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.
30. Rearing and breeding fish in ponds, tanks and artificial reservoirs is called:
[Bihar TRE 3.0, Upper Primary Social Science, 19 July 2024]
(a) Aquaculture
(b) Pondering
(c) Pisciculture
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Answer: (c) Pisciculture
Explanation: Pisciculture means the controlled breeding and rearing of fish for food or commerce. It is a specific type of aquaculture, which includes other aquatic organisms and plants. The exam’s expected precise term for fish farming is pisciculture rather than general aquaculture.
29. The cultivation, growing and harvesting of grapes is known as:
[UP Police Constable, 17 February 2024, Shift 1]
(a) Viticulture
(b) Sericulture
(c) Horticulture
(d) Pisciculture
Answer: (a) Viticulture
Explanation: Viticulture specifically concerns grapevines and the management and harvesting of grapes, whether for table consumption, raisins or processing. It is a specialization within horticulture. Sericulture is silk farming, whereas pisciculture concerns breeding and rearing fish under controlled conditions.
28. Which branch of botany is concerned with the study of photosynthesis?
[Bihar TRE 2.0, Upper Primary Social Science, 9 December 2023]
(a) Plant Taxonomy
(b) Ecology
(c) Plant Physiology
(d) More than one of the above
(e) None of the above
Answer: (c) Plant Physiology
Explanation: Plant physiology investigates how plants function, including photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, growth and hormonal regulation. Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored in organic compounds. Plant taxonomy focuses on naming and classifying plants rather than explaining their internal physiological processes.
27. Anthology : Study of flowers :: Apiology : ?
[CISF Constable (Fireman), 26 September 2023, Shift 1]
(a) Study of life
(b) Study of insects
(c) Study of bees
(d) Study of bacteria
Answer: (c) Study of bees
Explanation: Apiology is the specialized study of bees, including their biology, behaviour and relationships with flowering plants. It overlaps with entomology, the study of insects. Apiculture is different: it specifically involves keeping and managing bee colonies for products such as honey and wax.
26. Herpetology deals with which of the following?
[Punjab Police Constable, 10 August 2023, Shift 1]
(a) Study of fishes
(b) Study of amphibians and reptiles
(c) Study of mammals
(d) Study of atmosphere only
Answer: (b) Study of amphibians and reptiles
Explanation: Herpetology is a branch of zoology devoted to reptiles such as snakes and lizards, and amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. Their ecology and environmental sensitivity make them important subjects in conservation biology. Ichthyology, by comparison, deals specifically with fishes.
25. The study of plant pollen, spores and related microscopic particles, living or fossil, is known as:
[MP Forest Guard / Jail Prahari, 18 June 2023, Shift 3]
(a) Palaeobotany
(b) Ethnobotany
(c) Dendrology
(d) Palynology
Answer: (d) Palynology
Explanation: Palynology examines pollen, spores and certain other organic microfossils. Pollen grains preserved in sediments can help reconstruct ancient vegetation, climatic conditions and environmental changes. Palaeobotany studies fossil plants more broadly; dendrology focuses on trees and other woody plants.
24. Mycology is the study of:
[MP Forest Guard / Jail Prahari, 4 June 2023, Shift 3]
(a) Bacteria
(b) Fungi
(c) Algae
(d) Viruses
Answer: (b) Fungi
Explanation: Mycology investigates fungi such as mushrooms, moulds and yeasts, including their structure, reproduction, ecology and economic importance. Fungi play major roles in decomposition and nutrient recycling. Bacteriology, phycology and virology respectively deal with bacteria, algae and viruses.
23. Cytology is the study of:
[SSC MTS (2022 cycle), 17 May 2023, Shift 3]
(a) Cells
(b) Chloroplasts
(c) Tissues
(d) Genes
Answer: (a) Cells
Explanation: Cytology is the study of cells, including their microscopic structure, components and behaviour. Chloroplasts are organelles inside certain cells, while tissues are groups of cells studied under histology. Genetics deals with heredity and genes rather than every aspect of cellular organization.
22. Who described the structure and reproductive system of algae in 1935?
[SSC CGL (2022 cycle), Tier II, 6 March 2023]
(a) M. O. P. Iyengar
(b) F. E. Fritsch
(c) William Henry
(d) Carolus Linnaeus
Answer: (b) F. E. Fritsch
Explanation: F. E. Fritsch is noted for major work on algal structure, reproduction and classification, especially his influential treatment of algae. The study of algae is called phycology or algology. M. O. P. Iyengar made pioneering contributions to Indian phycology.
21. Which field studies interrelationships between organisms and their physical environment?
[OSSC CGL, 13 October 2022, Shift 2]
(a) Ecology
(b) Cytology
(c) Entomology
(d) Etiology
Answer: (a) Ecology
Explanation: Ecology studies how organisms interact with one another and with non-living surroundings, such as soil, water, climate and light. Cytology concerns cells, entomology concerns insects and etiology examines causes, often of diseases. Ecosystems are a central level of ecological study.
