Important Questions for CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 7 – Diversity in Living Organisms

Important Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 7 – Diversity in Living Organisms

Science is a complex subject which requires a deep understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics. Students need to make extra efforts to comprehend the concepts and theories. To score better in the exam, students can refer to Important Questions Class 9 Science Chapter 7. It is designed by expert teachers based on the updated edition of the NCERT book and CBSE guidelines. It is one of the best resources for the students to get good marks in the Term 1 exams. The complete list of important questions of diversity in living organisms class 9 is available on our Extramarks website. 

At Extramarks, we understand the significance of important questions. With the help of our experienced teachers, we have compiled a set of important questions, which has more than thirty questions. The questions include long answer questions, short answer questions, multiple-choice questions, and miscellaneous questions. At the end of the questions, students will witness fill in the blanks, match the pair, and true or false types of questions. The questions are curated from NCERT exemplar, NCERT solutions, and CBSE past years’ questions papers. 

The important questions in Class 9 Science Chapter 7 help students understand each topic and concept. The subject matter experts write it in a simple and easy-to-understand language. These questions will help students revise the syllabus and score more marks in the upcoming examinations. The topics covered in the chapter are the basis of classification, classification and evolution, and the classification hierarchy. Students will get to improve their preparation strategy for Class 9 Science Chapter 7. 

To score better in the exams, students can refer to CBSE sample papers, CBSE revision notes, and the NCERT book. Students will get to learn from the updated CBSE syllabus, and it will also help to remember formulas. 

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Diversity in Living Organisms Class 9 Important Questions and Answers

Question 1. Define the given terms and provide one example for each of them:

1. Bilateral symmetry
2. Coelom
3. Triploblastic

Answer 1: 

(a) Bilateral symmetry: 

Animals with bilateral symmetry are placed in group bilateria. Using only one plane, you can divide the body into two equal right or left halves. This includes Platyhelminthes and annelids, as well as arthropods.

(b) Coelom: 

It refers to the cavity between the gut wall and the body wall. The presence or absence of coelom determines the basis for classification.

(i) Acoelomate Coelom is absent.

(iii) Pseudocoelomate Instead of being lined with mesoderm, the body cavity is filled with mesoderm. It is found as scattered pouches between mesoderm or endoderm. Example: Roundworms.

(iii) Eucoelomate True coelom: True coelom can be of two types

Schizocoelom is created from the division of the mesoderm.

Enterocoelom Mesoderm is a result of the wall of the embryonic stomach.

(c) Triploblastic: 

The germ layers give rise to all tissues/organs in fully formed individuals. Animals can be classified based on the number of germ layers.

(i) Diploblastic: Body cells are organised in two layers, on the outer and inner ectoderm.

(iii) Triploblastic: The body wall of an animal is composed of three germ layers, e.g. mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm.

Question 2. List the standard features of cat, rat, and bat. 

Answer 2: 

• All have a notochord at some stage of their lifecycle.
• All are warm-blooded
• All have a four-chambered heart.
• All have skin covered with hair and have sweat and oil glands.
• The body is divisible into the head, neck, trunk and tail.
• Females have milk-producing mammary glands.
• Fleshy external ear (pinna) is present.
• Respiration is through the lungs only.
• Excrete urea (ureotelic animals)
• Fertilisation is internal.

Question 3. How is a flying lizard different from a bird? 

Answer 3: 

Question 4. Are advanced organisms the same as complex organisms? 

Answer 4:  Advanced organisms are generally the same as complex organisms due to the complexity of body structure increased with evolution. Therefore, the body structure of advanced organisms differs from the primitive ones, and the advanced or complex organisms are the same. 

Question 5. Which division among plants will have the simplest organisms? 

Answer 5:  In division among the plants, thallophyta division shows the simplest form of organisms, and it does not have a well-differentiated body like other plants, and it is not differentiated into root, stem and leaves. 

Question 6. For what reason do we classify organisms?

