Biodiversity and Conservation Class 12 MCQ Questions With Answers
Class 12 Biology Chapter 15 MCQ Questions Question 1.
The most important cause of biodiversity loss is :
(A) Over exploitation of economic species
(B) Habitat loss and fragmentation
(C) Invasive species
(D) Breakdown of plant-pollinator relationships
Answer:
(B) Habitat loss and fragmentation
Explanation :
When large habitats are broken up into small fragments due to various human activities, mammals and birds requiring large territories and certain animals with migratory habits are badly affected, leading to population declines.
MCQ On Biodiversity And Conservation Class 12 Chapter 15 Question 2.
Alexander von Humboldt described for the first time:
(A) Ecological Biodiversity
(B) Laws of limiting factor
(C) Species-Area relationship
(D) Population Growth equation
Answer:
(C) Species-Area relationship
Explanation :
Alexander Von Humboldt noticed that within a region species richness increases with the increase in area.
Biodiversity And Conservation Class 12 MCQ Chapter 15 Question 3.
Which one of the following shows maximum genetic diversity in India
(A) Rice
(B) Maize
(C) Mango
(D) Groundnut
Answer:
(A) Rice
Explanation:
Rice has more than 50,000 genetically different strains while mango has 1000 varieties in India.
MCQs On Biodiversity And Conservation Chapter 15 Class 12 Question 4.
Which of the following countries has the highest biodiversity?
(A) Brazil
(B) South Africa
(C) Russia
(D) India
Answer:
(A) Brazil
Explanation :
Brazil is the country with the greatest biodiversity of flora and fauna on the planet. It has the highest number of species of known mammals and fresh-water fish, and more than 50,000 species of trees and bushes. It takes first place in plant diversity. The climate of Brazil remains relatively undisturbed, constant and predictable giving tune for diversification, which favours rich biodiversity.
Question 5.
Which of the following is not a cause for loss of biodiversity?
(A) Destruction of habitat
(B) Invasion by alien species
(C) Keeping animals in zoological parks
(D) Over-exploitation of natural resources
Answer:
(C) Keeping animals in zoological parks
Explanation :
Keeping animals in zoological parks is not a cause for loss of biodiversity. The important factors causing loss of biodiversity are as follows: (i) Destruction of natural habitat (primary cause) (ii) Introduction of exotic (alien species) and indigenous species (iii) Over-exploitation of natural resources (iv) Coextinction of species.
Question 6.
Where among the following will you find pitcher plant?
(A) Rain forest of North-East India
(B) Sundarbans
(C) Thar desert
(D) Western ghats
Answer:
(A) Rain forest of North-East India
Explanation :
Pitcher plant (Nepenthes) is an insectivorous plant, found in rain forest of North-East India. They generally grow in nitrogen deficient soil. Suniiar bans are rich in fauna and flora. Mangrove plants are the characteristic of Sundar
Answer:
(D) Western Ghats are rich in biodiversity. Xerophytes are more common in Thar deserts.
Question 7.
What is common to the following plants: Nepenthes, Psihotum, Rauwolfia and Aconitum?
(A) All are ornamental plants.
(B) All are phylogenic link species.
(C) All are prone to over-exploitation.
(D) All are exclusively present in the eastern Himalayas.
Answer:
(C) All are prone to over-exploitation.
Explanation :
All of the above plants are prone to over-exploitation due to their respective properties. Nepenthes (pilcher plant) is an insectivorous plant. Psilatum is a pteridophvte and Aconitum is a medicinal plant.
Question 8.
The species-area relationship is represented in form on a log scale.
(A) linear
(B) parabolic
(C) straight
(D) linear and parabolic
Answer:
(A) linear
Explanation :
The species-arca relationship is represented in linear form on a log scale.
Question 9.
Biodiversity is affected by
(A) latitudinal gradients
(B) species-area relationship
(C) Both (A) and (B)
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(C) Both (A) and (B)
Explanation :
Biodiversity is not uniform throughout the world. It varies with the change in latitude and altitude, it is affected by latitudinal gradients and species-area relationship.
Question 10.
World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) was held in:
(A) Brazil
(B) Sweden
(C) Argentina
(D) South Africa
Answer:
(D) South Africa
Explanation :
The World Summit on Sustain able Development took place in Johannesberg, South Africa.
Question 11.
Sacred groves are specially useful in :
(A) preventing soil erosion
(B) year-round flow of water in rivers
(C) conserving rare and threatened species
(D) generating environmental awareness
Answer:
(C) conserving rare and threatened species
Explanation :
Sacred grooves artmethod for in situ conservation of biodiversity and conserving rare threatened species.
