Biodiversity and Conservation NEET PYQReal NEET & AIPMT 2005–2020 questions, year-tagged, with solutions
By the RankUp team, founded by Dr. Deepak Sahu (MBBS Gold Medalist, NEET PG AIR 1731) · Updated
Every Biodiversity and Conservation question from the NEET & AIPMT papers on this site (2005–2020), newest first. Each is tagged with its paper. Tap an option to check your answer and read the explanation.
- Chapter
- NCERT Class 12
- PYQs here
- 41
- Papers
- NEET & AIPMT 2005–2020
- In the app
- 437+ questions
Biodiversity and Conservation previous year questions
41 questions. Tap an option to check your answer.
Q1NEET 2020 · Q32
According to Robert May, the global species diversity is about:
Not quite — the answer is D.
Robert May's estimate of global species diversity is about 7 million. About 1.5 million is the number of species actually described, and 20 or 50 million are higher estimates by others, not his figure.
Q2NEET 2020 · Q34
Which of the following regions of the globe exhibits highest species diversity?
Not quite — the answer is D.
The tropical Amazon rainforest has the highest species diversity on Earth, for example over 40,000 species of plants and thousands of fishes, birds and insects. The Western Ghats, Madagascar and the Himalayas are rich hotspots but have fewer species than the Amazon.
Q3NEET 2019 · Q91
The Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 was called :
Not quite — the answer is B.
The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro called upon all nations to take measures for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable utilisation of its benefits (Convention on Biological Diversity). CO₂ reduction targets came with the Kyoto Protocol, and phasing out CFCs was the aim of the Montreal Protocol.
Q4NEET 2019 · Q98
Which of the following is the most important cause for animals and plants being driven to extinction ?
Not quite — the answer is A.
Habitat loss and fragmentation is the most important cause of biodiversity loss among the 'Evil Quartet'. Alien species invasion and over-exploitation are real causes but contribute less.
Q5NEET 2019 · Q106
Which one of the following is not a method of in situ conservation of biodiversity ?
Not quite — the answer is C.
A botanical garden keeps plants away from their natural habitat, so it is ex situ conservation. Biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and sacred groves protect species in their natural habitat.
Q6NEET 2018 · Q154
All of the following are included in 'Ex-situ conservation' except
Not quite — the answer is B.
Sacred groves are tracts of natural forest protected by local communities, so species are conserved in their own habitat; this is in-situ conservation. Botanical gardens, wildlife safari parks and seed banks keep organisms or germplasm away from their natural habitat and are ex-situ methods.
Q7NEET 2017 · Q47
Which one of the following is related to Ex-situ conservation of threatened animals and plants?
Not quite — the answer is A.
Ex-situ conservation protects threatened species outside their natural habitat, in places such as zoos, botanical gardens and wildlife safari parks. Biodiversity hotspots, the Amazon rainforest and the Himalayan region are natural habitats, so protecting them is in-situ conservation.
Q8NEET 2017 · Q75
Alexander Von Humbolt described for the first time:
Not quite — the answer is C.
During his explorations of South America Alexander von Humboldt observed that species richness rises with the area explored, the species–area relationship (log S = log C + Z log A). The law of limiting factors comes from Liebig and Blackman, not Humboldt.
Q9NEET 2017 (Gujarati paper) · Q117
Which scientist proposed 'Rivet popper hypothesis' related to biodiversity and Ecosystems?
Not quite — the answer is B.
Stanford ecologist Paul Ehrlich proposed the rivet popper hypothesis, comparing species in an ecosystem to rivets in an aeroplane. Humboldt described species-area relationships and David Tilman showed that plots with more species have more stable productivity.
Q10NEET 2016 Phase 2 · Q134
Which of the following is correctly matched?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Parthenium (carrot grass) is an invasive alien weed that spreads aggressively and threatens native species. Aerenchyma is a feature of hydrophytes, not the xerophyte Opuntia, age pyramids describe populations and stratification describes the vertical layering of a community.
Q11NEET 2016 Phase 2 · Q135
Red List contains data or information on
Not quite — the answer is C.
The IUCN Red List records the conservation status of plant and animal species, mainly those that are threatened with extinction. It is not limited to economically important or traded plants, or to marine vertebrates.
Q12NEET 2016 Phase 1 · Q106
Which is the National Aquatic Animal of India?
Not quite — the answer is B.
The Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was declared India's National Aquatic Animal in 2009 to promote its conservation. The other animals have no such status.
Q13NEET 2016 Phase 1 · Q120
Which of the following is the most important cause of animals and plants being driven to extinction?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Of the 'evil quartet', habitat loss and fragmentation is the most important cause of species extinction, as seen with tropical rainforest clearing. Over-exploitation, alien species and co-extinctions also contribute but to a lesser extent.
