Bacteria 2 Green algae 1 Pseudopodia are locomotory and feeding
3 Soil fungi 4) Mosses structures in Sporozoans
35. 1 Nitrogen-fixing organisms are bacteria. 2 Mushrooms belong to Basidiomycetes
36. Transduction in bacteria is mediated by 3 Cell wall is present in members of Fungi and Plantae
1 Plasmid vector 2 Phage vector 4 Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell
3) Cosmid 4 F-factor in all kingdoms except Monera
36. 2) Transduction in bacteria is mediated by virus. 42. 1) Pseudopodia are locomotory structures in
Phage vector sarcodines Amoeboid
37. Many blue-green algae occur in thermal springs 43. After karyogamy followed by meiosis, spores
hot water springs). The temperature tolerance are produced exogenously in NEET - 2018)
of these algae have been attributed to their 1 Agaricus 2 Alternaria
1 Mitochondrial structure 3) Neurospora 4 Saccharomyces
2) Importance of homopolar bonds in their proteins 43. 1)  In Agaricus a genus of basidiomycetes,
3 Cell wall structure basidiospores or meiospores are produced
4 Modern cell organization exogenously.
37. 2 Temperature tolerance of BGA is due to   Neurospora a genus of ascomycetes
homopolymer bonds in their protein. produces ascospores as meiospores but
38. For the first time, the bacteria were observed by endogenously inside the ascus.)
1 Robert Koch 2 A.V. Leeuwenhoek  Alternaria a genus of deuteromycetes does
3 W.H. Stanley 4) Louis Pasteur not produce sexual spores.
38. 2 A.V. Leeuwenhoek, first time observed the   Saccharomyces Unicellular ascomycetes
bacteria. produces ascospores, endogenously.
39. A large number of organic compounds can be 44. Ciliates differ from all other protozoans in
decomposed by NEET - 2018
1) Photoheterotorphs 2 Pseudomonas 1 using pseudopodia for capturing prey
3 Photolithotrophs 4 Chemoheterotrophs 2) having a contractile vacuole for removing
39. 2 Pseudomonas decomposes a large number excess water
of organic compounds. 3 using flagella for locomotion
40. Chrysophytes, Euglenoids, Dinoflagellates and 4 having two types of nuclei
Slime moulds are included in the kingdom:
44. 4Ciliates differs from other protozoans in 50. 2 Methanogens, halophiles and
having two types of nuclei. eg. Paramoecium thermoacidophiles are archaebacterial.
have two types of nuclei i.e. macronucleus & 51. Select the wrong statement. NEET II - 2016)
micronucleus. 1 The walls of diatoms are easily destructible
45. Which of the following organisms are known 2) Diatomaceous earth’ is formed by the cell
as chief producers in the oceans?NEET - 2018) walls of diatoms
1 Cyanobacteria 2 Diatoms 3 Diatoms are chief producers in the oceans
3 Dinoflagellates 4 Euglenoids 4 Diatoms are microscopic and float passively
45. 2 Diatoms are chief producers of the ocean. in water
46. Which of the following are found in extreme 51. 1 The cell walls of diatoms are embedded with
saline conditions? NEET - 2017) silica and thus the walls are indestructible.
1 Archaebacteria 2 Eubacteria 52. Select the mismatch. NEET II - 2016)
3 Cyanobacteria 4 Mycobacteria 1 Gas vacuoles – Green bacteria
46. 1 Archaebacteria are able to survive in harsh 2 Large central vacuoles – Animal cells
conditions because of branched lipid chain in 3 Protists – Eukaryotes
cell membrane which reduces fluidity of cell 4 Methanogens – Prokaryotes
membrane. Halophiles are exclusively found in 52. B Large central vacuole is present in plant cells.
saline habitats. 53. Which of the following statements is wrong for
47. Which among the following are the smallest viroids? NEET I - 2016)
living cells, known without a definite cell wall, 1They lack a protein coat
pathogenic to plants as well as animals and can 2They are smaller than viruses
survive without oxygen? NEET - 2017) 3They cause infections
1 Bacillus 2 Pseudomonas 4Their RNA is of high molecular weight
3) Mycoplasma 4) Nostoc 53. 4 In viroids, RNA is of low molecular weight.
