181 Questions
What are the three major realms of the environment discussed in the text?
Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere
What does the biosphere encompass?
All the living components of the earth
What is the term used to describe interactions between living organisms and other environmental realms?
Ecological systems
What maintains the diversity of life-forms according to the text?
Balance in biodiversity
Where can living organisms be found according to the text?
From poles to the equator, various habitats on earth
What are interactions of a particular group of organisms with abiotic factors within a particular habitat called?
Ecological systems
What is the main by-product of photosynthesis?
Oxygen
Which process returns carbohydrates decomposed by micro-organisms to the atmosphere?
Respiration
What percentage of the atmospheric gases does nitrogen comprise?
79%
Which organisms are capable of directly utilizing nitrogen in its gaseous form?
Soil bacteria and blue green algae
What is the process known as when some bacteria convert nitrates into free nitrogen?
Denitrification
Which mineral is mentioned as one of the principal geochemical components of the biosphere?
Calcium
In what form do mineral salts initially occur?
Dissolved in soil water or lakes
'Weathering' is mentioned in connection with which process of mineral nutrient acquisition for living organisms?
'Weathering' allows soluble salts to enter the water cycle
What is the term used to describe the system consisting of both biotic and abiotic components?
Ecosystem
'Sedimentation' plays a role in returning salts to which part of the Earth's surface?
'Sedimentation' returns salts to the earth's surface
What German zoologist first used the term 'oekologie' in 1869, which later evolved to 'ecology'?
Ernst Haeckel
'Excretion of nitrogenous wastes' results in the production of:
Nitrites
Which of the following is NOT a major terrestrial biome mentioned in the text?
Mountain biome
What process do green plants use to manufacture their own food?
Photosynthesis
What is the totality of the physical and chemical factors that constitute the general environment known as?
Habitat
Which of the following is NOT a type of aquatic ecosystem mentioned in the text?
Deserts
What do we call the flesh-eating animals in an ecosystem?
Carnivores
What is the Greek word for 'house' from which the term 'ecology' is derived?
Oikos
What is the scientific study of interactions between organisms with their physical environment and each other?
Ecology
Which of the following does NOT belong to a biotic factor in an ecosystem?
Abiotic substances
What do you call animals that feed on dead organisms in an ecosystem?
Decomposers
Which type of ecosystem includes lakes, ponds, streams, marshes, and bogs?
Aquatic ecosystem
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
They convert dead organisms into nutrients
What is a food web?
An interconnected network of species
How does the detritus food-chain differ from the grazing food-chain?
It involves decomposition of organic waste and dead matter
What initiates life processes in the biosphere through photosynthesis?
Conversion of carbon dioxide into organic compounds
What maintains the balance of chemical elements in the atmosphere and hydrosphere?
'Biogeochemical cycles'
What percentage of solar insolation reaches the earth's surface is fixed in photosynthesis?
0.1%
In a food-chain, what do tertiary consumers feed on?
'Secondary consumers'
'Biogeochemical cycles' refer to the cyclic movements of chemical elements between what?
'Organisms and environment'
'Grazing food-chain' typically involves plants as producers and what as consumers at the last level?
'Carnivores'
'Detritus food-chain' is based on the decomposition of what?
'Organic waste and dead matter'
'Food web' represents an interconnecting network of species showing what relationship?
'Predator-prey'
What is the main source of food and energy for green plants during photosynthesis?
Sunlight
What changes dead organisms into substances essential for soil fertility?
Decomposers
What is the main reservoir of nutrients in the gaseous biogeochemical cycle?
Atmosphere and ocean
Which type of cycle has the soil and sedimentary rocks as its main reservoir?
Sedimentary cycle
What initiates the conversion of carbon dioxide in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis
Which of the following is NOT a basic constituent of all organic compounds in living organisms?
Oxygen
What happens to the carbohydrates not utilized by the plant during photosynthesis?
They are stored in the plant tissue
Where does more carbon dioxide get generated during the process described in the text?
Leaves
What is released through leaves or roots during photosynthesis?