Answer 6: We classify organisms for the following reasons: 

For the diversity present between different organisms, classification of an organism is necessary to differentiate between its characteristics and function. 

Classification of organisms helps to find out evolutionary relationships between different organisms. A single kingdom has numerous species which show different characteristics. Therefore, it is difficult to study each of the 30 million species. 

Thus, scientists needed to group different species based on similar observable characteristics. 

Question 7. What are the primary characteristics of the broad division of organisms?

Answer 7: The primary characteristics of the organism’s classification are based on the cell’s nature. 

Like the cell, we generally see the absence and presence of membrane-bound cell organelles from tiny single-cell bacteria. 

Therefore, based on the nature of the cell, the organisms are generally divided into prokaryotes and eukaryotes. 

Question 8. Which organisms are primitive, and how are they different from advanced organisms? 

Answer 8: There are two groups of ideas: the first group has a few organisms, also known as lower organisms and primitive due to their simple body structure and have not changed much. The second group has organisms which have acquired particular body designs by accumulating changes. They are known as higher or more complex organisms—for example, all species in eukaryotes. 

Question 9. What are the criteria for classifying organisms of kingdom Monera and kingdom Protista?

Answer 9: The kingdom monera has prokaryotic organisms with no well-defined nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. They do not have cellulose cell walls. The Kingdom Protista have eukaryotes which generally include organisms with a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles with cellulosic cell walls in some organisms. 

Question 10. Provide three examples of the range of variations which you experience in life forms around you. 

Answer 10: These are the following examples experienced in daily life: 

• Size – Each organism has different sizes, ranging from tiny bacteria to giant trees or animals. 
• Appearance – Each species has different colours; the skin’s texture, size and shape of the body and other characteristics are also different. 
• Mode of nutrition – The main modes of nutrition in animals and plants are autotrophic and heterotrophic. Further, they were divided into different forms. Different organisms show very different modes of nutrition due to their different types of body structure and functions. 

Question 11. Why are plants and animals put into different categories?

Answer 11: There are various features due to which plants and animals are segregated into different categories: 

1. Chloroplasts: It is one of the main characteristic features of plants. Plants perform photosynthesis with the help of chloroplast, whereas animals do not require photosynthesis. Thus, chloroplasts are absent in their cells. 
2. Cell wall: A plant generally has a cell wall around its cell which initially protects them from external factors. In addition, it also protects from environmental stress. On the other hand, animals do not have such robust features due to the flexibility of their body.
3. Mode of nutrition- It is also one of the characteristic features that differentiate animals and plants. They can be classified into heterotrophs which depend on other organisms for their food. 

Question 12. What are the key advantages of classifying organisms? 

Answer 12: 

1. It becomes easy to study groups of organisms due to their high diversity. It is impossible to study organisms one by one. 
2. There is diversity in similar organisms; therefore, the diversity and classification help. 
3. It helps in the identification and study of their evolutionary relationships. 
4. It helps in different grouping species based on their similar observable characteristics. 

Question 13. Explain the basis of grouping organisms into five kingdoms. 

Answer 13: 

The different characteristics of organisms which differentiate the five kingdoms are: 

• Cell type – The cell is divided based on prokaryotes and eukaryotes and the basis of their cell structure. 
• Cell wall – It helps to differentiate the organisms based on the presence and absence of cellulosic cell walls. 
• Mode of nutrition – Based on nutrition, the organisms are classified into autotrophs and heterotrophs. 
• Body organisation – Different organisations show the cellular level of organisation, some tissue level while others have organ level. 
• Nuclear membrane – Some organisations show the presence of a nuclear membrane enclosing the nucleus. 

Question 14. Which one is the correct sentence from the following: 

1. a) Protista have unicellular eukaryotic organisms
2. b) Monera and Protista may be autotrophic and heterotrophic
3. c) Whittaker considered cell structure, mode source of nutrition for classification of organisms in five kingdoms
4. d) Monera consists of a well-defined nucleus. 

