14.

ECOSYSTEM

Single Correct Answer Type

1. Which ecosystem has the highest gross primary productivity

a) Rainforests b) Coral reefs c) Mangroves d) Grass lands

2. In primary succession in water, the pioneer species are

a) Free floating angiosperm b) Small phytoplanktons

c) Rooted hydrophytes d) Lichens

3. The pyramid of biomass will be inverted in the ecosystem of

a) Forests b) Ponds c) Grasslands d) Drylands

4. Complete the following model of carbon cycle filling 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷, 𝐸 and 𝐹

a) A-Osmosis, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration, D-Burning of fuel wood, E-Forest food chain, F-Limestone

b) A-Photorespiration, B-Respiration, C-Respiration, D-Burning of organic debris, E-Pond food chain, F-

Dolomite
c) A-Respiration, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration, D-Combustion of fossil fuels, E-Aquatic food chain, F-
Coal, oil
d) A-Respiration, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration, D-Burning of forest, E-Terrestrial food chain, F-Forest

5. Large unit of land having different types of plants and animals, is called

a) Uniform vegetation b) Biome c) Ecosystem d) Niche

6. Which of the following is known as the sedimentary cycle because its reservoir is a sedimentary rock?

a) Carbon cycle b) Hydrologic cycle c) Nitrogen cycle d) Phosphorus cycle

7. In ecological succession the communities in near equilibrium with the environment, are called

a) Climax communities b) Ecofriendly communities

c) Seral communities d) Pioneer communities

8. Dried plant parts such as leaves, bark, flowers, etc., and dead remains of animals including faecal matter,
drop over the soil, constitute
I. below ground detritus
II. above ground detritus
III. litter fall
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and IV c) II and III d) I and III

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9. In the following, there is no difference.

a) Trophic level-I and herbivores b) Primary consumers and herbivores

c) Primary carnivores and trophic level-II d) Secondary consumer and herbivores

10. Consider the following statements about carbon cycle

I. Carbon is released into the atmosphere
II. The atmospheric input of carbon from rainfall is greater
III. Carbon gas is exchanged between organisms and atmosphere during respiration
Which of the statement given above are correct?
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

11. Ecological pyramids were discovered by

a) Elton b) Odum c) Reiter d) None of these

12. Plant successions occurring in a sandy area is

a) Psammosere b) Hydrosere c) Xerosere d) Lithosere

13. An ecosystem is

a) Different communities of plants, animals and microbes interact together with their physico-chemical
environments
b) Different communities of plants and microbes interact with their physico-chemical environments

c) A localised assemblage of several plants and animals

d) An assemblage of plants, animals and their surroundings

14. What do ecologists call the transfer of energy that begins with the sun and passes from one organism to
the next in a food chain?
a) A food web b) A top consumer

c) Energy flow d) A pyramid of number

15. The energy invested in the production of new tissue by autotrophic organisms is termed

a) Gross primary production b) Decomposition

c) Gross photosynthetic activity d) Net primary production

16. Microbes that breakdown the complex organic matter into simple substances like carbon, nitrogen, water,
etc., are
a) Producers b) Decomposers c) Consumers d) Symbionts

17. Which one of the following is no used for construction of ecological pyramids?

a) Dry weight b) Number of individuals

c) Rate of energy flow d) Fresh weight

18. Which element is formed by the weathering of rocks and absorbed by plant from the soil?

a) Phosphorus b) Carbon c) Nitrogen d) Oxygen

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19. Given diagram represents a pyramid of biomass in an aquatic system

Identifies 𝐴 of 𝐵 and select correct options

a) A is phytoplanktons and B is zooplanktons b) A is zooplanktons and B is phytoplanktons

c) A is smally body animals d) B is small body animals

20. Given below is one of the types of ecological pyramids

This type represents

a) Pyramid of number in a grassland ecosystem b) Pyramid of energy in forest ecosystem

c) Pyramid of biomass in sea ecosystem d) Pyramid of biomass in terrestrial ecosystem

21. The process of breaking down complex organic matter into inorganic substances like 𝐶𝑂2 , water and
nutrient is called
a) Humification b) Mineralisation c) Decomposition d) Leaching

22. Series of changes in structure and comparition of communities on previously barren area is

a) Sere b) Climax community c) Primary succession d) Secondary succession

23. Energy transferred from on trophic level to another is

a) 5% b) 10% c) 15% d) 20%

24. When the two ecosystems overlap each other, the areas is called

a) Habitat b) Niche c) Ecotone d) Ecotype

25. The total amount of nutrients like carbon, phosphorus, calcium, etc., present in soil at any time is called

a) Standing crop b) Standing state c) Nutrient crops d) Sediment

26. A food web is more realistic than a food chain for showing the feeding relationships in an ecosystem
because
a) It compares the number of consumers to the number of microorganisms in an ecosystem

b) Food chains use only a small sampling of organisms

c) A food web explains why there are more producers than consumers

d) Producers are usually eaten by many different consumers and most consumers are eaten by more than
one predator
27. Identify 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 from the given flow chart

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 a) A-Bulbul, B-Snake, C-Monkey b) A-Beetle, B-Lizard, C-Praying mantis

c) A-Ladybird, B-Snake, C-Hawk d) A-Lizard, B-Bird, C-Snake

28. Which of the following ecological pyramid are always inverted?

a) Pyramid of number in parasific food chain and pyramid of biomass in pond ecosystem

b) Pyramid of number in pond ecosystem and pyramid of biomass in pond ecosystem

c) Pyramid of number in pasific food chain and pyramid of number in pond ecosystem

d) All of the above

29. An individual transitional communities in ecological succession are termed as

a) Climax community b) Pioneer community c) Seral communities d) Single community

30. The living organisms present in an ecosystem forms

a) Abiotic components b) Biotic components

c) Physical components d) Chemical components

31. The rate of biomass production per unit area over a time period by plants during photosynthesis is called

a) Gross primary productivity b) Net primary productivity

c) Secondary productivity d) Decomposition

32. The decomposition rate is higher when detritus is rich in

a) Nitrogen and sugar b) Phosphorus and sugar

c) Calcium and sugar d) Both (b) and (c)

33. A man-made ecosystem is

a) Less in diversity b) More in diversity

c) Man does not make ecosystem d) More stable than natural ecosystem

34. The green plants in an ecosystem which can trap solar energy to convert it into chemical bond energy are
called
a) Producer b) Decomposer c) Consumer d) Predators

35. Vegetable eating person acts as

a) primary producer b) primary consumer c) secondary consumer d) tertiary consumer

36. Consider the following statements about food chain

I. The transfer of energy from producers to top consumers through a series of organisms is called food
chain

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 II. A food chain is always straight and proceeds in a progressive straight line
III. In a food chain, there is unidirectional flow of energy from sun to producers and subsequently to series
of different types of consumers
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

37. Food chain consists of

a) Plants b) Herbivores c) Carnivores d) All of these

38. Consider the following ecosystem

I. Pond ecosystem II. Terrestrial ecosystem
III. Oceans ecosystem IV. Forest ecosystem
There are mainly three food chain in natural ecosystem’s grazing food chain, detritus food chain, parasite
food chain
Find out which of the following will have grazing food chain?
a) Pond ecosystem b) Terrestrial ecosystem c) Ocean ecosystem d) All of these

39. A much large fraction of energy flows in aquatic ecosystem through

a) grazing food chain b) Detritus food chain c) Complex food chain d) Food web

40. Consider the following statements concerning food chains.

I. Removal of 80% tigers from an area resulted in greatly increased growth of vegetation.
II. Removal of most of the carnivores resulted in an increased population of deers.
III. The length of food chains is generally limited to 3 to 4 trophic levels due to energy loss.
IV. The length of food chains may vary from 2 to 8 trophic levels.
Which two of the above statements are correct?
a) II and III b) III and IV c) I and IV d) I and II

41. Consider the following statements about food web

I. One organism hold more than one position
II. The flow of energy is very difficult to calculate
III. Instead of straight line it is a series of branching lines
IV. Competition is amongst the members of same and different trophic levels
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I, II and III b) I, III and IV c) II, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV

42. The statement, ‘Tiger is in the apex of food chain’, indicates

a) Tiger has many enemies

b) Tiger has maximum biomass

c) Tiger is omnivorous

d) Tiger is dependent upon large number of herbivores and even more number of trees in forest

43. Simplified model of phosphorus cycling in a terrestrial ecosystem is given below. Identify 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶 and 𝐷

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 a) A-Weathering, B-Decomposition, C-Consumer, D-Soil

b) A-Decomposition, B-Weathering, C-Producer, D-Soil

c) A-Weathering, B-Decomposition, C-Decomposer, D-Soil

d) A-Decomposition, B-Decomposer, C-Weathering, D-Soil

44. Primary productivity is affected by

I. temperature
II. sunlight
III. moisture
IV. availability of nutrients
a) I and II b) I, II and III c) II, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV

45. Terai forest is

a) Tropical forest b) Coniferous forest

c) Deciduous forest d) Temperate deciduous forest

46. The figure given below is a diagrammatic representation of response of organisms to abiotic factors. What
do A, B and C represent respectively?

A B C
a) Conformer Regulator Partial regulator

b) Regulator Partial regulator Conformer

c) Partial Regulator Regulator Conformer

d) Regulator Conformer Partial regulator

47. The ecological niche of population is a

a) Geographical area that it covers b) Place where it lives

c) Set of conditions and resource it uses d) None of the above

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48. Inverted pyramid is found in

a) Biomass pyramid of aquatic system b) Energy pyramid of grassland

c) Biomass pyramid of grassland d) Pyramid of number of aquatic system

49. If a predator is overexploits its prey in a ecosystem then what might be consequences of this?

a) Prey might be extinct b) Predator might be extinct

c) Both (a) and (b) d) No affect on prey and predator

50. Which of the following organisms form the decomposers?

a) Pteris b) Bacteria c) Saprophytic fungi d) Both (b) and (c)

51. Osmotrophs belong to

a) Primary consumers b) Secondary consumers c) Top carnivores d) Decomposers

52. Greater primary productivity depends upon

a) Rain (humidity) b) Availability of nutrients

c) Both (a) and (b) d) None of these

53. Word detritus includes

a) Dead plant parts b) Remains of animals c) Animal excretions d) All of these

54. Decomposition of organic matter is brought about by

a) Protozoa b) Plants c) Microorganisms d) None of these

55. Some of the stages in the hydrarch are labelled as

I. Marsh meadow stage
II. Reed swamp stage
III. Submerged plant stage
IV. Phytoplankton stage
V. Submerged free floating plant stage
Identify the choice that represents the correct sequence of these stages
a) IV, III, V, II and I b) III, V, I, II and IV c) II, IV, III, I and V d) IV, V, III, II and I

56. The correct sequence of food chain is

a) 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 → 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡 → 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑑 → 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑒 b) 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 → 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑑 → 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡 → 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑒

c) 𝑆𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑒 → 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑑 → 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡 → 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 d) 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 → 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑒 → 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑑 → 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡

57. When the number of organisms at successive levels are plotted they assume the shape of a pyramid. This
is called the pyramid of
a) Biomass b) Number c) Energy d) None of these

58. Which kind of pyramid is represented by the given diagram

a) Pyramid of number in tree ecosystem b) Pyramid of biomass in tree ecosystem

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 c) Pyramid of biomass in aquatic ecosystem d) Pyramid of energy in tree ecosystem

59. In ecotone, some species become abundant called

a) Sibling species b) Endemic species c) Rare species d) Edge species

60. Ecosystem may be defined as

a) A species along with environment b) Plants found in water

c) Plants found on land d) All plants and animal species along with their
environment
61. Following are the different stages in primary succession in water

Which of the following is the logical sequence of primary succession in water?

a) II → IV → V → VII → I → III → V b) I → III → V → II → IV → VI → VII

c) V → II → IV → VI → VII → III → I d) VI → VII → III → I → V → II → IV

62. Energy flow and energy transformation in living systems strictly conform to the

a) Law of limiting factors b) Liebig’s law of minimum

c) Law’s of thermodynamics d) Shelford’s law of tolerance

63. Phosphorus is required for making

I. shell
II. bones
III. teeth
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

64. The species that invade a bare area in ecological succession are called

a) Benthos b) Biological species c) Seral species d) Pioneer species

65. In a pond ecosystem, benthos means

a) Primary consumers in the depth of a pond b) Virus

c) Zooplankton on the water surface d) Bacteria

66. The given figure best represents

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 a) Pyramid of number in parasitic food chain b) Pyramid of biomass in forest ecosystem

c) Pyramid of number in grassland ecosystem d) Pyramid of number in forest ecosystem

67. Decomposers are

a) Autotrophs b) Autoheterotrophs c) Organotrophs d) Heterotrophs

68. The lentic ecosystem includes

a) Gravitational water b) Standing water c) Rain water d) Running water

69. Primary succession on rocks starts with

a) Lichen b) Grass c) Mosses d) Ferns

70. Energy storage at consumer level is called

a) Gross primary productivity b) Secondary productivity

c) Net primary productivity d) Net productivity

71. True/False
I. The total organic matter synthesised by the producers in the process of photosynthesis per unit time and
area is known as gross primary productivity
II. Net primary productivity is the weight of the organic matter stored by the producers in a unit
area/volume per unit time
a) I is true while II is false b) II is true, while I is false

c) I and II are true d) I and II are false

72. Lion is kept under in Eltonian pyramid as

a) Producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer

73. Maximum primary productivity of pond is achieved by

a) Phytoplankton b) Zooplankton c) Floating plants d) Red algae

74. What is the medium by which carbon cycle takes place?

a) Through atmosphere b) Through ocean

c) Through living and dead organisms d) All of the above

75. …… temperature is required for the proper functioning of an enzyme. The most appropriate word

a) Low b) High c) Optimum d) None of the above

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76. In ecological pyramid the base always represent the …A… and the apex represents …B… Here A and B
represents
a) A-producers; B-top level consumers b) A-top level consumer; B-producers

c) A-producers; B-secondary consumers d) A-producers; B-primary consumers

77. Maximum net productivity in the terrestrial ecosystem is in

a) Rain forest b) Deciduous forest

c) Mangrove plantation d) Both (a) and (b)

78. The primary consumers in a pond ecosystem are

a) Phytoplankton b) Zooplankton c) Fishes d) Bacteria

79. Which of the following factor is contributing to an overload of the carbon cycle?

a) Photosynthesis b) Cellular respiration c) Deforestation d) Aforestation

80. Which ones are the reservoirs of sulphur and carbon cycles respectively?

a) Atmosphere and consumers b) Earth crust and atmosphere

c) Earth crust and producer d) Atmosphere and predator

81. Ecosystem consists of

a) Producers b) Consumers c) Decomposers d) All of these

82. Trophic level of food chain having greatest amount of energy, is

a) Carnivores b) Herbivores c) Autotrophs d) Omnivores

83. The entire sequence of communities that successively changes in a given area are called

a) Sere b) Climax c) Pioneer d) Xerarch

84. Energy flow in ecosystem is

a) Bidirectional b) Unidirectional c) All around d) None of these

85. A bear that eats a fish that further ate bugs that ate algae is a

a) Primary producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer

86. Acid secreted lichens on baren rock helps in

I. dissolving rocks
II. weathering
III. soil formation
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

87. Ecological succession is

a) Directional but unpredictable b) Directionless but predictable

c) Directional but predictable d) Directionless but unpredictable

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88. Which one of the following pairs is mismatched?

a) Savanna - Acacia trees b) Prairie - Epiphyte

c) Tundra - Permafrost d) Coniferous forest - Evergreen

89. In an ecosystem, the cycling of nutrient is known as

a) Geological cycle b) Chemical cycle c) Geochemical cycle d) Biogeochemical cycle

90. The aquatic organism that can actively swim at will against the water current is

a) Neuston b) Plankton c) Nekton d) Benthos

91. Green plants and green sulphur bacteria, prepare their organic food themselves with the help of sunlight,
are known as
a) Chemoautotrophs b) Photoautotrophs c) Heterotrophs d) Chemotrophs

92. The movement of nutrient elements through various components (abiotic and biotic) of an ecosystem is
called
a) Carbon cycle b) Geochemical cycle c) Biogeochemical cycle d) Chemical cycle

93. Biotic community along with its interacting physical environment comprises

a) Phytosociology b) Phytogeography c) Ecosystem d) Ecology

94. The relation between producers and consumers in an ecosystem can be graphically represented in the
form of a pyramid called
a) Ecological pyramid b) Tropical level c) Pi chart d) Pyramid of biomass