$\text{CO}_2$
What happens to plant tissues that are not eaten by herbivorous animals?
They become part of the soil
Which process results in the production of glucose from carbon dioxide?
Photosynthesis
What happens to carbohydrates that are utilised directly by the plant itself?
They are converted to other organic compounds
What is one of the basic elements of all living organisms, forming over half a million carbon compounds in them?
Carbon
What does the biosphere contain over half a million of?
Carbon compounds
What is ecological balance?
A state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in a habitat
How is ecological balance maintained in an ecosystem?
Through natural succession and stability in the diversity of living organisms
What causes a disturbance in ecological balance?
Introduction of new species
How do carnivorous animals contribute to ecological balance?
By controlling the population of herbivores
What is the main reason for ecological imbalances according to the text?
Human interference
Why might human pressure on the earth's resources lead to ecological imbalances?
Because it puts a heavy toll on the environment
What does ecological balance ensure?
A stable balance in the numbers of each species in an ecosystem
How does disturbance in native forests affect species distribution?
It leads to secondary successions like invasion by grasses or bamboos
What can disturb ecological balance?
Human activities, natural hazards, and introduction of new species
Why are herbivores important for ecological balance?
To provide food for carnivores and help maintain population stability
How do human activities negatively impact ecosystems?
By putting a heavy toll on the earth's resources and causing imbalance
What is the role of competition in maintaining ecological balance?
Competition results in a stable balance by determining which species thrive based on environmental conditions
What term is used to describe the interactions of a particular group of organisms with abiotic factors within a particular habitat resulting in clearly defined energy flows and material cycles?
Ecological systems
Which realm of the environment includes all living components of the earth?
Biosphere
Where are living organisms found according to the text?
From the poles to the equator, and bottom of the sea to several km in the air
What is the main role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Decomposing dead organisms into essential substances for soil fertility
What is the biosphere's role in maintaining a kind of balance between biotic and abiotic components?
Maintaining a healthy interaction between living and non-living components
What does the term 'microECOLOGY' likely refer to in the text?
Microorganisms interacting with their environment
What is the main focus of ecology as discussed in the text?
Exploring the interactions between organisms and their physical environment
How are biomes primarily defined according to the text?
Determined by the geographical area they cover
Which elements are considered biotic factors in an ecosystem?
Producers, consumers, decomposers
What defines a biome in terms of its boundaries within a landscape?
The interactions between abiotic and biotic factors
Why are freshwater ecosystems mentioned separately from marine ecosystems?
Reflecting distinctions in habitat types and species adaptations
What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
To maintain soil fertility and recycle nutrients
What distinguishes top carnivores from other carnivores in an ecosystem?
They consume both herbivores and carnivores
In the carbon cycle, what happens to the carbohydrates that are not utilized by the plant itself?
They become part of the plant tissue.
Which process in the carbon cycle results in the production of glucose from carbon dioxide?
Photosynthesis
What is the main reservoir of nutrients in the sedimentary biogeochemical cycle?
Soil and sedimentary rocks
Which type of desert belongs to the hot and dry desert biome?
Hot and dry desert
What is a key characteristic of boreal forests according to the text?
Moderately warm summers and long cold dry winters
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
To break down organic matter into simpler substances
What is a common species found in tropical grasslands or savannah biomes?
Giraffes
Which biome has an even distribution of rainfall between 750-1,500mm with distinct winter seasons?
Temperate forest biome
Which region is associated with tropical grasslands or savannah biomes?
Kalahari
What is a common characteristic of desert biomes?
Absence of trees and large shrubs
In which type of forest biome do evergreen conifers like pine and spruce dominate?
Boreal forest biome
What is the main by-product of photosynthesis?
Oxygen
What is the principal source of free nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle?
Soil micro-organisms and plant roots
What do some bacteria convert nitrates into, in the nitrogen cycle?
Free nitrogen
What is returned to the atmosphere through respiration in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide
Which process involves green plants assimilating fixed nitrogen?
