Algal Forms and Classification — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2017An example of colonial alga is: (NEET 2017)
An example of colonial alga is: (NEET 2017)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: A — Volvox
Volvox is a colonial green alga where individual cells are embedded in a gelatinous matrix and form spherical colonies. Each colony contains hundreds to thousands of cells that work together but remain connected. According to NCERT, colonial organization is an intermediate between unicellular and multicellular forms. Ulothrix is filamentous, Spirogyra is also filamentous, and Chlorella is unicellular, not colonial.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
The form and size of algae is highly variable, ranging from colonial forms like Volvox and the filamentous forms like Ulothrix and Spirogyra. A few of the marine forms such as kelps, form massive plant bodies.
NTA tests this concept to check if students understand the diversity of algal body structures, particularly that Volvox is a colonial form (not unicellular), while Ulothrix and Spirogyra are filamentous forms. Students often confuse Volvox as a simple unicellular organism or mistake its colonial nature. The key trap is not recognizing that colonial forms involve many cells organized together, distinct from truly unicellular algae. Remember: colonial (Volvox) = multiple cells in a loose colony, filamentous (Ulothrix, Spirogyra) = cells joined end-to-end in threads, and some marine algae form massive bodies (kelps). This tests basic algal taxonomy essential for plant kingdom classification.
What does NCERT say about form and size algae?
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Which chapter is this from?
Through deep analysis of NEET and NTA, 88 of 90 questions from the NEET 2026 paper were matched straight from the MedicNEET Biology question bank.
88/90MedicNEET's Biology question bank is built from the same NCERT lines NTA picks repeatedly. Not random MCQs — questions crafted exactly like NTA crafts them.