Question 12.
Cryopreservation of gametes of threatened species in viable and fertile condition can be referred to as :
(A) in site conservation of biodiversity
(B) advanced ex site conservation of biodiversity.
(C) in site conservation by sacred groves.
(D) in site cryo-conservation of biodiversity
Answer:
(B) advanced ex site conservation of biodiversity.
Explanation :
In recent years, ex-situ conservation has advanced by preserving the gametes of threatened species in viable and fertile condition for long periods using cryopreservation techniques.
Question 13.
Which one of the following is not a major characteristic feature of biodiversity hot-spots?
(A) Large number of species
(B) Abundance of endemic species
(C) Large number of exotic species
(D) Mostly located in polar regions
Answer:
(D) Mostly located in polar regions
Explanation:
Biodiversity hotspots specifically refer to 25 biologically rich areas around the world that have lost at least 70% of their original habitat. They are characterised by large number of flora and fauna, abundance of endemic species and also large number of , alien or exotic species. They are mostly found
in tropical and temperate regions. There are no biodiversity hotspots in polar regions.
Question 14.
The one-horned rhinoceros is specific to which of the following sanctuary?
(A) Bhitar Kanika
(B) Bandipur
(C) Kaziranga
(D) Corbett park
Answer:
(C) Kaziranga
Explanation :
Onehorned rhinoceros is specil’ic to Kaziranga National Park, which is siluated in Golaghat and Nagaon districts of (AsH sam). Bhitar Kanika National Park is loealed in Odisha and is specific for salt water crocodile. Bandipur National Park (Mysore) too is specific for tigers. Corbett National Park is situated in district Nainital (Uttarakhand) and is specific for tiger. It is the first National Park of India, which is famous for tigers.
Question 15.
Amongst the animal groups given below, which one has the highest percentage of endangered species?
(A) Insects
(B) Mammals
(C) Amphibians
(D) Reptiles
Answer:
(C) Amphibians
Explanation :
Amphibians have the highesl percentage presently, 32% of all amphibian species in the world face the threat of extinction. Other than these, 23% of all mammal species and 12% of all bird species also facing the risk,
Question 16.
What is common to the techniques (i) in-vitro fertilisation, (ii) Cryopreservation and (iii) tissue culture?
(A) All are in-situ conservation methods.
(B) All are ex-situ conservation methods.
(C) All require ultra-modern equipment and large space.
(D) All are methods of conservation of extinct organisms.
Answer:
(B) All are ex-situ conservation methods.
Explanation :
Invitro fertilisation, cryopres ervation and tissue culture are all exsitu conservation methods. Exsitu (off site) conserva lion is a set of conservation techniques which involves the transfer of a target species away from its native habitat. At present gametes of threatened species can be preserved in viable conditions (at very low temperature 196°C) for longer duration by cryopreservation method. Fertilisation can be achieved in laboratory through the process of invitro fertilisation, and species can be propagated by lissueculture method which is a plant breeding princi
Question 17.
The historic convention on Biological Diversity held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 is known as
(A) The CITES Convention
(B) The Earth Summit
(C) The G-16 Summit
(D) The MAB Programme
Answer:
(B) The Earth Summit
Explanation :
The historic convention on biological diversity held in Riode Janeiro (Brazil) in 3-4 June, 1992 is known as the Earth Summit. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna) has helped in restricting poaching and loss of rare species. MAB stands for Man and Biosphere Programme, which undertakes es-tablishment and maintenance of biosphere reserves.
Question 18.
The extinction of passenger pigeon was due to
(A) increased number of predatory birds.
(B) over-exploitation by humAnswer:
(C) non-availability of the food.
(D) bird flu virus infection.
Answer:
(B) over-exploitation by humAnswer:
Explanation :
Extinction of passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migraturius) was due to the combined effects of their natural dramatic popula tion fluctuations and human overexploitation. Factors like increase in number of predatory birds, nonavailability of food and bird flu virus infection did not contribute to the extinc lion of passenger pigeon.
Question 19.
What is common to Lantana, Eichkornia and African catfish?
(A) All are endangered species of India.
(B) All are key stone species.
(C) All are mammals found in India.
(D) All the species are neither threatened, nor indigenous species of India.
Answer:
(D) All the species are neither threatened, nor indigenous species of India.
Explanation :
Lantana, Eichhornia (water hya cinth) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinu) are neither threatened, nor indigenous species of India. They all are alien (or exotic) species which are invasive and have a harmful impact on the indigenous species leading to their extinction.
