Ecosystems and Relationships: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Year 11 Science

Question 1

What is a food chain?

Accepted Answer

A linear sequence of organisms that feed on each other

Answer

A web-like network of feeding relationships between organisms within an ecosystem

Answer

The movement of energy through different trophic levels of an ecosystem

Answer

The interactions among organisms in an ecosystem and their physical environment

Question 2

Which of the following is considered a biotic component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Animals

Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Rocks

Answer

Water

Question 3

Which of these is a defining trait of a stable ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Balanced nutrient cycling

Answer

Significant population variations

Answer

Low species diversity

Answer

Rapid energy transfer

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Is independent of other ecosystems

Answer

Contains interacting organisms

Answer

Includes non-living components

Answer

Has a defined flow of energy

Question 5

In a food chain, which level always contains organisms that obtain energy from the sun?

Accepted Answer

Producers

Answer

Primary consumers

Answer

Secondary consumers

Answer

Tertiary consumers

Question 6

Which type of relationship describes two organisms living together where one benefits and the other is unaffected?

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Predation

Question 7

What process converts nitrogen gas into a form usable by plants?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Ammonification

Question 8

Which of the following is a potential consequence of reduced biodiversity within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Lower productivity

Answer

Increased ecosystem stability

Answer

Enhanced disease resistance

Answer

Faster recovery from disturbances

Question 9

What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Break down dead organisms and waste

Answer

Produce food for primary consumers

Answer

Capture sunlight and convert it into energy

Answer

Provide shelter for other organisms

Question 10

What term describes a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area?

Accepted Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Biome

Question 11

Which type of ecological succession occurs on newly exposed rock surfaces?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Secondary succession

Answer

Climax succession

Answer

Pioneer succession

Question 12

What is the significance of carrying capacity in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

It determines the maximum population size an ecosystem can support

Answer

It indicates the rate of population growth

Answer

It predicts future changes in the ecosystem

Answer

It measures the productivity of the ecosystem

Question 13

An organism that obtains its energy by consuming other organisms is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Consumer

Answer

Producer

Answer

Decomposer

Answer

Trophic

Question 14

The process by which decomposers break down dead organisms is vital for ecosystems because it:

Accepted Answer

Releases nutrients back into the soil

Answer

Maintains the balance of populations

Answer

Prevents the spread of diseases

Answer

Controls the carbon cycle

Question 15

Reduced biodiversity in an ecosystem can lead to:

Accepted Answer

Decreased resilience to disturbances

Answer

Increased ecosystem stability

Answer

Improved nutrient cycling

Answer

Enhanced food chain productivity

Question 16

In ecology, the concept of a niche refers to:

Accepted Answer

The specific role and resources used by an organism

Answer

The physical location where an organism lives

Answer

The interactions between an organism and other species

Answer

The size and abundance of an organism's population

Question 17

The scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Zoology

Answer

Botany

Answer

Genetics

Question 18

Which component is not typically found within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Machines

Answer

Producers

Answer

Consumers

Answer

Decomposers

Question 19

What is the term used to describe the interconnected food chains within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Food web

Answer

Nutrient cycle

Answer

Energy pyramid

Answer

Symbiotic relationship

Question 20

What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Produce food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis

Answer

Consume other organisms for energy

Answer

Decompose organic matter

Answer

Regulate nutrient flow

Question 21

Which type of ecosystem begins on a bare surface with no living organisms?

Accepted Answer

Primary succession

Answer

Secondary succession

Answer

Climax community

Answer

Pioneer community

Question 22

What type of relationship exists between a parasite and its host?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Amensalism

Question 23

Which of these human activities does NOT disrupt ecosystem balance?

Accepted Answer

Conservation efforts

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Land-use change

Answer

Climate change

Question 24

What is the significance of keystone species in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

They exert a disproportionate influence on their environment relative to their abundance

Answer

They are the most numerous species in the ecosystem

Answer

They are the only species that can produce oxygen

Answer

They only exist in certain specific ecosystems

Question 25

Which characteristic is NOT typically associated with a climax community?

Accepted Answer

Rapid environmental changes

Answer

Relative stability in species composition

Answer

High biodiversity

Answer

Efficient energy and nutrient cycling

Question 26

What process describes the movement and transformation of nutrients within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Biogeochemical cycle

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Question 27

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

To produce food for other organisms

Answer

To break down dead organisms

Answer

To regulate population size

Answer

To provide shelter for other organisms

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a type of symbiosis?

