Biodiversity and Conservation – Daily Practice Problem (DPP)

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🎯 NEET 2026 Daily Practice Problem (DPP)

Class 12 | Unit 5: Ecology | Topic: Biodiversity & Conservation

Q1. The term ‘Biodiversity’ was popularized by the sociobiologist:

  1. Edward Wilson
  2. Robert May
  3. Alexander von Humboldt
  4. Paul Ehrlich
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Edward Wilson
Explanation: He popularized the term to describe the combined diversity at all levels of biological organization.

Q2. Genetic diversity is illustrated by the variation in potency and concentration of Reserpine in:

  1. Rice varieties
  2. Mango varieties
  3. Rauwolfia vomitoria
  4. Datura stramonium
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Rauwolfia vomitoria
Explanation: This medicinal plant growing in the Himalayan ranges shows genetic variation in the active chemical reserpine.

Q3. According to Robert May’s global estimate, the total number of species on Earth is about:

  1. 1.5 million
  2. 7 million
  3. 20-50 million
  4. 3 million
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) 7 million
Explanation: Robert May placed the global species diversity at about 7 million, of which only 22% have been recorded so far.

Q4. The relation between species richness and area ($S = CA^Z$) was established by:

  1. David Tilman
  2. Paul Ehrlich
  3. Alexander von Humboldt
  4. Edward Wilson
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Alexander von Humboldt
Explanation: He observed that within a region, species richness increased with increasing explored area, but only up to a limit.

[Image of Species-Area Relationship Graph]

Q5. In the species-area relationship equation ($\log S = \log C + Z \log A$), the value of ‘Z’ (slope of the line) for frugivorous birds and mammals in tropical forests is:

  1. 0.1 to 0.2
  2. 0.6 to 1.2
  3. 1.15
  4. 2.0
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) 1.15
Explanation: Generally, Z is 0.1-0.2. But for very large areas like entire continents, it ranges from 0.6-1.2. Specifically for frugivorous birds/mammals, it is 1.15.

Q6. The ‘Rivet Popper Hypothesis’ to explain the importance of biodiversity was proposed by:

  1. Paul Ehrlich
  2. David Tilman
  3. Robert May
  4. Humboldt
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Paul Ehrlich
Explanation: He compared the ecosystem to an airplane and species to rivets. Popping rivets (extinction) weakens the plane (ecosystem).

Q7. The ‘Evil Quartet’ refers to the four major causes of biodiversity loss. Which is the most important cause driving extinction?

  1. Habitat loss and fragmentation
  2. Over-exploitation
  3. Alien species invasions
  4. Co-extinctions
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Habitat loss and fragmentation
Explanation: This is the primary reason. For example, the tropical rainforests covering more than 14% of earth’s land surface now cover no more than 6%.

Q8. The introduction of Nile Perch into Lake Victoria led to the extinction of:

  1. Cichlid fish
  2. Gambusia
  3. Catfish
  4. Dogfish
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Cichlid fish
Explanation: More than 200 species of Cichlid fish were driven to extinction due to the alien species invasion of Nile Perch.

Q9. Which of the following is an example of Ex-situ conservation?

  1. Biosphere Reserves
  2. National Parks
  3. Sacred Groves
  4. Seed Banks
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (4) Seed Banks
Explanation: Ex-situ involves conservation outside the natural habitat (Zoos, Botanical gardens, Cryopreservation, Seed banks). The others are In-situ.

Q10. Sacred groves are found in:

  1. Khasi and Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya)
  2. Western Ghats (Karnataka/Maharashtra)
  3. Aravalli Hills (Rajasthan)
  4. All of the above
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (4) All of the above
Explanation: Sacred groves are tracts of forest set aside where all trees and wildlife are venerated and given total protection.

Q11. The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 was for:

  1. Ozone protection
  2. Control of $CO_2$ emissions
  3. Conservation of Biodiversity
  4. Ban on plastic
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Conservation of Biodiversity
Explanation: The historic Convention on Biological Diversity (The Earth Summit) called upon nations to take measures for conservation and sustainable utilization.

Q12. Steller’s Sea Cow became extinct due to:

  1. Habitat loss
  2. Over-exploitation
  3. Alien species invasion
  4. Pollution
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) Over-exploitation
Explanation: Steller’s Sea Cow (Russia) and Passenger Pigeon (USA) became extinct due to over-exploitation by humans.

Q13. Cryopreservation of gametes is done at:

  1. -100°C
  2. 0°C
  3. -196°C (Liquid Nitrogen)
  4. -20°C
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) -196°C (Liquid Nitrogen)
Explanation: This is an advanced Ex-situ conservation method to preserve gametes of threatened species in a viable and fertile condition.

Q14. India has how many Biodiversity Hotspots?

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 4
  4. 10
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) 3
Explanation: India has 3 hotspots: Western Ghats & Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma, and Himalaya. (Globally there are 34).

Q15. Amazon rain forests are considered the ‘Lungs of the Planet’ because they contribute what percentage of total oxygen in the atmosphere?

  1. 10%
  2. 20%
  3. 30%
  4. 50%
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (2) 20%
Explanation: Through photosynthesis, the Amazon forest is estimated to produce 20% of the total oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Q16. The concept of ‘Endemism’ refers to:

  1. Species confined to a specific region and not found elsewhere
  2. Species found globally
  3. Species introduced from other regions
  4. Extinct species
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Species confined to a specific region and not found elsewhere
Explanation: Hotspots are characterized by high levels of species richness and high degrees of endemism.

Q17. Which group of vertebrates has the highest number of species?

  1. Mammals
  2. Birds
  3. Fishes
  4. Reptiles
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Fishes
Explanation: Fishes constitute the largest group of vertebrates, with more species than all other vertebrate groups combined.

Q18. Which invasive weed species is known as the ‘Terror of Bengal’?

  1. Lantana
  2. Parthenium
  3. Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia)
  4. Prosopis
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (3) Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia)
Explanation: It grows rapidly in stagnant water bodies, draining oxygen and killing aquatic life. It was introduced for its beautiful flowers.

Q19. The active chemical ‘Taxol’ used in the treatment of cancer is obtained from:

  1. Yew tree (Taxus baccata)
  2. Cinchona
  3. Rauwolfia
  4. Catharanthus roseus
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Yew tree (Taxus baccata)
Explanation: This is an example of the utilitarian value of biodiversity (Bioprospecting).

Q20. Biodiversity is highest in:

  1. Tropical rainforests
  2. Temperate forests
  3. Alpine meadows
  4. Deserts
✅ View Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: (1) Tropical rainforests
Explanation: Species diversity generally decreases as we move away from the equator towards the poles. Tropics harbor more species than temperate or polar areas.

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