CHAPTERWISE QUESTIONS

Class XII BIOLOGY Time : 1½ hrs.

Marks : 35

12. ECOSYSTEM

SET A
SECTION - A (7 Marks)
Question 1 to 7 are objective type questions. Carry one mark each.
1. The process of mineralisation by microorganism helps in the release of
a) inorganic nutrients from humus
b) both organic and inorganic nutrients from detritus
c) Organic nutrients from humus
d) inorganic nutrients from detritus and formation of humus
2. During the process of ecological succession the changes that take place in communities are
a) orderly and sequential b) random
c) very quick d) not influenced by the physical environment
3. The sequence of communities of primary succession in water is
a) Phytoplankton, sedges, free-floating hydrophytes, rooted hydrophytes, grasses and trees
b) Phytoplankton, free-floating hydrophytes, rooted hydrophytes, sedges, grasses and trees
c) Free-floating hydrophytes, sedges, phytoplankton, rooted hydrophytes, grasses and trees
d) Phytoplankton, rooted submerged hydrophytes, floating hydrophytes, reed swamp,
sedges, meadow and trees
4. If the carbon atoms fixed by producers already have passed through three species, the
trophic level of the last species would be
a) scavenger b) tertiary producer
c) tertiary consumer d) secondary consumer
5. The process of mineralisation by microorganisms helps in the release of
a) inorganic nutrients from humus
b) both organic and inorganic nutrients from detritus
c) organic nutrients from humus
d) inorganic nutrients from detritus and formation of humus
6. Which of the following is an ecosystem service provided by a natural ecosystem?
a) Cycling of nutrients b) Prevention of soil erosion
c) Pollutant absorption and reduction of the threat of global warming
d) All of the above
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7. Which of the following type of ecosystem is expected in an area where evaporation exceeds
precipitation and mean annual rainfall is below 100 mm

a) Grassland b) Shrubby forest c) Desert d) Mangrove

OR
Among the following where do you think the process of decomposition would be the fastest?

a) Tropical rain forest b) Antarctic c) Dry and region d) Alpine region

Question 8 to 9 are Assertion Reason type questions.
In each of the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is given followed by
corresponding statement of Reason (R).
a) If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation
of Assertion (A).
b) If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) If Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
d) If Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.

8. Assertion (A) : An ecosystem is an interaction between biotic and abiotic components.

Reason (R) : AG Tansley coined the term ecosystem.

9. Assertion (A) : Nutrient cycle means the cycling of glucose or reserved food material
within the plant body.

Reason (R) : Transfer of biogenetic nutrients between living and non-living

components is called biogeochemical cycle.

SECTION B
Q. No. 10 - 13. Answer any two 2×2=4
10. Give an example of an ecological pyramid. Which is always upright? Justify your answer.
11. Differentiate between primary succession and secondary succession. Which one occurs
faster?

12. In the model of phosphorus cycle given below, what does A, B, C and D refer to?

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13. What is the effect on decomposition rate if

a) Detritus is rich in lignin and chitin?

b) Detritus is rich in nitrogen and sugars?

SECTION C

Q. No. 14 - 17. Answer any three 3×3=9

14. Why is the rate of assimilation of energy at the herbivore level called secondary productivity?

15. Which of the following ecosystems will be more productive in terms of primary productivity?
Justify your answer. A young forest, a natural old forest, a shallow polluted lake, alpine
meadow.

OR

The rate of decomposition of detritus is affected by the abiotic factors like availability of
oxygen, pH of the soil substratum, temperature etc. Discuss.

16. Detrivores like earthworm are involved in the process of decomposition of dead plants
and animals. Describe the different steps involved in the process of decomposition.

17. Justify the following statement in terms of ecosystem dynamics. “Nature tends to increase
the gross primary productivity, while man tends to increase the net primary productivity”.

SECTION D

Case Study

18. Read the following passage and answer questions. 4×1=4

A damaged house was untouched for 50 years. A boy observed some plants are grown on
the surface of walls and terrace. He saw there were some soil also. His friend told that it
is the example of xerarch succession.

i) What is xerarch succession?

ii) What is pioneer species?
iii) What is the pioneer species in xerarch succession?
iv) What does the lichens do in xerarch succession?
OR

What is climax community?

