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Evolution – NDA Biology PYQs
Practice NDA Biology previous-year questions with detailed solutions and explanations.
Chapter-wise PYQs • Concept-based explanations • Exam insights
NDA 2025-II
Q. 1. The book ‘The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’ was authored by
(a) Charles Darwin
(b) Carolus Linnaeus
(c) Barbara McClintock
(d) Copernicus
Answer: (a) Charles Darwin
| Explanation: The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859) is one of the most important works in scientific history. It was written by Charles Darwin and laid the foundations for the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin argued that species change over generations through a process where individuals with favourable traits survive and reproduce more successfully. Carolus Linnaeus developed the binomial nomenclature system for classifying organisms. Barbara McClintock discovered transposons (jumping genes) and won the Nobel Prize. Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system. Concept Tested: Charles Darwin authored ‘The Origin of Species’ (1859): the foundational text of evolutionary biology |
| ★ JOVIK Exam Insight Key scientist–contribution pairs for NDA: Darwin – Origin of Species, natural selection (1859). Linnaeus – binomial nomenclature, taxonomy. Lamarck – early evolution theory (inheritance of acquired traits: now discredited). Mendel – laws of heredity/genetics. McClintock – transposons. Wallace – co-developed natural selection theory with Darwin. |
Quick Revision
| Key Concept | Core Fact | NDA Papers |
| Darwin’s contribution | ‘The Origin of Species’ (1859). Theory of evolution by natural selection. All life shares common ancestry. | NDA 2025-II |
| Natural selection | Individuals with favourable traits survive and reproduce more. Over generations, the population changes. | NDA 2025-II (concept) |
| Carolus Linnaeus | Father of taxonomy. Developed binomial nomenclature (two-name classification system). | NDA 2025-II (distractor) |
| Barbara McClintock | Discovered transposons (jumping genes). Nobel Prize 1983. | NDA 2025-II (distractor) |
| Copernicus | Proposed heliocentric model of solar system. Not a biologist. | NDA 2025-II (distractor) |
| Lamarck | Early evolution theorist. Proposed inheritance of acquired traits (discredited). Predated Darwin. | Related concept |
| Mendel | Father of genetics. Laws of segregation and independent assortment. | Related concept |