EVOLUTION

Exercise 1 : NCERT Based Topic-wise MCQs

6.1 ORIGION OF LIFE
1. Evolution is: NCERT Page-126 / N-110
(a) progressive development of a race.
(b) history and development of a race along with variations.
(c) history of a race.
(d) development of a race.
2. Atmosphere of earth just before the origin of life consisted of: NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(a) water vapours, CH4 , NH3 and oxygen.
(b) CO2 , NH3 , and CH2
(c) CH4 , NH3 , H2 and water vapours.
(d) CH4 , O3 , O2 and water vapours.
3. The concept of chemical evolution is based on: NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(a) possible origin of life by combination of chemicals under suitable environmental conditions.
(b) crystallization of chemicals.
(c) interaction of water, air and clay under intense heat.
(d) effect of solar radiation on chemicals.
4. With regard to the story of the world and life on earth, we treat evolution as: NCERT Page-135 / N-119
(a) a process (b) the result of a process
(c) both (a) & (b) (d) we are still not very clear
5. Who proposed that the first form of life come from preexisting non- living molecules? NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(a) Oparin and Haldane (b) de Vries and Sturtevant
(c) Darwin and Lamarck (d) Louis Pasteur and Miller
6. The diagram represents Miller's experiment. Choose the correct combination of labelling. NCERT Page-128 / N-112

(a) A-electrodes, B − NH3 + H2 + H2 O + CH4 , C-cold water, D-vacuum, E-U trap

(b) A-electrodes, B − NH4 + H2 + CO2 + CH3 , C-hot water, D-vacuum, E − U trap
(c) A-electrodes, B − NH3 + H2 O, C-hot water, D-tap, E-U trap
(d) A-electrodes, B- NH3 + H2 + H2 O + CH4 , C-steam, D- vacuum, E-U trap
 6.2 EVOLUTION OF LIFE FORMS- A THEORY
7. Stanley L. Miller conducted experiments in 1953 on prebiotic earth environment using special apparatus. The
primary surprising products were? NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(a) amino acids
(b) peptides
(c) nucleotides
(d) simple sugars
8. The ship used by Charles Darwin during his sea voyages NCERT Page-128 / N-112
(a) HMS Beagle
(c) HMS Eagle
(b) HSM Beagle
(d) HSM Eagle
9. Fitness according to Darwin refers to
(a) number of species in a community NCERT Page-129 / N-113
(b) useful variation in population
(c) strength of an individual
(d) reproductive fitness of an organism
10. Alfred Wallace worked in NCERT Page-129 / N-113
(a) Galapagos Island (b) Australian Island Continent
(c) Malay Archipelago (d) None of these
11. The theory of natural selection was given by NCERT Page-129 / N-113
(a) Lamarck
(c) Charles Darwin
(b) Alfred Wallace
(d) Oparin and Haldane
12. According to Oparin, which one of the following gases was not present in the primitive atmosphere of the earth?
(a) Methane NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(b) Oxygen
(c) Hydrogen
(d) Water vapour
6.3 WHAT ARE THE EVIDENCES FOR EVOLUTIOIN?
13. The term living fossil refers to a NCERT Page-129 / N-113
(a) life like fossil well preserved in amber.
(b) fossil formed from a living animal.
(c) living animal which is about to the fossilized.
(d) living organism showing some very primitive characters
14. One of the important consequences of geographical isolation is NCERT Page-133 / N-117
(a) random creation of new species.
(b) no change in the isolated fauna.
(c) preventing speciation.
(d) speciation through reproductive isolation.
15. Fossil remains of Archaeopteryx indicates that: NCERT Page-130 / N-114
(a) It was a flying reptile from Triassic
(b) It was a flying reptile from Permian
(c) Reptiles gave rise to birds during Permian
(d) Reptiles gave rise to birds during Jurassic
16. Analogous organs are: NCERT Page-131 / N-11
(a) different in origin but perform similar functions.
(b) common in origin and perform common functions.
(c) common in origin but perform different functions.
(d) different in origin and perform different functions.
17. Which one of the following statements correctly describes the homologous structures? NCERT Page-130 / N-114
(a) Organs that have no function now, but had an important function in ancestors.
(b) Organs appearing only in embryonic stage and disappearing later in the adult. (c) Organs with anatomical
similarities, but performing different functions.
(d) Organs with anatomical dissimilarities, but performing similar function.
18. The eye of Octopus and eye of cat show different structural patterns, yet they perform similar function.
This is an example of NCERT Page-131 / N-115
(a) Homologous organs that have evolved due to divergent evolution.
(b) Analogous organs that have evolved due to convergent evolution.
(c) Analogous organs that have evolved due to divergent evolution.
(d) Homologous organs that have evolved due to convergent evolution.
19. Dark coloured Peppered Moth is able to survive in industrial areas as compared to light coloured form because of
(a) High fecundity NCERT Page-132 / N-116
(b) Mimicry
(c) Natural selection in smoky environment
(d) Lethal mutation
20. Light coloured Peppered Moth/Biston betularia got changed to its darker form, carbonaria, due to:
(a) Translocation of block of genes in response to heavy carbons NCERT Page-132 / N-116
(b) Deletion of gene segment due to industrial pollution
(c) Mutation of single Mendelian gene for survival in smoke laden industrial environment
(d) Industrial carbon deposited on wings.
6.4 WHAT IS ADAPTIVE RADIATION
21. What is meant by the term Darwin fitness? NCERT Page-129 / N-113
(a) The ability to survive and reproduce
(b) High aggressiveness
(c) Healthy appearance
(d) Physical straight
22. Darwin's finches are a good example of:
(a) convergent evolution NCERT Page-133 / N-117
(b) industrial melanism
(c) connecting link
(d) adaptive radiation
23. Adaptive radiation refers to: NCERT Page-133 / N-117
(a) power of adaptation in an individual to a variety of environments.
(b) adaptations due to Geographical isolation.
(c) evolution of different species from a common ancestor.
(d) migration of members of a species to different geographical areas.
24. According to Lamarck, a giraffe has a long neck because:
(a) a creator designed it that way. NCERT Page-135 / N-119
(b) catastrophes eliminated short-necked forms.
(c) its ancestors stretched their necks to get food.
(d) ancestral giraffes with slightly longer necks than others got more food and left more surviving offspring.
25. The Finches of Galapogas islands provide an evidence in favour of: NCERT Page-133 / N-117
(a) biogeographical evolution
(b) special creation
(c) evolution due to mutation
(d) retrogressive evolution
26. Tasmanian Wolf is a marsupial while Wolf is a placental mammal. This shows:
(a) convergent evolution NCERT Page-134 / N-118
(b) divergent evolution
(c) inheritance of acquired characters
(d) None of these
27. Which of the following pairs of terms is not related?
(a) Evolution - Natural selection NCERT Page-133 / N-117
(b) Vestigial structure - Appendix
(c) Analogous structures --Butterfly wings
(d) Adaptive radiations - Vertebrates hearts or brains
28. Diversity in the type of beaks of finches adapted to different feeding habits on the Galapagos Islands, as observed by
Darwin, provides evidence for NCERT Page-133 / N-117
(a) intraspecific variations
(b) intraspecific competition
(c) interspecific competition
(d) origin of Species by natural selection
29. Evolution of different species in a given area starting from a point and spreading to other geographical areas is
known as: NCERT Page-133 / N-117
(a) adaptive radiation
(c) migration
(b) natural selection
(d) divergent evolution
30. When two species of different genealogy come to resemble each other as a result of adaptation, the phenomenon is
termed as
(a) convergent evolution NCERT Page-131 / N-115
(b) divergent evolution
(c) microevolution
(d) co-evolution
31. The given diagram of marsupials of Australia provides an example of NCERT Page-133 & 134 / N-117, 118

(a) convergent evolution

(b) parallel evolution
(c) recapitulation
(d) divergent evolution
32. Which of the following differences between Lamarckism and Darwinism is incorrect?
NCERT Page-134 & 135 / N-118, 119
 Lamarckism Darwinism

Struggle for existence is

It does not consider
(a) very important in this
struggle for existence.
theory.

Only useful variations are All the acquired char-

(b) transferred to the next acters are inherited to the
generation. next generation.

