Biodiversity and Conservation — Class 12 MCQs with Answers
Class 12 CBSE Biology · Chapter 13
90 practice questions · 30 Easy · 30 Medium · 30 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 12 CBSE Biology questions from Chapter 13, "Biodiversity and Conservation". You get 9 timed quizzes made from 90 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE & Maharashtra HSC Board exams, MHT-CET and NEET UG apart.
To score well in "Biodiversity and Conservation", focus on diagrams, key terms and knowing NCERT line by line. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Biodiversity and Conservation, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 12 Biology mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Biodiversity and Conservation (Class 12 Biology)
Biodiversity and conservation: genetic, species and ecological levels of diversity and its global patterns (latitudinal gradient, species-area relationship); the causes of loss (the Evil Quartet); and conservation — in situ (hotspots, protected areas, sacred groves) and ex situ (zoos, seed banks, cryopreservation).
- Levels of biodiversity
- Three levels (E.O. Wilson) — genetic (variation within a species, e.g., Rauwolfia reserpine), species (variety of species) and ecological (of ecosystems).
- Species diversity patterns
- Diversity is highest in the tropics and falls toward the poles (latitudinal gradient); the Amazon rainforest is the richest and insects are the largest group.
- Species-area relationship
- On a log-log plot, species richness vs area is a straight line, log S = log C + Z log A; slope Z ≈ 0.1-0.2 for small areas, ~0.6-1.2 for continents.
- Rivet popper hypothesis
- Ehrlich's analogy — species are rivets in an aeroplane (the ecosystem); losing a few may be safe, but each loss weakens ecosystem function.
Biodiversity and Conservation — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 12 Biology)
14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 76 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
Three levels of biodiversity:
A.Tissue, organ, systemB.Cellular, molecular, atomicC.Genetic, species, ecosystem✓ CorrectD.Local, regional, globalAnswer: C. Genetic, species, ecosystem
Explanation: Biodiversity has three nested levels: genetic (variation within a species), species (variety across species) and ecosystem (variety of habitats) — not cellular or geographic scales, which aren't recognized categories.
- Q2Easy
Sanctuaries and national parks are:
A.In-situ conservation✓ CorrectB.Ex-situC.BothD.NeitherAnswer: A. In-situ conservation
Explanation: National parks and wildlife sanctuaries protect species inside their own natural habitat, making this in-situ conservation — distinct from ex-situ methods like zoos that move organisms out of the wild.
- Q3Easy
The term 'biodiversity' was popularised by:
A.Alexander von HumboldtB.Charles DarwinC.Robert MayD.Edward Wilson✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Edward Wilson
Explanation: Ecologist Edward O. Wilson popularized the term 'biodiversity' in the 1980s, spanning genetic, species and ecosystem variety — Darwin and von Humboldt predate the term, and Robert May is known for species estimates.
- Q4Easy
Conservation of species in their natural habitat is called:
A.Ex situ conservationB.In situ conservation✓ CorrectC.CryopreservationD.Tissue cultureAnswer: B. In situ conservation
Explanation: In-situ conservation protects species inside their own natural habitat — national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves — unlike ex-situ methods like zoos or seed banks that remove organisms from the wild.
- Q5Easy
The three levels of biodiversity described by Edward Wilson are genetic, species and:
A.Population diversityB.Ecosystem diversity✓ CorrectC.Cellular diversityD.Molecular diversityAnswer: B. Ecosystem diversity
Explanation: Wilson's three levels are genetic diversity (within a species), species diversity (across species) and ecosystem diversity (across habitats) — population and cellular diversity aren't the recognized categories.
- Q6Easy
Conservation of species outside their natural habitat (e.g., in zoos) is:
A.Sacred grovesB.In situ conservationC.Ex situ conservation✓ CorrectD.Biosphere reservesAnswer: C. Ex situ conservation
Explanation: Ex-situ conservation moves organisms outside their natural habitat — zoos, botanical gardens, gene banks, cryopreservation — unlike in-situ methods such as national parks that protect species where they live.
- Q7Medium
India's biodiversity hotspot example:
A.Deccan plateauB.Thar desertC.Indo-Gangetic plainD.Western Ghats✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Western Ghats
Explanation: The Western Ghats is one of India's biodiversity hotspots (with the Himalaya, Indo-Burma and Sundaland) due to high endemism under severe threat; the Deccan plateau and Thar desert are not hotspots.