95. Energy stored at the consumer level is

a) Primary productivity b) Secondary productivity

c) Net primary productivity d) Productivity

96. Actively moving organisms in aquatic ecosystem are

a) Nekton b) Benthos c) Viruses d) None of these

97. The secondary succession is easy and is completed quickly, because the area

a) Already has soil and some vegetation b) Is soilless

c) Is barren d) None of the above

98. Gross primary productivity is utilised by …A… in …B…

Choose the correct option for A and B
a) A-plants; B-photosynthesis b) A-plants; B-respiration

c) A-animal; B-respiration d) A-animal; B-digestion

99. What will happen if all the bacteria and fungi are destroyed?

a) There will be no disease and death

b) No antibiotics would become available

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 c) Dead bodies and excretions will pile up

d) Soil will become rich of all nutrients

100. A simplified model of pond ecosystem is given below. Identify 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷 and 𝐸 and choose the correct
option

a) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Autotrophs, D-Heterotrophs, E-Detritivores

b) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Producer, D-Primary consumers, E-Detritivores

c) A-Abiotic, B-Biotic, C-Producer, D-Consumers, E-Detritivores

d) A-Biotic, B-Chemical, C-Primary consumers, D-Secondary consumers, E-Tertiary consumers

101. Abiotic components refers to

a) Non-living physico-chemical factors b) Living physico-chemical factors

c) Gases produced by industries d) Living organisms

102. Which of the following ecological pyramids can never occur in an inverted from

a) Pyramid of number b) Pyramid of biomass

c) Pyramid of energy d) Pyramid of species richness

103. Identify the correct type of food chain.

𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑙 → 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑓𝑙𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑜𝑡𝑠 → 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑔 → 𝑆𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑒

a) Grazing food chain b) Detrital food chain

c) Decomposer food chain d) Predator food chain

104. Which of the following is expected to have the highest value (𝑔𝑚/𝑚2 /𝑦𝑟) in a grassland ecosystem?

a) Secondary production (SP) b) Tertiary production (TP)

c) Gross production (GP) d) Net production (NP)

105. Ecosystem is

a) Always open b) Always closed

c) Both open and closed depending upon community d) Both open and closed depending upon biomass

106. Which of the following pair is a sedimentary type of biogeochemical cycle?

a) Carbon and nitrogen b) Phosphorus and sulphur

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 c) Phosphorus and nitrogen d) Phosphorus and oxygen

107. Tropical dense forests are due to

a) Low rainfall and low temperature

b) High rainfall and low temperature

c) Low rainfall and high temperature

d) High rainfall and high temperature

108. In a lake, phytoplankton grow I abundance in

a) Littoral zone b) Limnetic zone c) Profundal zone d) Benthic region

109. At each step of food chain when food energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next higher
trophic level only about 10% of energy is passed onto next level. This is known as …A… given by …B… in
…C… . Here A, B and C Refers to
a) A-Energy flow law, B-Lindeman, C-1942 b) A-10% law, B-Lindeman, C-1942

c) A-Energy flow law, B-Lipemann, C-1940 d) A-10% law, B-Lipemann, C-1940

110. The process of accumulation of a dark coloured amorphous substance that is highly resistant to microbial
action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate is called
a) Mineralisation b) Humitication c) Organisation d) Transformation

111. Total energy fixed by an ecosystem is called

a) Primary production b) Gross production

c) Net production d) Secondary production

112. A detrivore is

a) Animal feeding on plant matter

b) Animal feeding on dead and decaying organic matter

c) A plant feeding on an animal

d) Animal feeding on another animal

113. All the animals that depend on plants for food are called

a) Decomposers b) Root feeders c) Consumers d) Grazers

114. Regarding the mode of obtaining food, the organisms occurring in an ecosystem are classified into plants,
animals and microorganisms. These are respectively called
a) Producer, consumers and decomposers

b) Primary, secondary and tertiary consumers

c) Consumers, producer and decomposers

d) Autotrophs, heterotrophs and producers

115. Out of the following biogeochemical cycles which one is gaseous?

I. sulphur II. Phosphorus
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 III. nitrogen IV. Carbon
Choose the correct option
a) Only I b) Only II c) Only IV d) III and IV

116. The amount of living matter present in an ecosystem at a given time is called

a) Biomass b) Standing crop c) Standing state d) Productivity

117. In a food chain, the maximum population of

a) Producers b) Primary consumers c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumers

118. Overlapping region between two ecosystems is called

a) Biome b) Ecotone c) Niche d) Photic zone

119. The major functions of an ecosystem includes

I. productivity II. Decomposition
III. energy flow IV. Nutrient flow
Choose the correct option
a) I, II and III b) II, III and IV c) I, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV

120. Most diverse organism of an ecosystem is

a) Producer b) Consumer c) Decomposer d) Carnivore

121. In grazing food chain energy comes from

a) Organic remain b) Air c) Water d) All of these

122. The amount of usable energy, which is available for doing work, when the temperature and pressure are
uniform throughout the system is called
a) Enthalpy b) Activation energy c) Spontaneous energy d) Free energy

123. Which one of the following is correct for xerarch succession?

a) Successional series from xeric to mesic condition b) Successional series from hydric to mesic condition

c) Both (a) and (b) d) None of the above

124. Biotic components refer to

a) Gases produced by industries b) Nutrient-deficient soil

c) Living organisms d) Fossil fuels

125. Which one of the following is correct matching of a plant, its habitat and the forest type where it normally
occurs?
a) Prosopis, tree, scrub b) Saccharumofficinarum, grass, forest

c) Shorearobusta, herb, tropical rain forest d) Acacia catechu, tree, coniferous forest

126. Select the options that correctly identifies 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 in the given table
Organisms Trophic Types of
Level Food Chains
Eagle A Grazing
Earthworm Primary B
consumer

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 C Secondary Grazing
consumer
a) A-Secondary consumer, B-Grazing, C-Algae b) A-Top carnivore, B-Detritus, C-Frog

c) A-Scavenger, B-Grazing, C-Hawk d) A-Decomposer, B-Detritus, C-Perch

127. What is common in earthworm, soil mites and dung beetle in an ecosystem?

a) They all are detritivores b) Primary consumer

c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer

128. Which one of the following is involved in sedimentary cycle?

a) Carbon b) Nitrogen c) Hydrogen d) Phosphorus

129. Which of the following pyramid is always upright and can never be inverted?

a) Pyramid of biomass b) Pyramid of number c) Pyramid of energy d) Both (a) and (c)

130. Choose the correct statements

I. Productivity is expressed in 𝑔𝑚 −2 𝑦𝑟 −1 or (kcal 𝑚 −2 )𝑦𝑟 −1
II. The amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period in plants during
photosynthesis is called primary production
III. Primary production is expressed in term of weight (𝑔−2 ) or energy (𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚 −2 )
IV. Sugarcane have more efficiency to trap sunlight, so they accumulate more primary productivity
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and IV c) I, II, III and IV d) None of these

131. The 10% law is related to

a) Mendelian genetics

b) Non-Mendelian genetics

c) Energy transfer from lower trophic to higher trophic level

d) Energy consumption during photosynthesis in 𝐶 -plants

4

132. Which of the following two organisms are producers?

a) Plants and phytoplanktons b) Plants and consumers

c) Zooplanktons and phytoplanktons d) Phytoplanktons and chlorophyll

133. Consider the succession of plants

I. In hydrarch succession series progress from hydric to the mesic condition
II. In xerarch succession series progress from xerarch to the mesic condition
III. In xerarch succession if it is started on bare rock the pioneer species is lichens
IV. In hydrarch and xerarch succession series progress from mesarch to xerarch condition
Which of the following is correct combination match from above statements?
Choose the correct option
a) II and III b) III and IV c) II and IV d) I, II and III

134. Which creatures are direct or indirect food of all creatures on the ocean’s surface?

a) Protozoans b) Phytoplankton c) Fish d) Aquatic insects

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135. An inverted pyramid of …A… may occasionally be observed in …B… communities

a) A-energy; B-grassland b) A-energy; B-forest

c) A-biomass; B-marine d) A-biomass; B-grassland

136. Which one of the following is not a functional unit of an ecosystem?

a) Productivity b) Startification c) Energy flow d) Decomposition

137. Which one of the following types of organisms occupy more than one trophich level in a pond ecosystem?

a) Phytoplankton b) Fish c) Zooplankton d) Frog

138. Humus is

a) Dark coloured amorphous organic matter rich in lignin

b) Dark coloured organic matter rich in cellulose

c) Both (a) and (b)

d) Red coloured substances rich in iron

139. In terrestrial ecosystem such as forest, maximum energy is found in which tropic level?

a) 𝑇1 b) 𝑇2 c) 𝑇3 d) 𝑇4

140. Frog, that feeds on insects, is a

a) Primary consumer b) Secondary consumer

c) Tertiary consumer d) Decomposer

141. The organisms, which attack dead animals are

a) First link of the food chain and are known as primary producers

b) Second link the food chain and are herbivorous

c) Third link of the food chain and are tertiary consumers

d) Present at the end of food chain and are detrivores

142. Pyramid of energy in aquatic ecosystem is

a) Always upright b) Always inverted c) Bell-shaped d) None of these

143. Consider the following statements about ecological pyramids

I. Charles Elton developed the concept of ecological pyramid
II. After the name these pyramids are also called as Eltonian pyramids
III. It is a graphical representation or pyramid shaped diagram which depicts the number of organisms,
biomass and energy at each trophic level
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

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144.

I. 10 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟II. 100 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟

III. 1000 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚2 /𝑦𝑟IV. 100000 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚2 /𝑦𝑟
Refer to the above diagram of energy pyramid. The ecological efficiency at primary consumer level, in
comparison to that at secondary consumer level, is
a) Same b) More

c) Less d) Cannot be ascertained from the data

145. Which of the following pyramid of numbers in ecology is not upright?

a) Pond ecosystem b) Desert ecosystem c) Tree ecosystem d) Forest ecosystem

146. A lion that eats a zebra that ate grass is a

a) Primary producer b) Primary consumer

c) Secondary consumer d) Quaternary consumer

147. Pyramids of biomass in pond ecosystem is

a) Inverted

b) Upright

c) Linear

d) Irregular

148. The process of which humus is degraded by some microbes to release inorganic nutrients is known as

a) Mineralization b) Humification

c) Photophosphorylation d) Pollination

149. The process of mineralisation by microorganisms helps in the release of

a) Inorganic nutrients from humus

b) Both organic and inorganic nutrients from detritus

c) Organic nutrients from humus

d) Inorganic nutrients from detritus and formation of humus

150. Which of the following plants develop characters of xerophytes?

a) Heliophytes b) Sciophytes c) Hydrophytes d) Halophytes

151. Which one of the following statements is correct for secondary succession?

a) It occurs on a deforested site

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 b) It follows primary succession

c) It is similar to primary succession except that it has a relatively fast pace

d) It begins on a bare rock

152. Phytoplanktons are found in which of the following zones?

a) Limnetic zone b) Secondary consumers

c) Littoral zone d) Aphotic zone

153. The role of a cow in a food chain is

a) Primary consumer b) Heterotroph c) Herbivores d) All of these

154. Which of the following are the essential sources for releasing 𝐶𝑂2 in the atmosphere?
I. Burning of wood
II. Volcanic activity
III. Combustion of organic matter
IV. Fossil fuels
Choose the correct option
a) I, II and III b) II, III and IV c) I, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV

155. Source of energy in an ecosystem is

a) Sun b) ATP c) Sugar made by plant d) Green plant

156. Consider the following statements about limitations of ecological pyramids

I. It never takes into account the same species belonging to two or more trophic levels
II. It assumes a simple food chain, which never exists in nature
III. In split of the vital role played by saprophytes/decomposers, they are not given any position in
ecological pyramids
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

157. Which of the following always has a pyramidal shape, that is, decreasing values at higher trophic levels?

a) Pyramids of number b) Pyramids of biomass

c) Both (a) and (b) d) Pyramids of energy

158. Identify the plant belonging to the reed-swamp stage in hydrarch succession

a) Juncus b) Sagittaria c) Salix d) Trapa

159. Secondary productivity is

a) The rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers

b) Greater than primary productivity

c) 5% less than primary productivity

d) Equal to the gross primary productivity

160. Extinction of a species in a food chain is compensated by

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 a) Food chain b) Ecological pyramid c) Food web d) None of these

161. The changes that occur in successive seral stages to reach a climax community are
I. changes in the diversity of species of organisms
II. increase in the number of species and organisms
III. increase in the total biomass
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

162. Which one of the following is a gaseous cycle?

a) Sulphur cycle b) Phosphorus cycle c) Nitrogen cycle d) All of these

163. Which of the following statements are correct?

I. Least productive ecosystems are deserts and deep lakes
II. Sugarcane is the most productive crop
III. Most productive ecosystem is coral reef
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

164. Pyramid of energy in ecosystem is

a) Always upright b) Always inverted c) Mostly upright d) Mostly inverted

165. A plant is

a) An autotroph b) A heterotroph c) A primary producer d) Both (a) and (c)

166. Ecosystem having the highest primary productivity is

a) Pond b) Ocean c) Desert d) Forest

167. The Great Barrier Reef along the east coast of Australia can be categorized as

a) Population b) Community c) Ecosystem d) Biome

168. A much smaller fraction of energy flows in a terrestrial ecosystem through

a) Grazing food chain b) Detritus food chain

c) Complex food chain d) Food web aquatic ecosystem

169. …A… is required for higher primary productivity. …B… have the lowest primary productivity as the soil is
deficient in moisture.
Choose the correct option for A and B
a) A-Rain; B-desert b) A-Heat; B-forest c) A-Rain; B-forest d) A-Forest; B-desert

170. Driving force of any ecosystem is

a) Organic fuels and carbohydrates b) Biomass

c) Solar energy d) Decomposers

171. Climax community is

a) Stable b) Self perpetuating

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 c) Final biotic community d) All of these

172. Stratification occurs in

a) Desert b) Tropical forest c) Deciduous forest d) Tundra

173. Plant species having a wide range of genetical distribution evolve into a local population known as

a) Ecotype b) Biome c) Ecosystem d) Population

174. Regarding 10% law

I. This law was put forward by Lindeman in 1942
II. According to this law, during the transfer of food energy from one tropical level to the other, only about
10% is stored at higher trophic level and the remaining 90% is lost in respiration, decomposition and
waste in the form of heat
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only I b) Only II c) I and II d) None of these

175. Ecological succession is a

a) Long term process b) Very fast process c) Short term process d) Migration

176. At which latitude, heat gain through insolation approximately equals heat loss through terrestrial
radiation?
a) 66° North and South b) 22 1 ° North and South
2
c) 40° North and South d) 42 1 ° North and South
2
177. Rabbits eats grass and other plants to survive, but they do not eat animals. Refer the best category for
rabbits?
a) Decomposers b) Carnivores c) Producers d) Herbivores

178. If we completely remove the decomposers from an ecosystem, its functioning will be adversely affected
because
a) Herbivores will not receive solar energy b) Mineral movement will be blocked

c) The rate of decomposition will be very high d) Energy flow will be blocked

179. To show how many organisms are present at each level of a food chain, ecologists use a model called

a) An energy flow pyramid b) Pyramid of numbers

c) Pyramid of energy d) Food chain/food web pyramid

180. Competition for food, light and space is most severe between two

a) Closely related species growing in different niches

b) Distantly related species growing different niches

c) Closely related species growing in same niches

d) Distantly related species growing in same niches

181. What human activities are responsible increase to the amount of 𝐶𝑂2 in the atmosphere?

a) Deforestation b) Massive burning of fossil fuels

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 c) Vehicle for energy d) All of the above

182. The reservoir for the gaseous type of biogeochemical cycle exists in

a) Stratosphere b) Atmosphere c) Ionosphere d) Lithosphere

183. Autotrophs

a) Make their own food b) Are the base of the food chain

c) Are primary producers d) All of the above

184. An ecosystem, which can be easily damaged but can recover after some time if damaging effect stops, will
be having
a) Low stability and high resilience b) High stability and low resilience

c) Low stability and low resilience d) High stability and high resilience

185. Which of the following ecosystem types has the highest annual net primary productivity?

a) Tropical rain forest b) Tropical deciduous forest

c) Temperate evergreen forest d) Temperate deciduous forest

186. In pond ecosystem, diatoms represent

a) Producers b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Tertiary consumer

187. The importance of ecosystem lies in

a) Cycling of materials b) Flow of energy c) Both (a) and (b) d) Its biomass

188. Two species occupying same or overlapping area are called as

a) Sympatric b) Allopatric c) Parapatric d) Ring species

189. Which of the following representations show the pyramid of numbers in a grassland ecosystem?

a) A b) B c) C d) None of these

190. Choose the area which will take minimum time for succession

a) Newly created reservoir b) Bare rock

c) Buried or cut forest d) Newly cooled lava

191. Each tropical level has a certain mass of living material at a particular time called

a) Standing crop b) Biomass

c) Branching lines d) Progressive straight line

192. What is the rate of secondary production in the energy pyramid given below?

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 a) Uncertain b) 100 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟 c) 10 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚2 /𝑦𝑟 d) 110 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟

193. Energy transfers or transformation are never 100% efficient. This is due to

a) Entropy b) Homeostasis c) Catabolism d) Anabolism

194. The process by which water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated
as unavailable salts is called as
a) Fragmentation b) Leaching c) Catabolism d) Mineralization

