NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 - Animal Kingdom

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 - Animal Kingdom

Irshad AnwarUpdated on 23 Oct 2025, 11:10 AM IST

The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom explores a wide variety of animal life. This chapter explains how all animals present on Earth are classified into different groups. The classification is based on body structure, level of organization, mode of reproduction, coelom, and more. All the answers are written in simple and clear language by the subject experts. Students can easily understand the animal classification without any confusion. The NCERT Solutions help in building a strong foundation in the subject.

This Story also Contains

  1. Download Animal Kingdom Class 11 Questions and Answers PDF
  2. Access Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom Question Answer
  3. Approach to Solve Animal Kingdom Class 11 Question Answer
  4. Important Questions from NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom
  5. What Students Learn from Animal Kingdom NCERT Solutions?
  6. Why Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom NCERT Solutions are Important?
  7. What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?
  8. Chapter-Wise NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 - Animal Kingdom
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom

The Animal Kingdom Class 11 question answer includes detailed classification from Porifera to Chordata. All the important features, examples of the phyla, and diagrams are added. The solutions help students remember the differences between phyla easily. The step-by-step solutions help students remember the differences between phyla easily and also improve conceptual clarity. Regular practice of the Animal Kingdom Class 11 questions and answers PDF strengthens preparation for competitive exams like NEET.

Download Animal Kingdom Class 11 Questions and Answers PDF

Students who need help with animal classification can read Chapter 4. It covers everything from sponges to mammals. Students can download the Animal Kingdom Class 11 questions and answers PDF from the link given below. Having ready-to-use solutions makes a big difference during preparation. The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology are perfect for last-minute preparation or regular revision.

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Access Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom Question Answer

Given below are the detailed solutions to all the questions given in the textbook. All the answers are prepared by subject experts, following the latest NCERT curriculum. Students can refer to the Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom question answer for better understanding.

Q1. What are the difficulties that you would face in the classification of animals if common fundamental features are not taken into account?

Answer: Basic characteristics help group animals and indicate their differences. Animals lack cell walls and are heterotrophic; mammals and other groups have additional distinguishing features (e.g., mammary glands in mammals). Without common fundamental features:

  • It would be difficult to determine relationships among animals.

  • Classification would become confusing and inconsistent.

  • Understanding evolutionary history would be much harder.

In brief, these basic characteristics form the basis of animal classification and help us understand evolution.

Q2. If you are given a specimen, what are the steps that you would follow to classify it?

Answer: To identify an unknown specimen, look at these most important features:

  1. Level of Organization: Cells, tissues, or organs.

  2. Body Symmetry: Radial or bilateral.

  3. Germ Layers: Two (diploblastic) or three (triploblastic).

  4. Body Cavity: Present or absent.

  5. Coelom: True (coelomate), false (pseudocoelomate), or none (acoelomate).

Q3. How useful is the study of the nature of the body cavity and coelom in the classification of animals?

Answer: The coelom and body cavities are important in the classification of animals. A coelom is a body cavity filled with fluid, lined by embryonic tissue.

  • True coelomates are annelids, mollusks, arthropods, echinoderms, hemichordates, and chordates.
  • Animals that lack a coelom (acoelomates) are Porifera, Coelenterata (Cnidaria), ctenophores, and platyhelminths.
  • A pseudocoelom is present in some animals, which is not completely lined by mesoderm but develops from the blastocoel of the embryo. Aschelminthes fit into this category.

Dividing animals into categories according to their coelom helps us to understand their development and evolutionary history.

Q4. Distinguish between intracellular and extracellular digestion.

Answer: The differences between intracellular and extracellular digestion are as follows

Characteristics

Intracellular Digestion

Extracellular Digestion

Where Digestion Occurs

Inside cells

Outside cells, in the alimentary canal

Number of Enzymes

Few enzymes

Many enzymes

How Nutrients are Absorbed

Diffused into the cytoplasm

Absorbed across the intestinal wall into the body

Common in

Unicellular animals

Multicellular animals

Q5. What is the difference between direct and indirect development?

Answer: The differences between direct and indirect development are as follows

Direct Development

Indirect Development

No larval stages

Includes larval stages

Resemble adults

Don't resemble adults

Fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals

Invertebrates, amphibians

Q6. What are the peculiar features that you find in parasitic Platyhelminthes?

