Plants, Animals and Basic Biology MCQs

Solved Everyday Science MCQs on cells, plants (chlorophyll, xylem, stomata), animal classification, record-holding animals, microbes and antibiotics.

1. 1

   The basic structural and functional unit of all living things is the:

   ACellBOrganCTissueDAtom

   Correct answer: A. Cell

   All living organisms are made of one or more cells. Cells form tissues, tissues form organs.

   easyShow answer
2. 2

   Cells were first observed and named in 1665 by:

   ARobert HookeBAnton van LeeuwenhoekCCharles DarwinDLouis Pasteur

   Correct answer: A. Robert Hooke

   Robert Hooke saw tiny compartments in a slice of cork through his microscope and called them "cells".

   mediumShow answer
3. 3

   The green pigment in plants that absorbs light for photosynthesis is:

   AChlorophyllBCaroteneCHaemoglobinDMelanin

   Correct answer: A. Chlorophyll

   Chlorophyll, found in chloroplasts, captures light energy and gives plants their green colour.

   easyShow answer
4. 4

   Tiny pores on leaves through which gases are exchanged are called:

   AXylemBPetalsCStomataDRoot hairs

   Correct answer: C. Stomata

   Stomata let carbon dioxide in and oxygen and water vapour out. Guard cells open and close them.

   easyShow answer
5. 5

   In plants, water and minerals are carried from the roots to the leaves by the:

   ACambiumBStomataCPhloemDXylem

   Correct answer: D. Xylem

   Xylem carries water and minerals upward. Phloem carries food made in the leaves to other parts of the plant.

   mediumShow answer
6. 6

   The loss of water vapour from the leaves of plants is called:

   AGerminationBPhotosynthesisCRespirationDTranspiration

   Correct answer: D. Transpiration

   Transpiration through the stomata helps pull water up the plant and cools the leaves.

   mediumShow answer
7. 7

   The transfer of pollen from the male part to the female part of a flower is called:

   APollinationBGerminationCRespirationDFertilization

   Correct answer: A. Pollination

   Pollination can happen by wind, water, insects or birds, and leads to fertilization and seed formation.

   easyShow answer
8. 8

   What is the largest animal that has ever lived?

   AWhale sharkBAfrican elephantCBrachiosaurusDBlue whale

   Correct answer: D. Blue whale

   The blue whale can grow to about 30 m long and weigh well over 100 tonnes.

   easyShow answer
9. 9

   The fastest land animal is the:

   ALeopardBCheetahCLionDHorse

   Correct answer: B. Cheetah

   Cheetahs can sprint at around 100–110 km/h over short distances.

   easyShow answer
10. 10

    The largest living bird is the:

    AEagleBOstrichCAlbatrossDEmu

    Correct answer: B. Ostrich

    The ostrich is the largest and heaviest living bird. It cannot fly but is a very fast runner.

    easyShow answer
12. 11

    Which mammal is capable of true flight?

    AFlying fishBFlying squirrelCBatDPenguin

    Correct answer: C. Bat

    Bats are the only mammals capable of true, sustained flight. Flying squirrels only glide.

    easyShow answer
13. 12

    Which of the following is a mammal that lays eggs?

    APlatypusBKangarooCBatDDolphin

    Correct answer: A. Platypus

    The duck-billed platypus and the echidnas are monotremes: mammals that lay eggs.

    mediumShow answer
14. 13

    Although it lives in the sea, the whale is classified as a:

    AAmphibianBMammalCReptileDFish

    Correct answer: B. Mammal

    Whales breathe air with lungs, are warm-blooded and feed their young on milk, so they are mammals.

    easyShow answer
15. 14

    A frog belongs to which class of animals?

    AReptilesBAmphibiansCFishDMammals

    Correct answer: B. Amphibians

    Amphibians usually begin life in water (as tadpoles) and live on land as adults.

    easyShow answer
16. 15

    How many legs does an insect have?

    A4B6C8D10

    Correct answer: B. 6

    Insects have six legs and three body parts. Spiders, which have eight legs, are arachnids, not insects.

    easyShow answer
17. 16

    Animals whose body temperature changes with their surroundings, such as snakes and lizards, are called:

    AOmnivoresBWarm-bloodedCCold-bloodedDHerbivores

    Correct answer: C. Cold-blooded

    Reptiles, amphibians and fish are cold-blooded (ectothermic). Birds and mammals are warm-blooded.

    easyShow answer
18. 17

    The camel is often called the:

    ALion of the desertBKing of the jungleCShip of the desertDFriend of farmers

    Correct answer: C. Ship of the desert

    Camels can travel long distances in hot deserts with little water, so they were vital for desert transport.

    easyShow answer
19. 18

    Antibiotics are effective against diseases caused by:

    ABacteriaBAllergiesCVitamin deficiencyDViruses

    Correct answer: A. Bacteria

    Antibiotics kill or stop bacteria but do not work against viruses such as those causing flu or the common cold.

    mediumShow answer
20. 19

    Which of the following is a fungus?

    AFernBAlgaeCMushroomDMoss

    Correct answer: C. Mushroom

    Mushrooms are fungi. Unlike plants, fungi cannot make their own food by photosynthesis.

    easyShow answer
21. 20

    Viruses can only reproduce:

    AIn waterBInside the living cells of a hostCIn sunlightDIn soil

    Correct answer: B. Inside the living cells of a host

    Viruses lack the machinery to copy themselves and must take over host cells to reproduce.

    mediumShow answer