47. 3 Mycoplasmas are smallest, wall-less 54. One of the major components of cell wall of
prokaryotes, pleomorphic in nature. These are most fungi is: NEET I - 2016)
pathogenic on both plants and animals. 1Chitin 2Peptidoglycan
48. An example of colonial alga is NEET - 2017) 3)Cellulose 4)Hemicellulose
1 Chlorella 2) Volvox 54. 1 Peptidoglycan – Bacterial cell wall
3 Ulothrix 4) Spirogyra Cellulose and Hemicellulose – Plant cell wall
48. 2) Volvox is motile colonial fresh water alga Chitin – Fungal cell wall
with definite number of vegetative cells. 55. Which one of the following statements is
49. Viroids differ from viruses in having NEET - 2017 wrong? NEET I - 2016)
1 DNA molecules with protein coat 1 Cyanobacteria are also called blue – green algae
2 DNA molecules without protein coat 2Golden algae are also called desmids
3 RNA molecules with protein coat 3Eubacteria are also called false bacteria
4 RNA molecules without protein coat 4Phycomycetes are also called algal fungi
49. 4 Viroids are sub-viral agents as infectious 55. 3 Eubacteria are called true bacteria.
RNA particles, without protein coat.
50. Methanogens belong to NEET II - 2016) ***
1 Eubacteria 2 Archaebacteria
3 Dinoflagellates 4 Slime moulds
 Assignment-I
10. Whittaker is famous for –
1. Which of the following is correct?
(1) two kingdom classification
(1) All slime moulds are haploid (2) four kingdom classification
(2) Protozoans lack cell wall (3) five kingdom classification
(3) Dinoflagellates are non-motile (4) distinguishing in Bacteria & blue green Algae
(4) Pellicle is absent in Euglena 11. Fungi are always
2. Which is not a feature of dinoflagellates? (1) autotrophic (2) heterotrophic
(1) They cause red tides (3) parasitic (4) saprophytic
(2) Their cell wall has stiff cellulose plates on 12. ‘Comma’ shaped bacteria are known as
the outer surface (1) coccus (2) spiral
(3) They release toxins (3) lophotrichus (4) vibrio
(4) These are mostly fresh water and non- 13. When fungi feed on dead organic matter, they
photosynthetic are known as
(1) dimorphic (2) parasites
3. Decomposers are organisms that
(3) saprophytes (4) None of these
(1) elaborate chemical substances, causing
14. Yeast is divided under the class
death of tissues
(1) basidiomycetes (2) deuteromycetes
(2) operate in living body and simplifying
(3) ascomycetes (4) zygomycetes
organic substances of cells step by step 15. Mycorrhiza is
(3) attack and kill plants as well as animals (1) a symbiotic association of plant roots and
(4) operate in relay terms, simplifying step by certain fungi
step the organic constituents of dead body (2) an association of algae with fungi
4. Mycorrhiza represents (3) a fungus parasitising root system of higher plants
(1) antagonism (2) endemism (4) an association of Rhizobium with the roots
(3) symbiosis (4) parasitism of leguminous plants
5. Photosynthetic bacteria have pigments in 16. What is true for cyanobacteria?
(1) leucoplasts (2) chloroplasts (1) Oxygenic with nitrogenase
(3) chromoplasts (4) chromatophores (2) Oxygenic without nitrogenase
6. Which one belongs to Monera? (3) Non-oxygenic with nitrogen
(4) Non-oxygenic without nitrogenase
(1) Amoeba (2) Escherichia
17. Enzymes are absent in
(3) Gelidium (4) Spirogyra
(1) cyanobacteria (2) viruses
7. Escherichia coli is used extensively in biological
(3) algae (4) fungi
research as it is
18. Virus envelope is known as:
(1) easily cultured (2) easily available (1) capsid (2) virion
(3) easy to handle (4) easily multiplied in host (3) nucleoprotein (4) core
8. Shell of Diatom ismade up of 19. There exists a close association between the alga
(1) CaCO3 (2) silica and the fungus within a lichen. The fungus
(3) magnesium carbonate (1) provides protection, anchorage and
(4) calcium phosphate absorption for the alga
9. Bacteria are considered plant because they (2) provides food for the alga
(1) are green in colour (2) have rigid cell wall (3) fixes the atmospheric nitrogen for the alga
(3) have chlorophyll (4) have stomata (4) releases oxygen for the alga
20. Which bacteria is utilized in gober gas plant? 1 locomotion 2 food digestion
1) Methanogens 3 osmoregulation 4) reproduction
2 Nitrifying bacteria 30. Excretion in Amoeba occurs through
3 Ammonifying bacteria 1) lobopodia 2) uroid portion
4 Denitrifying bacteria 3 plasma membrane 4 contractile vacuole
21. Lichens indicate SO2 pollution because they 31. Domain Eukarya includes how many kingdoms
1 show association between algae and fungi w.r.t. six kingdom system?