Assertion and Reason Based MCQs
Directions: In the following questions a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of reason (R). Mark the correct choice as:
(A) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion
(B) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
Question 1.
Assertion (A): Biodiversity means diversity at species level.
Reason (R): Biodiversity is a diversity not only at species level but at all levels of biological organization.
Answer:
(D) Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
Explanation:
The term biodiversity is popularized by Edward Wilson, it is a diversity at all levels of biological organization from macro molecules within cells to the biomes.
Question 2.
Assertion (A): Percentage of animals is more than the percentage of plants.
Reason (R): 70% of all the species are animals, while plants contribute nearly 22% of the total.
Answer:
(A) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion
Explanation :
Animals have a nervous system to receive stimuli and respond against them, they are mobile and can move the avoid com-petition.
Question 3.
Assertion (A): Western ghats of India are one of the hot spots of biodiversity.
Reason (R): Western ghats have greater amphibian diversity than eastern ghats.
Answer:
(B) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation :
Western ghats is one of the eight hotspots of biological diversity in the world due to its high level of biological diversity and endemism.
Question 4.
Assertion (A): Biologists are not sure about total number of prokaryotic species
Reason (R): Nearly 45,000 species of plants and twice as many of animals have been recorded from India
Answer:
(B) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation :
Biologists are not sure about tolal number of prokaryotic species because : (a) Conventional taxonomic methods are not suit-able for identifying microbial species, (b) Many species are not culturable under laboratory conditions.
Question 5.
Assertion (A): There is more species biodiversity in tropical latitudes than in temperate ones.
Reason (R): Tropical environments, unlike temperate ones, are less seasonal, relatively more constant and predictable.
Answer:
(A) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion
Explanation :
Biodiversity (species richness) is highest in tropics because (i) Tropics had more evolutionary time, (ii) Relatively constant environment (less seasonal), (iii) They receive more solar energy which contributes to greater productivity.
Question 6.
Assertion (A): Process of extinction is random and fast.
Reason (R): Any species which can not adapt itself according to the environment, it cannot survive.
Answer:
(D) Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
Explanation :
If an organism fails to adapt itself according to the environment, it will not survive.
Question 7.
Assertion (A): Loss of habitat is the main cause of loss of biodiversity.
Reason (R): This causes the increase in edge area and reduction in core area.
Answer:
(C) Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
Explanation :
There are many reasons behind the loss of biodiversity among them habitat loss is one, others are overexploitation, alien- species invasions, co-extinctions.
Question 8.
Assertion (A): Biosphere reserves are also included under the ex-situ conservation strategies.
Reason (R): Cropping and grazing are allowed in the transition zone of biosphere reserve.
Answer:
(D) Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
Explanation :
Biosphere reserves are included under the in situ conservation strategies.
Question 9.
Assertion (A): Sacred groves are highly protected.
Reason (R): They are of religious importance to the communities.
Answer:
(A) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion
Explanation:
Sacred groves are highly protccted by certain communities because they are of religious importance to the communities. They ‘t have a significant role in insitu conservation.
Question 10.
Assertion (A): Many species like Stellar’s sea cow, passenger pigeon, etc., became extinct due to overexploitation.
Reason(R): Overexploitation is a major cause of biodiversity loss.
Answer:
(B) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
Explanation :
Many species like’ Stellar’s sea cow, passenger pigeon, etc., became extinct due to over exploitation. The dependence of humans on nature for food and shelter led to over exploitation of natural resources. It is one of the major causes of biodiversity loss.
Case-Based MCQs
Attempt any four sub-parts from each question. Each sub-part carries 1 mark.
I. Read the following text and answer the following questions on the basis of the same:
Excessive exploitation of species, whether a plant or animal reduces the size of its population, so it becomes vulnerable to extinction. Such as Dodo and passenger pigeon have become extinct due to over exploitation by humAnswer:Thus, the world is facing accelerated rates of species extinctions, largely due to human interference.
Question 1.
Identify a cause of biodiversity loss that is not included in evil quartet?
(A) Coextinction
(B) Pollution
(C) Alien species invasion
(D) Habitat loss and fragmentation
Answer:
(B) Pollution
Explanation :
Evil quartet, i.c., four major causes of biodiversity loss are habitat loss and fragmentation, over exploitation, alien species invasion and coextinction.
Question 2.
The species that have become extinct due to over exploitation is/are:
(A) Stellar sea cow
(B) Yucca moth
(C) Blatta orientalis
(D) Nile Perch
Answer:
(A) Stellar sea cow
Explanation :
Steller’s sea cow has become extinct in the last 500 years due to overexploitation by humAnswer:
Question 3.
