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Class 12/Question Bank

Ecosystem

Questions on Ecosystem

Unit 5: Ecology and Environment - Chapter 2: Ecosystem

Comprehensive Question Paper (400 Questions)

SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ) - 100 Questions

Choose the correct answer from the given options.

An ecosystem is defined as: a) A group of organisms living together b) A functional unit where living organisms interact with each other and the physical environment c) Only the physical environment d) A collection of plants and animals

Which of the following is NOT a natural ecosystem? a) Forest b) Pond c) Aquarium d) Desert

Abiotic components include: a) Only temperature and light b) Plants and animals c) Temperature, light, water, soil, and minerals d) Only soil and water

Primary producers are also called: a) Heterotrophs b) Autotrophs c) Carnivores d) Decomposers

Which organism is a primary consumer? a) Lion b) Deer c) Eagle d) Bacteria

Decomposers are also known as: a) Autotrophs b) Producers c) Saprotrophs d) Carnivores

In a pond ecosystem, phytoplankton are: a) Primary consumers b) Secondary consumers c) Producers d) Decomposers

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) is: a) NPP + Respiration b) NPP - Respiration c) Only the energy stored d) Secondary productivity

The formula for Net Primary Productivity is: a) NPP = GPP + R b) NPP = GPP - R c) NPP = GPP × R d) NPP = R - GPP

The first step of decomposition is: a) Leaching b) Fragmentation c) Catabolism d) Humification

Humus is formed during which step of decomposition? a) Fragmentation b) Leaching c) Humification d) Mineralization

Which factor slows down decomposition? a) High temperature b) High lignin content c) Adequate moisture d) Neutral pH

A grazing food chain starts with: a) Dead organic matter b) Producers c) Primary consumers d) Decomposers

In aquatic ecosystems, the major energy flow is through: a) Detritus food chain b) Grazing food chain c) Both equally d) Neither

Trophic level 1 consists of: a) Herbivores b) Carnivores c) Producers d) Decomposers

The pyramid of energy is always: a) Upright b) Inverted c) Spindle-shaped d) Variable

An inverted pyramid of biomass is found in: a) Grassland b) Forest c) Aquatic ecosystems d) Desert

According to the 10% law, energy transfer efficiency is: a) 100% b) 50% c) 10% d) 5%

PAR stands for: a) Photosynthetically Active Radiation b) Primary Active Radiation c) Plant Active Radiation d) Photosynthetic Available Radiation

The wavelength range of PAR is: a) 200-400 nm b) 400-700 nm c) 700-1000 nm d) 100-300 nm

Standing crop refers to: a) Agricultural crops b) Living biomass at a trophic level at a given time c) Dead organic matter d) Soil nutrients

Which of the following is an edaphic factor? a) Temperature b) Rainfall c) Soil pH d) Wind

Chemosynthetic bacteria are found in: a) Ponds b) Forests c) Deep-sea hydrothermal vents d) Grasslands

Secondary consumers are also called: a) Herbivores b) Primary carnivores c) Producers d) Decomposers

Daphnia in a pond ecosystem is a: a) Producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Decomposer

The process of leaching involves: a) Breaking down of organic matter b) Water-soluble nutrients seeping into soil c) Formation of humus d) Release of CO2

Organic substances that link biotic and abiotic components are: a) Proteins only b) Carbohydrates only c) Humic substances d) Lipids only

In terrestrial ecosystems, major energy flow is through: a) Grazing food chain b) Detritus food chain c) Both equally d) Neither

Quaternary consumers are at trophic level: a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5

The units for primary productivity are: a) g/m²/day b) g/m²/year c) kg/m²/year d) mg/m²/year

Which organism is NOT a marginal plant in pond ecosystem? a) Typha b) Sagittaria c) Hydrilla d) All are marginal plants

The 10% law was proposed by: a) Charles Darwin b) Raymond Lindeman c) Odum d) Tansley

Food webs are more realistic than food chains because: a) They show linear relationships b) They show complex feeding relationships c) They are simpler d) They have fewer organisms

