Class 12 Biology MCQ – Biodiversity and Conservation

1. Which term refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth?

a) Ecosystem
b) Biogeography
c) Biodiversity
d) Speciation

Answer:

c) Biodiversity

Explanation:

Biodiversity encompasses the range of variation among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other ecosystems.

2. Which of the following is a hotspot of biodiversity?

a) Sahara Desert
b) Great Plains
c) Western Ghats
d) Arctic Tundra

Answer:

c) Western Ghats

Explanation:

Western Ghats in India is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot because of its high levels of species diversity and endemism.

3. What is the primary reason for biodiversity loss today?

a) Natural disasters
b) Meteor impacts
c) Human activities
d) Volcanic eruptions

Answer:

c) Human activities

Explanation:

Human activities like deforestation, pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction are major contributors to the current loss of biodiversity.

4. Which type of biodiversity refers to the variety of habitats, biotic communities, and ecological processes?

a) Genetic
b) Species
c) Ecosystem
d) Functional

Answer:

c) Ecosystem

Explanation:

Ecosystem biodiversity pertains to the diversity of habitats, biotic communities, and processes in the natural world.

5. The Red Data Book contains a record of:

a) All plant species
b) All animal species
c) Endemic species
d) Threatened species

Answer:

d) Threatened species

Explanation:

The Red Data Book or Red List provides information about the threatened species of plants and animals, categorizing them based on their risk of extinction.

6. Which country is considered the most biodiverse in the world?

a) India
b) Brazil
c) Australia
d) Russia

Answer:

b) Brazil

Explanation:

Brazil, with its vast Amazon rainforest, is considered the most biodiverse country in the world.

7. Which conservation method involves protecting the entire ecosystem to protect the species within it?

a) Ex-situ conservation
b) In-situ conservation
c) Captive breeding
d) Seed banks

Answer:

b) In-situ conservation

Explanation:

In-situ conservation emphasizes the conservation of species in their natural habitats, ensuring the preservation of the broader ecosystem.

8. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves are examples of:

a) Ex-situ conservation methods
b) Genetic conservation
c) In-situ conservation methods
d) Germplasm conservation

Answer:

c) In-situ conservation methods

Explanation:

These are designated areas aimed at protecting the natural habitat and its residing species, embodying in-situ conservation principles.

9. Which type of biodiversity refers to the variety within a species, especially its genetic makeup?

a) Genetic
b) Species
c) Ecosystem
d) Functional

Answer:

a) Genetic

Explanation:

Genetic biodiversity pertains to the variation of genes within a species.

10. Biodiversity is more in:

a) Polar regions
b) Temperate zones
c) Tropics
d) Deserts

Answer:

c) Tropics

Explanation:

Tropical regions, due to consistent sunlight, varied rainfall, and long evolutionary time, tend to have higher biodiversity compared to other regions.

11. The phenomenon where a species exists in a certain restricted area and nowhere else is termed:

a) Alien species
b) Endangered species
c) Endemic species
d) Extinct species

Answer:

c) Endemic species

Explanation:

Endemic species are found exclusively in a specific area or region and nowhere else in the world.

12. Which of the following is an advantage of biodiversity?

a) Reduced ecosystem resilience
b) Increased soil erosion
c) Aesthetic and cultural value
d) Over-exploitation of resources

Answer:

c) Aesthetic and cultural value

Explanation:

Biodiversity contributes to aesthetic, cultural, and spiritual value, enriching human experiences.

13. The total number of species living in a particular region is termed:

a) Species richness
b) Species evenness
c) Species diversity
d) Species rarity

Answer:

a) Species richness

Explanation:

Species richness refers to the count of different species present in a defined region.

14. Which conservation method involves maintaining and breeding threatened plant and animal species in artificial environments?

a) Ex-situ conservation
b) In-situ conservation
c) Captive breeding
d) Seed banks

Answer:

a) Ex-situ conservation

Explanation:

Ex-situ conservation emphasizes conserving biological diversity outside their natural habitats.

15. Who is known as the father of taxonomy?

a) Charles Darwin
b) Gregor Mendel
c) Carl Linnaeus
d) J.B.S. Haldane

Answer:

c) Carl Linnaeus

Explanation:

Carl Linnaeus laid the foundations for the modern biological naming scheme, earning him the title "father of taxonomy."

16. The main objective of the Biodiversity Act 2002 in India is to:

a) Promote commercial utilization of biodiversity
b) Prevent the extinction of species
c) Regulate access to biological resources
d) Promote hunting and poaching

Answer:

c) Regulate access to biological resources

Explanation:

The Biodiversity Act 2002 aims to regulate and control access to biological resources in India to ensure equitable sharing of benefits.

17. Which country has the largest number of species in the world?

a) Australia
b) Brazil
c) Madagascar
d) India

Answer:

b) Brazil

Explanation:

Brazil, with the extensive Amazon rainforest, holds the largest number of species globally.

18. The current era of mass species extinction is which number in known world history?

a) Fourth
b) Fifth
c) Sixth
d) Seventh

Answer:

c) Sixth

Explanation:

Currently, the planet is undergoing the sixth mass extinction, largely attributed to human activities.

19. Which type of conservation is focused on genes rather than whole organisms?

a) Genetic conservation
b) Species conservation
c) Ecosystem conservation
d) Habitat conservation

Answer:

a) Genetic conservation

Explanation:

Genetic conservation seeks to preserve the genes of plants and animals, especially those at risk.

20. An extinct species is one that:

a) Can no longer breed
b) Is found in zoos only
c) Is found only in one area
d) No longer exists anywhere on Earth

Answer:

d) No longer exists anywhere on Earth

Explanation:

An extinct species is one that no longer has any living members anywhere in the world.

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