Ecosystems and Sustainability: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Year 11 Science

Question 1

Energy flow in an ecosystem is:

Accepted Answer

Unidirectional from producers to consumers

Answer

Bidirectional between producers and consumers

Answer

Cyclic within the ecosystem

Answer

Random and unpredictable

Question 2

Which process involves the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Assimilation

Question 3

Which of the following is a sustainable practice in agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Crop rotation to maintain soil health

Answer

Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers

Answer

Monoculture, relying on a single crop

Answer

Clear-cutting forests for farmland

Question 4

The term 'trophic level' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The position of an organism in a food chain based on its energy source

Answer

The total number of different species in an ecosystem

Answer

The rate at which energy is transferred between trophic levels

Answer

The amount of biomass present at each trophic level

Question 5

The process by which plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce energy is known as:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Answer

Transpiration

Question 6

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment is called:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology in general

Answer

Zoology, focusing on animals

Answer

Botany, focusing on plants

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a major nutrient cycle in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen cycle

Answer

Carbon cycle

Answer

Nitrogen cycle

Answer

Phosphorus cycle

Question 8

Deforestation primarily contributes to climate change by:

Accepted Answer

Releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Answer

Reducing the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere

Answer

Causing soil erosion

Answer

Increasing the amount of precipitation

Question 9

Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Animals

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Wind

Question 10

Decomposers play a crucial role in ecosystems by:

Accepted Answer

Breaking down dead organisms

Answer

Photosynthesizing and producing food

Answer

Consuming herbivores

Answer

Regulating the population of carnivores

Question 11

A characteristic of a stable ecosystem is:

Accepted Answer

High biodiversity

Answer

Fluctuating populations

Answer

Rapid changes in species composition

Answer

Low productivity

Question 12

The primary difference between a food chain and a food web is that:

Accepted Answer

A food chain is a linear sequence of feeding relationships, while a food web is interconnected

Answer

A food web is a linear sequence of feeding relationships, while a food chain is interconnected

Answer

They are essentially the same concept

Answer

A food chain is more complex than a food web

Question 13

What is the main role of decomposers in an ecosystem's energy pyramid?

Accepted Answer

Convert organic matter into inorganic matter, releasing energy

Answer

Consume producers, transferring energy to higher trophic levels

Answer

Produce organic matter from inorganic matter, adding energy to the system

Answer

Regulate the flow of nutrients, but do not directly contribute to energy transfer

Question 14

What is the unique role of keystone species in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

They have a disproportionate impact on the ecosystem relative to their abundance

Answer

They are the most abundant species in the ecosystem

Answer

They are at the top of the food chain

Answer

They regulate the flow of energy and nutrients

Question 15

Which gas is **not** a greenhouse gas?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Methane

Answer

Water vapor

Question 16

Which of the following is not a component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Factors originating beyond Earth

Answer

Living organisms (biotic factors)

Answer

Non-living environmental factors (abiotic factors)

Answer

Flow of energy

Question 17

In a food chain, which organism typically occupies the highest trophic level?

Accepted Answer

Tertiary consumer

Answer

Producer

Answer

Primary consumer

Answer

Secondary consumer

Question 18

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Consuming organic matter and returning nutrients to the environment

Answer

Producing organic matter

Answer

Releasing nitrogen into the soil

Answer

Fixing nitrogen

Question 19

What is the term for the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Interdependence

Answer

Symbiosis

Answer

Competition

Answer

Mutualism

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a primary producer?

Accepted Answer

Grass

Answer

Fox

Answer

Bacteria

Answer

Fungus

Question 21

What is the term for the complex network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Food web

Answer

Trophic cascade

Answer

Symbiotic relationship

Answer

Ecological niche

Question 22

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

Accepted Answer

Pollution (anthropogenic factor)

Answer

Living organisms (biotic factors)

Answer

Non-living factors (abiotic factors)

Answer

Energy flow and nutrient cycling

Question 23

In a food chain, which organism is the primary source of energy?

Accepted Answer

Producer (plant)

Answer

Herbivore

Answer

Carnivore

Answer

Omnivore

Question 24

What is the process by which nutrients are returned to the soil?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Combustion

Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 25

What is the primary objective of sustainable development?