2 grow faster than others 1) 2 2) 3 3) 1 4) 4
3 are sensitive to SO 2 32. Bacteria are considered primitive organisms
4 flourish in SO 2 rich environment because they
22. Absorptive heterotrophic nutrition is exhibited 1 Possess incipient nucleus
by 2 Are small, microscopic plants, which are not
1) algae 2) fungi seen by the naked eyes
3 bryophytes 4 pteridophytes 3 Cause serious diseases to human being,
23. Name the organisms which do not derive energy domesticated animals and crop plants
directly or indirectly from sun 4) Produce endospores which are very resistant
1 chemosynthetic bacteria to adverse conditions
2) pathogenic bacteria 33. Which one of the following is not true about
3 symbiotic bacteria 4) mould lichens?
24. In Amoeba and Paramoecium osmoregulation 1 Their body is composed of both algal and
occurs through fungal cells
1 pseudopodia 2 nucleus 2) Some form food for reindeers in arctic regions
3 contractile vacuole 4 general surface 3 Some species can be used as pollution indicators
25. Bacteria lack alternation of generation because 4 These grow very fast at the rate of about 2
there is cm per year
1 neither syngamy nor reduction division 34. Which one of the following statements about
2 distinct chromosomes are absent viruses is correct?
3 no conjugation 1 Viruses possess their own metabolic system.
2 Viruses contain either DNA or RNA.
4 no exchange of genetic material
3 Viruses are facultative parasites.
26. If all ponds and puddles are destroyed, the
4 Viruses are readily killed by antibiotics.
organism likely to be destroyed is
35. The main role of bacteria in the carbon cycle
1 leishmania 2 trypanosoma
involves
3 ascaris 4 plasmodium
1 photosynthesis 2 chemosynthesis
27. Nitrogen fixer soil organisms belong to
3 digestion or breakdown of organic compounds
1) mosses 2 bacteria
4 assimilation of nitrogenous compounds
3 green algae 4 soil fungi
36. A few organisms are known to grow and
28. Which of the following organism possesses
multiply at temperatures of 100-105 0C. They
characteristics of both a plant and an animal?
belong to
1) Bacteria 2 Euglena
1 marine archaebacteria
3) Mycoplasma 4 Paramoecium
2 thermophilic sulphur bacteria
29. The function of contractile vacuole, in
3 hot-spring blue-green algae cyanobacteria)
protozoa, is
4 thermophilic, subaerial fungi
37. Transfer of genetic information from one 1 Cilia are hair-like cellular appendages.
bacterium to another in the transduction 2 Microtubules of cilia are composed of tubulin.
process is through 3) Cilia contain an outer ring of nine doublet
1 conjugation microtubules surrounding two single microtubules.
2 bacteriophages released from the donor 4 The organized beating of cilia is controlled
bacterial strain by fluxes of Ca2+ across the membrane.
3) another bacterium 44. The thalloid body of a slime mould
4 physical contact between donor and Myxomycetes) is known as
recipient strain 1 plasmodium 2) fruiting body
38. Which one of the following micro-organisms is 3 mycelium 4 protonema
used for production of citric acid in industries? 45. Which pair of the following belongs to
1 Penicillium citrinum Basidiomycetes?
2 Aspergillus niger 3 Rhizopus nigricans 1 Puffballs and Claviceps
4 Lactobacillus bulgaris 2 Peziza and stink borns
39. Due to which of the following organisms, yield 3 Morchella and mushrooms
of rice has been increased ? 4 Agaricus and lstilago
1 Anabaena 2 Bacillus popilliae 46. In the light of recent classification of living
3 Sesbania 4 Bacillus polymyxa organisms into three domains of life bacteria,
40. In prokaryotes, the genetic material is archaea and eukarya, which one of the
1 linear DNA with histones following statements is true about archaea?
2 circular DNA with histones 1 Archaea resemble eukarya in all respects.
3 linear DNA without histones 2 Archaea have some novel features that are
4 circular DNA without histones absent in other prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Assignment-II 3 Archaea completely differ from both
41. A virus can be considered a living organism prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
because it 4) Archaea completely differ from prokaryotes.
1 responds to touch stimulus 47. Which one of the following organisms is not an
2 respires example of eukaryotic cells ?
