Diversity in the living world Questions in English

(D) The disadvantage of using common names for species is that:
$1$. The names may change over time or across different regions.
$2$. One name does not apply universally,as common names are often language-specific.
$3$. One species may have several common names in different localities,and conversely,one common name may be applied to two or more different species,leading to confusion.
Therefore,all the given options are correct.

(B) Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming organisms.
It states that the scientific name of any organism consists of two components: a generic epithet (genus) and a specific epithet (species).
This system was developed by Carolus Linnaeus.

(C) Systematics is the branch of biology that deals with the study of the diversity of organisms and their comparative and evolutionary relationships.
It encompasses the identification,nomenclature,and classification of organisms,but its core focus is on understanding the evolutionary history and relationships between different kinds of organisms.

(D) Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth.
Option $A$ is correct as biodiversity encompasses the occurrence of diverse organisms.
Option $B$ is correct because each distinct type of plant,animal,or microorganism is classified as a separate species.
Option $C$ is correct as per the $NCERT$ textbook,the number of species known and described ranges between $1.7$ million to $1.8$ million.
Since all statements are correct,the final answer is $D$.

(D) Local names are the common names given to organisms in different regions based on local languages and cultures. These names are not universal and vary from place to place,which creates confusion in scientific communication. Therefore,scientific names are used to provide a unique and universal identity to organisms.

(A) Scientific names are formal names given to organisms based on agreed-upon international rules (such as $ICBN$ or $ICZN$).
$A$. Scientific names are distinct from common names,which vary by region and language. Therefore,calling them common names is incorrect.
$B$. They ensure that each organism has only one unique name globally,avoiding confusion.
$C$. They follow binomial nomenclature,consisting of two components: the generic name (genus) and the specific epithet (species).
$D$. They are universally accepted and used by scientists worldwide.

(B) According to the system of binomial nomenclature proposed by Carolus Linnaeus,each scientific name consists of two components: the first is the generic name (genus) and the second is the specific epithet (species). Therefore,every living organism has one scientific name with two components.

(A) Systematics is derived from the Latin word 'systema',which means systematic arrangement of organisms. It includes the study of identification,nomenclature,and classification of organisms,along with their evolutionary relationships. It essentially deals with the diversity of organisms and their comparative relationships.

(D) Carolus Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist,zoologist,and physician who formalized binomial nomenclature.
Among the given options,$Hortus$ $Upplandicus$ (published in $1730$) is considered the first publication of Carolus Linnaeus.
$Systema$ $Naturae$ was published later in $1735$.
$Classes$ $Plantarum$ was published in $1738$.
$Hortus$ $Cliffortianus$ was published in $1737$.
Therefore,the correct option is $D$.

(D) The biological concept of species was proposed by Ernst Mayr.
This concept defines a species as a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups.
Therefore,the biological concept of species is primarily based on reproductive isolation.

(A) Aristotle was the first to classify organisms using a scientific approach. He used simple morphological characters to classify plants into trees,shrubs,and herbs,and animals into those with red blood and those without.

(C) The biological species concept defines a species based on the ability of its members to interbreed freely in nature and produce fertile offspring.
Even though $N.$ $sylvestris$ and $N.$ $tobacum$ can be cross-fertilized under artificial laboratory conditions by manipulating photoperiods,they do not interbreed in their natural habitat due to differences in their flowering times (photoperiodic requirements).
Therefore,the primary reason for classifying them as separate species is that they are reproductively isolated in nature.

(C) The biological species concept states that a species consists of individuals that can interbreed freely in nature to produce fertile offspring.
Although $N. \ sylvestris$ and $N. \ tabacum$ can be cross-fertilized under artificial laboratory conditions by manipulating photoperiods,they do not interbreed in their natural environment due to differences in their flowering times (photoperiodic requirements).
Therefore,the primary reason they are considered separate species is that they are reproductively isolated in nature.

(A) The scientific name of zebu cattle is $Bos \text{ } indicus$.
$Bubalus \text{ } bubalus$ is the scientific name for the water buffalo.
$Bombyx \text{ } mori$ is the scientific name for the silkworm.
$Gallus \text{ } domesticus$ is the scientific name for the domestic fowl (chicken).

(C) Warming classified plants based on the soil in which they are found into the following groups:
$(i)$ Halophytes: Plants growing in saline soil,$i.e.$,these plants are salt-resistant.
$(ii)$ Psammophytes: Plants growing on sand,$i.e.$,these are adapted to grow in sandy soil. Thus,these are also known as sand-loving plants.
$(iii)$ Oxalophytes: Plants growing in acidic soil.
$(iv)$ Lithophytes: Plants growing on the surface of rocks.
$(v)$ Chasmophytes: Plants growing in the crevices of rocks.

(A) Biota refers to the total collection of all living organisms (plants,animals,fungi,bacteria,etc.) present in a specific geographic region.
Flora specifically refers to the plant life of a particular region.
Fauna specifically refers to the animal life of a particular region.
Therefore,the term that encompasses all species of organisms is Biota.

