Ecology and Ecosystems Learning Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

How do deforestation and habitat destruction primarily affect ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

They reduce biodiversity and disrupt ecosystem balance.

Answer

They increase biodiversity and enhance ecosystem stability.

Answer

They increase carbon sequestration and reduce the frequency of natural disasters.

Question 2

The process by which plants use sunlight to make energy (food) is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 3

The process by which nutrients are returned to the soil by the breakdown of dead organisms is called:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Transpiration

Question 4

The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment, including the flow of energy and nutrients, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Physics

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a man-made (artificial) ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Aquarium

Answer

Forest

Answer

Ocean

Answer

Lake

Question 6

The process by which water vapor turns into visible droplets that form clouds is known as:

Accepted Answer

Condensation

Answer

Evaporation

Answer

Precipitation

Answer

Transpiration

Question 7

Which of the following energy sources is renewable (can be replaced naturally)?

Accepted Answer

Wind

Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Coal

Answer

Nuclear energy

Question 8

The greenhouse effect refers to:

Accepted Answer

The warming of the Earth's atmosphere caused by gases that trap heat

Answer

The cooling of the Earth's atmosphere caused by gases that reflect heat

Answer

The release of heat from the Earth's core

Answer

The absorption of heat by the Earth's atmosphere

Question 9

What term describes the unidirectional movement of energy through an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Food chain

Answer

Food web

Answer

Nutrient cycle

Answer

Decomposition

Question 10

In an ecosystem, which organisms are responsible for converting sunlight into usable energy?

Accepted Answer

Producers

Answer

Consumers

Answer

Decomposers

Answer

Predators

Question 11

Which process is responsible for returning essential nutrients to the soil?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Transpiration

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

They have a disproportionate impact relative to their abundance.

Answer

They are the most numerous species.

Answer

They are at the pinnacle of the food chain.

Answer

They are the only species capable of photosynthesis.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a mutually beneficial relationship between species?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Competition

Answer

Parasitism

Question 14

Who are the masters of recycling in nature, breaking down organic stuff and returning nutrients to the environment?

Accepted Answer

Decomposers

Answer

Producers

Answer

Consumers

Question 15

In a food chain, which organism is typically found at the highest trophic level?

Accepted Answer

Tertiary consumer

Answer

Producer

Answer

Primary consumer

Answer

Secondary consumer

Question 16

What is the term used to describe the process by which nutrients are recycled within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Transpiration

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Community

Answer

Population

Answer

Habitat

Question 18

What is the most significant threat to endangered species?

Accepted Answer

Habitat loss

Answer

Overexploitation

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Invasive species

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Balance of Earth's rotation

Answer

Living organisms (biotic factors)

Answer

Non-living factors (abiotic factors)

Answer

Energy flow

Question 20

In a food chain, which organism consumes other organisms?

Accepted Answer

Consumer

Answer

Producer

Answer

Decomposer

Answer

Scavenger

Question 21

Which process do plants use to convert sunlight into energy?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Fermentation

Answer

Hydrolysis

Question 22

Which of the following gases contributes significantly to climate change?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Helium

Question 23

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Breaking down dead organisms

Answer

Producing food for plants

Answer

Consuming herbivores

Answer

Regulating population size

Question 24

Which of the following interactions describes a mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predation

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Question 25

What concept represents the maximum number of organisms an ecosystem can support?

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Population density

Answer

Resource availability

Answer

Species richness

Question 26

Which of the following energy sources is renewable?

Accepted Answer

Wind energy

Answer

Coal

Answer

Oil

Answer

Nuclear energy

Question 27

Which nutrient cycle is essential for plant growth and development in ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen cycle

Answer

Water cycle

Answer

Carbon cycle

Answer

Oxygen cycle

Question 28

Which process enables plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Cellular respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Question 29

Which organism consumes primarily plants?