1 Paramoecium caudatum
3 reproduces inside the host)
2 Escherichia coli
4 can cause disease
3 Euglena viridis 4 Amoeba proteus
42. The most thoroughly studied fact of the known
48. In eubacteria, a cellular component that
bacteria-plant interactions is the
resembles eukaryotic cells is :
1 cyanobacterial symbiosis with some
1 plasma membrane 2 nucleus
aquaticferns
3) ribosomes 4) cell wall
2 gall formation on certain angiosperms by
49. Organisms called methanogens are most
Agrobacterium
abundant in a :
3 nodulation of Sesbania stems by nitrogen
1 sulphur rock 2 cattle yard
fixing bacteria
3 polluted stream 4 hot spring
4 plant growth stimulation by
50. During rainy seasons, the ground become
phosphatesolubilising bacteria
slippery because of the dense growth of
43. Which of the following statements regarding
1) algae 2 cyanobacteria
cilia is not correct ?
3 bacteria 4 archaebacte ria
51. Incorrect statement about “Fungi imperfecti” is 60. Which of the following statement is true for
(1) no sexual phase mycoplasma?
(2) species prey on nematodes (1) Presence of cell wall
(3) include toadstool and puffball (2) Presence of nucleus
(4) include Aspergillus used for making soya sauce. (3) Absence of cell wall (4) Definite shape
52. Which of the following process needs 61. Diatoms are
bacteriophage? (1) Fungi (2) Plantae
(1) Transduction (2) Translation (3) Protista (4) Protozoans
(3) Transformation (4) Conjugation 62. Protista contains
53. In bacteria respiration occurs in : (1) Euglena, Dinoflagellates and Yeast
(1) cytoplasmic membrane (2) Amoeba, Paramoecium, Hydra
(2) mitochondria (3) Euglena, Paramoecium, Mushroom
(3) nuclear membrane (4) Amoeba, Paramoecium and Dinoflagellates
(4) endoplasmic reticulum 63. Match the following and choose the correct
combination from the options given
54. Edible part of mushroom is
(1) basidiocarp (2) secondary mycelium Column I Column II
(Group Protista) (Example)
(3) primary mycelium (4) tertiarymycelium
A Chrysophytes i Paramoecium
55. An organism, which is a connective link
B Dinoflagellates ii Euglena
between animals and plants, is
C Euglenoids iii Gonyaulax
(1) virus (2) bacteria(3) euglena (4) amoeba
D Protozoans iv Diatoms
56. Slime moulds in the division myxomycota (true
(1) A – i, B – iii, C – ii, D– iv
slime moulds) have
(2) A – ii, B – iv, C – iii, D – i
(1) pseudoplasmodia.
(3) A – iv, B – ii, C – iii, D – i
(2) spores that develop into free living amoeboid
(4) A– iv, B – iii, C – ii, D– i
cells.
64. Which of the following does not contain
(3) spores that develop into flagellated gametes.
chlorophyll?
(4) feeding stages consisting of solitary
(1) Fungi (2) Algae
individual cells.
(3) Bryophyta (4) Pteridophyta
57. Flagella of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells 65. Fungal spores produced asexually at the tips of
differ in hyphae are called
(1) type of movement and placement in cell (1) sporangiophores (2) anthospores
(2) location in cell and mode of functioning (3) conidiophores (4) meiospores
(3) micro-tubular organization and type of 66. Plasmogamy is fusion of
movement (1) two haploid cells including their nuclei
(4) micro-tubular organization and function (2) two haploid cells without nuclear fusion
58. HIV has a protein coat and genetic material : (3) sperm and egg
(1) ss RNA (2) ds RNA(3) ss DNA (4) ds DNA (4) sperm and two polar nuclei
59. In nodules on the roots of leguminous plants, 67. Fungi differ from algae in being
nitrogen is fixed by : (1) coenocytic (2) without motile gametes
(1) rhizobium (2) azospirillum (3) without unicellular forms
(3) azotobacter (4) None of these (4) without chlorophyll and possessing
chitinised wall
68. Sexual reproduction in fungi may occur by 1 A – Cell wall, B – Cell membrane, C –
means of Heterocyst, D – DNA, E – Mucilagenous sheath
1 sporangiospore, oospore and ascospore 2 A – Cell wall, B –Cell membrane, C – DNA,
2 zoospore, oospore and ascospore D – Heterocyst, E – Mucilagenous sheath
3 sporangiospore, ascospore and basidiospore 3) A – Mucilagenous sheath, B – Cell membrane,
C – DNA, D – Heterocyst, E – Cell wall
4 oospore, ascospore, basidiospore
4 A– Cell membrane, B – Cellwall, C– DNA,
69. Match column-I with column-II and select the
D – Heterocyst, E – Mucilagenous sheath
option .
