Ecology & Ecosystems — Set 5
Environment · पारिस्थितिकी और पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र · Questions 41–50 of 60
Who coined the term 'Ecosystem' in 1935?
Correct Answer: A. Arthur Tansley
Sir Arthur Tansley introduced the term to describe the whole system including both organisms and physical factors. He emphasized that the biotic and abiotic parts are integrated into one functional unit. It is now the fundamental unit of study in ecology.
The term 'Ecology' was first proposed by which scientist?
Correct Answer: A. Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel, a German biologist, coined the term in 1866. It is derived from the Greek words 'oikos' meaning house and 'logos' meaning study. He defined it as the study of the relationship of organisms with their environment.
Which level of biological organization includes all the different populations living in the same area?
Correct Answer: C. Community
A community consists of all the interacting biotic factors in a specific environment. This includes different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Communities together with their physical environment form an ecosystem.
What is the first step in the process of primary ecological succession?
Correct Answer: B. Appearance of pioneer species
Pioneer species like lichens or mosses are the first to colonize bare rock or sand. They help break down rocks and add organic matter to start soil formation. This paves the way for more complex plants and animals to settle later.
The relationship between a sea anemone and a hermit crab is an example of?
Correct Answer: B. Commensalism
The correct answer is 'Commensalism'. The hermit crab provides mobility to the anemone, while the anemone offers protection with its stinging tentacles. In many cases, neither is strictly dependent on the other, but both benefit. This type of relationship is often classified as a helpful symbiotic interaction.
Which of the following is a 'Primary Consumer' in a terrestrial ecosystem?
Correct Answer: B. Grasshopper
Primary consumers are herbivores that feed directly on producers like plants. In this chain, the grasshopper eats the grass (producer). Secondary consumers would then eat the grasshopper.
What is the percentage of energy transferred from one trophic level to the next?
Correct Answer: A. 10%
According to the 10% Law, only a small portion of energy is passed to the next consumer level. Most of the energy is used for respiration or lost as heat to the surroundings. This is why top predators are fewer in number than producers.
Which gas is primarily used by producers during the process of photosynthesis?
Correct Answer: C. Carbon Dioxide
Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce glucose and oxygen. This process helps regulate the Earth's temperature by reducing greenhouse gases. It is the primary way carbon enters the living part of the ecosystem.
The complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem is called a?
Correct Answer: B. Food Web
A food web shows how different food chains overlap as animals often eat more than one type of food. It provides a more realistic and stable representation of feeding relationships. The more complex the food web, the more resilient the ecosystem generally is.
Which biome is characterized by low rainfall and specialized plants like cacti?
Correct Answer: B. Desert
Deserts receive very little annual precipitation, leading to extreme temperatures. Plants in this biome have adaptations like thick stems and spines to conserve water. These areas support highly specialized wildlife capable of surviving harsh conditions.