Classification Systems — NEET Biology MCQs with Solutions
Free NEET Biology Classification Systems MCQs with step-by-step solutions (29 questions). Part of Plant Kingdom. Practise online on Prepizo — no login needed.
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Questions with solutions
Q1 — Classification Systems · easy · theory
Artificial systems of classification were based mainly on:
A. Chemical constituents
B. Evolutionary relationships
C. One or a few vegetative/floral characters (e.g. Linnaeus used stamens) ✓ Correct
D. Chromosome number
Solution: Artificial systems used one or a few easily observed characters and gave equal weight to vegetative and sexual features.
Q2 — Classification Systems · easy · theory
Phylogenetic classification systems are based on:
A. Evolutionary relationships among organisms ✓ Correct
B. Habitat alone
C. Only floral characters
D. Only economic uses
Solution: Phylogenetic systems assume organisms of the same taxon share a common ancestor.
Q3 — Classification Systems · medium · theory
Natural classification systems (e.g. Bentham & Hooker) differ from artificial ones because they:
A. Use only the number of stamens
B. Use overall (many) natural characters, including internal features ✓ Correct
C. Are based only on DNA
D. Ignore all morphology
Solution: Natural systems consider many characters and natural affinities, unlike the one-character artificial systems.
Q4 — Classification Systems · medium · theory
Numerical taxonomy assigns:
A. No numerical codes
B. Equal weightage to all characters, processed by computers ✓ Correct
C. Importance only to habitat
D. Weightage only to floral parts
Solution: Numerical taxonomy codes hundreds of characters, giving each equal weight, and processes them numerically.
Q5 — Classification Systems · hard · theory
Cytotaxonomy and chemotaxonomy are modern aids that use, respectively:
A. Cytological information (e.g. chromosome number/behaviour) and chemical constituents ✓ Correct
B. Numerical codes only
C. Fossils and habitats
D. Only external morphology
Solution: Cytotaxonomy uses chromosome data; chemotaxonomy uses chemical constituents to resolve confusions.
Q6 — Classification Systems · hard · theory
Bentham and Hooker's classification, though natural, is criticised because it placed gymnosperms:
A. Before algae
B. Between dicots and monocots (an unnatural position) ✓ Correct
C. Within the angiosperms as a family
D. After the animals
Solution: In Bentham & Hooker's scheme gymnosperms were placed between dicotyledons and monocotyledons, now considered incorrect.
Q7 — Classification Systems · easy · numerical
Which classification is best described as artificial because it grouped plants mainly by the number and arrangement of stamens?
A. The system of Bentham and Hooker
B. The system of Engler and Prantl
C. The system of Hutchinson
D. The sexual system of Linnaeus ✓ Correct
Solution: Linnaeus's sexual system is the classic artificial classification because it relied largely on a single character — the stamens — placing unrelated plants together.
Q8 — Classification Systems · easy · numerical
The largest classification of seed plants based on a natural system, published in Genera Plantarum, was proposed by:
A. Carolus Linnaeus
B. Engler and Prantl
C. Bentham and Hooker ✓ Correct
D. John Hutchinson
Solution: Bentham and Hooker gave the most comprehensive natural system in Genera Plantarum; it is still followed in many herbaria.
Q9 — Classification Systems · easy · numerical
Two morphologically similar plants that differ in their chromosome number are most reliably distinguished by:
A. Cytotaxonomy ✓ Correct
B. Chemotaxonomy
C. Numerical taxonomy
D. Morphotaxonomy
Solution: Cytotaxonomy uses cytological information such as chromosome number, structure and behaviour, so it separates species that look alike but differ in chromosome number.
Q10 — Classification Systems · easy · numerical
Assertion (A): Phylogenetic systems of classification developed only after the mid-nineteenth century. Reason (R): They aim to reflect the evolutionary relationships among plants.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true but R is false
D. A is false but R is true
Solution: Phylogenetic classifications arose after Darwin's theory of evolution precisely because their goal is to depict evolutionary (phylogenetic) relationships, so R correctly explains A.
