Questions on Reptiles – Function, Reproduction, Classification, Evolution, and Ecology
Multiple-Choice Questions: Reptiles – Function, Reproduction, Classification, Evolution, and Ecology
Functions (Structure and Physiology)
1. One characteristic feature of reptiles is:
A) Moist, glandular skin
B) Feathers
C) Dry, scaly skin
D) External gills
E) Lateral lines
2. Reptiles breathe using:
A) Gills
B) Spiracles
C) Book lungs
D) Lungs
E) Skin diffusion
3. Reptile skin is made of:
A) Mucous epithelium
B) Chitin
C) Keratinized scales
D) Feathers
E) Cartilage
4. Reptiles regulate body temperature by:
A) Sweating
B) Ectothermy
C) Internal thermogenesis
D) Hibernation only
E) Insulating fur
5. Which structure helps reptiles conserve water?
A) Gills
B) Porous skin
C) Kidneys that excrete uric acid
D) Excessive urination
E) Lateral lines
6. In reptiles, the main circulatory feature is:
A) Two-chambered heart
B) Four-chambered heart
C) Three-chambered heart (with some exceptions)
D) Open circulatory system
E) Double aortic arches
7. The Jacobson's organ is used by reptiles to:
A) Hear sound
B) Regulate temperature
C) Detect infrared light
D) Smell chemicals
E) Digest food
8. Reptiles primarily excrete nitrogenous waste as:
A) Ammonia
B) Urea
C) Uric acid
D) Nitrite
E) Protein
Reproduction
9. Most reptiles reproduce through:
A) External fertilization
B) Internal fertilization
C) Budding
D) Binary fission
E) Parthenogenesis only
10. Reptilian eggs differ from amphibian eggs by:
A) Having no yolk
B) Being laid in water
C) Having a leathery or calcareous shell
D) Having gills
E) Being fertilized externally
11. The amniotic egg is crucial in reptiles because it:
A) Increases swimming speed
B) Allows reproduction away from water
C) Provides external fertilization
D) Contains chlorophyll
E) Prevents metamorphosis
12. Some reptiles, like certain snakes, give birth to live young. This is called:
A) Oviparity
B) Asexual reproduction
C) Viviparity
D) External brooding
E) Fragmentation
13. Temperature-dependent sex determination occurs in:
A) Crocodiles and turtles
B) Snakes only
C) All lizards
D) Only mammals
E) Fish
14. Parthenogenesis is a form of reproduction found in some:
A) Mammals
B) Amphibians
C) Lizards
D) Birds
E) Frogs
15. In reptiles, the cloaca serves as:
A) An egg shell gland
B) The respiratory center
C) A single exit for digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems
D) A thermoregulation organ
E) A filter organ
16. In reptiles, fertilization usually occurs:
A) In the water
B) Outside the body
C) Internally
D) Via skin absorption
E) During molting
Classification
17. Which of the following is not a reptilian order?
A) Testudines
B) Squamata
C) Crocodylia
D) Anura
E) Rhynchocephalia
18. Turtles and tortoises belong to the order:
A) Crocodylia
B) Testudines
C) Squamata
D) Rhynchocephalia
E) Amphibia
19. Snakes and lizards are classified under:
A) Crocodylia
B) Testudines
C) Squamata
D) Anura
E) Chondrichthyes
20. The tuatara, a primitive reptile found only in New Zealand, belongs to:
A) Squamata
B) Crocodylia
C) Testudines
D) Rhynchocephalia
E) Amphibia
21. Crocodiles and alligators belong to:
A) Squamata
B) Crocodylia
C) Rhynchocephalia
D) Mammalia
E) Osteichthyes
22. Which reptile group is most closely related to birds?
A) Snakes
B) Lizards
C) Turtles
D) Crocodiles
E) Frogs
Evolution
23. Reptiles evolved from:
A) Arthropods
B) Fish
C) Amphibians
D) Mammals
E) Birds
24. One key evolutionary advantage of reptiles is:
A) Development of gills
B) Ability to fly
C) Development of amniotic egg
D) Regenerative limbs
E) Photosynthesis
25. The earliest reptiles appeared during the:
A) Cambrian
B) Devonian
C) Carboniferous
D) Jurassic
E) Triassic
26. Reptiles were dominant during the:
A) Precambrian
B) Cenozoic
C) Mesozoic
D) Silurian
E) Pleistocene
27. Birds evolved from:
A) Lizards
B) Frogs
C) Non-avian dinosaurs (reptiles)
D) Mammals
E) Fish
28. Fossil evidence supports that some dinosaurs had:
A) Gills
B) Feathers
C) Scales only
D) Fins
E) External skeletons
Ecology
29. Reptiles are found in almost all habitats except:
A) Deserts
