Prepare for NEET with Botany-specific practice questions. Covering all major Botany chapters, this is perfect for your NEET Biology needs.
A scientist discovers a novel entity exhibiting complex organic molecules, compartmentalization, and energy transformation. However, it lacks a definitive cellular structure and doesn't demonstrate heritability. Which characteristic of life is MOST definitively absent in this entity?
Metabolism
Reproduction and growth
Adaptation
Response to stimuli
A researcher observes an isolated system containing complex organic molecules undergoing spontaneous self-assembly into membrane-bound structures. These structures exhibit rudimentary metabolism but no reproduction or heritability. Which characteristic of life is the MOST significant barrier preventing these structures from being classified as living organisms?
Metabolism
Cellular organization
Reproduction and growth
Adaptation
Viruses exhibit characteristics of both living and non-living entities. Which of the following properties of viruses MOST strongly supports the argument AGAINST their classification as living organisms?
Presence of genetic material (DNA or RNA)
Ability to evolve and adapt to their environment
Inability to reproduce independently outside a host cell
Specific interaction with host cells
While classifying organisms, which of the following presents the biggest challenge to a strictly phylogenetic system of classification?
Convergent evolution
Horizontal gene transfer
Fossil record incompleteness
Morphological similarities in unrelated species
Which of the following is not a valid reason why the morphological species concept can be problematic?
It can be difficult to distinguish between intraspecific variation and interspecific differences.
Cryptic species may be morphologically identical but reproductively isolated.
It requires detailed genetic analysis.
Morphological traits can be influenced by environmental factors leading to phenotypic plasticity.
A newly discovered organism exhibits radial symmetry in its larval stage but bilateral symmetry as an adult. Its body cavity is formed by splitting of the mesoderm. It possesses a water vascular system. To which phylum does this organism MOST likely belong?
Echinodermata
Chordata
Cnidaria
Annelida
You discover an unusual marine organism. To determine its taxonomic classification, you consult a key, but it leads to conflicting results with a previously published monograph. Assuming both resources are reliable within their scope, what is the MOST likely explanation for the discrepancy?
The key is outdated and needs revision.
The monograph is too specialized and overlooks common variations.
The organism may represent a newly discovered species or a variant not yet documented in the monograph.
There's a fundamental error in the taxonomic system itself.
A mutation in a plant affects the development of its palisade parenchyma, significantly reducing the number and length of these cells. Which of the following would be the MOST DIRECT consequence of this mutation on photosynthesis?
Increased rate of photorespiration due to higher oxygen concentration.
Reduced CO2 fixation by RuBisCO in the mesophyll cells.
Decreased light absorption and reduced efficiency of the light-dependent reactions.
Impaired transport of sugars from the source to the sink.
Which structural feature of guard cells facilitates their function in stomatal regulation MOST effectively?
Uniformly thickened cell walls.
Radially oriented cellulose microfibrils in the cell walls.
Large central vacuole for water storage.
Presence of chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
A plant exhibits a unique inflorescence where the peduncle is flattened and bears sessile flowers in a centripetal fashion. Small, scaly bracts are present, and the oldest flowers are located at the periphery. This type of inflorescence is MOST accurately classified as a:
Cyathium
Hypanthodium
Capitulum
Verticillaster