Neglects survival of the Based on survival of the

(c)
fittest. fittest

(d) None of these

33. Darwinism explains all the following except NCERT Page-129, 113
(a) offspring with better traits that overcome competition are best suited for the environment.
(b) variations may or may not be inherited from parents of offspring through genes.
(c) within each species, there are variations.
(d) organisms tend to produce more number of offspring than can survive.
6.5 BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
34. The first organisms were:
(a) chemoautotrophs
(b) chemoheterotrophs
(c) autotrophs
(d) eukaryotes
35. "Human population grows in geometric ratio while food materials increase in arithmetic proportion." it is a
statement from NCERT Page-135 / N-119
(a) Darwin
(b) Bateson
(c) de Vries
(d) Malthus
36. Which of the following statement is incorrect?
(a) Nature selects for fitness NCERT Page-134 / N-118
(b) A change in the medium composition would bring out only that part of the population that can survive under the
new conditions.
(c) Microbes do not have the ability to multiply.
(d) Fitness is the end result of the ability to adapt and get selected by nature.
37. The key concepts of Darwinian Theory of Evolution is/ are: NCERT Page-134 / N-118
(a) Branching descent
(b) Natural selection
(c) Convergent evolution
(d) Both (a) and (b)
6.6 MECHANISM OF EVOLUTION
38. Single step large mutation leading to speciation is also called:
(a) Founder effect
(b) saltation
 (c) branching descent
(d) natural selection
39. Match column I with column II and select the correct option from the given codes
NCERT Page-127 & 129, 135 / N-111, 113, 119
Column I. Column II

A Saltation (i) Darwin

Formation of life was preceded by

B (ii) Louis Pasteur
chemical evolution

C Reproductive fitness (ii) de Vries

D Life comes from pre- existing life (iv) Oparin and Haldane

(a) A-(i), B-(iv), C-(iii), D-(ii)

(b) A-(iii), B-(iv), C-(i), D-(ii)
(c) 𝐴-(iv), B-(iii), C-(ii), D-(i)
(d) A-(ii), B-(iii), C-(i), D-(iv)
50. In which era invertebrate were formed
(a) 500 mya NCERT Page-138 / N-122
(b) 320 mya
(c) 350 mya
(d) 200 mya
6.7 HARDY- WEINBERG PRINCIPLE
40. Genetic drift in a new colony is known as the: NCERT Page-137 / N-121
(a) natural selection
(b) founder effect
(c) branching descent (d) saltation
6.9. Origh andisvolution of Man
41. Random genetic drift in a population probably results from:
(a) highly genetically variable individuals.
(b) interbreeding within the population.
(c) constant low mutation rate.
(d) large population size.
42. If the frequency of dominant allele is 60%, find out the percentage of heterozygous individuals in the population.
(a) 48%
(b) 50%
(c) 47%
(d) 45%
43. Choose the wrong statement regarding Hardy-Weinberg Principle. NCERT Page-136 / N-120
(a) Allele frequencies in a population are stable and constant from generation to generation.
(b) Sum total of all the allelic frequencies in a population is 1 .
(c) Variation due to genetic drift results in changed frequency of genes and alleles in future generations.
(d) Genetic recombination helps in maintaining Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
44. Darwin in his "Natural selection Theory" did not believe in any role of which one of the following
(a) Parasites and predators as natural enemies NCERT Page-135 / N-119
 (b) Survival of the fittest
(c) Struggle for existence
(d) Discontinuous variations
45. A population is in Hardy- weinberg equilibrium for a gene with only two alleles. If the gene frequency of an allele 𝐴 is
0.7 , the genotype frequency of 𝐴𝑎 is
(a) 0.21
(b) 0.42
(c) 0.36
(d) 0.7
6.8 A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF EVOLUTION
46. Select the correct order of geological time scale of earth. NCERT Page-138 / N-122
(a) Palaeozoic → Archaeozoic → Coenozoic
(b) Archaeozoic → Palaeozoic → Proterozoic
(c) Palaeozoic → Mesozoic → Coenozoic
(d) Mesozoic → Archaeozoic → Proterozoic
47. Earliest fossil of horse, i.e. Eohippus (Hyracotherium) was found in
(a) Africa NCERT Page-140 / N-124
(b) America
(c) Australia
(d) Asia
48. Animal that evolved into the first amphibian NCERT/ Page-138 / N-122
(a) Jawless fish
(c) Lobefins
(b) salamander
(d) Turtles
49. Choose the correct statement NCERT Page-140 / N-124
(a) Giant ferns were absent but they all fell to form coal deposits slowly.
(b) The smallest dinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex was about 2 feet in height.
(c) The amphibians evolved into fish.
(d) The first mammals were like shrews.
6.9 ORIGION & EVOLUTION OF MAN
51. Which one of the following was the first to walked up right? NCERT Page-140 / N-124
(a) Peking Man
(c). Java Man
(b) Australopithecus
(d) Cro-Magnon man
52. The extinct human ancestor who ate only fruits and hunted with stone weapons was NCERT Page-140 / N-124
(a) Ramapithecus
(c) Dryopithecus
(b) Australopithecus
(d) Homo habilis
53. Which of the following is a correct? NCERT Page-141 / N-125
(a) Homo erectus lived in east and central Asia and used hides to protect their bodies.
(b) Agriculture came around 18000yrs back.
(c) Homo erectus had a large brain around 900cc.
(d) All of the above
54. Select the incorrect match from the given options.
(a) Homo habilis - Their brain capacities were between 650 − 800cc. NCERT Page-140, 141 / N-124, 125
(b) Homo erectus - Its fossil was discovered in Java in 1891 about 1.5 mya.
(c) Neanderthal man - Brain size of 1400cc.
(d) Ramapithecus - Arose in Africa and moved across continents and developed into distinct races.
55. Which one of the following changes is most irrelevant in the evolution of man?
(a) Perfection of hand for tool making.
(b) Change of diet from hard nuts and hard roots to soft food.
(c) Loss of tail.
(d) Increase in the ability to communicate with others and develop community behaviour.
56. Which of the following had the smallest brain capacity? NCERT Page-140 / N-124
(a) Homo sapiens
(b) Homo neanderthalensis
(c) Homo habilis
(d) Homo erectus
57. Which of the following was most similar to modern man?
(a) Java man
(b) Neanderthal man
(c) Homo habilis
(d) Cro-Magnon man
58. Which of the following was more man-like NCERT Page-140 / N-124
(a) Dryopithecus
(b) Ramapithecus
(c) Both of them
(d) None of them
59. Which of the following had the smallest brain capacity?
(a) Homo sapiens NCERT Page-140 / N-124 | 2015 RS, C
(b) Homo neanderthalensis
(c) Homo habilis
(d) Homo erectus
Exercise 2: NCERT Exemplar & Past Years NEET
NCERT EXEMPLAR QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following is used as an atmospheric pollution indicator?
(a) Lepidoptera NCERT Page-132 / N-116
(c) Lycopersicon
(b) Lichens
(d) Lycopodium
2. The theory of spontaneous generation stated that:
(a) Life arose from living forms only NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(b) Life can arise from both living and non-living
(c) Life can arise from non-living things
(d) Life arises spontaneously, neither from living nor from the non-living.
3. Animal husbandry and plant breeding programmes are the examples of:
(a) reverse evolution
(b) artificial selection
 (c) mutation
(d) natural selection
4. Palaeontological evidences for evolution refer to the:
(a) development of embryo NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(b) homologous organs
(c) fossils
(d) analogous organs
5. The bones of forelimbs of whale, bat, cheetah and man are similar in structure, because:
(a) one organism has given rise to another NCERT Page-131 / N-115
(b) they share a common ancestor
(c) they perform the same function
(d) they have biochemical similarities
6. Analogous organs arise due to: NCERT Page-131 / N-115
(a) divergent evolution(b)
(c) genetic drift
(d) convergent evolution
7. (𝑝 + 𝑞)2 = 𝑝2 + 2𝑝𝑞 + 𝑞 2 = 1, represents an equation used in: NCERT Page-137
(a) population genetics
(b) Mendelian genetics
(c) biometrics
(d) molecular genetics
8. Appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an example of:
(a) adaptive rediation
(b) transduction
(c) pre-existing variation in the population
(d) divergent evolution
9. Evolution of life shows that life forms had a trend of moving from:
(a) land to water
(b) dryland to wet land
(c) freshwater to sea water
(d) water to land
10. Viviparity is considered to be more evolved because: NCERT Page-140 / N-124
(a) the young ones are left on their own
(b) the young ones are protected by a thicks shell
(c) the young ones are protected inside the mother's body and are looked after they are born leading on more
chances of suvival
(d) the embryo takes a long time to develop
11. Fossils are generally found in: NCERT Page-129 / N-113
(a) sedimentary rocks (b)
(b) igneous rocks
(c) metamorphic rocks
(d) any type of rock
12. For the MN-blood group system, the frequencies of 𝑀 and 𝑁 alleles are 0.7 and 0.3 , respectively. The expected
frequency of MN-blood group bearing organisms is likely to be:
(a) 42%
(b) 49%
(c) 9%
(d) 58%
13. Which type of selection is industrial melanism observed in moth, Biston betularia:
(a) Stabilising
(c) Disruptive
(b) Directional
(d) Artificial
14. The most accepted line of descent in human evolution is: NCERT Page-140 & 141 / N-124, 125
(a) Australopithecus → Ramapithecus → Homo sapiens → Homo habilis
(b) Homo erectus → Homo habilis → Homo sapiens
(c) Ramapithecus → Homo habilis → Homo sapiens
(d) Australopithecus → Ramapithecus → Homo erectus → Homo habilis → Homo sapiens
15. Which of the following is an example for link-species?
(a) Lobe fish
(b) Dodo bird
(c) Sea weed
(d) Chimpanzee
16. Match the name of scientists listed under column I with the ideas listed under column II.
NCERT Page-127 & 135 / N-111, 119
Column I Column II