Q14AIPMT 2015
Cryopreservation of gametes of threatened species in viable and fertile condition can be referred to as:
Not quite — the answer is C.
Keeping gametes of threatened species frozen and viable for long periods is cryopreservation, which is done away from the natural habitat, so it is an advanced ex situ method. In situ methods, such as sacred groves, protect species where they live.
Q15AIPMT 2015
In which of the following both pairs have correct combination?
Not quite — the answer is B.
A national park protects species in their natural habitat (in situ), while a botanical garden keeps plants away from their habitat (ex situ). Tissue culture, cryopreservation and seed banks are ex situ, and sacred groves, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are in situ, so the other pairs are swapped.
Q16AIPMT 2015
Most animals are tree dwellers in a:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Tropical rain forests have a tall, dense, many-layered canopy that provides most of the food and shelter, so most animals there are arboreal. Coniferous forests, thorn woodlands and temperate deciduous forests have more open or seasonal canopies and more ground-dwelling fauna.
Q17AIPMT 2014
Just as a person moving from Delhi to Shimla to escape the heat for the duration of hot summer, thousands of migratory birds from Siberia and other extremely cold northern regions move to:
Not quite — the answer is C.
Siberian cranes and many other migratory waterbirds from cold northern regions spend the winter at Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, Rajasthan), a wetland famous as a wintering ground. Corbett National Park is a tiger reserve and the Western Ghats and Meghalaya are noted for endemic flora and fauna, not as this classic migratory-bird refuge.
Q18AIPMT 2014
A species facing extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future is called:
Not quite — the answer is B.
In IUCN categories a 'Critically Endangered' species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. 'Vulnerable' means a high risk in the medium-term future, 'Endemic' only means restricted to one region, and 'Extinct' species no longer exist.
Q19AIPMT 2014
An example of ex situ conservation is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
A seed bank stores germplasm away from the species' natural habitat, so it is ex situ conservation. Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and sacred groves protect organisms in their natural habitat (in situ).
Q20AIPMT 2014
The organization which publishes the Red List of species is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
The Red List (Red Data Book) of threatened species is published by the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. UNEP, WWF and ICFRE do not publish it.
Q21NEET 2013
Which one of the following is not used for ex situ plant conservation?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Shifting (slash-and-burn) cultivation clears forest and destroys biodiversity, so it is not a conservation method. Field gene banks, seed banks and botanical gardens all keep plants away from their natural habitat, which is ex situ conservation.
Q22NEET 2013
Which of the following represent maximum number of species among global biodiversity?
Not quite — the answer is C.
In the global species distribution of plants, fungi form a larger share than algae, lichens, or mosses and ferns combined. Among the options, fungi therefore represent the largest number of species.
Q23AIPMT 2012 Mains
Sacred groves are specially useful in
Not quite — the answer is D.
Sacred groves are forest patches protected by religious tradition, and they act as refuges for many rare and threatened species, a form of in situ conservation. Benefits such as soil protection are side effects, not their special value.
Q24AIPMT 2012 Mains
Select the correct statement about biodiversity :
Not quite — the answer is C.
The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot with very high species richness and many endemic species, especially amphibians and plants. Deserts have low diversity, and biodiversity conservation is a global need, not a fad.
Q25AIPMT 2012 Prelims
Which one of the following areas in India, is a hotspot of biodiversity ?
Not quite — the answer is A.
The Western Ghats (with Sri Lanka) is one of the global biodiversity hotspots in India, alongside the Himalaya and Indo-Burma. The Eastern Ghats, Gangetic plain and Sunderbans are not hotspots.
Q26AIPMT 2012 Prelims
The highest number of species in the world is represented by
Not quite — the answer is B.
Of the groups listed, fungi have by far the most described species; they are the largest group after insects in the global species count. Algae, mosses and lichens each have far fewer species.
Q27AIPMT 2011 Mains
Biodiversity of a geographical region represents
Not quite — the answer is D.
Biodiversity of a region is the total variety of all organisms living there, at genetic, species and ecosystem levels. Endemic, endangered or dominant species are only parts of that diversity.
Q28AIPMT 2011 Prelims
Which one of the following have the highest number of species in nature?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Insects account for more than 70 percent of all recorded animal species, far more than any other group. Angiosperms and fungi have far fewer described species, and birds number only around ten thousand species.
Q29AIPMT 2010 Mains · Q37
The Indian Rhinoceros is a natural inhabitant of which one of the Indian states?
Not quite — the answer is D.
The one-horned Indian rhinoceros lives naturally in the floodplain grasslands of Assam, especially Kaziranga National Park, which holds most of the world's population. The other states are not its natural range.
Q30AIPMT 2010 Prelims · Q172
Which one of the following is an example ex-situ conservation?
