Branches of Biology, Classification and Nomenclature

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who is regarded as the Father of Biology?

   • A.Charles Darwin
   • B.Aristotle✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Carl Linnaeus
   • D.Gregor Mendel

   Explanation: Aristotle was the first to classify animals systematically.

2. Q2.The study of plants is called:

   • A.zoology
   • B.ecology
   • C.anatomy
   • D.botany✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Zoology is the study of animals.

3. Q3.Binomial nomenclature was introduced by:

   • A.Carl Linnaeus✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Aristotle
   • C.Robert Hooke
   • D.Louis Pasteur

   Explanation: Each organism gets a genus name and a species name.

4. Q4.The structural and functional unit of life is the:

   • A.tissue
   • B.cell✓ Correct Answer
   • C.organ
   • D.atom

   Explanation: All living organisms are made of cells.

5. Q5.Palaeontology is the study of:

   • A.insects
   • B.birds
   • C.fungi
   • D.fossils✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Fossils are preserved remains of ancient organisms.

6. Q6.The study of heredity and variation is called:

   • A.genetics✓ Correct Answer
   • B.ecology
   • C.embryology
   • D.taxonomy

   Explanation: Mendel founded the science.

7. Q7.The smallest unit of classification is the:

   • A.species✓ Correct Answer
   • B.genus
   • C.family
   • D.order

   Explanation: A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed.

8. Q8.The five-kingdom classification was proposed by:

   • A.Carl Woese
   • B.Ernst Haeckel
   • C.Linnaeus
   • D.R. H. Whittaker✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The kingdoms are Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia.

9. Q9.The term ecology was coined by:

   • A.Charles Darwin
   • B.Ernst Haeckel✓ Correct Answer
   • C.A. G. Tansley
   • D.Eugene Odum

   Explanation: He used it in 1866 for the study of organisms and their environment.

10. Q10.Entomology is the study of:

    • A.birds
    • B.fishes
    • C.insects✓ Correct Answer
    • D.reptiles

    Explanation: Ornithology is the study of birds.

11. Q11.Mycology is the study of:

    • A.fungi✓ Correct Answer
    • B.algae
    • C.viruses
    • D.mosses

    Explanation: Yeast and mushrooms are fungi.

12. Q12.Virology is the study of:

    • A.bacteria
    • B.fungi
    • C.viruses✓ Correct Answer
    • D.algae

    Explanation: Bacteriology deals with bacteria.

13. Q13.In the scientific name Homo sapiens, Homo is the:

    • A.species
    • B.genus✓ Correct Answer
    • C.family
    • D.order

    Explanation: The genus name begins with a capital letter and the species name with a small letter.

14. Q14.Cytology is the study of:

    • A.tissues only
    • B.cells✓ Correct Answer
    • C.bones
    • D.hormones

    Explanation: It covers cell structure and function.

15. Q15.Apiculture is the rearing of:

    • A.honeybees✓ Correct Answer
    • B.silkworms
    • C.fishes
    • D.poultry birds

    Explanation: Sericulture is silkworm rearing.

16. Q16.Ornithology is the study of:

    • A.insects
    • B.fishes
    • C.birds✓ Correct Answer
    • D.reptiles

    Explanation: Salim Ali is India's best-known ornithologist.

17. Q17.The three-domain system of classification was proposed by:

    • A.R. H. Whittaker
    • B.Carl Linnaeus
    • C.Carl Woese✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Aristotle

    Explanation: The domains are Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya.

18. Q18.Ichthyology is the study of:

    • A.insects
    • B.birds
    • C.fishes✓ Correct Answer
    • D.mammals

    Explanation: Pisciculture is the rearing of fish.

19. Q19.The term taxonomy was coined by:

    • A.Carl Linnaeus
    • B.Ernst Mayr
    • C.Charles Darwin
    • D.A. P. de Candolle✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: He used it in 1813 for the theory of plant classification.

20. Q20.Which cell theory statement is credited to Rudolf Virchow?

    • A.cells arise spontaneously
    • B.only plants have cells
    • C.cells are made of atoms only
    • D.all cells arise from pre-existing cells✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: He stated it in 1855 as omnis cellula e cellula.