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Question #46892
The Question
According to the biological principles outlined in NCERT, sterile organisms such as mules, worker bees, and infertile human couples serve as critical exceptions in defining the boundaries of life. Which of the following statements correctly synthesizes their biological status with the principles of self-replication and evolution?
Options
- A.
They are classified as living entities because intrinsic growth is present, but their sterility proves that reproduction is an all-inclusive defining property of life.
- B.
They exhibit defining properties like metabolism and consciousness, confirming they are alive, yet their inability to self-replicate prevents them from contributing to the evolutionary lineage of a population.
- C.
Their inability to reproduce classifies them as biologically non-living at the organismic level, even though their individual somatic cells remain metabolically active.
- D.
They demonstrate that while reproduction is not a defining property of life, their unique genetic combinations can naturally propagate through ex-situ conservation techniques.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Mule|Worker Bee|Defining Properties Criteria
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often conflate the criteria required to be considered 'alive' (metabolism, consciousness) with the criteria required for a species' evolutionary survival (reproduction).
The trap lies in distinguishing between individual biological validity (where reproduction is non-essential) and population-level evolutionary mechanics (where reproduction is mandatory).
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | The Living World - Class 11 |
| Concept | Defining Properties Criteria |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |