Ch-7

Diversity in The Living World

Short answer questions:

1. What is taxonomy?

The branch of biology which deals with the classification and systematic study of organisms is
called taxonomy.

2. Who is the father of modern classification?

The father of modern classification is Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish biologist.

3. Define species.

Species is the smallest unit of classification of organisms, in which the organisms can be
grouped and bred together.

4. What are the different levels in kingdom classification?

The different levels of kingdom classification are:

a. Kingdom
b. Phylum/Division
c. Class
d. Order
e. Family
f. Genus
g. Species

5. Who proposed the five-kingdom classification?Name the five different kingdoms.

The five-kingdom classification was proposed by R.H. Whittaker in 1969.

The five different kingdoms are:
a. Kingdom Monera
b. Kingdom Protista
c. Kingdom Mycota
d. Kingdom Plantae
e. Kingdom Animalia
 6. What are phylum and division?

Phylum and Division are both groups of various classes related to each other below a kingdom.
Phylum is used to classify animals, while division is used to classify plants.

7. Definite mycology.

Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their taxonomy,
genetics, biochemical properties, and use by humans.

8. Define botany.

Botany is the scientific study of the physiology, structure, genetics, ecology, distribution,
classification, and economic importance of plants.

9. How are angiosperms divided?

Angiosperms are divided into herbs, shrubs and trees.

10. Name the different phyla of animals.

The animal kingdom is divided into nine major phyla as:

a. Phylum Porifera
b. Phylum Cnidaria
c. Phylum Platyhelminthes
d. Phylum Nematoda
e. Phylum Annelida
f. Phylum Arthropoda
g. Phylum Mollusca
h. Phylum Echinodermata
i. Phylum Chordata

11. What are the two major groups in the animal kingdom?

Kingdom animalia has been divided into two major groups - invertebrates and vertebrates.

12. What are hermaphrodite animals?

Hermaphrodite animals are organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs
and can produce both male and female gametes.
 13. What is cloaca? In what animals is it found?

Cloaca is a common aperture for the removal of excretory wastes and genital
discharges. Cloaca is found in amphibians, reptiles, birds, cartilaginous fishes (such as
sharks), and monotremes.

14. What are diploblastic and triploblastic animals? Give examples.

Animals that have two distinct body layers i.e, ectoderm and endoderm are called diploblastic
animals. For example, hydra, obelia, jellyfish, etc.
Animals that have three distinct body layers are called triploblastic animals. For example,
ascaris, pinworm, hookworm, etc.

15. What division is often called the amphibians of the plant kingdom?

The division Bryophyta is sometimes referred to as the amphibians of the plant kingdom.

16. What are the different classes in phylum arthropoda?

The different classes in phylum arthropoda are:

a. Class Insecta
b. Class Arachnida
c. Class Crustacea

17. What are the two main types of fish? Give examples.

The two main types of fish are:

a. Cartilaginous fishes, whose skeletons are made of cartilage, e.g, sharks, skates,
stingrays, etc.
b. Bony fishes, whose skeletons are made up of bones, e.g, caps, trouts, herrings, etc.

18. What are the different types of symmetry shown in animals? Give examples.

The different types of symmetry shown in animals are:

a. Asymmetry, also called torsion, where the body can not be divided into two equal
halves from any plane, e.g, amoeba, fiddler crabs, narwhals, etc.
b. Radial symmetry, where the body shows symmetry around a central axis and can be
divided into two equal halves from many planes, e.g, cnidarians like jellyfish, hydra, etc.
and echinoderms like starfish, sea cucumber, etc.
c. Bilateral symmetry, where the body can be divided into two equal halves from only one
plane, e.g, most arthropods like ants, spiders, etc. and vertebrates like humans, snakes,
etc.
Long answer questions:

1. State the difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms.

Angiosperms Gymnosperms

Flowering plants that produce seeds Non-flowering plants that produce seeds
enclosed within an ovary (fruit). that are unenclosed or naked.

Leaves are flat and broad in shape. Leaves are needle-like in shape.

Most plants show polyembryony i.e, more Most plants show monoembryony i.e, one
than one embryo present in an ovule. embryo present in an ovule.

Reproductive organs are present in the Reproductive organs are present in the
form of flowers, which are unisexual or form of cones, which are unisexual.
bisexual.

Ex: Cycus, pinus, gentum, etc. Ex: Mustard, mango, wheat, etc.

