Question 1

Who coined the term 'Ecology' for the first time in 1866?

Accepted Answer

Ernst Haeckel. The term 'Ecology' was first coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel. He defined it as the study of the relationship of organisms with their environment. The word is derived from the Greek words 'Oikos' meaning house and 'Logos' meaning study.

Question 2

What is the basic functional unit of the biosphere consisting of biotic and abiotic components?

Accepted Answer

Ecosystem. An ecosystem is the functional unit of nature where living organisms interact among themselves and with the surrounding physical environment. It includes both biotic factors like plants and animals and abiotic factors like soil and water. A.G. Tansley coined this specific term in 1935.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of an 'Abiotic' component of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

Temperature. Temperature is an abiotic or non-living physical factor that significantly influences the distribution of organisms. Biotic components, on the other hand, include all living organisms such as producers and decomposers. Other abiotic factors include sunlight, water, and soil pH.

Question 4

Organisms that can produce their own food from inorganic raw materials are called?

Accepted Answer

Autotrophs. Autotrophs are primary producers that synthesize their own food using light or chemical energy. Green plants and certain algae are the most common examples of autotrophs in terrestrial and aquatic systems. They form the base of every food chain.

Question 5

The transition zone between two distinct ecosystems is known as?

Accepted Answer

Ecotone. An ecotone is a zone of junction or transition between two or more diverse ecosystems. Examples include mangroves, which represent an ecotone between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. It often contains species from both adjacent communities and some unique ones.

Ecology Basics — Set 1