Answer 14: The correct option is d) Monera consists of a well-defined nucleus. 

Explanation: Kingdom monera consists of single-celled prokaryotic bacteria, blue-green photosynthetic algae, and filamentous actinomycetes. As prokaryotic cells, they do not have membrane-bound cell organelles and a well-defined nucleus. The undefined nuclear region is termed a nucleoid. The organisms of kingdom-Protista are eukaryotic and unicellular. It also includes organisms such as algae, protozoans, and unicellular fungi. There are five kingdoms Robert H Whittaker proposed, including 

1. Kingdom – Monera
2. Kingdom – Protista 
3. Kingdom – Fungi
4. Kingdom – Plantae
5. Kingdom – Animalia

Therefore, monera and protista may be either autotrophic or heterotrophic. 

Question 15. Which of the following options has specialised tissue for water conduction? 

1. i) Thallophyta 
2. ii) Bryophyta 

iii) Pteridophyta 

1. iv) Gymnosperms 

Options 

(a) (i) and (ii) 

(b) (ii) and (iii) 

(c) (iii) and (iv) 

(d) (i) and (iv)

Answer 15: The correct option is (c) (iii) and (iv) 

Explanation: Thallophytes have a body which cannot be differentiated into stem, roots or leaves. This undifferentiated body is known as the thallus. Therefore, the name thallophytes are given to them. Algae and Lichens are also included in thallophytes. 

Bryophytes are amphibians of the plant kingdom and have simple terrestrial plants. They don’t have proper roots or leaves. In addition, mosses, liverworts, and hornworts are some of the bryophytes. So both thallophytes and bryophytes are nonvascular plants. Therefore, they do not have xylem and phloem. 

Gymnosperms have naked seed-bearing plants. All conifers such as pines, ferns, cedars, and redwoods are gymnosperms. Further, they are vascular plants such as the xylem and phloem for their conduction. 

Pteridophyta is one of the oldest vascular plants, and its body is differentiated into an aerial shoot system. It also has an underground root system. In addition, all ferns fall under this group, the most developed seedless plants with few exceptions. 

Question 16. Which of the following produce seeds? 

1. Thallophyta 
2. Bryophyta 
3. Pteridophyta 
4. Gymnosperms 

Answer 16: The correct option is d) Gymnosperms

Explanation: Gymnosperms have naked seeds; on the other hand, the angiosperm bear’s seed is enclosed in a fruit. The reproductive organs in the members of cryptogams such as Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, and thallophyta are hidden. They usually produce naked embryos after fertilisation that are known as spores. In the case of phanerogams, the gymnosperms and angiosperms seeds are produced after fertilisation as they contain embryos and stored food. 

Question 17. Which of the following is an actual fish?

1. Jellyfish 
2. Dogfish
3. Silverfish
4. Starfish

Answer 17: The correct option is b) dogfish

Explanation: The jellyfish is a cylindrical vase-shaped individual of phylum-Cnidaria. These are free-swimming marine animals, and it consists of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and tentacles. Starfish have star-shaped bodies. In addition, scoliosis belongs to the class- Chondrichthyes. These fishes are known as dogfish due to their ability to smell. 

Question 18. In which group of animals coelom is filled with blood?

1. Arthropoda
2. Annelida
3. Echinodermata 
4. Nematoda 

Answer 18: The correct option is a) Arthropoda. 

Explanation: The true coelom is a body cavity where the cavity is in the embryonic mesoderm. In arthropods, annelids and Mollusca, the arthropods develop by splitting up mesoderm. It is also known as schizocoelom. Besides, in the cavity of Arthropoda, a non-Cephalopod mollusc colourless blood is present. In echinoderms and chordates, the mesoderm arises from the external wall of the embryonic gut or enteron as a hollow outgrowth or enterocele pouches. 

Coelenterates’ body cavity has roundworms, and the body cavity is not lined by mesoderm. Instead, the mesoderm is present as scattered pouches. Such a body cavity is called pseudo-colour. 

