Class 12 Biology MCQ – Ecosystem

1. Which component of an ecosystem includes living organisms?

a) Abiotic
b) Biotic
c) Decomposers
d) Producers

Answer:

b) Biotic

Explanation:

The biotic component of an ecosystem includes all living organisms, from plants to animals to microorganisms.

2. What are the primary producers in a pond ecosystem?

a) Fishes
b) Algae
c) Fungi
d) Bacteria

Answer:

b) Algae

Explanation:

Algae are autotrophs that capture sunlight and convert it into energy, making them the primary producers in pond ecosystems.

3. Which group of organisms breaks down dead organic matter into simpler substances?

a) Herbivores
b) Producers
c) Carnivores
d) Decomposers

Answer:

d) Decomposers

Explanation:

Decomposers, like fungi and certain bacteria, break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

4. What is the sequence of energy flow in an ecosystem?

a) Producers → Decomposers → Consumers
b) Decomposers → Producers → Consumers
c) Producers → Consumers → Decomposers
d) Consumers → Producers → Decomposers

Answer:

c) Producers → Consumers → Decomposers

Explanation:

Energy typically flows from primary producers to various levels of consumers and then to decomposers.

5. Which of the following is NOT an abiotic factor of an ecosystem?

a) Temperature
b) Soil
c) Plants
d) Sunlight

Answer:

c) Plants

Explanation:

Plants are biotic components, whereas temperature, soil, and sunlight are non-living or abiotic factors.

6. The trophic level that feeds on primary producers is called:

a) Primary consumers
b) Secondary consumers
c) Tertiary consumers
d) Quaternary consumers

Answer:

a) Primary consumers

Explanation:

Primary consumers, often herbivores, feed directly on producers.

7. Which of the following ecosystems has the highest productivity?

a) Deserts
b) Tropical rainforests
c) Polar regions
d) Temperate forests

Answer:

b) Tropical rainforests

Explanation:

Due to abundant sunlight, rainfall, and diversity, tropical rainforests have the highest primary productivity among terrestrial ecosystems.

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

a) 90%
b) 50%
c) 20%
d) 10%

Answer:

d) 10%

Explanation:

On average, only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transferred to the next, with the rest being lost mainly as heat.

9. The number and variety of species in an area is referred to as:

a) Productivity
b) Trophic level
c) Biodiversity
d) Biomass

Answer:

c) Biodiversity

Explanation:

Biodiversity encompasses the variety of life forms present in an area, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecological diversity.

10. Which type of pyramid can never be inverted?

a) Pyramid of numbers
b) Pyramid of biomass
c) Pyramid of energy
d) Pyramid of consumers

Answer:

c) Pyramid of energy

Explanation:

The pyramid of energy always shows a decrease in energy as you move up the trophic levels, making it impossible to be inverted.

11. In a food chain, which trophic level provides the least amount of energy?

a) Primary producers
b) Primary consumers
c) Tertiary consumers
d) Secondary consumers

Answer:

c) Tertiary consumers

Explanation:

Energy diminishes as it moves up trophic levels, with tertiary consumers receiving the least in the chain.

12. Which ecosystem is characterized by the dominance of grasses with scattered trees?

a) Desert
b) Savanna
c) Tropical rainforest
d) Tundra

Answer:

b) Savanna

Explanation:

Savannas are grasslands with scattered trees, usually found in regions with a seasonal rainfall pattern.

13. Which aquatic ecosystem has the highest salinity?

a) Pond
b) Lake
c) Estuary
d) Ocean

Answer:

d) Ocean

Explanation:

Oceans have the highest salinity compared to other aquatic ecosystems.

14. The loss of water from the surface of water bodies due to heat is called:

a) Precipitation
b) Evaporation
c) Transpiration
d) Respiration

Answer:

b) Evaporation

Explanation:

Evaporation is the process by which water is converted from its liquid form to vapor and lost to the atmosphere.

15. Which of the following ecosystems has the least productivity?

a) Deserts
b) Grasslands
c) Wetlands
d) Deciduous forests

Answer:

a) Deserts

Explanation:

Deserts, due to their low precipitation levels and extreme temperatures, have the least productivity.

16. The phenomenon where certain pollutants get concentrated at higher trophic levels is called:

a) Eutrophication
b) Biomagnification
c) Bioaccumulation
d) Evapotranspiration

Answer:

b) Biomagnification

Explanation:

Biomagnification refers to the increasing concentration of toxins in successive trophic levels of a food chain.

17. Which of the following is a biotic interaction where both species are harmed?

a) Mutualism
b) Parasitism
c) Competition
d) Predation

Answer:

c) Competition

Explanation:

In competition, both species may suffer reduced fitness due to shared resources being limited.

18. The total weight of all living organisms in a particular area is termed:

a) Productivity
b) Trophic level
c) Biodiversity
d) Biomass

Answer:

d) Biomass

Explanation:

Biomass is the collective mass of living matter in a specific area.

19. The rate at which organic material is produced by photosynthetic organisms in an ecosystem is called:

a) Net productivity
b) Gross primary productivity
c) Secondary productivity
d) Tertiary productivity

Answer:

b) Gross primary productivity

Explanation:

Gross primary productivity refers to the total amount of energy captured by photosynthesis in an ecosystem.

20. Which ecosystem is primarily dominated by mosses and lichens?

a) Desert
b) Grassland
c) Tundra
d) Wetland

Answer:

c) Tundra

Explanation:

The tundra has a cold and harsh climate where mosses and lichens are among the few organisms that can survive.

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