2. State the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates.

Vertebrates Invertebrates

Vertebrates are animals with a backbone Invertebrates are animals without a

or vertebral column. backbone or vertebral column.

They have internal skeletons. Internal skeleton is absent.

Heart is on the ventral side of the body. Heart, when present, is on the dorsal side
of the body.

Haemoglobin is present in red blood cells. Haemoglobin, if present, is dissolved in

blood.

Two pairs of limbs. Three or more pairs of limbs.

Nerve (spinal) cord is dorsal and hollow Nerve cord is ventral and solid
and goes through the vertebral column. throughout.

Ex: Fishes, reptiles, birds, amphibians Ex: Worms, jellyfish, starfish, insects,
and mammals. arachnids, etc.
 3. Mention some salient features of Kingdom Fungi.

Features of Kingdom Fungi are as follows:

● Most fungi are multicellular with the exception of yeast.
● Their bodies are composed of thin, thread-like structures called hyphae, which form a
network of webs called mycelium.
● Fungi are saprophytic in nature i.e, they derive nutrition from dead organic matter.
● They directly absorb nutrients with the help of enzymes secreted outside the body to
digest food externally.
● Their cell walls are composed of chitin.
● Examples include yeast, mushrooms, molds, mildews, etc.

4. Mention some salient features of Kingdom Protista.

Features of Kingdom Protista are as follows:

● Most are all unicellular and eukaryotic i.e, their nucleus and organelles are well defined,
while some are multicellular, for example, kelp and algae.
● Mostly found in aquatic habitats, while some are found on and in other organisms.
● They can be both autotrophic and heterotrophic.
● Some protists have cilia i.e, feet like projections, used to move around in a medium.
● Some protists have a flagella i.e, a whip-like tail, used to swim in liquids.
● Examples include euglena, amoeba, paramecium, etc.

5. State the difference between division bryophytes and division pteridophytes.

Bryophytes Pteridophytes

Bryophytes are plants that are non-vascular Pteridophytes are plants that are vascular
and non-flowering. and non-flowering.

They have a leafy body or thallus i.e, body is They have a body with roots, stems and
not differentiated into roots, stems and leaves.
leaves.

Vascular bundle i.e, xylem and phylum are Vascular bundle i.e, xylem and phylum are
absent. present.

Pseudo-roots called rhizoids are present. True roots are present.

Pseudo-stem called caulid and True stems and leaves are present.
pseudo-leaves called phyllids are present.

Ex: Hornworts, liverworts, mosses, etc. Ex: Ferns, horsetails, etc.

 6. What is coelom? What is its role in the classification of animals?

Coelom is a fluid-filled space or cavity inside an organism separating the body wall from the
alimentary canal. It is lined by a special layer of cells called the mesoderm.

On the basis of presence or absence of coelom, animals are classified as:

1. Acoelomates, i.e, animals without anything resembling a coelom. These are very
primitive in nature. Their body is filled with solid tissue. For example, platyhelminthes or
flatworms.
2. Pseudocoelomates, i.e, animals with a false coelom or a pseudocoelom, which is not
derived from the mesoderm. Their body is not completely lined by the mesoderm. For
example, roundworms or nematodes.
3. Coelomates, i.e, animals with a true coelom. Their bodies are completely lined by the
mesoderm. For example, earthworms, molluscs, arthropods, vertebrates.

7. State the difference between class amphibia and class reptilia.

Class Amphibia Class Reptilia

Live in both water and land (dual life). Primarily terrestrial but some are aquatic.

Moist, slimy skin, lacking scales, which Dry skin covered by keratinised scales or
secretes mucus. scutes.

Respire through skin, lungs, and gills Respire only through lungs.
(depending on life stage).

Their hearts are 3-chambered (2 atria, 1 Their hearts are incompletely 4-chambered
ventricle). (except crocodiles, which are completely
4-chambered).

Fertilisation occurs externally in most Fertilisation occurs internally.

species.

Body development is through stages i.e, egg, Body development has no distinct stages.
tadpole, etc.

Ex: Frogs, salamanders, toads, caecilians, Ex: Snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, etc.
etc.
 8. State the difference between class pisces and class aves.