Question 19. Which is the most common or striking character among vertebrates? 

(a) Presence of notochord 

(b) Presence of a triploblastic condition

(c) Presence of gill pouches

Answer 19: The correct option is a) Presence of notochord

Explanation: 

Vertebrates are the most advanced animal group and are also called craniates.

The notochord is a characteristic feature of vertebrates. It is a rod-like support structure that runs along the animal’s back and separates the nerve tissue from the gut.

Other features of vertebrates include

They are equipped with an actual vertebral column and an internal skeleton, allowing different distributions of muscle attachment points to aid movement.

Their bodies are bilaterally symmetrical and triploblastic. They also have coelomic, segmented, and coelomic segments.

Complex differentiation of organs and tissues is common in these animals. They can be divided into five groups:

1. Pisces
2. Amphibia
3. Reptilia
4. Aves
5. Mammalia

Question 20. Which among the following have scales: 

1. i) Amphibians
2. ii) Pisces 

iii) Reptiles

1. iv) Mammals

(a) (i) and (iii) 

(b) (iii) and (iv) 

(c) (ii) and (iii) 

(d) (i) and (ii)

Answer 20: The correct option is (c) (ii) and (iii) 

Explanation: Fish and reptiles have hard protective scales on their skin for protection. In addition, the outer body of many fish is covered with scales, which are part of the fish’s integumentary system. 

The scales originate from the mesoderm. A significant characteristic of reptiles is the presence of scales composed of a protein known as keratin. These scales will form a waterproof barrier to the skin; they allow reptiles to exist away from water without the threat of dehydration. Amphibians use their skin as secondary respiratory surfaces. Their skin is permeable to water and gases and is lined by mucous. 

Question 21. Which is the member of Porifera?

1. Spongilla
2. Hydra
3. Penicillium
4. Euglena

Answer 21: The correct option is a) Spongilla.

Explanation: Spongilla is the only member who belongs to the phylum Porifera. Euglena is a member of Protista, penicillium belongs to the kingdom fungi, and hydra is a coelenterate. 

Question 22. Which of the following is not a criterion for classifying living organisms? 

1. The body design of the organism
2. Membrane-bound nucleus 
3. Ability to produce one’s food
4. Height of the plant

Answer 22: The correct option is d) Height of the plant

Explanation: Classification deals with the arrangement of organisms or groups of organisms into categories. Living forms vary in shape, size, structure, and function. In addition, the variation in their appearance, behaviour and body design form the basis of classification. 

Some of the other characteristics are 

1. Checking whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic
2. Which is the mode of nutrition
3. Levels of organisation
4. Presence or absence of vascular tissue 
5. Seed bearing and not bearing 
6. Naked seed or covered seed
7. Symmetry 

Question 23. Corals are: 

1. Poriferans attached to some solid support
2. Cnidarians that live alone 
3. Poriferans present at the sea bed
4. Cnidarians that live in colonies

Answer 23: The correct option is D) Cnidarians that live in colonies

Explanation: The corals are invertebrates of phylum-cnidaria. Corals live in compact colonies of identical individuals known as polyps. The group includes the important builders who will inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate. Although some corals can catch small fish and plankton, stinging cells on their tentacles. 

Most corals obtain energy and nutrients from unicellular photosynthetic algae, which live within their tissue. 

Question 24. Who introduces the system of nomenclature of organisms?

1. Robert Hooke 
2. Carolus Linnaeus
3. Robert Whittaker
4. Ernst Haeckel

Answer 24: The correct option is b) Carolus Linnaeus

Explanation: Carolus Linnaeus is considered the father of Taxonomy. He formulated the method of naming organisms known as the binomial nomenclature system. Each type of organism has two Latin names. One is for the genus, and the other is for the species. All frogs have the genus Rana, and the Indian bullfrog has the species name tigrina. 