Not quite — the answer is C.
Ex-situ conservation protects species outside their natural habitat, for example in seed banks, zoos, botanical gardens and cryopreservation. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries and sacred groves protect species where they naturally live, so they are in-situ.
Q31AIPMT 2009 Prelims · Q81
Which one of the following has maximum genetic diversity in India?
Not quite — the answer is A.
NCERT gives genetic diversity examples for India: more than 50,000 strains of rice and about 1,000 varieties of mango. Of the listed plants, mango is the one cited for very high genetic diversity in India; wheat is not given as an example.
Q32AIPMT 2009 Prelims · Q85
Tiger is not a resident in which one of the following national park?
Not quite — the answer is B.
Gir National Park in Gujarat is the home of the Asiatic lion and has no resident tigers. Sunderbans, Jim Corbett and Ranthambhore are tiger reserves.
Q33AIPMT 2008 Prelims · Q172
Which one of the following is not observed in biodiversity hotspots?
Not quite — the answer is D.
Hotspots are defined by very high species richness, high endemism and severe threat of habitat and species loss. With so many species packed together, interspecific competition is high, not low.
Q34AIPMT 2007 Prelims · Q104
Identify the odd combination of the habitat and the particular animal concerned.
Not quite — the answer is D.
Dachigam National Park in Kashmir is known for protecting the Hangul (Kashmir stag), not the snow leopard. The Sunderbans are famous for the Bengal tiger, Periyar for elephants and the Rann of Kutch for the Indian wild ass, so those pairs are correct.
Q35AIPMT 2007 Prelims · Q113
One of endangered species of Indian medicinal plants is that of
Not quite — the answer is D.
Podophyllum (Himalayan mayapple) is a medicinal herb that has become endangered through over-harvesting of its rhizomes for drugs. Ocimum (tulsi) and garlic are widely cultivated, and Nepenthes is an insectivorous plant rather than a medicinal one.
Q36AIPMT 2007 Prelims · Q188
Which one of the following pairs of organisms are exotic species introduced in India?
Not quite — the answer is A.
Lantana camara and water hyacinth (Eichhornia) were brought into India from the Americas and have become invasive alien weeds. Prosopis cineraria (khejri) and Ficus religiosa (peepal) are native Indian plants.
Q37AIPMT 2006 Prelims · Q121
Which one of the following is not included under in situ conservation ?
Not quite — the answer is B.
In situ conservation protects species in their natural habitat, such as national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves. A botanical garden holds plants away from their natural habitat, so it is ex situ conservation.
Q38AIPMT 2006 Prelims · Q160
Which of the following is considered a hot-spot of biodiversity in India ?
Not quite — the answer is A.
The Western Ghats (with Sri Lanka) is one of the global biodiversity hotspots in India because of its high species richness and endemism. The Indo-Gangetic plain and Aravalli hills are not hotspots.
Q39AIPMT 2005 Prelims · Q127
According to IUCN red list what is the status of red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) ?
Not quite — the answer is D.
The red panda of the eastern Himalayas is listed as Endangered by the IUCN because of habitat loss and poaching. It is not extinct and has not been placed in the critically endangered category.
Q40AIPMT 2005 Prelims · Q147
One of the most important functions of botanical gardens is that :
Not quite — the answer is B.
Botanical gardens keep living plant collections away from their natural habitats, which makes them a key means of ex situ conservation of germplasm. Providing natural habitat for wildlife is in situ conservation (national parks, sanctuaries).
Q41AIPMT 2005 Prelims · Q152
Biodiversity act of India was passed by the Parliament in the year :
Not quite — the answer is C.
India's Biological Diversity Act was passed in 2002, after the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio Earth Summit). 1992 is the year of the convention, not of the Indian Act.
How often Biodiversity and Conservation came up
Questions from this chapter in each paper on this site.
- NEET 2020: 2
- NEET 2019: 3
- NEET 2018: 1
- NEET 2017: 2
- NEET 2017 (Gujarati paper): 1
- NEET 2016 Phase 2: 2
- NEET 2016 Phase 1: 2
- AIPMT 2015: 3
- AIPMT 2014: 4
- NEET 2013: 2
- AIPMT 2012 Mains: 2
- AIPMT 2012 Prelims: 2
- AIPMT 2011 Mains: 1
- AIPMT 2011 Prelims: 1
- AIPMT 2010 Mains: 1
- AIPMT 2010 Prelims: 1
- AIPMT 2009 Prelims: 2
- AIPMT 2008 Prelims: 1
- AIPMT 2007 Prelims: 3
- AIPMT 2006 Prelims: 2
- AIPMT 2005 Prelims: 3
Keep going
PYQs show what NEET asks. For the full Biodiversity and Conservation bank (437+ questions with solutions), use the RankUp app.