195. The nature of climax community in ecological succession in most dependent upon

a) Climate b) Water c) Soil fertility d) None of the above

196. Group of two or more than two plant species is called as

a) Plant community b) Animal ecosystem c) Plant ecosystem d) Ecological niche

197. The products of decomposition process are

a) Humus b) Inorganic nutrients c) Organic nutrients d) Both (a) and (b)

198. The reservoir for the sedimentary cycle exists in

a) Earth crust b) Organic sediments c) Calcareous sediments d) Limestone

199. Standing crop refers to

a) All the photosynthetic living forms in an area

b) All he living forms in an area

c) The amount of living matter in a component population of an ecosystem at any time

d) All the crop plants in an area

200. Nektons are

a) Organisms that swim in water b) Floating plants

c) Suspended lower plants d) Animals associated with plants

201. Vertical distribution of different species occupying different levels in an ecosystem is called

a) Stratification b) Decomposition c) Fragmentation d) Humification

202. Fill in the missing stages (A to D) in the given primary hydrarch succession.
Phytoplankton → (A) → (B) → (C) → Marsh-meadow stage → (D) → Forest plant stage
a) A-Read-swamp-stage, B-Sub-merged plant stage, C-Sub-merged free-floating plant stage, D-Scrub stage

b) A-Sub-merged plant stage, B-Sub-merged free-floating plant stage, C-Read-swamp-stage, D-Scrub stage

c) A-Scrub stage, B-Sub-merged plant stage, C-Read-swamp-stage, D-Sub-merged free-floating plant stage

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 d) A-Read-swamp stage, B-Scrub stage, C- Sub-merged plant stage, D-Sub-merged free floating plant stage

203. A community that starts the process of succession in a barren habitat is called

a) Emotional community b) Climax community

c) Seral community d) Pioneer community

204. How much incident sun radiation on earth is utilised by producers (plants)?

a) 0.01 b) 0.001 c) 1 d) 2

205. Percentage of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) that is captured by plants in synthesis of organic
matter is
a) 50-80% b) 40-60% c) 70-100% d) 2-10%

206. The term ‘homeostasis’ in an ecosystem refers to

a) Feedback mechanism b) Self regulatory mechanism

c) Influence of production d) State of equilibrium

207. Trophic level in ecosystem is formed by

a) Only bacteria b) Only plants

c) Only herbivores d) Organisms linked in food chain

208. Which one of the following is a sedimentary cycle?

a) Sulphur cycle b) Nitrogen cycle c) Carbon cycle d) Oxygen cycle

209. Select the matched ones.

I. Sedimentary nutrient - Nitrogen cycle
II. Pioneer species - Lichens
[Link] succession - Burned forests
IV. Pyramid of biomass in sea - Upright
a) I, II and IV only b) I and III only c) II and III only d) II and IV only

210. Which of the following is an example of man-made ecosystem?

a) Herbarium b) Aquarium c) Tissue culture d) Forest

211. PAR stands for

a) Photosynthesis Active Reaction b) Photosynthesis Absorb Radiation

c) Photosynthetically Active Radiation d) Photosynthetically Active Reaction

212. The sunlight directly regulates the primary productivity because

a) Gross primary productivity is utilised by plants in respiration

b) The plants perform respiration with the help of sunlight

c) The plants perform photosynthesis with the help of sunlight

d) None of the above

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213. What is the reason behind deficit rising in nutrient reservoir?

a) Due to imbalance in the rate of influx b) Due to imbalance in the rate of efflux

c) Due to imbalance in the rate of influx and efflux d) None of the above

214. “Complete competitiors cannot coexist” is true for

a) Character displacement b) Competitive exclusion

c) Primary succession d) Secondary succession

215. In a comparative study of grassland ecosystem and pond ecosystem, it may be observed that

a) The biotic components are almost similar

b) The abiotic components are almost similar

c) Primary and secondary consumers are similar

d) Both biotic and abiotic components are different

216. Food chain refers to

a) Number of humans forming a chain for food b) Animals gathered near a source of food

c) Transfer of energy from producers to consumers d) None of these

217. A person who eats a chicken that ate grain is a

a) primary producer b) primary consumer

c) secondary consumer d) quaternary consumer

218. Pyramid that is never inverted

a) Energy b) Mass c) Number d) Size

219. Major ecological community of plants and animals extending over large natural areas is known as

a) Bioregion b) Biosphere c) Biota d) Biome

220. In a pyramid of numbers in a grassland ecosystem, the largest population is that of

a) Producers b) Tertiary consumers c) Secondary consumers d) Primary consumers

221. The exchange pool in the carbon cycle is

a) Fossil fuels b) Sedimentary rock c) Water d) Atmosphere

222. Primary productivity is

I. is 10% less than secondary productivity
II. is the rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers
III. is expressed in terms of weight or energy
IV. is the amount of biomass or organic matter produced per unit area over a time period in plants during
photosynthesis
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I, II and III b) I and II c) III and IV d) II and IV

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223. Which of the following is false?

a) Quantity of biomass is a trophich level at a particular period is called as standing crop

b) The energy content in a trophic level is determined by considering individuals of a species in that
trophic level
c) The succession that occurs in newly cooled lava is called primary succession

d) Rate of succession is faster in secondary succession

224. These belong to the category of primary consumers.

a) Snakes and frogs b) Water insects c) Eagle and snakes d) Insects and cattle

225. Total amount of living material at the various trophic level of a food chain is depicted by pyramids of

a) Numbers b) Energy c) Biomass d) All of the above

226. Primary productivity depends upon

a) Availability of nutrients b) Photosynthetic capacity of plants

c) Both (a) and (b) d) None of the above

227. Consider the following statements

I. Producer are also called as transducers because they are able to change radiant energy into chemical
form
II. Consumers are animals, which feed on other organisms or their parts
III. Decomposers are saprotrophs, which feed on dead bodies of organisms
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I, II and III b) I and II c) I and III d) II and III

228. Only a small amount of the energy stored in food is available to the next organism in a food chain because

a) There are more producers than consumer in a food chain

b) There are fewer top consumers than producers in a food chain

c) Primary and secondary consumers compete for food

d) Most of the energy is used for life processes

229. The process of accumulation of a dark coloured …A… substance called …B… that is highly resistant to
microbial action and undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate is called …C…
Choose the correct option for A, B and C
a) A-amorphous, B-humus, C-humification

b) A-solid, B-minerals, C-mineralisation

c) A-water soluble, B-inorganic nutrients, C-leaching

d) A-enzymatic, B-detritus, C-catabolism

230. In autogenic succession,

a) Early and continued dominance of autotrophic b) Replacement of existing communities cause

organism takes place like green plants largely by any other external condition

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 c) Early dominance of heterotrophs takes place such d) Community itself modifies its own environments
as bacteria, fungi and other animals thus causing its own replacement by new
communities
231. Which of the following communities is more vulnerable to invasion by outside animals and plants?

a) Temperate forests b) Tropical evergreen

c) Oceanic island communities d) Mangroves

232. The average trophic efficiency of transfer of energy from one trophic level to the higher trophic level is
called
a) Assimilation efficiency b) Exploitation efficiency

c) Lindemann’s trophic efficiency rule d) Gross primary production

233. The two components of an ecosystem are

a) Plants and animals b) Weeds, trees, animals and man

c) Energy flow and mineral cycling d) Biotic and abiotic

234. The food chain which begin with dead organic matter is called

a) Detritus food chain b) Predator food chain c) Parasitic food chain d) Ecosystem

235. The rate of formation of new organic matter by rabbit in a grassland is called

a) Net productivity b) Secondary productivity

c) Net primary productivity d) Gross primary productivity

236. The sequence of communities showing a gradual change in composition is called

a) Continuum b) Bio indicator c) Succession d) Pyramid of number

237. Which of the following is the logical sequence of primary succession in water?

a) Small phytoplanktons→ Free-floating angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Sedges → Grasses → Trees

b) Free-floating angiosperms → Small phytoplanktons → Rooted hydrophytes → Grasses → Sedges → Trees

c) Small phytoplanktons→ Sedges → Free floating angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Grasses → Trees

d) Small phytoplanktons→ Sedges → Grasses → Free-floating angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Trees

238. In an aquatic ecosystem, the trophic level equivalent to cows in grasslands is

a) Phytoplankton b) Zooplankton c) Nekton d) Benthos

239. Energy for the detritus food chain comes from

a) Organic remain b) Air c) Radiation d) Water

240. The organic substance, which decompose slowly are

a) Chitin b) Lignin c) Cellulose d) All of these

241. Stability of ecosystem depends upon

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 a) Primary productivity

b) Interchange between producers and consumers

c) Number of producers

d) Number of consumers

242. Mr. X is eating curd/yoghurt. For this food intake in a food chain, he should be considered as occupying

a) First trophich level b) Second trophic level

c) Third trophic level d) Fourth trophic level

243. Study the diagram carefully and fill in the blanks

Choose the correct option for 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶, 𝐷 and 𝐸

a) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Decomposers, D-Photoautotrophs, E-Chemoautotrophs

b) A-Physical, B-Chemical, C-Phytoplanktons, D-Plants, E-Parasites

c) A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Decomposers, D-Autotrophs, E-Mixotrophs

d) A-Physical, B-Chemical, C-Bacteria and Fungi, D-Autotrophs, E-Heterotrophs

244. A pyramid of number in grassland ecosystem shows

a) There are always a large number of producers at the bottom and fewer top consumers

b) There are always a large number of top consumers and fewer producers

c) There are an equal number of producers and consumers

d) There are more top consumer than primary consumers

245. Phosphorus is needed for the production of

a) DNA and RNA b) Cellular membranes c) Bones and teeth d) All of these

246. Which of the following statement is true about ecosystem?

a) The term ‘ecosystem’ was coined by Sir AG Tansley

b) The size of the ecosystem varies from small pond to a large forest or sea

c) In a forest ecosystem, trees occupy top vertical strata or layer, shrubs occupies the second layer and
herbs and grasses occupies the bottom layers
d) All of the above

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247. Which food chain correctly describes the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

a) Grass → cow → human b) Caterpillar → leaf → human

c) Cow → grass → human d) Leaf → bird → caterpillar

248. Phosphorus is the major constituent of

I. biological membranes
II. nucleic acids
III. cellular energy transfer system
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

249. The biomass available for consumption by the herbivores and the decomposers is called

a) Net primary productivity b) Secondary productivity

c) Standing crop d) Gross primary productivity

250. ‘Sun basket’ is

a) The device to utilize sun rays directly to meet the requirement of heat energy

b) The sufficient amount of sunlight stored in a cell

c) A device of taking sunbath

d) All of the above

251. In a grazing food chain carnivores may also the referred to as

a) Primary producers

b) Secondary producers

c) Primary consumers

d) Secondary consumers

252. In a food chain, the total amount of living material is depicted by

a) Pyramid of biomass b) Pyramid of energy c) Pyramid of number d) Trophic levels

253. In an ecosystem, the insectivorous plants are placed in

a) Herbivores b) Primary producers c) Predators d) None of these

254. Find the correct statement

a) Low temperature and aerobic conditions inhibit decomposition

b) Plants capture only 2-10%, of the PAR and sustain the entire living world

c) In aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems the GFC is the major conduit for energy flow

d) Measurement of biomass in terms of fresh weight is more accurate than dry weight

255. The rate of which organic compounds are formed in a green plant or in a population of green plants per
unit time and area is known as the

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 a) Net primary productivity b) Gross primary productivity

c) Community productivity d) Secondary productivity

256. The correct sequence of plants in a hydrosere is

a) 𝑂𝑎𝑘 → 𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑎 → 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑢𝑠 → 𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑎 → 𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 → 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑜𝑥

b) 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑜𝑥 → 𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 → 𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑎 → 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑢𝑠 → 𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑎 → 𝑂𝑎𝑘

c) 𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑎 → 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑜𝑥 → 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑢𝑠 → 𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑙 → 𝑂𝑎𝑘 → 𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑎

d) 𝑂𝑎𝑘 → 𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑎 → 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑜𝑥 → 𝐻𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑎 → 𝑃𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑎 → 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑝𝑢𝑠

257. A sequence of species or organism through which the food energy pass in a community is called

a) Pyramid of energy b) Food chain c) Food web d) Nutrient cycle

258. Detritus food chain law accounts for more energy flow than garzing food chain because

a) Most organisms die without having being eaten

b) Most organisms do not die

c) Most organisms having being eaten

d) None of the above

259. Select the formula for ecological efficiency.

𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑

a) × 100 b) × 100
𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝐹𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑

𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙

𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
c) × 100 d) 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒
𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
× 100

260. Primary consumers are

a) Carnivores b) Herbivores c) Decomposers d) Omnivores

261. A functional aspect of an ecosystem is

a) Productivity and decompositions b) Energy flow and nutrient cycling

c) Both (a) and (b) d) None of the above

262. Consider the following statements

I. In a food chain one organism holds only one position
II. In a food chain the flow of energy can be easily calculated
III. In food chain competition is limited to the members of same trophic level
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I, II and III b) I and II c) I and III d) II and III

263. What is the percentage of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), if incident solar radiation is
considered 100%?
a) 100% b) 1-6% c) 2-20% d) 50%

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264. Choose the wrong pair.

a) Salvadora – Desert b) Cenchrus – Savanna

c) Abies – Coniferous forest d) Tectona – Temperate forest

265. Which is an example of true pyramid in an ecosystem?

a) Pyramid of a biomass b) Pyramid of number c) Pyramid of energy d) None of the above

266. The minimum number of components required for an ecosystem to survive

a) Producer and primary consumer b) Producer and decomposer

c) Primary consumer and decomposer d) Primary and secondary consumer

267. The 10% energy transfer law of food chain was given by

a) Lederberg b) Lindemann c) Weismann d) Lindley

268. In plant succession, when climax community is reached, the net productivity

a) Continues to increase b) Becomes zero c) Becomes reduced d) Becomes stable

269. In plant succession, when climax is reached, the net productivity

a) Continues to increase b) Becomes halved c) Becomes stable d) Becomes zero

270. The transition zone between two communities is known as

a) Ecotone b) Keystone species c) Edge effect d) Critical link species

271. Primary productivity is

a) The rate of formation of new organic matter by consumers

b) The rate of conversion of light into chemical energy in an ecosystem

c) The rate of energy production per unit area over a time period during photosynthesis

d) None of the above

272. In food chain, maximum energy is stored in

a) Producer b) Primary consumer

c) Secondary consumer d) Decomposer

273. Consider the following statements about pyramid of biomass

I. When we plot the biomass (net dry weight) of producers, herbivores, carnivores and so on we have a
pyramid of biomass
II. Two types of pyramid of biomass are found, 𝑖. 𝑒., upright and inverted
III. When larger weight of producers support a smaller of biomass weight of consumers an upright
pyramid results
IV. When smaller weight of producers support larger weight of consumers an inverted pyramid of biomass
is formed
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I, II and III b) I, III and IV c) II, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV

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274. The final stable community in ecological succession is

a) Pioneers b) Sere c) Climax d) Carnivores

275. In what order do a hawk, grass and rabbit form a food chain in a meadow?

a) Hawk → grass → rabbit b) Grass → hawk → rabbit

c) Rabbit → grass → hawk d) Grass → rabbit → hawk

276. Pond is defined as a

a) Biome b) Agroecosystems c) Natural ecosystem d) Community

277. What is the amount of carbon fixed in biosphere through photosynthesis annually?

a) 4 × 1013 𝑘𝑔 b) 5 × 1013 𝑘𝑔 c) 4 × 1016 𝑘𝑔 d) 5 × 1016 𝑘𝑔

278. Find out the correct order of succession levels in xerarch.

a) Lichen, moss stage, annual herb stage, perennial herb stage, scrub stage, forest

b) Annual herb stage, perennial herb stage, lichen, moss stage, scrub stage, forest

c) Perennial herb stage, annual herb stage, lichen, moss stage, scrub stage, forest

d) Scrub stage, forest, annual herb stage, perennial herb stage, lichen, moss stage

279. Niche is defined as the

a) Position of species in a community in relation to other species

b) Place where organism lives

c) Place where organism lives and performs its duty

d) Place where population perform their duties

280. In the phosphorus cycle, weathering makes phosphate available first to

a) Producers b) Decomposers c) Consumers d) None of these

281. Most stable ecosystem is

a) Desert b) Marine c) Mountain d) Forest

282. Which of the following is wrongly matched?

a) Temperate zone - 20 − 40° latitude

b) Hypolimnion - Thermal stratification in lakes

c) Ozone layer - Stratosphere

d) Profundal zone - Dark zone

283. The factors influencing the rate of decomposition are

a) Temperature b) Moisture c) Both (a) and (b) d) Catabolism

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284. Given below is the diagram of the ecological pyramids

This type represents

a) Pyramid of number in a grassland b) Pyramid of biomass in a lake

c) Pyramid of biomass in a land d) Pyramid of energy

285. Decomposers like fungi and bacteria are

I. autotrophs
II. heterotrophs
III. saprotrophs
IV. chemoautotrophs
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and IV c) II and III d) I and III

