Biology · 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 zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

Microorganism act upon a dead plant to produce

  1. Humus

  2. Mushroom

  3. Wood

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

Dead plants and animals are degraded in soil by decomposing bacteria and fungi. The material formed after the decomposition process is called humus. Humus is very rich in nutrients and black in colour. Greater the amount of humus more is the soil productivity. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

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 economics sustainable development with equity liberalisation objectives of economic planning in india need for sustainable development introduction to social movements and its types social movements

What are the functions of environment?

  1. It supplies resources

  2. It assimilates waste

  3. It sustains life by providing genetic and biodiversity

  4. Supports life without human actions

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The environment consists of the air, water, land, and all the conditions that surround living organisms. It is important to note that all the systems in the environment are interrelated such as the interactions of animals and humans on the ecosystems. Environmental functions refer to environmental services, including spatial functions, waste disposal, natural resource supply and life support.

The environment is an important issue even when society is faced with economic crises, wars, and unending social problems. It matters because Earth is the only home that humans have, and it provides air, food, and other needs.

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

Plant decomposers are _______________.

  1. Monera and Fungi

  2. Fungi and Plantae

  3. Protista and Animalia

  4. Animalia and Monera
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Decomposers are living components mainly the bacteria and fungi that break down the complex compounds of the dead protoplasm of producers and consumers absorb some products and release others.
So, the correct answer is 'Monera and Fungi'
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 zoology meaning of life energy flow and loss energy flow in a food chain energy flows

The trophic efficiency of producers, herbivores and carnivores are respectively

  1. $10%, 20%, 30%$
  2. $20%, 30%, 60%$
  3. $20%,40%,80%$
  4. Always $10%$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
According to Lindeman's law of trophic efficiency, 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to another. The trophic efficiency is related to the growth efficiency and standard metabolism of the individual.
So, the correct answer is '10'.
Multiple choice zoology meaning of life energy flow and loss energy flow in a food chain energy flows

Ten percent of energy gets transferred in food chain, this is enuciated by

  1. Lindeman

  2. Haeckel

  3. Schimper

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

Raymond Lindeman gave the famous 10 % law. According to this law, at each trophic level, only 10% of the energy of the subsequent trophic levels is transmitted. So, the amount of energy goes on decreasing at each tropic level.

So, option A "Lindeman" is the correct answer.

Multiple choice zoology meaning of life energy flow and loss energy flow in a food chain energy flows

According to a pyramid of production, approximately what percent of the energy at a trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level? 

  1. 2%

  2. 10%

  3. 50%

  4. 75%

  5. 90%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
The number of trophic levels in the food chain is restricted as the transfer of energy follows 10 percent law. This law states that only 10% of the energy is transferred to each trophic level from the lower trophic level. 
According to Lindeman's Law of trophic efficiency, the efficiency of energy transfer from one trophic level to the next is about 10%. Lindeman considered individual organisms belongs to trophic levels with each level acting as a transformer of energy.
So, the correct answer is 10%.
Multiple choice zoology meaning of life energy flow and loss energy flow in a food chain energy flows

Energy enters an ecosystem through 

  1. Herbivores

  2. Producers

  3. Carnivores

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

A food chain is series of plants/animals which are interrelated in the form of organism being eaten as food by the other. It consists of producers, consumers and decomposers. The energy enters in an ecosystem through producers. Plants are producers which convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. From producers, the energy is then transferred to the herbivores and carnivores. The animals eating plants are called as primary consumers or herbivores and animals eating primary consumers are called as secondary consumers or carnivores. Decomposers are those which decay the waster organic matter and release energy back in the environment.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Producers.'

Multiple choice zoology meaning of life energy flow and loss energy flow in a food chain energy flows

Amount of energy transferred from one trophic level to next is

  1. 1.5%

  2. 10%

  3. 15%

  4. 20%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Flow of energy declines as it passes from lower to higher trophic level. The energy decreases from one trophic level to the next trophic level because energy is lost as metabolic heat during transfer of energy. When food energy passes from producers to herbivores to carnivores, only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to another trophic level. Hence, producers receives the maximum energy.
Thus, the correct answer is '10%.'