Linnaeus also introduced a group of organisms that were divided into kingdoms. The Kingdom is divided into species and the phyla into classes and the classes into orders. Each individual of a species bears the closest resemblance to each other. 

Question 25. Find the incorrect following:

1. Series
2. Leech
3. Sea urchins
4. Earthworm

Answer 25: The correct option is d) Sea urchins.

Explanation: Sea urchins are not an annelid. They are called sea hedgehogs and are tiny spiny globular animals of phylum-Echinodermata. They are found in almost all the oceans and have dull shades of green, olive, brown, purple, blue and red. 

Annelids are triploblastic animals having bilaterally symmetrical bodies. The annelids bear metameric segmentation and are the first coelomates such as nereis, earthworm and leech. 

Question 26. The origin of species was written by;

1. Linnaeus
2. Darwin
3. Haeckel
4. Whittaker

Answer 26: The correct option is b) Darwin

Explanation: Charles Darwin is an English Naturalist who first described the idea of evolution in his book, The Origin of Species. It was published in 1859. Most of the life forms present today have developed by an accumulation of changes in body design. These traits are more complex than their ancestral forms. 

Question 27. Differentiation in segmental fashion occurs in

1. Leech
2. Starfish
3. Snails
4. Asia

Answer 27: The correct option is a) Leech

Explanation: Leech has metameric segmentation as they are divided into segments identical to each other and can bear a set of organs in each segment. 

Question 28. Hard calcium carbonate structures are used as a skeleton by

1. Arthropoda
2. Nematoda
3. Protochordate
4. Echinodermata

Answer 28: The correct option is d) Echinodermata

Explanation: The body wall of Echinoderm is covered with spiny, thorny, and calcareous, which form a rigid or flexible endoskeleton. 

Question 29. Fill in the blanks 

1. a) The five Kingdom of classification of a living organism is given by ____ 
2. b) the Basic smallest unit of classification is _____
3. c) Prokaryotes are grouped in Kingdom _____
4. d) Paramecium belongs to Kingdom Protista because of its _____
5. e) Fungi does not consist of _____
6. f) A fungus _____ can be seen without a microscope

Answer 29: 

1. a) The five Kingdom of classification of a living organism is given by H. Whittaker
2. b) the Basic smallest unit of classification is species
3. c) Prokaryotes are grouped in Kingdom Monera
4. d) Paramecium belongs to Kingdom Protista because of its nucleus 
5. e) Fungi does not consist of chlorophyll
6. f) A fungus mushroom can be seen without a microscope

Question 30. Fill in the blanks: 

1. a) Bilateral, dorsiventral symmetry is found in _____ 
2. b) Worms causing disease elephantiasis is _____
3. c) Open circulatory system can be found in ____, where the coelomic cavity is filled with blood
4. d) _____ are known to have pseudo-colour

Answer 30:

1. a) Bilateral, dorsiventral symmetry is found in liver fluke
2. b) Worms causing the disease elephantiasis are filarial worm
3. c) Open circulatory system can be found in arthropods where the coelomic cavity is filled with blood
4. d) Nematodes are known to have pseudo-colour

Question 31. State which is true or false

1. a) Gymnosperms majority differ from angiosperms in having covered seeds.
2. b) Non-flowering plants are known as cryptogamae
3. c) Bryophytes have conducted tissue
4. d) Funaria is like a moss
5. e) Compound leaves are found in many ferns
6. f) Seeds contain embryos 

Answer 31: 

1. a) Gymnosperms majorly differ from angiosperms in having covered seeds: False

Explanation: Gymno means naked, and sperm means seed. 

1. b) Non-flowering plants are known as cryptogamae: True

Explanation: Cryptogams are plants which reproduce by spores, which generally do not bear flowers and seeds and their reproductive organs. They are hidden or inconspicuous such as Thallophyta, Bryophyta, and Pteridophyta. 

1. c) Bryophytes have conducting tissue: False

Explanation: Bryophytes have no vascular tissues, and true leaves, stems, and roots are absent. 

