Free Kingdom Protista MCQs with Answers

201. Viruses are:

• A. Always viewed with a light microscope
• B. An enzyme-nucleus mixture
• C. Obligate, intracellular parasites
• D. Cellular
• E. Host independent

Explanation: Viruses are obligate, intracellular parasites, which means they require a host cell to reproduce and carry out their life cycle. They cannot replicate or metabolise independently outside of a host cell. Viruses, at their most basic level, are composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat called capsid

202. A student studied a drop of pond water with the low power of compound microscope and made the following exact drawing of an organism she observed, Which kingdom is the organism classified as?

• A. Protista
• B. Monera
• C. Metazoa
• D. Animalia
• E. Bryophyta

Explanation: Kingdom Protista has membrane-bound organelles, as shown in the diagram and a true nucleus. That is why option A is correct

203. Which one of the following statements is incorrect?

• A. Algae increase the level of dissolved oxygen in the immediate environment
• B. Algin is obtained from red algae and carrageenan from brown algae
• C. Agar­-agar is obtained from Gelidium and Gracilaria
• D. Laminaria and Sargassum are used as food

Explanation: (b) : Alginic acid is obtained from brown algae whereas carrageenan is obtained from red algae.

204. Which one of the following statements is incorrect?

• A. Chlorella and Spirulina are used as space food
• B. Mannitol is stored food in red algae
• C. Algin and carrageenan are products of algae
• D. Agar­agar is obtained from Gelidium and Gracilaria

Explanation: (b) : Laminarin and mannitol are food reserves of brown algae or Phaeophyceae. Rhodophycean algae store food in the form of floridean starch. This question is tough and is included in the QBank for the thorough preparation of students

205. Which of the following is true about amoeba?

• A. They move by forming specialized cytoplasmic projections called pseudopodia
• B. They have a rigid cell wall
• C. They are multicellular organisms
• D. They are autotrophic

Explanation: This is the correct answer. Amoebas are single-celled organisms that move by extending and retracting temporary, finger-like projections of their cytoplasm called pseudopodia. These pseudopodia help them engulf food and navigate their environment.Therefore, the statement that is true about amoebas is that they move by forming specialised cytoplasmic projections called pseudopodia.

206. Algae are:

• A. Unicellular organisms only
• B. Filamentous organisms only
• C. Huge multicellular organisms only
• D. Simple Acellular organisms
• E. Ranges from unicellular to Filaments to huge multicellular organisms

Explanation: Algae can be unicellular (existing as individual cells), colonial (several to many cells living in a colony), filamentous (several to many cells forming a chain or filament) or multicellular (usually macroscopic with several to many layers of cells).

207. Plasmodium, the apicomplexan that causes malaria, enters the human bloodstream through the bite of which parasitic protozoan?

• A. Amoeba
• B. Radiolarians
• C. Forams
• D. Female Anopheles mosquito

Explanation: The female Anopheles mosquito is the correct answer because it acts as the vector for Plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria. When the mosquito bites a human, it transmits the parasite into the bloodstream. The other options, Amoeba, Radiolarians, and Forams, are different types of protists that do not play a role in malaria transmission. Amoebas are known for causing diseases like amoebic dysentery, while Radiolarians and Forams are primarily marine organisms with no connection to malaria.

208. What is the nature of the plasmodium in slime molds?

• A. Uninucleated
• B. Enucleate
• C. Mononucleated
• D. Multinucleated

Explanation: The plasmodium of slime molds is an amoeboid mass of cytoplasm that is multinucleated, meaning it contains many nuclei within a single cell mass. This structure allows the slime mold to move and ingest food particles efficiently. The other options are incorrect: 'Uninucleated' and 'Mononucleated' imply only one nucleus, which is not the case with slime mold plasmodium. 'Enucleate' means lacking a nucleus, which is also incorrect as slime molds are defined by their multiple nuclei.

209. What are the characteristics of Euglena?

• A. Exhibit solely animal-like characteristics
• B. Exhibit solely plant-like characteristics
• C. Exhibit both animal and plant-like characteristics
• D. Exhibit characteristics typical of bacteria
• E. Exhibit characteristics typical of viruses

Explanation: Euglena is a protist that uniquely combines traits of both plants and animals. It contains chloroplasts, enabling it to perform photosynthesis like a plant. However, it also moves like an animal using a whip-like flagellum. This dual characteristic allows Euglena to adapt to different environments by switching between autotrophic and heterotrophic modes of nutrition. Options A and B are incorrect because they suggest Euglena exhibits only one type of characteristic. Option D and E are incorrect as they imply Euglena shares traits with bacteria or viruses, which it does not.

210. What category do slime molds belong to?

• A. Animal-like Protist
• B. Bacteria-like Protist
• C. Plant-like Protist
• D. Virus-like Protist
• E. Fungi-like Protist

Explanation: Slime molds are classified as fungi-like protists because they share some characteristics with fungi, such as the production of spores and a similar growth form in certain life stages. However, unlike true fungi, they exhibit a unique life cycle that includes both unicellular and multicellular stages. The other options are incorrect because slime molds do not exhibit the defining characteristics of animals, bacteria, plants, or viruses. Animal-like protists typically have motility and ingestion of food, which slime molds do not. Bacteria-like and virus-like categorizations are inaccurate as slime molds are eukaryotic and complex compared to bacteria and viruses. Plant-like protists are primarily photosynthetic, a trait slime molds lack.