Biology ยท Environmental Studies

Ecosystem Nutrition and Energy Flow

1,235 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

The mode of nutrition in plants is

  1. autotrophic

  2. heterotrophic

  3. saprophytic

  4. parasitic

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Plants are autotrophic, meaning they can produce their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.

Multiple choice

Animals are able to survive in desert conditions because they

  1. drink lot of water

  2. do not feel thirst

  3. are always asleep

  4. usually come out at night

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Many desert animals are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night to avoid the extreme heat of the day, which helps them conserve water and energy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following microorganisms feed upon dead plants and animals?

  1. Bacteria and protozoa

  2. Bacteria and algae

  3. Bacteria and fungi

  4. Algae and fungi

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Bacteria and fungi are the primary decomposers in an ecosystem. They break down complex organic matter from dead plants and animals into simpler substances, recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Multiple choice

What kind of organisms can produce their own food?

  1. Autotrophs

  2. Carnivores

  3. Omnivores

  4. Herbivores

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Autotrophs are organisms that can produce their own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals, typically through photosynthesis.

Multiple choice

Which among the following statements is not true?

  1. Small animals are more in number than larger ones.

  2. Lion is a producer.

  3. Predators are usually lesser in number than their preys.

  4. Each species is limited in its total biomass by its trophic level.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A producer is an organism that produces its own food through photosynthesis, such as plants. A lion is a carnivore, which is a consumer, not a producer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

  1. Smaller animals are more in number than larger ones.

  2. Each species is limited in its total biomass by its trophic level.

  3. Predators are usually larger than their prey.

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All the provided statements are standard ecological principles: smaller animals are generally more numerous, biomass is limited by trophic efficiency, and predators are typically larger than their prey.

Multiple choice

What is the appropriate term for herbivores?

  1. Secondary producers

  2. Primary consumers

  3. Secondary consumers

  4. Primary producers

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Herbivores eat producers (plants) and are therefore the first level of consumers in a food chain, known as primary consumers.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is classified under sedimentary cycles?

  1. Sulphur cycle

  2. Oxygen cycle

  3. Carbon cycle

  4. Nitrogen cycle
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In sedimentary cycles, the elements main reservoir pool, is lithosphere and the biogenetic materials involved in circulation, are non-gaseous. The sedimentary cycles are usually very slow, as the elements may get locked up in rocks, and go out of circulation, for long periods.Though sulphur occurs in gaseous form, as hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), the residence time of sulphur in atmosphere is very small (about 4 x 1010 kg) and its main reservoir pool is the soil (contains about 4 x 1018 kg in the form of sulphates, sulphides and organic sulphur). So, sulphur cycle, is classified under sedimentary cycles.