Photosynthesis
What do dead plants and animals get converted into by the action of certain bacteria in the soil?
Nitrites
What is involved in the oxidation of carbohydrates with the release of energy, carbon dioxide, and water?
Respiration
Which mineral is mentioned as a critical nutrient for plant and animal life?
Calcium
What do some marine animals in oceans have the capability to do with nitrogen?
Fix it
What happens to carbohydrates decomposed by micro-organisms according to the text?
They are oxidised into carbon dioxide and returned to the atmosphere
What is a highly complex process involving oxygen according to the text?
The cycling of oxygen in various chemical forms and combinations
What are the initial sources of mineral elements required by living organisms?
Inorganic sources like soil water or lakes
What process returns minerals to the soil and water after the death of living organisms?
Decomposition
In the context of ecological balance, what does 'succession' refer to?
The gradual change in species composition over time
What is the role of carnivorous animals in maintaining ecological balance according to the text?
To prevent herbivore overpopulation
Why might human interference lead to disturbances in ecological balance?
By introducing new species
What is the main role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Breaking down dead matter and organic wastes
Which term best describes the relationship between herbivores and carnivorous animals in an ecosystem?
Predation
Which type of ecosystem includes lakes, ponds, streams, marshes, and bogs?
Aquatic biome
In an ecosystem, what helps maintain a stable balance in the numbers of each species?
Competition and cooperation between species
What initiates the life processes in the biosphere through photosynthesis?
Sunlight
What is the primary reason for secondary successions occurring in ecosystems?
Human activities
What makes up the main reservoir of nutrients in the gaseous biogeochemical cycle?
Air
How do herbivorous animals contribute to ecological balance in grasslands?
By being food for carnivorous animals
Which process returns carbohydrates decomposed by micro-organisms to the atmosphere?
Respiration
Why might disturbances caused by clearing native forests lead to changes in species distribution?
Because of competition with introduced species
What element is converted into organic compounds during photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide
What is one effect of ecological imbalances according to the text?
Occurrence of floods and landslides
'Detritus food-chain' is primarily based on the decomposition of what?
Dead matter and organic wastes
How can the diversity of life in a particular area be utilized as an indicator?
To assess habitat factor influence
What is the term used to describe the interactions of a particular group of organisms with abiotic factors within a particular habitat?
Ecological systems
Where can living organisms be found according to the text?
From the poles to the sea
Which biome has an even distribution of rainfall between 750-1,500mm with distinct winter seasons?
Tropical grasslands or savannah biome
What does 'succession' primarily refer to in the context of ecological balance?
Gradual change in species composition
What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Breaking down dead organic matter
Which realm of the environment includes all living components of the earth?
Biosphere
What is the term used to describe the totality of the physical and chemical factors that constitute the general environment?
Habitat
What German zoologist coined the term 'oekologie' in 1869, which later evolved to 'ecology'?
Ernst Haeckel
What is the primary role of decomposers in an ecosystem?
Break down dead organisms
What are the biotic factors in an ecosystem?
Producers, consumers, decomposers
Which type of ecosystem can be further classified into 'biomes'?
Terrestrial ecosystem
What is the main difference between primary consumers and carnivores in an ecosystem?
Carnivores feed on flesh-eating animals, while primary consumers feed on dead organisms.
What is the definition of a biome within an ecosystem?
Total assemblage of plant and animal species interacting under specific conditions
Which components make up the abiotic factors in an ecosystem?
'Rainfall, temperature, sunlight'
'Detritus food-chain' is primarily based on the decomposition of what?
'Dead organisms'
What is the primary focus of ecology as discussed in the text?
The interactions of organisms with their physical environment
What is the role of weathering in mineral nutrient acquisition for living organisms?
Breaking down rocks to release essential minerals
What is the term used to describe the interconnected network of species within an ecosystem as mentioned in the text?
Food web
In the context of biogeochemical cycles, what do the initials 'bio' and 'geo' stand for?
Biology and geology
What is the role of weathering in the carbon cycle?
