What is Living 1

 

NEET  – What is Living? (NCERT Connector)

Complete Questions, Answer Key, and Explanations

Chapter: The Living World (Class 11 Biology, Latest NCERT)

Note: NCERT page numbers may differ slightly between printings. In the latest NCERT (2024–2025 edition), these topics are generally covered on Pages 1–8 of Chapter 1, The Living World.

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1. Which biologist has been called "The Darwin of the 20th Century"?

NCERT Reference: Page 1 (Introduction)

Options

• (a) Aristotle

• (b) Carolus Linnaeus

• (c) Ernst Mayr

• (d) R.H. Whittaker

Answer:

✅ (c) Ernst Mayr

Explanation:

Ernst Mayr made outstanding contributions to evolutionary biology and is popularly known as the "Darwin of the 20th Century."

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2. In plants, growth occurs ______ whereas in animals, ______.

NCERT Reference: Pages 2–3 (Growth)

Options

• (a) only up to a certain age, continuously

• (b) continuously, only up to a certain age

• (c) continuously, continuously

• (d) only up to a certain age, only up to a certain age

Answer:

✅ (b) continuously, only up to a certain age

Explanation:

Plants possess meristematic tissues that continue dividing throughout life. Animals generally grow only up to maturity.

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3. Which two of the following features are known as the twin characteristics of growth?

NCERT Reference: Page 2

Statements:

1. Increase in mass

2. Increase in number of individuals

3. Cellular organization

4. Cellular differentiation

Options

• (a) (1) and (2)

• (b) (1) and (3)

• (c) (2) and (3)

• (d) (3) and (4)

Answer:

✅ (a) (1) and (2)

Explanation:

NCERT states that growth is characterized by:

• Increase in mass

• Increase in number of individuals

These are called the twin characteristics of growth.

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4. Which of the following groups consists of organisms which multiply by fragmentation?

NCERT Reference: Page 3

Options

• (a) Earthworm, Amoeba, fungi

• (b) Earthworm, fungi, bacteria

• (c) Fungi, filamentous algae, protonema of mosses

• (d) Amoeba, Hydra, bacteria

Answer:

✅ (c) Fungi, filamentous algae, protonema of mosses

Explanation:

Fragmentation is an asexual mode of reproduction seen in:

• Filamentous algae (e.g., Spirogyra)

• Many fungi

• Protonema stage of mosses

Earthworms and Amoeba do not reproduce by fragmentation.

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5. Which of the following organisms do not reproduce?

NCERT Reference: Page 3

Options

• (a) Mules

• (b) Worker bees

• (c) Infertile human females

• (d) All of these

Answer:

✅ (d) All of these

Explanation:

These are exceptions to reproduction as a defining characteristic:

• Mules are sterile.

• Worker bees are sterile.

• Infertile human females cannot reproduce.

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6. Why cannot growth be taken as a defining property of living organisms?

NCERT Reference: Pages 2–3

Options

• (a) Some living organisms do not show growth at all.

• (b) In case of larvae, growth is not visible.

• (c) Dormant seeds do not grow.

• (d) Non-living objects also grow by increase in body mass.

Answer:

✅ (d) Non-living objects also grow by increase in body mass.

Explanation:

Living organisms grow internally by cell division.
Non-living objects (like mountains or crystals) may increase in size externally by accumulation of material.

Hence growth alone cannot define life.

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7. Which of the following statements regarding the response of living organisms to external stimuli is correct?

NCERT Reference: Pages 4–5

Options

• (a) External environmental stimuli can be physical, chemical or biological.

• (b) All organisms from prokaryotes to complex eukaryotes respond to stimuli.

• (c) Consciousness and response to stimuli are defining properties of living organisms.

• (d) All of these

Answer:

✅ (d) All of these

Explanation:

NCERT clearly states:

• Stimuli may be physical, chemical or biological.

• All living organisms respond to them.

• Consciousness and response to stimuli are defining properties of life.

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8. Read the following statements.

NCERT Reference: Pages 2–6

(i) Increase in mass and increase in number of individuals are twin characteristics of growth.

(ii) Metabolic reactions can be demonstrated outside the body in isolated cell-free systems.

(iii) Response to stimuli is a defining property of living organisms.

Options

• (a) (i) and (ii) only

• (b) (ii) and (iii) only

• (c) (i) and (iii) only

• (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Answer:

✅ (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)

Explanation:

All three statements are directly supported by NCERT:

• Growth is measured by increase in mass and number.

• Metabolism can be demonstrated in vitro using cell-free systems.

• Response to stimuli is a defining characteristic of life.