Accepted Answer

Grasshopper

Answer

Lion

Answer

Hawk

Answer

Snake

Question 30

Which cycle is essential for the formation of proteins and nucleic acids?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen cycle

Answer

Carbon cycle

Answer

Water cycle

Answer

Phosphorus cycle

Question 31

Which field of study investigates the interactions between organisms and their surroundings?

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Environmental science

Answer

Conservation biology

Question 32

Which type of relationship involves two species living together with mutual benefit?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Predator-prey

Answer

Parasite-host

Answer

Commensalism

Question 33

Which term describes the movement of energy from one organism to another along a food chain?

Accepted Answer

Trophic transfer

Answer

Food web

Answer

Energy pyramid

Answer

Ecological succession

Question 34

Which gas contributes to the greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Helium

Question 35

Which process ensures the coexistence of multiple species within a habitat?

Accepted Answer

Niche partitioning

Answer

Competitive exclusion

Answer

Ecological succession

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 36

Which factor is NOT a component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Social beliefs and customs

Answer

Living organisms

Answer

Non-living factors like sunlight and water

Answer

Energy flow

Question 37

Species that have adapted to live in extreme environments are called:

Accepted Answer

Extremeophiles

Answer

Endangered species

Answer

Extinct species

Answer

Pioneer species

Question 38

The process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into food is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Answer

Decomposition

Question 39

The term 'symbiosis' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Interactions between different species

Answer

Adaptations of organisms to their environment

Answer

The study of nutrient cycles

Answer

The process of photosynthesis

Question 40

Which of the following measures the variety of different species within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Biodiversity

Answer

Population density

Answer

Ecosystem productivity

Answer

Nutrient cycling rate

Question 41

How do the ecosystem services of air filtration, water purification, and nutrient cycling contribute to human well-being?

Accepted Answer

Air filtration removes pollutants from the air, protecting our health.

Accepted Answer

Water purification removes harmful microorganisms from water, making it safe for use.

Accepted Answer

Nutrient cycling provides essential nutrients to plants, supporting food chains and human nutrition.

Answer

Ecosystem services are not limited to specific regions.

Question 42

Which organism in a food chain consumes plants?

Accepted Answer

Herbivore

Answer

Grass

Answer

Carnivore

Answer

Decomposer

Question 43

What is the process responsible for returning nutrients to the soil?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Question 44

What do decomposers do in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients

Answer

Produce food for herbivores

Answer

Control populations of predators

Answer

Provide shelter for other organisms

Question 45

Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Methane

Answer

Water vapor

Question 46

What term describes the gradual rise in the Earth's surface temperature?

Accepted Answer

Global warming

Answer

Ozone depletion

Answer

Acid rain

Answer

Smog

Question 47

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

Accepted Answer

School building

Answer

Plants

Answer

Animals

Answer

Microorganisms

Question 48

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

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Decomposition

Question 49

Which of the following is a primary consumer in a food chain?

Accepted Answer

Grasshopper

Answer

Hawk

Answer

Snake

Answer

Lion

Question 50

The gradual breakdown of organic matter into simpler substances by organisms is known as:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Fermentation

Answer

Combustion

Question 51

Which of the following is a significant threat to global biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Habitat destruction and fragmentation

Answer

Increased rainfall

Answer

Higher temperatures

Answer

Increased solar radiation

Question 52

The process by which plants take in water and nutrients from the soil is called:

Accepted Answer

Absorption

Answer

Osmosis

Answer

Guttation

Answer

Diffusion

Question 53

Which of the following relationships describes a mutually beneficial interaction between two species?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Predation

Question 54

The maximum population size that can be supported by an ecosystem's resources over time is known as:

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Population density

Answer

Optimal population size

Answer

Growth rate

Question 55

Which of the following gases is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Water vapor

Question 56

In an ecological pyramid, the amount of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next is typically:

Accepted Answer

Less than 10%

Answer

50%

Answer

25%

Answer

100%