286. Which of the following groups is absolutely essential functional component of the ecosystem?

a) Producers b) Producers and herbivores

c) Producers and detritivores d) Detritivores

287. Lichens that start the succession on a rock belongs to

a) Climax community b) Intermediate community

c) Pioneer community d) Seral community

288. Peacock eats a snake and snake eats frog and frog eats insect while insect eats green plant, the position of
peacock is
a) Primary producer b) Secondary producer

c) Decomposer d) Top at the apex of food pyramid

289. The enzymatic process by which degraded detritus is converted into simpler inorganic substances is called

a) Catabolism b) Leaching c) Mineralisation d) Fragmentation

290. Given food web contains some missing organisms 𝐴, 𝐵, 𝐶and 𝐷. Identify these organisms and select the
correct answer

a) A-Deer, B-Frog, C-Foxes, D-Sparrow b) A-Dog, B-Squirrel, C-Deer, D-Hawks

c) A-Cat, B-Eagle, C-Cow, D-Rat d) A-Eagle, B-Sparrow, C-Dog, D-Cat

291. Consider the following statements

I. The pyramid of biomass is inverted in a pond ecosystem
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 II. Pyramid of energy is never inverted
III. Pyramid of number is inverted in a tree ecosystem
IV. Pyramid of biomass in forest ecosystem is upright
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) I, II and III b) I, III and IV c) II, III and IV d) I, II, III and IV

292. Plants which are attached to the rocks are called

a) Lithophytes b) Aerophytes c) Halophytes d) Psammophytes

293. Community is a group of independent and interacting population of

a) Different species b) Same species

c) Same species in a specific area d) Different species in a specific area

294. The ecological pyramid that is always upright

a) Pyramid of energy b) Pyramid of biomass c) Pyramid of number d) None of these

295. The sequential, gradual and predictable changes in the species compositions in an area are called

a) Seral community b) Climax community c) Ecological succession d) Pioneer species

296. Food chain is a series of population, which starts with producers. It is concerning with

a) Biotic components only b) Energy flow and transfer of nutrients

c) Both (a) and (b) d) Abiotic components and decomposers

297. The total amount of energy that plants assimilate by photosynthesis is called

a) Gross primary productivity b) Net primary productivity

c) Community productivity d) Secondary productivity

298. One model that shows how energy passes from one trophic level to another trophic level is called

a) An energy link b) A food chain

c) A phytoplankton cycle d) Photosynthesis

299. Suppose 2000 J of solar energy is incident on green vegetation. On the basis of 10% law of Lindeman.
Identify 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶

a) A-20 J, B-2 J, C-0.2 J b) A-200 J, B-20 J, C-2 J c) A-400 J, B-40 J, C-4 J d) A-40 J, B-4 J, C-0.4 J

300. In an ecosystem, in which an organism occupies a specific place in a food chain

a) Branching lines b) Progressive straight line

c) Trophic level d) Standing crop

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301. Pollution caused by persistent pesticides is relatively more hazardous to which type of organisms?

a) Herbivores b) First level carnivores

c) Producers d) Top carnivores

302. All are true for climax community except

a) Rapidly keeps on changing to reach equilibrium b) Final community

c) End of succession d) Stable

303. Productivity is the rate of production of biomass expressed in terms of

I. (𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚 )−3 𝑦𝑟 −1
II. 𝑔−2 𝑦𝑟 −1
III. 𝑔−1 𝑦𝑟 −1
IV. (𝑘 𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚 −2 )𝑦𝑟 −1
Choose the correct option
a) II b) III c) II and IV d) I and III

304. Excessive moisture inhibit the process of decomposition due to

a) Anaerobiasis b) Aerobiasis

c) Photoxidation d) Photophosphorylation

305. Select the true statements

I. Gross primary productivity is equal to the net primary productivity minus respiration
II. Gross primary productivity is equals to net primary productivity plus photosynthesis
III. Net primary productivity is equal to photosynthesis plus respiration
IV. Net primary productivity is equal to gross primary productivity minus respiration
V. Flow of energy in an ecosystem is unidirectional
a) I, II and III b) I, IV and V c) II and III d) IV and V

306. Which of the following statements regarding food chain is false?

a) In an aquatic ecosystem, grazing food chain is the major conduit for energy flow

b) In terrestrial ecosystems, a large fraction of energy flows through detritus food chain

c) The detritus food chain begins with dead organic matter

d) Primary consumers belong to the first trophic level

307. Phytoplanktons

a) Actively floating microscopic plant b) Floating angiosperm

c) Benthic organisms d) Passively floating microscopic plant

308. Which of the following pair is a gaseous type of biogeochemical cycle?

a) Nitrogen and carbon cycle b) Phosphorus and carbon cycle

c) Nitrogen and sulphur cycle d) Sulphur and carbon cycle

309. Which zone of a lake has no photosynthetic organism?

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 a) Profundal zone b) Littoral zone c) Limnetic zone d) Both (b) and (c)

310. The second stage of hydrosere is occupied by the plants like

a) Salix b) Vallisneria c) Azolla d) Typha

311. If decomposers are removed what will happen to the ecosystem?

a) Energy cycle is stopped b) Mineral cycle is stopped

c) Consumers cannot absorb solar energy d) Rate of decomposition of mineral increases

312. If a single plant species is removed from a food web, then most likely

a) An animal species will fill the unoccupied niche

b) Other plants will produce enough food for herbivores

c) Dependent herbivores will have to find new food sources

d) Carnivores will be unaffected by the loss

313. Food chain starts with

a) 𝑁 -fixation b) Osmosis c) Respiration d) Photosynthesis

2

314. Fungi in a forest ecosystem is

a) Producer b) Decomposer c) Top consumer d) Autotroph

315. The ultimate energy source of ecosystem is

a) Solar energy b) Biomass c) Producer d) Carbohydrates

316. Lichen is the pioneer vegetation on which succession?

a) Hydrosere b) Lithosere c) Psammosere d) Xerosere

317. Benthic organisms are found in

a) Surface of marine water b) Middle of water in sea

c) Bottom of sea d) On ground

318. Organisms that breakdown the detritus into matter particles are

a) Herbivores b) Carnivores c) Detritivores d) None of these

319. The assemblage of all the population of different species that function as an integrated unit through
coevolved metabolic transformation in a specific area is called
a) Biome b) Biotic community c) Population d) Ecosystem

320. The organisms which physically and chemically breaks the complex dead organic remains are known as

a) Scavangers b) Decomposers c) Both (a) and (b) d) Parasites

321. Which of the following helps in the growth of terrestrial pteridophytes in tropical rain forest?

a) Microclimate b) 𝐶 −pathway
4

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 c) Eutrophication d) Biological magnification

322. Which one of the following shows detritus food chain?

a) 𝑂𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 → 𝐵𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎 → 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑐𝑠 b) 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 → 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠 → 𝑆𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠

c) 𝑃𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑡𝑜𝑛 → 𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑠 → 𝐿𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑠 d) All of the above

323. Energy enters the ecosystem through

a) Herbivore b) Carnivore c) Producer d) Decomposer

324. Deserts, grasslands, forests and tundra are the examples of

a) Biomes b) Biogeographical regions

c) Ecosystems d) Biospheres

325. Decomposers of an ecosystem includes

a) Microscopic animals b) Bacteria and fungi

c) Earthworm and Arctic Raven d) All of the above

326. The pyramid of energy is always upright for any ecosystem. This situation indicates the fact that

a) Producers have the lowest energy conversion efficiency

b) Carnivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than herbivores

c) Energy conversion efficiency is the same in all trophic levels

d) Herbivores have a better energy conversion efficiency than carnivores

327. Term ‘ecosystem development’ to ecological succession was given by

a) Odum b) Clements c) R Misra d) Blackman

328. Organisms are classified into trophic levels according to

a) Their habitat b) The source of their nutrients

c) How much they weight d) All of the above

329. The tiger biomass is 10 kg in grass-deer-tiger food chain. The grass biomass will be

a) 100 kg b) 2000 kg c) One tonne d) 10 tonne

330. Organisms living in open sea are called

a) Planktons b) Nektons c) Pelagic d) Benthos

331. Study the four statements (I-IV) given below and select the two correct ones out of them
I. A lion eating a deer and a sparrow feeding on grain are ecologically similar in
being consumers.
II. Predator star fish Pisasterhelps in maintaining species diversity of some invertebrates.
III. Predators ultimately lead to the extinction of prey species.
IV. Production of chemicals such as nicotine, strychnine by the plants are metabolic disorders.

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 a) II and III b) III and IV c) I and IV d) I and II

332. In food chain, lion is a

a) Tertiary consumer b) Secondary consumer

c) Primary consumer d) None of these

333. Building of biomass or storage of energy by green plants in a unit time and area is called

a) Productivity b) Net primary productivity

c) Gross primary productivity d) Primary productivity

334. Sal and teak are dominant in

a) Tropical rain forest b) Temperate broad leaf forest

c) Temperate needle leaf forest d) Tropical deciduous forest

335. Rate of conversion of light energy into chemical energy of organic molecules in an ecosystem is

a) gross primary productivity b) Net primary productivity

c) Net secondary productivity d) Gross secondary productivity

336. What percentage of heabivore’s chemical energy is transferred to the chemical energy within the
carnivore tissue?
a) 100% b) 50% c) 1% d) 10%

337. In which layer of soil decomposition occurs at maximum rate?

a) Upper layer of soil b) Middle layer of soil c) Lower layer of soil d) None of these

338.

How many food chains are there in the food web shown above?
a) 2 b) 3 c) 5 d) 7

339. Which one of the following is one of the characteristics of a biological community?

a) Stratification b) Natality c) Mortality d) Sex ratio

340. In the given formula, what does ‘a’ represent?

𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑
𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = × 100
𝑎

a) Energy obtained through primary producer b) Biomass at own level

c) Biomass at lower trophic level d) Energy obtained through food

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341. Term ‘ecosystem’ was given by

a) Odum b) Koestler c) Tansley d) Mobius and Forbes

342. Most diverse organisms of an ecosystem are

a) Producers b) Consumers c) Carnivores d) Decomposers

343. Primary succession is the development of communities on

a) Cleared forest area b) Previously unoccupied sites

c) Fresh harvested crop field d) Pond filled after a day season

344. Select the incorrect food chain

a) Grass → frog → vulture

b) Grass → grasshopper → frog → snake → eagle

c) Grass → deer → lion

d) Phytoplankton → zooplankton → fish (perch) → fish (bass) → man

345. Which one of the following correctly represents as organism and its ecological niche?

a) Vallisneria and pond b) Desert locust (Scistocerca) and desert

c) Plant lice (aphids) and leaf d) Vultures and denes forest

346. Given below is one of the type of ecological pyramids

This type represents

a) Pyramid of energy in a grassland b) Pyramid of biomass

c) Pyramid of number in a lake d) Pyramid of energy in a fallow land

347. The pyramid of number of a parasitic food chain in tree ecosystem is

a) Always inverted b) Always upright

c) Mixture of inverted and upright d) Sometimes inverted and sometimes upright

348. Stratification is more pronounced in

a) Tropical rainforest b) Deciduous forest c) Temperate forest d) Tropical savannah

349. Choose the correct combination of labelling of the zones in water in a lake.

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 a) A- Limnetic zone B-Profundal zone C-Littoral zone D-Benthic zone

b) A- Littoral zone B-Benthic zone C-Profundal zone D-Limnetic zone

c) A- Littoral zone B-Limnetic zone C-Profundal zone D-Benthic zone

d) A- Limnetic zone B-Littoral zone C-Benthic zone D-Profundal zone

350. Breakdown of detritus into smaller particles by earthworm is a process called

a) Humification b) Fragmentation c) Mineralisation d) Catabolism

351. What is true about the phosphorus cycle?

I. Rocks are the natural reservoirs of phosphorus
II. Weathering of sedimentary rocks makes phosphate available to the soil
III. Herbivores and carnivores obtain phosphorus from plant directly or indirectly
Choose the correct option
a) I and II b) I and III c) II and III d) I, II and III

352. How much carbon is dissolved in the oceans?

a) 61% b) 71% c) 81% d) 51%

353. Broad-leaved forests of oak are found in

a) Tropical deciduous forest b) Tropical evergreen forest

c) Temperate deciduous forest d) North coniferous forest

354. The greatest biomass of autotrophs in the world’s oceans is that of

a) Benthic brown algae, coastal red algae and daphnids

b) Benthic diatoms and marine viruses

c) Sea grasses and slime moulds

d) Free-floating micro-algae, cyanobacteria and nanoplankton

355. Which one of the following is commonly found in temperate coniferous forests?

a) Quercus b) Dipterocarpus c) Shorearobusta d) Pinuswallichiana

356. Littoral zone is located along the

a) High mountains b) Sea c) Rivers d) Desert

357. Biological equilibrium is found among the

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 a) Producers, consumers and decomposers b) Producers and consumers

c) Producers and decomposers d) None of the above

358. Net primary productivity is utilised by

a) Autotrophs b) Heterotrophs c) Decomposers d) All of the above

359. Which of the following is the logical sequence of primary succession in rocks?

a) Small bryophytes → Lichen → Herb → Shrubs → Tress → Forest

b) Lichen → Small bryophytes → Herbs → Shrubs → Tress → Forest

c) Lichen → Herb → Shrubs → small bryophytes → Tress → Forest

d) Herb → Shrubs → Lichen → Small bryophytes → Tress → Forest

360. Another name of nutrient cycling is

a) Gaseous cycle b) Sedimentary cycle c) Biogeochemical cycle d) Carbon cycle

361. Which one of the following statements for pyramid of energy is incorrect, whereas the remaining three are
correct?
a) It show energy content of different trophic level of b) It is inverted in shape
organisms
c) It is upright in shape d) Its base is broad

362. Transition zone between two ecosystems is

a) Ecotype b) Niche c) Ecotone d) Biome

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 [Link]

: ANSWER KEY :

169) a 170) c 171) d 172) b

1) b 2) b 3) b 4) c 173) a 174) c 175) a 176) c
5) b 6) d 7) a 8) c 177) d 178) b 179) b 180) c
9) b 10) d 11) a 12) a 181) d 182) b 183) d 184) a
13) a 14) c 15) d 16) b 185) a 186) a 187) c 188) a
17) d 18) a 19) b 20) a 189) b 190) c 191) a 192) b
21) c 22) c 23) b 24) c 193) d 194) b 195) a 196) a
25) b 26) d 27) c 28) a 197) d 198) a 199) c 200) a
29) c 30) b 31) a 32) a 201) a 202) b 203) d 204) a
33) a 34) a 35) b 36) d 205) d 206) d 207) d 208) a
37) d 38) d 39) b 40) a 209) c 210) b 211) c 212) c
41) d 42) d 43) b 44) d 213) c 214) b 215) b 216) c
45) b 46) d 47) c 48) a 217) c 218) a 219) d 220) a
49) c 50) d 51) d 52) c 221) d 222) c 223) b 224) d
53) d 54) c 55) a 56) a 225) c 226) c 227) a 228) d
57) b 58) c 59) d 60) d 229) a 230) d 231) b 232) c
61) b 62) c 63) d 64) d 233) d 234) a 235) b 236) a
65) a 66) b 67) c 68) b 237) a 238) b 239) a 240) d
69) a 70) b 71) c 72) d 241) b 242) b 243) a 244) a
73) a 74) d 75) c 76) a 245) d 246) d 247) a 248) d
77) a 78) b 79) c 80) b 249) a 250) a 251) d 252) a
81) d 82) c 83) a 84) b 253) b 254) b 255) b 256) b
85) d 86) d 87) c 88) b 257) b 258) a 259) d 260) b
89) d 90) c 91) b 92) c 261) c 262) a 263) d 264) d
93) c 94) a 95) b 96) a 265) c 266) b 267) b 268) d
97) a 98) b 99) c 100) b 269) c 270) a 271) b 272) a
101) a 102) c 103) b 104) c 273) d 274) c 275) d 276) c
105) a 106) b 107) d 108) b 277) a 278) a 279) c 280) a
109) b 110) b 111) b 112) b 281) b 282) a 283) c 284) d
113) c 114) a 115) d 116) b 285) c 286) c 287) c 288) d
117) a 118) b 119) d 120) c 289) a 290) a 291) d 292) c
121) b 122) d 123) a 124) c 293) d 294) a 295) c 296) c
125) a 126) b 127) a 128) d 297) a 298) a 299) a 300) c
129) c 130) b 131) c 132) a 301) d 302) a 303) c 304) a
133) d 134) b 135) c 136) b 305) d 306) d 307) d 308) a
137) b 138) d 139) a 140) b 309) c 310) b 311) b 312) c
141) d 142) a 143) d 144) c 313) d 314) b 315) a 316) b
145) c 146) c 147) a 148) a 317) c 318) c 319) b 320) c
149) a 150) d 151) a 152) c 321) a 322) a 323) c 324) a
153) d 154) d 155) a 156) d 325) b 326) d 327) a 328) b
157) d 158) b 159) a 160) c 329) c 330) a 331) d 332) a
161) d 162) a 163) d 164) a 333) b 334) d 335) a 336) d
165) d 166) b 167) c 168) a 337) a 338) c 339) a 340) d