A. Darwin I. Abiogenesis

B. Oparin II. Use and disuse of organs

C. Lamarck III. Continental drift theory

D. Wagner IV. Evolution by natural selection

(a) A − I, B − IV, C − II, D − III
(b) 𝐴 − 𝐼𝑉, 𝐵 − 𝐼, 𝐶 − 𝐼𝐼, 𝐷 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼
(c) A − II, B − IV, C − III, D − I
(d) A - IV, B - III, C - II, D - I
17. In 1953, SL Miller created primitive earth conditions in the laboratory and gave experimental evidence for origin of
first form of life from pre-existing non-living organic molecules. The primitive earth conditions created include
(a) low temperature, volcanic storms atmosphere rich in oxygen NCERT Page-127 / N-111
(b) low temperature, volcanic storms, reducing atmosphere
(c) high temperature, volcanic storms, non-reducing atmosphere
(d) high temperature, volcanic storm, reducing atmosphere containing CH4 , NH3 etc.
18. Variations during mutations of meiotic recombinations are:
(a) random and directionless NCERT Page-135 / N-119
(b) random and directional
(c) random and small
(d) random, small and directional

PAST YEARS NEET

19. Analogous structures are a result of
(a) Divergent evolution NCERT Page-131 / N-115 | 2016, C
(b) Convergent evolution
(c) Shared ancestry
(d) Stabilizing selection
20. Which of the following structures is homologus to the wing of a bird? NCERT Page-130, 131 / N-114, 115 | 2016, C
(a) Dorsal fin of a Shark
(b) Wing of a Moth
(c) Hind limb of Rabbit
(d) Flipper of Whale
21. Genetic drift operates in 2016, C
(a) non-reproductive population
(b) slow reproductive population
(c) small isolated population
(d) large isolated population
22. Which of the following is the correct sequence of events in the origin of life? 2016, C
(i) Formation of protobionts
(ii) Synthesis of organic monomers
(iii) Synthesis of organic polymers
(iv) Formation of DNA-based genetic systems
(a) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
(b) (ii), (iii), (iv), (i)
(c) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (iii), (ii), (iv)
23. Following are the two statements regarding the origin of life 2016, C
(A) The earliest organisms that appeared on the earth. were non-green and presumably anaerobes.
(B) The first autotrophic organisms were the chemoautotrophs that never released oxygen.
Of the above statements which one of the following options is correct?
(a) (A) is correct but (𝐵) is false.
(b) (B) is correct but (A) is false.
(c) Both (A) and (B) are correct.
(d) Both (𝐴) and (𝐵) are false.
24. Which of the following represents order of Horse'?
(a) Perissodactyla
(b) Caballus 2017, C, BN
(c) Ferus
(d) Equidae
25. According to Hugo de Vries, the mechanism of evolution is
(a) Multiple step mutations NCERT Page-135 / N-119 | 2018, C
(b) Saltation
(c) Minor mutations
(d) Phenotypic variations
26. Among the following sets of examples for divergent evolution, select the incorrect option:
(a) Forelimbs of man, bat and cheetah NCERT Page-131 / N-115 | 2018, C
(b) Heart of bat, man and cheetah
(c) Eye of octopus, bat and man
(d) Brain of bat, man and cheetah
27. The similarity of bone structure in the forelimbs of many vertebrates is an example of
(a) Homology NCERT Page-130 / N-114 | 2018, C
(b) Analogy
(c) Adaptive radiation
(d) Convergent evolution
28. A gene locus has two alleles 𝐴, 𝑎. If the frequency of dominant allele 𝐴 is 0.4 , then what will be the frequency of
homozygous dominant, heterozygous and homozygous recessive individuals in the population? 2019 , C
(a) 0.36(AA); 0.48(Aa); 0.16(aa)
(b) 0.16 (AA); 0.24 (Aa); 0.36 (aa)
(c) 0.16(AA); 0.48(Aa); 0.36(aa)
(d) 0.16 (AA); 0.36 (Aa); 0.48(aa)
29. Variations caused by mutation, as proposed by Hugo de Vries, are: NCERT Page-135 / N-119 | 2019, S
(a) random and directional
(b) random and directionless
(c) small and directional
(d) small and directionless
30. In a speciès, the weight of newborn ranges from 2 to 5 kg. 97% of the newborn with an average weight between 3 to
3.3 kg survive whereas 99% of the infants born with weights from 2 to 2.5 kg or 4.5 to 5 kg die. Which type of
selection process is taking place? 2019, C
(a) Directional selection
(b) Stabilising selection
(c) Disruptive selection
(d) Cyclical selection
31. From his experiments, S.L. Miller produced amino acids by mixing the following in a closed flask
(a) CH3 , H2 , NH4 and water vapor at 800∘ C NCERT Page-128 / N-112 | 2020, S
(b) CH4 , H2 , NH3 and water vapor at 600∘ C
(c) CH3 , H2 , NH3 and water vapor at 600∘ C
(d) CH4 , H2 , NH3 and water vapor at 800∘ C
32. Flippers of Penguins and Dolphins are examples of NCERT Page-131 / N-115 | 2020, C
(a) Convergent evolution
(b) Industrial melanism
(c) Natural selection
(d) Adaptive radiation
33. Which of the following refer to correct example(s) of organisms which have evolved due to changes in environment
brought about by anthropogenic action? NCERT Page-132 / N-116 / 2020, S
(A) Darwin's Finches of Galapagos islands.
(B) Herbicide resistant weeds.
(C) Drug resistant eukaryotes.
(D) Man-created breeds of domesticated animals like dogs.
(a) (A) and (C)
(b) (B), (C) and (D)
(c) only (D)
(d) only (𝐴)
34. Embryological support for evolution was disapproved by NCERT Page-129 / N-113 | 2020 C
(a) Alfred Wallace
(b) Charles Darwin
(c) Oparin
(d) Karl Ernst von Baer
35. Embryological support for evolution was proposed by
(a) Alfred Wallace NCERT Page-129 / N-113 | 2020, C
(b) Ernst Heckel
(c) Karl Ernst vol Baer
(d) Charles Darwin
36. Match List - I with List – II NCERT Page-130,131 & 132 / N-114, 115, 116 | 2021 C
List - I List - II

Selection of resistant
varieties dueto excessive
(A) Adaptive radiation (i)
use of herbicides and
pesticides