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9. Match Column I with Column II.

NCERT Reference: Page 3

Column I	Column II
A. Planaria	(i) Binary fission
B. Fungi	(ii) Asexual spores
C. Yeast	(iii) Budding
D. Amoeba	(iv) True regeneration
	(v) Fragmentation

Correct Matching

• A → (iv) True regeneration

• B → (ii) Asexual spores

• C → (iii) Budding

• D → (i) Binary fission

Answer:

✅ (b)

Explanation:

• Planaria shows remarkable regeneration.

• Fungi commonly reproduce by spores.

• Yeast reproduces by budding.

• Amoeba reproduces by binary fission.

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10. A living organism is unexceptionally differentiated from a non-living structure on the basis of

NCERT Reference: Pages 4–6

Options

• (a) Locomotion

• (b) Growth and movement

• (c) Response to stimuli

• (d) None of these

Answer:

✅ (c) Response to stimuli

Explanation:

According to NCERT, the defining property of living organisms is their ability to sense and respond to environmental stimuli (consciousness/irritability). Growth and reproduction have exceptions, but responsiveness is universal in living organisms.

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Answer Key

Q.No.          Answers.      

1.	(c)
2.	(b)
3.	(a)
4.	(c)
5.	(d)
6.	(d)
7.	(d)
8.	(d)
9.	(b)