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341) c 342) d 343) b 344) a 357) a 358) b 359) b 360) c
345) c 346) b 347) a 348) a 361) b 362) c
349) c 350) b 351) d 352) b
353) c 354) d 355) d 356) b

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 [Link]

: HINTS AND SOLUTIONS :

Dried plant parts such as leaves bark, flower, etc.,

1 (b) and dead remains of animals including faecal
Productivity is maximum in the because they matter drop over the soil, constitute the above
grow in areas having good light and abundant ground detritus and litter fall
nutrients
2 (b) 9 (b)
In primary succession in water the pioneer Top carnivore (trophic level-IV or tertiary
species are small phytoplanktons, 𝑒. 𝑔.,diatoms, consumer)
green flagellates, single-celled colonial or ↑
filamentous green algae
Primary carnivore (trophic level-III or secondary
3 (b) consumer)
The amount of living matter present in an
ecosystem is known as biomass. It is upright in ↑
case of tree, which supports a large number of
birds and inverted in a pond where a large fish Herbivore (trophic level-II or primary consumer)
feeds upon a large number of phytoplanktons ↑
4 (c) Producers (trophic level-I)
A-Respiration, B-Photosynthesis, C-Respiration,
D-Combustion of fossil fuels, E-Aquatic food chain, 10 (d)
F-Coal, oil The atmosphere carbon dioxide is virtually the
only source of carbon. The main pathway of
5 (b) carbon in carbon cycle in from the air
Biomes are the major terrestrial ecosystems or
(atmosphere) and water (hydrosere) into the
distinctive terrestrial areas with their group of living systems and back
climax plants and associated animals It is the The atmospheric input of carbon from rainfall is
largest terrestrial community.
greater. Carbon gas is exchanged between
6 (d) organism and atmosphere during respiration
In the sedimentary cycle, the reservoir for the 11 (a)
nutrient elements is in the sediments of the earth. Ecological pyramid is the graphic representation
Elements, such as phosphorus, sulphur, potassium of the interaction of food chain and the size
and calcium have sedimentary cycle
metabolism relationship between the lineally
7 (a) arranged various biotic components of an
Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating ecosystem. The concept of pyramid was proposed
and final biotic community that develops at the by Charles Elton.
end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony 12 (a)
with the physical environment. It is also termed Psammosere – Sequence of successional stages on
as climatic climax community
sand
8 (c) Lithosere – Sequence of successional stages on a
bare rock

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 Hydrosere – The various stage of biotic succession Pyramid of biomass is inverted in a pond, where a
taking place in water body are collectively termed large number of zooplanktons eats upon a large
as hydrosere number of phytoplanktons
Xerosere – The series of development stages of
biotic succession is an arid area is termed as
xerosere
Inverted pyramid of biomass where a small
13 (a) standing crop of phytoplanktons supports large
An ecosystem is the basic functional ecological standing crop of zooplanktons
unit in which living organisms interact among
themselves and with their surrounding physical 20 (a)
environment Pyramids of number in grassland ecosystem.
The pyramid of numbers deal with the number of
15 (d) primary producers and consumers. It is upright in
Net primary production. a grassland and inverted in a tree ecosystem. In a
Net primary productivity is the weight of the grassland the number of producers is more than
organic matter stored by the producers in a unit the number of top carnivores, whereas in case of a
area/volume for unit time. It is given by NPP = tree, the number of producers is less as compared
GPP – R (Gross Primary Productivity) where, R = to consumers
Respiration losses. It is utilised by hetertrophs
16 (b) 21 (c)
Decomposers or the microconsumers (bacteria Decomposition is the process of breaking down a
and fungi) are also called as saprobes or substance into its constituent parts.
saprophytes. They breakdown the complex Decomposition of dead organic matter (plants,
organic substances of dead plants and animals to animals and waste products of animals) occurs in
release most of inorganic substances back into the nature and it is also called decay or putrification.
environment for their reuse by the producers In a terrestrial ecosystem, the upper layer of soil
is the main site of decomposition
17 (d) 22 (c)
Ecological pyramids are the graphical Primary succession.
representation of the trophic structure and Primary succession is a biotic succession that
function at successive trophic levels. Ecological occurs on a previously sterile or primarily bare
pyramids are of three general types, listed as area, 𝑒. 𝑔.,newly exposed sea floor igneous rocks,
under sand dunes, new cooled lava sediment, etc.
(i) Pyramid of number, showing the number of 23 (b)
organisms at each level. As per ‘ten percent law’ in an ecosystem, all
(ii) Pyramid of biomass, showing the total dry energy is provided by sun through
weight of living organisms. photosynthesis. Total energy stored by the
autotrophs in the form of food is available to the
(iii) Pyramid of energy, showing the rate of energy herbivores as food. Herbivores can stored only
flow/productivity at successive trophic levels. 10% of this energy in their biomass and 90% is
used in life activities and loss as heat. In the same
Thus, fresh weight is not used for the construction way, herbivores are eaten by carnivores and
of ecological pyramids. carnivores by top carnivores. Thus, only 10% of
18 (a) energy is captured by the organisms of next
During weathering of rocks, minute amount of higher trophic level.
phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are 24 (c)
absorbed by plants through roots Ecotone is a zone of transition presenting a
19 (b) situation of special ecological interest between
two different type of communities (ecosystems).

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 Ecological niche of an organism includes the Artificial ecosystem is created and maintained by
physical space occupied by it, its functional role in human beings. It has less diversity and less
community, i.e., trophic level and position in stability, e.g., crop ecosystem.
environment gradients of temperature, pH, soil
etc. 34 (a)
Producers are autotrophs organisms, which alone
25 (b) are able to manufacture organic food from
The total amount of nutrients like carbon, inorganic raw materials in the process of
phosphorus, calcium, etc., present in soil at any photosynthesis. The energy for this process is
given time is called standing state. Standing state obtained from solar radiations or sunlight
varies with the kind of ecosystem, and season
35 (b)
26 (d) Primary consumers in an ecosystems are
Food webs are more realistic because they show herbivores, which feed directly on producer
that the producers are usually eaten by many (green plants)
different consumers and most consumers are
eaten by more than one predator 36 (d)
A food chain is a sequence of populations or
27 (c) organisms of an ecosystem through which the
Plants → Aphids → Ladybird → Sparrow → Snake food and its contained energy passes with each
→ Hawk member becoming the food of later member of
sequence
28 (a) It is a single straight pathway through which food
The pyramid of number of lake or pond energy travels in the ecosystem
ecosystem is always inverted, where a large fish Energy flow in an ecosystem is always
eat large number of small zooplanktons and unidirectional or one way, i.e., Solar radiation →
pyramid of number in parasitic food chain is also Producers → Herbivores → Carnivores. It can not
inverted a single small leaves can support large pass in the reverse direction
number of parasite
37 (d)
29 (c) The food chain consist of producers, consumers
The various biotic communities that develop and decomposers. Consumers are often of 3-5
during biotic succession are termed as seral or types
transitional communities First order (Primary) – Herbivores
30 (b) Second order (Secondary) – Primary carnivores
The living organisms present in an ecosystem Third order (Tertiary) – Secondary carnivores
forms biotic components. They are Fourth order (Quaternary) – Top carnivores
interconnected through food chain 38 (d)
31 (a) The grazing food chain is occurs in all the
The rate of synthesis of organic matter or ecosystem
biomass, produced at any trophic level during a
given period of time is called productivity. It is 39 (b)
−2 −1
measured as weight 𝑔 𝑦𝑟 or energy (𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/ A much larger fraction of energy flows in aquatic
2 ecosystem through the graizing food chain than
𝑚 /yr)
32 (a) through the grazing food chain. Energy for the
The decomposition rate is higher when detritus is food chain comes from organic remain or detritus
rich in nitrogen and water-soluble substances like
sugars 40 (a)
The series of organisms eating one and being
33 (a) eaten by other is called food chain. A simple food
chain consists of producers, herbivores and
carnivores. The length of food chain is generally

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 limited to 3-4 trophic levels due to energy loss. In (sugar cane), so they accumulate more
grazing food chain, the producers (i.e., plants) are primary productivity
eaten by herbivores (i.e., rabbit, dear, cow, etc)
and are eaten by carnivores. Therefore, the 45 (b)
removal of most of the carnivores resulted in an Terai forests are coniferous forests occurring at
increased population of deers. an altitude of 1700-3000 m. Major trees are
various species of Pinus, Cedrus and Cupressus.
41 (d)
A number of food chains are inter-connected with 46 (d)
each other forming a web-like pattern is called (i) Regulator - mammals and birds
food web. One organism can hold more than one (ii) Conformer - all plants and 99% animals
position. The flow of energy is very difficult to (iii) Partial regulators.
calculate instead of straight line, it is a series of 48 (a)
branching lines
Inverted pyramid is found in biomass pyramid of
42 (d) aquatic ecosystem. In this, the number of
Tiger is the top consumer in a food chain. It can producers is maximum but their mass is
feed upon lower carnivore as well as herbivores. minimum, which gradually rises up in the
Herbivores are dependent upon producers (i.e., successive trophic levels.
green plants) for their food. Thus, indirectly it is 𝑒. 𝑔. , 𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 (𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠)
also linked with trees (i.e., primary producers). → 𝑧𝑜𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 → 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑠
43 (b) → 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑠 (𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠).
A-Decomposition, B-Weathering, C-Producer, D- 49 (c)
Soil If a predator if overexplaits its prey then prey
44 (d) might become extinct and following it the
Factor affecting primary productivity are as predator will also become extinct for lack of food
follows 50 (d)
(i) Plant species inhabiting a particular area Decomposers are saprotrophs, which decompose
(ii) Environmental factors the organic remains. These are saprophytic fungi
1. Sunlight The sunlight directly regulates and bacteria.
the primary productivity because the
plants perform photosynthesis with the of 51 (d)
sunlight. As trophic region receives Osmotrophs are the organisms that obtain
maximum sunlight, so it exhibits higher nutrients through the active uptake of soluble
productivity materials across the cell membranes. This group
includes bacteria and fungi
2. Temperature Temperature regulates the
activity of enzyme. So, optimum 52 (c)
temperature is required for proper Rain (humidity) is required for higher primary
functioning of enzymes productivity. Desert have the lower primary
productivity as the soil is deficient in moisture.
3. Moisture Rain (humidity) is required for Greater nutrients ensure greater primary
higher primary productivity. Deserts have productivity
the lowest primary productivity as the soil 53 (d)
is deficient in moisture Detritus is non-living particulars organic
4. Availability of Nutrients Greater nutrients [Link] typically includes the bodies or
ensures the greater primary productivity fragments of dead organisms as well as faecal
material. Detritus is typically colonised by
5. Photosynthetic Efficiency Some plants communities of microorganisms, which act to
have more efficiency to trap the sunlight decompose the material. In terrestrial

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 ecosystems, it is encountered as leaf litter and biomass of organisms at successive trophic levels
other organic matter intermixed with soil, which from producers onward to top carnivores
is referred to as humus. Detritus of aquatic resulting in inverted pyramid
ecosystems is organic material suspended in Thus, the biomass of phytoplanktons will be
water, which is referred to as marine snow smaller than that of zooplanktons. The biomass of
54 (c) zooplanktons will be lesser than of primary
Decomposition of organic matter is brought about carnivores (e.g., small fishes). In such a inverted
by microorganisms. These are also called pyramid of biomass, small standing crop of
microconsumers or saprobes or saprophytes. phytoplankton support a large standing crop of
zooplankton
55 (a)
Various stages in hydrarch are

Phytoplankton

↓(Blue-green algae, bacteria)

Rooted submerged
59 (d)
↓(Hydrilla, Utricularia) Ecotone is a zone of transition between two
adjacent communities. In ecotone, the density of
Floating stage most of the species is higher than that in
neighbouring communities. These species are
↓(Nelumbo, Nymphaea, Azolla)
called edge species and this feature of ecotone as
Reed swamp stage principle of edges.

↓(Lemna, Wolffia) 60 (d)

An ecosystem may be defined as a structural and
Sedge meadow stage functional unit of the biosphere, comprising living
organisms and their non-living environment that
↓(Scirpus, Typha)
interact by means of food chains and chemical
Woodland stage cycles resulting in energy flow, biotic diversity
and material cycling to form a stable, self-
↓(Juncus, Cyperus) supporting system
61 (b)
Forest stage Phytoplankton → Submerged plant stage →
56 (a) Submerged free floating plant stage → Read
Food chain consists of producers, consumers and swamp stage → Marsh-meadow stage → Scrub
decomposers. In the mentioned question, the stage → Forest
producer is grass and the first consumer is insect. 63 (d)
Insect is eaten by bird and the bird is eaten by Phosphorus is a major constituent of biological
snake. So, the correct food chain would be grass, membranes, nucleic acids and cellular energy
insects, bird and snake. transfer systems. It is required for making shells,
57 (b) bones and teeth
In the pyramid of number, the number of 64 (d)
individual organisms at each trophic level is The first biotic community which develops in a
shown. bare area is called pioneer community. It has very
58 (c) little diversity. This stage takes the longest time to
In pond ecosystem producers are the smallest change the environment for invasion of the next
organisms while, carnivores are large in size. community
Consequently, there is a gradual increase in

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65 (a) Temperature regulates the activity of an enzyme.
Benthosare those animals, which live at the So, optimum temperature is required for proper
bottom of a lake. They are primary consumers in functioning of an enzyme
the depth of the pond. 76 (a)
A-Produces; B-Top level consumers
66 (b)
From the given option only b can be correct 78 (b)
because pyramid of biomass is upright in that The small crustaceans (water fleas, Cyclops) are
condition only herbivores as they feed phytoplanktons. They are
free-floating animals and form the zooplankton.
67 (c) The primary consumers in pond ecosystem are
Decomposers are organotrophs which feed on zooplanktons and other primary consumers are
dead bodies of organisms and organic wastes of mosquito larvae, tadpoles, snails and tortoises
living organisms. 79 (c)
68 (b) Human activities like deforestation and vehicular
Standing water ecosystem as lake, pond, pools, burning of fossil has caused an increase in the
puddles, ditch, swamp etc are called lentic, while amount of 𝐶𝑂2 in atmosphere
running water ecosystem as spring, stream and 80 (b)
rivers are called lotic. In sulphur cycle, the main reservoir is earth crust.
69 (a) In carbon cycle, the main reservoir is atmosphere
Primary succession on rock starts with lichen of 81 (d)
species Rhizocarpon, Rinodinaand Lecanora. They Ecosystem consists of producers (autotrophs),
produce some acid, which bring about weathering consumers (herbivores, carnivores) and
of rocks. That result into soil formation decomposers.
71 (c) 82 (c)
Gross primary productivity is the rate of Biotic factors of ecosystem linked together for
production of organic matter during food and form a chain called food chain. The
photosynthesis in an ecosystem. GPP is utilized by various steps in food chain are called trophic
plants in respiration. levels. According to pyramid of energy-the
Net primary productivity is the weight of the energy flows from one trophic level to next in one
organic matter stored by the produces in a unit direction only.
area/volume per unit time.
It is given by NPP = GPP – R According to law of thermodynamics, when
Where, R = Respiration losses energy transformed from one step to next step
NPP is utilised by heterotrophs then some energy is liberated in the form of heat.
72 (d)
Lion is tertiary consumer (top carnivore) in As the autotrophs (green plants) form the base of
Eltonian pyramid. food chain, therefore, they have highest amount of
energy.
73 (a)
Most primary productivity of pond is by 83 (a)
phytoplankton The entire sequence of development stage of
74 (d) biotic succession from pioneer to a climax
The carbon cycle occurs through atmosphere community is known as sere. The succession
ocean and through living and dead organisms. It is variansstae when occurs in acid area are called
estimated that 4 × 1013 𝑘𝑔 of carbon is fixed in xerarch. The various stages of biotic succession
the biosphere through photosynthesis annually taking place in a water body are collectively
termed as hydrosere, while such a succession is
75 (c) known as hydrarch succession

