Organisms and Populations

Exercise - I
1. The population of an insect species shows an 5. In a pond there are 400 lotus plant last year,
explosive increase in numbers during rainy through reproduction 16 new lotus plants
season followed by its disappearance at the are added, taking the current population to
end of the season. What does this show? 416, then calculate the birth rate.
(1) The population of its predators (1) 0.4 offspring per year
increases enormously (2) 0.6 offspring per year
(2) S-shaped or sigmoid growth of this insect (3) 0.08 offspring per year
(3) The food plants mature and die at the (4) 0.04 offspring per year
end of the rainy season. BOP005
(4) Its population growth curve is of J-type
6. A country has a high number of
BOP001
reproductive individual than pre-
2. The formula for exponential population
reproductive individual, what is correct
growth is -
about the population?
dt dN
(1) = rN (2) = dt (1) Population is expanding
dN rN
rN dN (2) Population is declining
(3) = dt (4) = rN
dN dt (3) Population is stable
BOP002 (4) Cannot be predicted
3. Regarding life history variations. Which BOP006
among the following is incorrect? 7. In a logistic growth curve of population,
(1) Breeding once in life time — Bamboo environmental resistance is maximum when
(2) Breeding many times in life time — Birds
(3) Production in large number of small size K
offspring — Mammals
(4) Production in small number of large size Population
density
offspring — Birds
(N)
BOP003
dN K −N
4. = rN   Time
dt  N  (1) value of 'r' is high (2) value of 'r' is low
K −N (3) N approaches K (4) K approaches N
In above equation   represent: -
 N  BOP007
(1) Carrying capacity 8. A group of individuals of same species
(2) Environmental resistance constitute:
(3) Rate of change in population density (1) Organism (2) Community
(4) Instrinsic rate of growth (3) Biome (4) Population
BOP004 BOP008

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 NEET : Biology
9. Which of the following sequences is correct 13. Biosphere is :
according to ecological hierarchy :- (1) a component in the ecosystem
(1) Population, variety, community, (2) composed of the plants present in the soil
ecosystem (3) life in the outer space
(2) Population, community, ecosystem, (4) composed of all living organisms present
Biome on earth which interact with the
(3) Population, community, species, physical environment
ecosystem BOP015
(4) Species, variety, ecosystem, population 14. The species which establishes an essential
BOP009 link with other species to help the later in
10. Properties of populations are not present in some vital activity, is called :-
the __"A"__ but arise as a result of (1) Critical link species
(2) Key stone species
interactions among the __"B"__ comprising
(3) Endemic species
the population. "A" and "B" are :-
(4) Ecophene
(1) Organisms and ecosystems BOP016
(2) Biomes and organisms 15. Species which play, a vital role in controlling
(3) Organism and organisms the relative abundance of other species, and
(4) Ecosystems and communities. control functioning of the community is called
BOP010 (1) Dominant species
11. Fill in the blank. (2) Key stone species
A ..... is a unit of land with a natural (3) Link species
boundary having a mosaic of patches. There (4) Network species
patches generally represent different .......... BOP017
(1) Biome, Landscape 16. Kangaroo rat in desert is an example of ?
(2) Biome, Ecosystem (1) Endemic species
(3) Landscape, Ecosystem (2) Key stone species
(4) Landscape, Biome (3) Critical link species
BOP011 (4) None of these
12. In ecological hierarchy the abiotic factors BOP018
are first time included at which hierarchical 17. Which of the following is not an example of
level endemic species ?
(1) Community Level (1) Fig tree
(2) Population Level (2) Kangaroo
(3) Ecosystem Level (3) Kiwi
(4) Landscape Level (4) Metasequoia
BOP014 BOP019

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Organisms and Populations
18. Mycorrhizal association is 25. A relationship between algae & fungi is an
(1) Mutualism (2) Commensalism example of:
(3) Parasitism (4) Exploitation (1) Commensalism (2) Protocooperation
BOP020 (3) Mutualism (4) Parasitism
19. In general, species diversity _____ as we BOP030
move away from the equator towards the 26. Lichens are the associations of
poles (1) Protist and fungus
(1) Increases (2) Algae and bacterium
(2) Decrease (3) Fungus and algae
(3) Constant (4) Fungus and virus
(4) Can not say anything BOP031
BOP021 27. Which one of the following population
20. Which of the following is not a interaction is (+, +) type :
characteristics of a community? (1) Commensalism (2) Mutualism
(1) Dominance (2) Species diversity (3) Parasitism (4) Amensalism
(3) Natality (4) Stratification BOP032
BOP022 28. A wasp pollinating a fig flower is an example of:
21. The group of organisms of different species (1) Commensalism
forms a (2) Protocooperation
(1) Community (2) Population (3) Mutualism
(3) Ecosystem (4) Biome (4) Parasitism
BOP026 BOP033
22. Organisms which breed only once in their 29. Which one of the following interactions
life is :- share a characteristic where none of the
(1) Pacific Salmon fish (2) Pacific Tuna fish organism can complete its life cycle without
(3) Pacific Shark (4) Pacific Oysters the other participating organism?
BOP027 (1) [Link] and Human
23. Sexual deceit is exhibited by : (2) Cattle egret bird and Cattle
(1) Yucca plant (2) Ophrys plant (3) Hermit Crab and Sea Anemone
(3) Wasp species (4) Fig Tree (4) Yucca and Pronuba
BOP028 BOP034
24. Which of the following is an example of co– 30. Which of the following species relation is
evolution? not an example of detrimental relation?
(1) Barnacle & Whale (1) Viscum – Oak
(2) Clown fish & Sea Anemone (2) Sparrow – Seed
(3) Hermit crab & Sea Anemone (3) Loranthus-Mango
(4) Bees & orchid flower (4) Fig tree – Wasp
BOP029 BOP035