73. Choose the correct names of the different
Column-I Column-II
bacteria according to their shapes.
A. Phycomycetes I. Sac fungi
B. Ascomycetes II. Algal fungi
C. Basidiomycetes III. Fungi imperfecti
D. Deuteromycetes IV. Club fungi
The correct combination is –
1 A – II, B – I, C – IV, D – III
1 A –Cocci, B – Bacilli, C – Spirilla, D – Vibrio
2 A – II, B – IV, C – I, D – III
2 A –Bacilli, B –Cocci, C – Spirilla, D – Vibrio
3 A – IV, B – I, C – II, D – III
3 A – Spirilla, B –Bacilli, C– Cocci, D – Vibrio
4 A– IV, B – III, C – II, D – I 4 A – Spirilla, B –Vibrio,C – Cocci,D – Bacilli
70. Which of the following is not correctly matched ? 74. Identify A and B. Give the name of virus.
1) Anabaena – Cyanobacteria
2 Amoeba – Protozoa
3 Gonyaulax – Dinoflagellates
4 Albugo – Chrysophytes
71. Which one of the pair is correctly matched ?
1 Fungi – Saprophytic parasitic mode of
nutrition.
2 Monera – Nuclearmembrane is present.
3 Plantae – Cell wall made up of cellulose.
A B C
4 Animalia – Cell wall is absent.
1 RNA Capsid Tobacco Mosaic Virus
72. Which one of the following option is correct for
2 DNA Capsid Tobacco Mosaic Virus
the given diagrams labelled asA, B, C,D and E ?
3) RNA Lipid Tobacco Mosaic Virus
4 RNA Protein HIV
75. The figure below shows the structure of a bacterioph-
age. Identify its parts labelled as A, B, C and D.
 A B C D KEY
(1) Tail fibres Head Sheath Collar 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(2) Sheath Collar Head Tail fibres 2 4 4 3 4 2 1 2 2 3
(3) Head Sheath Collar Tail fibres 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
(4) Collar Tail fibres Head Sheath
4 4 3 3 1 1 2 1 1 1
76. Lichens indicate SO2 pollution because they
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
(1) showassociation between algae and fungi.
3 2 1 3 1 4 2 2 3 4
(2) grow faster than others.
31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
(3) are sensitive to SO2.
(4) flourish in SO2 rich environment. 4 1 4 2 3 1 2 2 1 4
77. In some viruses, RNAis present instead of DNA 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
indicating that 3 2 1 1 4 2 2 1 2 2
(1) their nucleic acid must combine with host 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
DNA before replication. 3 1 1 1 3 3 3 1 1 3
(2) they cannot replicate. 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
(3) there is no hereditary information. 3 4 4 1 3 2 4 4 1 4
(4) RNA can transfer heredity material. 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
78. Ustilago caused plant diseases called smuts 2 2 1 1 3 3 4 4 4 2
because Hints and Solutions
(1) they parasitise on cereals. 1. (2)
(2) they lack mycelium. Slime moulds are haploid and diploid
(3) they develop sooty masses of spores. Dinoflagellates are motile
(4) affected parts becomes completely black. Pellicle is present in Euglena
79. Which one of the following statements about 2. (4) Features of dinoflagellates.
Mycoplasma is wrong? •Cell wall has stiff cellulose plates on the outer
surface
(1) They cause disease in plants
•Release toxins
(2) They are also called PPLO
•Causes red tides
(3) They are pleomorphic
•Mostly marine and photosynthetic
(4) They are sensitive to penicillin 3. (4) Decomposers act on dead bodies converting
80. Which pair of the following belongs to complex organic constituents into simple
Basidiomycetes? voluble
(1) Morchella and Mushrooms form. They obtain their energy from dead
(2) Birds’ nest fungi and Pufballs organisms. Decomposers themselves are
(3) Pufballs and Claviceps organisms (often fungi, earthworms, or bacteria)
(4) Peziza and Stink horns that breakdown organic materials to gain
nutrients and energy. Decomposers accelerate
the natural process of decomposition. They
supply the required nutrients for other trophic
levels. The fungi on the tree are decomposers.
