Section A. Fill in the Blanks
Q1: The body cavity lined by mesoderm is called ________.
Q2: Animals with a rod-like structure called notochord are classified as ________.
Q3: The phenomenon of serial repetition of body segments in earthworms is known as ________.
Q4: The phylum characterized by jointed appendages and a chitinous exoskeleton is ________.
Q5: The water vascular system is a distinctive feature of the phylum ________.
Section B. Match the Column
Column A (Feature) | Column B (Phylum/Example) |
---|
a) Cnidoblasts | i) Annelida (Earthworm) |
b) Metameric segmentation | ii) Coelenterata (Aurelia) |
c) Water vascular system | iii) Echinodermata (Starfish) |
d) Choanocytes | iv) Porifera (Sycon) |
e) Radula | v) Mollusca (Pila) |
Section C. Multiple Choice Questions
Q1: Which of the following phyla exhibits a cellular level of organization?
(a) Coelenterata
(b) Porifera
(c) Platyhelminthes
(d) Annelida
Q2: Which type of symmetry is observed in adult echinoderms?
(a) Asymmetrical
(b) Bilateral
(c) Radial
(d) None
Q3: The pseudocoelom is a characteristic feature of which phylum?
(a) Annelida
(b) Aschelminthes
(c) Mollusca
(d) Chordata
Q4: Which of the following animals possesses an open circulatory system?
(a) Earthworm
(b) Human
(c) Prawn
(d) Snake
Q5: Which class of vertebrates is characterized by a cartilaginous endoskeleton?
(a) Osteichthyes
(b) Chondrichthyes
(c) Amphibia
(d) Reptilia
Section D. Assertion Reasoning Questions
Q1: Assertion: All chordates possess a notochord throughout their life.
Reason: The notochord is replaced by a vertebral column in adult vertebrates.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
(d) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
View Answer 
Ans: (c) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
The assertion is false because not all chordates retain a notochord throughout their life, especially in vertebrates where it is replaced. However, the reason is true because in vertebrates, the notochord is indeed replaced by the vertebral column. Thus, the correct answer is (c): "Assertion is false, but the reason is true."
Q2: Assertion: Arthropods are the most abundant group of animals.
Reason: They have a chitinous exoskeleton and jointed appendages, enabling diverse adaptations.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but the reason is true.
View Answer 
Ans: (a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason directly explains why arthropods are so abundant. The chitinous exoskeleton and jointed appendages have allowed arthropods to adapt to various environments, leading to their vast diversity and abundance. Thus, the correct answer is (a): "Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion."
Section E. Case-Based Questions
Case 1: Coelenterates
Coelenterates, also known as Cnidarians, are aquatic animals with radial symmetry and a tissue level of organization. Explain their reproductive strategy, including the phenomenon of metagenesis.
View Answer 
Ans:
Coelenterates exhibit two basic body forms: polyp and medusa. Their reproductive strategy includes:
Asexual Reproduction: Polyps reproduce asexually by budding, producing medusae or new polyps.
Sexual Reproduction: Medusae produce gametes (eggs and sperms) that undergo external fertilization to form a planula larva, which develops into a polyp.
Metagenesis: This is the alternation of generations where polyps produce medusae asexually, and medusae produce polyps sexually. For example, in Obelia, polyps form medusae, which then produce gametes leading to new polyps.
Examples: Aurelia (jellyfish), Adamsia (sea anemone).
Case 2: Chordates
Chordates are characterized by the presence of a notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, and pharyngeal gill slits. Discuss the classification of chordates and the distinguishing features of vertebrates.
View Answer 
Ans:
Chordates are classified into three subphyla:
Urochordata: Notochord present only in the larval tail (e.g., Ascidia).
Cephalochordata: Notochord extends from head to tail and persists throughout life (e.g., Branchiostoma).
Vertebrata: Notochord is replaced by a vertebral column in adults.
Vertebrates are further divided into:
Agnatha (jawless, e.g., Petromyzon).
Gnathostomata (jawed), including Pisces (e.g., Scoliodon, Labeo) and Tetrapoda (e.g., Rana, Crocodilus, Pavo, Panthera).
Distinguishing Features of Vertebrates: Presence of a vertebral column, ventral muscular heart, kidneys for excretion, and paired appendages (fins or limbs).
Section F. Short Answer Type
Q1: Explain the significance of the coelom in animal classification.
View Answer 
Ans: The presence or absence of a coelom is a key criterion in animal classification. A coelom is a mesoderm-lined body cavity between the body wall and gut. Animals with a coelom (coelomates, e.g., annelids, chordates) have space for organ development and better physiological functions. Pseudocoelomates (e.g., aschelminthes) have a cavity not fully lined by mesoderm, while acoelomates (e.g., platyhelminthes) lack a body cavity, limiting organ complexity.
Q2: Differentiate between radial and bilateral symmetry with examples.
View Answer 
Ans:
Radial Symmetry: The body can be divided into equal halves by any plane passing through the central axis. Found in coelenterates (e.g., Aurelia) and adult echinoderms (e.g., Asterias).
Bilateral Symmetry: The body can be divided into identical left and right halves in only one plane. Found in annelids (e.g., Pheretima) and arthropods (e.g., Locusta).
Q3: Describe the role of choanocytes in sponges.
View Answer 
Ans: Choanocytes, or collar cells, line the spongocoel and canals in sponges (phylum Porifera). They have flagella that create water currents, facilitating food gathering, respiratory exchange, and waste removal through the water transport system. Examples: Sycon, Spongilla.
Q4: What is the significance of the water vascular system in echinoderms?
