Ecology Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge of Living Things and Their Environment

Question 1

Which element is NOT a basic component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Non-living objects

Answer

Living organisms

Answer

Water

Answer

Soil type

Question 2

What biological process do plants utilize to convert sunlight into chemical energy?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Fermentation

Answer

Decomposition

Question 3

Which process describes the transformation of water from liquid to gas in the water cycle?

Accepted Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Condensation

Answer

Precipitation

Answer

Sublimation

Question 4

What term defines the specific area or environment where an organism lives?

Accepted Answer

Habitat

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Biome

Answer

Niche

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Manufactured objects

Answer

Living organisms

Answer

Non-living factors

Answer

Energy flow

Question 6

The process by which carbon dioxide is transformed into energy-rich organic molecules is known as:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Decomposition

Question 7

The term 'symbiosis' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Close and long-term interactions between different species

Answer

Competition for resources between individuals of the same species

Answer

Relationships between predators and their prey

Answer

Adaptation of species to specific habitats

Question 8

In a food web, how does energy move through different levels? Describe how the amount of energy available decreases as you move up the food chain.

Accepted Answer

Some energy is lost as heat at each level, reducing the amount available to the next level.

Answer

Energy increases at each level because organisms consume more food.

Answer

The total amount of energy in the food web remains constant.

Question 9

In your local surroundings, find an example of a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. Explain how each organism benefits from this partnership.

Accepted Answer

A bee pollinating a flower, benefiting both species.

Answer

A barnacle attaching to a whale's skin, harming the whale.

Answer

A bird nesting in a tree, providing no benefit to the tree.

Answer

Fungi growing on a tree, causing the tree to rot.

Question 10

Which of the following human activities does NOT contribute to the loss of biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Sustainable agriculture practices

Answer

Deforestation

Answer

Climate change

Answer

Pollution

Question 11

How does competition for resources affect the spread of different species in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Competition creates uneven access to resources, leading to differences in survival and reproduction, influencing species distribution.

Answer

Species facing competition usually move to other ecosystems.

Answer

Competition has no effect on species distribution.

Answer

Competition mainly affects large animals.

Question 12

In an ecosystem, how do decomposers contribute to the nutrient cycle?

Accepted Answer

Release nutrients into the soil

Answer

Absorb nutrients from the soil

Answer

Convert nutrients into energy

Question 13

Where does most of the energy in ecosystems come from?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Wind

Answer

Water

Answer

Fossil fuels

Question 14

When one organism benefits while another is harmed, what is this relationship called?

Accepted Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Competition

Question 15

What is a group of the same type of organism living in a certain area called?

Accepted Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Habitat

Question 16

How do plants convert sunlight into food?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Answer

Fermentation

Question 17

Which type of pollution can interfere with the hormone systems of living things?

Accepted Answer

Endocrine disruptors

Answer

Air pollution

Answer

Water pollution

Answer

Noise pollution

Question 18

What is the name of the scientific field that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment?

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Physics

Question 19

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Fixed temperature

Answer

Interconnectedness of living organisms

Answer

Cycling of nutrients

Answer

Energy flow

Question 20

Which of these organisms is considered a top predator?

Accepted Answer

Eagle

Answer

Wolf

Answer

Deer

Answer

Rabbit

Question 21

The specific function an organism fulfills within its ecosystem is known as its:

Accepted Answer

Niche

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Question 22

Which of these is NOT a type of symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

Predation

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Commensalism

Question 23

The process by which organic matter is broken down into simpler substances is called:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Combustion

Question 24

Which of the following is a living part of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Producer organisms (plants)

Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Water

Answer

Temperature

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Methane

Answer

Water vapor

Question 26

Symbiosis describes a close relationship between two organisms. Which of the following is NOT a type of symbiosis?

Accepted Answer

Competition (both organisms are harmed)

Answer

Mutualism (both organisms benefit)

Answer

Commensalism (one organism benefits, the other is unaffected)

Answer

Parasitism (one organism benefits at the expense of the other)

Question 27

The movement of nutrients through an ecosystem, from one living thing to another, and back to the environment is called:

Accepted Answer

Biogeochemical cycle

Answer

Nutrient cycle

Answer

Food chain

Answer

Water cycle

Question 28

The study of the relationships between living organisms and their surroundings is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Physics

Question 29

In a forest ecosystem, wolves are top predators that hunt deer. If the wolf population grows, what is the most likely effect on the deer population?

