Fundamentals of Ecology & Ecosystems MCQ Questions
Ques:
11
Which of the following are correct about Types of Biochemical cycles?
In the gaseous cycle, the main reservoir is the soil and the sedimentary and other rocks of the earth’s crust.
In the sedimentary cycle, the main reservoir of nutrients is the atmosphere and the ocean.
Select the correct answers using the codes given below:
Correct Answer:
(D)
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ques:
12
Consider the following statements regarding ‘Carrying Capacity’:
It is the maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustainably support even after degrading some amount of ecosystem.
Resource use and the number of populations in an ecosystem all affect carrying capacity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer:
(B)
2 only
Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that an ecosystem can sustainably support without degrading the ecosystem. Deaths and long term damage to an ecosystem occurs when a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its ecosystem.
Disease, competition, predator-prey interaction, resource use and the number of populations in an ecosystem all affect carrying capacity.
Ques:
13
What is the definition of carrying capacity?
Correct Answer:
(B)
The maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain indefinitely.
Carrying capacity is the maximum population size that a particular environment can sustain indefinitely, given the available resources like food, water, and shelter.
Ques:
14
What happens to a population when it exceeds its carrying capacity?
Correct Answer:
(C)
The population will experience a decrease in birth rate and increase in death rate.
When a population exceeds its carrying capacity, the environmental resources become limited, leading to a decrease in birth rate and an increase in death rate. This happens because there are not enough resources, such as food, water, and shelter, to support the entire population.
Ques:
15
Which of the following factors most directly influences carrying capacity?
Correct Answer:
(B)
The availability of resources like food and water.
The availability of resources like food and water is the primary factor that determines an ecosystem's carrying capacity. Carrying capacity is defined as the maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustain given its resources. Limiting factors like resource availability, including food and water, directly influence how many individuals can survive and reproduce in a specific environment.
Ques:
16
In a population at its carrying capacity, what typically occurs?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Birth rate and death rate are equal, and the population remains stable.
When a population reaches its carrying capacity, it means the environment can no longer support further population growth. In this state, the number of births is balanced by the number of deaths, leading to a stable population size. The population growth rate essentially becomes zero, and the population remains relatively constant.
Ques:
17
‘Ecology’ is the study of the relationship between–
Correct Answer:
(A)
Organism and Environment
The word 'ecology' originated from Greek 'Oikos' meaning house or environment. Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their environment. It also includes the study of organismal interaction with abiotic components of their environment. The word 'ecology' ('Oekologie') was coined by German scientist, Ernst Haeckel (1834-1919). Haeckel defi ned Ecology as the study of the relationship of an organism with their environment. Ecology in current age refers to a broader spectrum encompassing not only plants, animal species and climate but also to human beings and its physical surroundings.
Note: Arne Naess was a Norwegian philosopher who coined the term “deep ecology” in 1972.
Ques:
18
Which of the following does not help to maintain ecological balance?
Correct Answer:
(A)
Cutting forest
Wildlife conservation and prevention of environmental pollution is helpful in maintaining ecological balance. Deforestation adds to the environmental imbalance.
Note: It is lumbering which disturbs the ecological balance.
Ques:
19
Which one of the following is one of the main causes of ecological imbalance in India?
Correct Answer:
(A)
Deforestation
Deforestation is one of the main causes of ecological imbalance in India. While, desertification, floods and famines and rainfall variations are secondary causes.
Note: Joseph Grinnell referred to the “ecological or environmental niche” as the ultimate distributional unit of “species and subspecies”.
Ques:
20
Which of the following is an example of a biotic component of an ecosystem?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Plants
Biotic components are living organisms, while abiotic components are non-living factors. Plants are living organisms that contribute to the ecosystem.