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84 (b) nutrients between the living and non-living
An ecosystem is whole biotic community in a components of the biosphere. Biogenetic
given area plus its abiotic environment. Energy nutrients or biogeochemical nutrients are
flow in ecosystem is unidirectional, i.e., from essential elements required by the organisms for
producers to consumers. their body building and metabolism. These are
provided by earth and return to earth again after
85 (d) their death and decay
Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary
consumers → Tertiary consumers 93 (c)
(Algae) (Bugs) (Fish) Ecosystem.
(Bear) An ecosystem may be defined as a structural and
functional unit of the biosphere, comprising living
86 (d) organisms and their non-living environment that
Primary succession on rocks starts with lichen of interact by means of food chains and chemical
species Rhizocarpon, Rinodinaand Lecanora. They cycles resulting in energy flow, biotic diversity
produce some acids which bring about and material cycling to form a stable, self-
weathering of rocks. These lichens are then supporting system
replaced by foliose type of lichens. Due to 94 (a)
description and retention of water by them, they There is some sort of relationship between the
from a fine thin soil layer on rock surface and thus numbers, biomass and energy contents of the
there, is a change in the habitat producers and consumers of different orders in
87 (c) any ecosystem. These relationships, when
The sequential, gradual and predictable changes represented in diagrammatic ways, are called
in the species composition in an area are called ecological pyramids
ecological succession Ecological pyramids are of the types
(i) Pyramid of number
89 (d) (ii) Pyramid of biomass
Biogeochemical cycle. (iii) Pyramid of energy
In sulphur cycle, the main reservoir is earth crust. The concept of pyramid was proposed by Charles
In carbon cycle, the main reservoir is atmosphere Elton (1927) so, they are also called as Eltonian
pyramids
90 (c)
Nekton are aquatic organisms that can actively 95 (b)
swim at will against the water current. They live Secondary productivity is the rate of storage of
in shallow and deep ocean waters. Most nekton organic matter by consumers per unit area per
eat zooplankton, other nekton or thy scavange for unit time
waste.
96 (a)
91 (b) Nekton and neuston are actively swimming
Photoautotrophs are the green plants, some animals which includes, fishes, turtles, whales,
protists, such as Euglena and certain bacteria, seals, etc.
such as green sulphur bacteria. With the help of Benthos are large numbers and sessil or relatively
their chlorophyll, they entrap the light energy of inactive animals.
the sun and change it into the chemical energy in
the form of simple carbohydrate, glucose which 97 (a)
are produced by them from simple inorganic The secondary succession is easy and is complete
compounds, namely carbon dioxide and water. quickly, because the area already has soil and
This process is called photosynthesis some vegetation. Soil is present in the area, where
92 (c) secondary succession begins
The term nutrient cycle or biogeochemical cycle is 98 (b)
used for the exchange/circulation of biogenetic

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 Gross primary productivity is utilised by plants in 105 (a)
respiration Ecosystem is an open system. It receive input in
99 (c) the form of solar energy and matter. It results in
As decomposers are the primary weapons to productivity or synthesis of organic food. Food
decompose the dead organic matter so, the with its contained energy passes through various
extinction of the decomposers will severely components of ecosystem
destroy the nature as the dead remains in the 106 (b)
nature will accumulate and they will not get Phosphorus and sulphur.
decomposed. In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil
The dead matter will not get decomposed and as a and rocks, 𝑒. 𝑔.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle,
result the soil will not get the nutrients by the etc.
decomposition of dead matter and hence the soil
will become infertile 107 (d)
100 (b) Tropical rain forests (tropical dense forests)
A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Producer, D-Consumers, E- occur near the equator where rainfall and
Dettitivares temperature are very high.
The option b is the correct because from the chart 108 (b)
zooplankton only can be primary consumer In a lake, there are littoral zone, limnetic zone and
because they feadan phytoplankton. They can not profundal zone. In limnetic zone, the producers
be secondary or tertiary consumer in food chains
are mainly phytoplanktoni algae which are
101 (a) diatoms, green algae and blue green algae. In
A biotic components includes the non-living profundal zone, the organisms mainly depend for
physico-chemical factors of the environment. their food on the littoral and limnetic zone.
These components not only affect the distribution 109 (b)
and structure of organisms but also their behavior A-10%, B-Lindeman, C-1942
and inter-relationships. Abiotic factors include
inorganic substances, organic compounds, 110 (b)
climatic factors and edaphic factors The process of ‘humification’ can occur naturally
102 (c) in soil or in the production of compost. It leads to
The shape of pyramid of energy is always upright accumulation of dark amorphous substance called
as energy always decreases at each successive humus
level (i.e., from producers to consumers). 111 (b)
Total energy fixed by an ecosystem is called gross
103 (b) production
Organic remains (dead plant parts, animal 112 (b)
remains and excretions) are also called detritus. Detrivores feeds on and breakdown the dead
A food chain, which begins with detritus or dead plants and animal matter, returning essential
organic matter is called detritus food chain. The nutrients to the ecosystem. Detritivores includes
energy passes into decomposers and detrivores, microorganisms such as bacteria and protists as
then to smaller carnivores, then to larger well as larger organisms such as fungi, insects,
carnivores and so on. worms and isopod crustaceans
104 (c) 113 (c)
The rate of total capture of energy or the rate of All the animals that depend for food on plants are
total production of organic material is gross called consumers. Consumers are divided into the
primary productivity, while the balance or following categories
biomass remaining after meeting the cost of Primary consumers Animals which feed directly
respiration of producers is net primary on plants, i.e., herbivores
productivity. Hence, gross productivity has Secondary consumers Consumers that feed on
highest value in grassland ecosystem. primary consumers, i.e., carnivores

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 Tertiary consumers Consumers that feed on
secondary consumers. Grazers is one of the
category of consumers

115 (d)
Nitrogen and carbon cycle.
In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil
and rocks, 𝑒. 𝑔.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle, 125 (a)
etc.
Prosopis is a tree found in scrub.
117 (a) Saccharumofficinarum is grass, which is
Producers cultivated. Shorearobusta (sal) is tree found in
moist tropical forests. Acacia catechu is tree
118 (b) found in dry deciduous forests.
The zone of transition between two different
communities presenting a situation of 126 (b)
overlapping is known as ecotone. A-Top carnivore, B-Detritus, C-Frog

119 (d) 127 (a)

The major functions of an ecosystem includes Some workers differentiate into two more
(i) Productivity (ii) Decomposition categories of living beings amongst the biotic
(iii) Energy flow (iv) Nutrient cycling components of an ecosystem. These are
detrivores and parasites. Parasites belong to
121 (b) diverse groups, 𝑒. 𝑔., bacteria, fungi, protozoans,
Sun. worms, etc. Every type of living being can be
A much less fraction of energy flows through attacked by parasites. Detrivores or scavengers
grazing food chain in ecosystem terrestrial. are animals which feed on dead bodies of other
Energy for the food chain comes from the sun. organisms, 𝑒. 𝑔.,termites, carrion beetles. They are
Food chain adds energy into the ecosystem helpful in quick disposal of the dead bodies

122 (d) 128 (d)

Free energy is the portion of a system’s energy Phosphorus.
that can perform work when temperature is In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil
uniform throughout the system as in a living cell. and rocks, 𝑒. 𝑔.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle,
etc.
Enthalpy is the total energy including usable
energy and unusable energy. 129 (c)
Pyramid of energy represents amount of energy
123 (a) traped per unit area and time in different trophic
Xerarch succession is plant succession which levels of a food chain. It is always upright.
takes place in dry area leading to a successional
series from xeric to mesic conditions 130 (b)
The rate of synthesis of energy containing organic
124 (c) matter by any trophic level per unit area in unit
Living organisms. time is described its productivity. It is measured
The components of an ecosystem may be divided as weight (𝑒. 𝑔. , 𝑔/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟) or energy (𝑒. 𝑔. , 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/
into two main types, i.e., Biotic component
𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟). The amount of energy accumulation in
comprising the various kinds of living organisms
green plants as biomass or organic matter per
and Abiotic component consisting of unit area over a time period through the process
environmental factors of photosynthesis is known as primary
productivity. Primary productivity is expressed in
term of weight (𝑔−2 ) or energy (𝑘𝑎𝑐𝑙 𝑚 −2 ).
𝐶4− plants area more productive that𝐶3 plants.

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 Sugar cane is most productive crop being efficient Maximum energy is found in first trophic level
in trapping light (𝑇1 ) 𝑖. 𝑒., produces.
131 (c)
The number of trophic levels in the food chain is 140 (b)
restricted as the transfer of energy follows 10% Secondary consumer
law. This law states that only 10% of the energy is
transferred to next trophic level from the lower
trophic level
141 (d)
132 (a) The organisms, which attack dead animals are the
In a terrestrial ecosystem, plant grows by present at end of food chain and known as
manufacturing food from carbon dioxide of air decomposers. Decomposers are heterotrophic
and water and minerals of soil with the help of organisms, mostly bacteria and fungi, which lives
chlorophyll and sunlight. Plants, thus acts as the on dead organic matter or detritus. They release
producer on land different enzymes from their bodies into the dead
In a pond, phytoplankton (rooted and floating and decaying plant and animal remains, leading to
plants) synthesise food materials from dissolved the release of simple inorganic substances. Thus,
nutrients by photosynthesis. They, thus act as the they play an important role in the cycling of
producers. Consumers are not producers. They minerals
eat (consume) producers
142 (a)
133 (d) Pyramid of energy is a graphic representation of
In both hydric and xerharch succession ultimately the amount of energy trapped per unit time and
lead to mesarch conditions. The pioneer species area in different trophic levels of a food chain
on bars rock is always lichen with producers forming the base and top
carnivores the top. The pyramid of energy is
134 (b)
always upright.
Phytoplanktons are the producers in ocean’s
ecosystem. 143 (d)
There is some sort of relationship between the
135 (c)
number, biomass and energy contents of the
An inverted pyramid of biomass may occasionally
producers and consumers of different orders in
be observed in marine communities
any ecosystem. These relationships, when
136 (b) represented in diagrammatic ways are called
Vertical distribution of different species ecological pyramids. The concept of pyramid was
occupying different levels is called stratification. proposed by Charles Elton (1927) so, they are
For example, in forest ecosystem, trees occupies also called as Eltonian pyramids
the top vertical strata, shrubs occupies the second
144 (c)
and herbs, grasses occupies the bottom layer. It is
The formula of ecological efficiency is
not a functional unit of an ecosystem 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙
=
137 (b) 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑐𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒
In a pond ecosystem, fishes occupy the more than × 100
one trophic levels.
We know that plant (producers) convent the
138 (d) photo energy into chemical energy and according
Humus is dark coloured amorphous substance to Lindman rule of energy transfer only 1% of
rich in lignin and cellulose energy will be transferred from one trophic level
to other trophic level
139 (a) So according to the formula of ecological
efficiency primary consumer will have less
ecological efficiency then secondary consumers

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 because energy in biomass be production at first osmotic pressure, presence of anthocyanin,
tropical level (i.e., producers level) will more tannins, proline and other organic solutes, well
while ecological efficiency of secondary consumer developed root system etc.
will be high then primary consumer because in
secondary consumer the energy produced in 151 (a)
biomass at previous tropical level will be less then Secondary succession or subsere is ecological
producer level succession that takes place in a recently denuded
area which still contains a lot of organic debris,
145 (c) remains and propagules of previous living
In tree ecosystem, the pyramid of number is organisms. It is more common and caused by
inverted because only one tree has many baring of an area due to forest fires, deforestation,
consumers like birds, insects, etc. excessive overgrazing, landslides, earthquakes,
repeated floods, etc. only 50 to 100 years are
While in pond, desert and forest ecosystem, the required for establishment of a grassland over a
pyramids of numbers are upright because recently denuded area. Formation of forest
producers are large in number. requires 100 to 200 years.
146 (c) 152 (c)
Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary Phytoplanktons are found in littoral zone, which is
consumers shallow water region.
(Grass) (Zebra) (Lion)
153 (d)
147 (a) A primary consumers or herbivores are animals
Ecosystem Shape of which feed on plants or plant products,
Pyramid 𝑒. 𝑔.,grasshoppers and several other insects,
Pyramid of rabbit, hare, field mouse, deer, antelope, cow,
number elephant, zooplankton, tadpoles and some fishes
Grassland Upright
Forest (tree) Inverted 154 (d)
Aquatic (pond) Upright Burning of wood, forest fire, volcanic activity and
Pyramid of combustion of organic matter and fossil fuels area
biomass are some essential sources for releasing 𝐶𝑂2 in
Grassland Upright the atmosphere
Forest Upright
Aquatic (lake) Inverted 156 (d)
Pyramid of There are certain limitations of ecological
energy
pyramids, they are
All ecosystems Upright
(i) It do not take into account the same species
148 (a)
belonging to two or more trophic levels
The process by which humus is further degraded
(ii) It assumes a simple food chain, whereas in
by some microbes to release inorganic nutrients
nature it does not exist
is called mineralisation
(iii) Saprophytes/decomposers are not given any
149 (a) place in ecological pyramids
The process by which humus is degraded by some
157 (d)
microbes to release inorganic nutrients is called
The pyramid of energy is always upright
mineralisation
whatever will be the case. It represents the total
150 (d) amount of energy utilised by different level
Halophytes (i.e., plants growing in saline soils) organisms in unit area over a period of time
show the characteristics of xerophytes, e.g., Sueda,
Tamarix, Atriplex, etc. These characters include
succulence, thick cuticle, sunken stomata, high

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 (iii) Productivity is maximum in the coral reefs
because they grow in areas having good light,
enough warm water and abundant nutrients

164 (a)
Pyramid of energy is a picture of rates of passage
of food mass through the food chain. It is always
upright, as in most of the cases there is always a
gradual decrease in the energy content at
successive trophy levels.
158 (b)
A good example of succession is the hydrarch 165 (d)
succession or hydrosere succession, in which, a In a food chain a plant is primary producer.
pond and its community are converted into a land Producers are autotrophic organisms, which
community. In their reed swamp stage, alone are able to manufacture organic food from
amphibious plants grow where the water body inorganic raw materials in the process of
becomes shallow (0.3-1.0 m), e.g.,Sagittaria. photosynthesis

Juncus shows sedge-medow stage, Salix shows 166 (b)

woodland stage, while Trapa shows rooted- The highest primary productivity in terms of per
floating stage. unit area is of estuaries > Swamps and
marrhes>Tropical rair forest > Temperate forest
159 (a)
whicle in terms of average would net
The rate of formation of new organic matter by
[Link] is of opern ocean > Tropical
consumers is called secondary productivity
rain forest > Temperate rainforest
160 (c)
>Sauanna>Nothern coniferous forest
Food web is a network of food chains,
167 (c)
interconnected at various trophic levels, so as to
Great barrier reef along the North-eastern
form a number of feeding alternatives amongst
Australia is an ecosystem. It is about 2000 km
the different organisms of a biotic community.
long and up to 150 km from shore.
161 (d)
168 (a)
In successive seral stages, there is not only a
A much less fraction of energy flows through
change in the species diversity of organisms
grazing food chain in ecosystem terrestrial.
present but there is also an increase in the
Energy for the food chain comes from the sun.
number of species. Succession of plants and
Food chain adds energy into the ecosystem
animals communities occurs side by side
169 (a)
162 (a)
Rain is required for higher primary productivity.
Nitrogen cycle.
Desert have the lowest primary productivity as
In gaseous cycles, the main reservoirs of chemical
the soil is deficient in moisture
are the atmosphere and ocean, 𝑒. 𝑔.,carbon cycle,
170 (c)
nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, etc.
The ultimate source of entire energy used by
163 (d) living things in an ecosystem is sunlight. Solar
(i) Deserts have the lowest primary productivity energy received by an ecosystem depends on the
as the soil is deficient in moisture latitude, slope, cloud cover, air pollutants, etc.
(ii) Some plants have more efficiency to trap 171 (d)
sunlight (sugar cane), so they accumulate more Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating
primary productivity and final biotic.
Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating
and final biotic community that develops at the
end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony

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 with the physical environment. It is also termed Human activities like deforestation and massive
as climatic climax community burning of fossil fuel for energy and transport
have significantly increased the rate of release of
172 (b) 𝐶𝑂2 into the atmosphere
Stratification involves vertical changes, within the
community. Stratification in a forest community 182 (b)
(especially tropical forests) is most complicated, In gaseous cycles, the main reservoirs of chemical
where as many as five vertical sub-divisions may are the atmosphere and ocean, 𝑒. 𝑔.,carbon cycle,
be recognized, i.e., subterranean sub-division, nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, etc.
forest floor, herbaceous vegetation, shrubs and
trees. 183 (d)
Producers constitute the first trophic level or base
174 (c) of a food chain. Producers are autotrophic
Only 10% of the herbivore productivity is utilised organisms, which alone are able to manufacture
for raising productivity of primary carnivores. organic food from inorganic raw materials in the
The rest is consumed in ingestion, respiration, process of photosynthesis
maintenance of body heat and retain only 10% of
energy present in primary carnivores. It is called 184 (a)
10% law which was proposed by Lindeman, 1942 Stability is the power of a system to be in their
state against unfavourable factor. Resilience is
175 (a) the capability of regaining its original shape or
Ecological succession is directional because position after being deformed. Hence, it has low
succession proced in a direction and periodical. stability and high resilience.
Primary succession is a biotic succession that
occurs on a previously sterile or primarily bare 185 (a)
area, 𝑒. 𝑔.,newly exposed sea floor igneous rocks, Productivity of tropical rainforest is highest. The
sand dunes, new cooled lava sediment, etc. tropical rain forest covering 300,000 𝑘𝑚 2 area.
They contain more than 50% of total flora and
176 (c) fauna of the world.
At 40° North and South, the heat gain through
insolation approximately equals to the heat loss 186 (a)
through terrestrial radiation. In a pond ecosystem, producers include
phytoplankton (e.g., diatoms, Chlorella, Spirogyra,
177 (d) Chlamydomonas, etc), free floating
Herbivores (plant-eating animals) are depends macrophytes(e.g.,Lemna, Azolla), suspended
upon producers (plant) so, rabbits are herbivores macrophytes(e.g., Utricularia, Hydrilla),
submerged plants (Vallisneria), floating leaved
179 (b) plants (e.g., Nelumbo), emergent plants
Pyramid of number is used to know how many (Sagittaria) etc.
organisms are present at each level of a food
chain 187 (c)
Both (a) and (b).
180 (c) An ecosystem may be defined as a structural and
For food, light and space, the greatest competition functional unit of the biosphere, comprising living
is between two closely related species of same organisms and their non-living environment that
niche. Struggle for existence (competition) may interact by means of food chains and chemical
be intraspecific (i.e., between individuals of the cycles resulting in energy flow, biotic diversity
same species), interspecific (i.e., between and material cycling to form a stable, self-
different species) and extra specific (i.e., between supporting system
individual and its environment). 188 (a)
181 (d)

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 Population of two or more species, whose transferred to primary consumer which is called
geographical ranges or distribution concide or secondary production
overlap are known as sympatric species.
194 (b)
Allopatric species occupy different vertical zones By the process of leaching, water-soluble
in the same geographical area. inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon
and get precipitated as unavailable salts
Parapatric species do not overlap but continuous,
i.e., touch each other. 195 (a)
Climate.
Ring species are characterized by circular or Climax community is the stable, self perpetuating
looped geographical distribution. and final biotic community that develops at the
189 (b) end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony
In a grassland ecosystem, a larger number of with the physical environment. It is also termed
grass plants or herbs support a fewer number of as climatic climax community
grasshoppers that support a still smaller number 196 (a)
of frogs, the latter still smaller number of snakes A population consists of organisms of a particular
and the snakes very few peacocks or falcons species and has characteristics like natality,
mortality, age structure growth dynamics, etc.
When several populations share a common
habitat and its resources, they interact among
themselves and develop into a biotic community.
Hence, community is a larger unit than a
population.

