Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) — NEET Biology MCQs with Solutions
Free NEET Biology Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) MCQs with step-by-step solutions (99 questions). Part of Animal Kingdom. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · theory
The three fundamental chordate characters present at some stage are:
A. Radula, mantle and shell
B. Water vascular system and tube feet
C. Ventral solid nerve cord and open circulation
D. Notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, and pharyngeal gill slits ✓ Correct
Solution: All chordates possess a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord, and paired pharyngeal gill slits at some life stage.
Q2 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · theory
Hemichordates were once placed with chordates but are now a separate phylum because they possess only a:
A. Cranium
B. True notochord throughout life
C. Vertebral column
D. Rudimentary structure (stomochord), not a true notochord ✓ Correct
Solution: The "stomochord" of hemichordates is not a true notochord, so they are placed in a separate phylum near the echinoderm–chordate line.
Q3 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · medium · theory
The chordate subphyla Urochordata and Cephalochordata are together called:
A. Protochordata (invertebrate chordates) ✓ Correct
B. Vertebrata
C. Gnathostomata
D. Agnatha
Solution: Urochordata (e.g. Ascidia) and Cephalochordata (Amphioxus) are the protochordates — lower chordates.
Q4 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · medium · theory
In which subphylum is the notochord present only in the larval TAIL, disappearing in the adult?
A. Vertebrata
B. Cephalochordata
C. Hemichordata
D. Urochordata ✓ Correct
Solution: In Urochordata (tunicates) the notochord is restricted to the larval tail and is lost in the sessile adult.
Q5 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · hard · theory
In Vertebrata, the notochord during development is ______ by a ______:
A. Converted into; gill slits
B. Replaced; cartilaginous or bony vertebral column ✓ Correct
C. Retained unchanged; nerve cord
D. Enlarged into; a stomochord
Solution: All vertebrates possess a notochord embryonically, which is later replaced by the vertebral column enclosing the nerve cord.
Q6 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · hard · theory
Which correctly distinguishes Cephalochordata from Urochordata?
A. Cephalochordates lose the notochord as adults
B. Urochordates have a persistent full-length notochord
C. Both have vertebral columns
D. In Cephalochordata the notochord extends from head to tail and persists throughout life ✓ Correct
Solution: In Amphioxus (Cephalochordata) the notochord runs the whole body length and persists lifelong, unlike urochordates.
Q7 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
The nerve cord that characterises all chordates is:
A. Dorsal, solid and paired
B. Dorsal, hollow and single ✓ Correct
C. Ventral, hollow and single
D. Ventral, solid and paired
Solution: A single, dorsal, hollow (tubular) nerve cord is a fundamental chordate feature; non-chordates typically have a ventral, solid and often double nerve cord.
Q8 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Balanoglossus, a marine worm-like animal, is an example of the phylum:
A. Urochordata
B. Cephalochordata
C. Hemichordata ✓ Correct
D. Cyclostomata
Solution: Balanoglossus (tongue worm) is a hemichordate. Urochordata and Cephalochordata are chordate subphyla, and Cyclostomata is a vertebrate class.
Q9 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · medium · numerical
Assertion (A): Hemichordata is now placed as a separate phylum rather than under Chordata. Reason (R): The buccal diverticulum (stomochord) of hemichordates is not a true notochord. Choose the correct option.
A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
B. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
C. A is false but R is true
D. A is true but R is false
Solution: Hemichordates possess only a stomochord (buccal diverticulum), not a true notochord, which is why they are now kept as a separate non-chordate phylum; R explains A.
Q10 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · medium · numerical
Match the group with its example — (i) Urochordata, (ii) Cephalochordata, (iii) Hemichordata:
A. i-Branchiostoma, ii-Balanoglossus, iii-Ascidia
B. i-Branchiostoma, ii-Ascidia, iii-Balanoglossus
C. i-Ascidia, ii-Branchiostoma, iii-Balanoglossus ✓ Correct
D. i-Balanoglossus, ii-Ascidia, iii-Branchiostoma
Solution: Ascidia is a urochordate (tunicate), Branchiostoma (Amphioxus) a cephalochordate, and Balanoglossus a hemichordate.
Q11 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · medium · numerical
Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes chordates from non-chordates?
A. Chordates have a notochord, a ventral solid nerve cord and a dorsal heart
B. Non-chordates have a ventral hollow nerve cord and a ventral heart
C. Chordates have a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and a ventral heart ✓ Correct
D. Non-chordates have a notochord and a dorsal tubular nerve cord
Solution: Chordates are characterised by a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and a ventral heart, whereas non-chordates typically show a solid ventral nerve cord and a dorsally placed heart.
Q12 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · medium · numerical
Assertion (A): All chordates are vertebrates. Reason (R): In every chordate the notochord is replaced by a vertebral column in the adult. Choose the correct option.
A. Both A and R are false ✓ Correct
B. A is false but R is true
C. A is true but R is false
D. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Solution: Protochordates (Urochordata, Cephalochordata) are chordates but not vertebrates, and their notochord is never replaced by a vertebral column, so both statements are false.