 When an organism dies, it leaves behind
nutrients that are locked tightly together. A
scavenger might eat the carcass, but its faces
would still contain a considerable amount of
unused energy and nutrients. Decomposers will
later induce further breakdown. This last step
releases raw nutrients such as nitrogen,
phosphorus and magnesium in a form usable
to plants, which quickly incorporate the
chemicals into their own cells. This process
greatly increases the nutrient-load of an
ecosystem, in turn allowing for greater
biodiversity.
4. 3) Mycorrhiza is symbiotic association between
fungi and roots of higher plants. Mycorrhiza
form wooly covering of fungal hyphae on the
surface and remain in upper layers. It is of two
types ecto and endomycorrhiza. In some
endomycorrhiza, the fungal hyphae develop
some organs called vesicles within the root
cortical cells, such mycorrhizae are called VAM
vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae) . It is meant
for phosphate nutrition.
5. 4 Chloroplasts, chromoplasts and leucoplasts
are the types of plastids found in higher plants.
Chloroplasts contain the green pigment
chlorophyll. Chromoplasts contain coloured
pigments. Leucoplasts are colourless and store
starch granules.
6. 2) Whittaker 1969) divided organisms into five
kingdoms : Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and
Animalia. Kingdom Monera includes all
prokaryotes–Mycoplasma, bacteria,
actinomycetes, blue-green algae, archaebac-
teria, methanogens. Escherichia is bacteria,
Amoeba, Gelidiumcome under Protista,
Spirogyra is algae.
7. 1 Escherichia coli, lives as a symbiont in
human intestine.
8. 2 Cell wall of diatom is deposited with silica.
After the death of diatoms, cell wall is resistant
to decomposition, piles up at the floor of water
body and forms diatomaceous earth.
9. 2) Bacterial cell wall is peculiar in being madeup
of a compound called Peptidoglycan.
Peptidoglycan  Heteropolysaccharide
alternative amino-sugar molecules  N-acetyl
glucosamine and N-acetyl muramic acid.
Chains of peptidoglycan are cross linked by
short chains of peptides.
11. 4 Plants which can make their own food are
autotrophic. Plants which can not make their
own food and depend on others are
heterotrophic. Parasi tic and saprophytic are
types of heterotrophic plants. Parasites depend
on living organisms and saprophytes depend
on dead and decaying matter. Fungi can not
make their own food and depend on dead and
decaying matters.
12. 4 Bacteria posses various forms and shapes
and are of 4 different types - coccus round,
bacillus rod shaped, vibrio comma shaped
and spirillum spiral like cork screw.When the
shape of a bacteria is like a comma then it is
said to be vibrio, e.g., Vibrio cholerae.
13. 3 When fungi feed on dead organic matter,
they are known as saprophytes.
14. 3 True yeast bear asci which are not organized
into ascocarps. e.g., Schizosaccharomyces,
Saccharomyces, Saccharomycodes,
Zygosaccharomyces, Nematospora. Therefore,
yeast are classified under ascomycetes.
15. 1 Association of algae and fungi is referred to
as lichen. Symbiotices association of Rhizobium
with roots of leguminous plants is referred to
as symbiosis. Mycorrhiza is symbiotic
association between fungi and roots of higher
plants. The fungal partner of mycorrhiza
obtains food from roots of the higher plants and
in return supplies mineral elements to it.
16. 1) Cyanobacteria are oxygenic photoautotroph.
Many members perform nitrogen fixation.
17. 2 Enzymes are absent in viruses because they
are unable to transmit their nucleic acid from
one host cell to another.
18. 1 Virus envelope is known as capsid. The
capsid is composed of protein subunits called
capsomere.
19. 1 Lichens coined by Theophrastus are
composite or dual organisms which are formed
by a fungus partner or mycobiont mostly
ascomycetes) and an algal partner mostly blue
green algae). Fungus forms the body of lichen
as well as its attaching and absorbing structures.
Algae performs photosynthesis and provides
food to the fungus.
20. 1 Methanobacillus methanogen occurs in
m a r s h e s a n d a l
4
gas
s o
under anaerobic condition and is utilized in
gobar gas plant.
21. 3 Lichens typically grow in harsh
environments in nature, most lichens, especially
epiphytic fruticose species and those containing
cyanobacteria, are sensitive to manufactured
pollutants. Hence, they have been widely used
as pollution indicator organisms. Lichens are
symbiotic associations of a fungus with a
photosynthetic partner called a photobiont or
phycobiont) that can produce food for the lichen
from sunlight.