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.
10. Which term refers to the study of soil?
[RRB NTPC Tier I, 28 April 2016, Shift 1]
(a) Pedology
(b) Geology
(c) Doxology
(d) Ecology
Answer: (a) Pedology
Explanation: Pedology examines soil as a natural body, including its origin, formation, profile development, classification and distribution. Edaphology places greater emphasis on how soil affects living organisms, especially plants. Geology is broader, dealing with Earth’s materials, history and physical processes.
9. What is vermiculture?
[BPSC Combined Competitive Examination, 2015]
(a) The science of raising worms
(b) The science of studying animals
(c) The science of studying fishes
(d) The science of killing worms
Answer: (a) The science of raising worms
Explanation: Vermiculture is the controlled cultivation of worms, particularly earthworms, for uses such as processing organic waste into vermicompost. It differs from vermicomposting, which refers to the decomposition process and resulting compost. These methods help recycle biodegradable waste into soil-enriching material.
8. The branch of biology concerned with the study of heredity and variation is called:
[Rajasthan Police Constable, 2014]
(a) Physiology
(b) Genetics
(c) Morphology
(d) Histology
Answer: (b) Genetics
Explanation: Genetics studies heredity, genes and variation among organisms. It explains how characteristics are transmitted from one generation to the next. Morphology focuses on form, histology on tissues and physiology on functions, whereas genetics directly deals with inheritance patterns and genetic principles.
7. The study of flowers is known as:
[SSC CGL Tier I, 2012]
(a) Phrenology
(b) Anthology
(c) Agrostology
(d) Palynology
Answer: (b) Anthology
Explanation: Anthology, in biological terminology, means the study of flowers. Agrostology deals with grasses, palynology deals with pollen grains and spores, and phrenology concerns the skull. In subdivision-based biology questions, anthology is the correct term associated with flowers.
6. Kinesiology is the study of:
[RSMSSB Physical Training Instructor, Paper II, 2011]
(a) Human motion
(b) Motor movements
(c) Physical fitness
(d) Anthropology
Answer: (a) Human motion
Explanation: Kinesiology studies the mechanics and physiology of human movement. It brings together concepts from anatomy, muscles, joints and biomechanics to explain motion. Although motor activity and physical fitness are related, the exam’s broadest and intended definition is the study of human motion.
5. Which scientist is known as the Father of Genetics?
[Uttarakhand Lower Subordinate Services Preliminary Examination, 2010]
(a) Johnson
(b) G. J. Mendel
(c) F. B. Morrison
(d) T. H. Morgan
Answer: (b) G. J. Mendel
Explanation: Gregor Johann Mendel established key principles of heredity through systematic pea-plant crosses. His findings explained dominance, segregation and independent assortment of inherited factors. Thomas Hunt Morgan later advanced chromosome-based genetics through experiments on fruit flies, but Mendel is called its father.
4. Mycology is the branch of science that deals with the study of:
[UPPCS Preliminary Examination, 2008]
(a) Algae
(b) Viruses
(c) Fungi
(d) Bacteria
Answer: (c) Fungi
Explanation: Mycology is the scientific study of fungi, including mushrooms, moulds and yeasts. It covers their classification, reproduction and ecological roles. Algae are studied under phycology, viruses under virology and bacteria under bacteriology, so fungi correctly identify the field of mycology.
3. The study of cancer is called:
[UPSC CDS Examination, 2004]
(a) Oncology
(b) Odontology
(c) Osmology
(d) Ophthalmology
Answer: (a) Oncology
Explanation: Oncology is the branch of medical biology concerned with tumours and cancer, including their causes, diagnosis and treatment. Odontology deals with teeth, ophthalmology with the eye and osmology with smell, making oncology the correct biological and medical term here.
2. Mendel’s classical experiments on the laws of inheritance were performed on which organism?
[UPPCS Mains, 2002]
(a) Drosophila
(b) Snapdragon
(c) Garden pea
(d) Sweet pea
Answer: (c) Garden pea
Explanation: Mendel selected garden pea, Pisum sativum, because it shows clear contrasting traits, has a relatively short generation time and permits controlled self- and cross-pollination. His experiments established foundational inheritance principles later central to genetics. Drosophila became important in subsequent chromosome research.
1. Which branch of biology deals with the study of tissues?
[RPSC Preliminary Examination, 2002]
(a) Cytology
(b) Histology
(c) Embryology
(d) Ecology
Answer: (b) Histology
Explanation: Histology is the microscopic study of tissues and their organization. Cytology studies individual cells, embryology studies embryo development and ecology studies organism–environment relationships. Because tissues are groups of similar cells forming body structures, histology is the precise branch involved.
Note: These are presented as previous-year questions in copy-ready HTML. Question wording has been lightly normalized for consistency, and source links have been removed as requested. The set is ordered from newest to oldest, with numbering reversed from 40 to 1.