1. d) Funaria is like a moss: True 

Explanation: Funaria is a moss derived from the Latin word finis, which means a rope. It belongs to the class Bryopsida. 

1. e) Compound leaves are found in many ferns: True

Explanation: Compound leaves are those whose leaf blade is divided into more distinct leaflets, such as fronds. 

1. f) Seeds contain embryos: True 

Explanation: The seed is covered with seed coats to survive unfavourable conditions. They have embryos, and cotyledons are present. If the seed germinates, then two parts come out from the embryo one is called the shoot another is known as the root. 

Question 32. Which of the following are true or false

1. a) Whittaker proposed five kingdom classifications
2. b) Monera is divided into eubacteria and archaebacteria
3. c) Starting from class, species comes before the genus
4. d) Anabaena only belong to the kingdom monera
5. e) Blue-green algae belong to the Kingdom Protista
6. f) All prokaryotes are classified under monera

Answer 32: 

1. a) Whittaker proposed five kingdom classification: True 

Explanation: R.H. Whittaker coined the five-kingdom classification in 1969; in this classification system, living beings are divided into five kingdoms, including monera, protista, fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. 

1. b) Monera is divided into eubacteria and archaebacteria: True 

Explanation: The organisms are classified into five kingdoms, further divided into archaebacteria and eubacteria. 

1. c) Starting from class, species come before the genus: False 

Explanation: Living organisms are classified according to taxonomic hierarchy. Taxonomic hierarchy is a rank in classifying organisms into seven of taxonomy Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. 

1. d) Anabaena only belong to the kingdom monera: True 

Explanation: Anabaena comes under the genus of cyanobacteria which belongs to the kingdom monera. 

1. e) Blue-green algae belong to the Kingdom Protista: False 

Explanation: Blue-green algae are prokaryotic, and according to the classification of the Kingdom, the prokaryotic unicellular organisms are placed under kingdom monera. 

1. f) All prokaryotes are classified under monera: True 

Explanation: As per the classification of the Kingdom, the living organisms are classified into monera, protista, fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Each prokaryotic unicellular organism is placed under kingdom monera. Besides, all eukaryotic unicellular organisms are placed under Kingdom Protista. 

Question 33. Classify the organisms based on the presence and absence of true coelom. 

Spongilla, sea anemone, liver fluke, planaria, Bucherer, Ascaris, nereis, earthworm, scorpion, fishes, birds, and horses. 

Answer 33: 

Pseudocoelomate: Wuchereria, Ascaris

Acoelomate: Spongilla, planaria, liver fluke, sea anemone

Coelomate: Nereis, scorpion, birds, fishes, horse, earthworm

Question 34. The endoskeleton of fishes is made up of cartilage and bone: classify the fishes as cartilaginous or bony

Torpedo, stingray, rohu, angler fish, dogfish, exogenous

Answer 34: Cartilaginous: Torpedo, stingray, dogfish

Bony: Rohu, angler fish, exocomets

Question 35. Distinguish between Pteridophytes and Phanerogams

Answer 35: 

Question 36. Distinguish between gymnosperms and angiosperms

Answer 36: 

Question 37. How are poriferan animals different from coelenterate animals?

Answer 37: 

Question 38. Differentiate between Annelids and Arthropods

Answer 38: 

Benefits of Solving Class 9 Science Chapter 7 Important Questions

Science is one of the complex subjects in the Class 9 curriculum. Students may find it challenging to comprehend the concepts. They can overcome this problem by solving important questions in Class 9, Science Chapter 7. This list of important questions will help students who are weak in Science or fear facing the challenge of learning complicated concepts. Therefore, the complete set of important questions can act as the student’s study materials. 

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• These questions will give an overall idea of the different types of questions, such as multiple-choice, long answer, and short-answer. 
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• Diversity in Living Organisms Class 9 Important Questions will help students to revise the syllabus and remember the important concepts with ease. 
• Solving diversity in living organism’s important questions will help students fetch more exam marks. 
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