Ecosystem

Chapter Notes-

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By Mir Mohammed Abbas II PCMB 'A'

CHAPTER CONCEPT NOTES

QUESTIONS
[2 MARKS QUESTIONS]
Q1.What are decomposers? Write their function.
Ans-a)Saprotrophs feed on dead bodies of organisms, b) Decomposition and mineralization.
Q2.What is the difference between gaseous and sedimentary cycle?
Ans-a) Gaseous-Reservoir in atmosphere ,Nitrogen cycle b) Sedimentary-Soil,e.g-phosphorus.
Q3.Why is the length of a food chain in an ecosystem generally limited to 3-4 trophic levels?
Ans As 90% energy is lost in the form of heat from one trophic level to another, residual energy decreases
drastically within 2-3 trophic levels.
Q4.What are the differences between detritus and grazing food chains?
Ans-a) Begins with Detritus-dead and decaying organic matter. b) Grazing-Begins with Living green plants.
Q5.What are the two basic catagories of ecosystem? Give example.
Ans-a) Terrestrial-Forest, grassland, desert. b) Aquatic-Pond, lake, sea, ocean
Q6.Mention two factors by which productivity is limited in an aquatic ecosystem.
Ans-a) Light-decreases with increasing water depth. b) Nutrient Limiting factor in Deep Ocean
Q7.What is food chain? Give an example.
Ans-a) Food and feeding relation among organisms makes a chain like structure b) GrassDeerLion
Q8.Expand PAR, How much PAR is used in gross primary productivity?
[ 3 MARKS QUESTIONS]
Q1.Briefly describe the process and products of decomposition.
Ans-Breakdown of complex organic matter by decomposers.a)Process-i)fragmentation ii)leaching
iii)catabolism. Humification and mineralization humification leads to accumulation of dark colour substance
called humus. Mineralisation result in release of inorgranic substances.
Q2.Give account of factors affecting the rate of decomposition.
Ans-a) climatic factor i)temp ii) soil b) chemical quality of detritus Higher temp and moist condition high
rate of decomposition Dry soil , High temp Low rate
Q3) What are ecological pyramids ? Mention its limitations .
Ans a) Arrangement of trophic levels from producers to top carnivores forms pyramid like structure 3 types
i) Pyramid of number ii) Biomass iii) Energy
Limitations i) Assumes simple food chain ii) Single species may operate at two or more trophic levels.
Q4 ) Explain carbon cycle with ray diagram .
Ans Given in text.
Q5 .Describe pond as an ecosystem .Ans- Pond has biotic and abiotic components
a) Biotic Phytoplankton ,Zooplankton , small fishes , large fishes , frogs , snake ,etc.
b) Abiotic - water , dissolved organic and inorganic substances ,sunlight , temp .
Phytoplankton (microscopic plants ) producers . Zooplankton (microscopic animals ) primary consumers
Small fishes - secondary consumers Large fishes , frog, snails tertiary consumers.

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[5 Marks Questions]
Q1. Describe the major components of ecosystems.
Ans- a) Biotic-i) Producer-green plants. ii) Consumers-primary, secondary,tertiary and decomposers. b)
Abiotic-i) Physical and climatic factors-soil, temperature,light, humidity. ii) Chemical factors-inorganic
chemical substances (sodium, potassium, nitrogen etc.) organic substances-(humus, protein, fat etc.)
Q2. Give an account of energy flow in an ecosystem.
Ans- Rate of energy transfer between the organisms of different trophic levels is called energy flow. Energy
flow is unidirectional, 10% loss of energy in each trophic levels. 2-10% PAR captured by green
plants.Energy flow diagram from the text.
Q3.What is xerosere?
Describe the process of succession on a bare rock. Ans-a) Succession on bare rock. b) Steps in Xerosere
i) Lichens-Pioneer Community. ii) Mosses iii) Herbs iv) Shrubs v) Trees-Climax community.

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