Anaerobic conditions during decomposition result in: a) Faster decomposition b) Slower decomposition c) No effect d) Complete stoppage

The pyramid of numbers in a forest ecosystem is: a) Upright b) Inverted c) Spindle-shaped d) Rectangular

Hydrilla is an example of: a) Floating plant b) Submerged plant c) Marginal plant d) Emergent plant

Catabolism in decomposition involves: a) Physical breakdown b) Chemical breakdown by enzymes c) Leaching of nutrients d) Humus formation

The least efficient energy transfer occurs at: a) Producer level b) Primary consumer level c) Secondary consumer level d) All levels equally

Inorganic substances in ecosystems include: a) Only carbon dioxide b) Only water c) CO2, O2, N2, water, phosphorus, calcium d) Only nitrogen

Climatic factors include all EXCEPT: a) Temperature b) Rainfall c) Soil pH d) Humidity

The term ecosystem was coined by: a) Odum b) Tansley c) Lindeman d) Clements

Artificial ecosystems are characterized by: a) No human intervention b) Human creation and maintenance c) Only natural processes d) No energy input

Saprophytes are organisms that: a) Produce their own food b) Feed on living organisms c) Feed on dead organic matter d) Are parasitic

The efficiency of photosynthesis in capturing solar energy is: a) 50-60% b) 25-30% c) 10-15% d) 2-10%

Which trophic level has the maximum energy? a) Primary consumers b) Secondary consumers c) Producers d) Tertiary consumers

Mineralization results in the release of: a) Organic compounds b) Inorganic nutrients c) Humus d) Proteins

The pyramid of biomass in grassland is: a) Upright b) Inverted c) Spindle-shaped d) Irregular

Cyclops in a pond is a: a) Producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Decomposer

Detritivores are organisms that: a) Produce energy b) Break down detritus into smaller particles c) Are primary consumers d) Are producers

The standing state refers to: a) Living biomass b) Inorganic nutrients in soil/water c) Dead organic matter d) Energy content

Lemna is an example of: a) Submerged plant b) Floating plant c) Marginal plant d) Terrestrial plant

The rate of secondary productivity depends on: a) Solar radiation b) Availability of food c) Temperature only d) Soil nutrients

Which step of decomposition is slowest? a) Fragmentation b) Leaching c) Humification d) Mineralization

Estuaries are examples of: a) Terrestrial ecosystems b) Aquatic ecosystems c) Artificial ecosystems d) Desert ecosystems

The energy flow in ecosystems is: a) Bidirectional b) Unidirectional c) Cyclic d) Random

Primary productivity is highest in: a) Deserts b) Tropical forests c) Tundra d) Grasslands

The organisms at the highest trophic level are usually: a) Most numerous b) Least numerous c) Producers d) Decomposers

Nutrients in ecosystems show: a) Unidirectional flow b) Cyclic movement c) Linear movement d) Random distribution

The base of any ecological pyramid represents: a) Primary consumers b) Producers c) Secondary consumers d) Decomposers

Vallisneria is a: a) Floating plant b) Submerged plant c) Marginal plant d) Terrestrial plant

The most stable component of soil organic matter is: a) Proteins b) Carbohydrates c) Humus d) Lipids

Food chains are limited to 4-5 trophic levels because: a) Insufficient space b) Energy loss at each level c) Lack of organisms d) Competition

Azolla is a: a) Submerged plant b) Floating plant c) Marginal plant d) Decomposer

The term 'standing crop' was introduced by: a) Odum b) Tansley c) Lindeman d) Clements

Decomposition is fastest in: a) Cold, dry conditions b) Hot, humid conditions c) Waterlogged conditions d) Acidic conditions

Pistia is an example of: a) Submerged plant b) Floating plant c) Marginal plant d) Terrestrial plant

The pyramid of numbers in parasitic food chains is: a) Upright b) Inverted c) Spindle-shaped d) Rectangular

Kingfisher in a pond ecosystem is a: a) Primary consumer b) Secondary consumer c) Tertiary consumer d) Producer

The process of photosynthesis converts: a) Organic to inorganic b) Inorganic to organic c) Light to chemical energy d) Both b and c