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 NEET : Biology
31. They may reduce the survival, growth and 36. Endemic plants -
reproduction of the other organism and (1) Cosmopolitan
reduce its population density, they might (2) Occur in a particular area
render the organism more vulnerable to (3) Occur at high altitudes
predation by making it physically weak. (4) Occur on north pole
They are: BOP041
(1) Predator (2) Parasites 37. Increase of population under optimum
(3) Ammensals (4) Commensal condition is termed.
BOP036 (1) Reproductive ability
32. Animals eating plants are categorised (2) Secondary production
separately as herbivores, they are in a broad (3) Biotic potential
ecological context not very different from: (4) Biomass
(1) Parasite (2) Predator BOP042
(3) Commensal (4) Amensal 38. Occurrence of endemic species in South
BOP037 America and Australia due to :-
33. Which statement is true for Connell's
(1) These species has been extinct from
elegant field experiment?
other regions
(1) Performed on prickly pear cactus
(2) Continental separation
(2) Shows resource partitioning
(3) There is no terrestrial route to these places
(3) Was perform in rocky intertidal area of
(4) Retrogressive evolution
Scotland
BOP043
(4) Was done on Pisaster
BOP038 39. In a population unrestricted reproductive
34. The prickly pear cactus in the early 1920 capacity is called as:
introduced into :- (1) Biotic potential
(1) American pacific cost (2) Fertility
(2) Rocky sea coasts of Scotland (3) Carrying capacity
(3) Galapagos islands (4) Birth rate
(4) Australia BOP044
BOP039 40. What is true for individuals of same species
35. Which of the following concept is correct (1) Live in same niche
about amensalism? (2) Live in same habitat
(1) Both species are benefitted (3) Interbreeding
(2) One species is benefitted and the other (4) Live in different habitat
is neither benefitted nor harmed BOP045
(3) One species is harmed whereas the 41. When the two ecosystems overlap each
other is unaffected other the area is called.
(4) One species is benefitted and the other (1) Ecotone (2) Niche
is harmed (3) Edge effect (4) Ecotypes
BOP040 BOP046

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Organisms and Populations
42. Group of two or more than two plant 48. Identify the correct match :-
species is called as :- Column-I Column-II
(1) Plant community (i) Species (a) Great influence on
(2) Animal ecosystem diversity community stability
(3) Plant ecosystem (ii) Species (b) Zonation
(4) Ecological niche dominance according to the
BOP050 need of light
43. Competition for food, light and space is (iii) Stratification (c) Different types of
most severe in - species in a
(1) Closely related species growing in the community
same area (in the same niche) (iv) Keystone (d) Highest number of
(2) Closely related species growing in species one type of
different habitat species
(3) Distantly related species growing in the (1) i-c, ii-b, iii-a, iv-d
same habitat (2) i-c, ii-d, iii-b, iv-a
(4) Distantly related species growing in (3) i-b, ii-a, iii-d, iv-c
different habitat (4) i-b, ii-d, iii-a, iv-c
BOP053 BOP058
44. Most successful parasites are those which do not 49. The group of organisms of different species
(1) Grow free (2) Kill their host form a :-
(3) Reproduce sexually (4) Survive in soil (1) Community (2) Population
BOP054 (3) Ecosystem (4) Biome
45. The basic unit of ecological study is :- BOP060
(1) species (2) organism 50. Which of the following is an epiphyte ?
(3) community (4) biosphere (1) Orchid (2) Lianas
BOP055 (3) Santalum (4) Mango
46. Mycorrhizae relationship between fungi BOP062
and roots of higher plants is ? 51. The correct statement for parasites is/are :-
(1) Parasitic relationship (a) Host specific parasites & hosts tend to
(2) Saprophytic relationship co-evolve
(3) Symbiotic relationship (b) Parasites have highly developed sense
(4) Epiphytic relationship organs
BOP056 (c) Parasites may reduce population
47. Parasites adversely affect :- density of host
(1) Survival of host. (d) Parasites have highly developed
(2) Growth of host. digestive system
(3) Reproduction potential of host. (1) a and b (2) b and c
(4) All of the above (3) a and c (4) a and d
BOP057 BOP063

