Animal Kingdom & Classification – NDA Biology PYQs

NDA 2024-II

Q. 1. Organisms of which of the following phylum are called sponges?

(a) Coelenterata

(b) Platyhelminthes

(c) Porifera

(d) Echinodermata

Answer: (c) Porifera

Explanation: Sponges belong to the phylum Porifera. The name comes from the Latin “porus” (pore) and “ferre” (to bear): sponges are pore-bearing organisms. They are the simplest multi-cellular animals and are predominantly marine. Coelenterata includes jellyfish and corals. Platyhelminthes are flatworms. Echinodermata includes starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. Concept Tested: Phylum Porifera: sponges: pore-bearing, simplest multicellular animals

NDA 2022-I

Q. 2. Which one of the following belongs to ‘Pisces’?

(a) Dogfish

(b) Jellyfish

(c) Silverfish

(d) Starfish

Answer: (a) Dogfish

Explanation: Pisces is the class of true fish: vertebrates with gills, fins, and a streamlined body. Dogfish is a small shark and is indeed a member of Pisces. Jellyfish is a cnidarian (invertebrate). Silverfish is an insect. Starfish (sea star) is an echinoderm. Despite containing ‘fish’ in their names, only dogfish is actually a fish. Concept Tested: Pisces (true fish): dogfish (a shark) is a fish; jellyfish, silverfish, starfish are not Pisces

★ JOVIK Exam Insight NDA loves the ‘fish’ name trap. Not all animals with ‘fish’ in their name are fish: Starfish = echinoderm. Jellyfish = cnidarian. Silverfish = insect. Cuttlefish = mollusc. Crayfish = crustacean. Only dogfish, swordfish, catfish etc. are true fish (Pisces).

NDA 2019-I

Q. 3. As per the code of the nomenclature, which one of the following is the correct way of writing a biological name?

(a) Amoeba Proteus  (printed in italics)

(b) Amoeba proteus  (printed in italics)

(c) amoeba proteus  (printed in italics)

(d) Amoeba Proteus  (printed in italics and underlined)

Answer: (b) Amoeba proteus  (printed in italics)

Explanation: Binomial nomenclature follows specific rules established by the International Code of Nomenclature. The genus name is written first with the first letter capitalised. The species name (specific epithet) is written in lowercase. Both names are printed in italics (when typed) or underlined (when handwritten). So the correct form is “Amoeba proteus” in italics: genus capitalised, species lowercase. Concept Tested: Binomial nomenclature: Genus (capitalised) + species (lowercase), both italicised: e.g., Amoeba proteus

NDA 2018-II

Q. 4. Which of the following kingdoms has/have only unicellular organisms?

(a) Monera only

(b) Protista only

(c) Monera and Protista both

(d) Protista and Fungi both

Answer: (c) Monera and Protista both

Explanation: Monera (bacteria and archaea) are all unicellular (or form simple colonies). Protista (protozoa and unicellular algae) are also all unicellular. Both kingdoms consist exclusively of unicellular organisms. Fungi can be unicellular (e.g., yeast) but also include multicellular forms (mushrooms, moulds). Animals and plants are multicellular. Concept Tested: Monera and Protista are the only kingdoms with exclusively unicellular organisms

NDA 2018-I

Q. 5. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of levels of hierarchy of classification of organisms from higher to lower?

(a) Phylum – Class – Order – Family – Genus

(b) Phylum – Class – Family – Order – Genus

(c) Family – Order – Class – Species – Genus

(d) Class – Family – Order – Species – Genus

Answer: (a) Phylum – Class – Order – Family – Genus

Explanation: The correct taxonomic hierarchy from highest to lowest is: Kingdom – Phylum – Class – Order – Family – Genus – Species. A useful mnemonic is: “King Philip Came Over For Good Soup.” Among the options, (a) Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus is the only correct sequence. Concept Tested: Taxonomic hierarchy: Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Mnemonic: ‘King Philip Came Over For Good Soup’ = Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. NDA asks this in different forms: sometimes asking for the sequence from higher to lower, sometimes lower to higher. The full sequence: Kingdom (broadest) → Species (most specific).

NDA 2016-II

Q. 6. A horse and a donkey can breed to produce mule which is an infertile animal. The infertility is because horse and donkey belong to different

(a) class

(b) order

(c) species

(d) genus

Answer: (c) species

Explanation: Horse (Equus caballus) and donkey (Equus asinus) are different species of the same genus (Equus). A species is defined as a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Horse and donkey can hybridise (produce mules), but mules are sterile because the chromosomes from the two different species cannot pair properly during meiosis. This reproductive isolation is the defining characteristic of separate species. Concept Tested: Horse and donkey are different species; mule is infertile because species cannot produce fertile hybrids

