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Unveiling the Secrets of Ecosystem Functioning: How Ecosystems Maintain Balance

Description: Unveiling the Secrets of Ecosystem Functioning: How Ecosystems Maintain Balance
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: ecosystems ecology biodiversity environmental science
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What is the primary role of producers in an ecosystem?

  1. Decompose organic matter

  2. Consume other organisms

  3. Synthesize organic compounds from inorganic matter

  4. Regulate the flow of energy through the ecosystem


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Producers, such as plants and algae, use photosynthesis or chemosynthesis to convert inorganic molecules into organic compounds, providing the foundation of the food chain.

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

  1. Producers

  2. Consumers

  3. Decomposers

  4. Abiotic factors


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Abiotic factors, such as temperature, moisture, and pH, are not living components of an ecosystem but influence the interactions and survival of organisms.

What is the process by which organisms obtain energy from organic compounds?

  1. Photosynthesis

  2. Cellular respiration

  3. Chemosynthesis

  4. Transpiration


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Cellular respiration is the process by which organisms break down organic molecules, such as glucose, to release energy for cellular activities.

Which of the following is an example of a decomposer?

  1. Bacteria

  2. Fungi

  3. Earthworms

  4. Hawks


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Bacteria are decomposers that break down dead organisms and organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.

What is the term used to describe the transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next?

  1. Food chain

  2. Food web

  3. Trophic cascade

  4. Ecological succession


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A trophic cascade is the transfer of energy and nutrients from one trophic level to the next, with each level representing a different group of organisms.

Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback loop in an ecosystem?

  1. Increased plant growth due to increased carbon dioxide levels

  2. Decreased predator populations due to increased prey populations

  3. Increased decomposition rates due to increased temperature

  4. Decreased water availability due to increased drought


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Increased plant growth due to increased carbon dioxide levels is an example of a positive feedback loop, where the initial change (increased carbon dioxide) leads to a reinforcing effect (increased plant growth).

What is the term used to describe the process by which ecosystems change over time?

  1. Ecological succession

  2. Biogeochemical cycling

  3. Trophic cascade

  4. Population dynamics


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change over time, as species composition and community structure adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Which of the following is NOT a type of ecosystem service?

  1. Water purification

  2. Climate regulation

  3. Food production

  4. Pollution absorption


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Pollution absorption is not a recognized ecosystem service. Ecosystems provide services such as water purification, climate regulation, and food production.

What is the term used to describe the interdependence and interactions between organisms in an ecosystem?

  1. Biodiversity

  2. Symbiosis

  3. Competition

  4. Predation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms, including their genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity, and highlights the interconnectedness and interactions among organisms.

Which of the following is an example of a keystone species?

  1. Sea otters

  2. Elephants

  3. Lions

  4. Bees


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sea otters are an example of a keystone species. Their presence or absence significantly impacts the structure and dynamics of the entire ecosystem.

What is the term used to describe the process by which nutrients are recycled within an ecosystem?

  1. Biogeochemical cycling

  2. Ecological succession

  3. Trophic cascade

  4. Population dynamics


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Biogeochemical cycling is the process by which nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, are exchanged between the biosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere.

Which of the following is an example of a limiting factor in an ecosystem?

  1. Sunlight

  2. Water

  3. Temperature

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sunlight, water, and temperature can all be limiting factors in an ecosystem, depending on the specific needs of the organisms present.

What is the term used to describe the process by which organisms adapt to their environment?

  1. Natural selection

  2. Evolution

  3. Adaptation

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Natural selection, evolution, and adaptation are all terms used to describe the process by which organisms change over time to better suit their environment.

Which of the following is an example of a human-induced disturbance to an ecosystem?

  1. Climate change

  2. Pollution

  3. Habitat destruction

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction are all examples of human-induced disturbances that can have significant impacts on ecosystems.

What is the term used to describe the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment?

  1. Ecology

  2. Environmental science

  3. Conservation biology

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Ecology, environmental science, and conservation biology are all fields of study that focus on the interactions between organisms and their environment.

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