Convergent of Bones forelimbs in Man

(B) (ii)
evolution and Whale

Wings of Butterfly and

(C) Divergent evolution (iii)
Bird

Evolution by anthro
(D) (iv) Darwin Finches
-pogenicaclion
Choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(A) (B) (C) (D)
(a) (i) (iv) (iii) (ii)
(b) (iv) (iii) (ii) (i)
(c) (iii) (ii) (i) (iv)
(d) (ii) (i) (iv) (iii)
37. The factor that leads to Founder effect in a population NCERT Page-137 / N-121 | 2021 C
(a) Genetic drift
(b) Natural selection
(c) Genetic recombination
(d) Mutation
38. Which of the following statements is not true? NCERT Page-130 & 131 / N-114, 115 | 2022
(a) Sweet potato and potato is an example of analogy
(b) Homology indicates common ancestry
(c) Flippers of penguins and dolphins are a pair of homologous organs
(d) Analogous structures are a result of convergent evolution
39. Natural selection where more individuals acquire specific character value other than the mean character value, leads
to: NCERT Page-137 / N-121 | 2022
(a) Directional change
(b) Disruptive change
(c) Random change
(d) Stabilising change
40. Select the correct group/set of Australian Marsupials exhibiting adaptive radiation. NCERT Page-133 / N-117 | 2023
(a) Tasmanian wolf, Bobcat, Marsupial mole
(b) Numbat, Spotted cuscus, Flying phalanger
(c) Mole, Flying squirrel, Tasmanian tiger cat
(d) Lemur, Anteater, Wolf
 Exercise 3: Matching, Statement & Assertion Reason Type
MATCH THE FOLLOWING
1. Match column I (containing list of scientists) with column II (their contribution) and choose the correct option.
NCERT Nage-135 / N-119
Column-I (Name Column-II
of the Scientist) (Contributions)

A. Charles Darwin I. Mutation theory

B. Lamarck II. Philosophie Zoologique

C. Hugo de Vries III. The Origin of species

D. Ernst Haeckel IV. Biogenetic law

V. Essay on population
(a) A - III; B - II; C-I; D - IV
(b) A-III; B-II; C-IV; D-I
(c) 𝐴 − 𝐼𝐼; 𝐵 − 𝑉; 𝐶 − 𝐼𝑉; 𝐷 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼
(d) A - III; B - II; C - I; D – IV
2. Match the evolution concepts given in column-I with column-II and select the correct answer.
NCERT (Page-137 / N-121
Column-I Column-II

Change in population's
A. Mutation I. allele frequencies due to
chance alone.

Differences in survival and

B. Gene flow II. reproduction among
variant individuals.

Immigration, emigration
C. Natural selection III.
change allele frequencies.

D. Genetic drift IV. Source of new alleles.

(a) A − I; B − II; C − III; D − IV
(b) A − IV; B − II; C − III; D − I
(c) A − III B - I; C - IV; D - II
(d) A-IV; B - III; C - II; D -I
3. Match the column-I with column-II and choose the correct option. NCERT Page-127,129 & 131 / N-111, 113, 115
Column-I Column-II

A. Human embryos I. Chemical evolution have gill

Oparin and Haldane

B. II. Stimulation experiment
 C. Miller and Urey III. Wings of bird and butterfly

D. Analogous organs IV. Ontogeny repeats phylogeny

(a) A-III; B - IV; C-II; D-I
(b) 𝐴 − 𝐼𝐼; 𝐵 − 𝐼; 𝐶 − 𝐼𝑉; 𝐷 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼
(c) A − IV; B − I; C − II; D − III
(d) A − IV; B − I; C − III; D − II
4. Match column −𝐼 with column -11 and select the correct option. NCERT Page-138 / N-122
Column-I Column-II

A. Mesozoic I. First amphibians

B. Devonian II. Proliferation of reptiles

C. Palaeocene III. Rise of modern mammals

D. Permian IV. Radiation of primitive mammals

V. 160 million years

(a) A − V; B − IV; C − III; D − II
(b) 𝐴 − 𝑉; 𝐵 − 𝐼; 𝐶 − 𝐼𝑉; 𝐷 − 𝐼𝐼
(c) A − V; B − I; C − II; D − III
(d) A − V; B − I; C − IV; D − III
5. Match column-I with column-II and select the correct option. NCERT ( Page-132 & 137 / N-116, 121
Column-I Column-II

A. Wallace I. Essay on population

B. Malthus II. Bateson

C. Hardy-Weinberg law III. 𝑝2 + 𝑞 2 + 2𝑝𝑞 = 1

Co-proposer of
D. Industrial melanism IV.
Natural selection

(a) A-III; B - IV; C-II; D-I

(b) A − II; B − I; C − IV; D − III
(c) 𝐴 − 𝐼𝑉; 𝐵 − 𝐼; 𝐶 − 𝐼𝐼; 𝐷 − 𝐼𝐼𝐼
(d) A − IV; B − I; C − II; D − II

TWO STATEMENT TYPE QUESTIONS

DIRECTION: Read the statements carefully and answer the question on the basis of following options.
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
(b) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
(c) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
(d) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
6. Statement I: The fitness, according to Darwin, refers only to reproductive fitness.
Statement II: To outbreed others, a population must survive better in natural conditions. NCERT Page-135 / N-119
7. Statement I: Thorns and tendrils of Bougainvillea and Cucurbita represent homology.
 Statement II: Homologous organs have similar functions but are different in their structural details and origin.
NCERT ( Page-131 / N-115
8. Statement I: Moths living in the industrial areas became dark to match body colour to the tree trunks. Statement II:
Smoke from industries covers the moths, making them appear dark. NCERT ( Page-132 / N-116

9. Statement I: Evolution is not a directed process in sense of determination.

Statement II: Evolution is a stochastic process based on chance events in nature and chance mutation in the
organisms. NCERT ( Page-132 / N-116
10. Statement I: Darwin's finches of Galapagos islands have different types of modified beaks according to their food
habits.
Statement II: Adaptive radiation, leads to development of different functional structures from a common ancestral
form. NCERT Page-132 & 133 / N-116, 117
11. Statement I: Neanderthal man is the intermediated between Ramapithecus and Homo erectus.
Statement II: Neanderthal man, with brain size of 800cc used hides to protect their body. NCERT Page-141 / N-125
7.1 FOUR/FIVE STATEMENT TYPE QUESTIONS
12. Which of the following statements is incorrect? NCERT Page-127 & 130 / N-111, 114
(i) Life originated in Mesozoic era.
(ii) Earth was formed about 4.6 million years ago.
(iii) Ist living organism in primitive ocean was coacervate.
(iv) Homologous organs show divergent evolution. (v) First form of life could have come from pre-existing non-living
organic molecule.
(a) (i) only
(c) (i), (iii) and (iv)
(b) (ii), (iii) and (v)
(d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
13. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct? NCERT ( Page-131,132 & 136 / N-115, 116, 120
(i) Increase in melanized moths after industrialization in Great Britain is a proof for natural selection.
(ii) When more individuals of a population acquire a mean character value, it is called disruption.
(iii) Changes in allelic frequency in a population will lead to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
(iv) Genetic drift changes the existing gene or allelic frequency in future generations.
(a) (ii) only
(c) Both (i) and (iv)
(b) (iv) only
(d) Both (i) and (iii)
14. Which of the following features are correct for Homo erectus? NCERT ( Page-140 & 141 / N-124, 125
(i) Had a large brain around 900 c.c.
(ii) Probably ate meat.
(iii) Appeared about 1.5 mya year ago.
(iv) Evolved from H. habilis.
(v) Dryopithecus was more ape-like.
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) None of these
(d) All of these
15. Which of the following statement(s) is/are incorrect about neanderthal man? NCERT Page-141 / N-125
(i) They had large brain around 900 c.c.
(ii) They lived in near east and central Asia between 100000 − 40000 years back.
 (iii) They used hides to protect their body and buried their dead
(iv) They had no religious feeling.
(a) All of these
(b) None of these
(c) (i) and (iv)
(d) (ii) and (iii)
16. Consider the following statements: NCERT Page-135 / N-119
(i) Darwin ignored Mendel's idea of 'factors' influencing phenotypes.
(ii) For Darwing Mutations were random and directionaless.
(iii) Evolution for Darwin was sudden while deVries believed gradual mutation caused speciation.
(iv) Hugo de Vries work on evening Primrose.
(v) Danwin believed in single step large mutation theory. Which of the statement(s) iven above is/are correct?
(a) (i) and (iv) only
(b) (ii) and (iii only
(c) (i) and (ii) only
(d) All of the above
17. According to Hardy-Weinberg principle, allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from
generation to generation in the absence of other evolutionary influences. It makes several assumptions which were
given below. NCERT Page-137 / N-121
(i) Sexual Reproduction
(ii) Non-overlapping Generations
(iii) Occurrence of Natural Selection
(iv) Small size of population
Identify two assumptions which do not meet for a population to reach Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium?
(a) (iii) and (iv)
(b) (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i), (iii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (ii) and (iii)