NDA 2016-I

Q. 7. Which of the following statements are correct?

In honey bees

1. Males are haploid.

2. Workers are sterile and diploid.

3. Queen develops from diploid larvae that fed on royal jelly.

4. Honey is collected/made by males.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: male bees (drones) are haploid: they develop from unfertilised eggs by parthenogenesis. Statement 2 is correct: worker bees are sterile females that are diploid. Statement 3 is correct: the queen bee develops from a diploid larva that is fed exclusively on royal jelly. Statement 4 is incorrect: honey is collected and made by worker bees (females), not males. Drones have no role in honey production. Concept Tested: Honey bee colony: males (drones) are haploid; workers are sterile diploid females; queen from royal jelly; honey made by workers

Q. 8. Consider the following statements:

1. All Echinoderms are not marine.

2. Sponges are exclusively marine.

3. Insects are found in all kinds of habitats.

4. Many primates are arboreal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 3 only

Answer: (b) 3 and 4 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: all echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers) are exclusively marine: there are no freshwater or terrestrial echinoderms. Statement 2 is incorrect: most sponges are marine, but freshwater sponges exist (e.g., Spongilla). Statement 3 is correct: insects are found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Statement 4 is correct: many primates (monkeys, apes) live in trees (arboreal lifestyle). Therefore only Statements 3 and 4 are correct. Concept Tested: Echinoderms are exclusively marine; insects inhabit all habitats; many primates are arboreal; some sponges are freshwater

NDA 2015-II

Q. 9. Living things are grouped into subgroups like plant kingdom / animal kingdom. Which one of the following is not correct for animal kingdom?

(a) Cannot make their own food

(b) Body contains cellulose

(c) Do not have chlorophyll

(d) Migrate from one place to another

Answer: (b) Body contains cellulose

Explanation: Option (b) is not correct for animals: animal cells do NOT contain cellulose. Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. Animal cells have no cell wall and no cellulose: animal cell membranes are made of phospholipids, proteins, and cholesterol. Option (a) is correct: animals are heterotrophs and cannot make their own food. Option (c) is correct: animals have no chlorophyll. Option (d) is partially correct: many animals migrate. Concept Tested: Animal cells do NOT contain cellulose; cellulose is found only in plant cell walls

NDA 2014-II

Q. 10. Which one of the following animals is cold-blooded?

(a) Dolphin

(b) Shark

(c) Whale

(d) Porpoise

Answer: (b) Shark

Explanation: Cold-blooded (ectothermic) animals cannot regulate their own body temperature internally: their body temperature changes with the environment. Sharks are fish (Pisces) and are cold-blooded. Dolphins, whales, and porpoises are all marine mammals: they are warm-blooded (endothermic), maintaining a constant body temperature. The fact that sharks live in the ocean does not make them warm-blooded; they are fish, not mammals. Concept Tested: Shark is a cold-blooded fish (ectotherm); dolphins, whales, and porpoises are warm-blooded mammals

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Marine mammals trap: dolphins, whales, porpoises, and seals are mammals and warm-blooded despite living in water. Sharks are fish and cold-blooded. NDA tests this repeatedly. Mammal = warm-blooded. Fish = cold-blooded. Marine habitat does not determine blood temperature.

NDA 2014-I

Q. 11. Leaves of which of the following plants are not used for the rearing of silkworms?

(a) Mulberry

(b) Castor

(c) Oak

(d) Teak

Answer: (d) Teak

Explanation: Silkworms (larvae of Bombyx mori) primarily feed on mulberry leaves. Different varieties of silkworm can also be reared on castor leaves (Eri silk moth: Philosamia ricini) and oak leaves (Tasar silk moth: Antheraea mylitta). Teak leaves are not used for silkworm rearing. Teak (Tectona grandis) is a timber tree and its leaves are not a food source for any commercial silkworm species. Concept Tested: Silkworms feed on mulberry (Bombyx mori), castor (Eri silk), or oak (Tasar silk) leaves; not teak leaves

Q. 12. Which one among the following groups is the most abundant in terms of number of species identified?

(a) Fungi

(b) Green plants

(c) Bacteria

(d) Insects

Answer: (d) Insects

Explanation: Insects are the most species-rich group of organisms on Earth. Over 1 million insect species have been described, comprising roughly 60–75% of all known animal species. Beetles alone account for about 400,000 species. The total number of insect species, including undescribed ones, may exceed 5–10 million. Bacteria are extremely abundant in numbers of individuals but far fewer named species have been formally described. Concept Tested: Insects are the most species-abundant group: over 1 million described species (about 60–75% of all animal species)

NDA 2013-II

Q. 13. Which one among the following animals does not undergo periodic moulting of their external body covering?

(a) Cockroach

(b) Cobra

(c) Earthworm

(d) Dragonfly

Answer: (c) Earthworm

Explanation: Moulting (ecdysis) is the periodic shedding of the outer covering. Cockroaches and dragonflies (insects) moult their exoskeleton as they grow. Cobras and other snakes periodically shed their skin. Earthworms have no hard external skeleton or scaly skin to moult: their body surface is a thin moist cuticle that is continuously renewed, not periodically shed in a moult cycle. Concept Tested: Earthworms do not moult; cockroaches, dragonflies (insects), and snakes (cobras) undergo periodic moulting