Detritus food chains are more important in: a) Aquatic ecosystems b) Terrestrial ecosystems c) Both equally d) Neither

The efficiency of energy transfer from one trophic level to the next is called: a) Ecological efficiency b) Primary productivity c) Secondary productivity d) Gross productivity

Aspergillus in pond ecosystem is a: a) Producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Decomposer

The total amount of solar energy trapped by producers is: a) NPP b) GPP c) Secondary productivity d) Biomass

Lignin-rich detritus decomposes: a) Rapidly b) Slowly c) At normal rate d) Not at all

Tundra is an example of: a) Aquatic ecosystem b) Terrestrial ecosystem c) Artificial ecosystem d) Marine ecosystem

The energy source for chemosynthetic bacteria is: a) Sunlight b) Chemical compounds c) Organic matter d) Heat

Penicillium in aquatic ecosystems acts as a: a) Producer b) Primary consumer c) Secondary consumer d) Decomposer

The pyramid of energy follows: a) Law of conservation of energy b) Law of thermodynamics c) Both a and b d) Neither

Volvox is an example of: a) Zooplankton b) Phytoplankton c) Fish d) Decomposer

The process that makes nutrients available to producers is: a) Photosynthesis b) Respiration c) Decomposition d) Transpiration

Spirogyra is a: a) Primary consumer b) Secondary consumer c) Producer d) Decomposer

The amount of energy available to consumers is: a) GPP b) NPP c) Total solar energy d) PAR

Diatoms are examples of: a) Zooplankton b) Phytoplankton c) Fish d) Bacteria

The nutrient pool in ecosystems is also called: a) Standing crop b) Standing state c) Biomass d) Productivity

Temperature affects decomposition by: a) Affecting enzyme activity b) Affecting microbial growth c) Both a and b d) Neither

Earthworms in decomposition act as: a) Decomposers b) Detritivores c) Producers d) Consumers

The concept of trophic levels was introduced by: a) Lindeman b) Odum c) Tansley d) Elton

Grazing food chains are dominant in: a) Forests b) Grasslands c) Aquatic systems d) Deserts

Cyanobacteria are: a) Producers b) Primary consumers c) Secondary consumers d) Decomposers

The term PAR was coined by: a) Odum b) Lindeman c) McCree d) Tansley

Moisture affects decomposition by: a) Affecting microbial activity b) Affecting enzyme function c) Both a and b d) Neither

The inverted pyramid of biomass occurs because: a) Producers are small and reproduce rapidly b) Consumers are large c) Energy is lost d) Nutrients are limited

Crop fields are examples of: a) Natural ecosystems b) Artificial ecosystems c) Aquatic ecosystems d) Forest ecosystems

The 10% law applies to: a) Energy transfer only b) Biomass transfer only c) Both energy and biomass d) Neither

Chitin-rich detritus decomposes: a) Rapidly b) Slowly c) At normal rate d) Instantaneously

Aquariums are examples of: a) Natural ecosystems b) Artificial ecosystems c) Terrestrial ecosystems d) Marine ecosystems

The process of humification produces: a) Inorganic nutrients b) Simple organic compounds c) Humus d) CO2

Primary consumers in aquatic ecosystems are mainly: a) Fish b) Zooplankton c) Bacteria d) Algae

The ecological efficiency is highest between: a) Producers and primary consumers b) Primary and secondary consumers c) Secondary and tertiary consumers d) All levels are equal

Standing state includes: a) Living organisms only b) Dead organic matter only c) Inorganic nutrients only d) All of the above

SECTION B: ONE MARK SHORT QUESTIONS - 100 Questions

Answer in one word or one sentence.

Define ecosystem.

Name two types of ecosystems.

What are abiotic components?

What are biotic components?

Give one example of a natural terrestrial ecosystem.

Give one example of an artificial ecosystem.

What are autotrophs?

What are heterotrophs?

Name the primary producers in a pond ecosystem.

What are decomposers also called?

Define primary consumers.

What is GPP?

What is NPP?

