Ecology Quiz on Ecosystem Components

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Questions and Answers

If plants constitute 99% of living species, and this ratio is disturbed by deforestation, what immediate consequence is most likely?

An increase in the populations of decomposers.

An increased capacity to cycle mineral salts.

An increase in the populations of animal consumers.

The loss of natural balance and a detriment to the living world. (correct)

Which component primarily facilitates the cycling of mineral elements back into plants?

Herbivores.

Wind erosion

Consumers such as animals and humans.

Decomposers such as bacteria and micro-organisms. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT an example of an edaphic factor?

Soil aeration.

Soil temperature.

Altitude. (correct)

Soil pH.

How does wind primarily impact soil in areas with reduced vegetation?

It removes and redistributes the topsoil. (A) Signup and view all the answers

If a plant is classified as a 'mesophyte', what can be inferred about its water requirements?

It has average water requirements and does not need a particularly wet or dry habitat. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of carbon dioxide within the ecosystem as described in the text?

It is used by plants during photosynthesis. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of nitrogen in the ecosystem as described in the text?

It is made available to plants by certain bacteria and through lightning. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does NOT directly influence the distribution of plants and animals?

Soil color. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do photoheterotrophs obtain their energy and carbon?

Energy from light, carbon from organic compounds (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

They break down dead organisms, releasing nutrients back into the environment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is represented by the base of a pyramid of numbers?

Producers (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems?

The sun (C) Signup and view all the answers

In an ecological pyramid of energy, what pattern is typically observed as you move towards the apex?

Energy losses occur at each transfer. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a chemoheterotroph and a photoheterotroph?

The energy source used (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a pyramid of biomass typically illustrate in an ecosystem?

The decrease in the mass of living organisms as one moves to higher levels (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary role of heterotrophs in an ecosystem?

Converting light energy into chemical energy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of carbon emissions trading?

To incentivize companies to reduce overall pollution levels (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a major form of pollution?

Insomnia pollution (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant contributor to air pollution mentioned in the content?

Carbon monoxide (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method of water pollution?

Heavy metals leaching (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of pollution is associated with high-intensity sonar?

Sound pollution (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which pollutant is generated from the reaction of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons with sunlight?

Ozone (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of soil contamination?

Loss of biodiversity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of pollution includes light trespass and astronomical interference?

Light pollution (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is produced during photosynthesis?

Glucose and Oxygen (D) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of energy is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next?

10% (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

They return materials to producers for reuse. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes an Anthroposystem?

It is mostly an open system with limited recycling. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens to most sugars produced during photosynthesis?

They are sometimes broken down for energy or made into building blocks. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a balanced ecosystem?

A constant optimal recycling of matter. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately happens to biomass as one moves up the food chain?

It generally decreases. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In an ecosystem, herbivores primarily use plants for which of the following?

To make animal parts or burn them for energy. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of water pollution is attributed to domestic sewage?

84% (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is classified as a point source of water pollution?

Factory outlets discharging pollutants (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of pollution is primarily caused by industrial effluents?

Heavy metals and toxic substances (B) Signup and view all the answers

Sullage is defined as wastewater that arises from which area?

Kitchen areas only (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pollutants is a volatile organic compound (VOC)?

Industrial solvents (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main cause of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?

The failure of safety equipment due to negligence. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What problem does storm drainage cause to wastewater treatment plants?

It dilutes waste quality and increases treatment load. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of non-point water pollution?

Discharge from sewage treatment plants (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which hazardous chemical was primarily involved in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?

Methyl Iso Cyanate (MIC). (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dry weather flow' refer to in sewer systems?

Reduced sewage quantity during the summer (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role did thermal inversion play in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?

It prevented the dispersion and dilution of pollutants. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How long was the Methyl Iso Cyanate stored before the incident?

More than 3 months. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should have been used to neutralize the gas in case of an emergency?

Caustic soda using a vent scrubber. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What type of health impacts were caused by the release of toxic gases?

Chronic health impacts like blood abnormalities and skin cancer. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the emergency control equipment that failed during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?

Flare tower and vent scrubber. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What critical temperature was necessary to maintain Methyl Iso Cyanate to prevent reactions?

150°C. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecosystems (Structure and function)

Ecosystems encompass the interactions between living organisms and their environment.
The four major components are Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere.

Biosphere

The biosphere encompasses all living matter on Earth and the portion of the planet where life exists.
It encompasses air, land, surface rocks, and water.
Biotic processes alter or transform the biosphere.

Hydrosphere

The hydrosphere includes all forms of water on Earth, including oceans, inland seas, lakes, streams, rain, groundwater, ice (glaciers and snow), and atmospheric water vapor.
70.8% of the Earth is covered by water, with 97% being seawater and 3% freshwater.
Water is unique and plentiful on Earth.
The water cycle describes the transport through the hydrosphere.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system essential for life on Earth.
Gases in Earth's atmosphere are retained due to gravity.
The atmosphere supports major weather patterns and temperature regulation.