Answer: Platyhelminthes have several unique characteristics:

  1. They have a thick tegument that shields them from the digestive enzymes of their hosts.

  2. Their bodies are dorsoventrally flattened, i.e., flat from top to bottom.

  3. They have suckers and hooks that help them stick to their hosts and obtain nutrition.

  4. They lack well-developed locomotory organs; movement is by cilia and muscular action.

  5. Their reproductive system is well developed, and they are mostly hermaphroditic, having both male and female reproductive organs.

Q7. What are the reasons that you can think of for the arthropods to constitute the largest group of the animal kingdom?

Answer: The reasons for arthropods being the largest group of animals are as follows:

  1. They have a thick cuticle that helps them to thrive in many types of environments, particularly on land.

  2. They have striated muscles that help in rapid and effective movement.

  3. They have a tracheal system of respiration that brings oxygen directly to their cells, which is extremely effective.

  4. They possess joint appendages that are capable of performing numerous different functions, so they are very adaptable.

  5. They have a highly developed nervous system and sense organs that help them effectively sense and react to their surroundings.

  6. They communicate using pheromones, which help in social behavior and reproduction.

Q8. The water vascular system is characteristic of which group of the following:

(a) Porifera

(b) Ctenophora

(c) Echinodermata

(d) Chordata

Answer: The correct option is (c) Echinodermata

The water vascular system is a characteristic feature of echinoderms, which helps in locomotion, respiration, and the capture of food.

Q9. "All vertebrates are chordates, but all chordates are vertebrates." Justify the statement.

Answer: Phylum Chordata contains animals that have a notochord, i.e., an elastic rod-shaped structure. Phylum Chordata is still divided into three sub-phyla: Urochordata, Cephalochordata, and Vertebrata. In vertebrates, the notochord is superseded by a vertebral column, but within urochordates and cephalochordates, there is no vertebral column present. Therefore, all vertebrates are chordates, but they are not necessarily vertebrates, as they can also be urochordates or cephalochordates.

Q10. How important is the presence of an air bladder in Pisces?

Answer: Osteichthyes (bony fishes, such as salmon) have an air bladder, which keeps them buoyant and prevents them from sinking in water. It makes them remain at a specific depth without swimming continuously. Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes, such as sharks) do not have an air bladder. They need to swim continuously, employing their fins and body to remain afloat to avoid sinking.

The air bladder functions as a buoyancy support, whereas sharks survive using motion.

Q11. What are the modifications that are observed in birds that help them fly?

Answer: Birds have some adaptations that help them to fly:

  • They have light bones with air-filled cavities, which lighten their load and reduce the effort of flying.
  • A streamlined body cuts the resistance of the air, making it move smoothly through the air.
  • Powerful flight muscles help in flapping the wings.
  • The front limbs are modified into wings for flight, and the hind limbs are used for walking and perching.
  • Additional air sacs in their bodies supply sufficient oxygen for extensive flights.
  • These adaptations render birds ideally suited to flight.

Q12. Could the number of eggs or young ones produced by an oviparous and viviparous mother be equal? Why?

Answer: Oviparous creatures lay eggs outside the body and generally give birth to a greater number of offspring, as they are given little parental care and exposed to severe environmental conditions. Viviparous creatures, on the other hand, give birth to live offspring and offer care both pre- and post-birth. This greater parental care leads to greater survival rates, reducing the necessity for a high number of offspring. Thus, the number of eggs or young ones given birth to by oviparous and viviparous mothers is not the same.

Q13. Segmentation in the body is first observed in which of the following:

(a) Platyhelminthes

(b) Aschelminthes

(c) Annelida

(d) Arthropoda

Answer: The correct option is (c) Annelida

Q14. Match the following:
(a) Operculum (i) Ctenophora
(b) Parapodia (ii) Mollusca
(c) Scales (iii) Porifera
(d) Comb plates (iv) Reptilia
(e) Radula (v) Annelida
(f ) Hairs (vi) Cyclostomata and Chondrichthyes
(g) Choanocytes (vii) Mammalia
(h) Gill slits (viii) Osteichthyes

Answer: (a)-(viii), (b)-(v), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i), (e)-(ii), (f)- (vii), (g)- (iii), (h)- (vi)

Operculum(viii) Osteichthyes
Parapodia(v) Annelida
Scales(iv) Reptilia
Comb plates(i) Ctenophora
Radula(ii) Mollusca
Hairs(vii) Mammalia
Choanocytes(iii) Porifera
Gill slits(vi) Cyclostomata and Chondrichthyes

Q15. Prepare a list of some animals that are found parasitic on human beings.

