Subdivisions of Biology

1. Which of the following statements about living and non-living being is

Which of the following statements about living and non-living being is/are correct?

  • 1. While living being can demonstrate growth and repair, non-living being cannot.
  • 2. While living being demonstrates metabolic processes, non-living being does not.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2022
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Statement 1 is correct. Living beings demonstrate intrinsic growth (increase in mass and size from within, often through cell division) and have mechanisms for repair of damaged tissues and cells. Non-living things can increase in size, but this growth is typically extrinsic (accumulation of material on the surface), and they do not have biological repair mechanisms. Statement 2 is correct. Metabolism, the sum of all chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life, is a defining characteristic of living beings. Non-living things do not perform metabolic processes.
Growth in living organisms is an internal process, while growth in non-living matter is external accumulation. Metabolism is a unique feature of living organisms.
While growth alone cannot be considered a defining property of living organisms because of non-living growth (like crystal formation), growth accompanied by other properties like metabolism, reproduction, response to stimuli, etc., distinguishes living beings.

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2. While studying vegetation of an area, terms like ‘population’ and ‘com

While studying vegetation of an area, terms like ‘population’ and ‘community’ are often used. Which one of the following statements best describes a population ?

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A group of organisms of one species, living in the same area at the same time.
A group of organisms of one species living in different areas during different seasons.
A unit consisting of biotic and abiotic components.
A group of organisms of more than one species, living in the same area at the same time.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
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Option A correctly defines a population in an ecological context. A population is a group of individuals belonging to the same species that live in the same area at the same time and are capable of interbreeding.
The defining characteristics of a biological population are that the organisms must be of the same species, live in the same geographical area, and exist at the same time.
Option C describes an ecosystem, which includes both living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components. Option D describes a community, which consists of populations of different species living and interacting in the same area. Option B describes a distribution pattern or migration rather than a population at a specific point in time and space.

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