Structure of the atmosphere

The atmosphere is divided into layers (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere) with varying temperature gradients and composition.
The ozone layer is in the stratosphere.
Different heights have different functions.
The temperature is different in different layers.
The boundary between space and Earth's atmosphere is defined by the Kármán line.

Composition of the atmosphere

The atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (75.523%) and oxygen (23.133%).
Minor components include argon, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases.

Lithosphere

The lithosphere is Earth's solid outermost shell consisting of rocks, minerals, and soil.
The lithosphere includes:
- crust (continental and oceanic crust).
- mantle
- core (outer core / inner core)
- The crust's thickness varies.
- Major elements of Earth's crust are Oxygen, Silicon, Aluminum, Iron, Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium.

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a complex network of interactions between living organisms and their non-living environment.
These are typically classified as aquatic and terrestrial.
Interplay between Prey-Predators, Producers-Consumers is important to a balanced ecosystem where there is constant and optimum recycling of matter.
Elements of the ecosystem that are living: producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Elements of the ecosystem that are not living: soil composition, sunlight, water, air etc..

Ecological pyramids

Pyramids of Numbers, Biomass, and Energy describe the relationships between trophic levels.
These show which organisms eat which others.
They describe how energy flows through the food web.

Food chain

A food chain represents the flow of energy from one species to the next.
These are shown graphically to show how species interact.

Food web

Food webs represent more complex interactions between different food chains within an ecosystem
Species can serve different levels and be interdependent or independent from one another.
These depict the interconnectedness.

Biotic and Abiotic factors

Biotic factors include living organisms in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microbes.
Abiotic factors encompass the non-living components, such as water, soil, sunlight, and temperature.
- They both interact for the health of the ecosystem.

Biotic factors

Interspecific relationships (between different species) and intraspecific relationships (between members of the same species) exist and affect the entire ecosystem.
Positive interactions like mutualism and commensalism benefit one or both species involved.
Negative interactions like competition and parasitism negatively impact one or both species involved.
Predation is a key relation within a food chain.

Hydrological cycle

The movement of water within the Earth's sphere or ecosystem is referred to as the water cycle.
This cycle includes evaporation, transpiration, precipitation, and runoff.
Organisms play an important role on the water cycle whether via transpiration or directly absorbing the water.
Water is in use for various aspects throughout its cycle.

Water quality

Standards for water quality are necessary to provide clean, safe water that does not harm humans and organisms.
Water pollutants may be natural or manmade.
Some harmful effects include disease transmission, disruption of aquatic life, and ecosystem imbalance.

Waterborne diseases

Contaminated water can cause various waterborne diseases.
Some of the pathogens that can cause waterborne diseases include: bacteria, viruses and protozoa.
Contamination of water is a concern across the globe.

Land pollution

Land pollution results from the misuse of soil from poor agricultural practices, mineral exploitation, industrial waste dumping, and indiscriminate disposal of urban waste.
It has a detrimental impact on ecosystems and human health.
Land pollution often stems from a range of human activities.
Control methods may include management of solid waste and waste reduction.

Mining

Mining involves extracting valuable geological material from the earth.
Mining can have several environmental impacts, including erosion, subsidence, and contamination of water and soil.
It can also lead to displacement and loss of livelihood of local populations.

Types of solid wastes

There are several typical types based on whether the source is residential, industrial, commercial, or institutional.
Types of solid waste include food waste, paper, glass, plastics and so on.

Energy sources

Energy is essential to industrial and agricultural societies.
Energy sources are classified as renewable and non-renewable.
Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, tidal, hydropower, and biomass. Non-renewable energy sources encompass fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gas and nuclear fuels.

Automobile Pollution

Automobile pollution is caused by several factors.
Types of automotive-based emissions include hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and sulfur oxides.
These emissions often lead to negative health and environmental consequences.

Ozone depletion

The depletion of the ozone layer results from the release of chemicals.
Ozone depletion has negative impacts on human health and ecosystems.
Control measures include reducing the use of ozone-depleting substances.

Climate Change

Climate change is the increase in the average temperature of Earth.
Causes include burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and so on.

Noise Pollution

Noise pollution occurs from industrial sources, automobiles, and so forth.
It can negatively affect human health.
Control methods include engineering solutions such as sound barriers.

Air pollution

Air pollution occurs due to the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.
There are several contributors, including industries, automobiles, and natural events.
Effects of air pollution include respiratory problems, and damage to plant life.
Control measures include pollution control regulations and technological developments.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

EIA is a tool to evaluate the potential effects that any development project may have on the environment.
It identifies the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project.
EIA is essential for any development that risks environmental damage and is a useful tool for determining and regulating projects.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key ecological concepts, including the roles of plants, decomposers, and nutrient cycles within ecosystems. This quiz covers various factors that influence biodiversity, energy flow, and the effects of environmental changes such as deforestation. Ideal for students studying ecology or environmental science.