ASSERTION & REASON QUESTIONS

DIRECTIONS: These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason. While answering
these questions, you are required to choose any one of the following four responses.
(a) Both (𝐴) and (𝑅) are correct but (𝑅) is not the correct explanation of (𝐴)
(b) (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
(c) (A) is not correct but (R) is correct
(d) Both (𝐴) and (𝑅) are correct and (𝑅) is the correct explanation of (𝐴)
18. Assertion: We have lost all the direct evidences of origin of life.
Reason: The persons responsible for protecting evidences were not skilled:
19. Assertion: Comparative biochemistry provides a strong evidence in favour of common ancestory of living beings.
Reason: It is the study of evolutionary relationships between organisms.
20. Assertion: Darwin's finches show a variety of beaks suited for eating large seeds, flying insects and cactus seeds.
Reason: Ancestral seed-eating stock of Darwin's finches radiated out from South American mainland to different
geographical areas of the Galapagos Islands, where they found competitor-free new habitats.
NCERT Page-133 / N-117
21. Assertion: The primitive atmosphere was reducing one i.e., without oxygen.
Reason: In the primitive atmosphere, oxygen was involved in forming ozone. NCERT Page-127 / N-111
22. Assertion: Jave Ape man, Peking man and Heidelberg man are the fossils of Homo erectus.
Reason: Homo erectus evolved from Homo habilis. NCERT Page-140 / N-124
 23. Assertion: Natural selection is the outcome of difference in survival and reproduction among individuals that show
variation in one or more traits.
Reason: Adaptive forms of a given trait tend to become more common; less adaptive ones become less common or
disappear.
[Link]: Organic compounds first evolved in earth required for origin of life were protein and nucleic acid.
Reason : All life forms were in water environment only. NCERT Page-127 / N-111

ANSWER KEYS
EXCERSISE- 1
1 (b) 7 (a) 13 (d) 19 (c) 25 (a) 31 (d) 37 (d) 43 (d) 49 (d) 55 (b)

2 (c) 8 (a) 14 (d) 20 (c) 26 (a) 32 (b) 38 (b) 44 (d) 50 (a) 56 (c)

3 (a) 9 (d) 15 (d) 21 (a) 27 (d) 33 (b) 39 (b) 45 (b) 51 (b) 57 (d)

4 (d) 10 (c) 16 (a) 22 (d) 28 (d) 34 (b) 40 (b) 46 (c) 52 (b) 58 (b)

5 (a) 11 (c) 17 (c) 23 (c) 29 (a) 35 (d) 41 (a) 47 (b) 53 (c) 59 (c)

6 (a) 12 (b) 18 (b) 24 (c) 30 (a) 36 (c) 42 (a) 48 (c) 54 (d)

Exercise 2 (NGERT Exemplar & past Years NEET)

1 (b) 5 (b) 9 (d) 13 (b) 17 (d) 21 (c) 25 (b) 29 (b) 33 (b) 37 (a)

2 (c) 6 (d) 10 (c) 14 (c) 18 (a) 22 (a) 26 (c) 30 (b) 34 (d) 38 (c)

3 (b) 7 (a) 11 (a) 15 (a) 19 (b) 23 (c) 27 (a) 31 (d) 35 (b) 39 (a)

4 (c) 8 (c) 12 (a) 16 (b) 20 (d) 24 (a) 28 (c) 32 (a) 36 (b) 40 (b)

Exercise 3 (Matching Statement & AssetionReason ype)

1 (a) 4 (b) 7 (b) 10 (d) 13 (c) 16 (a) 19 (d) 22 (a)

2 (d) 5 (d) 8 (d) 11 (a) 14 (d) 17 (a) 20 (d) 23 (d)

3 (c) 6 (b) 9 (a) 12 (a) 15 (c) 18 (b) 21 (b) 24 (a)

