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The NCERT Exemplar Class 11 Biology Solutions Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom guides students with the fundamentals of how animals are classified according to important characteristics such as body organisation, symmetry, body cavity (coelom), segmentation, and how animals develop as embryos. The NCERT Exemplar begins by describing how the system of classification and various criteria used to distinguish animal phyla work. It separates animals into two broad categories: chordates (those possessing a notochord) and non-chordates (those lacking one), and discusses why this distinction is important for classification purposes.
The chapter also explains the various levels of organisation present in animals—cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels—demonstrating how animals have evolved increasingly complex throughout history. Large animal groups or phyla such as Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Hemichordata, and Chordata are covered, with their characteristics and examples are explained well. These NCERT Class 11 Biology Solutions are important for understanding the classification of animals, their structural variation, and their phylogenetic relationships within the animal kingdom.
Different forms of questions, like MCQs, short answers, and long answers with the required diagrams, are provided below. Practising these will help you understand the pattern and these concepts easily and effectively.
Question:1
In some animal groups, the body is divided into compartments with a serial repetition of at least some organs. This characteristic feature is called
a. Segmentation
b. Metamerism
c. Metagenesis
d. Metamorphosis
Answer:
The answer is Option (b) MetamerismQuestion:2
Given below are the types of cells present in some animals. Which of the following cells can differentiate to perform different functions?
a. Choanocytes
b. Interstitial cells
c. Gastrodermal cells
d. Nematocytes
Answer:
The answer is option (b), Interstitial Cells.Question:3
Which one of the following sets of animals shares a four-chambered heart?
a. Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds
b. Crocodiles, Birds, Mammals
c. Crocodiles, Lizards, Turtles
d. Lizards, Mammals, Birds
Answer:
The answer is Option (b), Crocodiles, Birds, Mammals.Question:4
Which of the following pairs of animals has non-glandular skin?
a. Snake and Frog
b. Chameleon and Turtle
c. Frog and Pigeon
d. Crocodile and Tiger
Answer:
The answer is an option (b), Chameleon and Turtle.Question:5
Birds and mammals share one of the following characteristics as a common feature.
a. Pigmented skin
b. Pneumatic bones
c. Viviparity
d. Warm-blooded
Answer:
The answer is option (d), Warm-bloodedQuestion:6
Which one of the following sets of animals belongs to a single taxonomic group?
a. Cuttlefish, Jellyfish, Silverfish, Dogfish, Starfish
b. Bat, Pigeon, Butterfly
c. Monkey, Chimpanzee, Man
d. Silkworm, Tapeworm, Earthworm
Answer:
The answer is option (c), Monkey, Chimpanzee, Man.Animal Group | Taxonomic Group |
Cuttlefish Jellyfish Silverfish Dogfish Starfish | Phylum-Mollusca, Class-Cephalopoda, Phylum-Cnidaria Class-Insecta, Order-Thysanura, Phylum-Arthropoda, Phylum-Chordata, Class-Chondrichthyes, Phylum-Echinodermata, Class-Asteroidea. |
Animal Group | Taxonomic Group |
Bat Pigeon Butterfly | Phylum-Chordata, Class-Mammalia Phylum-Chordata, Class Aves Phylum-Arthropoda, Class-Insecta, Order-Lepidoptera |
Animal Group | Taxonomic Group |
Silkworm Tapeworm Earthworm | Phylum-Arthropoda, Class-Insecta, Order- Lepidoptera Phylum-Platyhelminthes, Class-Cestoda Phylum-Annelida, Class-01igochaeta |
Question:7
Which one of the following statements is incorrect?
a. Mesoglea is present in between ectoderm and endoderm in Obelia.
b. Exhibits radial symmetry Asterias
c. Fasciola is a pseudocoelomate animal
d. Taenia is a triploblastic animal
Answer: The answer is option (c), Fasciola is a pseudocoelomate animal.
Explanation:Question:8
Which one of the following statements is incorrect?
a. In cockroaches and prawns excretion of waste material occurs through malpighian tubules.
b. In ctenophores, locomotion is mediated by comb plates.
c. In Fasciola, flame cells help in excretion
d. Earthworms are hermaphrodites, and yet cross-fertilisation takes place among them.
