Ecosystems and Biosphere

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What is an ecosystem composed of, according to the concept explained by Arthur Tansley?

Both biotic and abiotic components

What is the direction of energy flow in an ecosystem?

Unidirectional and noncyclic

What is the movement of nutrients within an ecosystem?

Cyclic

What factors govern the successful growth of organisms in an ecosystem?

Limiting factors of the environment Signup and view all the answers

What happens to populations under natural conditions in an ecosystem?

They undergo succession Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the term 'ecosystem' in 1935?

Arthur Tansley Signup and view all the answers

What forms the base of an upright pyramid of numbers in a grassland ecosystem?

Grasses, which are small in size but very large in number Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic shape of the pyramid of numbers in a forest ecosystem?

Narrow base and broader middle level Signup and view all the answers

What is the pattern of population size in a pond ecosystem from producers to top carnivores?

Decreasing in number at higher trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

What type of food chain shows an inverted pyramid of numbers?

Parasitic food chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the population size of tertiary carnivores in a grassland ecosystem?

Lesser and lesser in number Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason for the upright pyramid of numbers in a grassland ecosystem?

The producers are small in size but very large in number, and the population size decreases at higher trophic levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the difference in vegetation and consumers between deserts and rainforests?

It indicates the role of environmental factors on the distribution and survival of organisms in different ecosystems. Signup and view all the answers

What are biotic components in an ecosystem, and what do they include?

Biotic components are living entities, including microbes, animals, plants, and their products. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of producers, and how do they manufacture food?

The two types of producers are photosynthetic and chemosynthetic. Photosynthetic producers use sunlight, chlorophyll, and water to manufacture food, while chemosynthetic producers use chemical energy from chemical reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of green plants in an ecosystem?

Green plants manufacture their own food using energy from the sun, making them the primary producers of an ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What are consumers, and what role do they play in an ecosystem?

Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter, and they play a crucial role in energy transfer and nutrient cycling. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of energy from the sun in ecosystems?

Energy from the sun is used by photosynthetic producers to manufacture food, which supports the energy needs of the entire ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main categories of consumers in a food chain based on their position, and what do they eat?

Primary consumers (herbivores) eat producers, secondary consumers (smaller carnivores) eat herbivores, and tertiary consumers (larger carnivores) eat smaller carnivores. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem, and what would happen if they were absent?

Decomposers break down dead organic material into simpler substances that are used by plants as nutrition. If they were absent, all the nutrients would be tied up in dead matter and no new life could be produced. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between macro consumers and micro-consumers?

Macro consumers are larger consumer organisms that feed on producers, while micro-consumers or decomposers are small organisms like worms, insects, bacteria, and fungi that break down dead organic material. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of trophic structure, and how is it organized?

Trophic structure is the assemblage of living components of an ecosystem organized in an orderly manner, with producers and consumers arranged together in various levels according to their inter-relationships or food relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three biotic components of an ecosystem, and what are their roles?

The three biotic components are producers (green plants), consumers (herbivores and carnivores), and decomposers (microorganisms). Producers produce energy, consumers obtain energy, and decomposers recycle nutrients. Signup and view all the answers

What would be an example of a secondary consumer, and what would it eat?

A snake is an example of a secondary consumer, and it would eat a primary consumer like a grasshopper. Signup and view all the answers

How do microorganisms contribute to the carbon cycle?

Microorganisms return organic carbon present in dead matter to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

Global warming due to enhanced carbon dioxide emissions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of phosphorus in the phosphorus cycle?

Rocks and fossils. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the indiscriminate use of phosphate fertilizers by farmers?

Excess phosphates are lost as run-off, leading to eutrophication of lakes and algal blooms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of sea birds in the phosphorus cycle?

They return phosphorus to the land through their droppings or excreta after consuming phosphorus-rich sea-fishes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of human activities on the phosphorus cycle?

The phosphorus cycle is becoming acyclic due to over-exploitation and loss of phosphorus into oceans. Signup and view all the answers