 HINTS AND SOLUTIONS
EXERCISE 1
1. (b) The term evolution was given by Herbert Spencer that is "descent with modifications". Evolution helps us to
understand the history of life.
Evolution is a process in which something changes into a different and usually more complete or better form over
time and in response to environment. This results in descendents becoming different from ancestors.
2. (c) The primitive atmosphere was reducing due to lack of free molecular oxygen. The early atmosphere contained
ammonia (NH3 ), water vapour (H2 O), hydrogen (H2 ), methane (CH4 ).
3. (a) The concept of chemical evolution is based on possible origin of life by combination of chemicals under suitable
environmental conditions. Chemical evolution describes chemical changes on the primitive Earth that gave rise to the
first forms of life. The first living things on Earth were prokaryotes with a type of cell similar to present day bacteria.
Prokaryote fossils have been found in 3.4-million-year old rock in the southern part of Africa, and in even older rocks
in Australia, including some that appear to be photosynthetic.
4. (d) We are still not very clear whether to regard evolution and natural selection as processes or end result of
unknown processes.
5. (a) Oparin of Russia and Haldane of England proposed that the first form of life could have come from pre-existing
non- living molecules (eg, RNA, protein etc. and that formation of life was preceded by chemical evolution i.e.
formation of diverse organic molecule from inorganic molecules.
6. (a)
7. (a) ABritish scientist, J.B.S. Haldane, suggested that life originated from simple inorganic molecules. Two scientists,
Stanley Miller and Harold Urey were the first to put to test, the Oparin - Haldane theory, in the year 1953. They
created a condition similar to that of primitive earth (i.e. high temperature, volcanic storms, reducing atmosphere)
containing ammonia (NH3 ), water vapour (H2 O), hydrogen (H2 ), methane (CH4 ). They made electric discharge in a
closed flask containing CH4 , NH3 , H2 and water vapour at 800∘ C. As a result, some amino acids are formed.
8. (a) In 1831, c Charles Darwin got an opportunity to travel on HMS Beagle ship for a voyage of world exploration.
9. (d) The fitness, according to Darwin, refers ultimately and only to reproductive fitness. Hence, those who are better
fit in an environment, leave more progeny than others. These, therefore, will survive more and hence are selected by
nature. He called it natural selection.
10. (c) Alfred Wallace, a naturalist worked in Malay Archipelago had come to similar conclusions around the same time
as Darwin.
11. (c) The theory of natural selection was given by Charles Darwin.
12. (b) The first scientific explanation of origin of life was put forward by A.I. Oparin in 1923. J.B.S. Haldane (1928), also
made similar observation regarding the origin of life. According to them primitive atmosphere was reducing
atmosphere because hydrogen atoms (most numerous and most reactive) combined with all available oxygen atoms
to form water and leaving no free oxygen. Therefore oxygen was not present in the primitive atmosphere of the
earth.
13. (d) Living fossils is a living species of organism that appears to be similar to a species otherwise known only from
fossils without having any close living relatives.
14. (d) Speciation through reproductive isolation is one of the important consequences of geographical isolation.
Geographical isolation is a phenomenon where a group of plants, animals or other living individuals are separated
from mixing genes within their same species. Geographical isolation may ultimately lead to the populations
becoming separate species by adaptive radiation.
15. (d)
16. (a) The analogous organs are different in origin or basic plan, but have similar functions or adaptations. Wings of
butterfly and wings of bird and fins of fishes and flippers of whale are some of the examples of analogous organs.
17. (c) Homologous organs are anatomically similar but dissimilar in shape; size and function.
18. (b) The eye of octopus and eye of cat show different patterns of structure, yet they perform similar functions. This is
an example of analogous organs.
Analogous organs have evolved due to convergent evolution. Analogous organs have developed in the evolutionary
process through adaptation in quite different organisms to similar mode of life.
19. (c)
20. (c)
21. (a) Darwin fitness is the ability to survive and reproduce. It is a type of natural selection that considers the role
relatives play when evaluating the genetic fitness of a given individual. It is based on the concept of inclusive fitness,
which is made up of individual survival and reproduction (direct fitness) and any impact that an individual has on the
survival and reproduction of relatives (indirect fitness).
22. (d) Darwin's finches are a good example of adaptive radiation. Adaptive radiation is a process of evolution of
different species in a given geographical area starting from a point and radiating to other areas of geography.
23. (c) Adaptive radiation refers to evolution of different species from a common ancestor. The mammals are adapted
for different mode of life i.e. they show adaptive radiation. They can be aerial (bat), aquatic (whale and dolphins),
burrowing or fossorial (rat), cursorial (horse), scantorial (squarrel) or arboreal (monkey). The adaptive radiation, the
term by Osborn, is also known as divergent evolution.
24. (c) According to Lamarckism (or Lamarckian inheritance) an organism can pass on the characteristics that it acquired
during its lifetime. According to Lamarck,
a giraffe has a long neck because its ancestors stretched their necks to get the food.
25. (a) The Finches of Galapagos islands provide an example of biogeographical evolution. Biogeography is the study of
the distribution of life forms over geographical areas. It not only provides significant inferential evidence for
evolution and common descent, but also provides what creationists like to deny is possible in evolution.
26. (a) Marsupials in Australia and placental mammals in North America show convergent evolution. These two
subclasses of mammal have adapted in similar ways to a particular food supply, locomotor skill or climate.
27. (d) Adaptive radiations - Darwin finches and marsupials. Vertebrate's hearts and brains are the examples of
homologous organ.
28. (d) Nature selects those set of characters that are best adapted to the environment. This has resulted in the great
diversity seen in the population of finches.
29. (a)
30. (a) Convergent evolution is the process whereby organisms which are not closely related independently evolve
similar traits as a result of capability to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches. It is the independent
evolution of similar features in species of different lineages. Convergent evolution creates analogous structures that
have similar form or function, but that were not present in the last common ancestor of those groups.
31. (d) The given diagram of marsupials of Australia provides an example of divergent evolution. Divergent evolution is
the accumulation of differences between groups which can lead to the formation of new species. It is usually due to
diffusion of the same species to different and isolated environments which blocks the gene flow among the distinct
populations allowing differentiated fixation of characteristics through genetic drift and natural selection.
32. (b) According to Lamarckism, all the acquired character are inherited to the next generation. According to Darwinism,
the useful variations are transferred to the next generation.
33. (b) The main drawback of Darwinism is lack of knowledge of heredity. Darwin's theory could not explain the
inheritance variations from parents to offsprings through genes.
34. (b) Chemoheterotrophs were the first organisms. They were prokaryotic like bacteria, anaerobes, as molecular
oxygen was absent. They obtained energy by fermentation of some of the organic molecules present in the broth.
Thus, they absorbed organic molecules from outside for body building and energy.
• Chemoautotrophs are those organisms that are capable to synthesize organic molecules from inorganic molecules.
e.g., Nitrifying bacteria, sulphur reducing bacteria etc.
• Autotrophs are photosynthesizing plants/organisms.
35. (d) In 1798, Malthus, put forward a theory of human population growth. It states that population grows geometrical
when unchecked, whereas the means of its subsistence like food grows only arithmetically.
36. (c) Microbes that divides fast have the ability to multiply and become millions of individuals within hours.
37. (d) Branching descent and natural selection are the two key concepts of Darwinian Theory of Evolution.
38. (b) Hugo de Vries proposed mutation theory of evolution. He conducted some experiments on Oenothera
lamarckiana (evening primrose) and believed that evolution takes place through mutation and not by minor variation
and hence called it saltation (single step large mutation).
39. (b) 𝐴-(iii), B-(iv), C-(i), D-(ii).
40. (b) Founder's effect is the loss of genetic variation that occurs when a new population is established by a very small
number of individuals from a larger population. As a result of the loss of genetic variation, the new population may
be distinctively different, both genotypically and phenotypically, from the parent population from which it is derived.
In extreme cases, the founder effect is thought to lead to the speciation and subsequent evolution of new species.
41. (a) Random genetic drift in a population probably results from highly genetically variable individuals. Random genetic
drift refers to random fluctuations in the numbers of gene variants in a population. It takes place when the
occurrence of variant forms of a gene, called alleles, increases and decreases by chance over time. These variations
in the presence of alleles are measured as changes in allele frequencies.
42. (a) Frequency of dominant allele (𝑝) = 60% = 0.6 The frequency of recessive allele, according to (𝑝 + 𝑞) = 1, will
be 0.4
The value of 𝑝𝑞 = 0.6 × 0.4 = 0.24
The frequency of heterozygous individuals, therefore, will be 2𝑝𝑞 = 2 × 0.24 = 0.48 or 48%.
43. (d) Genetic recombination leads to variation results in changed frequency of genes and alleles in future generation.
44. (d)
45. (b) For a gene with two alleles, A (dominant) and a (recessive), if the frequency of 𝐴 is 𝑝 and the frequency of 𝑎 is 𝑞,
then the frequencies of the three possible genotypes (AA, 𝐴𝑎, and aa) can be expressed by the Hardy-Weinberg
equation:
𝑝2 + 2𝑝𝑞 + 𝑞 2 = 1
where, 𝑝2 = frequency of AA (homozygous dominant)
individuals, 2𝑝𝑞 = frequency of 𝐴𝑎 (heterozygous) individuals and 𝑞 2 = frequency of aa (homozygous recessive)
individuals. The equation can be used to calculate allele frequencies if the numbers of homozygous recessive
individuals in the population is known.
Here, 𝑝 = 0.7 and 𝑞 = 0.3 (given)
∴ 2𝑝𝑞 (frequency of heterozygote)
= 2 × 0.7 × 0.3 = 0.42
46. (c) The correct geological time scale of earth is Precambrian (Era/Age of early life)
↓
↓ ↓ (Age of fishes)
↓
Mesozoic (Age of reptiles dinosaurs and cycads) ↓
Coenozoic (Age of mammals)
A geological time scale is a diagram that details the history of earths geology, noting major events like the formation
of the earth, the first life forms and mass extinctions. The first geological time scale was proposed in 1913 by the
British geologist Arthur Holmes (1890-1965).
The history of the earth has been subdivided into eras, eras into periods and periods into major divisions.
47. (b)
48. (c) A fish caught in South Africa happened to be a Coelacanth which was thought to be extinct. These animals called
lobefins evolved into the first amphibians that lived on both land and water.
49. (d) Giant ferns were present but they all fell to form coal deposits slowly.
The biggest dinosaurs Tyrannosaurus rex was about 20 feet in height. The amphibians evolved into reptiles. The first
mammals were like shrews.
50. (a) By the time of 500 mya, invertebrates were formed and active.
51. (b) Australopithecus evolved 2 mya and had a cranial capacity of 450 cm3. They had full erect posture with height
1.5 m. They were herbivorous, hunted with stone weapons, lived at trees, canines and incisors teeth were small.
52. (b) Australopithecus is one of the longest-lived and best-known early human species whose remains were found
between 3.85 and 2.95 million years ago in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania). Evidences shows that they
hunted with stone weapons but essentially ate fruits.
53. (c) Neanderthal man lived in east and central Asia and used hides to protect their bodies. Agriculture came around
10000 years back and human settlement started.
54. (d) Homo sapiens - Arose in Africa and moved across continents and developed into distinct races.
55. (b) In ancient period, hands were used to collect food and to save themselves. Gradually men learnt to cook food,
make tools for their own purpose, this change in habit brings perfection in their hand. Similarly, there is an increase
in the ability to comunicate with other and develop community behaviour. Loss of tail took a great role in course of
evolution. But as in ancient period men still eat hard nuts and hard roots (though they often used to take soft food
also). This change in diet is the most irrelevant change in the evolution of man.
56. (c)
57. (d) The skeleton of Cro-Magnon was almost identical to the modern man.
58. (b) Ramapithecus.
59. (c) Brain capacity in decreasing order:-
Homo sapiens (1300 - 1600 c.c)
Homo neanderthalensis (approx. 1400 c.c.)
Homo eractus ( 600 - 700 c.c.)
Homo habilis (550 - 687 c.c.)
Thus the lowest brain capacity is of Homo habilis as shown above. Homo habilis lived in early pleistocene period and
used tools of chipped stones.

