Ecosystems and Communities: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Biology BSc

Question 1

Energy flow in an ecosystem proceeds in a unidirectional manner. This means that:

Accepted Answer

Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level, reducing the total energy available

Answer

Energy is perpetually recycled and reused within the ecosystem

Answer

Energy is continuously created and destroyed, conserving the total amount of energy

Answer

Energy can be stored indefinitely without any loss

Question 2

Nutrient cycling in an ecosystem has several significant consequences. Which of the following is NOT a result of nutrient cycling?

Accepted Answer

Creating new energy sources

Answer

Maintaining the fertility of soil

Answer

Regulating the composition of the atmosphere

Answer

Providing essential nutrients for organisms

Question 3

In a community, competition between species for limited resources can lead to:

Accepted Answer

Resource partitioning, where species adapt to utilize different resources

Answer

Mutualism, where species cooperate to their mutual benefit

Answer

Predation, where one species hunts and consumes another

Answer

Parasitism, where one species benefits at the expense of another

Question 4

Which of the following is not a type of symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Question 5

What is the process called by which nutrients are recycled within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Nutrient cycling

Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Decomposition

Question 6

What is a characteristic of a climax community?

Accepted Answer

High species diversity

Answer

Low species diversity

Answer

Pioneer species dominate

Answer

Rapidly changing species composition

Question 7

The study of interactions between organisms and their environment is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Physics

Question 8

The process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy is known as:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Answer

Hydrolysis

Question 9

Which of the following is an abiotic factor in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Answer

Plants

Answer

Animals

Answer

Microorganisms

Question 10

In a food web, which organism is at the highest trophic level?

Accepted Answer

Apex predators

Answer

Producers

Answer

Primary consumers

Answer

Secondary consumers

Question 11

Which type of symbiotic relationship involves both species benefiting from the interaction?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Amensalism

Question 12

The process that converts nitrogen gas into a form usable by plants is known as:

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Ammonification

Question 13

Which factor is most likely to regulate the size of a population?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Predation

Answer

Disease

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 14

The scientific discipline that investigates the interactions between living organisms and their environment is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Zoology

Answer

Botany

Question 15

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Wind

Answer

Geothermal heat

Answer

Chemical energy stored in fossil fuels

Question 16

Which of the following processes plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling within ecosystems, breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients back into the environment?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Predation

Question 17

What is the term used to describe the complex relationships between different species that coexist in a community, including competition, predation, and mutualism?

Accepted Answer

Community interactions

Answer

Competition

Answer

Symbiosis

Answer

Ecological succession

Question 18

What is the term used to describe the number and variety of species within a community, reflecting the richness and complexity of the ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Diversity

Answer

Richness

Answer

Evenness

Answer

Abundance

Question 19

What is the term used to describe a species that has a disproportionate impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem structure and function?

Accepted Answer

Keystone species

Answer

Indicator species

Answer

Endangered species

Answer

Pioneer species

Question 20

What is the term used to describe the hierarchical organization of ecosystems from individual organisms to the global biosphere, encompassing various levels of biological organization?

Accepted Answer

Ecological hierarchy

Answer

Biogeochemical cycles

Answer

Trophic pyramid

Answer

Nutrient cascade

Question 21

Which characteristic indicates a healthy ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

High species diversity and balanced population dynamics

Answer

Rapid nutrient cycling and frequent disturbances

Answer

Dominance of a few species and high rates of decomposition

Answer

Low species diversity and unstable population dynamics

Question 22

Which characteristic is a sign of a healthy ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

High biodiversity and high productivity

Answer

Low nutrient availability and low species richness

Answer

Unstable populations and inefficient energy flow

Answer

Dominance of a single species and limited species interactions

Question 23

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposers break down dead organisms and organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment.

Answer

Decomposers convert inorganic matter into organic matter through photosynthesis.

Answer

Decomposers are top predators that control populations of other organisms.