197 (d)
190 (c) The end result of decomposition is the production
Buried or cut forest already has soil humus and of dark brown, smelling, humus rich organic
some vegetation (underground stems). So in matter and inorganic substance like carbon
buried or cut forest, succession is easy and is dioxide, water and nutrients
completed 198 (a)
In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil
191 (a)
and rocks, 𝑒. 𝑔.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle,
Each trophic level has a certain mass of living
etc.
material at a particular time called the standing
crop. The standing crop is measured as the 199 (c)
biomass of living organisms (biomass), as the A certain mass of living material at each trophic
number in a unit area level of an ecosystem at a particular time is called
standing crop. The standing crop is measured as
192 (b)
the mass of living organisms (biomass) or the
We know that plant only utilisexd 1-2% of total
number in a unit area.
energy incident on earth. In the given dustion
100000 𝐾𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟 salar radiation is incident on 201 (a)
earth. So plant producer utilize 1% of 100000 Vertical distribution of different species
2
𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚 /𝑦𝑟 and that 1% is occupying different levels is called stratification,
100000 × 1 𝑒. 𝑔.,in a forest ecosystem, trees occupy top
= = 1000 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟
100 vertical strata or layer, shrubs the second and
herbs and grasses occupy the bottom layers
And from produces to the next level only 10%
1000×10 202 (b)
will goes, so 100 = 100 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚 2 /𝑦𝑟 will be
Phytoplankton → Submerged plant stage A →
Submerged free floating plant stage B → Read

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 swamp stage C → Marsh-meadow stage → Scrub (e.g., Mosses) which are able to take hold in the
stage D → Forest plant stage small amount of soil.

203 (d) Secondary succession or subsere is a biotic

Pioneer community is the Ist biotic community, succession on a secondarily bare area, e.g., burned
which develops in barren area. Pioneer forests, area after deforestation. It takes 50-100
community is established over a previously bare years (for grassland) and 100-200 years(for
area forest). Ferns are generally the first to grow after
the forest fire because of their underground
204 (a) rhizomes.
Plant can utilises 1.% (0.01) of total incident
radiation green all plant utilises 1-2% of total 210 (b)
incident radiation sugar can is the most efficient An ecosystem, which is created and maintained by
crop which utilises the 5% of total incident human beings, is called artificial or man-made
radiation into photosynthetic product ecosystem. Some examples of man-made
205 (d) ecosystem are aquarium, garden, agriculture,
2-10%. apiary, poultry, piggery etc.
Out of the total incident solar radiation, only 50%
of it is Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). 211 (c)
Plants capture only 2-10% of the PAR and this PAR – Photosynthetically Active Radiation. The
small amount of energy sustains the entire living sum is the only source of energy for all
world ecosystems on earth. Out of the total incident
solar radiation, only 50% of it is
206 (d) photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)
Homeostasis or state of equilibrium or balance of Plantscapture only 2-10% of the PAR and this
nature is maintained through a number of small amount of energy sustains the entire living
controls like carrying capacity self regulation and world. So, there is unidirectional flow of energy
feedback system from the sun to producers and then to consumer

207 (d) 212 (c)

Trophic levels are the divisions or levels of food The sunlight directly regulates the primary
chain characterized by specific method of productivity because the plants perform
obtaining food (and energy). photosynthesis with the help of sunlight. The
amount of biomass or organic matter produced
208 (a) per unit area over a time period in plants during
Sulphur cycle. photosynthesis is called primary production
In sedimentary cycle, the main reservoirs are soil 213 (c)
and rocks, 𝑒. 𝑔.,sulphur cycle, phosphorus cycle, The nutrient reservoir meets the deficit arising
etc. due to imbalance in the rate of influx and efflux of
209 (c) nutrient
The successive development of different biotic 214 (b)
communities at the same site till a climax Gause’s hypothesis was restated by Hardin (1960)
community develops there, is called ecological as the competitive exclusion principle which in its
succession (Hutt; 1885). The species that invade simplest form states that “complete competitors
a bare area are celled pioneer species. In primary cannot coesist”. Both having the same needs to
succession on rocks (xerarch succession) these survive works as competitors. Most populations
are usually lichens which are able to secrete acids are regulated by competition, primarily for food.
(lichenic acid) to dissolve rock, helping in
weathering and soil formation. These later pave 215 (b)
way to some very small plants like bryophytes

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 According to Odum (1983), ecosystem has six in the world-tundra, taiga, temperate forests,
components, in which abiotic components almost deserts, grassland and ocean.
similar in every ecosystem.
220 (a)
(i) Abiotic components Pyramid of number is a graphic representation of
the number of individuals per unit area of various
(a) Inorganic substances trophic levels stepwise with producers being kept
C, N, S, K, 𝐶𝑂2 , 𝐻2 𝑂, temperature, humidity, at the base and top carnivores kept at the top. In
soil light, pressure, etc. most cases, the pyramid of number is upright with
members of successive higher trophic level being
(b) Organic substances fewer than the previous one. The maximum
number of individuals occur at the producer level.
Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, etc.
221 (d)
(ii) Biotic components The exchange pool in the carbon cycle is the
atmosphere in the gaseous cycle (carbon cycle)
Producers, macroconsumers,
the reservoir is the atmosphere
microconsumers.
222 (c)
216 (c)
The transfer of energy from producers to top The amount of biomass or organic matter
consumers through a series of organisms is called produced per unit area over a time period in
plants during photosynthesis is called primary
food chain. It is always straight and proceed in a
production. It is expressed in the terms of weight
progressive straight line. In a food chain, the
maximum population is of producers (𝑔−2 ) or energy (𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚 −2 )

217 (c) 223 (b)

Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary The energy level in a trophic level is not
consumers determined by considering individuals of a
(Grain) (Chicken) (Man) species in that trophic level.

218 (a) 224 (d)

Pyramid of energy is never inverted because in Primary consumers are herbivorous animals,
each ecosystem producers are green plants, which which obtain their food from green
prepare their own food in the process of photosynthetic plants (i.e., producers). Insects
and cattle are primary consumers.
photosynthesis and thus, trap maximum solar
energy. In herbivores, only 10% of energy of 225 (c)
plants transfer and rest 90% is itself used by the The amount of living matter in an ecosystem is
plants and some loss as heat. Further, primary known as biomass. It is measured both as fresh
carnivores take only 10% of energy from and dry weight
herbivores, i.e., 1% of plants. In this way, energy
percentage becomes reduced in next higher 226 (c)
trophic levels. This 10% flow of energy from one The amount of biomass or organic matter
trophic level to the next is called 10 percent law of produced per unit area over a time period in
Lindemann. plants during photosynthesis is called primary
production. Primary productivity depends upon
219 (d) photosynthetic capacity of plants and nutrient
Biomes are climatically and geographically availability
defined as similar climatic conditions on the 227 (a)
earth, such as communities of plants, animals and Producer are also called as tranducer because
soil organisms. A biome has a certain set of they are able to change radiant energy into
characteristics. There are seven kinds of biomes chemical form. Consumers are animals which feed
on other organisms or their parts. Consumer

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 ingest their food. Decomposers are saprophytes 235 (b)
which feed on dead bodies of organisms. The The rate of formation of new organic matter by
decomposer organisms secrete digestive enzymes consumers is called secondary productivity
to digest the organic matter externally
228 (d) 236 (a)
Only 10% of the herbivore productivity is utilized The sequence of communities showing a gradual
for raising productivity of primary carnivores. change in composition called continuum (Curtis;
The rest is consumed in ingestion, respiration, 1959).
maintenance of body heat and other activities 237 (a)
229 (a) Small phytoplanktons→ Free floating
A-Amorphous, B-Humus, C-Humification angiosperms → Rooted hydrophytes → Sedges →
Grasses → Trees
230 (d)
Autogenic succession (auto-self, genic-generate) is 238 (b)
the modification and development of new Zooplanktons are the microscopic animals that
environment made by the community itself such feed on the phytoplanktons in an aquatic
that the community makes its own replacement ecosystem. These are truely herbivorous and
by new communities. The changed environment form the second trophic level (primary
is now favourable for new community. consumers) equivalent to cows in grasslands.

232 (c) 239 (a)

The percentage of energy converted into biomass Organic remain.
by a higher trophic level over the energy of food A much larger fraction of energy flows in aquatic
resources available at the lower trophic level is ecosystem through the graizing food chain than
called ecological efficiency. It is also called through the grazing food chain. Energy for the
Lindemann’s trophic efficiency rule. food chain comes from organic remain or detritus

𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 240 (d)

𝐸𝐸 =
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 The decomposition rate is slow if detritus is rich
× 100 in cellulose, lignin and chitin
233 (d) 241 (b)
The components of an ecosystem may be divided Food web (i.e., network of food chains
into two main types, i.e., Biotic component interconnected at various trophic levels) is meant
comprising the various kinds of living organisms for increasing the stability of an ecosystem by
and Abiotic component consisting of providing alternate sources of food.
environmental factors
242 (b)
When a person consumes curd/yoghurt, it would
be considered in the top or apex (i.e., 2ndtrophic
level) of detritus food chain. Yoghurt or curd is a
commercial fermented dairy product. It is
produced by a starter culture of Streptococcus
thermophiles and Lactobacillus in 1 : 1 ratio at
234 (a) 40 − 60℃ and then partial fermentation by yeast.
Detritus Food Chain (DFC) begins with detritus or Streptococcus produced acid and Lactobacillus
dead organic matter. Detrivores and decomposers forms aroma.
feed over it
243 (a)
A-Biotic, B-Abiotic, C-Decomposers, D-
Photoautotrophs, E-Chemoautotrophs

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244 (a) 252 (a)
In a grassland ecosystem, the number of Biomass is the living or organic matter of living
producers is more than the number of top organisms, in terms of weight, present at any
carnivores, whereas in case of a tree, the number given time in the environment. In a food chain, it
of producers is less as compared to consumers can be depicted by pyramid of biomass, which is
upright in terrestrial ecosystem and inverted in
245 (d) aquatic ecosystem.
Phosphorus is needed for the production of DNA
and RNA, cellular membranes, bones and teeth 253 (b)
Insectivorous plants are autotrophs as they have
246 (d) chlorophyll. They don’t eat insects for food, but
(i) The term ‘ecosystem’ was coined by Sir AG use them as a source of N and P and use light to
Tansley (1935) to describe the whole complex of transform them into biomolecules
living organisms living together as a sociological
units and their habitats 254 (b)
(ii) The entire biosphere is referred to as global Low temperature and anaerobiosis inhibit
ecosystem, which consists of several local decomposition. Decomposition is mainly an
ecosystems of earth. The size of the ecosystem aerobic process
varies from small pond to a large forest or sea In aquatic ecosystem GFC is the major conduit for
(iii) Vertical distribution of different species energy flow. As against this in a terrestrial
occupying different levels is called stratification, ecosystem much larger fraction of energy flows
𝑒. 𝑔.,in a forest ecosystem, trees occupy top through the DFC. Dry weight is more accurate
vertical layer, shrubs the second and herbs and
grasses occupy the bottom layers 255 (b)
The rate at which organic compounds are formed
247 (a) in a green plants or in a population of green plants
Producers → Herbivores → Carnivores per unit time and area is known as the gross
(Grass) (Cow) (Human) primary productivity. It is usually measured as an
increase in the stored energy or an increase in the
248 (d) biomass. GPP is utilised by plants in respiration
Biological membrane, nucleic acids and cellular 256 (b)
energy transfer systems. The various stages in a hydrosere are well studied
Phytoplanktons→ Submerged plant stage A → in ponds, pools or lakes. The various stages of
Submerged free floating plant stage B → Read hydrosere are :
swamp stage C → Marsh-meadow stage → Scrub
stage D → Forest plant stage (i) Phytoplankton stage, e.g., Some blue-green
algae, green algae (Volvox), diatoms and bacteria,
249 (a) etc.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP) is the weight of
organic matter stored by producers in a unit (ii)Rooted submerged stage, e.g., Hydrilla,
area/volume per unit time. NPP is equal to the Vallisneria, etc.
rate of organic matter created by photosynthesis
minus the rate of respirations and other losses. (iii) Floating stage, e.g., Nelumbo, Nymphaea, etc.
Stored biomass is transferred from one trophic Some free floating species are Pistia, Azolla,
level to another trophic level. Lemna, etc.

251 (d) (iv) Red-swampstage, e.g., Species of Scirpus,

In a grazing food chain carnivores like frog, etc Typha, etc.
are referred to as secondary consumers, which (v) Sedge-meadow stage, e.g., Species of
feed on herbivores (primary consumers). Cyperaeae and Gramineae.
Secondary consumers constitute third trophic
level of the food chain.

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 (vi) Woodland stage, e.g., Lantana, Salix, Populus, 263 (d)
etc. Out of the total incident solar radiation, only 50%
of it is Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR).
(vii) Forest stage, e.g., Tropical rain forests, mixed Plants capture only 2-10% of the PAR and this
forests of Almus, Acer, Quercus (oak), tropical small amount of energy sustains the entire living
deciduous forests. world
257 (b) 264 (d)
Food web Tectonagrandis is a vegetation of tropical moist
Producers deciduous forests.
259 (d) 265 (c)
Ecological efficiency or trophic level efficiency Pyramid of energy is the graphic representation of
refers to the percentage of energy converted into the amount of energy trapped per unit time and
biomass by a higher trophic level over the energy area in different trophic levels of a food chain
of food resources available at the lower trophic from producers to top carnivores. Pyramid of
level. The formula is as follows : energy is a true pyramid as it is always upright.
Ecological efficiency= 267 (b)
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 The 10% energy transfer law of food chain is best
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐 𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙 known as Lindemann’s law of trophic efficiency. It
× 100 was given by Lindemann. It states that the
efficiency of energy transfer from one trophic
261 (c) level to the next is about 10%.
The functional aspect of ecosystem is
productivity, decomparition, energy flow and 269 (c)
nutrient cycling In early stages of plant succession, photosynthesis
Productivity Plant synthesis food with input of is more than respiration (P > R) and in climax
solar energy stage, huge respiration of living biomass occurs
Decomposition It is the process by which complex and (P / R = 1) or, photosynthesis is equal to
organic into organic substances respiration (P = R). So, net productivity becomes
Energy flow It is the process by which energy stable, when climax stage is reached in plant
stored by plant transferred to the other trophic succession.
level and at each trophic level energy is disputed 270 (a)
into atmosphere in different form and in an Ecotone is the area of transition between two
ecosystem final trophic level is of decomposer, biotic communities or ecosystems. Ecotone is
which degrade the complex organic matter in to characterized by the presence of species of both
simple compound so energy flow maintain the the communities.
integrity of ecosystem
Nutrient cycling The movement of nutrient 271 (b)
element through various component of an Primary Productivity (PP) is defined as the rate at
ecosystem is called nutrient cycling which radiant energy is converted by the
262 (a) photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to
The transfer of energy from producers to top organic substances
consumers through a series of organisms is called 272 (a)
food chain. One organism holds only one position. Maximum amount of energy is present in
The flow of energy can be easily calculated. It is producers (at first trophic level) and goes on
always straight and proceeds in a progressive decreasing as one moves up the food chain.
straight line. Competition is limited to the
members of same trophic level 273 (d)
The amount of living matter present in an
ecosystem is known as biomass. It is upright in

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 case of a tree, which supports a large number of 284 (d)
birds and inverted in a pond, where a large fish Pyramid of energy.
eats upon a large number of phytoplanktons The pyramid of energy is always upright because
energy is always loss as heat at each step. It
274 (c) represents the total amount of energy utilised by
A climax community is stable, self perpetuating different trophic level organisms in unit area over
and final biotic community that develops at the a period of time
end of biotic succession and is in perfect harmony
with the physical environment. It has maximum 285 (c)
diversity and niche specialization. Decomposers are heterotrophs and saprotrophs,
which feeds on dead bodies of organisms and
275 (d) organic wastes of living organisms. These are
Producers → Herbivores → Carnivores mainly bacteria and fungi of decay
(Grass) (Rabbit) (Hawk)
286 (c)
277 (a) Ecosystem composed of biotic (living) and abiotic
4 × 1013 𝑘𝑔 (non-living) component. Biotic component
278 (a) includes producers, consumers and detritivores.
Succession levels in xerarch (xerosere/lithosere) The producers and detritivores are absolutely
are : essential functional component of the ecosystem.

