20. Which branch of biology focuses on inheritance patterns?
[RRB Group D, 23 August 2022, Shift 3]
(a) Evolutionary biology
(b) Genetics
(c) Biotechnology
(d) Anthropology
Answer: (b) Genetics
Explanation: Genetics deals with heredity, genes and variation across generations. It explains how traits pass from parents to offspring and how genetic information is expressed. Gregor Mendel laid its classical foundations by studying contrasting traits in pea plants through controlled crosses.
19. Choose the one-word substitute for ‘study of diseases’.
[SSC CGL Tier II, 29 January 2022]
(a) Anthology
(b) Pathology
(c) Neurology
(d) Etymology
Answer: (b) Pathology
Explanation: Pathology studies diseases, particularly their causes, mechanisms and effects on cells, tissues and organs. Neurology concerns the nervous system, while etymology examines the origins of words. Diagnostic pathology uses laboratory examination to understand disease and support clinical diagnosis.
18. Vermicomposting is a method of composting that uses:
[CTET Paper I, 3 January 2022]
(a) Tapeworms
(b) Leeches
(c) Earthworms
(d) Hookworms
Answer: (c) Earthworms
Explanation: Vermicomposting relies on selected earthworms and microorganisms to transform biodegradable organic material into nutrient-rich vermicompost. Vermiculture is the breeding and maintenance of these worms. Their movement and feeding improve organic-matter breakdown and produce castings used as a soil amendment.
17. The practice of establishing and managing individual trees, mainly for amenity, is:
[SSC CGL (2020 cycle), Tier I, 16 August 2021, Shift 2]
(a) Floriculture
(b) Viniculture
(c) Silviculture
(d) Arboriculture
Answer: (d) Arboriculture
Explanation: Arboriculture focuses on planting, pruning, transplanting and caring for individual trees and shrubs, especially in urban and ornamental landscapes. Silviculture instead manages forest stands and their growth. Floriculture deals with flowers; viniculture or viticulture deals with grapes and grapevines.
16. The study of birds is called:
[RRB NTPC CBT I, 18 January 2021, Shift 1]
(a) Herpetology
(b) Ornithology
(c) Anthropology
(d) Ophthalmology
Answer: (b) Ornithology
Explanation: Ornithology is the scientific study of birds, including their anatomy, behaviour, migration, habitats and conservation. Herpetology deals with reptiles and amphibians, while anthropology examines humans and their societies. The Indian naturalist Salim Ali made major contributions to ornithology.
15. Which horticultural branch cultivates flowers and ornamental crops from planting to harvest?
[Delhi Police Constable, 7 December 2020, Shift 2]
(a) Sericulture
(b) Floriculture
(c) Apiculture
(d) Mariculture
Answer: (b) Floriculture
Explanation: Floriculture involves the propagation, growing, harvesting and marketing of flowering and ornamental plants. It is a specialized component of horticulture. Apiculture deals with bees, sericulture with silkworms, and mariculture with cultivation of organisms in seawater or other marine settings.
14. What is the study of fruits called?
[West Bengal Police Constable, 2019]
(a) Anthology
(b) Perrology
(c) Spermology
(d) Pomology
Answer: (d) Pomology
Explanation: Pomology specializes in fruits and fruit-bearing plants, including cultivation, varieties, quality and productivity. It lies within horticulture. Floriculture studies flower production, while olericulture concerns vegetable cultivation. Pomologists work on improving fruit crops, production systems and post-harvest handling.
13. The scientific study of viruses is called:
[SSC CPO Tier I, 12 March 2019, Shift 1]
(a) Mycology
(b) Virology
(c) Protozoology
(d) Parasitology
Answer: (b) Virology
Explanation: Virology focuses on viruses and virus-like infectious agents, examining their structure, replication, genetic material and disease-causing effects. Viruses require host cells for reproduction. Mycology studies fungi, parasitology studies parasites and their hosts, and protozoology studies protozoan organisms.
12. The study of tissues is called:
[RPF Constable (2018 cycle), 18 January 2019, Shift 1]
(a) Taxonomy
(b) Spermology
(c) Histology
(d) Ophiology
Answer: (c) Histology
Explanation: Histology examines the microscopic architecture of biological tissues and the organization of their cells. It is important in anatomy and disease diagnosis, particularly histopathology. Taxonomy concerns classification, spermology is associated with seeds, and ophiology studies snakes.
11. Which subject deals with the study of fossils?
[West Bengal Police SI, 26 August 2018]
(a) Petrology
(b) Palaeontology
(c) Palaeobotany
(d) Archaeology
Answer: (b) Palaeontology
Explanation: Palaeontology investigates ancient life using fossils from geological deposits. Its evidence helps explain extinct organisms and evolutionary change. Palaeobotany is a narrower branch concerned with fossil plants, whereas petrology examines rocks and archaeology primarily studies material evidence of human history.