Q11 — Classification Systems · medium · numerical
Which set correctly matches each worker with the type of classification system he proposed?
A. Linnaeus – artificial; Bentham and Hooker – natural; Engler and Prantl – phylogenetic ✓ Correct
B. Linnaeus – natural; Bentham and Hooker – artificial; Engler and Prantl – phylogenetic
C. Linnaeus – natural; Bentham and Hooker – phylogenetic; Engler and Prantl – artificial
D. Linnaeus – phylogenetic; Bentham and Hooker – artificial; Engler and Prantl – natural
Solution: Linnaeus gave an artificial (sexual) system, Bentham and Hooker a natural system, and Engler and Prantl a phylogenetic one based on evolutionary relationships.
Q12 — Classification Systems · medium · numerical
Which statement about numerical taxonomy is INCORRECT?
A. It gives greater weightage to floral characters than to vegetative ones ✓ Correct
B. It uses computers to process large amounts of data
C. It gives equal importance to every character used
D. Hundreds of characters can be analysed at the same time
Solution: Numerical taxonomy gives equal weightage to all characters and processes hundreds of them by computer; it does NOT favour floral over vegetative characters, so that statement is incorrect.
Q13 — Classification Systems · medium · numerical
Which statement about phylogenetic classification is correct?
A. It is based only on one or two easily seen floral characters
B. It arranges organisms on the basis of their evolutionary and genetic relationships ✓ Correct
C. It assigns code numbers to characters and ignores evolution
D. It groups plants purely by their chromosome number
Solution: A phylogenetic system reflects evolutionary (and increasingly genetic) relationships; the other options describe artificial, cytological and numerical approaches respectively.
Q14 — Classification Systems · medium · numerical
Classifying plant families using specific chemical constituents such as alkaloids and betalains is an application of:
A. Cytotaxonomy
B. Classical morphotaxonomy
C. Chemotaxonomy ✓ Correct
D. Numerical taxonomy
Solution: Chemotaxonomy classifies plants using their chemical constituents (secondary metabolites like alkaloids, crystals and pigments such as betalains).
Q15 — Classification Systems · medium · numerical
Assertion (A): Artificial systems often place unrelated plants together in the same group. Reason (R): They rely on one or a few easily observable characters rather than overall similarities.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is false but R is true
D. A is true but R is false
Solution: Because artificial systems weight just one or a few conspicuous characters, they can group unrelated plants together, so R correctly explains A.
Q16 — Classification Systems · easy
Phylogenetic classification is based on –
A. evolutionary relationship ✓ Correct
B. 1 and 2 both
C. organism belonging to some taxa do not have a common ancestor
D. giving equal weightage to vegetative & sexual character but not on evolutionary relationship
Solution: Phylogenetic classification systems are based on the evolutionary relationships between organisms, assuming taxa share a common ancestor.
Q17 — Classification Systems · medium
Artificial classification system is –
A. based on external and internal features
B. based on ultrastructure, anatomical, and embryological characters
C. based mainly on vegetative character and androecium structure ✓ Correct
D. based on chromosome number.
Solution: Artificial systems (e.g., Linnaeus) used a few easily observable characters like vegetative traits and androecium (sexual) structure, giving them equal weightage.
Q18 — Classification Systems · easy
Which system is given by George Bentham and Joseph Dalton Hooker?
A. Artificial classification system
B. Natural classification system ✓ Correct
C. Phylogenetic classification
D. (1) and (2) respectively
Solution: Bentham and Hooker developed the largest natural classification system, based on natural affinities using many characters.
Q19 — Classification Systems · medium
Which one is incorrectly paired?
A. Chemotaxonomy – Based on phytochemistry
B. Cytotaxonomy – Based on cytological information
C. Natural classification – Linnaeus ✓ Correct
D. Numerical taxonomy – Number and code are assigned to all the characters and the data are then processed
Solution: Linnaeus gave an artificial classification system, not a natural one, so this pairing is incorrect.
