The Living World — NEET 2027 | 1–2 Questions Per Exam, Free Bilingual Practice

Nomenclature is governed by certain universal rules. Which one of the following is contrary to the rules of nomenclature? (NEET-2016 Phase-1)

1. A. Biological names can be written in any language
2. B. The first word in a biological name represents the genus name, and the second is a specific epithet
3. C. The names are written in Latin and are italicised
4. D. When written by hand, the names are to be underlined

Explanation: Answer: (A) Biological names can be written in any language. Solution: Biological (scientific) names are NOT written in any language — by the universal rules of nomenclature they are 'generally in Latin and written in italics... Latinised or derived from Latin irrespective of their origin.' Options B, C and D are all correct rules. Hence A is contrary to the rules. NCERT Reference: Ch 1 The Living World, p.4, lines 39–40 — "Biological names are generally in Latin and written in italics. They are Latinised or derived from Latin irrespective of their origin."

Match Column-I with Column-II for housefly classification and select the correct option using the codes given below: Column - I A. Family B. Order C. Class D. Phylum Column - II (i) Diptera (ii) Arthropoda (iii) Muscidae (iv) Insecta Choose the correct option: (NEET-2016 Phase-2)

1. A. A-(iii), B-(i), C-(iv), D-(ii)
2. B. A-(iii), B-(ii), C-(iv), D-(i)
3. C. A-(iv), B-(iii), C-(ii), D-(i)
4. D. A-(iv), B-(ii), C-(i), D-(iii)

Explanation: Answer: (A) A-(iii), B-(i), C-(iv), D-(ii). Solution: For housefly (Musca domestica) — Family Muscidae, Order Diptera, Class Insecta, Phylum Arthropoda. Thus Family→Muscidae(iii), Order→Diptera(i), Class→Insecta(iv), Phylum→Arthropoda(ii). NCERT Reference: Ch 1 The Living World, Table 1.1 (p.8) — Housefly: Musca / Muscidae / Diptera / Insecta / Arthropoda.

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)

1. A. B and C
2. B. C and D
3. C. A and D
4. D. A and B

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).

Which of the following represents order of 'Horse'? (NEET-2017)

1. A. Equidae
2. B. Perissodactyla
3. C. Caballus
4. D. Ferus

Explanation: Answer: (B) Perissodactyla. Solution: For horse (Equus caballus) — the ORDER is Perissodactyla. Equidae is its family, while caballus/ferus are specific epithets, not the order. Recognising the rank named by each term is the key idea of the taxonomic hierarchy. NCERT Reference: Ch 1 The Living World, section 1.2.4 Order (p.7) — "Order being a higher category, is the assemblage of families which exhibit a few similar characters."