Tag: the living world: adaptations and classification

Questions Related to the living world: adaptations and classification

Match column I with column II and select the correct option from the codes given below.

Column I Column II
A. Choanocytes i. Platyhelminthes
B. Cnidoblasts ii. Ctenophora
C. Flame cells iii. Porifera
D. Nephridia iv. Coelenterata
E. Comb plates v. Annelida


  1. A - (ii), B - (i), C - (iv), D - (v), E - (iii)

  2. A - (ii), B - (iv), C - (i), D - (v), E - (iii)

  3. A - (iii), B - (iv), C - (i), D - (v), E - (ii)

  4. A - (iii), B - (i), C - (iv), D - (v), E - (ii)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Ctenophores are characterized by eight rows of cilia, which are used for locomotion. The cilia in each row are arranged to form a stack of combs, also called comb plates, or ctenes; thus the name ctenophore comes from the Greek, meaning "comb bearer. 


A flame cell is a specialized excretory cell found in the simplest freshwater invertebrates, including flatworms (except the turbellarian order Acoela), rotifers and nemerteans; these are the simplest animals to have a dedicated excretory system. Flame cells function like a kidney, removing waste materials. Bundles of flame cells are called protonephridia.

The word nephridium applies in its strict sense only to the excretory organs of annelids, but it may usefully be extended to include the excretory organs of other phyla having similar characteristics. Annelids are segmented animals that typically contain a pair of nephridia on each segment.

Choanocytes are cells that line the interior of asconoid, syconoid and leuconoid body type sponges that contain a central flagellum, or undulipodia, surrounded by a collar of microvilli which are connected by a thin membrane. They make up Choanoderm, a type of cell layer found in sponges.

A cnidocyte (also known as a cnidoblast or nematocyte) is an explosive cell containing one giant secretory organelle or cnida (plural cnidae) that defines the phylum Cnidaria (corals, sea anemones, hydrae, jellyfish, etc.). Cnidae are used for prey capture and defense from predators.

So the correct option is 'A - (iii), B - (iv), C - (i), D - (v), E - (ii)'.

Operculum is found in

  1. Lobster

  2. Fish

  3. Snake

  4. Sponge


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Operculum is found in fishes.

It is especially found in bony fishes which protect their gills and also supports the facial structure.
Such structure is absent in snakes, lobsters and sponges.
So the correct answer is 'Operculum'.

Which of the following phylum are known as pore bearers?

  1. Moullsca

  2. Porifera

  3. Echinodermata

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Porifera are known as pore bearers because they have tiny sized pores all over their bodies.

Molluscs have smooth skins whereas Echinodermata have spiny skins.
These two phylums do not have any pores on their bodies.
Hence the correct answer is 'Porifera'.

Tapeworms belongs to 

  1. Porifera

  2. Mollusca

  3. Platyhelminthes

  4. Nematoda


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Tapeworm belongs to Platyhelminthes.

This is can be confirmed by seeing the general characteristics of Platyhelminthes:
1. They are dorsoventrally flattened.
2. Their bodies are bilaterally symmetrical.
3. They are acoelomate and soft 
4. They are tripblastic animals.
So the correct answer is 'Platyhelminthes'. 

The animals with spiny skin belongs to 

  1. Porifera

  2. Annelida

  3. Echinodermata

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Spiny skin is the specific characteristic of the phylum Echinodermata.

The term Echinodermata itself means Spiny skin.
Porifera on the other hand have porous skin and annelids have very smooth skin.
Some characteristics of Echinodermata are:
1. Spiny skin.
2. Radial symmetry 
3. Exclusively marine.
4. Triploblastic.
So the correct answer is 'Echinodermata'.

The animals having soft bodies with shell as a covering belongs to 

  1. Echinodermata

  2. Mollusca

  3. Porifera

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The molluscs have a calcareous shell covering the body. However, a soft and spongy layer of skin is present over the visceral hump of molluscs, forming the mantle. Echinoderms do not have a soft body. They have calcareous endoskeleton making it spiny bodies. Poriferans have pores all over the body. Therefore, they are also not soft bodied. Moreover, sponges also bear spicules or spongin fibres. 

Which of the following phylum of the animal is characterized by jointed legs?

  1. Arthropoda

  2. Echinodermata

  3. Mollusca

  4. None of the above


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Jointed legs is the exclusive characteristic of the phylum Arthropoda.

Molluscs and Echinodermata do not have any differentiated legs.
Some common characteristics of Arthropods are:
1. Exoskeleton.
2. Segmented bodies.
3. Jointed appendages.
So the correct answer is 'Arthropoda'.

Most primitive mammal is 

  1. BAT

  2. Rat

  3. Platypus

  4. Kanharoo


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

There are three living genera of primitive mammals from Australia classified as Monotremes-The Duck billed platypus and 2 genera of Echidna.

So the correct answer is platypus.

Which of the following is not a true fish ?

  1. Silverfish

  2. Sea horse

  3. Flying fish

  4. Eel


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Silverfish is an insect.

So the correct answer is silver fish.

Mostly animals fall in the category of

  1. Heterotrophs

  2. Autotrophs

  3. Decomposers

  4. Primary consumers


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A heterotroph is an organism that cannot produce its own food and rely on others for its food requirement. Most animals fall in the category of heterotrophs. They are not able to synthesize their own food. They usually eat autotrophs (plants) to obtain the energy. The types of heterotrophs include herbivores, those who eat plants; carnivores, those who eat other animals; omnivores, those who eat both plants and animals. 

Thus, the correct answer is 'Heterotrophs.'