(N/A) $\rightarrow$ The Earth possesses diverse habitats that host millions of living organisms.
$\rightarrow$ Due to the limited number of taxonomists,the absence of thorough surveys in various geographical areas,and the existence of several inaccessible regions such as hot springs,deep-sea hydrothermal vents,and underwater reefs,it remains difficult to identify and document all existing organisms.

(N/A) $\rightarrow$ There are millions of living organisms in the world.
$\rightarrow$ Often,these organisms are known by their local names,which vary from place to place,even within a single country.
$\rightarrow$ This creates confusion in identifying and studying organisms globally.
$\rightarrow$ Hence,the naming process of living organisms is standardized so that a particular organism is known by the same unique name all over the world.

(A) The acronym $ICZN$ stands for the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
It is a widely accepted set of rules and recommendations that governs the naming of animals in zoology to ensure consistency and universality in scientific communication.

(N/A) $\rightarrow$ Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history of an organism. It provides insight into the ancestral relationships between different organisms.
$\rightarrow$ While fossil records offer some information,they are often incomplete. Therefore,phylogenetic relationships are determined by integrating data from various fields such as morphology,cytology,genetics,physiology,and biochemistry.
$\rightarrow$ Using these evolutionary relationships as a basis for classification ensures that organisms are grouped according to their natural affinities rather than just superficial similarities,leading to a more accurate and scientific classification system.

(B) $\rightarrow$ The common name $'Pea'$ is an English word,and different languages have different names for the same organism.
$\rightarrow$ Using local common names leads to ambiguity and confusion in scientific communication.
$\rightarrow$ Scientific names,such as $Pisum$ $sativum$,are standardized globally based on the rules of nomenclature.
$\rightarrow$ Therefore,despite being complex,scientific names are preferred because they are universally accepted and provide a unique identity to each organism.

(N/A) $\rightarrow$ $A$ vast number of living organisms are found on Earth.
$\rightarrow$ These organisms vary significantly in their shape,form,size,and habitat.
$\rightarrow$ While many organisms have been identified,a large number remain unidentified.
$\rightarrow$ Knowledge of classification provides a systematic framework to study,categorize,and identify these diverse and previously unidentified organisms,making biological research more efficient.

(D) $ICZN$ stands for the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
It is the system of rules and recommendations dealing with the formal scientific naming of organisms treated as animals.
Therefore,$ICZN$ is used for the naming of animals.

(C) $ICBN$ stands for $\text{International Code of Botanical Nomenclature}$.
It provides the rules and criteria for the scientific naming of plants.
Therefore, $ICBN$ is used for the naming of plants.

(C) Classification is the process by which anything is grouped into convenient categories based on some easily observable characters.
$1$. Nomenclature is the naming of living organisms.
$2$. Identification is the process of correctly describing an organism to know its name and position in a classification system.
$3$. Taxonomy is the branch of science that deals with characterization,identification,nomenclature,and classification of organisms.
Therefore,the process of grouping is specifically known as classification.

(B) Carolus Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician, published the famous book titled $Systema \text{ } Naturae$ in $1735$.
This work is considered one of the most important foundations of modern biological nomenclature and taxonomy.
In this book, he proposed the system of binomial nomenclature, which is still used today to name organisms.

(D) Phylogenetic classification is a system of classification that reflects the evolutionary relationships among organisms.
It assumes that organisms belonging to the same taxa have a common ancestor.
Numerical taxonomy uses observable characteristics and computer algorithms to classify organisms.
Cytotaxonomy is based on cytological information like chromosome number,structure,and behavior.
Chemotaxonomy uses chemical constituents of plants to resolve taxonomic confusion.

(D) Systematics is the branch of biology that deals with the diversity of organisms and their comparative and evolutionary relationships.
It includes identification,nomenclature,and classification of organisms.
It also takes into account the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
Option $D$ is incorrect because systematics focuses on the evolutionary relationships between organisms,not specifically the relationship between the environment and organisms.

(B) According to the rules of binomial nomenclature:
$1$. Biological names are generally in Latin and written in italics. When handwritten,they are separately underlined to indicate their Latin origin.
$2$. The first word represents the genus and the second word denotes the specific epithet.
$3$. The name of the author appears after the specific epithet and is written in an abbreviated form.
$4$. Statement $B$ is incorrect because when handwritten,the two words of a biological name should be underlined separately,not jointly.

(B) Carolus Linnaeus.
Binomial nomenclature was introduced by Carolus Linnaeus. This naming system uses a two-word format consisting of a generic name and a specific epithet.

(A) The correct answer is $A$.
According to the rules of binomial nomenclature:
$1$. The scientific name consists of two parts: the genus name and the species epithet.
$2$. The genus name starts with a capital letter, while the species epithet starts with a small letter.
$3$. When printed, the scientific name should be in italics.
Therefore, $Cocos \text{ } nucifera$ is the correct representation.

(B) The correct answer is $B$.
According to the rules of Binomial Nomenclature,biological names are printed in italics to indicate their Latin origin,not their non-Latin origin.
Option $A$ is correct because hand-written scientific names must be underlined separately to indicate their Latin origin.
Option $C$ is correct because the first word in a biological name represents the genus and the second component denotes the specific epithet.
Option $D$ is correct because biological names are derived from Latin or are Latinised,regardless of their actual origin.