Free Biodiversity and Variety of Life MCQs with Answers

1681. Maria examines a culture of hyphae of an unknown fungal species. She observes the presence of non-septate, multinucleated hyphae and spores formed in sporangia.Based on her observations, the unknown species belongs to the phylum

• A. Ascomycota
• B. Zygomycota
• C. Basidiomycota
• D. Deuteromycota

Explanation: The correct answer is Option B:Zygomycota.Zygomycota are characterized by having non-septate (coenocytic), multinucleated hyphae and forming asexual spores within sporangia. This matches the observations made by Maria. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota typically have septate hyphae and different methods of spore production, while Deuteromycota do not form spores in sporangia, as they are classified based on their asexual reproduction.

1682. Select the mismatched.

• A. Cycas-Dioecious
• B. Salvinia-Heterosporous
• C. Equisetum-Homosporous
• D. Pinus-dioecious

Explanation: Pinus, commonly known as pine trees, is monoecious. Pine is a conifer. Conifers are unisexual, which means male and female reproductive parts on the same individual plant. Hence, they are monoecious.

1683. The life cycles of Ectocarpus and Fucus respectively are:

• A. Diplontic, Haplodiplontic
• B. Haplodiplontic, Diplontic
• C. Haplodiplontic, Haplontic
• D. Haplontic, Diplontic

Explanation: (b) : Ectocarpus possesses haplodiplontic whereas Fucus possesses diplontic life cycle.

1684. Conifers are adapted to tolerate extreme environmental conditions because of:

• A. Broad hardy leaves
• B. Superficial stomata
• C. Thick cuticle
• D. Presence of vessels

Explanation: (c) : Needle like leaves with thick cuticle and sunken stomata are xerophytic adaptations of conifers for tolerating extreme environmental conditions.

1685. Select the correct statement.

• A. Sequoia is one of the tallest trees
• B. The leaves of gymnosperms are not well adapted to extremes of climate
• C. Gymnosperms are both homosporous and heterosporous
• D. Salvinia, Ginkgo, and Pinus all are gymnosperms

Explanation: (a) : Sequoia sempervirens is the tallest gymnosperm. The leaves of gymnosperms are well adapted to extremes of climate. This is the reason for gymnosperm to flourish in cold areas where instead of rain, snow is the source of water. Gymnosperms are heterosporous i.e., produce two different kinds of spores­microspores and megaspores. Salvinia is an aquatic pteridophyte.

1686. In bryophytes and pteridophytes, transport of male gametes requires:

• A. Birds
• B. Water
• C. Wind
• D. Insects

Explanation: (b) : The sperms of bryophytes and pteridophytes are flagellated and hence require an external supply of water to reach archaegonia

1687. In which of the following, gametophyte is not independent free living?

• A. Pteris
• B. Pinus
• C. Funaria
• D. Marchantia

Explanation: (b) : In gymnosperms (like Pinus), the male and female gametophyte do not have an independent free living existence. They remain within the sporangia retained on the sporophytes i.e.,female gametophyte (within megasporangium) and male gametophyte (within microsporangium).

1688. Read the following five statements (A to E) and select the option with all correct statements:A. Mosses and lichens are the first organisms to colonize a bare rock. B. Selaginella is a homosporous pteridophyte. C. Coralloid roots in Cycas have VAM. D. The main plant body in bryophytes is gametophytic, whereas in pteridophytes it is sporophytic. E. In gymnosperms, male and female gametophytes are present within sporangia located on sporophytes.

• A. A, D, and E
• B. B, C, and E
• C. A, C, and D
• D. B, C, and D

Explanation: (a) : Selaginella is a heterosporous pteridophyte. Corralloid roots of Cycas harbour blue green algae like Nostoc, Anabaena and are not a type of VAM (vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal) which is a symbiotic association with fungus

1689. Male gametes are flagellated in:

• A. Ectocarpus
• B. Spirogyra
• C. Polysiphonia
• D. Anabaena

Explanation: (a) : Ectocarpus produces biflagellate gametes. Anabaena is a cyanobacteria and does not reproduce sexually. Spirogyra produces non­flagellated male gamete during conjugation, where entire cell content functions as gamete. Polysiphonia also produces non­ flagellated spermatia.

1690. Which one of the following is wrong about Chara?

• A. Upper oogonium and lower round antheridium
• B. Globule and nucule present on the same plant
• C. Upper antheridium and lower oogonium
• D. Globule is the female reproductive structure

Explanation: c) : All species of Chara reproduce sexually and show highly advanced oogamy. The sex organs are the most distinctive features of the Order Charales and are the most complicated among the hallophytes. Male and female gametangia are called antheridia and oogonia respectively. Male fructification (cluster of antheridia) is called globule and the female is nucule. They are borne at the nodes of short branches, globule towards lower side and nucule (female structure) towards upper side.