Biodiversity and Conservation Previous Year Questions — NEET Biology
5 past-year Biodiversity and Conservation questions from NEET (Biology).
Q91 (2024)
"The Evil Quartet" of biodiversity loss includes which of the following?
- Over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Air pollution; Co-extinctions
- Habitat loss and fragmentation; over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Co-extinctions
- Habitat loss and fragmentation; Air pollution; Water pollution; Co-extinctions
- Over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Soil pollution; Co-extinctions
### Related Formula
The Evil Quartet = Habitat loss and fragmentation + Over-exploitation + Alien species invasions + Co-extinctions.
### Core Logic
'The Evil Quartet' is the sobriquet used to describe the four major causes of biodiversity loss:
1. Habitat loss and fragmentation
2. Over-exploitation
3. Alien species invasions
4. Co-extinctions
### Step 1: Evaluation
Comparing the four causes with option (2):
Option (2) lists: Habitat loss and fragmentation; over-exploitation; Alien species invasions; Co-extinctions.
### Pattern Recognition
Sees: 'Evil Quartet' → Immediately recall the four classic drivers of biodiversity loss (Habitat loss, Over-exploitation, Alien species, Co-extinction).
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation
Q95 (2024)
Which of the following statements are correct?
A. The Amazon rainforest being cut and cleared for cultivation of soyabeans is an example of habitat loss.
B. Steller's sea cow and passenger pigeon became extinct due to over-exploitation by humans.
C. The Nile perch introduced into Lake Victoria in East Africa helped in population growth of cichlid fish in the lake.
D. Water hyacinth is an invasive species.
E. When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it are not affected.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- B, C and D only
- A, B and D only
- A, B and E only
- C, D and E only
### Related Formula
Biodiversity Loss Factors: Habitat Loss, Over-exploitation, Alien Invasive Species, Co-extinction.
### Core Logic
- Statement A: Amazon rainforest clearing for soyabeans is habitat loss (True).
- Statement B: Steller's sea cow & passenger pigeon went extinct due to over-exploitation (True).
- Statement C: Nile perch caused extinction of 200+ cichlid fish species in Lake Victoria (False).
- Statement D: Water hyacinth (Eichhornia) is an invasive weed species (True).
- Statement E: Co-extinction means obligatorily associated species also become extinct (False).
### Step 1: Selection
Correct statements are A, B, and D only. This corresponds to option (2).
### Pattern Recognition
Statement C claims Nile perch 'helped' cichlids (False, it wiped them out). Statement E claims associated species 'are not affected' (False, co-extinction occurs). Eliminating C and E leaves A, B, D.
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation
Q117 (2024)
Exploring molecular, genetic and species-level diversity for products of economic importance is called
- Biomagnification
- Biofortification
- Bioremediation
- Bioprospecting
### Related Formula
Bioprospecting = Exploration of biological diversity for commercially valuable genetic and biochemical products.
### Core Logic
Exploring molecular, genetic, and species-level diversity for economic products (medicines, industrial chemicals, crops) is explicitly defined as bioprospecting.
### Step 1: Selection
The correct term is Bioprospecting. Option (4) is correct.
### Pattern Recognition
Exploring diversity for economic products = Bioprospecting.
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation
Q124 (2024)
Which of the following is an in situ conservation method?
- Sacred Groves
- Wildlife Safari Parks
- Botanical Gardens
- Seed Banks
### Related Formula
In-situ (On-site): Biosphere reserves, National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Sacred Groves.
Ex-situ (Off-site): Botanical Gardens, Zoological Parks, Wildlife Safari Parks, Seed/Gene Banks.
### Core Logic
Sacred Groves protect biodiversity within its natural habitat (In-situ conservation). Wildlife Safari Parks, Botanical Gardens, and Seed Banks involve protecting species outside their natural habitat (Ex-situ conservation).
### Step 1: Conclusion
Sacred Groves is an in situ conservation method. Option (1) is correct.
### Pattern Recognition
Sacred Groves = In-situ. Botanical Gardens / Seed Banks / Safari Parks = Ex-situ.
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation
Q129 (2024)
Since the origin and diversification of life on Earth, there have been five episodes of mass extinction of species. How is the sixth extinction, which is in progress, different from the previous episodes?
- The current species extinction rates are far lower than those in previous episodes.
- The present species extinction rates are 100 to 1000 times faster than in the pre-human times.
- The present net species extinction rate is zero.
- The current species extinction rate is nearly 10 times faster than in previous episodes.
### Related Formula
Sixth Extinction Rate = 100 to 1000 times faster than pre-human background extinction rates due to anthropogenic activities.
### Core Logic
The ongoing sixth mass extinction is driven primarily by human activities, and the extinction rate is estimated to be 100 to 1000 times faster than pre-human times.
### Step 1: Selection
Option (2) correctly states that present rates are 100 to 1000 times faster.
### Pattern Recognition
Sixth mass extinction speed = 100 to 1000 times faster than pre-human times.
### Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer
null
### Chapter Mix
Class 12 Biology: Biodiversity and Conservation