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 NEET : Biology
52. A predator can be - (3) Head louse living on the human scalp
(1) Carnivore only (2) Herbivore only as well as laying eggs on human hair.
(3) Mammal only (4) Both (1) and (2) (4) The cuckoo (koel) lays its eggs in
BOP169 crow's nest.
53. Niche overlap indicates BOP080
(1) sharing of one or more resources 58. What type of human population is
between the two species represented by the following age
pyramid?
(2) mutualism between two species
Post-reproductive
(3) active cooperation between two
Reproductive
species
Pre-reproductive
(4) two different parasites on the same
host (1) Vanishing population
BOP065 (2) Stable population
54. A high density of elephant population in (3) Declining population
an area can result in :- (4) Expanding population
(1) Predation on one another BOP082
(2) Mutualism 59. The logistic population growth is
(3) Intra specific competition expressed by the equation :
(4) Inter specific competition (1) dN = rN  N − K 
dt  N 
BOP067
55. Geometric representation of age (2) dt = rN  K − N 
dN  K 
structure is a characteristic of :-
dN K −N
(1) Ecosystem (2) Biotic community (3) = rN  
dt  K 
(3) Population (4) Landscape
dN
BOP068 (4) = rN
dt
56. Which one of the following is one of the
BOP083
characteristics of a biological community?
60. Cuscuta is an example of: -
(1) Sex-ratio (2) Stratification
(1) Predation
(3) Natality (4) Mortality (2) Endoparasitism
BOP073 (3) Ectoparasitism
57. Which one of the following is categorised (4) Brood parasitism
as a parasite in true sense? BOP085
(1) The female Anopheles bites and sucks
blood from humans.
(2) Human foetus developing inside the
uterus draws nourishment from the
mother.

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Organisms and Populations

EXERCISE-I (Conceptual Questions) ANSWER KEY

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Answer 4 4 3 2 4 2 3 4 2 3 3 3 4 1 2
Question 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Answer 2 1 1 2 3 1 1 2 4 3 3 2 3 4 4
Question 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Answer 2 2 3 4 3 2 3 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 2
Question 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Answer 3 4 2 1 1 3 4 1 3 3 2 3 3 3 3

SOLUTION
5. Given : No. of lotus plants in last year = 400
No. of lotus plants in current year = 416
No. of new lotus plants = 16
No. of birth in a year
Birth rate =
No. of individuals initial Population

16
= = 0.04 Lotus plants / Lotus plant / year
400

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 NEET : Biology

Exercise - II (Previous Year Questions) AIPMT/NEET

AIPMT 2015 4. In which of the following interactions both
1. Most animals are tree dwellers in a:- partners are adversely affected?
(1) Thorn woodland (1) Mutualism
(2) Temperate deciduous forest (2) Competition
(3) Tropical rain forest (3) Predation
(4) Coniferous forest (4) Parasitism
BOP087 BOP090
2. Vertical distribution of different species NEET-I 2016
occupying different levels in a biotic 5. When does the growth rate of a
community is known as: population following the logistic model
(1) Stratification equal zero? The logistic model is given as
(2) Zonation dN  N
= rN  1 − :-
(3) Pyramid dt  K
(4) Divergence (1) when N/K is exactly one.
BOP088 (2) when N nears the carrying capacity of
3. The following graph depicts changes in the habitat.
two populations (A and B) of herbivores in (3) when N/K equals zero.
a grassy field A possible reason for these (4) when death rate is greater than birth
changes is that: rate.
BOP091
Number of

B
Organisms

6. Gause's principle of competitive exclusion

states that:
A (1) More abundant species will exclude
Time the less abundant species through
(1) Population B competed more competition.
successfully for food than population (2) Competition for the same resources
A excludes species having different food
(2) Population A produced more offspring
preferences.
than population B
(3) No two species can occupy the same
(3) Population A consumed the members
niche indefinitely for the same limiting
of population B
resources.
(4) Both plant populations in this habitat
(4) Larger organisms exclude smaller ones
decreased
through competition.
BOP089
BOP092

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Organisms and Populations
7. Which of the following would appear as 12. In a hypothetical population of 100
the pioneer organisms on bare rocks? individual having ‘r’ = 0.5/female/year,
(1) Lichens (2) Liverworts what will be the population size in 6 years
(3) Mosses (4) Green algae (with e = 2.72) showing exponential rate
BOP093 of growth ?
NEET-II 2016 (1) 1218 (2) 739 (3) 2012 (4) 448
8. The principle of competitive exclusion was BOP098

stated by :- NEET-UG 2018

(1) MacArthur 13. Niche is -

(2) Verhulst and Pearl (1) all the biological factors in the
(3) C. Darwin organism environment
(4) G.F. Gause (2) the physical space where an organism

BOP094 live
(3) the range of temperature that the
NEET-UG 2017
organism needs to live
9. Asymptote in a logistic growth curve is
(4) the functional role played by the
obtained when:
organism where it lives
(1) K = N
BOP099
(2) K > N
14. Which one of the following plants shows a
(3) K < N very close relationship with a species of
(4) The value of 'r' approaches zero moth, where none of the two can
BOP095 complete its life cycle without the other?
10. Presence of plants arranged into well (1) Hydrilla (2) Yucca
defined vertical layers depending on their (3) Banana (4) Viola
height can be seen best in: BOP100
(1) Tropical Rain Forest 15. Which of the following flowers only once
(2) Grassland in its life-time?
(3) Temperate Forest (1) Bamboo species (2) Jack fruit
(4) Tropical Savannah (3) Mango (4) Papaya
BOP096 BOP101
16. Natality refers to-
11. Mycorrhiza are the example of :
(1) Death rate
(1) Amensalism
(2) Birth rate
(2) Antibiosis
(3) Number of individuals leaving the
(3) Mutualism
habitat
(4) Fungistasis (4) Number of individuals entering a
BOP097 habitat
BOP102

