Study the four statements (A–D) given below and select the two correct ones out of them: A. Definition of biological species was given by Ernst Mayr. B. Photoperiod does not affect reproduction in plants. C. Binomial nomenclature system was given by R.H. Whittaker. D. In unicellular organisms, reproduction is synonymous with growth. The two correct statements are: (NEET-2016 Phase-2)
Answer: (C) A and D. Answer: (C) A and D.
- A.B and C
- B.C and D
- C.A and D✓
- D.A and B
Correct Answer
(C) A and D
Solution & Explanation
Answer: (C) A and D. Solution: A is correct — Ernst Mayr gave the currently accepted (biological) definition of species. D is correct — in unicellular organisms, an increase in cell number by division is both growth and reproduction, so the two are synonymous. B is wrong (photoperiod DOES affect reproduction/flowering in plants) and C is wrong (binomial nomenclature was given by Carolus Linnaeus, not Whittaker). Hence A and D. NCERT Reference: Ch 1 The Living World — Ernst Mayr profile, p.3 ("the currently accepted definition of a biological species"); the growth = reproduction equivalence in unicellular organisms is the classic 'What is living?' point (in the NEET 2026 syllabus under 'What is living?'; detailed in pre-2023 NCERT).