B) Tropical forests
C) Oceans
D) Polar regions
E) Freshwater lakes
30. Reptiles play an important role in the ecosystem by:
A) Pollinating flowers
B) Decomposing waste
C) Regulating populations of prey
D) Making honey
E) Digging burrows for mammals
31. Most reptiles are:
A) Carnivores or insectivores
B) Filter feeders
C) Herbivores exclusively
D) Parasitic
E) Autotrophic
32. Sea turtles return to land primarily to:
A) Sleep
B) Eat
C) Lay eggs
D) Hunt
E) Breathe
33. Reptiles help control disease by:
A) Eating decomposing animals
B) Being immune to all pathogens
C) Controlling populations of disease-carrying pests
D) Producing antibiotics
E) Spreading plant seeds
34. One common reptilian defense mechanism is:
A) Echolocation
B) Venom or camouflage
C) Ink expulsion
D) Electrical discharge
E) Barking
35. Reptiles are vulnerable to climate change because:
A) They drink seawater
B) They rely on constant internal temperature
C) Their body temperature depends on the environment
D) They do not reproduce
E) They have fur
36. Reptiles are ectothermic, which means they:
A) Generate heat through metabolism
B) Have constant body temperature
C) Depend on external sources to regulate temperature
D) Hibernate year-round
E) Can fly
37. Many reptiles are considered keystone species because they:
A) Build homes for other animals
B) Disperse seeds
C) Control prey populations and maintain balance
D) Carry water
E) Provide oxygen
38. Reptilian biodiversity is highest in:
A) Arctic regions
B) Deserts
C) Tropical forests
D) Mountain peaks
E) Polar tundra
39. Reptiles shed their skin to:
A) Get bigger and remove parasites
B) Fly
C) Conserve energy
D) Attract mates only
E) Generate heat
40. A major threat to reptiles worldwide is:
A) Too much food
B) Habitat destruction and illegal trade
C) Invasive plants
D) Lack of predators
E) Excess oxygen
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Answer Key with Explanations
1. C) Dry, scaly skin – Adapted to prevent water loss.
2. D) Lungs – All reptiles breathe with lungs.
3. C) Keratinized scales – Protect and conserve water.
4. B) Ectothermy – Reptiles rely on the environment.
5. C) Kidneys that excrete uric acid – Conserves water.
6. C) Three-chambered heart – Most reptiles, except crocodilians.
7. D) Smell chemicals – Used especially by snakes.
8. C) Uric acid – Less toxic, water-conserving waste.
9. B) Internal fertilization – A key reptilian trait.
10. C) Leathery or calcareous shell – Protects embryo on land.
11. B) Reproduction away from water – Amniotic egg allows terrestrial life.
12. C) Viviparity – Live birth, seen in some snakes.
13. A) Crocodiles and turtles – Temperature influences sex of offspring.
14. C) Lizards – Some reproduce without fertilization.
15. C) A single exit – Cloaca is multipurpose.
16. C) Internally – Fertilization takes place inside the body.
17. D) Anura – An order of amphibians (frogs).
18. B) Testudines – Turtles and tortoises.
19. C) Squamata – Snakes and lizards.
20. D) Rhynchocephalia – Tuataras.
21. B) Crocodylia – Includes alligators, crocodiles.
22. D) Crocodiles – Closest reptilian relatives of birds.
23. C) Amphibians – Reptiles evolved from them.
24. C) Amniotic egg – Key for land reproduction.
25. C) Carboniferous – Reptiles first appeared.
26. C) Mesozoic – “Age of Reptiles.”
27. C) Non-avian dinosaurs – Birds are their descendants.
28. B) Feathers – Found on some dinosaur fossils.
29. D) Polar regions – Too cold for reptiles.
30. C) Regulating prey – Reptiles balance ecosystems.
31. A) Carnivores/insectivores – Most reptiles are predators.
32. C) Lay eggs – Females return to nest sites.
33. C) Controlling pests – They eat rodents/insects.
34. B) Venom or camouflage – Common defenses.
35. C) Ectotherms – Body temp changes with climate.
36. C) External sources regulate temperature – They bask.
37. C) Control prey populations – Key ecological role.
38. C) Tropical forests – Warm and humid = high diversity.
39. A) Grow/remove parasites – Regular shedding helps health.
40. B) Habitat loss/trade – Major threats to survival.
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