Diversity of Animals & the Biosphere is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Life Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What is the key distinguishing feature separating vertebrates from invertebrates?
The presence or absence of a backbone (vertebral column)
The presence or absence of a cell wall
Whether the animal lives in water or on land
Whether the animal can move or not
Answer: The presence or absence of a backbone (vertebral column) — Vertebrates possess a backbone made of vertebrae, while invertebrates lack this structure; this is the defining distinction between the two groups.
Easy
2. Which animal phylum, including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans, is the largest and most diverse in the animal kingdom?
Arthropoda
Mollusca
Annelida
Cnidaria
Answer: Arthropoda — Arthropoda is by far the largest and most diverse animal phylum, characterised by a hard exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed limbs.
Medium
3. What is the approximate proportion of all animal species that are invertebrates?
Well over 95%
Approximately 50%
Less than 10%
Exactly 0%, since all animals are vertebrates
Answer: Well over 95% — Invertebrates make up the vast majority, well over 95%, of all known animal species, with vertebrates forming a much smaller group.