19. Read the following passage and answer questions. 4×1=4

Interaction of biotic and abiotic components result in a physical structure that is

characteristic for each type of ecosystem. Identification and enumeration of plant and
animal species of an ecosystem gives its species composition. Vertical distribution of
different species occupying different levels is called stratification. For example, trees
occupy top vertical strata or layer of a forest, shrubs the second and herbs and grasses

3 Bio-A(Ch-12) Ecosystem
 occupy the bottom layers. The components of the ecosystem are seen to function as a
unit when you consider the following aspects: (i) Productivity; (ii) Decomposition; (iii)
Energy flow; and (iv) Nutrient cycling. To understand the ethos of an aquatic ecosystem
let us take a small pond as an example. This is fairly a self-sustainable unit and rather
simple example that explain even the complex interactions that exist in an aquatic
ecosystem. A pond is a shallow water body in which all the above mentioned four basic
components of an ecosystem are well exhibited. The abiotic component is the water with
all the dissolved inorganic and organic substances and the rich soil deposit at the bottom
of the pond. The solar input, the cycle of temperature, day-length and other climatic
conditions regulate the rate of function of the entire pond. The autotrophic components
include the phytoplankton, some algae and the floating, submerged and marginal plants
found at the edges. The consumers are represented by the zooplankton, the free swimming
and bottom dwelling forms. The decomposers are the fungi, bacteria and flagellates
especially abundant in the bottom of the pond. This system performs all the functions of
any ecosystem and of the biosphere as a whole, i.e., conversion of inorganic into organic
material with the help of the radiant energy of the sun by the autotrophs; consumption of
the autotrophs by heterotrophs; decomposition and mineralisation of the dead matter to
release them back for reuse by the autotrophs, these event are repeated over and over
again. There is unidirectional movement of energy towards the higher trophic levels and
its dissipation and loss as heat to the environment.

i) Autotrophs consumption in the ecosystem occurs by Harbivores - Is this statement is

true or false? Give reason.

ii) Zoo planktons are represented as a consumer. Why?

iii) What are the components of the ecosystem?

iv) Write definition of 'Stratification' and give one example of it.

OR

Which decomposers are important to function ecosystem?

SECTION E

Q. No. 20. Long Answer any one. 1×5=5

20. What is a biogeochemical cycle. What is the role of the reservoir in a biogeochemical
cycle? Give and example of a sedimentary cycle with reservoir located in earth’s crust.

OR

What are the three types of ecological pyramids? What information is conveyed by each
pyramid with regard to structure, function and energy in the ecosystem.

4 Bio-A(Ch-12) Ecosystem
 CHAPTERWISE QUESTIONS
Class XII BIOLOGY Time : 1½ hrs.
Marks : 35

12. ECOSYSTEM

SET B
SECTION - A (7 Marks)

Question 1 to 7 are objective type questions. Carry one mark each.

1. Decomposers like fungi and bacteria are

i) autotrophs ii) heterotrophs iii) saprotrophs iv) chemo-autotrophs
Choose the correct answer.

a) i and iii b) i and iv c) ii and iii d) i and ii

2. Which of the following is an ecosystem service provided by a natural ecosystem?
a) cycling of nutrients b) prevention of soil erosion
c) pollutant absorption and reduction of the threat of global warming

d) All of the above

3. If the carbon atoms fixed by producers already have passed through three species the
trophic level of the last species would be

a) scavenger b) tertiary producer

c) tertiary consumer d) secondary consumer
4. In the given food web, an increase in the population of hawks will not result in

a) decrease in the population of lizards

b) decrease in the population of grasshoppers
c) decrease in the population of rabbits and snakes
d) decrease in the population of mouse

5. Study the following statements regarding food chains and select the correct ones.
I. Removal of 80% tigers from an area resulted in greatly increased growth of vegetation
II. Removal of most of the carnivores resulted in an increased population of deers

III. The length of food chains is generally limited to 3-4 trophic levels due to energy loss
IV. The length of food chains may vary from 2-8 trophic levels
a) I and II b) II and III c) I and III d) III and IV

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6. Edaphic factor refers to
a) water b) soil c) relative humidity d) altitude
OR
An inverted pyramid of biomass can be found in which ecosystem?
a) Forest b) Marine c) Grass land d) Tundra

7. How much of the net primary productivity of a terrestrial ecosystem is eaten and digested
by herbivores?

a) 1% b) 10% c) 40% d) 90%

Question 8 to 9 are Assertion Reason type questions.