Question 24

Which process is responsible for the unidirectional transfer of energy through an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Symbiosis

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Nutrient cycling

Question 25

In ecology, the term 'community' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Populations of different species interacting within a defined area

Answer

All living organisms in an ecosystem

Answer

All abiotic factors in an ecosystem

Answer

The physical and chemical environment of an ecosystem

Question 26

What is the correct sequence of energy transfer in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

Answer

Consumers → Producers → Decomposers

Answer

Decomposers → Producers → Consumers

Answer

Producers → Decomposers → Consumers

Question 27

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients

Answer

Produce organic matter from inorganic nutrients

Answer

Transfer energy to higher trophic levels

Answer

Regulate population sizes

Question 28

What key difference distinguishes a keystone species from an indicator species?

Accepted Answer

Keystone species have a disproportionate impact on their community, while indicator species reflect the overall health of the ecosystem

Answer

Indicator species are more common than keystone species

Answer

Keystone species are always predators, while indicator species are always herbivores

Answer

There is no distinction between keystone and indicator species

Question 29

Which of the following is an example of a symbiotic relationship where both species benefit?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Competition

Question 30

What is the term for the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Cellular respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Question 31

The conversion of light energy into chemical energy in plants is known as:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Answer

Transpiration

Question 32

Which organism is a primary consumer?

Accepted Answer

Grasshopper

Answer

Elephant

Answer

Snake

Answer

Eagle

Question 33

A mutualistic relationship is exemplified by:

Accepted Answer

Bacteria-root symbiosis

Answer

Predator-prey

Answer

Parasite-host

Answer

Lion-zebra competition

Question 34

Succession describes:

Accepted Answer

The gradual change in species composition of an ecosystem over time

Answer

The seasonal variation in plant and animal populations

Answer

The impact of human activities on ecosystems

Answer

The adaptation of organisms to changing environmental conditions

Question 35

Which of the following is a characteristic of an unhealthy ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Depletion of resources

Answer

Resilience

Answer

Balanced energy flow

Answer

Biodiversity

Question 36

The process by which nutrients are continuously recycled within an ecosystem is termed:

Accepted Answer

Nutrient cycling

Answer

Speciation

Answer

Energy transfer

Answer

Population growth

Question 37

Which type of ecosystem is characterized by abundant rainfall and continuous leaf production throughout the year?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Grassland

Answer

Desert

Answer

Tundra

Question 38

'Carrying capacity' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustainably support over time

Answer

The number of individuals in a population at a specific moment

Answer

The growth rate of a population

Question 39

Identify the organism that is NOT a primary producer in an ecosystem.

Accepted Answer

Fungi

Answer

Phytoplankton

Answer

Ferns

Answer

Trees

Question 40

The transformation of complex organic compounds into simpler inorganic substances in ecosystems is termed as:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Question 41

The term 'ecological niche' encompasses:

Accepted Answer

The way of life, including resource utilization, of a species in its ecosystem

Answer

The geographical region where a species is found

Answer

The specific habitat a species occupies

Question 42

Which of the following is a characteristic of stable and resilient ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

High species diversity

Answer

Low levels of nutrient cycling

Answer

Rapid species turnover

Answer

Extreme fluctuations in population densities

Question 43

Which of the following interactions involves both species benefiting from the association?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Parasitism

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

High abundance within the ecosystem

Answer

Trophic level

Answer

Narrow dietary niche

Answer

Disproportionate impact on community structure and dynamics

Question 45

In an ecosystem, primary producers are organisms that:

Accepted Answer

Utilize sunlight or inorganic chemical energy to synthesize organic compounds

Answer

Regulate nutrient cycling

Answer

Consume other organisms

Answer

Decompose organic matter

Question 46

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

Accepted Answer

Competition between species

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Water availability

Answer

Altitude

Question 47

Which of the following processes contributes to nutrient cycling in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition by decomposers

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Question 48

Which of the following is a major biome characterized by warm, humid climates, abundant precipitation, and dense, multi-layered vegetation?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Desert

Answer

Tundra

Answer

Grassland

Question 49

The process by which organisms adapt to their environment through natural selection is called:

Accepted Answer

Evolution

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Acclimatization

Answer

Adaptation

Question 50

The concept of trophic levels refers to:

Accepted Answer

The feeding relationships and energy flow within an ecosystem, organized according to the levels of energy transfer

Answer

The different types of organisms in an ecosystem

Answer

The physical structure of an ecosystem