Write the formula for NPP.

What is secondary productivity?

Name the first step of decomposition.

What is leaching?

What is humification?

What is mineralization?

Define food chain.

What is a food web?

Define trophic level.

What is a grazing food chain?

What is a detritus food chain?

Name the units of primary productivity.

What is PAR?

What is the wavelength range of PAR?

State the 10% law.

Who proposed the 10% law?

What is standing crop?

What is standing state?

Name one climatic factor.

Name one edaphic factor.

Give an example of phytoplankton.

Give an example of zooplankton.

Name a floating plant in pond ecosystem.

Name a submerged plant in pond ecosystem.

Name a marginal plant in pond ecosystem.

What is catabolism in decomposition?

Name one factor that affects decomposition.

Which pyramid is always upright?

In which ecosystem is pyramid of biomass inverted?

What shape is the pyramid of numbers in forest?

Name the most stable component of soil organic matter.

What is the efficiency of photosynthesis?

Define ecological efficiency.

What are detritivores?

Name one example of detritivore.

What is humus?

Name one chemosynthetic bacteria habitat.

What are saprotrophs?

Define primary productivity.

What is the nutrient pool?

Name one organic substance in ecosystems.

Name one inorganic substance in ecosystems.

What is fragmentation?

Define energy flow.

What is biomass?

Name one tertiary consumer.

What are quaternary consumers?

Define decomposition.

What is detritus?

Name one factor that slows decomposition.

What is the source of energy for producers?

Name one secondary consumer in pond.

What is the role of bacteria in ecosystems?

Define ecological pyramid.

What is the base of ecological pyramid?

Name one example of artificial aquatic ecosystem.

What are marginal plants?

Define photosynthesis.

What is respiration in context of NPP?

Name one fungus involved in decomposition.

What is the unit of energy in ecological pyramids?

Define trophic efficiency.

What is the nutrient cycling?

Name one example of climatic factor.

What are edaphic factors?

Define community.

What is population?

Name one example of herbivore.

Name one example of carnivore.

What is omnivore?

Define habitat.

What is niche?

Name one abiotic component of pond.

What is dissolved oxygen?

Define temperature gradient in pond.

What are inorganic salts?

Name one role of decomposers.

What is the 10% energy transfer rule?

Define gross productivity.

What is net productivity?

Name one factor affecting primary productivity.

What is the role of sunlight in ecosystem?

Define consumer.

What is producer?

Name one example of primary carnivore.

What is secondary carnivore?

Define the term 'ecosystem services'.

SECTION C: TWO MARKS QUESTIONS - 100 Questions

Answer in 2-3 sentences.

Differentiate between natural and artificial ecosystems.

Explain the relationship between biotic and abiotic components.

Describe the role of producers in an ecosystem.

What is the significance of decomposers in ecosystems?

Explain the difference between GPP and NPP.

Describe the process of fragmentation in decomposition.

What factors affect the rate of decomposition?

Differentiate between grazing and detritus food chains.

Explain the concept of trophic levels.

Why is the pyramid of energy always upright?

Describe the 10% law with an example.

What is the importance of PAR in ecosystems?

Explain the difference between standing crop and standing state.

Describe the abiotic components of a pond ecosystem.

What are the different types of consumers? Give examples.

Explain the process of leaching in decomposition.

Describe the formation of humus.

What is the significance of food webs over food chains?

Explain why food chains are limited to 4-5 trophic levels.

Describe the pyramid of numbers in different ecosystems.

What are the characteristics of an inverted pyramid of biomass?

Explain the role of temperature in decomposition.

Describe the importance of moisture in decomposition.

What is the role of soil pH in decomposition?

Explain the concept of ecological efficiency.

Describe the different types of primary producers in pond.

What are the adaptations of aquatic plants?

Explain the role of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems.

Describe the importance of zooplankton in pond ecosystem.

What is the significance of chemosynthetic bacteria?

Explain the process of catabolism in decomposition.

Describe the process of mineralization.

What factors determine primary productivity?

Explain the concept of secondary productivity.

Describe the energy flow in ecosystems.