In each of the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) is given followed by
corresponding statement of Reason (R).
a) If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation
of Assertion (A).
b) If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) If Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.
d) If Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.

8. Assertion (A) : Herbivores are also called as first consumers.

Reason (R) : These obtain their food directly from plants.

9. Assertion (A) : The pyramid of number of pond ecosystem is upright.

Reason (R) : Phytoplanktons are maximum and secondary consumers are lesser in
number.

SECTION B
Q. No. 10 - 13. Answer any two 2×2=4

10. What is the shape of pyramid of biomass in sea? Why so?

11. Gaseous nutrient cycle and sedimentary nutrient cycles have their reservoir. Name them.
Why is a reservoir necessary?

12. Fill up the missing links depicted as A, B, C and D in the given model of primary succession.

13. Differentiate between hydrarch and a Xerarch succession.

OR
Why are nutrient cycles in nature called biogeochemical cycles?
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 SECTION C
Q. No. 14 - 17. Answer any three 3×3=9
14. The biodiversity increases when one moves from the pioneer to the climax stage. What
could be the explanation?
OR
What will happen to an ecosystem if
a) All producers are removed
b) All organisms of herbivore level are eliminated and
c) All top carnivore population is removed
15. i) What is primary productivity? Why does it vary in different types of ecosystems?
ii) State the relation between gross and net primary productivity.
16. What will be the P/R ratio of a climax community and a pioneer community? What
explanation could you offer for the changes seen in P/R ratio of a pioneer community and
the climax community?
17. Write a short note on pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass.
SECTION D
Case Study

18. Read the following passage and answer questions. 4×1=4

A group of students go for an educational trip in the forest. In forest they observed many
microorganisms and insects accumulated on the wooden log. One student asked what is
that decomposition process?
i) What is decomposition?
ii) What are the different steps of decompositions?
iii) What is humification?
iv) What is mineralisation?
OR
Which environment is favour for decomposition process?
19. Read the following passage and answer questions.

A constant input of solar energy is the basic requirement for any ecosystem to function
and sustain. Primary production is defined as the amount of biomass or organic matter
produced per unit area over a time period by plants during photosynthesis. (It is expressed
in terms of weight (gm-2 ) or energy (kcal m-2 ). The rate of biomass production is called
productivity. It is expressed in terms of gm-2 yr-1 or (kcal m-2) yr -1 to compare the productivity
of different ecosystems. It can be divided into gross primary productivity (GPP) and net
primary productivity (NPP). Gross primary productivity of an ecosystem is the rate of

7 Bio-B(Ch-12) Ecosystem
 production of organic matter during photosynthesis. A considerable amount of GPP is
utilised by plants in respiration. Gross primary productivity minus respiration losses (R),
is the net primary productivity (NPP). GPP - R = NPP Net primary productivity is the
available biomass for the consumption to heterotrophs (herbiviores and decomposers).
Secondary productivity is defined as the rate of formation of new organic matter by
consumers. Primary productivity depends on the plant species inhabiting a particular
area. It also depends on a variety of environmental factors, availability of nutrients and
photosynthetic capacity of plants. Therefore, it varies in different types of ecosystems.
The annual net primary productivity of the whole biosphere is approximately 170 billion
tons (dry weight) of organic matter. Of this, despite occupying about 70 per cent of the
surface, the productivity of the oceans are only 55 billion tons. Rest of course, is on land.

i) What is primary production?

ii) Complete the following equation of Net primary productivity.

NPP = GPP ........... ............

OR
What is Productivity?

iii) Explain the factors on which primary productivity is dependent?

iv) Define 'Gross primary productivity'.

SECTION E
Q. No. 20. Long Answer any one. 1×5=5

20. Carbon cycle in nature is a biogeochemical cycle. Explain how is it different from
phosphorus cycle.
OR
a) i) Name the biogeochemical cycle shown below.

ii) Name an activity of the living organisms not depicted in the cycle by which this
nutrient is returned to the atmosphere.

b) How would the flow of the nutrient in the cycle be affected due to large scale of
deforestation? Explain giving reasons.

c) Describe the effect of an increased level of this nutrient in the atmosphere on our
environment.
8 Bio-B(Ch-12) Ecosystem