Accepted Answer

The deer population will decrease because there are more wolves to hunt them.

Answer

The deer population will increase because there are fewer wolves to hunt them.

Answer

The deer population will stay the same because wolves only hunt sick or weak deer.

Answer

The deer population will increase because wolves will hunt other animals instead.

Question 30

What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients

Answer

Producing food for consumers

Answer

Storing energy in their tissues

Answer

Regulating the population size of other organisms

Question 31

What term describes the variety of living organisms within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Question 32

Select the type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other remains unaffected.

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Competition

Question 33

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

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Minerals

Answer

Groundwater

Question 34

Ecology is the study of what?

Accepted Answer

The interactions between organisms and their environment

Answer

The classification of living things

Answer

The structure and function of cells

Answer

The history of the Earth

Question 35

Producers in an ecosystem are organisms that:

Accepted Answer

Produce their own food from sunlight

Answer

Break down organic matter

Answer

Consume other organisms

Answer

Decompose dead organisms

Question 36

What is the term for the combination of organisms and their non-living surroundings?

Accepted Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Biosphere

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Niche

Question 37

What process do plants use to convert sunlight into energy?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 38

Which of the following resources is considered renewable?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy

Answer

Oil

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Coal

Question 39

Decomposers in an ecosystem play the role of:

Accepted Answer

Breaking down dead organisms

Answer

Producing their own food

Answer

Consuming other organisms

Answer

Releasing nutrients back into the soil

Question 40

What is the term for the diversity of living organisms in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Answer

Habitat

Question 41

Which term refers to the variety of different species within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Species diversity

Answer

Genetic diversity

Answer

Ecosystem diversity

Answer

Functional diversity

Question 42

What is the term for a stable and balanced ecosystem where species populations remain relatively constant?

Accepted Answer

Climax community

Answer

Pioneer community

Answer

Succession

Answer

Carrying capacity

Question 43

What is the primary function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Breaking down organic matter

Answer

Producing food for other organisms

Answer

Regulating population sizes

Answer

Distributing nutrients

Question 44

In a food chain, which level is typically occupied by animals that eat only plants?

Accepted Answer

Primary consumers

Answer

Producers

Answer

Secondary consumers

Answer

Top predators

Question 45

What is the term for the gradual change in an ecosystem over time?

Accepted Answer

Succession

Answer

Competition

Answer

Predation

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 46

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

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Competition

Question 47

The process by which green plants produce food using sunlight is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 48

Biodiversity refers to:

Accepted Answer

The variety of life forms within an ecosystem

Answer

The abundance of one particular species

Answer

The rate at which new species evolve

Answer

The balance of ecosystems

Question 49

In a symbiotic relationship, which type of interaction benefits one organism without harming or helping the other?

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Competition

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a renewable energy source?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy

Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Nuclear energy

Answer

Natural gas

Question 51

What is the process by which plants use sunlight to create their own food called?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 52

What is the term for a relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped?

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Predation

Question 53

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

To break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the environment

Answer

To produce oxygen through photosynthesis

Answer

To consume other organisms for energy

Answer

To provide shelter for other organisms

Question 54

Which of the following is an example of a species that has a large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance?

Accepted Answer

Sea otter

Answer

Bald eagle

Answer

White-tailed deer

Answer

American robin

Question 55

What is the term for the variety of living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, in an area?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Niche

Question 56

What is the name of the scientific field that studies the interactions between organisms and their environment?

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Physics

Question 57

Plants make their own food using a process called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 58

Which organism in a food chain consumes plants?

Accepted Answer

Rabbit

Answer

Grass

Answer

Hawk

Answer

Bacteria

Question 59

The gradual change in the types of species in an area over time is called:

Accepted Answer

Succession

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Migration

Answer

Adaptation

Question 60

The science that studies the relationships between living things and their environment is:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Physics

Question 61

When two organisms live together and both benefit, this type of relationship is called:

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predator-prey

Answer

Parasite-host

Answer

Commensalism

Question 62

The range of conditions that an organism can tolerate is called its:

Accepted Answer

Niche

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Competition

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT an essential characteristic of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Complete absence of competition

Answer

Interdependence of living things

Answer

Exchange of materials and energy

Answer

Variety of plant and animal species

Question 64

Which type of living thing can make its own food?

Accepted Answer

Producer

Answer

Consumer

Answer

Decomposer

Answer

Predator