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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 14, 2025 10:24 AM IST

Did you know that even something as tiny as a single cell qualifies as a living being? Chapter 1 of Class 11 Biology explores what makes something “living” and how we classify the vast variety of life around us. The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World are written in a clear and simple format to help students understand definitions, examples, and key concepts with ease. These solutions include all exercise questions with step-by-step answers, making revision smooth and helping students prepare better. They follow the standard NCERT Solutions pattern used in Class 11.

This Story also Contains
  1. Download the PDF of NCERT solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1
  2. Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World - Exercise question answers
  3. Approach to solve the Questions of NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 1
  4. Important Question of The Living World Class 11
  5. What extra should students study beyond the NCERT for NEET?
  6. Chapter wise NCERT solutions for Class 11 Biology
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World

This chapter explains features of living organisms, the need for classification, and how scientific naming (binomial nomenclature) works. The solutions guide students on how to write precise answers and focus on what matters in exams. With point-wise explanations and neat presentation, these solutions are perfect for board prep as well as building a strong base for entrance exams.

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Download the PDF of NCERT solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1

Studying becomes easier when everything is explained clearly and step by step. These solutions help students understand the basic concepts without any confusion and make revision faster. They can read on any device, highlight important points, and go through the chapter at their own pace. To make this process even smoother, students can download the PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 and keep it for regular practice.Download Solution PDF

Class 11 Biology Chapter 1 The Living World - Exercise question answers

The detailed solutions for each question of this chapter are given below. By using the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology, students can build a strong foundation in Biology as they strictly follow the CBSE syllabus, which serves as a valuable resource for revision during exam preparation.

Q1. Why are living organisms classified?

Answer:

Living organisms are classified for the following reasons:

There are numerous different species of living beings on our planet. It is hard to study each one separately. Scientists unite similar species to make it more convenient to research them. Studying one group, we learn about the properties of all the species in the group.

Classification also helps us in learning how various species relate to one another in terms of evolution.

Q2. Why are the classification systems changing every now and then?

Answer:

Earth is inhabited by numerous plants, animals, and microorganisms. The total number of species is not known yet. A lot of species have already been discovered and classified by scientists, but there are many more still to be discovered. When a new species is found, the system of classification is revised to accommodate it. That is why classification continues to change with time.

Q3. What different criteria would you choose to classify people that you meet often?

Answer:

The people that we often meet can be classified on the basis of their sex or gender, the age group in which they fall, profession, education, hobbies, etc.

Q4. What do we learn from the identification of individuals and populations?

Answer:

The identification of individuals helps us to know how they differ from or are similar to others within the same population. It also helps establish relationships between individuals from various populations. Researching populations enables us to know about their characteristics and how they compare to other populations. This process also helps in classifying organisms properly and knowing their evolutionary relationships.


Q5. Given below is the scientific name of Mango. Identify the correctly written name.

  • Mangifera Indica
  • Mangifera indica

Answer:

The correct scientific name of mango is Mangifera indica. As per the binomial system of nomenclature, the first name in a scientific name is the genus name while the second name is specific. The scientific name is always written in italics. The first letter of the genus name is written in capitals while that of the specific name is written in small letters.

Q6. Define a taxon. Give some examples of taxa at different hierarchical levels.

Answer:

Taxon refers to a particular level of hierarchy in the classification of living beings. Examples of taxa at different hierarchical levels are species, genus, order, family, phylum and kingdom.

Q7. Can you identify the correct sequence of taxonomical categories:

(A) Species Order Phylum Kingdom

(B) Genus Species Order Kingdom

(C) Species Genus Order Phylum

Answer:

The correct sequence of taxonomic categories from lowest to highest is species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom. Thus, A and C represent the correct sequence of taxonomic categories with some categories missing in between, while B is incorrect as the genus is given before species.

Q8. Try to collect all the currently accepted meanings for the word species. Discuss with your teacher the meaning of species in the case of higher plants and animals on the one hand, and bacteria on the other hand.

Answer:

The word "species" is explained as:

  • A collection of organisms with common traits that can reproduce within themselves.
  • The most basic unit of classification brings together people with a common genetic makeup.
  • A naturally occurring group of organisms that are similar in form, function, structure, and cellular composition.

For plants and animals at the higher levels, the first definition is the most precise since they reproduce sexually. For bacteria, the second and third definitions hold since bacteria are asexually reproduced and categorised according to genetic and structural similarities.