Answer:

  • Taenia ( Tapeworm)
  • Ascaris (roundworm)
  • Ancylostoma (hookworm)
  • Enterobius (pinworm)
  • Wuchereria (filarial worm)

NCERT Solutions for Class 11: Subject-wise

Approach to Solve Animal Kingdom Class 11 Question Answer

The approach to solving questions of the Animal Kingdom chapter involves a clear understanding. Students can follow the steps given below:

  • To understand the diversity of the animal kingdom, start with the classification of animals. Classification is based on features such as body symmetry, coelom, segmentation, etc.

  • Go through all the terms like asymmetry, radial symmetry, and bilateral symmetry provided in the Class 11 Biology Animal Kingdom question answer.

  • Prepare a table by writing down all the distinguishing features of phyla like Arthropoda, Mollusca, Chordata, etc.

  • Study the features of these phyla using diagrams. Students can go through the Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom question answer, which helps them to remember their characteristics for a longer time.

  • Try to solve a lot of questions from this chapter to gain confidence. Refer to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 to get familiar with the pattern and difficulty level.

Important Questions from NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom

Given below is a question from the Animal Kingdom chapter along with the answers. Focusing on the questions given in the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom helps to understand better.

Question 1: The following are the statements about non-chordates:
A. Gill slits perforate the pharynx.
B. Notochord is absent.
C. The central nervous system is dorsal.
D. Heart is dorsal if present.
E. Tail behind the body
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

1. A & C only

2. A, B & D only

3. B, D & E only

4. B, C & D only

Answer:

In invertebrates, the notochord, a defining feature of chordates, is absent, and their body structure is often supported by other means, like exoskeletons or hydrostatic skeletons. If a heart is present, it is typically located dorsally, unlike the ventral heart found in chordates. In addition, they lack a tail behind the body, which is a characteristic feature of chordates and plays a role in locomotion or balance in those organisms.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3, B, D & E only

Question 2: The body cavity is the cavity present between the body wall and the gut wall. In some animals, the body cavity is not lined by mesoderm. Such animals are called

1. Acoelomates

2. Pseudocoelomates

3. Coelomates

4. Haemo Coelomates

Answer:

Animals classified as pseudocoelomates have a fluid-filled bodily cavity known as a pseudocoelom that is not entirely lined by mesoderm tissue. The body cavity, the pseudocoelom, which divides the gut from the body wall, is situated between the mesoderm and the endoderm.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2, Pseudocoelomates

Question 3: Which one of the following sets of animals shares a four-chambered heart?

1. Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds

2. Crocodiles, Birds, Mammals

3. Crocodiles, Lizards, Turtles

4. Lizards, Mammals, Birds

Answer:

The heart is generally three-chambered in reptiles except crocodiles, which possess a four-chambered heart. The division in their heart is due to the incomplete interventricular septum in the ventricles. If we talk about the heart in birds and
mammals, it is four-chambered, and there is a complete division of the interventricular septum in the ventricles. Whereas, amphibians hold a three-chambered heart in which the ventricles are not alienated; hence, two atria and one ventricle are present.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2, Crocodiles, Birds, Mammals

Question 4: In some animal groups, the body is divided into compartments with a serial repetition of at least some organs. This characteristic feature is called

1. Segmentation

2. Metamerism

3. Metagenesis

4. Metamorphosis

Answer:

The body in some animals is externally as well as internally separated into fragments with a serial repetition of at least some organs. This is called Metamerism. In other words, Metamerism is the condition of being constructed of a linear series of repeating parts. For example, in the earthworm, the body shows Metamerism.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2, Metamerism

Question 5: Given below are types of cells present in some animals. Which of the following cells can differentiate to perform different functions?

