Class 11th NCERT Chapter 1 MCQs – The Living World

Biology begins with understanding what makes something living.
This chapter lays the foundation for important NEET questions related to taxonomy, nomenclature, and characteristics of life.
Below are carefully selected MCQs from The Living World, each with a concept reminder to strengthen your understanding.

MCQs with Concept Reminders

Q1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of living beings?
A) Growth
B) Metabolism
C) Reproduction
D) Decay

Answer : D) Decay
Concept Reminder:
Living organisms grow, reproduce, metabolize, and respond to stimuli. Decay is not a life process—it can happen in non-living matter too.

Q2. Which is the defining characteristic of living organisms?
A) Movement
B) Growth
C) Consciousness
D) Reproduction

Answer : C) Consciousness

Concept Reminder:
Only consciousness is unique to all living beings and absent in non-living things. Even some living things (like mules) can't reproduce, but all living things are conscious.

Q3. The scientific name of an organism includes:
A) Genus and species
B) Family and genus
C) Species and variety
D) Phylum and class

Answer : A) Genus and species
Concept Reminder:
According to binomial nomenclature, every organism has a two-part name: Genus (capitalized) + species (lowercase).

Q4. Who is known as the Father of Taxonomy?
A) Aristotle
B) Carl Linnaeus
C) Whittaker
D) John Ray

Answer : B) Carl Linnaeus
Concept Reminder:
Linnaeus developed the binomial system of nomenclature and formalized classification methods.

Q5. Which of the following is not always necessary to define a living organism?
A) Growth
B) Reproduction
C) Metabolism
D) Consciousness

Answer : B) Reproduction

Concept Reminder:
Some living organisms (like sterile worker bees, mules) cannot reproduce but are still living. Hence, reproduction is not a defining feature.

Q6. What is a taxon?
A) A classification level
B) A type of organism
C) A name of a group
D) A scientific term for evolution

Answer : A) A classification level
Concept Reminder:
Any unit used in the taxonomic hierarchy (like kingdom, genus, species) is called a taxon.

Q7. Which is the highest taxonomic category?
A) Class
B) Phylum
C) Kingdom
D) Genus

Answer : C) Kingdom
Concept Reminder:
Kingdom is the broadest category in biological classification. From kingdom downward, the ranks become more specific.

Q8. ICZN stands for:
A) Indian Code of Zoological Names
B) International Council for Zoology
C) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
D) International Committee of Zonal Nomenclature

Answer : C) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
Concept Reminder:
ICZN governs naming rules for animals, just like ICBN for plants.

Q9. Mangifera indica is the scientific name of:
A) Apple
B) Banana
C) Mango
D) Guava

Answer : C) Mango

Concept Reminder:
In Mangifera indica, “Mangifera” is the genus, and “indica” is the species. Always italicized or underlined.

Q10. Which taxonomic rank comes just above genus?
A) Class
B) Order
C) Family
D) Species

Answer : C) Family
Concept Reminder:
Taxonomic hierarchy:
Kingdom → Phylum → Class → Order → Family → Genus → Species

Q11. What is the basic unit of classification?
A) Genus
B) Species
C) Order
D) Kingdom

Answer : B) Species

Concept Reminder:
Species is the smallest and most specific classification level. Members of a species can interbreed.

Q12. The term taxonomy was coined by:
A) Carl Linnaeus
B) AP de Candolle
C) Charles Darwin
D) Ernst Haeckel

Answer : B) AP de Candolle
Concept Reminder:
AP de Candolle introduced the term taxonomy, which means classification based on natural relationships.

Q13. Which of the following aids in identification of organisms?
A) Flora
B) Manual
C) Monograph
D) Key

Answer : D) Key
Concept Reminder:
Taxonomic keys are tools used to identify organisms by answering a series of questions based on their features.

Q14. Which organism shows metabolism outside its body (in test tube)?
A) Virus
B) Living cells
C) Bacteria
D) None

Answer : D) None

Concept Reminder:
Metabolism is a defining feature of life. However, it only occurs within living cells—not outside (test tube metabolism is artificial).

Q15. Which group contains closely related species?
A) Genus
B) Family
C) Order
D) Class

Answer : A) Genus
Concept Reminder:
Genus includes species that are closely related but may differ slightly.
e.g., Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera tigris (tiger).

The Living World is essential for scoring in NEET Biology. Focus on key terms like taxonomy, nomenclature, and characteristics of living organisms. Practice more MCQs and revise these reminders before exams.

Check out our next chapter – Biological Classification – NEET MCQs with Concept Reminders.