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 NEET : Biology
17. In a growing population of a country 20. Between which among the following, the
(1) pre-reproductive individuals are more relationship is not an example of
than the reproductive individuals. commensalism?
(2) reproductive individuals are less than (1) Orchid and the tree on which it grows
the post-reproductive individuals. (2) Cattle Egret and grazing cattle
(3) reproductive and pre-reproductive (3) Sea Anemone and Clown fish
individuals are equal in number. (4) Female wasp and fig species
(4) pre-reproductive individuals are less BOP106
than the reproductive individuals.
NEET-UG 2020
BOP103
21. Which of the following is not an attribute
NEET-UG 2019 (Odisha)
of a population?
18. Carnivorous animals - lions and leopards,
(1) Species interaction
occupy the same niche but lions predate
mostly larger animals and leopards take (2) Sex ratio
smaller ones. This mechanism of (3) Natality
competition is referred to as :- (4) Mortality
(1) Character displacement
BOP107
(2) Altruism
22. Match the items in Column-I with those in
(3) Resource partitioning
(4) Competitive exclusion Column-II :
BOP104 Column I Column II
19. Match Column-I with Column-II. (a) Herbivores-Plants (i) Commensalism
Column-I Column-II (b) Mycorrhiza-Plants (ii) Mutualism
(a) Saprophyte (i) Symbiotic
association of fungi
(c) Sheep-Cattle (iii) Predation
with plant roots (d) Orchid-Tree (iv) Competition
(b) Parasite (ii) Decomposition of Select the correct option from following:
dead organic
materials (1) (a)–(iv), (b)–(ii), (c)–(i), (d)–(iii)
(C) Lichens (iii) Living on living (2) (a)–(iii), (b)–(ii), (c)–(iv), (d)–(i)
plants or animals
(3) (a)–(ii), (b)–(i), (c)–(iii), (d)–(iv)
(d) Mycorrhiza (iv) Symbiotic
association of algae (4) (a)–(i), (b)–(iii), (c)–(iv), (d)–(ii)
and fungi BOP108
Choose the correct answer from the
23. The impact of immigration on population
options given below :-
density is: -
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(1) Negative
(1) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(2) Both positive and negative
(2) (iii) (ii) (i) (iv)
(3) Neutralized by natality
(3) (ii) (i) (iii) (iv)
(4) Positive
(4) (ii) (iii) (iv) (i) BOP109
BOP105