Accepted Answer

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Answer

Maximizing economic growth without regard to environmental consequences

Answer

Preserving the environment in its pristine state, regardless of human needs

Answer

Reducing population growth as the sole solution to environmental problems

Question 26

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

Accepted Answer

Solar energy

Answer

Coal

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Nuclear energy

Question 27

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

To break down organic matter and recycle nutrients

Answer

To produce food for herbivores

Answer

To regulate the oxygen levels

Answer

To control the pH of the soil

Question 28

Which component is crucial for an ecosystem's existence but is not considered a living organism?

Accepted Answer

Abiotic factors

Answer

Producers

Answer

Consumers

Answer

Decomposers

Question 29

In a food chain, energy primarily flows from which organism group to another?

Accepted Answer

Producers to consumers

Answer

Consumers to producers

Answer

Decomposers to producers

Answer

Consumers to decomposers

Question 30

The breakdown of dead organisms into reusable nutrients for plants is primarily carried out by:

Accepted Answer

Decomposers

Answer

Producers

Answer

Consumers

Answer

Symbionts

Question 31

Which of the following energy sources can be replenished naturally over a short period?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy

Answer

Coal

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Nuclear power

Question 32

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment, potentially causing adverse effects on living organisms, is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Pollution

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Eutrophication

Question 33

How do non-living factors, like temperature and rainfall, affect where different species live and how many of them there are in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

These factors affect species distribution and abundance by influencing the availability of resources, the suitability of habitats, and the success of reproduction.

Answer

These factors don't affect species distribution and abundance.

Answer

These factors only affect plant species, not animal species.

Question 34

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

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Shark

Answer

Plankton

Answer

Rabbit

Question 35

Which of the following practices is an example of sustainable agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Crop rotation

Answer

Monoculture farming

Answer

Excessive use of pesticides

Answer

Deforestation for farmland

Question 36

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Hydrogen

Answer

Oxygen

Question 37

The process by which plants convert sunlight into glucose is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Fermentation

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Glycolysis

Question 38

Which of the following organisms is a primary producer?

Accepted Answer

Plant

Answer

Lion

Answer

Mushroom

Answer

Cow

Question 39

The term that refers to the diversity of life on Earth is:

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Biosphere

Answer

Food web

Question 40

Which of the following is a renewable resource?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Coal

Answer

Fossil fuels

Question 41

In an ecosystem, which organism is the primary producer, directly capturing energy from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

Plant

Answer

Carnivore

Answer

Decomposer

Answer

Herbivore

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a key nutrient that cycles through an ecosystem, essential for the growth and functioning of organisms?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Phosphorus

Answer

Carbon

Answer

Nitrogen

Question 43

What is the term for the intricate network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem, showing the interdependence of organisms?

Accepted Answer

Food web

Answer

Trophic level

Answer

Energy pyramid

Answer

Biological community

Question 44

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

To break down organic matter

Answer

To produce food

Answer

To consume herbivores

Answer

To fix nitrogen

Question 45

Which of the following is a potential consequence of global climate change on ecosystems, affecting species distribution and survival?

Accepted Answer

Altered species distributions

Answer

Increased food production

Answer

Elimination of pests

Answer

Improved water quality

Question 46

What is the ultimate source of energy that sustains most ecosystems on Earth, driving ecological processes and supporting life?

Accepted Answer

Solar radiation

Answer

Geothermal energy

Answer

Wind energy

Question 47

What is the primary energy source for most ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Water

Answer

Soil

Answer

Plants

Question 48

Which process breaks down dead organisms and returns nutrients to the soil?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Photosynthesis

Question 49

What is the core idea behind sustainable development?

Accepted Answer

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Answer

Protecting the environment at any cost, even if it hinders economic progress.

Answer

Prioritizing rapid economic development in developing nations.

Question 50

Which of the following is a renewable energy source?

Accepted Answer

Wind

Answer

Coal

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Oil

Question 51

Which biome is characterized by freezing temperatures, low rainfall, and permafrost?

Accepted Answer

Tundra

Answer

Grassland

Answer

Desert

Answer

Forest

Question 52

What is the most significant factor influencing the distribution of ecosystems around the world?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Soil type

Answer

Human activity