What is the role of detritivores in decomposition?

Explain the structure of a typical food chain.

Describe the components of a food web.

What are the limitations of ecological pyramids?

Explain the concept of nutrient cycling.

Describe the role of bacteria in pond ecosystems.

What is the importance of fungi in decomposition?

Explain the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs.

Describe the various climatic factors affecting ecosystems.

What are edaphic factors? Give examples.

Explain the concept of carrying capacity.

Describe the role of sunlight in pond ecosystems.

What is the significance of dissolved oxygen in aquatic systems?

Explain the concept of biological magnification.

Describe the process of eutrophication.

What are the effects of pollution on ecosystems?

Explain the concept of keystone species.

Describe the role of apex predators in ecosystems.

What is the importance of biodiversity in ecosystems?

Explain the concept of ecosystem stability.

Describe the process of succession in ecosystems.

What are the threats to aquatic ecosystems?

Explain the concept of biomagnification.

Describe the carbon cycle in ecosystems.

What is the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems?

Explain the phosphorus cycle.

Describe the water cycle in ecosystems.

What are the human impacts on ecosystems?

Explain the concept of sustainable development.

Describe the role of conservation in ecosystem management.

What are the methods of ecosystem restoration?

Explain the concept of ecosystem services.

Describe the economic value of ecosystems.

What is the role of technology in ecosystem conservation?

Explain the concept of climate change effects on ecosystems.

Describe the adaptations of organisms to environmental changes.

What is the role of genetic diversity in ecosystems?

Explain the concept of population dynamics.

Describe the predator-prey relationships.

What is the significance of symbiotic relationships?

Explain the concept of competition in ecosystems.

Describe the role of migration in ecosystems.

What are the seasonal changes in ecosystems?

Explain the concept of limiting factors.

Describe the zonation in aquatic ecosystems.

What is the importance of riparian zones?

Explain the concept of edge effects in ecosystems.

Describe the role of fire in ecosystem dynamics.

What are the characteristics of stressed ecosystems?

Explain the concept of ecosystem resilience.

Describe the role of invasive species in ecosystems.

What is the significance of endemic species?

Explain the concept of habitat fragmentation.

Describe the role of corridors in conservation.

What are the principles of ecosystem management?

Explain the concept of adaptive management.

Describe the role of monitoring in ecosystem conservation.

What is the importance of baseline studies?

Explain the concept of ecosystem indicators.

Describe the role of remote sensing in ecosystem studies.

What are the challenges in ecosystem conservation?

Explain the concept of ecosystem-based management.

Describe the role of stakeholders in conservation.

What is the importance of education in ecosystem conservation?

Explain the future prospects of ecosystem research.

SECTION D: THREE MARKS BROAD QUESTIONS - 100 Questions

Answer in 4-5 sentences with detailed explanations.

Describe the structure and components of an ecosystem with suitable examples.

Explain the different types of ecosystems and their characteristics.

Discuss the interrelationship between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.

Describe the pond ecosystem as a representative example of aquatic ecosystem.

Explain the concept of productivity in ecosystems and its different types.

Discuss the process of decomposition and its ecological significance.

Describe the factors affecting decomposition and their mechanisms.

Explain the concept of food chains and food webs with examples.

Discuss the concept of trophic levels and energy flow in ecosystems.

Describe the different types of ecological pyramids and their significance.

Explain the 10% law of energy transfer with its implications.

Discuss the concept of PAR and its importance in primary productivity.

Explain the difference between standing crop and standing state.

Describe the role of decomposers in nutrient cycling.

Discuss the importance of primary producers in ecosystem functioning.

Explain the adaptations of organisms in aquatic ecosystems.

Describe the seasonal changes in pond ecosystems.

Discuss the human impact on natural ecosystems.

Explain the concept of ecosystem services and their value.

Describe the methods of ecosystem conservation and management.

Discuss the role of biodiversity in ecosystem stability.

Explain the concept of keystone species with examples.

Describe the process of biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems.

Discuss the effects of pollution on ecosystem functioning.

Explain the concept of sustainable ecosystem management.

