Biology · Environmental Studies

Ecosystem Nutrition and Energy Flow

1,093 Questions

Ecosystem nutrition and energy flow questions cover trophic levels, food chains, and biodegradable materials. These concepts frequently appear in general science sections of major competitive exams. Review these questions to build a solid understanding of ecological interactions.

Trophic levels conceptFood chain orderAutotrophic nutritionEnergy assimilationScavengers and decomposers

Ecosystem Nutrition and Energy Flow Questions

Multiple choice general knowledge

Dogs that are fed a regulator diet of dried dog food are less thirstier than those fed canned or moist foods.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Dry dog food contains approximately 10% moisture, while canned food has 75-80% moisture. Therefore, dogs on dry food diets actually drink MORE water to compensate, not less. Additionally, the phrase 'less thirstier' is grammatically incorrect - it should be 'less thirsty' or 'more thirsty'.

Multiple choice general knowledge

Are humans omnivore, herbivore or carnivore?

  1. herbivore

  2. carnivore

  3. omnivore

  4. none
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Humans are omnivores, meaning they can digest and consume both plant and animal matter. This is supported by human dentition (incisors, canines, molars) and digestive systems adapted for mixed diets.

Multiple choice general knowledge

In recycling of mineral elements within an ecosystem, the responsible direct acing organism are called

  1. Decomposers

  2. Producers

  3. Primary consumers

  4. Secondary consumers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down dead organic matter and release mineral nutrients back into the soil, making them available for plant uptake. This completes the recycling loop in ecosystems, allowing nutrients to be reused rather than lost forever.

Multiple choice general knowledge

The pyramid of number of a parasitic food chain in forest ecosystem is

  1. Always inverted

  2. Always upright

  3. Mixture of inverted & upright

  4. Sometimes inverted and sometimes upright
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In parasitic food chains, many parasites (or parasitoids) can live on a single host, creating more organisms at higher trophic levels than at lower ones. This always produces an inverted pyramid of numbers in forest ecosystems where tree hosts support numerous insect parasites.

Multiple choice general knowledge

Are humans omnivore, herbivore or carnivore?

  1. Omnivore

  2. herbivore

  3. carnivore

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Humans are omnivores, adapted to digest and derive nutrition from both plant and animal sources. Our digestive system, teeth structure, and nutritional needs are designed for a varied diet. Herbivores eat only plants, while carnivores eat only meat.

Multiple choice

Which algae is inedible to most herbivores?

  1. Caulerpa lentillifera

  2. Caulerpa taxifolia

  3. Codium tomentosum

  4. Halimeda
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Halimeda is a green macroalgae. Its thallus is composed of calcified green segments. Calcium carbonate is deposited in its tissues, making it inedible to most herbivores.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the correct food chain?

  1. Grass - Frog - Grasshopper - Snake - Hawk

  2. Grass - Grasshopper - Snake - Frog - Hawk

  3. Grass - Grasshopper - Frog - Hawk - Snake

  4. Grass - Grasshopper - Frog - Snake - Hawk

  5. Grass - Grasshopper - Hawk - Snake - Frog
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this is the correct food chain. The grass is eaten by the grasshopper, which in turn, is eaten by the frog. The frog is eaten by the snake, which in turn, is eaten by the hawk.

Multiple choice

In which of the following ways is/are plants not dependent on animals?

a. For seed dispersal b. For pollination c. For oxygen

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this is not a way in which plants are dependent on animals. Plants do not depend on animals for oxygen. They depend on animals for carbon dioxide as plants prepare their food with the help of carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide comes from animals during respiration. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. Decomposers break down the organic matter of dead organisms into simple nutrients in the soil. b. A forest is a dynamic living entity as it consists of living organisms of different kinds performing different roles. c. Many food chains are present in the forests, but these food chains are not interconnected.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this statement is false. Many food chains are present in the forests and these food chains are interconnected, forming a food web.