EXERCISE -2
NCERT Exemplar Questions
1. (b) Lichens can be used as an atmospheric pollution indicator. As they are sensitive (especially phycobiont) to oxides
of nitrogen and sulphur. They do not grow in areas that are polluted, hence unable to synthesise organic food and do
not grow well.
Lepidoptera : is insect order.
Lycopersicon : is the scientific name of tomato.
Lycopodium : is a pteridophyte.
2. (c) The theory of spontaneous generation stated that life can arise from non-living things or from inanimate objects. It
is also known as abiogenesis.
3. (b) These are examples of artificial selection.
The process in which the breeder choose to perpetuate only those forms that have certain desirable inheritable
characterstics is known as 'Artificial selection'.
Mutation is a sudden change in DNA sequence due to mutagenic agents such as chemicals and radiations. Natural
selection is a gradual process by which biological traits become either more or less common in a population as a
function of the effect of the changing environment.
Reverse evolution or devolution is a notion that species can change into more primitive forms over time.
4. (c) Palaeontological evidences for evolution refer to the evidences from fossils. The preserved remains or traces of
organisms from the distant past are fossils and its study is called Palaeontology. The other options are not correct
because the development patterns of embryo refer to embryological evidences for evolution. Homologous and
analogous organs provide evidences for comparative anatomy and morphology.
 5. (b) The bones of forelimbs of whale, bat, cheetah and man are similar in structure, because they have a common
ancestor.
These are the homologous organs that have different functions across diverse forms, but are developed along same
pattern. These organs arise due to divergent evolution.
6. (d) Analogous organs arise due to convergent evolution. These are the organs which have similar function, but are
different in their structural details and origin, e.g., wings of insect and bird.
The other three options are incorrect, because divergent evolution give rise to homologous organs, genetic drift can
contribute speciation and artifical selection is used to produce improved varieties of animals and plants.
7. (a) (𝑝 + 𝑞)2 = 𝑝2 + 2𝑝𝑞 + 𝑞 2 = 1, represents an equation used in population genetics.
It is a mathematical representation of 'Hardy-Weinberg principle'. This principle states that allele frequencies in a
population are stable and is constant from generation to generation, i.e the gene pool remains a constant.
8. (c) Appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is an example of pre-existing variation in the population. When a
bacterial population encounters a particular antibiotic, those become sensitive and dies.
9. (d) Evolution of life shows that life forms had a trend of moving from water to land. The early vertebrates were
fishes. Some fishes gradually changed into amphibians (that can live both on land and in water).
Some amphibians then transformed into the reptiles that lives on land some of the them later finally evolved into
birds (can fly) and then in mammals. Thus, showing life form moved from water to land.
10. (c) Viviparity is considered to be more evolved because inside the mother's body, the young ones are protected and
are looked after their birth, leading to more chances of suvival, e.g., mammals.
However, in oviparity, the female lays fertilised/ unfertilised eggs, which is covered by a hard calcareous shell in a
safe place in the environment. The chances of survival are less as the young ones are left on their own.
11. (a) Fossils are generally found in sedimentary rocks, that are formed by the gradual deposition of silt, sand or calcium
carbonate over million of years in regions such as lakes or sea during their formation, the dead animals are carried to
the sea or large lake, sink down and get burried in the rocks. The animals, thus preserved in the rocks, are converted
into fossils.
12. (a) The expected frequency of 𝑀𝑁 blood group bearing organisms is likely to be 42%.
According to Hardy-Weinberg equation, 𝑝2 + 2𝑝𝑞 + 𝑞 2 = 1
where, 𝑝 = Frequency of M alleles,
𝑝2 = Frequency of homozygous dominant individuals.
𝑞 = frequency of N alleles
𝑞 2 = frequency of homozygous recessive individuals
2𝑃𝑞 = Frequency of heterozygous individuals.
So, (0.7)2 + (0.3)2 + 2𝑝𝑞 = 1
0.49 + 0.09 + 2𝑝𝑞 = 1
∴ 2𝑝𝑞 = 0.42
i.e., 42%
= Frequency of heterozygous individuals.
13. (b) Directional selection is observed in moth, Biston betularia which is also an example of industrial melanism. Under
this condition, individuals at one end of the frequency distribution do well and so more individuals of that type will
be present in next generation.
The other options are incorrect because in stabilising selection, individuals with average sized are favoured. e.g.,
weight of new-born babies and in disruptive selection both extremes are favoured. while intermediate varieties are
eliminated. e.g., black bellied seed cracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus.
In artifical selection, the individuals with desirable characteristics are deliberately selected to produce a progeny with
all those characteristics.
14. (c) The most accepted line of descent in human evolution is
Ramapithecus → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Homo sapiens.
Human Evolution
 Ramapithecus
Australopithecus
Homo habilis
Homo erectus
Homo sapiens
Characteristics
They Survived about 14 − 15 mya, walked erect on its hind legs, arise from Dryopithecus. They Lived from 4-15 mya
in caves, had omnivorous diet. Fully bipedal hominid First human like being that Did not eat meat, brain capacity
650 − 800 cc
They Lived about 1.5 mya Brain capacity were around 900cc, and ate meat The Brain capacity averages 1450cc and
their body has Erect posture and limbs were straight.
15. (a) Lobe fish is an example for link species. About 350 mya, fish with stout and strong fins could move on land and go
back to water. These were called lobe and were later evolved in first amphibians that lived both on land and water,
e.g., coelocanth.
Dodo is an extinct fightless bird. Sea weed is multicellular benthic marine algae Chimpanzees are the closest living
relatives of humans.
16. (b) Darwin is related with evolution by natural selection. According to the theory in the struggle for existence, the
individuals which have more favourable variations will survive and reproduce, while others, which have less
favourable or unfavourable variations will not puripetuate. Oparin : Put forth abiogenesis theory.
According to abiogenesis : Life is originated from the non-living things spontaneously.
Lamarck: Use and disuse of organs is one of the important principle of Lamarckism.
Wagner : Proposed continental drift theory.
17. (d) For the occurrence of chemical evolution by stimulating hypothetical conditions present on early earth. The Miller
- Urey experimented.
The primitive earth conditions include high temperature, volcanic storms and reducing environment containing
methane (CH4 ), ammonia (NH3 ), hydrogen (H2 ) and water vapour.
They ultimately found that a large number of simple organic compounds including some amino acids such as alanine,
glycine and aspartic acid can be synthesised in as during chemical origin of life. In the same experiments formation of
sugars, nitrogenous bases, pigments and fats were also observed by others.
18. (a) Variations during mutations of meiotic recombinations are random and directionless. On the basis of Hugo de
Vries work, on evening primrose, It was stated that, it is mutation which causes sudden appearance of variations that
results in speciation. Mutations are sudden, heritable and persistant in successive generation. He contradicted
Darwinian variations that are small and directional.

Past Years NEET

19. (b) Analogous structures are those that have the same function, but they are not derived from a common ancestor
and have undergone different patterns of development i.e., Convergent evolution which is natural selection that
favors the same type of structure in different ancestors.
20. (d) Wings of a bird and flippers of a whale are modified forelimbs.
21. (c) Genetic drift operates in small isolated population. It means the variation in the frequency of different genotypes
of small population.
22. (a) At first earth contains NH3 , H2 O, H2 , CH4. The atmosphere was reducing, i.e. there was no free oxygen. When
earth was cooled, the primitive inorganic molecule interacted and combined with one another to synthesize organic
monomers, after that these organic monomers, combined to form complex polymers, these polymers aggregates to
form precursors of first life as cocervates i.e. probionts and after probionts, first life originated as Prokaryotes.
23. (c) Both statements are correct because primitive atmosphere was reducing and chlorophyll appeared later on.
Chemoautotrophs were the first autotrophic organisms unable to perform photolysis of water and never released
oxygen.
24. (a) Horse belongs to
Orders - Perissodactyla
Family - Equidae
Genus - Equus
Species - ferus
Subspecies - caballus
25. (b) As per mutation theory which was given by Hugo de Vries state that the evolution is a discontinuous
phenomenon or saltatory phenomenon/saltation.
26. (c) Divergent evolution demonstrates how species can have common (homologous) anatomical structures, whereas
eye of octopus, bat and man are examples of analogous organs showing convergent evolution.
27. (a) Bird and bat wings are analogous, as forelimb is homologous. In different vertebrates, bones of forelimbs are
similar but their forelimbs are adapted in different way as per their adaptation, show homology.
28. (c) Frequency of dominant allele (𝑝) = 0.4
Frequency of recessive allele (𝑞) = 1 − 0.4 = 0.6
Frequency of homozygous dominant individuals (AA)
= p2 = (0.4)2 = 0.16(AA)
Frequency of heterozygous individuals (Aa)
= 2pq = 2(0.4)(0.6) = 0.48(Aa)
Frequency of homozygous recessive individuals (aa) = q2 = (0.6)2 = 0.36(aa)
29. (b) According to Hugo de Vries, mutations are random and directionless.
Hugo deVries believed that mutation caused speciation and hence called it saltation (single step large mutation).
30. (b) Stabilising selection is a type of natural selection in which the population mean stabilises on a particular non-
extreme trait value. This is thought to be the most common mechanism of action for natural selection because most
traits do not appear to change drastically over time. The result of stabilising is the overrepresentation in a specific
trait. For example, human birth weight, the number of eggs a bird lays, and the density of cactus spines.
The given data shows stabilising selection as most of the newborn having average weight between 3 to 3.3 kg survive
and babies with less and more weight have low survival rate.
31. (d) In 1953, S.L. Miller, an American scientist created electric discharge in a closed flask containing CH4 , H2 , NH3 and
water vapor at 800∘ C.
32. (a) The correct option is (a) because flippers of Penguins and Dolphins are an example of analogous organs.
Analogous structures are a result of convergent evolution.
33. (b) The correct option is (b) because herbicide resistant weeds, drug resistant eukaryotes and man-created breeds of
domesticated animals like dogs are examples of evolution by anthropogenic action. Darwin's Finches of Galapagos
islands are example of natural selection, adaptive radiation and founder's effect.
34. (d) Embryological support for evolution was disapproved by Karl Ernst von Baer, he noted that embryos never pass
through the adult stages of other animals during embryonic development.
35. (b) Embryological support for evolution was proposed by Ernst Haeckel. He proposed biogenetic law in year 1864.
According to this law, 'structure of ancient origin develops earlier than structure of newer origin. In other words, it
states "Ontogeny repeats phylogeny", i.e. development of structures in an organism follow the same sequence as
they evolved in his ancestors. 36. (b)
36. (a) Genetic drift is a random process that can lead to large changes in populations over a short period of time.
Random drift is caused by recurring small population sizes, severe reductions in population size called "bottlenecks"
and founder events where a new population starts from a small number of individuals. Crossing over which occurs
during gamete formation results in genetic recombination.
Mutations are random and directionless.
38. (c) The eye of the octopus and of mammals or the flippers of Penguins and Dolphins are the example of analogy
(analogous organ).
39. (a) Natural selection can lead to stabilisation (in which more individuals acquire mean character value), directional
change (more individuals acquire value other than the mean character value) or disruption (more individuals acquire
peripheral character value at both ends of the distribution curve).
40. (b)
Mole and flying squirrel are placental mammals.
Lemur and wolf are placental mammals.
Bobcat is a placental mammal
Therefore only option b is correct.
EXERCISE - 3
1. (a) A-III; B-II; C-I; D-IV
2. (d) 𝐴 − 𝐼𝑉; 𝐵 − 𝐼𝐼; 𝐶-II; D-I
3. (c) A-IV; B-I; C-II; D-III
4. (b) A-V;B-I; C-IV; D-II
5. (d) A-IV; B-I; C-III; D-II
6. (b) Those characteristics which enable some to survive better in natural conditions (climate, food, physical factors,
etc.) would outbreed others that are lessendowed to survive under such natural conditions. The fitness, according to
Darwin, refers ultimately and only to reproductive fitness. Hence, those who are better fit in an environment leave
more progeny than others. These, therefore, will survive more and hence are selected by nature.
7. (b)
8. (d)
9. (a)
10. (d)
11. (a)
12. (a) Life originated in the ocean (water) presumably about 3.7 million years ago in Precambrian era. Earth was formed
about 4.5 million years ago. First living organisms in Primitive ocean were protocell or eobiont or protobiont.
13. (c) When more individuals of a population acquire mean character value, the type of natural selection is called
stabilizing selection. It favours the average or normal phenotypes and eliminates the extreme variants. Disruptive
selection is just the opposite of stabilizing selection, i.e., the extremes have more adaptable phenotypes than the
average ones. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is defined as the relative frequencies of various kinds of genes in a large
and randomly mating sexual population which tend to remain constant from generation to generation in the absence
of mutation, selection and gene flow.
14. (d) Homo erectus is an extinct species of hominid that lived throughout most of the Pleistocene, with the earliest first
fossil evidence dating to around 1.5 million years ago and the most recent to around 70,000 years ago. They had a
large brain capacity around 900cc and probably ate meat.
15. (c) Neanderthal was the first specimen to be recognized as an early human fossil. They had a brain size of 1400cc
and lived in near east and central Asia between 100000 − 40000 years back. Neanderthals made and used a diverse
set of cultured tools, controlled
fire and lived in shelters, made and wore clothing, were skilled hunters of large animals and also ate plant foods, and
occasionally made symbolic or ornamental objects. There is evidence that Neanderthals deliberately buried their
dead and occasionally even marked their graves with offerings, such as flowers.
16. (a) Even though Mendel had talked of inheritable 'factors' influencing phenotype, Darwin either ignored these
observations of kept silence. Darwin developed a mechanism for how evolution worked so know as father of
evolution.
Hogo deVries based on his work on evening primrose through forth the idea of mutations-large difference arising
suddenly in a population. He believed that it is mutation which causes evolution and not the minor variations
 (heritable) that Darwin talked about. Mutations are random and directionaless while Darwinian variations are small
and directional. Evolution for Darwin was gradual while deVries believed mutation caused speciation and hence
called it saltation (single step large mutation).
17. (a) Occurrence of natural selection and small size of population do not meet the criteria for a population to reach
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. For HardyWeinberg equilibrium to be reached, natural selection should not be
occurring. If populations are undergoing natural selection at the locus under consideration, allele frequencies will be
continuously changing in a specific direction and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium predicts that allele frequencies will
stay constant. It assumes that population size is very large.
18. (b) We have lost all the direct evidences of origin of life only due to destruction of fossils on account of climatic
changes and not due to any person/(s).
19. (d) Comparative biochemistry provides a strong evidence for common ancestors of living beings (e.g., proteins
lymph, enzymes, hormones, blood groups, etc.)
20. (d) Darwin finches found on Galapagos islands differ primarily in body size, feather colour, bill shape as adaptation to
type of food available. It is a type of divergent evolution.
21. (b) The lightest atoms of nitrogen, carbon, etc. formed the primitive atmosphere. Hydrogen atoms were most
numerous and most reactive in primitive atmosphere. Hydrogen atoms combined with all oxygen atoms to form
water leaving no free oxygen. Thus, primitive atmosphere was reducing (without free oxygen) unlike the present
oxidising atmosphere (with free oxygen). Formation of ozone layer is the consequence of modern oxidising
atmosphere having plenty of free oxygen. As more oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere (due to photosynthesis),
ozone began to appear in the top layers.
22. (a) The fossil of Java Ape man was discovered from Pleistocene rocks in central Java. The fossil of Peking man was
discovered from the lime stone caves of Choukoutien near Peking while that of Heidelberg man was discovered in
mid pleistocene. All these three fossils come under the category of Homo erectus. Homo erectus appeared about 1.7
million years ago in the middle pleistocene. H. erectus evolved from Homo habilis. He was about 1.5-1.8 metres tall
and had erect posture. His skull was flat than that of the modern man. He had protruding jaws, projecting brow
ridges, small canines and large molar teeth. He made more elaborate tools of stones and bones, hunted big animals
and perhaps knew the use of fire.
23. (d) The Darwin's theory of Natural Selection can be generalised as the change in species by the survival of an
organism exhibiting a natural variation that gives it an adaptive advantage in an environment, thus, leading to a new
environmental equilibrium. The idea of the survival of the fittest explains the above evolution by natural selection.
According to survival of the fittest, some of the variations exhibited by living things make it easier for them to survive
and reproduce. Thus, more adaptive forms increase. Those which are not fit (or less adaptive) are eliminated.
24. (a) Organic compounds that first evolved in earth which required for origin of life were protein and nucleic acid. All
life forms were in aquatic environment only.