Q9. Define and understand the following terms:

(i) Phylum

Answer:

Phylum - A phylum is a large group of animals. which is formed of one or more classes. The term phylum is replaced by division in the case of plants. For example, the phylum chordate of animals contains mammals, aves, reptiles, amphibians, etc.

Q9. Define and understand the following terms:

(ii) Class

Answer:

Class - It is a taxonomic group higher than order and lower than phylum. A class is made of one or more related orders. For example, the class dicotyledoneae of flowering plants contains all dicots, which are grouped into several orders, like Rosales, Polemoniales, etc.

Q9. Define and understand the following terms:

(iii) Family

Answer:

Family refers to that taxonomic category which contains one or more related genera. For example, the family Solanaceae contains a number of genera like Solanum, Withania, Datura etc. All genera of a family are related through some common features or correlated characters.

Q9. Define and understand the following terms:

(iv) Order

Answer:

Order is the taxonomic category higher than family and lower than class. An order consists of one or more groups of families which share certain common characteristics. For example, the families Felidae and Canidae are included in the same order of carnivores.

Q9. Define and understand the following terms:

(v) Genus

Answer:

Genus - A genus is a group of related species which resemble one another in certain correlated characteristics. All species of the genus are presumed to have evolved from a common ancestor. Lion, Tiger, and Leopard are closely related species and placed in the same genus, Panther.

Q10. How is a key helpful in the identification and classification of an organism?

Answer:

A taxonomic key refers to an artificial analytical device used for identifying organisms. Usually, in a key, two contrasting characters are used. The one present in the organism is chosen while the other is rejected. Each statement of a key is called a lead. Separate taxonomic keys are used for each taxonomic category like species, genus, family, etc. Keys are generally analytical in nature.

Q11. Illustrate the taxonomical hierarchy with suitable examples of a plant and an animal.

Answer:

Taxonomical hierarchy is the system of placing living organisms into different categories, starting from broad groups like the kingdom and narrowing down to the specific level of species. It helps scientists and students organise and study the diversity of life systematically.

Taxonomic CategoryAnimal: CatPlant: Rose
KingdomAnimaliaPlantae
Phylum/DivisionChordataAngiospermae
ClassMammaliaDicotyledonae
OrderCarnivoraRosales
FamilyFelidaeRosaceae
GenusFelisRosa
Speciescatusindica

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Subject-wise

Approach to solve the Questions of NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 1

To solve the textbook questions effectively, one needs to understand the concepts first.

  • The chapter has certain key terms, such as binomial nomenclature and taxonomic categories.
  • Making notes of the chapter is important, highlighting all the important points and terms.
  • The Living World NCERT Solutions for Class 11 have all the solved exercise questions, with to-the-point answers and necessary information.
  • Finally, one should practice these solutions to have an overall idea of the chapter and build confidence before the exams.

Also check the NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus here :

Important Question of The Living World Class 11

The Living World introduces students to the basic concepts of life, including what makes an organism living and how scientists classify and name the vast variety of life forms found on Earth.

Question: Which of the following is not a reason for the non-usage of vernacular names in nomenclature?

Options :

  1. These names generally have incorrect meanings

  2. A single name may be in use for two or more species.

  3. These names have no significance

  4. Vernacular names are difficult to pronounce

Answer: The correct answer is Option (4) Vernacular names are difficult to pronounce.

Explanation: Anemophily, or wind pollination, is the major mode of pollination in both Cycas and Pinus. Cycas rely on wind to disperse its three-celled microspores, which are blown away from the microsporangia to reach the ovules, facilitated by pollination drops that help capture the pollen grains.
Similarly, Pinus also uses wind for pollination. The pollen grains are carried through the air to fertilise ovules.
While anemophily is prevalent, some species of Cycas are reported to be using insect pollination, especially under particular conditions.

What extra should students study beyond the NCERT for NEET?

Here is a table for all the important topics from the chapter:

Chapter wise NCERT solutions for Class 11 Biology

Below mentioned are the Chapterwise solutions:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is Chapter 1 important in Class 11 Biology?

Chapter 1 introduces students to important biological concepts that include biodiversity, classification, taxonomy, and nomenclature. The chapter sets the stage for the knowledge of the immense variety of living organisms and their scientific classification.