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Organisms and Populations
NEET 2021 28. If a pond has 40 lotus plants last year and
24. Inspite of interspecific competition in through reproduction 8 new plants are
nature, which mechanism the competing added, taking the current population to
species might have evolved for their 48, what will be the birth rate?
survival? (1) 0.6 offspring per lotus per year
(1) Resource partitioning (2) 0.5 offspring per lotus per year
(3) 0.2 offspring per lotus per year
(2) Competitive release
(4) 0.1 offspring per lotus per year
(3) Mutualism
BOP115
(4) Predation
NEET-UG 2022
BOP110
25. Amensalism can be represented as: 29. Which one of the following statements
(1) Species A (–); Species B (0) cannot be connected to Predation?
(2) Species A (+); Species B (+) (1) It might lead to extinction of a species
(3) Species A (–); Species B (–) (2) Both the interacting species are
(4) Species A (+); Species B (0) negatively impacted
BOP111 (3) It is necessitated by nature to maintain
26. In the exponential growth equation the ecological balance
Nt = N0ert, e represents: (4) It helps in maintaining species diversity
in a community
(1) The base of number logarithms
BOP116
(2) The base of exponential logarithms 30. While explaining interspecific interaction
(3) The base of natural logarithms of population, (+) sign is assigned for
(4) The base of geometric logarithms beneficial interaction, (–) sign is assigned
BOP112 for detrimental interaction and (0) for
27. Match List-I with List-II. neutral interaction. Which of the
List-I List-II following interactions can be assigned (+)
(a) Allen’s Rule (i) Kangaroo rat for one species and (–) for another species
(b) Physiological (ii) Desert lizard involved in the interaction?
adaptation (1) Amensalism (2) Commensalism
(c) Behavioural (iii) Marine fish at (3) Competition (4) Predation
adaptation depth BOP117
(d) Biochemical (iv) Polar seal 31. Two butterfly species are competing for
Adaptation the same nectar of a flower in a garden. To
Choose the correct answer from the survive and coexist together, they may
options given below. avoid competition in the same garden by:
(1) (a)-(iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(i) (1) feeding at the same time
(2) choosing different foraging patterns
(2) (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(iii), (d)-(ii)
(3) increasing time spent on attacking
(3) (a)-(iv), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iii)
each other
(4) (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(i) (4) predating on each other
BOP113 BOP118
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 NEET : Biology
32. The pioneer species in a hydrarch succession (2) Statement I is correct but Statement II
are: is false.
(3) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II
(1) Free-floating angiosperms
is true.
(2) Submerged rooted plants (4) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
(3) Phytoplanktons BOP149
(4) Filamentous algae 36. Match List I with List II :
BOP119 List-I List-II
33. The species that come to appear in bare (Interaction) (Species A and B)
area are called: A. Mutualism I. +(A), 0(B)
(1) Pioneer species B. Commensalism II. –(A), 0(B)
C. Amensalism III. +(A), –(B)
(2) Invasive species
D. Parasitism IV. +(A), +(B)
(3) Competitive species
(4) Species of seral community Choose the correct answer from the
BOP120 options given below:-
34. All successions irrespective of the habitat (1) A–IV, B–I, C–II, D–III
(2) A–IV, B–III, C–I, D–II
proceed to which type of climax
(3) A–III, B–I, C–IV, D–II
community?
(4) A–IV, B–II, C–I, D–III
(1) Xeric
BOP150
(2) Mesic
37. Match List I with List II.
(3) Hydrophytic
List-I List-II
(4) Edaphic (Interacting species) (Name of Interaction)
BOP121 A. A Leopard and a I. Competition
NEET-UG 2023 Lion in a forest/
grassland
35. Given below are two statements :-
B. A Cuckoo laying II. Brood parasitism
Statement-I : Gause's 'Competitive Exclusion
egg in a Crow's
Principle' states that two closely related nest
species competing for the same resources C. Fungi and root of III. Mutualism
cannot co-exist indefinitely and competitively a higher plant in
inferior one will be eliminated eventually. Mycorrizae
Statement II : In general, carnivores are D. A cattle egret and IV. Commensalism
more adversely affected by competition a Cattle in a field
than herbivores. Choose the correct answer from the
In the light of the above statements, choose options given below :-
the correct answer from the options given (1) A-I, B-II, C-IV, D-III
below: (2) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
(1) Both Statement I and Statement II are (3) A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
false. (4) A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
BOP151
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Organisms and Populations
38. Match List I with List II. Choose the correct answer from the
List-I List-II options given below :-
A. Logistic growth I. Unlimited resource (1) (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)
availability (2) (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II)
condition (3) (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(II), (D)-(III)
B. Exponential II. Limited resource (4) (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)
growth availability BOP153
condition 40. Plants offer rewards to animals in the form
C. Expanding age III. The percent of pollen and nectar and the animals
pyramid individuals of pre- facilitate the pollination process. This is an
reproductive age is example of :
largest followed by (1) Amensalism (2) Competition
reproductive and
(3) Commensalism (4) Mutualism
post reproductive
BOP154
age groups
41. The species of plants that plays a vital role
D. Stable age IV. The percent
in controlling the relative abundance of
pyramid individuals of pre
other species in a community is called
reproductive and
_____ .
reproductive age
group are same
(1) alien species
(2) endemic species
Choose the correct answer from the
(3) exotic species
options given below :-
(4) keystone species
(1) A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV BOP155
(2) A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III 42. For chemical defence against herbivores,
(3) A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I Calotropis has :
(4) A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV (1) cardiac glycosides
BOP152 (2) strychnine
NEET-UG 2023 (Manipur) (3) toxic ricin
39. Match List-I with List-II. (4) distasteful quinine
List-I List-II BOP156
(A) Hydrarch (I) Gradual change in NEET-UG 2024
succession the species 43. The equation of Verhulst-Pearl logistic
composition
growth is dN = rN  K − N 
(B) Xerarch (II) Faster and climax dt  K 
succession reached quickly From this equation, K indicates :
(C) Ecological (III) Lichens to mesic (1) Intrinsic rate of natural increase
succession conditions (2) Biotic potential
(D) Secondary (IV) Phytoplankton to (3) Carrying capacity
succession mesic conditions (4) Population density
BOP170

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 NEET : Biology
44. Statement-I: Gause’s competitive exclusion introduction of goats in
principle states that two closely related their habitat
species competing for different resources C. Chathamalus expands III. Resource
its distributional range Partitioning
cannot exist indefinitely.
in the absence of
Statement-II: According to Gause’s principle,
Balanus
during competition, the inferior will be D. Five closely related IV. Interspecific
eliminated. This may be true if resources species of Warblers competition
are limiting. feeding in different
In the light of the above statements, choose locations on same tree
the correct answer from the options given (1) A-I, B-IV, C-III, D-II
below. (2) A-IV, B-I, C-II, D -III
(1) Both Statement I and Statement II are true (3) A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV
(2) Both Statement I and Statement II are false. (4) A-II, B-IV, C-III, D-I
(3) Statement I is true but Statement II is false. BOP173
(4) Statement I is false but Statement II is true. 47. What do 'a' and 'b' represent in the
BOP171 following population growth curve ?
RE-NEET-UG 2024
45. When will the population density increase,
under special conditions ?
(1) deaths exceeds number of births and
also number of emigrants equals number
of immigrants.
(2) births plus number of immigrants equals
(1) 'a' represents exponential growth when
number of deaths plus number of
responses are not limiting the growth;
emigrants.
and 'b' represents Iogistic growth when
(3) births plus number of emigrants is more
responses
than the number of deaths plus number
are limiting the growth
of immigrants.
(2) 'a' represents logistic growth when
(4) births plus number of immigrants is
responses are not limiting the growth;
more than the sum of number of deaths
'b' represents exponential growth when
and number of emigrants.
responses are limiting the growth.
BOP172
(3) 'a' represents carrying capacity and 'b'
46. Match List-I with List-II :
shows logistic growth when responses
List-I List-II
are limiting the growth.
A. Migratory flamingos I. Interference
and resident fish in Competition (4) 'a' represents exponential growth when
South American lakes responses are not limiting the growth
B. Abingdon tortoise II. Competitive and 'b' shows carrying capacity.
became extinct after release BOP174
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Organisms and Populations
48. Match List-I with List-II.
List-I List-II Choose the correct answer from the
A. Predator I. Ophrys options given below :-
B. Mutualism II.
Pisaster (1) A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV
C. Parasitism III. Female wasp (2) A-IV, B-I, C-II, D -III
and fig (3) A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
D. Sexual deceit IV. Plasmodium (4) A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I
BOP175

