Ecosystem ecology – structure, function, energy flow, mineral cycling - One Line Questions

1. The overall efficiency of energy transfer between the producer level and the primary consumer level is approximately: — 10%
2. What is the approximate percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next in most ecosystems? — 10-20%
3. What is the primary definition of an ecosystem in ecological terms? — A community of living organisms and their physical environment interacting as a system.
4. Which of the following is a decomposer found in most terrestrial ecosystems? — A mushroom
5. Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into: — All of the above
6. The process of photosynthesis is represented by the equation: — 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
7. Eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems is often caused by excessive input of which nutrient? — Nitrogen and Phosphorus
8. Which of the following is NOT a type of mineral cycling (biogeochemical cycle)? — Energy cycle
9. What is the term for organisms that produce their own food, usually through photosynthesis? — Producers
10. The process of ammonification in the nitrogen cycle involves: — Conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonia.
11. The flow of energy in an ecosystem is: — Unidirectional
12. In a forest ecosystem, what would be an example of a producer? — Oak tree
13. Which type of ecosystem typically has the highest net primary productivity per unit area? — Tropical rainforest
14. Respiration in living organisms primarily releases: — All of the above
15. What is the main consequence of the unidirectional energy flow in an ecosystem? — Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level.
16. Which of the following is a key process in the water cycle that returns water vapor to the atmosphere from plants? — Transpiration
17. What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth? — Solar energy
18. If a lake ecosystem is polluted with excess phosphates, what is a likely consequence? — Algal blooms and potential oxygen depletion.
19. Biogeochemical cycles are essential for: — Recycling essential elements and nutrients.
20. A food web is a more realistic representation of energy flow than a food chain because: — It depicts multiple feeding relationships.
21. Which group of organisms is crucial for nutrient recycling in an ecosystem? — Decomposers and detritivores
22. In aquatic ecosystems, the primary producers are often: — Phytoplankton and algae
23. In a grassland ecosystem, what would be an example of a primary consumer? — Grasshopper
24. Denitrification is the process by which: — Nitrates are converted back to atmospheric nitrogen.
25. Which bacteria are primarily responsible for nitrification? — Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas
26. Which element's cycle involves significant atmospheric gas exchange? — Carbon and Nitrogen
27. Abiotic components of an ecosystem include: — Temperature, rainfall, and soil pH
28. Which trophic level consists of organisms that feed on producers? — Primary consumers
29. Herbivores are classified as which type of consumer? — Primary consumers
30. Carnivores that feed on herbivores are known as: — Secondary consumers
31. Organisms that break down dead organic matter are called: — Decomposers
32. Which component of an ecosystem is responsible for converting dead organic matter back into inorganic nutrients? — Decomposers
33. The process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and converted into organic compounds is called: — Photosynthesis
34. The rate at which producers convert light energy into chemical energy is known as: — Gross primary productivity
35. Which of the following represents the biotic component of an ecosystem? — Producers, consumers, and decomposers
36. The primary reservoir for phosphorus in most ecosystems is: — Oceans and sedimentary rocks
37. A pyramid of energy represents: — The amount of energy available at each trophic level.
38. Which of the following best describes the function of an ecosystem? — The dynamic processes of energy and matter transfer.
39. The function of an ecosystem is primarily related to: — Energy flow and nutrient cycling.
40. The '10% law' in ecology refers to: — The energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels.
41. The term 'trophic level' refers to: — The position an organism occupies in a food chain.
42. The structure of an ecosystem refers to: — The biodiversity and trophic composition.
43. The term 'standing crop' in ecosystem ecology refers to: — The biomass of organisms present at a particular time.
44. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) represents: — The energy available to consumers after producers respire.
45. What is the role of decomposers in the carbon cycle? — They release CO2 into the atmosphere through respiration.
46. What role do sulfur bacteria play in the sulfur cycle? — They convert hydrogen sulfide to sulfates.
47. What is the role of mycorrhizal fungi in nutrient cycling? — They enhance phosphorus uptake by plants.
48. What is the main function of detritivores in an ecosystem? — To break down large organic particles into smaller pieces.
49. Which process is largely absent in the phosphorus cycle compared to the carbon or nitrogen cycle? — Atmospheric phase
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