NEET– What is Living? & Diversity in the Living World (Questions 11–24) Complete Questions, Answer Key, and NCERT Explanations Chapter: The Living World (Class 11 Biology, Latest NCERT) NCERT Connector: Latest NCERT Pages 2–5 (page numbers may vary slightly between editions). 11. Which of the following sets does not contain defining characteristics of living organisms? NCERT Reference: Pages 2–4 Options (a) Growth and reproduction (b) Metabolism and cellular level of organisation (c) Response to stimuli and consciousness (d) All of these Answer ✅ (a) Growth and reproduction Explanation According to NCERT: Growth and reproduction are not defining characteristics because they have exceptions. Mules, worker bees and infertile humans do not reproduce. Non-living objects may also increase in size. The defining properties include: Metabolism Cellular organisation Consciousness (response to stimuli) Hence option (a) is correct. 12. Read the following statements and select the correct one(s). NCERT Reference: Pages 2–3 Statements I. Unicellular organisms grow by cell division. II. Plants grow by cell division up to a particular stage of life. III. Animals exhibit growth throughout their lifespan. Options (a) I and III (b) II and III (c) I and II (d) I only Answer ✅ (d) I only Explanation Statement I ✔️ True In unicellular organisms, growth occurs by cell division. Statement II ✖️ False Plants continue to grow throughout life due to meristematic tissues. Statement III ✖️ False Animals generally grow only up to maturity. 13. Read the given statements and state which ones are True (T) and False (F). NCERT Reference: Pages 2–4 Statements A. In single-celled organisms, reproduction is synonymous with growth. ✔️ True Explanation: One cell divides into two, causing both growth and reproduction. B. Cellular organisation of the body is the defining feature of life forms. ✔️ True Explanation: Living organisms possess organised cellular structures. C. Metabolic reactions cannot be demonstrated outside the body in cell-free systems. ❌ False Explanation: NCERT states metabolism can be demonstrated in vitro in isolated cell-free systems. D. All living organisms are linked to one another by sharing common genetic material to varying degrees. ✔️ True Explanation: All organisms have DNA as hereditary material and share evolutionary relationships. Correct Pattern T – T – F – T 14. The most obvious and defining feature of all living organisms is NCERT Reference: Pages 4–5 Options (a) Increase in size by cell division (b) Ability to reproduce sexually or asexually (c) Ability to sense their surroundings and respond to them (d) Presence of regeneration properties Answer ✅ (c) Ability to sense their surroundings and respond to them Explanation Response to environmental stimuli (consciousness) is regarded by NCERT as the defining property of living organisms. Diversity in the Living World 15. The scientific names ensure that each organism has NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Many names region-wise (b) Only one name (c) Multiple names in different languages (d) One name in one language Answer ✅ (b) Only one name Explanation Scientific names are universal. They prevent confusion caused by local names. 16. Select the incorrect statement. NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Nomenclature is possible only after correct identification. (b) Scientific names ensure each organism has only one name. (c) Description of an organism enables people worldwide to identify it correctly. (d) Description is done before identification. Answer ✅ (d) Description is done before identification. Explanation Correct sequence according to NCERT: Identification Nomenclature Classification Description follows proper identification. 17. ICBN stands for NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) International Code of Biological Naming (b) International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (c) International Class of Biological Nomenclature (d) International Classification of Biological Nomenclature Answer ✅ (b) International Code of Botanical Nomenclature Explanation ICBN provides internationally accepted rules for naming plants. (Modern terminology is ICN, but NCERT and NEET continue to use ICBN in this chapter.) 18. ICZN stands for NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) International Class of Zoological Naming (b) International Code for Zoological Naming (c) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (d) International Classification of Zoological Naming Answer ✅ (c) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Explanation ICZN provides the universal rules for naming animals. 19. Which of the following is the correct abbreviation? NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) ICBN – Indian Code for Botanical Nomenclature (b) ICZN – International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (c) ICBN – Indian Code for Botanical Naming (d) ICZN – International Coding of Zoological Naming Answer ✅ (b) ICZN – International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Explanation Only option (b) gives the correct full form. 20. Which of the following holds true for scientific nomenclature? NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Naming organisms in English language (b) Giving every organism the same name worldwide (c) Naming organisms so that confusion is minimized (d) Naming organisms so that they are easy to pronounce Answer ✅ (c) Naming organisms so that confusion is minimized Explanation Scientific nomenclature provides a unique and universally accepted name for every organism. 21. Founder of Binomial Nomenclature was NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Linnaeus (b) Mendel (c) Darwin (d) Lamarck Answer ✅ (a) Linnaeus Explanation Carolus Linnaeus introduced the binomial system in the 18th century. 22. Most names in biological nomenclature are taken from which language? NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Hindi (b) Latin (c) German (d) French Answer ✅ (b) Latin Explanation Scientific names are Latin or Latinised because Latin is a universal and stable language. 23. In binomial nomenclature, the second word represents NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Species (b) Genus (c) Race (d) Family Answer ✅ (a) Species Explanation Example: Homo sapiens Homo = Genus sapiens = Species (specific epithet) 24. Which of the following statements regarding universal rules of binomial nomenclature is incorrect? NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Biological names are generally written in Latin and in italics. (b) The first word denotes genus and the second denotes species. (c) When handwritten, both words are underlined separately. (d) The specific epithet starts with a capital letter while the generic epithet starts with a small letter. Example: mangifera Indica. Answer ✅ (d) Explanation The correct rule is: Genus begins with a capital letter. Species (specific epithet) begins with a small letter. Correct example: Mangifera indica The option reverses this rule, making it incorrect. Answer Key (11–24) Q. No. Answer 11 (a) 12 (d) 13 T, T, F, T 14 (c) 15 (b) 16 (d) 17 (b) 18 (c) 19 (b) 20 (c) 21 (a) 22 (b) 23 (a) 24.       (d) NEETIE 14 – Diversity in the Living World (Questions 25–40) Complete Questions, Answer Key, and NCERT Explanations Chapter: The Living World (Class 11 Biology, Latest NCERT) NCERT Connector: Latest NCERT Pages 4–6 (page numbers may vary slightly between editions). 25. In binomial nomenclature of plants, NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Genus is written after the species. (b) In both genus and species, the first letter is capital. (c) Genus and species names are derived from Greek. (d) Both genus and species are printed in italics. Answer ✅ (d) Both genus and species are printed in italics. Explanation According to NCERT: Scientific names are generally Latin or Latinised. Both words are written in italics when printed. When handwritten, each word is underlined separately. The genus starts with a capital letter, while the species starts with a small letter. 26. In printed scientific names, only the ______ starts with a capital letter. NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Class (b) Species (c) Genus (d) Family Answer ✅ (c) Genus Explanation Example: Mangifera indica Mangifera → Genus (Capital) indica → Species (Small letter) 27. Name of the author appears after the specific epithet. It indicates that the species was NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) First identified by that author (b) First grown by that author (c) First described by that author (d) Reassigned to another category by that author Answer ✅ (c) First described by that author Explanation Example: Mangifera indica L. Here L. stands for Carolus Linnaeus, who first validly described the species. 28. Select the incorrect statement. NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) The first word in a biological name represents the genus. (b) Both words are separately underlined when handwritten. (c) Biological names are generally in Greek and written in italics. (d) The specific epithet starts with a small letter. Answer ✅ (c) Explanation Scientific names are Latin or Latinised, not Greek. 29. The scientific name of banyan is written as Ficus benghalensis L. Which statement is correct? NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) L. signifies Latin language. (b) The name should be written as benghalensis Ficus. (c) L. signifies the taxonomist Linnaeus. (d) benghalensis is the generic name. Answer ✅ (c) L. signifies the taxonomist Linnaeus. Explanation Ficus = Genus benghalensis = Species L. = Carolus Linnaeus 30. Select the correctly written botanical/zoological name. NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Homo Sapiens (b) Panthera tigris (c) Pisum Sativum (d) Mangifera Indica Answer ✅ (b) Panthera tigris Explanation Rules of binomial nomenclature: Genus begins with a capital letter. Species begins with a small letter. Both are italicised. Correct: Panthera tigris Incorrect: Homo Sapiens ❌ Pisum Sativum ❌ Mangifera Indica ❌ 31. Classification is the process NCERT Reference: Page 5 Options (a) Ensuring an organism has the same name. (b) Systematically arranging organisms considering relationships. (c) Grouping organisms into convenient categories based on observable characters. (d) None of these. Answer ✅ (c) Explanation Classification is arranging organisms into groups based on similarities and differences for easier study. 32. The main purpose of classification of organisms is NCERT Reference: Page 5 Options (a) Study geography. (b) Study plants and animals. (c) Study evolution. (d) Establish relationships among organisms. Answer ✅ (d) Establish relationships among organisms. Explanation Classification reflects similarities, differences and evolutionary relationships among organisms. 33. First step in taxonomy is NCERT Reference: Page 5 Options (a) Description (b) Identification (c) Nomenclature (d) Classification Answer ✅ (b) Identification Explanation The sequence is: Identification Nomenclature Classification 34. Which of the following are the basis of modern taxonomic studies? NCERT Reference: Page 5 Statements (i) External and internal structure (ii) Structure of cell (iii) Developmental process (iv) Ecological information Options (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) only (b) (i), (ii) and (iv) only (c) (i), (iii) and (iv) only (d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) Answer ✅ (d) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) Explanation Modern taxonomy considers: Morphology Anatomy Cytology Embryology Ecology Genetics Molecular biology Hence all four are included. 35. ______ is the branch of science dealing with identification, nomenclature and classification of organisms. NCERT Reference: Page 5 Options (a) Morphology (b) Anatomy (c) Ecology (d) Taxonomy Answer ✅ (d) Taxonomy Explanation Taxonomy is the science dealing with: Identification Nomenclature Classification 36. The main objective of plant taxonomy is NCERT Reference: Page 4 Options (a) Study the world's flora. (b) Provide a method for identification and nomenclature. (c) Provide Latin scientific names. (d) All of these. Answer ✅ (d) All of these Explanation Plant taxonomy includes: Study of flora Identification Nomenclature Classification Scientific naming 37. Which of the following is the basic process of taxonomy? NCERT Reference: Page 5 Options (a) Identification (b) Classification and nomenclature (c) Characterisation (d) All of these Answer ✅ (d) All of these Explanation Taxonomy includes: Characterisation Identification Nomenclature Classification 38. The word "Systematics" is derived from the word ______ which means ______. NCERT Reference: Page 5 Options (a) Greek, systema, systematic arrangement of organisms (b) Latin, system, arrangement of taxa (c) Latin, systema, systematic arrangement of organisms (d) Greek, systema, arrangement of taxa Answer ✅ (a) Greek, systema, systematic arrangement of organisms Explanation NCERT states that Systematics is derived from the Greek word systema, meaning the systematic arrangement of organisms. 39. Biosystematics aims at NCERT Reference: Page 5 Options (a) Classification based on broad morphological characters. (b) Delimiting taxa and establishing relationships. (c) Classification based on evolutionary history and establishing phylogeny using evidence from all fields. (d) Identification and arrangement based only on cytological characters. Answer ✅ (c) Explanation Biosystematics integrates: Morphology Anatomy Cytology Embryology Genetics Molecular biology Evolution to establish phylogenetic relationships. 40. Select the incorrect statement from the following. NCERT Reference: Pages 4–5 Options (a) Biodiversity refers to the number and types of organisms present on Earth. (b) Binomial nomenclature was given by Carolus Linnaeus. (c) Taxonomy includes identification, nomenclature and classification. (d) Systematics deals only with naming organisms. Answer ✅ (d) Explanation Systematics is broader than taxonomy. It includes: Classification Identification Nomenclature Evolutionary relationships (phylogeny) Therefore, it does not deal only with naming organisms. Answer Key (25–40) Q. No. Answer 25 (d) 26 (c) 27 (c) 28 (c) 29 (c) 30 (b) 31 (c) 32 (d) 33 (b) 34 (d) 35 (d) 36 (d) 37 (d) 38 (a) 39 (c) 40 Ddfgvh (d)

(c) 10