Introduction

The Animal Kingdom is a major section in NEET Biology. It includes all multicellular, heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms. Understanding animal classification, characteristics, and examples is essential to answer MCQs and diagram-based questions effectively.

Animals are classified based on body symmetry, coelom type, segmentation, and presence of notochord. NEET emphasizes both invertebrates and vertebrates, and their respective characteristics and examples.

Direct Links to Download 2025-26 Formula Biology (PDF)

► Click “Download Now” next to your subject to access the free PDF.

♦ The Living World ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biological Classification ⇒ Download Now

♦ Plant Kingdom ⇒ Download Now

♦ Animal kingdom ⇒ Download Now

♦ Morphology of Flowering Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Anatomy of Flowerng Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Structural Organisation in Animals ⇒ Download Now

♦ Cell-The Unit of Life ⇒ Download Now

♦ Cell Cycle and Cell Division ⇒ Download Now

♦ Photosynthesis in Higher Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Respiration in Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Plant, Growth and Development ⇒ Download Now

♦ Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants ⇒ Download Now

♦ Human Reproduction ⇒ Download Now

♦ Reproductive Health ⇒ Download Now

♦ Principles of Inheritance and Variation ⇒ Download Now

♦ Molecular Basis of Inheritance ⇒ Download Now

♦ Human Health and Diseases ⇒ Download Now

♦ Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production ⇒ Download Now

♦ Microbes in Human Welfare ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biotechnology - Principles and Processes ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biotechnology and its Application⇒ Download Now

♦ Organisms and Populations ⇒ Download Now

♦ Ecosystem ⇒ Download Now

♦ Biodiversity and its Conservation ⇒ Download Now

♦ Environmental Issues ⇒ Download Now

♦ Body Fluid and Circulation ⇒ Download Now

♦ Excretory Products and Their Elimination ⇒ Download Now

♦ Locomotion and Movement ⇒ Download Now

♦ Neural Control and Coordination ⇒ Download Now

♦ Chemical Coordination and Intergration ⇒ Download Now

♦ Breathing and Exchange of Gases ⇒ Download Now

1. General Characteristics of Animal Kingdom

• Multicellular and eukaryotic.

• Heterotrophic: obtain nutrition by ingestion.

• Motile at some life stage.

• Reproduction mainly sexual, some asexual.

• No cell wall; cells organized into tissues and organs.

NEET Tip: Remember, all animals are heterotrophic, motile, and eukaryotic.

2. Classification of Animals

Animals are broadly divided into:

1. Invertebrates – without backbone

2. Vertebrates – with backbone

3. Invertebrates

Key Groups & Characteristics:

a. Porifera (Sponges)

• Asymmetrical, no true tissues.

• Pores for water circulation.

• Ex: Spongilla, Sycon

b. Coelenterata / Cnidaria

• Radial symmetry, diploblastic (ectoderm + endoderm).

• Tentacles with cnidocytes (stinging cells).

• Ex: Hydra, Jellyfish

c. Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)

• Bilateral symmetry, triploblastic acoelomates.

• Flattened body.

• Ex: Fasciola, Planaria

d. Nematoda (Roundworms)

• Bilateral symmetry, triploblastic pseudocoelomates.

• Unsegmented, tubular body.

• Ex: Ascaris, Wuchereria

e. Annelida (Segmented Worms)

• Bilateral symmetry, triploblastic coelomates.

• Body segmented (metamerism).

• Ex: Earthworm, Leech

f. Arthropoda

• Bilateral symmetry, triploblastic coelomates, segmented body.

• Exoskeleton made of chitin.

• Ex: Cockroach, Crab

g. Mollusca

• Bilateral symmetry, soft body (usually with shell).

• Coelomates, unsegmented.

• Ex: Snail, Octopus

h. Echinodermata

• Radial symmetry in adults, bilateral in larvae.

• Coelomates with spiny skin.

• Ex: Starfish, Sea urchin

NEET Notes:

• Know symmetry, body cavity, germ layers, segmentation, examples.

• Common MCQs ask features or phylum examples.

4. Vertebrates

Key Features:

• Bilateral symmetry, triploblastic, coelomate.

• Body divided into head, trunk, and tail.

• Endoskeleton of cartilage or bone.

• Nervous system well-developed.

Main Classes:

a. Pisces (Fishes)

• Aquatic, gills for respiration, fins for locomotion.

• Ex: Rohu, Labeo

b. Amphibia

• Dual life: aquatic larvae, terrestrial adults.

• Moist skin, lungs in adults.

• Ex: Frog, Salamander

c. Reptilia

• Terrestrial, dry scaly skin.

• Lungs present, cold-blooded.

• Ex: Lizard, Cobra

d. Aves (Birds)

• Feathers, forelimbs modified as wings.

• Warm-blooded, oviparous.

• Ex: Crow, Pigeon

e. Mammalia

• Hair/fur, mammary glands, warm-blooded.

• Ex: Human, Lion, Bat

NEET Tips:

• Focus on respiration, reproduction, skin type, body covering.

• Learn examples of each class for MCQs.

5. Key Comparisons – Animal Kingdom for NEET

NEET Tips:

• Learn phylum features in table format for quick revision.

• Focus on body symmetry, coelom type, germ layers, and examples.

6. NEET Formulas / Life Cycle Patterns

Invertebrate Reproduction:

• Hydra: Budding → Polyp → Medusa → Gametes

• Earthworm: Hermaphrodite → Copulation → Egg → Cocoon → Young worm

Vertebrate Reproduction:

• Fish/Amphibians: External fertilization

• Reptiles/Birds/Mammals: Internal fertilization

• Mammals → Placental / Non-placental variations

NEET Notes:

• Know fertilization type and development; frequent MCQs ask which animal shows internal/external fertilization.

7. Important NEET Tips – Animal Kingdom

1. Use mnemonics for phyla:

   • “Please Come Play Nicely And Avoid Making Excuses” → Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata

2. Focus on differences between invertebrates and vertebrates.

3. Draw simple diagrams for Hydra, Earthworm, Starfish, and Frog life cycles.

4. Revise germ layers, symmetry, and coelom type as these are high-yield NEET points.

Conclusion

Animal Kingdom is a high-scoring topic in NEET Biology. Memorizing classification, characteristics, examples, and life cycles is essential for MCQs and diagram questions.

With this StudentBro.in guide, students can revise animal groups, features, and reproduction patterns efficiently, improving accuracy and saving time during exams.

Remember: Linking structure, reproduction, and adaptations is the key to mastering Animal Kingdom for NEET.