EXERCISE-II (Previous Year Questions) ANSWER KEY

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Answer 3 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 1 3 3 4 2 1
Question 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Answer 2 1 3 4 4 1 2 4 1 1 3 3 3 2 4
Question 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Answer 2 3 1 2 2 1 4 4 4 4 4 1 3 4 4
Question 46 47 48
Answer 2 1 4

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 NEET : Biology
SOLUTION
12. Given :
N0 = 100, Nt = ?, r = 0.5, t = 6 yrs
N0 = Nt e rt

= 100 × 2.72(0.5 × 6)
= 100 × 2.723
= 100 × 20.12
Nt = 2012
27. (a) Polar seal (Cold climate) has shorter limbs to reduce heat loss (Allen’s Rule).
(b) Kangaroo rat use metabolic water for its requirement. It is a physiological adaptation
(c) Desert lizard comes out of burrow when its body temperature goes down and goes back to
the burrow after sun-bath. It is a behavioural adaptation.
(d) Marine fishes at depth has special proteins that help in their survival at greater depths and
it is a physiological adaptation.
32. Ecological succession is the process by which plant and animal communities gradually change
over time.
Succession that takes place in water body is called hydrarch succession, during hydrarch /
hydrosere occurring in a newly formed water body following gradual and sequential changes
takes place.
Pioneer community Seral communities

Submerged Submerged free

Phytoplankton Reed swamp stage
plant stage floating plant stage
(Water rich or
Hydric conditions) Marsh-meadow
stage

Scrub stage
Forest
Climax community
Mesic conditions
(Moderately moist conditions)

33. Pioneer species are the first organisms to colonize a new area, such as a barren environment
or a disturbed ecosystem.
34. The succession leads to mesic (medium) conditions to attain more biodiversity and stability.
39. (A) Hydrarch succession — Succession in water body.
(B) Xerarch succession — Succession dry environments, such as deserts and sand dunes.
(C) Ecological succession — Gradual change in the species composition.
(D) Secondary succession — Process by which plants and animals recolonize a disturbed area,
using the remaining soil and nutrients to rebuild the ecosystem.

