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 zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

The graphic presentation of various aspects of ecosystems are in the form of pyramids. When such a presentation is made with reference to energy at different trophic levels, it will make

  1. An erect pyramid

  2. An inverted pyramid

  3. A cylinder

  4. A pyramid of variable shape
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The pyramidal representation of trophic levels of different organisms based on their ecological position [producer to final consumer] is called as an ecological pyramid. The food producer forms the base of the pyramid and the top carnivore forms the tip. An energy pyramid represents the amount of energy at each trophic level and loss of energy at each transfer to another trophic level. Hence the pyramid is always upward, with a large energy base at the bottom.
So the correct option is 'an erect pyramid'.
Multiple choice zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

Which one of the following statements for pyramid of energy is incorrect, whereas the remaining three are correct?

  1. It is upright in shape.

  2. Its base is broad.

  3. It shows energy content of different trophic level organisms.

  4. It is inverted in shape.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Pyramid of energy is always upright and can never be inverted, because when energy flows from a trophic level to the next trophic level some energy is always lost as heat at each step. 

Multiple choice zoology energy flow in an ecosystem the energy pyramid ecological pyramid ecological pyramids

In a food chain, if the grasses produce 1000 kcal of energy, how many kcal are theoretically available to the frogs?

  1. 1000

  2. 100

  3. 10

  4. 1

  5. 0.5
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When energy is passed in an ecosystem from one trophic level to the next, only ten percent (10%) of the energy will be passed on. We can consider a typical food chain in the environment. It can be written as follows. Sun -----> Green Plants -----> Insects -----> Frogs -----> Snakes. The sun provides the energy that is used by the green plants. The green plants are the primary producers for the food chain. The energy from the sun is converted by the plants into food. The insects are the primary consumers. They are the first animals to eat the plants. When they eat the plants and obtain some of the energy (10%) they stored when making food. The rest of the energy is lost and dissipated as heat. Insects are eaten by frogs. The frogs are the secondary consumers in this food chain. They obtain part of the energy stored by the insects. The remaining energy stored by the insects is lost. Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a common method for finding food in the wilderness?

  1. Hunting

  2. Fishing

  3. Foraging

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

Foraging involves searching for edible plants, fruits, and nuts in the wild. It is a common method for obtaining food in survival situations.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the practice of consuming food produced locally?

  1. Localvore

  2. Omnivore

  3. Carnivore

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

Localvore refers to an individual who primarily consumes food produced within a certain radius of their location.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of plant defense mechanism against herbivores?

  1. Producing toxins

  2. Developing spines or thorns

  3. Attracting predators of herbivores

  4. Increasing growth rate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Increasing growth rate is not a plant defense mechanism against herbivores, as it does not directly deter or prevent herbivory.

Multiple choice

What is the diet of the Manticore?

  1. Humans

  2. Animals

  3. Plants

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

The Manticore is said to be a voracious eater and will consume anything it can find. This includes humans, animals, and even plants.

Multiple choice

What is the process by which animals obtain energy from food?

  1. Photosynthesis

  2. Cellular respiration

  3. Fermentation

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

Cellular respiration is the process by which animals obtain energy from food.

Multiple choice

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

  1. They consume other organisms.

  2. They decompose organic matter.

  3. They produce food through photosynthesis.

  4. They regulate the population of other organisms.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Producers are organisms that produce food through photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. They are the foundation of the food chain and provide energy for all other organisms in the ecosystem.

Multiple choice

What is the role of consumers in an ecosystem?

  1. They produce food through photosynthesis.

  2. They decompose organic matter.

  3. They consume other organisms.

  4. They regulate the population of other organisms.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Consumers are organisms that consume other organisms to obtain energy and nutrients. They can be classified into primary consumers, which consume producers, and secondary consumers, which consume primary consumers.

Multiple choice

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

  1. They produce food through photosynthesis.

  2. They consume other organisms.

  3. They decompose organic matter.

  4. They regulate the population of other organisms.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organisms and organic matter into simpler substances, which can then be used by other organisms in the ecosystem. They play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a trophic level in an ecosystem?

  1. Producers

  2. Consumers

  3. Decomposers

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

Trophic levels are the different levels of an ecosystem in which organisms obtain energy and nutrients. Producers, consumers, and decomposers are all examples of trophic levels.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of herbivory?

  1. A deer eating grass

  2. A lion eating a zebra

  3. A tapeworm living in a human intestine

  4. A mistletoe plant growing on a tree
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In herbivory, an animal eats plants. In this case, the deer eats grass.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a keystone species?

  1. A beaver building a dam

  2. A lion eating a zebra

  3. A tapeworm living in a human intestine

  4. A mistletoe plant growing on a tree
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A keystone species is a species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance. In this case, the beaver's dam creates a wetland habitat that supports a variety of other species.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a trophic cascade?

  1. A decrease in the population of wolves leading to an increase in the population of deer

  2. A lion eating a zebra

  3. A tapeworm living in a human intestine

  4. A mistletoe plant growing on a tree
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A trophic cascade is a series of interactions between species at different trophic levels. In this case, the decrease in the population of wolves (top predators) leads to an increase in the population of deer (herbivores), which in turn leads to a decrease in the population of plants (producers).