Factors which make species susceptible to extinction are:
(A) Small population size
(B) Higher status of trophic level
(C) Inability to switch over to alternate food
(D) All of the above
Answer:
(D) All of the above
Explanation :
Population traits which make species susceptible to extinction are small population, higher status of trophic level and ’ inability to switch over to alternate foods.
Question 4.
Assertion: Pollution reduces species biodiversity.
Reason: Spillover of oil in sea causes death of several marine animals.
(A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(D) Both assertion and reason are false.
Answer:
(C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
Explanation :
Spillover of oil in sea causes death of several marine animals this pollution reduces species biodiversity.
Question 5.
——- is the first major cause of species
(A) Coextinction
(B) Overexploitation
(C) Habitat destruction
(D) Alien species invasion major cause of species extinction.
Answer:
(C) Habitat destruction
II. India is divided into 10 biogeographical regions. Varying physical conditions and species grouping India has rich species diversity. Tropics are rich centre of biodiversity. Warm temperature, high humidity in tropical areas provide favourable conditions throughout the years. Rich diversity is important for stability, productivity for ecosystems.
Question 1.
Which among the following represents diversity at ecosystem level?
(A) Genetic diversity
(B) Ecological diversity
(C) Species diversity
(D) Species evenness
Answer:
(B) Ecological diversity
Explanation :
Diversity of plants an animals at ecosystem is called ecological diversity.
Question 2.
Which of the following taxon shows maximum species diversity?
(A) Fishes
(B) Beetles
(C) Orchids
(D) Ants.
Answer:
(B) Beetles
Explanation :
Beetles shows maximum diversity in species as it represent the largest order of insects.
Question 3.
What is the approximate ratio of animals and plant species in our country?
(A) 3 :1
(B) 2 :1
(C) 1 : 3
(D) 1: 2
Answer:
(B) 2 :1
Explanation :
Ratio of plants and species in India is 2 :1.
Question 4.
When group represents minimum species diversity among vertebrates?
(A) Birds
(B) Mammals
(C) Reptiles
(D) Amphibians
Answer:
(B) Mammals
Explanation:
Among the vertebrates, minimum diversity is represented by amphibians and followed by reptiles, birds and mammals.
Directions: In the following questions a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of reason (R). Mark the correct choice as :
(A) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true and reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and reason (R) are true but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false but reason (R) is true.
Question 5.
Assertion (A): Tropics have more biodiversity.
Reason (R): Climate of tropical regions is more seasonal.
Answer:
(C) Assertion (A) is true but reason (R) is false.
Explanation :
Tropics have more biodiversity due to warm temperature and high humidity.
III. Pollution, climate changes, over-exploitation by human etc. are responsible for changes in the ecosystem. Change in an ecosystem is responsible for depletion in biodiversity which directly or indirectly affects human beings and their surrounding. So it is important to conserve the biodiversity. There are various methods like in-situ conservation, ex situ conservation by which we can conserve our biodiversity.
Question 1.
How many biodiversity hot spots are identified globally?
(A) 20
(B) 3
(C) 34
(D) 50
Answer:
(C) 34
Explanation:
There are more than 30 biodiversity hot spots in the world. India have biodiversity hot spots.
Question 2.
Main cause of extinction of animals and plants is:
(A) Habitat loss and fragmentation
(B) Competition between species
(C) Over-exploitation
(D) Alien spedes invasion.
Answer:
(A) Habitat loss and fragmentation
Explanation :
Due to habitat loss animals migrates and losses their favourable condition, food, temperature waer that makes difficulty is surviving and become extinct.
Question 3.
Protected areas are examples of
(A) In situ conservation
(B) Ex-situ conservation
(C) Cryopreservation
(D) Green houses.
Answer:
(A) In situ conservation
Explanation :
Conservation of plants and species with in thee suitable boundary of natural surroundings.
Question 4.
Name the National Aquatic Animal of India?
(A) Sea-horse
(B) Gangetic shark
(C) Blue whale
(D) River dolphin
Answer:
(D) River dolphin
Explanation :
Dolphin is the national aquatic animals of India.
Question 5.
Species at the high risk of extinction in the future is called :
(A) Vulnerable
(B) Extinct
(C) Endemic
(D) Critically Endangered
Answer:
(D) Critically Endangered
Explanation :
The species of an organism lasting with the change in suitable condition of survival with thee time. Such species are called critically endangered.