Class Pisces (Fishes) Class Aves (Birds)

They are cold-blooded vertebrates, live in They are warm-blooded vertebrates, mostly
water land-based

Fishes use gills for oxygen extraction from BIrds use lungs with air sacs for efficient
water breathing

Their bodies are covered with scales. Their bodies are covered with feathers.

Mostly external fertilization, some live birth. Internal fertilization, lay eggs with hard shells

Fishes swim using fins and tails Birds fly using wings, walk or swim in some
species

They are ectothermic or cold-blooded They are endothermic or warm-blooded

animals. animals.

They have a cartilaginous or bony skeleton They have a lightweight, bony skeleton
adapted for flight.

Ex: Salmon, sharks, blowfish, etc. Ex: Crows, ostriches, parrots, etc.

9. Mention some salient features of Phylum Mollusca.

Features of Phylum Mollusca are as follows:

● Soft, unsegmented body divided into head-foot, visceral mass, and mantle.
● Bilateral symmetry (some exhibit asymmetry or torsion).
● Gills for respiration in aquatic species; lungs in terrestrial species.
● Open circulatory system (except cephalopods with a closed system).
● Sexual reproduction, with some species being hermaphroditic.
● Muscular foot for locomotion, modified in some species (e.g., tentacles in cephalopods).
● Examples include snails, slugs, cuttlefish, clams, oysters, squids, octopus, etc.
 10. Mention some salient features of class mammalia.

Features of Class Mammalia are as follows:

● Have hair or fur at some stage of their life cycle, which provides insulation and helps with
temperature regulation.
● Mammals are vertebrates, having a backbone made of vertebrae.
● Female mammals possess mammary glands that secrete milk to nourish their young.
● Most mammals give birth to live young, although monotremes like the platypus and
echidna lay eggs.
● Mammals have a closed circulatory system with a four-chambered heart.
● Mammals breathe through lungs and have a diaphragm to aid in breathing.
● Their teeth are specialized, with incisors, canines, and molars suited to their diet.
● Mammals breathe through lungs and have a diaphragm to aid in breathing.
● Reproduction is internal, with most mammals having separate sexes and external
genitalia.
● Examples: Humans, cows, tigers, giraffes, deer, platypus, hedgehogs, etc.

11. Mention some salient features of Phylum Arthtropoda.

Features of Phylum Arthropoda are as follows:

● Exoskeleton made of chitin, providing support and protection.
● Segmented body divided into distinct regions, such as head, thorax, and abdomen.
● Jointed appendages (legs, antennae, etc.) that allow for mobility and sensory functions.
● Bilateral symmetry with a highly organized body plan.
● Open circulatory system with a heart and hemolymph (a fluid equivalent to blood).
● Compound eyes in many species, allowing for a wide field of vision.
● Metamorphosis in many species, with distinct life stages (e.g., larva, pupa, adult in
insects).
● Reproduction is usually sexual, with internal or external fertilization depending on the
species.
● Examples include insects, arachnids, crustaceans, diplopoda, etc.

12. State the difference between phylum cnidaria and phylum porifera.

Cnidaria Porifera

They have true tissues (epidermis, They don’t have true tissues, only specialized
gastrodermis). cells.

Radial symmetry, with a simple body plan. Asymmetrical or radially symmetrical body
with pores.

Most are sessile or free-swimming, with some Sessile organisms, anchored to a surface.
capable of moving (e.g., jellyfish).
 Cnidaria Porifera

Cnidocytes (stinging cells) for defense and Choanocytes (collar cells) for filter feeding.
capturing prey.

Incomplete digestive system (one opening for No digestive system; food is filtered through
both food intake and waste expulsion). pores and absorbed by cells.

Both asexual (budding, fragmentation) and Mostly asexual (budding), some have sexual
sexual reproduction. reproduction.

Ex: Jellyfish, hydra, sea anemones, etc. Ex: Sponges such as ascon, sycon,
leucosolenia, etc.

13. Give the scientific names for the following:

a. Peacock
b. Human
c. Dog
d. Cat
e. Lion
f. Housefly
g. Mango
h. Potato
i. Pineapple
j. China rose

a. Peacock: Pavo cristatus

b. Human: Homo sapiens
c. Dog: Canis familiaris
d. Cat: Felis domesticus
e. Lion: Panthera leo
f. Housefly: Musca domestica
g. Mango: Mangifera indica
h. Potato: Solanum tuberosum
i. Pineapple: Ananas comosus
j. China rose: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis