Monera Questions Answers
Before jumping into the samples for Monera questions with answers which are asked in Entrance Examinations, let’s get a brief introduction into it.
Is Monera a Kingdom? Yes, a Kingdom containing unicellular organisms with a Prokaryotic Cell organization with no nuclear membrane is the Monera Kingdom, and in Greek, it means single or solitary. An Example of the Monera Kingdom is Bacteria which are single-Celled and have no true nuclear membrane and are referred to as prokaryotic organisms. It means their DNA is not enclosed within the defined nucleus.
The Monera Taxon was initially proposed as a phylum by Ernst Haeckel in the year 1866. Later, it was elevated to the rank of Kingdom in the year 1925 by Edouard Chatton.
Organisms belonging to the Kingdom Monera are divided into two domains, namely Archaea and Bacteria that fall into prokaryotes, the third different domain is Eukaryotes.
The Monera Taxon is Paraphyletic (descended from a common evolutionary ancestor or ancestral group, but not necessarily including all the descendant groups).
‘Moneran’ is the term or an informal name given to the members of this group and denotes a member of this domain.
Most of the Bacteria fall under Monera, however, cyanoBacteria or also called blue-green algae were initially given Plantae classification because of their ability to synthesize food through photosynthesis.
Monerans are found commonly in hot springs, snow and deep oceans.
10 Examples of Monera
E.coli
Heliobacter pylori
Salmonella
Staphylococcus aureus
Hay bacillus
Schizophyta
Methanococcus maripaludis
Thermoacidophilic Bacteria
Halomonas
Chromohalobacter
Multiple Choice Questions
Kingdom Monera class 11 chapter has some detailed descriptions of this class of organisms. Below are some of the Monera questions with answers; multiple choices are generally provided in the questions where students have to select one correct answer.
1. Assertion: Prokaryotic Chromosome is different from the Eukaryotic Chromosome as it lacks Histone proteins
Reason: Bacterial Cell is a Prokaryote
(a) If both the assertion and the reason are true; the reason is an incorrect explanation of the assertion
(b) If both the assertion and the reason are false
(c) If the assertion is true, the reason is false
(d) If both the assertion and the reason are true; the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion
Answer: (d)
2. The Gram-negative Bacteria detects and responds to chemicals in their surroundings by
(a) Porins
(b) Muramic acid
(c) Lipopolysaccharide
(d) Volutin granule
Answer: (a)
3. Kingdom Monera Bacteria lack alternation of generation due to
(a) Presence of distinct chromosomes
(b) No exchange of genetic material
(c) Neither syngamy nor reductional division
(d) No conjugation
Answer: (c)
4. A Free-living non-photosynthetic aerobic nitrogen-fixing Bacterium is
(a) Azotobacter
(b) Nostoc
(c) Rhizobium
(d) Azospirillium
Answer: (a)
5. Pigments present in Photosynthetic Bacteria are
(a) Chromoplasts
(b) Chromatophore
(c) Leucoplasts
(d) Chloroplasts
Answer: (b)
6. What differs between Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria?
(a) Ribosome
(b) Cell wall
(c) Cytoplasm
(d) Cell membrane
Answer: (b)
7. Talking about the replication of a Bacterial Chromosome, DNA synthesis initiates from a replication origin site and
(a) Moves in a bi-directional way
(b) RNA primers are involved
(c) Is facilitated by telomerase
(d) Moves in one direction of the site
Answer: (a)
8. The Fermenting microbe that helps for retting of jute is
(a) Helicobacter Pylori
(b) Butyric acid Bacteria
(c) Methanophilic Bacteria
(d) Streptococcus Lactis
Answer: (b)
9. Which of the following statements about Mycoplasma is not true?
(a) They cause diseases in plants
(b) They are pleomorphic
(c) They are sensitive to penicillin
(d) They are also called PPLO
Answer: (c)
10. What is true for Bacterial Transduction?
(a) Transfer of genes from one to another Bacteria by conjugation
(b) Bacteria obtain their DNA from the mother cell
(c) Bacteria obtained DNA from other external sources
(d) Transfer of some genes from one to another Bacteria through virus
Answer: (d)
11. What is correct among the following about ArchaeBacteria?
(a) All are photosynthetic
(b) All are Halophiles
(c) Oldest living beings
(d) All are fossils
Answer: (c)
12. Which reproductory process takes place in most of the Bacteria?
(a) Budding
(b) Sexual
(c) Binary Fission
(d) Sporulation
Answer: (c)
13. Heterocysts are specialized Cell found in
(a) Euglenoids
(b) CyanoBacteria
(c) Dinoflagellates
(d) ArchaeBacteria
Answer: (b)
14. A Bacteria can withstand extreme dryness, heat and toxic chemicals and it is the indication to form
(a) Endospores
(b) Endotoxins
(c) Thick peptidoglycan wall
(d) Endogenous buds
Answer: (a)
15. Which of the following belongs to Monera?
(a) Amoeba
(b) Escherichia
(c) Gelidium
(d) Spirogyra.
Answer: (b)
16. The major difference between Gram (+) ve and Gram (-) ve Bacteria resides in which of the following
(a) Cell wall
(b) Cell membrane
(c) cytoplasm
(d) flagella.
Answer: (a)
17. A non-photosynthetic aerobic nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium is
(a) Rhizobium
(b) Clostridium
(c) Azotobacter
(d) Klebsiella.
Answer: (c)
18. Which of the following organisms derive energy directly or indirectly from the sun
(a) chemosynthetic Bacteria
(b) pathogenic Bacteria
(c) symbiotic Bacteria
(d) mold.
Answer: (a)
19. Bacteria gets lacked in an alternation of a generation because
(a) neither syngamy nor reduction division
(b) distinct chromosomes are absent
(c) no conjugation
(d) no exchange of genetic material.
Answer: (a)
20. In biological research Escherichia coli is used extensively because it is
(a) easily cultured
(b) easily available
(c) easy to handle
(d) easily multiplied in host
Answer: (a)
21. Which of the following is used to make Genophore/Bacterial genome or nucleoid
(a) histones and nonhistones
(b) RNA and histones
(c) a single double-stranded DNA
(d) a single-stranded DNA.
Answer: (c)
22. Mediation of transduction in Bacteria is done by
(a) plasmid vectors
(b) phage vectors
(c) cosmids
(d) F-factors.
Answer: (b)
23. Organisms that fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil, comes under the category of
(a) Bacteria
(b) green algae
(c) soil fungi
(d) mosses.
Answer: (a)
24. Decomposition of a large number of organic compounds are done by
(a) Azotobacter
(b) chemolithotrophs
(c) Mycoplasma
(d) Pseudomonas.
Answer: (b)
25. Bacteria's DNA type
(a) circular free DNA
(b) membrane-bound DNA
(c) straight DNA
(d) helical DNA.
Answer: (a)
26. Which of the following is the sex organ in some Bacteria?
(a) sex pili
(b) plasmid
(c) circular DNA
(d) gametes.
Answer: (a)
27. The Example Azotobacter and Bacillus polymyxa comes under
(a) pathogenic Bacteria
(b) decomposers
(c) symbiotic N2 fixer
(d) non-symbiotic N2 fixer.
Answer: (d)
28. From which of the following the genes are packaged into a Bacterial chromosome
(a) acidic protein
(b) actin
(c) histones
(d) basic protein.
Answer: (d)
29. The bacterium E.coli's hereditary material is
(a) single-stranded DNA
(b) double-stranded DNA
(c) DNA
(d) RNA.
Answer: (b)
30. The Bacteria's site of respiration is
(a) ribosome
(b) microsome
(c) episome
(d) mesosome.
Answer: (d)
31. From the following, which is a free-living aerobic non- photosynthetic nitrogen-fixing bacterium?
(a) Nostoc
(b) Azospirillum
(c) Rhizobium
(d) Azotobacter.
Answer: (d)
32. An organism that is said to grow and multiply at 100-105°C temperatures belong to
(a) thermophilic sulfur Bacteria
(b) hot spring blue-green algae
(c) methanogenic archaeBacteria
(d) marine archaeBacteria.
Answer: (a)
33. Which of the following is the major role of Bacteria in the carbon cycle
(a) chemosynthesis
(b) digestion or breakdown of organic compounds
(c) photosynthesis
(d) assimilation of nitrogenous compounds.
Answer: (b)
34. Which of the following is the DNA of E.coli
(a) double-stranded and linear
(b) double-stranded and circular
(c) single-stranded and linear
(d) single-stranded and circular.
Answer: (b)
FAQs on Monera Questions with Answers
1. What are the most important characteristics of Kingdom Monera that distinguish it from other kingdoms?
Kingdom Monera includes all prokaryotic organisms. The most important characteristics that are frequently asked in exams are:
- Cell Type: They are unicellular and prokaryotic, meaning they lack a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
- Genetic Material: Their genetic material is a single, circular DNA molecule called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a nuclear membrane.
- Cell Wall: Most monerans have a rigid cell wall made of peptidoglycan, which provides structural support.
- Nutrition: They exhibit diverse modes of nutrition, including autotrophic (photosynthetic and chemosynthetic) and heterotrophic (saprophytic and parasitic).
Examples include Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Nostoc.
2. Differentiate between Archaebacteria and Eubacteria, a common 3-mark question for Class 11.
This is a crucial distinction for exams. The key differences are:
- Cell Wall Composition: Eubacteria (true bacteria) have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Archaebacteria lack peptidoglycan; their cell wall is composed of proteins and non-cellulosic polysaccharides.
- Cell Membrane Structure: Archaebacteria have branched lipid chains in their cell membrane, which helps them survive in extreme environments. Eubacteria have unbranched fatty acid chains.
- Habitat: Archaebacteria are often found in harsh, extreme conditions like hot springs (thermoacidophiles), salty areas (halophiles), and marshy areas (methanogens). Eubacteria are ubiquitous and found almost everywhere.
3. Why are Archaebacteria able to survive in extreme environmental conditions where most other life forms cannot?
Archaebacteria's remarkable resilience is a high-order thinking question. Their survival is primarily due to their unique biochemical structure. The key reason is their cell membrane, which contains branched lipid chains. This structure makes the membrane more resistant to heat and extreme pH levels. Additionally, their cell wall, which lacks peptidoglycan, is structurally different and provides robust protection against harsh chemical and physical conditions, preventing lysis or breakdown.
4. Explain the different modes of nutrition in bacteria with one example for each type.
Bacteria exhibit the most extensive metabolic diversity. For exams, you should know these main nutritional modes:
- Photosynthetic Autotrophs: These bacteria use sunlight as an energy source. For example, Cyanobacteria (like Nostoc) contain chlorophyll-a and perform oxygenic photosynthesis.
- Chemosynthetic Autotrophs: They derive energy by oxidising inorganic substances like ammonia, nitrates, or hydrogen sulphide. For example, Nitrifying bacteria (like Nitrosomonas) play a vital role in the nitrogen cycle.
- Saprophytic Heterotrophs: These are decomposers that obtain nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter. Most common bacteria, like many species of Pseudomonas, fall into this category.
- Parasitic Heterotrophs: They live on or inside other living organisms (hosts) and derive nutrition from them, often causing diseases. For example, Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever in humans.
5. How do bacteria achieve genetic variation despite reproducing asexually?
This is a concept-driven question. While bacteria primarily reproduce asexually through binary fission, which creates identical daughter cells, they achieve genetic variation through a process called genetic recombination. This is a primitive form of sexual reproduction. The three main methods are:
- Conjugation: The direct transfer of genetic material (usually a plasmid) from one bacterium to another through a connecting tube called a pilus.
- Transformation: The process where a bacterium takes up naked DNA from its environment, which may have been released by other dead bacteria.
- Transduction: The transfer of bacterial DNA from one bacterium to another via a virus (bacteriophage).
This recombination ensures that new genetic combinations are created, allowing bacteria to adapt to changing environments.
6. What are mycoplasmas and what are their two most significant features?
Mycoplasmas are important organisms to study within Kingdom Monera. They are the smallest known living cells. Their two most significant features often asked in exams are:
- They completely lack a cell wall. This makes them resistant to common antibiotics like penicillin that target cell wall synthesis.
- They can survive without oxygen, making them facultative anaerobes.
7. What types of questions can be expected from the Kingdom Monera chapter in the Class 11 Biology exam for the 2025-26 session?
For the Class 11 final exams as per the CBSE 2025-26 pattern, questions on Kingdom Monera can be structured in various ways:
- 1-Mark Questions: These are typically MCQs or very short answer questions asking for a specific definition (e.g., 'What is a nucleoid?') or an example (e.g., 'Name a methanogenic bacterium.').
- 2 or 3-Mark Questions: These often involve differentiation (e.g., Archaebacteria vs. Eubacteria), explaining a process (e.g., binary fission), or listing characteristics with examples.
- 5-Mark Questions: Expect detailed, long-answer questions such as describing the structure of a bacterial cell with its functions or explaining the economic importance of bacteria.
- HOTS Questions: Application-based questions like 'Why can bacteria survive harsh conditions?' or 'How is genetic recombination achieved in bacteria?' are also common.