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Organisms and Populations

Exercise - III Master Your Understanding

(A) NCERT BASED QUESTIONS 6. An orchid plant growing on the branch of
1. Select the statement which explains best mango tree, what is the interaction
parastism :- between orchid & mango ?
(1) One organism is benefited (1) Parasitism
(2) Both the organism are benefited (2) Commensalism
(3) One organism is benefited, other is not (3) Protocoperation
affected (4) Mutualism
(4) One organism is benefited, other is BOP127
affected 7. Mark the important defence mechanism in
BOP122 plants against herbivory :-
2. The role of an organism in the ecological
(1) Spines (2) Toxic Chemical
system is known as
(3) Both (1) & (2) (4) None of these
(1) Habitat (2) Herbivory
BOP128
(3) Niche (4) Interaction
8. Species A (–) & Species B(o) shows the
BOP123
3. Select the statement which best explains following interaction: -
commensalism: - (1) Amensalism (2) Predation
(1) One organism is benefited (3) Mutualism (4) Competition
(2) Both the organisms are benefited BOP129
(3) One organism is benefitted, other is not 9. The age pyramid with broad base indicates:
affected (1) High percentage of young individuals
(4) One organism is benefitted, other is affected. (2) Low percentage of young individuals
BOP124 (3) High percentage of old individuals
4. Community is defined as aggregation of: -
(4) Low percentage of old individuals
(1) Individuals of the same kind
BOP130
(2) Individuals of same species
10. In a decline population of a country:
(3) Individuals of a population
(1) Number of pre reproductive is more
(4) Populations of different species.
BOP125 than reproductive.
5. Parasite can be explained as an organism (2) Number of pre reproductive is less than
which depends on others: - reproductive.
(1) For food (3) Number of pre reproductive is equal to
(2) For shelter reproductive.
(3) For both food and shelter (4) Reproductive are less than post
(4) For Reproduction reproductive.
BOP126 BOP131
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 NEET : Biology
11. In the diagram given above, which of the 13. In a population there are higher number of
following option correctly represents A, B pre-reproductive individuals, moderate
and C. number of reproductive individuals and less
post reproductive individuals are present.
Immigration This type of population represents: -
(1) Population of developed countries
Population (2) Population of developing country
A Density B
(N) (3) Stable growth
(4) Declining population
BOP134
C 14. In a new habitat which is just being
colonised which will play significant role in
(1) A = Death rate, B = Birth rate, population growth: -
C = Emigration (1) Birth rate (2) Emigration
(2) A = Birth rate, B = Death rate, (3) Migration (4) Immigration
C = Emigration BOP135
(3) A = Emigration, B = Death rate, (B) ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS
C = Birth rate 15. What will happen if the number of organism
(4) A = Death rate, B = Emigration, increased at a place: -
C = Birth rate (1) Inter species competition
BOP132 (2) Intra species competition
12. Which of the following equation is/are (3) Both
correct for the population density (N) at (4) None
time t + 1 ? BOP137
N = Density at time 't' 16. Which of the following is a correct pair:
B = Natality (1) Cuscuta - parasite
D = Mortality (2) Dischidia - insectivorous
I = Immigration (3) Opuntia - predator
E = Emigration (4) Capsella - hydrophyte
(A) N(t+1) = Nt + [(B + I) – (D + E)] BOP139
(B) N(t+1) = Nt + [(B – D) + (I – E)] 17. Which one of the following correctly
(C) N(t+1) = Nt + [(B + I) + (D + E)] represents an organism and its ecological
(D) N(t+1) = Nt – [(B – D) + (I – E)] niche?
(1) Only A (1) Vallisneria and pond
(2) Only A and B (2) Desert locust (Schistocerca) and desert
(3) Only C (3) Plant lice (aphids) and leaf
(4) A, B, C and D (4) Vultures and dense forest
BOP133 BOP141
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Organisms and Populations
18. In a population birth rate is 0.15 and death 22. Lichens are well known combination of an
rate is 0.08 during a unit time period. What alga and a fungus where fungus has :
is the value of r (intrinsic rate of natural (1) An epiphytic relationship with the alga
increase) for given population? (2) A parasitic relationship with the alga
(1) 0.23 (2) 0.07 (3) A symbiotic relationship with the alga
(3) 0.05 (4) 0.25 (4) A saprophytic relationship with the alga
BOP146
BOP142
23. Which one of the following is a matching
19. A population has more young individuals,
pair of certain organisms(s) and the kind of
compared to older individuals. What would
association
be the status of the population after some
(1) Shark and sucker fish- amensalism
years:
(2) Algae and fungi in lichens-mutualism
(1) It will decline
(3) Orchids growing on trees-parasitism
(2) It will stabilize (4) Cuscuta (dodder) growing on other
(3) It will first decline and then stabilize flowering plants-predation
(4) It will increase BOP147
BOP143 24. The table below gives the populations (in
20. In a month of January Siberian cranes thousands) of ten species (A – J) in four
migrate from Russia to India for breeding, a areas (a – d) consisting of the number of
survey was done till December total habitats given within brackets against each.
population of Siberian cranes = 1200 Study the table and answer the question
Birth rate = 400 which follows: -
Mortality rate = 200
Number of cranes immigrated = 600
Number of cranes emigrated = 300
Calculate the total population
(1) 1500 (2) 1000
(3) 2000 (4) 1700 Which area out of a to d shows maximum
BOP144 species diversity?
21. If a population of 50 Paramoecium present (1) d (2) a (3) b (4) c
in a pool increase to 150 after an hour, what BOP070
25. A country with a high rate of population
would be the growth rate of population ?
growth took measures to reduce it. The
(1) 50 per hours
figure below shows age-sex pyramids of
(2) 200 per hour
populations A and B twenty years apart.
(3) 5 per hour
Select the correct interpretation about
(4) 100 per hour
BOP145 them:

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 NEET : Biology
Age (c) Predators ultimately lead to the
70 +
Males Females extinction of prey species
60–69
50–59 (d) Production of chemicals such as

Age (in years)

'A' 40–49
nicotine, strychnine by the plants are
30–39
20–29 metabolic disorders
10–19 The two correct statements are :
0–9
(1) (a) and (b) (2) (b) and (c)
15 12 9 6 3 0 3 6 9 12 15
(3) (c) and (d) (4) (a) and (d)
BOP074
Age
70 + 27. Which one of the following is most
Males Females
60–69 appropriately defined?
50–59
Age (in years)

40–49
(1) Amensalism is a relationship in which
'B'
30–39 one species is benefited whereas the
20–29
other is unaffected.
10–19
0–9
(2) Predator is an organism that catches
15 12 9 6 3 0 3 6 9 12 15 and kills other organism for food.
(3) Parasite is an organism which always
(1) "A" is the earlier pyramid and no
lives inside the body of other organism
change has occurred in the growth
and may kill it.
rate
(4) Host is an organism which provides
(2) "A" is more recent and shows slight
food to another organism.
reduction in the growth rate
BOP077
(3) "B" is the earlier pyramid and shows
28. A sedentary sea anemone gets attached
stabilised growth rate
to the shell lining of hermit crab. The
(4) "B" is more recent showing that
association is :
population is very young
(1) Amensalism (2) Ectoparasitism
BOP072
(3) Symboisis (4) Commensalism
26. Study the four statements (a-d) given
BOP086
below and select the two correct ones out
29. Animals eating plants are categorised
of them
separately as herbivores, they are in a
(a) A lion eating a deer and a sparrow
broad ecological context not very
feeding on grain are ecologically
different from :-
similar in being consumers
(1) Parasite (2) Predator
(b) Predator star fish Pisaster helps in
(3) Commensal (4) Amensal
maintaining species diversity of some
BOP157
invertebrates

