Patterns in Life: Diversity and Classification
NCERT-Style Practice Worksheet | Conceptual Understanding | Application-Based Questions
Revise the chapter concepts first. Read the Class 9 Science – Patterns in Life: Diversity and Classification Notes and then attempt this worksheet without looking at the answers.
- Attempt all questions.
- Read each question carefully before answering.
- Give scientific reasons wherever required.
- Use suitable examples to support your answers.
- Check the answer hints only after completing the worksheet.
Suggested time: 60 minutes | Maximum marks: 40
Section A – Multiple Choice Questions
1 × 6 = 6 marks1.Which of the following best describes biodiversity?
2.A species that is naturally restricted to a particular geographical region is called:
3.Which feature is most useful in distinguishing prokaryotic organisms from eukaryotic organisms?
4.Which kingdom includes organisms that generally have a chitinous cell wall and obtain nutrition by absorption?
5.Which group includes plants that have vascular tissues but do not produce seeds?
6.Which of the following is a characteristic feature of arthropods?
Section B – Assertion and Reason
1 × 4 = 4 marksFor Questions 7–10, choose the correct option:
(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) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
7.Assertion: Biological classification makes the study of living organisms systematic.
Reason: Classification groups organisms using shared characteristics and helps us understand their relationships.
8.Assertion: All unicellular organisms are placed in Kingdom Monera.
Reason: Some unicellular organisms have a well-defined nucleus and are eukaryotic.
9.Assertion: Bryophytes are called the amphibians of the plant kingdom.
Reason: They generally grow in moist places and require water for reproduction.
10.Assertion: Viruses are not included in Whittaker’s five-kingdom classification.
Reason: Viruses lack cellular organisation and remain inactive outside a host cell.
Section C – Very Short Answer Questions
2 × 4 = 8 marks11.Define biological classification. State one advantage of classifying organisms.
12.Write any two criteria used by scientists to classify living organisms.
13.Why are fungi considered decomposers? Mention the role they play in an ecosystem.
14.What is binomial nomenclature? Name the two parts of a scientific name.
Section D – Short Answer Questions
3 × 4 = 12 marks15.Explain why cellular organisation is considered an important basis of biological classification. Give two examples to support your answer.
16.Differentiate between Bryophyta and Pteridophyta on the basis of vascular tissues, plant body and reproduction.
17.Differentiate between chordates and non-chordates on the basis of the notochord. Give one example of each.
18.Explain any three ways in which biodiversity supports the stability and functioning of ecosystems.
Section E – Long Answer Questions
4 × 1 = 4 marks19.Describe Whittaker’s five-kingdom classification. Explain the main basis used to separate organisms into these kingdoms.
(a) Name all five kingdoms.
(b) State the major cellular or nutritional feature of each kingdom.
Section F – Competency-Based and Case-Based Questions
6 marks20. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
A group of students collected observations of five organisms from different surroundings. They did not identify the organisms by their names. Instead, they recorded their cellular structure, organisation and mode of nutrition.
| Organism | Observations |
|---|---|
| P | Microscopic; no true nucleus; rigid cell covering; can survive extreme conditions. |
| Q | Multicellular; filamentous body; cell wall present; no chlorophyll; grows on dead organic matter. |
| R | Unicellular; true nucleus; moves using flagella; can photosynthesise in light and obtain food heterotrophically in the absence of light. |
| S | Multicellular; well-developed tissues; backbone present; aquatic respiration during early life. |
| T | Acellular; contains genetic material; remains inactive outside a host cell. |
(a)Which organism is most likely to belong to Kingdom Fungi? Give one reason. (1)
(b)Which organism belongs to Kingdom Monera? State the feature that supports your answer. (1)
(c)Why are organisms Q and R placed in different kingdoms even though both are eukaryotic? (2)
(d)Why does organism T not fit into any of the five kingdoms? (2)
Answer Key and Hints
Use these answers to assess your understanding. For descriptive questions, answers may be expressed in your own words if the scientific meaning is correct.
Section A – Multiple Choice Questions
Section B – Assertion and Reason
Section C – Very Short Answers
Section D – Short Answers
Section E – Long Answer
- Monera: Prokaryotic organisms; may be autotrophic or heterotrophic.
- Protista: Mostly unicellular eukaryotes; nutrition may be autotrophic or heterotrophic.
- Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms; mostly multicellular, with a chitinous cell wall; obtain food by absorption.
- Plantae: Multicellular eukaryotes with cellulose cell walls; generally autotrophic.
- Animalia: Multicellular eukaryotes without cell walls; heterotrophic consumers.