Answer:
The answer is option (a), in cockroaches and prawns excretion of waste material occurs through malpighian tubules.Question:9
Which one of the following is oviparous?
a. Platypus
b. Flying fox (Bat)
c. Elephant
d. Whale
Answer:
The answer is the option (a), platypus.Question:10
Which one of the following is a non-poisonous snake?
a. Platypus
b. Flying fox (Bat)
c. Elephant
d. Whale
Answer:
The answer is the option (c).Question:11
Match the following list of animals with their level of organisation.
Division of Labour | Animal |
Column-1 | Column-2 |
A. Orange level | i) Pheretima |
B. Cellular aggregate-level | ii) Fasciola |
C. Tissue Level | iii) Spongilla |
D. Organ System Level | iv) Obelia |
Answer:
The answer is the option (c),Question:12
Such animals are called
a. Acoelomates
b. Pseudocoelomates
c. Coelomates
d. Haemocoelomates
Answer:
The answer is the option (b), Pseudocoelomates.Question:13
Match the column A with column B and choose the correct option
Column I A. Porifera B. Aschelminthes C. Annelida D. Arthropoda E. Echinodermata | Column II i. Canal system ii. Water-vascular system iii. Muscular pharynx iv. Jointed appendages v. Metameres |
Answer:
The answer is option (c),Question:1
Identify the phylum in which adults exhibit radial symmetry and larva exhibit bilateral symmetry.
Answer:
The phylum in which the radial symmetry is exhibited by the adult while the bilateral symmetry is exhibited by the larva is in the case of the phylum Echinodermata.Question:2
What is the importance of pneumatic bones and air sacs in Aves?
Answer:
Importance of Pneumatic bones lies in making the body lightweight and facilitate the flying. Air sacs are helpful in respiration and buoyancy.Question:3
What is Metagenesis? Mention an example which exhibits this phenomenon.
Answer:
Metagenesis is a phenomenon defined as the reproduction cycle of an organism alternating between sexual and asexual modes.Question:4
Answer:
Feathers are meant for flying by reducing the overall weight of the body. They create an airfoil shape of wings and help in flying. For example-In Aves, besides pneumatic bones, feathers are also helpful in making the body weigh lighter and help in flight. Feathers are also helpful in mating.Question:5
Which group of chordates possess sucking and circular mouth without jaws?
Answer:
Cyclostomes have sucking and circular mouth that is without jaws. They are also referred to as jawless fish. Since the shape of their mouth is circular and they lack the jaws, they are also called agnathans.Question:6
Give one example each for an animal possessing placoid scales and that with cycloid scales.
Answer:
Placoid scales are defined as the tiny tough scales that cover the entire skin. Examples are Trygon and Pritis. Cycloid scales are exemplified by having a smooth outer margin. Examples are Catla, ClariasQuestion:7
Mention two modifications in reptiles required for terrestrial mode of life.
Answer:
The two modifications in reptiles required for terrestrial mode of life are as below:Question:8
Answer:
Cockroach (Arthropods) have the body covered with Chitinous exoskeleton, and Pila (Molluscs) have the body covered with a calcareous shell.Question:9
What is the role of the radula in molluscs?
Answer:
The radula in molluscs is a special structure which is used to scrape and scratch the food. This is also used to produce a depression in rocks which is used by molluscs as their habitat.Question:10
Answer:
Bioluminescence is a phenomenon that involves the emission and production of light by any organism. This is a result of a chemical reaction under which the chemical energy is converted into light energy. Pleurobrachia and Ctenoplana are some animals exhibiting the phenomenon of bioluminescence. They belong to phylum ctenophores like Ctenoplana, Velamen, Beroe, etc.Question:11
Write one example of each of the following in the space provided.
a. Cold-blooded animal ________________________
b. Warm-blooded animal ________________________
c. Animal possessing dry and cornified skin _______________
d. Dioecious animal _____________________
Answer:
Cold-blooded animal: Frog (Amphibians)Question:12
Differentiate between a diploblastic and a triploblastic animal.
Answer:
Diploblastic animals are the ones with cells arranged in two embryonic layers. For Example, Coelenterates whereas triploblastic animals are those in which the developing embryo has a third germinal layer. For Example, Chordates.Question:13
Give an example of the following
a. Roundworm
b. Fish possessing poison sting
c. A limbless reptile/ amphibian
d. An oviparous mammal
Answer:
a. Roundworm: AscarisQuestion:14
Provide appropriate technical terms in the space provided.
a. Blood-filled cavity in arthropods __________________________.
b. Free-floating form of cnidaria _____________________________.
c. Stinging organ of jellyfishes ______________________________.
d. Lateral appendages in aquatic annelids ___________________.
