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 botany know the plant world closely nutrition and its types types of nutrition in plants different modes of nutrition in plants

Which organism transforms complex organic compounds back into simple inorganic compound?

  1. Saprotrophs

  2. Consumers

  3. Producers

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

Saprotrophs, such as bacteria and fungi, are decomposers that break down organic matter from dead organisms into simpler inorganic substances. This process recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Multiple choice botany know the plant world closely nutrition and its types types of nutrition in plants different modes of nutrition in plants

Nepenthes belongs to the category of

  1. Primary consumer

  2. Producer

  3. Secondary consumer

  4. Both B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nepenthes belongs to the category of producer and secondary consumer. It is also called as topical pitcher plant. It belongs to category of producer as it can synthesize its own food using solar energy. It belongs to secondary consumer because it is a carnivorous plant. It  preys the insects and derives nitrogen from it. Thus, the correct answer is 'Both B and C.'

Multiple choice botany through the alimentary canal nutrition and its types types of nutrition in plants different modes of nutrition in plants

Find the one that is not involved in symbiotic nutrition.

  1. Lichen

  2. Mycorrhiza

  3. Mucor

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

Mucor is fungi that are found in soil, digestive systems etc.

Rest three are involved in symbiosis. Lichens are the symbiotic association between algae and fungi where the algae provide nutrition and fungi provides a place to live and protection.
Mycorrhiza is the symbiotic association in between fungi and roots of higher plants. eg. orchids and pine.
Rhizobium is a nitrogen-fixing bacteria that is in association with the root nodules of the legumes plants.
So, the correct option is 'Mucor'

Multiple choice zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

The process of breakdown of detritus by detrivores is

  1. Mineralisation

  2. Fragmentation

  3. Leaching

  4. Humification
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores such as earthworm. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored substance humus on the soil. It undergoes microbial action at a slow rate. Mineralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Fragmentation.'

Multiple choice zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

Pheretima and its close relatives obtain nourishment from

  1. Decaying fallen leaves and soil organic matter

  2. Soil insects

  3. Small pieces of fresh fallen leaves of Maize and others

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

Pheretima is a genus of earthworm. Pheretima and its close relatives obtain nourishment from decaying fallen leaves and soil organic matter. They are called as decomposers. They decomposes the dead organic matter and releases nutrients back into the environment.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Decaying fallen leaves and soil organic matter.'

Multiple choice zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

Choose the correct sequences.

  1. $CO _{2}$ in atmosphere $\rightarrow $ decomposers $\rightarrow $ organic carbon in animals $\rightarrow $ organic carbon in plants.
  2. $CO _{2}$ in atmosphere $\rightarrow $ organic carbon in plants $\rightarrow $ organic carbon in animals $\rightarrow $ inorganic carbon in soil.
  3. Inorganic carbonates in water $\rightarrow $ organic carbon in plants $\rightarrow $ organic carbon in animals $\rightarrow $ scavengers.
  4. Organic carbon in animals $\rightarrow $ decomposers $\rightarrow CO _{2}$ in atmosphere $\rightarrow $ organic carbon in plants.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Nutrient cycles circulate matter through the biosphere. The nutrients regularly alternate between living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components. Hence the nutrient cycles are also called as biogeochemical cycles. The important nutrient cycles are water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, mineral cycle. In the carbon cycle, atmospheric carbon is fixed into organic compounds like carbohydrates by green plants during the process of photosynthesis. The organic compounds are consumed by heterotrophic organisms like animals. The waste materials of animals and dead bodies of animals and plants are acted upon by detrivorous organisms, releasing the mineral nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, sulphur etc back to the environment.

Multiple choice zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

Which one of the following is a major link in decomposer food chain?

  1. Anthracoceros

  2. Gyps

  3. Anser

  4. Pavo
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Gyps is a genus of vultures characterized by bald head, broad wings and mainly dark plumage. They are large scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals and thereby forming an important link in the decomposes food chain.
Thus, the correct answer is (B) Gyps.

Multiple choice zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

The correct match among the following is

  1. Producers--- act upon the decomposed substances and transform them into different forms of inorganic and organic substances

  2. Consumers--- are autotrophic members of ecosystem

  3. Decomposers--- feed upon dead decaying living organisms and break them into simpler compounds fit for use of producers

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The green plant in the ecosystem-terminology are called as producers. All animals depend on plants (directly or indirectly) for their food needs. They are hence, called as consumers and also heterotrophs. 

Decomposers are organisms, that break down dead or decaying organisms, and carry out the natural process of decomposition. Like herbivores and predators, decomposers are heterotrophic, meaning that they use organic substrates to get their energy, carbon and nutrients for growth and development.

Multiple choice biology biodiversity and classification monera five kingdoms of living organisms biodiversity and need of classification

Maximum nutritional diversity is found in

  1. Fungi

  2. Monera

  3. Plantae

  4. Animalia
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
The kingdom monera is comprised of two groups as archaebacteria and eubacteria. There is diverse range of organisms which are placed under this kingdom. There are prokaryotic bacteria which possess the heterotrophic mode of nutrition in which the digested food material is directly engulfed by the cell. The cyanobacteria are autotrophic and can prepare their food through photosynthesis. There are some chemotrophs which use the organic and inorganic compounds as the source of energy.
Thus, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice biology plant taxonomy nomenclature in classification introduction to plant kingdom history of classification

  Organisms such as  plants that use light to make their own food are known as 

  1. Heterotrophs

  2. Photoautotrophs

  3. Symbionts

  4. Parasites

  5. Herbivores
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
A. Heterotrophs are the organisms that feed on autotrophs or producers for their food.
B. Photoautotrophs are the organisms that use the light energy and convert it into chemical energy to make their food. For example, plants.
C. Symbionts are the organisms that form association with other organisms. The association may be commensalism, mutualism, parasitic etc.
D. Parasites are the organisms that live within or on an other organism which is called the host.
E. Herbivores are the primary consumers that feed directly on the producers (plants).
Hence organisms such as plants that use light to make their own food are known as photoautotrophs.
So, the correct answer is 'Photoautotrophs'.
Multiple choice biology biology : an introduction characteristics of life living world and classification attributes of living organisms

All living things perform the action of 

  1. Eating

  2. Growing

  3. Breathing

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
All living things show following distinguished characters
  • Reproduction and metabolism
  • Response to stimuli.
  • Growth and development.
  • Adaptation through evolution
For showing these characters they perform an act of eating, growing, adapting, moving and breathing.
Hence the option D "all of the above" is correct.