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Organisms and Populations
30. Which statements are true about inter (3) The cattle egret and grazing cattle is
specific interactions ? an example of commensalism
(i) One is benefitted and other is (4) Clear stratification is found in tropical
uneffected in mutualism. rain forest
(ii) Both partners are benefitted in BOP161
commensalism. 34. How many on the given population
(iii) One kills and eats another in interections are positive type of
predation. interaction ?
(iv) Both partners can be benefitted in Orchids and bees, fig and wasp, barnacles
symbiosis. and whale, goat and abingdon tortoise,
(1) (i) and (ii) only (2) (i) and (iii) only flamingoes and fish.
(3) (ii) and (iii) only (4) (iii) and (iv) only (1) One (2) Two
BOP158 (3) Three (4) Four
31. They may reduce the survival, growth and BOP162
reproduction of the other organism and 35. You can never see any cattle or goats
reduce its population density, they might browsing on Calotropis because :-
render the organism more vulnerable to (1) They produce highly poisonous
predation by making it physically weak, cardiac glycosides
they are :- (2) They have spines instead of leaves
(1) Predator (2) Parasite (3) They are distasteful to their herbivores
(3) Amensal (4) Commensal (4) They are too long in heights to reach
BOP159 by herbivores
32. Choose the correct match :- BOP163
(a) Co-evolution – Endoparasite & Host 36. Assertion: Some organism breed only
(b) Mutualism – Relation of algae & fungi once in their lifetime while others breed
(c) Sexual deceit – Shown by Opuntia plant many times during their lifetime.
(d) Marine fishes and Copepods – Reason: Population evolve to minimise
Parasitism their reproductive fitness.
(1) Only a & b (2) Only b & c (1) Both assertion and reason are true
(3) Only c & d (4) a, b & d and the reason is the correct
BOP160 explanation of the assertion
33. Select the incorrect statement :- (2) Both assertion and reason are true but
(1) Carnivores appear to be more the reason is not the correct
adversely affected by competition explanation of the assertion
than Herbivores (3) Assertion is true but reason is false
(2) Species diversity in a community (4) Both assertion and reason are false
depends upon size of area BOP164

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 NEET : Biology
37. Why predator are prudent in nature ? 40. Consider the following four statements
(1) They keep prey population under control and select the option which includes all
(2) They maintain species diversity the correct ones:-
(3) They do not over exploit its prey (a) Sparrow eating any seed is not less
(4) They are too efficient to kill their pray. than a predator.
BOP165 (b) Commensalism is +/– type of
38. Competition for food, light and space is relationship.
most severe between two (c) Nearly 25% of all insects are known to
(1) Closely related species growing in the be phytophagous.
same area. (d) Mutualism is +/+ type of relationship.
(2) Closely related species growing in (1) Statements- (a), (c), (d)
different habitat. (2) Statements- (a), (b)
(3) Distantly related species growing in (3) Statements- (a), (b), (c)
the same habitat. (4) Statements- (b), (d)
(4) Distantly related species growing in BOP168
different habitat.
BOP166
39. Read the following statement for
population interaction and find out
correct option :
(A) Some species of insects and frogs are
cryptically coloured to avoid being
detected easily by the predator.
(B) Lichens represent a mutualistic
relationship between a fungus and
photosynthesising algae.
(C) Amensalism is 0, –type of interspecific
interaction.
(1) Only A, C is correct
(2) Only B, C is correct
(3) Only C is incorrect
(4) All are correct
BOP167

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Organisms and Populations
EXERCISE - III ANSWER KEY

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Answer 4 3 3 4 3 2 3 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 3
Question 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Answer 1 1 2 4 4 4 3 2 1 2 1 2 4 2 4
Question 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Answer 2 4 1 3 1 3 3 1 4 1

SOLUTION
18. b = 0.15 ,
d = 0.08
r = (b – d)
r = 0.15 – 0.08
r = 0.07
20. Nt = 1200 , I = 600
B = 400 , E = 300
D = 200 , N(t+1) = ?
N(t+1) = Nt = [(B+I) – (D+E)]
= 1200 + [(400 + 600) – (200 + 300)]
= 1200 + [1000 – 500]
N(t+1) = 1200 + 500 = 1700
21. Initial population = 50
Population after an hour = 150
Increase in population in an hour
= 150 – 50 = 100
So, growth rate = 100 per hour
24. Area ‘d’ contains members of all 10 species and has less number of habitats (12) than area ‘c’.
25. Pyramid ‘A’ shows less number of pre-reproductive population than pyramid ‘B’.

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 NEET : Biology

Important Notes

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