Describe the role of climate change in ecosystem dynamics.

Discuss the importance of habitat conservation.

Explain the concept of ecosystem restoration techniques.

Describe the role of technology in ecosystem monitoring.

Discuss the economic valuation of ecosystem services.

Explain the concept of ecological succession and its types.

Describe the adaptations of organisms to environmental stress.

Discuss the role of competition in ecosystem organization.

Explain the concept of predator-prey relationships.

Describe the importance of symbiotic relationships in ecosystems.

Discuss the concept of population dynamics in ecosystems.

Explain the role of migration in ecosystem functioning.

Describe the concept of limiting factors in ecosystems.

Discuss the zonation patterns in aquatic ecosystems.

Explain the concept of edge effects and habitat fragmentation.

Describe the role of fire in ecosystem dynamics.

Discuss the characteristics of stressed ecosystems.

Explain the concept of ecosystem resilience and stability.

Describe the impact of invasive species on native ecosystems.

Discuss the importance of endemic species conservation.

Explain the role of corridors in landscape ecology.

Describe the principles of ecosystem-based management.

Discuss the concept of adaptive management in conservation.

Explain the importance of baseline studies in ecosystem research.

Describe the role of indicators in ecosystem monitoring.

Discuss the applications of remote sensing in ecosystem studies.

Explain the challenges in ecosystem conservation.

Describe the role of stakeholders in ecosystem management.

Discuss the importance of environmental education.

Explain the concept of ecosystem integrity.

Describe the role of protected areas in conservation.

Discuss the concept of landscape connectivity.

Explain the importance of genetic diversity in ecosystems.

Describe the role of soil in ecosystem functioning.

Discuss the concept of watershed management.

Explain the importance of riparian zones in ecosystems.

Describe the role of wetlands in ecosystem services.

Discuss the concept of urban ecology.

Explain the importance of agroecosystems.

Describe the role of forests in global ecosystems.

Discuss the concept of marine ecosystem conservation.

Explain the importance of freshwater ecosystems.

Describe the role of grasslands in ecosystem functioning.

Discuss the concept of desert ecosystem adaptations.

Explain the importance of mountain ecosystems.

Describe the role of polar ecosystems in global climate.

Discuss the concept of island biogeography.

Explain the importance of microbial diversity in ecosystems.

Describe the role of mycorrhizal associations in ecosystems.

Discuss the concept of plant-pollinator relationships.

Explain the importance of seed dispersal in ecosystems.

Describe the role of herbivory in ecosystem dynamics.

Discuss the concept of top-down vs bottom-up control.

Explain the importance of spatial heterogeneity in ecosystems.

Describe the role of disturbance in ecosystem dynamics.

Discuss the concept of ecosystem engineers.

Explain the importance of temporal dynamics in ecosystems.

Describe the role of phenology in ecosystem functioning.

Discuss the concept of ecosystem metabolism.

Explain the importance of allochthonous inputs in ecosystems.

Describe the role of boundary effects in ecosystems.

Discuss the concept of metacommunities.

Explain the importance of source-sink dynamics.

Describe the role of dispersal in ecosystem organization.

Discuss the concept of phylogenetic diversity.

Explain the importance of functional diversity in ecosystems.

Describe the role of trait-based ecology.

Discuss the concept of ecosystem multifunctionality.

Explain the importance of scaling in ecosystem studies.

Describe the role of modeling in ecosystem research.

Discuss the concept of ecosystem forecasting.

Explain the importance of big data in ecosystem studies.

Describe the role of citizen science in ecosystem monitoring.

Discuss the future challenges in ecosystem research and conservation.

Explain the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern science.

Cite:Titas Mallick. "Ecosystem" in BioNotes.

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Unit 5: Ecology and Environment - Chapter 2: Ecosystem Comprehensive Question Paper (400 Questions)SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ) - 100 Questions SECTION B: ONE MARK SHORT QUESTIONS - 100 Questions SECTION C: TWO MARKS QUESTIONS - 100 Questions SECTION D: THREE MARKS BROAD QUESTIONS - 100 Questions