Q20 — Classification Systems · medium
Statement I: Alternation of generations involves sequential occurrence of gametophyte and sporophyte phases. Statement II: In all plants, the gametophyte and sporophyte are equally dominant.
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
B. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
C. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
D. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. ✓ Correct
Solution: Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect because the dominance of the two phases varies among different plant groups.
Q21 — Classification Systems · medium
Statement I: In bryophytes, the dominant phase is the haploid gametophyte. Statement II: In tracheophytes (vascular plants), the dominant phase is the diploid sporophyte.
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. ✓ Correct
B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
C. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
D. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
Solution: Both statements are correct as bryophytes have a dominant haploid gametophyte and vascular plants have a dominant diploid sporophyte.
Q22 — Classification Systems · hard
Statement I: In gymnosperms and angiosperms, the gametophyte is free-living and long-lived. Statement II: In seed plants, the gametophytes develop within spores retained on the sporophyte.
A. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
B. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. ✓ Correct
C. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
D. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
Solution: Statement I is incorrect because the gametophyte of seed plants is reduced and dependent, while Statement II is correct.
Q23 — Classification Systems · hard
Statement I: Haplontic life cycle has a dominant haploid vegetative phase. Statement II: Many green algae exhibit a haplontic life cycle.
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. ✓ Correct
B. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
C. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
Solution: Both statements are correct as the haplontic life cycle has a dominant haploid phase and is seen in many green algae.
Q24 — Classification Systems · hard
Statement I: Diplontic life cycle has a dominant diploid sporophytic phase. Statement II: Typical seed plants (gymnosperms and angiosperms) show a diplontic life cycle.
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. ✓ Correct
B. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
D. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
Solution: Both statements are correct as the diplontic life cycle has a dominant diploid sporophyte and is shown by seed plants.
Q25 — Classification Systems · hard
Statement I: In haplodiplontic life cycle, both gametophyte and sporophyte are multicellular and often free-living. Statement II: Some pteridophytes and bryophytes exhibit a haplodiplontic pattern.
A. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
B. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. ✓ Correct
C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
D. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
Solution: Both statements are correct as the haplodiplontic cycle has multicellular gametophyte and sporophyte and is seen in bryophytes and pteridophytes.
Q26 — Classification Systems · medium
Statement I: Water requirement for fertilisation progressively decreases from algae to angiosperms. Statement II: In angiosperms, the pollen tube delivers male gametes to the egg without the need for external water.
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. ✓ Correct
B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
Solution: Dependence on water for fertilisation decreases toward angiosperms, where the pollen tube removes the need for external water, so both statements are correct.
Q27 — Classification Systems · medium
Statement I: Structural complexity generally increases from algae to angiosperms. Statement II: Angiosperms show the highest differentiation of tissues and organs among plant groups.
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
B. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
D. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. ✓ Correct
Solution: Structural complexity rises from algae to angiosperms, which show the highest tissue and organ differentiation, so both statements are correct.
Q28 — Classification Systems · medium
Statement I: Angiosperms and gymnosperms are collectively called phanerogams because they are seed-bearing plants. Statement II: Cryptogams include algae, bryophytes and pteridophytes which reproduce by spores.
A. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
B. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
C. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. ✓ Correct
D. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
Solution: Seed-bearing angiosperms and gymnosperms are phanerogams, while spore-bearing algae, bryophytes and pteridophytes are cryptogams, so both statements are correct.
Q29 — Classification Systems · medium
Statement I: In bryophytes and pteridophytes, alternation of generations is well-expressed, with multicellular gametophyte and sporophyte. Statement II: In these groups, the sporophyte and gametophyte are always identical morphologically.
A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
B. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
C. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
D. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. ✓ Correct
Solution: Statement I is correct, but the sporophyte and gametophyte are morphologically distinct (not identical), so Statement II is incorrect.