Answer:
a. A blood-filled cavity in arthropods: HaemocoelQuestion:15
Animals Locomotory a. Octopus b. Crocodile c. Catla d. Ctenoplana | Organ i. Limbs ii. Comb plates iii. Tentacles iv. Fins |
Answer:
a. Octopus – TentaclesQuestion:1
Differentiate between:
a. Open circulatory system and closed circulatory system
b. Oviparous and viviparous characteristic
c. Direct development and Indirect development
Answer:
a) In the open circulatory system, blood is pumped out of the heart, and the cells and tissues are directly bathed whereas in the closed circulatory system, blood is circulated throughout the body with the help of a series of vessels. Examples of the open circulatoryQuestion:2
Answer:
In the case of radial symmetry, an individual’s body can be divided into equal halves by any plane passing through the longitudinal axis.Question:3
Answer:
Two-chambered hearts: Chrondrichytes and osteocytesQuestion:4
Fill up the blank spaces appropriately
Phylum/Class | Excretory organ | Circulatory organ | Respiratory organ |
Arthropoda | A | B | Lungs/Gills/Tracheal system |
C | Nephridia | Closed | Skin/parapodia |
D | Metanephridia | Open | E |
Amphibia | F | Closed | Lung |
Answer:
The answer for A = Malpighian tubulesQuestion:5
a. Amphibia b. Mammals c. Chondrichthyes d. Osteichthyes e. Cyclostomata f. Aves | i. Air bladder ii. Cartilaginous notochord iii. Mammary glands iv. Pneumatic bones v. Dual habitat vi. Sucking and circular mouth without jaws. |
Answer:
a. Amphibia – Dual habitatQuestion:6
Answer:
For the survival of Endoparasites inside a host body, they need to adapt to the following mentioned conditions:Question:7
Match the following and write the correct choice in the space provided.
Animal a. Pila b. Cockroach c. Asterias d. Torpedo e. Parrot f. Dogfish | Characteristics of i. Jointed appendages ii. Perching iii. Water vascular system iv. Electric organ v. Presence of shell vi. Placoid scales |
Answer:
a. Pila – Presence of shellQuestion:8
Differentiate between:
a. Open and closed circulatory system
b. Oviparity and viviparity
c. Direct and indirect development
d. Acoelomate and pseudocoelomate
e. Notochord and nerve cord
f. Polyp and medusa
Answer:
a) In the open circulatory system, blood is pumped out of the heart, and the cells and tissues are directly bathed whereas, in the closed circulatory system, the bloodQuestion:9
Give the characteristic features of the following citing one example of each
a. Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes
b. Urochordata and cephalochordate
Answer:
a) Chondrichthyes have mainly marine habitats, and their body is streamlined. They have a cartilaginous endoskeleton. Examples are scoliosis and Trygon.Question:10
Mention two similarities between
a. Aves and mammals
b. A frog and crocodile
c. A turtle and pila
Answer:
a) Aves and mammals are warm-blooded and have a four-chambered heartQuestion:11
Name
a. A limbless animal
b. A cold-blooded animal
c. A warm-blooded animal
d. An animal possessing dry and cornified skin
e. An animal having a canal system and spicules
f. An animal with cnidoblasts
Answer:
a. An example of a limbless animal – IcthyophisQuestion:12
Give an example for each of the following
a. A viviparous animal
b. A fish possessing a poison sting
c. A fish possessing an electric organ
d. An organ, which regulates buoyancy
e. Animal, which exhibits alternation of generation
f. An oviparous animal with a mammary gland
Answer:
a. An example of a viviparous animal – Panthera leoQuestion:13
The excretory organs of different animals are given below. Choose correctly and write in the space provided.
Animal Excretory Organ/Unit a. Balanoglossus b. Leech c. Locust d. Liver fluke e. Sea urchin f. Pila | Animal Excretory Organ/Unit i. Metanephridia ii. Nephridia iii. Flame cells iv. absent v. malpighian tubule vi. Probosci’s gland |
a. ____________________, b. ____________________, c. _ d. ____________________, e. ____________________, f. ____________________
Answer:
a. Balanoglossus – Proboscis glandQuestion:1
Answer:
Chordates | Non-Chordates |
They have a notochord Their tail is present at some stage in life Their heart is ventral Their CNS is dorsal Gill slits are present in the pharynx | They do not have a notochord Their tail is absent Their heart is dorsal CNS is central, solid, and double Gill slits are absent |
Question:2
Answer:
Germinal layers are those layers which formed during the process of gastrulation. It is widely described into three layers-Question:3
Answer:
The external features and habitats of animals belonging to the class, amphibia and reptilia are as follows: -Question:4
Mammals are most adapted among the vertebrates. Elaborate.