Returning salts to the Earth's surface
Which biome is characterized by hot and dry conditions according to the text?
Desert biome
What is the primary source of free nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle?
Atmosphere
What initiates life processes through photosynthesis, the primary source of food and energy for green plants?
Solar insolation
What is the main function of detritivores in an ecosystem?
Decomposing dead organisms into substances essential for soil fertility
What type of food-chain involves autotrophs energy capture followed by decomposition of organic waste and dead matter?
Detritus food-chain
What distinguishes a hot desert from a semi-arid desert biome?
Amount of rainfall
Which consumers are at the last level in a grazing food-chain?
Carnivores
Which term describes the interactions of organisms with abiotic factors resulting in energy flows and material cycles?
Ecosystem
What is the process where chemical elements are absorbed by organisms and returned to air, water, and soil through decomposition known as?
Biogeochemical cycle
In the carbon cycle, what happens to the carbohydrates that are not utilized by the plant itself?
They are decomposed by microorganisms
What phenomenon occurs when more than one type of prey is consumed by each of the carnivores in a given ecosystem?
Interlocking food-chains
Which biome is characterized by hot and dry climates with rainfall less than 50mm?
Hot desert
Which kind of energy loss occurs through respiration, excretion, or decomposition at each level of a food-chain?
Thermal energy loss
What initiates the life process in biosphere by converting carbon dioxide through photosynthesis?
Producers
What maintains the balance of chemical elements in the atmosphere and hydrosphere over long periods according to the text?
Biogeochemical cycles
How is nitrogen converted into organic compounds in the nitrogen cycle?
Through assimilation by plants directly from the atmosphere
What is initiated by green plants through converting carbon dioxide into organic compounds and oxygen?
Photosynthesis
In which ecosystem do freshwater ecosystems differ from marine ecosystems?
In their source of fixed nitrogen
Which aspect characterizes the detritus food-chain based on its energy capture initiation?
Decomposition or breaking down of dead matter
Which biome is characterized by multi-layered canopy with tall and large trees?
Tropical forest
What distinguishes semi-arid deserts from coastal deserts?
Amount of rainfall received
What is the main by-product of photosynthesis?
Oxygen
What percentage of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen?
79%
Which organisms can directly utilize nitrogen in its gaseous form?
Soil bacteria and blue green algae
In the nitrogen cycle, what process involves converting nitrites into nitrates?
Nitrification
Where do mineral elements required by living organisms initially come from?
Inorganic sources like soil water
What is responsible for converting dead plants and animals into nitrites in the nitrogen cycle?
Decomposer bacteria in the soil
What percentage of fixed nitrogen is of biological origin?
90%
What is the primary source of free nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle?
Atmosphere
What is the role of oxygen in the oxidation of carbohydrates?
It assists in breaking down carbohydrates to release energy.
What is the main role of certain species of soil bacteria and blue green algae in the nitrogen cycle?
To directly fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
What happens to dead plants and animals before they are converted into nitrites by bacteria in the soil?
They are broken down by decomposers.
What can disturb ecological balance according to the text?
All of the above
What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem according to the text?
Breaking down dead organic matter
Which process involves green plants assimilating fixed nitrogen according to the text?
Nitrogen fixation
What is the main source of food and energy for green plants during photosynthesis as per the text?
Sunlight
What causes a disturbance in ecological balance?
Human interference
What do you call animals that feed on dead organisms in an ecosystem based on the text?
Scavengers
What term is used in the text to describe interactions between living organisms and other environmental realms?
Ecotones
Which region is associated with tropical grasslands or savannah biomes according to the text?
The Serengeti Plains
What percentage of solar insolation reaches the earth's surface is fixed in photosynthesis according to the text?
10%
Which mineral is mentioned as one of the principal geochemical components of the biosphere as per the text?
Iron
Explore the differences between the gaseous and sedimentary biogeochemical cycles, where nutrients are stored in different reservoirs such as the atmosphere, ocean, soil, and rocks. Understand how the water cycle connects living organisms, the atmosphere, and the lithosphere.
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