Q13 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
A small group of worm-like marine animals whose body is made of an anterior proboscis, a collar and a long trunk belongs to the phylum:
A. Annelida
B. Echinodermata
C. Hemichordata ✓ Correct
D. Chordata
Solution: Hemichordates are worm-like marine animals with a body of proboscis, collar and trunk (e.g. Balanoglossus).
Q14 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Which pair of genera are cited by NCERT as examples of the phylum Hemichordata?
A. Petromyzon and Myxine
B. Balanoglossus and Saccoglossus ✓ Correct
C. Asterias and Ophiura
D. Ascidia and Salpa
Solution: The two hemichordate examples given are Balanoglossus and Saccoglossus.
Q15 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
The cylindrical body of a hemichordate such as Balanoglossus is divided into three parts, namely:
A. An anterior proboscis, a collar and a long trunk ✓ Correct
B. Head, thorax and abdomen
C. Head and trunk only
D. Head, muscular foot and visceral hump
Solution: A hemichordate body has three regions: an anterior proboscis, a collar and a long trunk.
Q16 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
In hemichordates, the organ responsible for excretion is the:
A. Proboscis gland ✓ Correct
B. Nephridium
C. Malpighian tubule
D. Flame cell
Solution: The excretory organ of hemichordates is the proboscis gland.
Q17 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Respiration in hemichordates such as Balanoglossus takes place through:
A. Book lungs
B. Lungs
C. Skin only
D. Gills ✓ Correct
Solution: Hemichordates respire through gills.
Q18 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
The circulatory system of hemichordates is of the:
A. Open type ✓ Correct
B. Closed type
C. Double-closed type
D. Absent (no circulatory system)
Solution: Hemichordates possess an open type of circulatory system.
Q19 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
The rudimentary structure present in the collar region of hemichordates, which resembles a notochord, is called the:
A. Spongocoel
B. Stomochord ✓ Correct
C. Radula
D. Nerve cord
Solution: Hemichordates have a rudimentary stomochord in the collar region, a structure similar to a notochord.
Q20 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Besides a notochord and a dorsal hollow nerve cord, the third fundamental character of the phylum Chordata is the presence of:
A. A ventral solid nerve cord
B. Paired pharyngeal gill slits ✓ Correct
C. A water vascular system
D. Jointed appendages
Solution: The three fundamental chordate characters are a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and paired pharyngeal gill slits.
Q21 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
In members of the phylum Chordata, the circulatory system is of the:
A. Closed type ✓ Correct
B. Open type with a dorsal heart
C. Absent (no circulation)
D. Open type
Solution: Chordates possess a closed circulatory system.
Q22 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
In chordates the muscular heart lies on the ______ side of the body.
A. Ventral ✓ Correct
B. Dorsal
C. Lateral
D. Posterior
Solution: The heart of chordates is ventral (Table 4.1); in non-chordates it is dorsal, if present.
Q23 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
In chordates, the part of the body that extends behind the anus is called the:
A. Pre-anal tail
B. Parapodium
C. Post-anal tail ✓ Correct
D. Caudal cirrus
Solution: Chordates possess a post-anal tail, a part of the body extending beyond the anus.
Q24 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Phylum Chordata is divided into three subphyla, namely:
A. Tunicata, Cephalochordata and Echinodermata
B. Cephalochordata, Vertebrata and Hemichordata
C. Urochordata, Cephalochordata and Vertebrata ✓ Correct
D. Urochordata, Hemichordata and Vertebrata
Solution: Chordata is divided into Urochordata (Tunicata), Cephalochordata and Vertebrata.
Q25 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Hemichordata, once treated as a sub-phylum of Chordata, is now placed as a separate phylum under:
A. Non-chordata ✓ Correct
B. Protochordata
C. Vertebrata
D. Chordata (unchanged)
Solution: Hemichordata was earlier a sub-phylum of Chordata but is now a separate phylum placed under non-chordata.
Q26 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
With respect to sexes and fertilisation, hemichordates are:
A. Dioecious (sexes separate) with external fertilisation ✓ Correct
B. Hermaphrodite with external fertilisation
C. Hermaphrodite with internal fertilisation
D. Dioecious with internal fertilisation
Solution: In hemichordates the sexes are separate and fertilisation is external.
Q27 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
The grade of body organisation shown by hemichordates is the:
A. Tissue level
B. Organ-system level ✓ Correct
C. Cellular level
D. Organ level
Solution: Hemichordates show the organ-system level of body organisation.
Q28 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Hemichordates are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic and:
A. Acoelomate
B. Pseudocoelomate
C. Coelomate ✓ Correct
D. Diploblastic
Solution: Hemichordates are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic and coelomate animals.
Q29 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Which one of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of chordates?
A. A dorsal, hollow nerve cord
B. A ventral, solid and double nerve cord ✓ Correct
C. A notochord
D. Paired pharyngeal gill slits
Solution: A ventral, solid and double nerve cord is a non-chordate feature; chordates have a dorsal, hollow, single nerve cord.
Q30 — Hemichordata & Chordata (Basis) · easy · numerical
Development in hemichordates such as Balanoglossus is:
A. Direct with no larval stage
B. Direct
C. Indirect ✓ Correct
D. Absent
Solution: Development in hemichordates is indirect.