View Answer 
Ans: The water vascular system in echinoderms (e.g., Asterias) is a network of fluid-filled canals used for locomotion, food capture, and respiration. It operates via tube feet, which extend and retract to move the animal or manipulate food, making it a distinctive feature of this phylum.
Q5: Explain the concept of metagenesis in cnidarians with an example.
View Answer 
Ans: Metagenesis in cnidarians is the alternation of asexual (polyp) and sexual (medusa) generations. Polyps produce medusae asexually, and medusae produce gametes for sexual reproduction, forming new polyps. Example: In Obelia, polyps bud medusae, which release gametes to form new polyps.
Q6: What is the role of nephridia in annelids?
View Answer 
Ans: Nephridia in annelids (e.g., Pheretima) are excretory organs that remove metabolic wastes from the body cavity. They also help in osmoregulation by regulating water and ion balance, contributing to the animal’s homeostasis.
Q7: Define hermaphroditism and give an example from the animal kingdom.
View Answer 
Ans: Hermaphroditism is the condition where an organism produces both male and female gametes. Example: Sponges (e.g., Sycon) are hermaphrodites, producing eggs and sperms in the same individual.
Q8: Comment on the adaptations that make birds suitable for flight.
View Answer 
Ans: Birds (class Aves) have adaptations for flight, including:
Forelimbs modified into wings.
Hollow, pneumatic bones reducing body weight.
Feathers providing lift and insulation.
Four-chambered heart and air sacs for efficient respiration.
Example: Pavo (peacock).
Section G. Long Answer Type
Q1: Discuss the evolutionary significance of the notochord in chordates.
View Answer 
Ans: The notochord, a mesoderm-derived rod-like structure, is a defining feature of chordates with significant evolutionary importance:
Structural Support: It provides a flexible, longitudinal axis for muscle attachment, aiding locomotion in early chordates (e.g., Branchiostoma).
Embryonic Development: It induces the formation of the dorsal hollow nerve cord, a key chordate feature.
Evolutionary Transition: In vertebrates, the notochord is replaced by a vertebral column, enabling greater structural complexity and support for larger body sizes (e.g., Panthera).
Differentiation: It distinguishes chordates (e.g., Ascidia, Homo) from non-chordates (e.g., Porifera, Arthropoda), marking a major evolutionary divergence.
Adaptation: Its presence in larval stages (e.g., Urochordata) or throughout life (e.g., Cephalochordata) reflects varied evolutionary paths within chordates.
Q2: Describe the digestive system variations across different animal phyla with examples.
View Answer 
Ans: Digestive systems vary across animal phyla based on complexity and structure:
Porifera: No digestive system; intracellular digestion occurs in choanocytes (e.g., Sycon).
Coelenterata: Incomplete digestive system with a single opening (gastro-vascular cavity) for both ingestion and egestion; digestion is extracellular and intracellular (e.g., Aurelia).
Platyhelminthes: Incomplete digestive system with a single opening; nutrients absorbed directly in parasitic forms (e.g., Taenia).
Aschelminthes: Complete digestive system with mouth and anus; well-developed pharynx (e.g., Ascaris).
Annelida: Complete digestive system with specialized regions (e.g., crop, gizzard in Pheretima).
Arthropoda: Complete digestive system with mouthparts adapted for feeding (e.g., Locusta).
Mollusca: Complete digestive system with a radula for feeding (e.g., Pila).
Echinodermata: Complete digestive system with ventral mouth and dorsal anus (e.g., Asterias).
Chordata: Complete digestive system with specialized organs (e.g., stomach, intestines in Panthera).
These variations reflect adaptations to diet, habitat, and lifestyle.
Q3: Discuss the adaptations of vertebrates for terrestrial life across different classes.
View Answer 
Ans: Vertebrates exhibit various adaptations for terrestrial life across classes:
Amphibia (e.g., Rana): Moist skin for cutaneous respiration, limbs for movement, and a three-chambered heart to support dual aquatic-terrestrial life. External fertilization and indirect development limit full terrestrial adaptation.
Reptilia (e.g., Naja): Dry, cornified skin with scales to prevent desiccation, internal fertilization, and amniotic eggs for reproduction independent of water. Most have a three-chambered heart, but crocodiles have four chambers.
Aves (e.g., Pavo): Feathers for insulation and flight, hollow bones for reduced weight, a four-chambered heart, and air sacs for efficient respiration. Internal fertilization and hard-shelled eggs enhance terrestrial survival.
Mammalia (e.g., Panthera): Hair for insulation, mammary glands for nourishing young, and a four-chambered heart for high metabolic efficiency. Viviparity (except in platypus) and internal fertilization support terrestrial reproduction. Adaptations like limbs for running or climbing suit diverse habitats. These adaptations reflect evolutionary transitions from aquatic to fully terrestrial lifestyles.
Q4: Point out differences between the mode of reproduction in Porifera and Cnidaria.
View Answer 
Ans:
Porifera:
Asexual Reproduction: By fragmentation or budding, forming new sponges (e.g., Sycon).
Sexual Reproduction: Hermaphroditic; produce eggs and sperms internally. Fertilization is internal, forming larvae (e.g., amphiblastula) that develop indirectly.
Development: Indirect with morphologically distinct larval stages.
Cnidaria:
Asexual Reproduction: Polyps reproduce by budding, forming medusae or new polyps (e.g., Aurelia).
Sexual Reproduction: Mostly dioecious; medusae produce gametes for external fertilization, forming planula larvae. Some exhibit metagenesis (e.g., Obelia).
Development: Indirect with larval stages; alternation of polyp and medusa forms in some species.
Key Difference: Porifera rely on internal fertilization and lack metagenesis, while Cnidaria often have external fertilization and metagenesis in some species.