Accepted Answer

Competition

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Commensalism

Question 29

What is the term for the number of individuals of a species that an environment can support?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Population size

Answer

Birth rate

Answer

Death rate

Question 30

Which of the following is an example of a renewable resource?

Accepted Answer

Wind energy

Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Coal

Answer

Natural gas

Question 31

In a food chain, which organism plays the role of converting sunlight into energy?

Accepted Answer

Producer

Answer

Consumer

Answer

Decomposer

Answer

Predator

Question 32

Which of the following accurately describes a food web?

Accepted Answer

A complex network of interconnected food chains

Answer

A simple, linear sequence of producers and consumers

Answer

A competitive ecosystem where resources are scarce

Answer

A food chain with limited diversity

Question 33

Biodiversity refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The assortment of different species and ecosystems in a particular area

Answer

The number of individuals within a species

Answer

The degree of genetic variation within a species

Answer

The abundance of a specific species in an environment

Question 34

What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposing organic matter and returning nutrients to the environment

Answer

Converting sunlight into energy

Answer

Consuming other organisms as a source of energy

Answer

Providing suitable habitats for other species

Question 35

Which of the following elements is classified as a biotic component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Plants

Answer

Soil

Answer

Water

Answer

Sunlight

Question 36

Identify the process through which nutrients are continually recycled and reused within an ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

Biogeochemical cycles

Answer

Food chains

Answer

Decomposers

Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 37

Which element is NOT a crucial component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Man-made objects: Artifacts created by human activity

Answer

Producers: Utilize sunlight or chemical energy to produce food

Answer

Consumers: Organisms that obtain nourishment by consuming other living beings

Answer

Decomposers: Break down dead organisms and organic matter

Question 38

In a food chain, which organism is the first to consume plants directly?

Accepted Answer

Primary consumers (herbivores): Animals that primarily feed on plants

Answer

Producers: Plants or organisms that make their own food

Answer

Secondary consumers (carnivores): Animals that primarily eat other animals

Answer

Tertiary consumers (top predators): Animals that hunt and consume other predators

Question 39

What type of symbiotic relationship mutually benefits both the clownfish and the sea anemone?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism: Both species derive advantages from their association

Answer

Commensalism: One species benefits while the other is unaffected

Answer

Parasitism: One species benefits at the expense of the other

Answer

Predation: One species hunts and consumes the other

Question 40

What is the primary role of decomposers in the functioning of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Breaking down dead organisms and organic matter, returning nutrients to the environment

Answer

Producing food for consumers through photosynthesis

Answer

Providing shelter and protection for various animal species

Answer

Regulating predator populations by consuming excess individuals

Question 41

Which characteristic is indicative of a sustainable ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Maintenance of a dynamic equilibrium and resilience to disturbances

Answer

Low biodiversity and limited species diversity

Answer

High rate of resource consumption and rapid depletion

Answer

Low level of resilience and vulnerability to environmental changes

Question 42

What is the process by which plants utilize light energy to produce their own nourishment?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis: Conversion of light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose

Answer

Respiration: Release of energy from glucose in the presence of oxygen

Answer

Fermentation: Breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen

Answer

Decomposition: Break down of dead organisms by microorganisms

Question 43

Which of the following scenarios exemplifies primary succession in action?

Accepted Answer

Establishment of plant life on a newly formed volcanic island

Answer

Reforestation efforts in an area that was previously cleared of trees

Answer

Growth and development of new trees in an established forest

Answer

Formation and expansion of a coral reef in a marine environment

Question 44

Which of the following is **NOT** a natural component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Plastic bottle

Answer

Consumer

Answer

Producer

Answer

Decomposer

Question 45

In a food chain, which organism would hold the highest trophic level?

Accepted Answer

Apex predator

Answer

Secondary consumer

Answer

Primary consumer

Question 46

Which type of ecological interaction is mutually beneficial for both participating species?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Question 47

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decompose organic matter and release nutrients back into the environment

Answer

Consume living organisms

Answer

Synthesize organic compounds from inorganic matter

Answer

Provide shelter for other organisms

Question 48

What is the term used to describe the interconnected network of food chains within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Food web

Answer

Trophic pyramid

Answer

Ecological niche

Answer

Energy flow

Question 49

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

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Dolphin

Answer

Shark

Answer

Lion

Question 50

Which of the following human activities has a negative impact on ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Renewable energy production

Answer

Organic farming

Answer

Wastewater treatment

Question 51

What is the initial energy source for most ecosystems on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Wind

Answer

Heat from Earth's core

Answer

Chemical energy