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

In a terrestrial ecosystem, the trophic level that would contain the largest biomass would be

  1. primary consumers

  2. top carnivores

  3. producers

  4. secondary consumers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In a terrestrial ecosystem, the trophic level that would contain the largest biomass would be the producers. A biomass pyramid shows the amount of biomass at each trophic level. Terrestrial biomass generally decreases markedly at each higher trophic level. Examples of terrestrial producers are grasses, trees and shrubs. These have a much higher biomass than the animals that consume them such as deer, zebras and insects. The levels with the least biomass are the highest predators in the food chain such as foxes and eagles, etc.

Multiple choice

Why is crow called an omnivore?

  1. Because it feeds on dead organisms.

  2. Because it feeds on grains.

  3. Because it eats rats and small birds.

  4. Because it eats both animal and plant products.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The organisms which eat both plant and animal products are called omnivores.

Multiple choice

The simplest yet the most comprehensive title for the passage is

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the related question.

The stability of the system of living creatures is linked with the natural food chain. Plants produce carbohydrates and protein and are eaten by herbivorous animals. We know the importance of all the organisms involved in this predator-prey food chain. By introducing toxic chemicals, which will be passed on to man through the food chain, or by destroying any of the species, we are only creating trouble for ourselves.

An interesting example is the ladybird beetle brought from Australia to California to prevent cottony-cushion scale insects infecting citrus plants there. The beetle ate up the insects and the situation improved. But recently DDT sprayed to control the other pests in the citrus trees affected the beetle and the cottony-cushion scales are dangerously active again.

To save crops, we kill sparrows and the insects multiply. It is said that one of the European countries which did this had to import sparrows to control the insects. Kill all the snakes in India because they are dangerous, and tomorrow you may have to import snakes to kill rats.

  1. Carnivores and Herbivores

  2. The Importance of the Ladybird

  3. The Ecosystem and the Food Chain

  4. Snake Worship
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The other options are just mentioned to ascertain the relation between the ecosystem and the food chain.

Multiple choice

The passage implies that

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the related question.

The stability of the system of living creatures is linked with the natural food chain. Plants produce carbohydrates and protein and are eaten by herbivorous animals. We know the importance of all the organisms involved in this predator-prey food chain. By introducing toxic chemicals, which will be passed on to man through the food chain, or by destroying any of the species, we are only creating trouble for ourselves.

An interesting example is the ladybird beetle brought from Australia to California to prevent cottony-cushion scale insects infecting citrus plants there. The beetle ate up the insects and the situation improved. But recently DDT sprayed to control the other pests in the citrus trees affected the beetle and the cottony-cushion scales are dangerously active again.

To save crops, we kill sparrows and the insects multiply. It is said that one of the European countries which did this had to import sparrows to control the insects. Kill all the snakes in India because they are dangerous, and tomorrow you may have to import snakes to kill rats.

  1. man is on the verge of extinction

  2. birds, animals and fish are created for man’s food

  3. food chain must remain unaltered

  4. one should be careful in disturbing the food chain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the main theme of the passage.

Multiple choice

The main limiting factor on the population of organisms is

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the related question.

The stability of the system of living creatures is linked with the natural food chain. Plants produce carbohydrates and protein and are eaten by herbivorous animals. We know the importance of all the organisms involved in this predator-prey food chain. By introducing toxic chemicals, which will be passed on to man through the food chain, or by destroying any of the species, we are only creating trouble for ourselves.

An interesting example is the ladybird beetle brought from Australia to California to prevent cottony-cushion scale insects infecting citrus plants there. The beetle ate up the insects and the situation improved. But recently DDT sprayed to control the other pests in the citrus trees affected the beetle and the cottony-cushion scales are dangerously active again.

To save crops, we kill sparrows and the insects multiply. It is said that one of the European countries which did this had to import sparrows to control the insects. Kill all the snakes in India because they are dangerous, and tomorrow you may have to import snakes to kill rats.

  1. general climate

  2. sunlight

  3. soil condition

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

As discussed in the passage, all living beings depend on each other and control the population, and this is the food chain. If one animal in the chain is taken out, the ones lower down multiply and those above suffer.

Multiple choice

The example of the ladybird shows that

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the related question.

The stability of the system of living creatures is linked with the natural food chain. Plants produce carbohydrates and protein and are eaten by herbivorous animals. We know the importance of all the organisms involved in this predator-prey food chain. By introducing toxic chemicals, which will be passed on to man through the food chain, or by destroying any of the species, we are only creating trouble for ourselves.

An interesting example is the ladybird beetle brought from Australia to California to prevent cottony-cushion scale insects infecting citrus plants there. The beetle ate up the insects and the situation improved. But recently DDT sprayed to control the other pests in the citrus trees affected the beetle and the cottony-cushion scales are dangerously active again.

To save crops, we kill sparrows and the insects multiply. It is said that one of the European countries which did this had to import sparrows to control the insects. Kill all the snakes in India because they are dangerous, and tomorrow you may have to import snakes to kill rats.

  1. cottony-cushion scales should be allowed to eat citrus freely

  2. by destroying even one species we create problems

  3. rats must be protected from snakes

  4. lions should have limited access for hunting deer

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

The other options are either given as examples or warnings.

Multiple choice

In an energy pyramid, which trophic level will transfer the highest amount of energy to the next tropic level?

  1. I

  2. II

  3. III

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

First tropic level in an energy pyramid represents producers which contain the highest amount of energy. Therefore, the first trophic level will transfer the highest amount of energy to the next trophic level. Since only 10% of the energy is transferred to the next trophic levels, the higher trophic levels will have less amount of energy as compared to the first trophic level.