40. The scientific study of insects is called:
[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent, 3 July 2026, Shift 2]
(a) Botany
(b) Ornithology
(c) Ecology
(d) Entomology
Answer: (d) Entomology
Explanation: Entomology is the branch of zoology devoted to insects, their classification, structure, life cycles, behaviour and ecological importance. It is essential in agricultural pest control, insect-borne disease prevention and pollinator conservation. Ornithology, by contrast, is concerned with birds.
39. His family business involves the cultivation of flowering plants for export. Choose the correct term.
[OSSSC Forester / Forest Guard / Excise Constable, 23 April 2026, Shift 3]
(a) Horticulture
(b) Agriculture
(c) Sericulture
(d) Floriculture
Answer: (d) Floriculture
Explanation: Floriculture is the commercial cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants, including cut flowers and decorative nursery crops. It forms part of horticulture. Sericulture means silkworm rearing, while horticulture is broader and also covers fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants.
38. The scientific study of fossils and ancient organisms is known as:
[DSSSB MTS, 22 April 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Palaeontology
(b) Geology
(c) Ecology
(d) Archaeology
Answer: (a) Palaeontology
Explanation: Palaeontology reconstructs the history and evolution of life through fossils, including preserved remains, impressions and traces of organisms. Geology examines Earth materials and processes, whereas archaeology primarily investigates past human activity through material evidence. Palaeobotany specializes in fossil plants.
37. Which agricultural branch deals with silk production by rearing silkworms?
[UP Police Sub-Inspector, 14 March 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Apiculture
(b) Piggery
(c) Poultry
(d) Sericulture
Answer: (d) Sericulture
Explanation: Sericulture includes breeding and rearing silkworms to obtain silk fibres from their cocoons. The domesticated mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori, feeds mainly on mulberry leaves. Apiculture instead involves bees, while poultry refers to domesticated birds raised for economic purposes.
36. The art or practice of growing plants and trees is called:
[Delhi Police Head Constable (Ministerial), 12 January 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Pisciculture
(b) Horticulture
(c) Cultural identity
(d) Sericulture
Answer: (b) Horticulture
Explanation: Horticulture deals with the cultivated production and management of fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and garden crops. It includes specialized fields such as pomology, olericulture and floriculture. Pisciculture concerns farmed fish, while sericulture focuses on silkworms and silk production.
35. Which agricultural science helps create favourable growing conditions for higher crop productivity?
[CCI Junior Commercial Executive, 2025]
(a) Plant pathology
(b) Agronomy
(c) Biotechnology
(d) Soil science
Answer: (b) Agronomy
Explanation: Agronomy combines field-crop production, soil management, plant nutrition and farming practices to improve agricultural productivity. Soil science is a related but more specific discipline examining soil properties. Plant pathology addresses plant diseases, while biotechnology applies biological techniques to develop useful products and processes.
34. Who coined the term ‘ecology’?
[CCI Junior Commercial Executive, 2025]
(a) Eugenius Warming
(b) Ernst Haeckel
(c) Charles Darwin
(d) Carl Linnaeus
Answer: (b) Ernst Haeckel
Explanation: The German biologist Ernst Haeckel introduced the term ecology in 1866. Ecology examines the relationships between organisms and their living and non-living surroundings. Warming made important contributions to plant ecology, but he did not coin the original term.
33. Who is known as the Father of Ecology in India?
[NEET UG, 4 May 2025]
(a) S. R. Kashyap
(b) Ramdeo Misra
(c) Ram Udar
(d) Birbal Sahni
Answer: (b) Ramdeo Misra
Explanation: Ramdeo Misra helped establish modern ecology as a discipline in India through research and teaching, particularly concerning tropical vegetation and ecosystems. Birbal Sahni is more closely associated with palaeobotany, the study of ancient plant life preserved as fossils.
32. The scientific study of the structure and form of animals and plants is called:
[SSC MTS, 23 October 2024, Shift 2]
(a) Zoology
(b) Morphology
(c) Biology
(d) Botany
Answer: (b) Morphology
Explanation: Morphology focuses on the form, size, organization and structural features of organisms. Plant morphology examines features such as roots, leaves and flowers. Zoology is the broader study of animals and botany the broader study of plants, including their processes and classification.
31. Which of the following are products of apiculture?
[Bihar TRE 3.0, Senior Secondary Zoology, 22 July 2024]
(a) Honey
(b) Propolis
(c) Beeswax
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Answer: (d) More than one of the above
Explanation: Apiculture, or beekeeping, produces several valuable bee-derived substances. Honey is processed nectar; beeswax helps construct honeycombs; and propolis is a resinous material bees use to protect and seal hive spaces. Hence, more than one named product is correct.