1. Choanocytes

2. Interstitial cells

3. Gastrodermal cells

4. Nematocytes

Answer:

Interstitial cells in the ovary and testes can differentiate. Interstitial cells refer to any cell that lies in the spaces between the functional cells of a tissue.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2, Interstitial cells

Also, check the NCERT Books and the NCERT Syllabus here:

What Students Learn from Animal Kingdom NCERT Solutions?

The Animal Kingdom chapter introduces students to the wide diversity of multicellular animals. It explains the classification, such as symmetry, level of organization, body cavity, and mode of nutrition.

  1. Students learn unique features and representative examples of each phylum from Porifera to Chordata.

  2. The Class 11 Biology Animal Kingdom question answer teaches about levels of organization (cellular to organ-system), germ layers (diploblastic vs. triploblastic), and types of symmetry.

  3. They will understand acoelomate, pseudocoelomate, and coelomate conditions, and the importance of segmentation in groups like Annelida and Arthropoda.

  4. Students study open and closed circulatory systems, as well as the digestive systems, through the Animal Kingdom Class 11 question answer.

Why Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom NCERT Solutions are Important?

The chapter Animal Kingdom introduces students to a large variety of animals and explains on what basis these animals are classified. The solutions explain different levels of organization, symmetry, germ layers, and other animal phyla, along with their characteristics and examples.

  1. Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom NCERT Solutions allow students to understand the criteria used to classify animals.

  2. The solutions also help them identify the features of major animal phyla, from Porifera to Chordata.

  3. It improves understanding of how animals survive in different environmental conditions.

  4. Students also get a clear knowledge of notochord, body segmentation, and germ layers.

What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?

To do well in NEET, students should study extra topics and practice more beyond the NCERT. The extra topics that students have to study are given below. Along with this, they should practice the diagrams provided in the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom.

Chapter-Wise NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology

Below are the chapter-wise solutions by which students can easily understand all the concepts and perform well in the exams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are the differences between chordates and non-chordates in Class 11 NCERT solutions?
A:

The differences between chordates and non-chordates in Class 11 NCERT solutions are given in the table below:

Feature

Chordates

Non-Chordates

Notochord

Present at some stage

Absent

Dorsal Hollow Nerve Cord

Present

Absent

Pharyngeal Slits

Present at some stage

Absent

Q: How are animals classified based on symmetry in Class 11 Biology?
A:

Animals are classified as asymmetrical, radially symmetrical, or bilaterally symmetrical based on their body structure.

Q: What are the different phyla of the animal kingdom explained in NCERT Class 11?
A:

Major phyla include Porifera, Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Hemichordata, and Chordata.

Q: How is the classification of the animal kingdom done in Class 11 Biology Chapter 4?
A:

Classification is based on features like body symmetry, presence of a coelom, and notochord. Animals are grouped into phyla such as Porifera, Arthropoda, and Chordata.

Q: What are the benefits of NCERT solutions for class 11 biology chapter 4 animal kingdom?
A:

The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom make it easy for students to learn about animal classification. They give correct answers to textbook questions as per the current syllabus. They explain complicated topics in an easier way. They also give important diagrams and key points that help in exams. 

Q: What questions can I expect from Chapter 4 of NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology in the board exam?
A:

In the board exam, questions from Chapter 4, Animal Kingdom, based on classification, features, and examples of various animal groups, can be expected. Some main questions are:

  • Differences between coelomates, acoelomates, and pseudocoelomates
  • Features of Porifera, Cnidaria, Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Chordata
  • Adaptations in birds for flight
  • Differences between oviparous and viviparous animals
  • Special features of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians
Q: List some animals that are found parasitic on human beings from Chapter animal Kingdom of NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology.
A:

The following list of animals found to be human parasites is taken from the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom:

  • Ascaris (Roundworm)
  • Taenia (Tapeworm)
  • Enterobius (Pinworm)
  • Ancylostoma (Hookworm)
  • Wuchereria (Filarial worm)
Q: What are the key features of the animal kingdom according to NCERT Class 11 Biology
A:

Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic, and have well-developed sense organs. Most can move and respond to stimuli. They are classified based on features like symmetry and body structure. These are some of the features of the animal kingdom that are well-explained in the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom. 

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