287 (c)
(i) Lichen stage, e.g., Crustose lichens followed by
foliose lichens. Pioneer community.
Primary succession on rocks starts with lichen of
(ii) Moss stage, e.g., Tortula, Polytrichum species Rhizocarpon, Rinodinaand Lecanora. They
produce some acids which bring about
(iii) Annual grass stage, e.g., Cymbopogon weathering of rocks. These lichens are then
replaced by foliose type of lichens. Due to
(iv) Perennial herb and shrub stage, e.g., Rubus,
Capparis, Zizyphus. description and retention of water by them, they
from a fine thin soil layer on rock surface and thus
(v) Climax community, e.g., Forests with herbs, there, is a change in the habitat
shrubs and trees.
288 (d)
280 (a) 𝐺𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 → 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠 → 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑔 → 𝑆𝑛𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠
During weathering of rocks, minute amount of → 𝑃𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑐𝑘.
phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are
absorbed by plant producer through roots From the above food chain, it is clear that the
peacock stands at the top.
282 (a)
289 (a)
Temperate zone is at 40 − 60° latitude with mixed
Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus
coniferous forests. Annual temperature is 7 −
17℃. into simpler inorganic substances. This process is
called catabolism
Sub-tropical zone is at 20 − 40° latitude with sub-
290 (a)
tropical deciduous forests. Mean annual
A-Deer, B-Frog, C-Foxes, D-Sparrow
temperature is 17 − 24℃.
291 (d)
283 (c)
The pyramid of biomass is inverted in a pond
Climatic conditions like temperature, moisture
ecosystem, where a large fish eats upon a large
and chemical composition affects the rate of
decomposition number of small phytoplanktons
The pyramid of energy is always upright because
the flow energy is unidirectional

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 Pyramid of number is inverted in a tree The remaining 1980 J would be lost to the
ecosystem. In case of a tree, the number of environment. The herbivore that feed on
producers is less compared to consumers producers get 10% of the energy stored in plants,
Pyramid of biomass is upright in case of a tree i.e., 2 J. The remaining 18 J are lost to the
which supports a large number of small birds environment. Carnivores feeding on herbivores
would be able to store only 0.2 J of energy as flow
292 (c)
Plants, which are attached to the rocks are called
lithophytes

294 (a)
The pyramid of energy is always upright because
energy is always loss as heat at each step. It
represents the total amount of energy utilised by 300 (c)
different trophic level organisms in unit area over Trophic level is a step or division of food chain
a period of time which is characterised by the method of obtaining
its food. The number of trophic levels is equal to
295 (c) the number of steps in a food chain
Ecological succession is a sequence of series from
baren land to the climax. In ecological terms, the
developmental stages of a community are known
as seral stages and the final stage as the climax
community. The change is orderly and sequential.
It is a long term process

296 (c) 302 (a)

Transfer of food energy from the producers Climax community is stable and is in equilibrium
with the environment
through a series of organisms with repeated
eating and being eaten is known as food chain. 303 (c)
Producers utilize the solar energy and The rate of biomass production per unit area over
transformed it to chemical form (ATP) during a time period by plants during photosynthesis is
photosynthesis. called productivity. It is expressed in 𝑔−2 𝑦𝑟 −1 or
297 (a) (𝑘 𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚 −2 )𝑦𝑟 −1
Gross primary productivity. 304 (a)
The rate at which organic compounds are formed Warm and moist environment favour
in a green plants or in a population of green plants decomposition. Low temperature and
per unit time and area is known as the gross anaerobiosis inhibit decomposition
primary productivity. It is usually measured as an
increase in the stored energy or an increase in the 305 (d)
biomass. GPP is utilised by plants in respiration The rate at which organic compounds are formed
298 (a) in a green plants or in a population of green plants
An energy link per unit time and area is known as the gross
primary productivity. It is usually measured as an
299 (a) increase in the stored energy or an increase in the
Only about 10% is stored at higher trophic level biomass. GPP is utilised by plants in respiration
and the remaining 90% is lost in respiration,
decomposition and waste in the form of heat. 306 (d)
Suppose 2000 J of solar energy is incident on All animals depend on plants directly or indirectly
green vegetation. The latter having about 1% for their food needs. They are hence, called
efficiency, trap about 20 J of energy and convent it consumers and also heterotrophs. If they feed on
into chemical energy by photosynthesis the producer, the plants (belonging to the first

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 trophic level), they are called primary consumers. Ecosystem is composed of biotic components and
Obviously the primary consumers will be abiotic (non-living) components. The biotic
herbivores. Some common herbivores are insects, components of forest ecosystem are primary
birds and mammals in terrestrial ecosystem and consumers (e.g., rabbit, moles, deer, squirrels,
molluscs in aquatic system. Thus, primary grasshoppers, etc), secondary consumers (e.g.,
consumers belong to the second trophic level. carnivorous, birds, snake, lizard, etc) and
decomposers (fungi and bacteria). In tropical and
307 (d) subtropical forests, rate of decomposition is more
Phytoplanktons are passively floating microscopic rapid than temperate.
animals like, Algae protozoan and cyanobacteria.
They drift with water current 315 (a)
Solar energy is the ultimate source of energy in
308 (a) the ecosystem. The pyramid of energy is always
Nitrogen and carbon cycle. upright.
In gaseous cycles, the main reservoirs of chemical
are the atmosphere and ocean, 𝑒. 𝑔.,carbon cycle, 316 (b)
nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, etc. Lithosere is a type of xerosere originating on bare
rock surfaces. The original substratum is
309 (c) deficient in water and lacks any organic matter
Since there is no penetration of effective light to having only minerals in disintegrated
profundal zone, there are no photosynthetic unweathered state. The pioneer vegetation is,
organisms and hence, consumers depend for their therefore, lichens.
food on limnetic and littoral zones. In littoral
zone, the main producers are phytoplanktons, 317 (c)
algae and other hydrophytes. In limnetic zone, Benthic organisms are found in the bottom of sea.
the main producers are diatonms,
cyanobacteriadinoflagellates, Euglenidae and 318 (c)
Volvocidae. The raw materials for decomposition including
dead plant and animal remains and their faecal
310 (b) matter are called detritus
Second stage of hydrosere is occupied by Organisms, which breakdown detritus into matter
submerged aquatic plants, 𝑒. 𝑔., Hydrilla, particles called detritivores. These include
Vallisneria. The third stage has free floating earthworm, termites, vulture, fly larvae, etc.
plants, 𝑒. 𝑔., Azolla (floating aquatic fern). The
fourth stage is reed swamp plants like typha, salix 319 (b)
includes deciduous trees and shrubs, which Biotic community is defined as an assemblage of
constitute the sixth (wood land stage) and climax population that functions as an integrative unit
stages through coevolved metabolic transformation in a
prescribed area of physical habitat.
312 (c)
Herbivores are primary consumers, they are 320 (c)
mainly depend on the plants for their food needs. Decomposers (saprotrophs) are the organisms
If a single plant species is removed, then they that breakdown complex organic matter into
have to find new or other food sources. inorganic substances and in doing, so they
carryout the natural process of decomposition
313 (d) 321 (a)
Food chain starts with photosynthesis. The green Micro-climate is the climate of immediate
plants always occupy first level in any given food surroundings of some phenomena on the surface
chain and are commonly termed as the primary of the earth, particularly around plants and
producers groups of plants. It helps in the growth of
terrestrial pteridophytes in tropical rain forest.
314 (b)

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322 (a) 329 (c)
Detritus food chain goes from dead organic According to 10% low in the following food chain
matter to microbes and then to detritus-feeding grasses → deer → tiger if tiger have 10 kg biomass
organisms and their predators. These organisms then Deer will have 10 time of this and grasses
are called detrivours, e.g., bacteria, fungi, will have 10 times of deer. Biomass because
protozoans, insects, crustaceans, annelids, worms, energy produced into biomass at one trophic.
etc. level cense only transferred 10% of this

323 (c) 331 (d)

The ultimate source of energy for biosphere is Both lion (carnivore) and sparrow (herbivore)
solar energy, which is captured by producers are consumers. The Asteroidea occupy several
(green plants) through photosynthesis and stored important roles throughout ecology and biology.
in organic compounds. The stored energy in the Sea stars, such as Ochre star (Pisarterochraceus)
form of food is transferred from producers to have become widely known as the example of the
herbivores and then to carnivores. keystone species concept in ecology. Most species
are generalist predators, eating molluscs such as
324 (a) clams, oysters etc.
A complex of several types of communities (some
in complex stage and others in different stages of 333 (b)
succession) maintained under more or less Net primary productivity is the weight of the
similar climatic conditions is known as biome. organic matter stored by the producers in a unit
Various types of biomes are tundra, north area/volume for unit time. It is given by NPP =
coniferous forest, deciduous forest, tropical rain GPP – R (Gross Primary Productivity) where, R =
forest chapparal, tropical savanna, grassland and Respiration losses. It is utilised by hetertrophs
deserts. 334 (d)
The climate features of tropical deciduous forests
325 (b) are warm summers, cold winters, and well-spaced
Decomposers decomposes the dead organic rainfall amounting to about 75-100 cm per year.
matter to release them back for reuse by the In India, these forests possess important trees of
autotrophs, 𝑒. 𝑔.,bacteria, fungi, protozoans, genera such as Terminalia, Tectona (teak),
worms, etc. Dalbergia(sisham), Shorea (sal) and Acacia.
326 (d) These are very important timber trees.
The pyramid of energy is always upright for any
ecosystem. 335 (a)
Gross primary productivity is the rate of
This situation indicates that, the production of organic matter during
(i) Producers have the highest energy conversion photosynthesis in an ecosystem
efficiency 336 (d)
According to 10% law 10% of herbivore’s
(ii) Herbivores have a better energy conversion chemical energy is transferred to carnivore’s
efficiency then carnivores chemical energy. According to 10% law

(iii) Carnivores have better energy conversion 337 (a)

efficiency than top-carnivore. Upper layer of soil.
Decomposition is the process of breaking down a
327 (a) substance into its constituent parts.
The term ecosystem development was given to Decomposition of dead organic matter (plants,
ecological succession by Odum. animals and waste products of animals) occurs in
328 (b) nature and it is also called decay or putrification.
Organism are classified into trophic levels In a terrestrial ecosystem, the upper layer of soil
according to the source of their nutrients is the main site of decomposition

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338 (c) 347 (a)
Plant → Deer → Python The pyramid of numbers deal with the number of
Plant → Grasshopper → Frog primary producers and consumers. It is upright in
Plant → Goat → Lion a grassland and inverted in a tree ecosystem. In a
Plant → Goat → Python grassland the number of producers is more than
Plant → Deer → Lion the number of top carnivores, whereas in case of a
tree, the number of producers is less as compared
340 (d) to consumers
Assimilatory efficiency is the percentage of food
energy assimilated for body building to total food 348 (a)
ingested. So, the formula Stratification is more common in tropical
rainforest. Stratification occurs vertically and
𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑
𝐴𝐸 = × 100 determined by height of organisms
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑 For example, in a forest community, stratification
341 (c) takes place when trees of different species grow
The term ecosystem was given by Tansley (1935). to different heights
349 (c)
342 (d) Major zones in fresh water body as lake are :
Decomposers are saprotrophic microorganisms
which feed on dead bodies of organisms and (i) Littoral zone is the uppermost zone, which is
organic wastes of living organisms. These are shallow-water region.
most diverse organisms of an ecosystem. (ii) Limnetic zone is an open-water zone to depth,
343 (b) where effective light can penetrate, it is the chief
The primary succession occurs in the barren ‘producing region’ in lakes.
soilless, uninhabited regions such as igneous rock (iii) Profundal zone is zone of bottom and deep
emerged from the sea, lava deposit, sand dune, water area, where effective light cannot
newly created pond or reservoir penetrate. It is found to be absent in ponds.
344 (a) (iv) Benthic zone is deep oceanic zone, which is
Incorrect food chain Grass → Frog → Vulture cold, dark and devoid of producer organisms.
345 (c) Benthos are either detritus feeders or carnivores.
The term ‘niche’ was for the first time used by 350 (b)
Grinnel (1971) to explain micro-habitats. The process of breaking down of detritus into
According to him ‘niche’ is the ultimate smaller particles is called fragmentation, 𝑒. 𝑔.,as
distributional unit, within which each species is done by earthworm
held by its structural and instinctive limitation. 351 (d)
Actually niche is the complete account of how an The major reservoir for phosphorus is in
organism uses its environment. Thus, plant lice phosphate rocks and fossil bone deposits laid
(aphids) and leaf is the pair correctly down in the past geological ages. There is no
representing the organism and its ecological atmospheric phase in the phosphorus cycle
niche. Phosphorus becomes available in the soil for
346 (b) plants use by natural erosion of rocks and by
Pyramid of biomass. human efforts
The amount of living matter present in an Plants takes up phosphorus form the soil. Animals
ecosystem is known as biomass. It is upright in get it from the plants directly or through other
case of tree, which supports a large number of smaller animals. Animals excrete phosphorus
birds and inverted in a pond where a large fish mainly as phosphates, which the plants can use
feeds upon a large number of phytoplanktons immediately

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352 (b) consequently number of producers will decrease
71% of the carbon is found dissolved in oceans, to near normal.
which is responsible for its regulation in
atmosphere 358 (b)
Heterotrophs.
354 (d) Net primary productivity is the weight of the
Phytoplanktons, diatoms and dinoflagellates are organic matter stored by the producers in a unit
the dominant producers in the world’s oceans. area/volume for unit time. It is given by NPP =
Diatoms tend to dominate in Northern waters, GPP – R (Gross Primary Productivity) where, R =
while dinoflagellates are quite common in sub- Respiration losses. It is utilised by hetertrophs
tropical and tropical waters. 359 (b)
Lichen → Small bryophytes → Herb → Shrubs →
355 (d) Tress → Forest
Temperate needle-shaped (coniferous) torests
are the coniferous forests occurring at an altitude 360 (c)
of 1700-3000 m. Major trees of this area are Another name of nutrient cycle is biogeochemical
various species of Pinus. Cedrusand Cupressus. cycle. The movement of nutrient elements
through various components (abiotic and biotic)
356 (b) of an ecosystem is called nutrient cycling or
Three main types of environmental zones are biogeochemical cycle
recognized in the ocean basin
(i) Littoral zone Sea floor in the region of 361 (b)
continental shelf. Pyramid of energy is graphic representation of
(ii) Benthonic zone Sea floor along continental energy per unit area sequence-wise in various
slope, aphotic and abyssal zones. rising trophic levels with producers at the base
(iii) Pelagic zone Water of the ocean. and top carnivores at the apex. Pyramid of energy
is upright in all cases. It is also more accurate
357 (a) than other types of ecological pyramids.
In an ecosystem, biological equilibrium or a
balance is found between producers, consumers 362 (c)
and decomposers. An ecosystem should always Ecotone is the transition zone between two
maintain this balance. If primary consumers in an ecosystems. Ecotone is the zone of distribution of
ecosystem are absent, then producers will be organisms across the boundaries of which the
increased in number and will create over- individuals of a species becomes progressively
crowding. It results in competition and fewer, less productive and sometimes smaller.

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