Ecosystems: Exploring the Interconnectedness of Life

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a defining feature of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Absence of interactions with neighboring ecosystems

Answer

Interconnectedness of living organisms

Answer

Flow of energy through trophic levels

Answer

Influence of physical and chemical aspects of the environment

Question 2

In an ecosystem, which type of organism produces its own food through photosynthesis, a process that converts sunlight into energy?

Accepted Answer

Producer

Answer

Consumer

Answer

Decomposer

Answer

Symbiont

Question 3

What is the process by which organic matter from dead organisms is broken down and recycled into the environment, making nutrients available to other organisms?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Evaporation

Question 4

A stable and balanced ecosystem typically exhibits which of the following characteristics?

Accepted Answer

High species diversity and stable population numbers

Answer

Minimal interactions between different organisms

Answer

Rapid population growth rates

Answer

Low energy flow through the ecosystem

Question 5

What is the main difference between an open and closed ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

The amount of matter that enters and leaves the system

Answer

The physical size of the ecosystem

Answer

The number of organisms within the ecosystem

Answer

The temperature range within the ecosystem

Question 6

Describe the role of keystone species in maintaining ecosystem stability and provide specific examples from different ecosystems to illustrate their impact.

Accepted Answer

Keystone species are species that have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance.

Answer

Keystone species are always the most abundant species in an ecosystem.

Answer

Keystone species only affect other species within their own trophic level.

Answer

Keystone species are exclusively found in terrestrial ecosystems.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

Living organisms

Answer

Non-living factors

Answer

Energy flow

Question 8

An example of a keystone species is:

Accepted Answer

Eagle

Answer

Squirrel

Answer

Grass

Answer

Bacteria

Question 9

Which of the following is an advantage of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Increased stability

Answer

Reduced competition

Answer

Simplified food webs

Answer

Lower productivity

Question 10

The process of returning nutrients back into the ecosystem is called:

Accepted Answer

Nutrient cycling

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of human activities on ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Increased biodiversity

Answer

Habitat destruction

Answer

Pollution

Answer

Climate change

Question 12

Which of the following correctly describes the sequence of energy transfer within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

Answer

Decomposers → Consumers → Producers

Answer

Producers → Decomposers → Consumers

Answer

Consumers → Decomposers → Producers

Question 13

What is the term for the specific role and activities of an organism within its ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Niche

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Trophic level

Answer

Population

Question 14

The natural process by which organisms break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem is called:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Nutrient cycling

Question 15

Which type of symbiotic relationship is mutually beneficial for both organisms involved?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Commensalism

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of a balanced and thriving ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Frequent disruptions

Answer

High biodiversity

Answer

Cycling of nutrients

Answer

Equilibrium in energy flow

Question 17

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Consuming dead organisms and organic waste

Answer

Producing nutrients for plants

Answer

Converting nitrogen gas into usable compounds

Answer

Providing shelter and protection for other organisms

Question 18

What is the term for the transitional zone between two different ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Ecotone

Answer

Biome

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Niche

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Human activities

Answer

Living organisms (e.g., plants, animals, microorganisms)

Answer

Non-living factors (e.g., sunlight, water, soil)

Answer

Nutrient cycling

Question 20

Which element is not naturally found in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Artificial structures

Answer

Living organisms

Answer

Non-living factors

Answer

Decomposers

Question 21

What is the typical flow of energy within an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Producers → Primary consumers → Secondary consumers

Answer

Secondary consumers → Primary consumers → Producers

Answer

Primary consumers → Producers → Secondary consumers

Answer

Producers → Secondary consumers → Primary consumers

Question 22

In which symbiotic relationship does one organism benefit while the other is neither harmed nor helped?

Accepted Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Predation

Question 23

The process by which decomposers break down organic matter is called:

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Transpiration

Question 24

Which ecosystem on Earth has the highest biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforests

Answer

Grasslands

Answer

Deserts

Answer

Oceans

Question 25

Which process uses sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose in plants?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 26

Which gas contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Hydrogen

Question 27

What term describes a group of organisms of the same species living in the same area?

Accepted Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Answer

Ecosystem

Answer

Habitat

Question 28

What field of study focuses on the interactions between organisms and their environment?

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Chemistry

Answer

Physics

Question 29

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

Accepted Answer

Non-living factors only

Answer

Interactions between organisms and their environment

Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Nutrient cycling

Question 30

The process by which plants use sunlight to produce food is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 31

The gradual change in the types of organisms that live in an ecosystem over time is known as:

Accepted Answer

Succession

Answer

Competition

Answer

Predation

Answer

Symbiosis

Question 32

Which of the following is a keystone species?

Accepted Answer

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem despite its small size or abundance

Answer

A species that is the most common in its ecosystem

Answer

A species that is only found in one specific ecosystem

Answer

A species that is endangered or threatened

Question 33

The process by which nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere is called:

Accepted Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Decomposition

Question 34

The study of the distribution and abundance of organisms is known as:

Accepted Answer

Ecology

Answer

Zoology

Answer

Botany

Answer

Environmental science

Question 35

The concept of an ecosystem implies that:

Accepted Answer

Living organisms and their physical surroundings are connected

Answer

All organisms in an ecosystem are independent of one another

Answer

Ecosystems are unchanging and static

Answer

Non-living factors do not influence living organisms

Question 36

What is the ultimate source of energy that supports most ecosystems on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Wind

Answer

Water

Answer

Soil

Question 37

Which of the following is an example of a living component that influences an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Plant population

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Soil pH

Answer

Altitude

Question 38

What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Break down dead organisms

Answer

Produce food for consumers

Answer

Provide shelter for animals

Answer

Regulate water flow

Question 39

What is the scientific term for the process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into food?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Transpiration

Question 40

Which type of symbiotic relationship occurs when both species involved benefit from the interaction?

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Commensalism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Competition

Question 41

What is the term for the gradual change in plant and animal communities over time in response to environmental factors?

Accepted Answer

Succession

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Dispersal

Question 42

What is the name of the terrestrial biome characterized by warm temperatures and abundant rainfall, resulting in lush forests?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Taiga

Answer

Temperate forest

Answer

Savanna

Question 43

What is the carrying capacity of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an ecosystem can support without causing harm.

Answer

The total number of all species living in an ecosystem.

Answer

The amount of food available in an ecosystem.

Question 44

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

Accepted Answer

Man-made Object

Answer

Physical environment

Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Living organisms

Question 45

The process by which energy is transferred from one organism to the next in an ecosystem is called:

Accepted Answer

Energy flow

Answer

Nutrient cycling

Answer

Ecological succession

Answer

Decomposition

Question 46

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy is called:

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Respiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Chemosynthesis

Question 47

The highest level of ecological organization, characterized by distinct vegetation and climate patterns, is the:

Accepted Answer

Biome

Answer

Population

Answer

Community

Answer

Ecosystem

Question 48

A mutually beneficial relationship between two different species is known as:

Accepted Answer

Mutualism

Answer

Parasitism

Answer

Competition

Answer

Commensalism

Question 49

The maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustain indefinitely is referred to as its:

Accepted Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Carrying potential

Answer

Growth rate

Answer

Population density