Q. 14. Which one among the following animals gives birth to the biggest baby?

(a) Elephant

(b) Rhinoceros

(c) Blue whale

(d) Hippopotamus

Answer: (c) Blue whale

Explanation: The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest animal ever known to have existed. Accordingly, its newborn calf is also the largest baby of any animal. A blue whale calf at birth is approximately 7–8 metres long and weighs around 2,700 kg (2.7 tonnes). This is larger than the offspring of any terrestrial animal, including elephants. Concept Tested: Blue whale gives birth to the largest baby of any animal: calves are ~7–8 m long at birth

Q. 15. Which one among the following animals is a mammal?

(a) Great Indian Bustard

(b) Gharial

(c) Platypus

(d) Hornbill

Answer: (c) Platypus

Explanation: Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a monotreme: a mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Despite laying eggs, it is still a mammal because it has fur, is warm-blooded, and nurses its young with milk. Great Indian Bustard and Hornbill are birds. Gharial is a critically endangered crocodilian (reptile). Platypus is one of only five living monotreme species. Concept Tested: Platypus is a mammal (monotreme: egg-laying mammal); gharial is a reptile; bustard and hornbill are birds

NDA 2012-I

Q. 16. Statement I: Bats can catch their prey in the darkness of night.

Statement II: Bats can produce and also detect ultrasound.

(a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

(b) Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I

(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false

(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer: (a) Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I

Explanation: Both statements are correct. Bats use echolocation: they emit ultrasound pulses and listen to the echoes that bounce back from objects and prey. This allows them to navigate and hunt in complete darkness. Statement II (bats produce and detect ultrasound) directly explains Statement I (bats can catch prey in darkness). Ultrasound echolocation is bats’ primary navigation and hunting mechanism. Concept Tested: Bats use echolocation (ultrasound) to navigate and hunt in darkness; Statement II correctly explains Statement I

Q. 17. What are cold-blooded animals?

(a) Animals with blood without haemoglobin

(b) Animals who are not ferocious

(c) Animals whose body temperature remains constant

(d) Animals whose body temperature varies according to the temperature of atmosphere

Answer: (d) Animals whose body temperature varies according to the temperature of atmosphere

Explanation: Cold-blooded (ectothermic) animals cannot internally regulate their body temperature. Their body temperature varies with and is determined by the surrounding environment. Examples include fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. Warm-blooded (endothermic) animals: birds and mammals: maintain a constant internal body temperature regardless of the surroundings. The term ‘cold-blooded’ does not mean their blood is actually cold: it refers to temperature regulation. Concept Tested: Cold-blooded (ectothermic): body temperature varies with environment. Warm-blooded (endothermic): body temperature remains constant

NDA 2011-II

Q. 18. Birds like Flamingos can stand on one leg. Which among the following statements relating to this are correct?

1. By standing on one leg Flamingos can conserve body heat and energy because they can reduce great deal of surface area for the loss of heat.

2. By standing on one leg, one Flamingo makes a courtship display, which is a part of ritual prior to reproduction.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation: Scientific studies support Statement 1: flamingos (and many other birds) stand on one leg to conserve body heat. By tucking one leg against the body, they reduce the surface area exposed to the cold environment, thus reducing heat loss. This is particularly important as flamingos often stand in cold water. Statement 2 is incorrect: standing on one leg is not a recognised courtship display for flamingos. Flamingo courtship involves specific group dances and marching behaviours, not single-leg standing. Concept Tested: Flamingos stand on one leg to conserve body heat by reducing surface area; it is not a courtship display

Q. 19. Which one among the following is the largest monkey?

(a) Spider monkey

(b) Baboon

(c) Gorilla

(d) Howler monkey

Answer: (b) Baboon

Explanation: This question requires careful attention: a gorilla is NOT a monkey: gorillas are great apes. Among the animals listed that are actually monkeys (Spider monkey, Baboon, Howler monkey), the baboon is the largest. Baboons can weigh up to 40 kg. Spider monkeys and howler monkeys are New World monkeys and are smaller. Gorillas, being apes (not monkeys), should not be selected as ‘the largest monkey.’ Concept Tested: Baboon is the largest true monkey; gorilla is an ape, not a monkey: this is a critical distinction

★ JOVIK Exam Insight Apes vs. monkeys: Apes = gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans. They have no tail and larger brains. Monkeys = smaller primates with tails (usually). Gorilla is an ape: selecting gorilla as the ‘largest monkey’ is a trap. The correct answer is baboon, the largest true monkey.

NDA 2009-I

Q. 20. Which one of the following is not a mammal?

(a) Dolphin

(b) Shark

(c) Seal

(d) Whale

Answer: (b) Shark

Explanation: Dolphin, seal, and whale are all marine mammals: they are warm-blooded, breathe air, give birth to live young, and nurse their offspring with milk. Sharks are fish (Chondrichthyes: cartilaginous fish). Despite living in the ocean alongside marine mammals, sharks are cold-blooded, breathe through gills, and do not nurse young with milk. Sharks are not mammals. Concept Tested: Shark is not a mammal (it is a cartilaginous fish); dolphins, seals, and whales are marine mammals

---