22. 2 Fungi are nutritionally saprophytes, which
grow on dead and decaying matter . They
secrete
enzyme to the external medium where digestion
takes place and digested food absorbed by the
body surface. They convert complex organic
constituents of dead body into simple soluble
forms. That is why Fungi are decomposers.
23. 1 Chemosynthetic bacteria does not require
sunlight as a source of energy directly or
indirectly. The energy for the synthesis of food
is obtained by the oxidation of certain inorganic
substances present in the medium. The chemical
energy obtained from oxidation reaction is
trapped in ATP molecules. The ATP is used in
CO2 assimilation.
24. 3 Contractile vacuole in Amoeba and
Paramoeciummaintain the water balance of the
cell. This is known as osmoregulation.
25. 1 In bacteria, asexual reproduction through
binary fission is the most common method of
multiplication. Sexual reproduction which
comprises of syngamy and meiosis is entirely
absent. Hence no gamete formation takes place.
In sexually reproducing organism alternation
of generation occurs.
26. 4 Plasmodium transmitted through female
Anopheles mosquito to human and the most
favourite dwelling place for Anopheles is water
i n d u n g . I t p r o d u c e s C H or moist places like ponds and puddles.
27. 2 Only some bacteria and blue green algae
cynobacteria) has capacity to fix atmospheric
nitrogen.
Bacteria : Azotobacter, Rhizobium, Frankia etc.
Blue green algae : Nostoc, Oscillatoria,
Anabaena, etc.
28. 2) The Euglena is an organism, which possesses
both the characteristics of plants and animals,
as it can move with a flagella and also contains
chlorophyll. Its nutrition is mixotrophic.
29. 3 In protozoa, the function of contractile
vacuole is the removal of excretory substances,
carbon dioxide etc. It is very essential to regulate
water content i.e., osmoregulation.
30. 4 The contractile vacuole is supposed to assist
excertion in Amoeba, as its watery contents
possess traces of carbon dioxide and urea. The
CO2 diffuses directly through plasmalemma.
31. 4 Six kingdom classification
32. 1) Bacteria
• Primitive organisms
• Posses incipient nucleus
33. 4 Lichens are composite dual organisms
formed by the association between a fungus and
a photosynthetic symbiont. The bulk of lichen
body is formed of fungus.
34. 2 Viruses have either DNA or RNA as the
genetic material. Viruses having RNA as the
genetic material are known as Retroviruses.
35. 3 Bacteria acts as decomposers in the carbon
cycle.
36. 1 These are archaebacteria which can tolerate
high temperature.
37. 2 Transfer of genetic information from one
bacterium to another by physical contact is
called conjugation while if it takes place by
some other medium like virus than it is called
transduction.
38. 2 Aspergillus niger is known as guinea pig of
kingdom fungi. The main source of commercial
preparation of citric acid is the fermentation of
sugar with Aspergillus niger.
39. 1 Azolla is a freshwater fern harbouring a blue
green alga - Anabaena in its leaf cavities. The
alga fixes atmospheric nitrogen and releases
nitrogenous compounds in leaf cavities. This
symbiotic system is the main source of algal
biofertilizer in rice fields. When rice paddies are
flooded in the spring, they can be inoculated
with Azolla, which then quickly multiplies to
cover the water, suppressing weeds. As the
plants die, they contribute nitrogen to the rice
plants, and as the rice paddy dries out, the
Azolla all eventually die, making an exceptional
green manure.
40. 4 In prokayotes nucleoid consist of double
stranded circular DNA without histone protein.
41. 3 Virus is an ultramicroscopic nucleoprotein
entity which becomes active only inside a living
cell. It resembles living beings due to presence
of genetic material and reproduction.
42. 2 This phenomenon has been successfully used
in genetic engineering to produce disease
resistant varieties of plants.
43. 1 Eukaryotic cilia are made up of tubulin
protein. Cilia have a core of 2 microtubules and
around there are 9 doublet microtubules. These
are not at all hair like structures.
44. 1 The thalloid body of slime moulds is made
up of multinucleated cell which lacks septa in
between and hence it is a multinucleated single
celled mass called plasmodium.
45. 4 The class Basidiomycetes includes those
members that produce their basidia and
basidiospores on or in a basidiocarp.
46. 2 A domain of prokaryoticorganisms
containing the archaebacteria including the
ethanogens, which produce methane; the
thermoacido-philic bacteria, which live in
extremely hot and acidic environments, & the
halophilic bacteria, which can only function at
high salt concentrations are abundant in the
world’s oceans.
47. 2 E. coli is a prokaryotic celled gram negative
bacterium.
48. 1 Eubacteria are prokaryotic but eubacteria
are enclosed by plasma membrane like
eukaryotic cells.
49. 2 Methanogens are archaebacteria abundant
in cattle yard and paddy fields.
50. 2 Some common blue green algae are
Spirulina, Oscillatoria, Nostoc, Anabaena etc.
51. 3 Toad stool Puffball are the members of
Basidiomycetes the club fungi.
52. 1) Transduction is the transfer of DNA from one
organism to another through bacteriophage.
53. 1 In prokaryotes, enzymes for respiration are
said to be located on cell membrane.
54. 1 The mushrooms belonging to the
basidiomycetes are edible. The edible
mushrooms are Agaricus campestris and
Agaricus rodmani. The basidiocarp is loosely
arranged over the stalk and it is the vegetative
phase in the life of Agaricus. The basidiocarp
 which is the button stage in the edible part of
the fungi, is loosely attached to the substratum
with the help of the hyphae.
55. 3 Euglena is connecting link between animal
and plants because –
1 It is autotrophic due to the presence of
chloroplast – plant character.
2 It can move from one place to other with
the help of flagella – animal like.
56. 3 Slime moulds in the division of myxomycota
have spores that develop into flagellated gametes.
57. 3) Flagella of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
differ in micro-tubular organization and type of
movement. The flagella in eukaryotic cells are
composed of several filaments and are far more
complex than the flagella in prokaryotic cells.
58. 1 HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus is
rounded in shape. It has a protein coat and
single stranded RNA as its genetic material.
There are two single strands of RNA. Enzyme
reverse transcriptase and proteins P-24, P-18
and P-15 are also present.
59. 1 Rhizobia are soil bacteria that fix nitrogen
diazotrophy after becoming established inside
root nodules of legumes Fabaceae. The
rhizobia cannot independently fix nitrogen, and
requires a plant host. Morphologically they are
generally gram negative, motile, non-
sporulating rods.
61. 3 They are unicellular, photosynthetic,
eukaryotes.
62. 4 Amoeba and Paramoecium are protozoan
protist while dinoflagellates are photosynthetic
protist.
65. 3 Conidia are non-motile spores produced
exogenously by constrictions at the tip of special
hyphae called conidiophores.
66. 2 It is the first stage of sexual reproduction in
which the cytoplasm of two sex cells fuse with
each other. The nuclei of sex cells come close to
each other but do not fuse. Thus the resulting
cell becomes binucleate or dikaryon.
70. 4 Albugo is the parasitic fungi which is found
on mustard. It is the member of phycomycetes
that are found in aquatic habitats and on
decaying wood in moist and damp places.
71. 2 Nuclear membrane is absent in Monera.
75. 3 The given diagram is of bacteriophage
viruses that infect the bacteria. They have
tadpole-like structure, i.e., with head and tail.
Nucleic acid generally DNA is present inside the
head. Tail is having hollow core end is
surrounded by tail sheath. At the end of tail, end
plate is present to which tail fibres are attached.
76. 3 Lichens typically grow in harsh
environments in nature, most lichens, especially
epiphytic fruticose species and those containing
cyanobacteria, are sensitive to manufactured
pollutants. Hence, they have been widely used
as pollution indicator organisms.
77. 4 All viruses are nucleoprotein Nucleic acid
+ Protein in the structure. The nucleic acid
DNA and RNA is genetic material. In a
particular virus either DNA or RNA is genetic
material never both are present in a virus. Hence
viruses are:
i Double stranded DNA or ds DNA -
Hepatitis B
ii Single stranded DNA or ss DNA - coliphage
iii Double stranded RNA or ds RNA - Reo
virus, wound Tumor virus
iv) Single stranded RNA or ss RNA - Tobacco
mosaic virus TMV
78. 4 Smut disease caused by Ustilago species of
basidiomycetes fungi. It is characterised by
formation of black coloured chlamydospores or
teleutospores called smut spores due to which
the affected part becomes black.
79. 4 Mycoplasma is insensitive to penicillin
80. 2 Basidiomycetes Ascomycetes
Puffballs Claviceps
Stink horns Peziza
Mushrooms Morchella
Birds nest fungi Cyathus
***