2. What is taxonomic key given in biology class 11?

A taxonomic key refers to an artificial analytical device used for identifying organisms. Usually, in a key, two contrasting characters are used. The one present in the organism is chosen while other is rejected. Each statement of a key is called a lead. Separate taxonomic keys are used for each taxonomic category like species, genus, family.

3. What are the important topics of biology class 11 chapter 1?

The important topics of biology class 11 chapter 1 are: 

  • Diversity in the Living World
  • Species   
  • Genus   
  • Family   
  • Order   
  • Class   
  • Phylum   
  • Kingdom   
  • Taxonomical Aids   
4. What is the role of botanical gardens and herbaria in taxonomy?

Botanical Gardens conserve living plant species for research and education.
Herbaria maintain pressed and dried plant specimens for facilitating the identification and classification of species.

5. What is the meaning of "Diversity in the Living World"?

"Diversity in the Living World" is the extensive diversity of life forms on Earth. It includes various species of plants, animals, microorganisms, and their specialized adaptations to varied environments.

Articles

A block of mass 0.50 kg is moving with a speed of 2.00 ms-1 on a smooth surface. It strikes another mass of 1.00 kg and then they move together as a single body. The energy loss during the collision is

Option 1)

0.34\; J

Option 2)

0.16\; J

Option 3)

1.00\; J

Option 4)

0.67\; J

A person trying to lose weight by burning fat lifts a mass of 10 kg upto a height of 1 m 1000 times.  Assume that the potential energy lost each time he lowers the mass is dissipated.  How much fat will he use up considering the work done only when the weight is lifted up ?  Fat supplies 3.8×107 J of energy per kg which is converted to mechanical energy with a 20% efficiency rate.  Take g = 9.8 ms−2 :

Option 1)

2.45×10−3 kg

Option 2)

 6.45×10−3 kg

Option 3)

 9.89×10−3 kg

Option 4)

12.89×10−3 kg

 

An athlete in the olympic games covers a distance of 100 m in 10 s. His kinetic energy can be estimated to be in the range

Option 1)

2,000 \; J - 5,000\; J

Option 2)

200 \, \, J - 500 \, \, J

Option 3)

2\times 10^{5}J-3\times 10^{5}J

Option 4)

20,000 \, \, J - 50,000 \, \, J

A particle is projected at 600   to the horizontal with a kinetic energy K. The kinetic energy at the highest point

Option 1)

K/2\,

Option 2)

\; K\;

Option 3)

zero\;

Option 4)

K/4

In the reaction,

2Al_{(s)}+6HCL_{(aq)}\rightarrow 2Al^{3+}\, _{(aq)}+6Cl^{-}\, _{(aq)}+3H_{2(g)}

Option 1)

11.2\, L\, H_{2(g)}  at STP  is produced for every mole HCL_{(aq)}  consumed

Option 2)

6L\, HCl_{(aq)}  is consumed for ever 3L\, H_{2(g)}      produced

Option 3)

33.6 L\, H_{2(g)} is produced regardless of temperature and pressure for every mole Al that reacts

Option 4)

67.2\, L\, H_{2(g)} at STP is produced for every mole Al that reacts .

How many moles of magnesium phosphate, Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2} will contain 0.25 mole of oxygen atoms?

Option 1)

0.02

Option 2)

3.125 × 10-2

Option 3)

1.25 × 10-2

Option 4)

2.5 × 10-2

If we consider that 1/6, in place of 1/12, mass of carbon atom is taken to be the relative atomic mass unit, the mass of one mole of a substance will

Option 1)

decrease twice

Option 2)

increase two fold

Option 3)

remain unchanged

Option 4)

be a function of the molecular mass of the substance.

With increase of temperature, which of these changes?

Option 1)

Molality

Option 2)

Weight fraction of solute

Option 3)

Fraction of solute present in water

Option 4)

Mole fraction.

Number of atoms in 558.5 gram Fe (at. wt.of Fe = 55.85 g mol-1) is

Option 1)

twice that in 60 g carbon

Option 2)

6.023 × 1022

Option 3)

half that in 8 g He

Option 4)

558.5 × 6.023 × 1023

A pulley of radius 2 m is rotated about its axis by a force F = (20t - 5t2) newton (where t is measured in seconds) applied tangentially. If the moment of inertia of the pulley about its axis of rotation is 10 kg m2 , the number of rotations made by the pulley before its direction of motion if reversed, is

Option 1)

less than 3

Option 2)

more than 3 but less than 6

Option 3)

more than 6 but less than 9

Option 4)

more than 9

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