- Q8Medium
Zoos and seed banks are:
A.In-situB.Ex-situ conservation✓ CorrectC.Reserve forestsD.SanctuariesAnswer: B. Ex-situ conservation
Explanation: Zoos, botanical gardens and seed banks hold organisms outside their natural habitat, so they are ex-situ conservation — the opposite of national parks and sanctuaries, which protect species in-situ.
- Q9Medium
The species-area relationship, on a log-log plot, is represented by a straight line described by:
A.dN/dt = rNB.S = rNC.log S = log C + Z log A✓ CorrectD.p² + 2pq + q² = 1Answer: C. log S = log C + Z log A
Explanation: The species-area relationship plots as a straight line on log-log axes: log S = log C + Z log A, where Z is the slope — unlike the logistic growth equation dN/dt = rN, which describes population growth, not diversity.
- Q10Medium
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must have high endemism AND:
A.Low diversityB.No threatsC.Significant habitat loss (high threat)✓ CorrectD.No endemic speciesAnswer: C. Significant habitat loss (high threat)
Explanation: A biodiversity hotspot must show both exceptional endemism AND significant habitat loss under severe threat — high diversity alone, without threat, doesn't qualify a region as a hotspot.
- Q11Medium
For small areas, the slope (Z) of the species-area curve typically ranges from:
A.0.6 to 1.2B.0.1 to 0.2✓ CorrectC.2 to 5D.10 to 20Answer: B. 0.1 to 0.2
Explanation: For small areas, the species-area slope Z typically falls between 0.1 and 0.2 regardless of taxonomic group or region — a much shallower slope than the steeper Z seen across whole continents.
- Q12Hard
Major causes of biodiversity loss ("Evil Quartet"):
A.Only climateB.Only pollutionC.Habitat loss, over-exploitation, alien species, co-extinctions✓ CorrectD.Sound wavesAnswer: C. Habitat loss, over-exploitation, alien species, co-extinctions
Explanation: Edward Wilson's Evil Quartet names habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation, alien species invasion and co-extinctions as the four drivers of biodiversity loss — habitat loss is the single biggest cause.
- Q13Hard
Earth Summit was held in:
A.Geneva, 2010B.Stockholm, 2000C.Paris, 1992D.Rio de Janeiro, 1992✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Rio de Janeiro, 1992
Explanation: The 1992 Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro produced the Convention on Biological Diversity; Stockholm and Johannesburg hosted earlier and later summits, so pairing the wrong city with 1992 is the trap.
- Q14Hard
In log S = log C + Z log A, the slope Z represents:
A.The y-interceptB.The regression coefficient (slope of the line)✓ CorrectC.The total speciesD.The areaAnswer: B. The regression coefficient (slope of the line)
Explanation: In log S = log C + Z log A, Z is the regression coefficient — the slope of the log-log line — while log C is the y-intercept; confusing the slope with the intercept or with total species count is the common slip.
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Start this chapter free →Biodiversity and Conservation — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 12 Biology Biodiversity and Conservation?+
Biodiversity and conservation: genetic, species and ecological levels of diversity and its global patterns (latitudinal gradient, species-area relationship); the causes of loss (the Evil Quartet); and conservation — in situ (hotspots, protected areas, sacred groves) and ex situ (zoos, seed banks, cryopreservation). Key ideas include Levels of biodiversity, Species diversity patterns, Species-area relationship, Rivet popper hypothesis.
What does Class 12 Biology Chapter 13 (Biodiversity and Conservation) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 90 NCERT-based MCQs on "Biodiversity and Conservation": 30 Easy, 30 Medium and 30 Hard. Together they make 9 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE & Maharashtra HSC Board exams, MHT-CET and NEET UG.
Are these "Biodiversity and Conservation" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Biodiversity and Conservation" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Biodiversity and Conservation" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 9 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Biodiversity and Conservation" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Biodiversity and Conservation" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip, the same negative marking as NEET UG. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Biodiversity and Conservation (Class 12 Biology)?+
The questions that matter most test Levels of biodiversity, Species diversity patterns, Species-area relationship, Rivet popper hypothesis. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 90 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Biodiversity and Conservation?+
Yes — Class 12 Biology Biodiversity and Conservation has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.