Answer:
Mammals have significantly adapted the most among the vertebrates. They can be found across a diverse range of habitats like deserts, plains, and mountains. They diverge in the type of jaws and the sexes are separate, and fertilisation is internal. They have a couple of limbs which are used for walking, burrowing, climbing etc. They have mammary glands, which produce milk that is used to feed their young ones. They are warm-blooded which in turn helps them regulate their body temperature efficiently in all types of weather conditions. They have hair-like arrangements that work as insulation against cold temperatures. The heart present in mammals has four chambers and their brains are highly developed. Some examples of mammals are Whales, Humans, Dogs, Cows, etc
The significant features which make them most adaptive can be summarised as below:
Must Read NCERT Notes subject-wise
Here is a step-by-step solution to the questions of Animal Kingdom:
Also, Read NCERT Solution subject-wise
Animal Kingdom is a fundamental chapter that introduces the classification of animals based on key features like body organisation, symmetry, body cavity, and patterns of development. This chapter also covers the distinguishing characteristics of major animal phyla, helping students understand evolutionary relationships and the diversity of animal life.
Basis of Classification |
Levels of Organization |
Body Symmetry |
Coelom (Body Cavity) |
Diploblastic vs. Triploblastic |
Segmentation (Metamerism) |
Digestive System |
Circulatory System |
Major Phyla and Their Characteristics |
Chordata and Vertebrate Classes |
Direct vs. Indirect Development |
Examples and Diagrams |
Animal Kingdom dives into the wide variety of animals and their systematic organisation based on features such as body organisation, symmetry, coelom, segmentation, and organ systems. These organisations are important to NEET since questions often assess knowledge regarding animal phyla, distinguishing features, and evolutionary links.
Q1. An important characteristic that hemichordates share with chordates is
A. Absence of notochord
B. Pharynx without gill slits
C. Pharynx with gill slits
D. Ventral tubular nerve cord
Answer:
Both hemichordates and chordates possess pharyngeal gill slits, which are crucial for respiration and filter feeding in aquatic forms.
Hence, the correct option is C. Pharynx with gill slits
Also, check the NCERT Books and the NCERT Syllabus here
The chapter-wise links are given below:
Animals are classified based on key characteristics such as levels of organization (cellular, tissue, organ, organ system), body symmetry, nature of coelom (body cavity), segmentation, and patterns of digestive, circulatory, and reproductive systems.
Metamerism, also known as segmentation, is the division of the body into repetitive segments, each with similar organs. This feature is characteristic of phyla such as Annelida, Arthropoda, and Chordata.
Common parasitic animals on humans include Ascaris (roundworm), Taenia (tapeworm), Enterobius (pinworm), Ancylostoma (hookworm), and Wuchereria (filarial worm).
Oviparous animals lay eggs, with development occurring outside the mother's body, while viviparous animals give birth to live young, with development occurring inside the mother's body. Oviparous animals typically produce more eggs due to a higher risk of predation.
Helps organize the vast diversity of animals.
Makes it easier to study, identify, and understand relationships between organisms.
Aids in understanding evolution and ecological roles.
Essential for systematic naming and research
They provide practice with MCQs and conceptual questions similar to NEET.
Strengthen problem-solving skills and conceptual clarity.
Help identify weak areas for focused revision
Porifera: Pores, canal system, no tissues/organs.
Cnidaria: Stinging cells, radial symmetry.
Ctenophora: Comb plates, bioluminescence.
Platyhelminthes: Flat, unsegmented body.
Aschelminthes: Round, unsegmented body, pseudocoelom.
Annelida: Segmented body, true coelom.
Arthropoda: Jointed legs, exoskeleton.
Mollusca: Soft body, shell (usually).
Echinodermata: Spiny skin, water vascular system.
Hemichordata: Notochord in some form, worm-like.
Chordata: Notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits
You can download the solutions from educational websites like Careers360.
The official NCERT website also provides exemplar PDFs
se mnemonics for the order of phyla (e.g., "Porcupines Can Play And Make Every Happy Child").
Make short notes or flashcards for each phylum’s key features.
Practice diagrams and flowcharts.
Revise regularly and solve exemplar questions to reinforce memory
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