Tag: ecosystem productivity and decomposition

Questions Related to ecosystem productivity and decomposition

Formation of organic matter takes place by

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Chemical weathering

  2. Soil micro-organisms

  3. Herbivores

  4. Soil water

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Correct Option: B

In the absence of decomposers, ecosystem functioning is adversely affected due to

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Blocking of energy flow

  2. Blocking of mineral cycling

  3. Blocking of solar energy to herbivores

  4. Rate of decomposition of other components will increase

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
A food chain is series of plants/animals which are interrelated in the form of organism being eaten as food by the other. Trophic levels in a food chain are formed by producers, consumers and decomposers. In the given food chain, plants are producers. The animals eating plants are called as primary consumers and animals eating primary consumers are called as secondary consumers. Decomposers are those which decomposes the waster organic matter and release energy back in the environment. They cycle the various minerals between environment and living organisms. Hence, in the absence of decomposers, ecosystem functioning is adversely affected due to blocking of mineral cycling.
Thus, the correct answer is 'Blocking of mineral cycling.'

Pheretima and its close relatives obtain nourishment from

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Decaying fallen leaves and soil organic matter

  2. Soil insects

  3. Small pieces of fresh fallen leaves of Maize and others

  4. Sugarcane roots

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Pheretima is a genus of earthworm. Pheretima and its close relatives obtain nourishment from decaying fallen leaves and soil organic matter. They are called as decomposers. They decomposes the dead organic matter and releases nutrients back into the environment.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Decaying fallen leaves and soil organic matter.'

Slow rate of decomposition of fallen logs in nature is due to

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Anaerobic environment around them

  2. Low cellulose contents

  3. Low moisture content

  4. Poor nitrogen content

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Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The slow rate of decomposition of fallen logs in nature is due to their low moisture content The cellulose is in high amount in fallen logs. 

Decomposers break down dead plants and animals. They also break down the waste (poop) of other organisms. Decomposers are very important for any ecosystem. Low moisture content will lead to a decrease in the number of decomposers because decomposers require an optimum moisture for their proper growth and functioning.
So the answer is 'Low moisture content'. 

Decomposition rate is slow, if detritus is rich in

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Nitrogen

  2. Humus

  3. Sugars

  4. Lignin and chitin

  5. Water soluble substances

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Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Decomposition is the process of breaking down organic matter into simple inorganic matter. Under same environmental conditions, the rate of decomposition various due to change in composition of detritus. If detritus is rich in lignin and chitin, the decomposition rate is slow. If detritus is rich in nitrogen, the decomposition rate is relatively high.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Lignin and chitin.'

Important steps in decomposition are

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Fragmentation and mineralisation

  2. Leeching and catabolism

  3. Humification and mineralisation

  4. All the above

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored humus on the soil. MIneralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Thus, the correct answer is 'All of the above.'

Which process of decomposition is correctly described?

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Leaching: Water soluble inorganic nutrients rise to the top layers of soil

  2. Fragmentation: Carried out by organisms such as earthworm

  3. Humification: Leads to accumulation of a dark coloured substance humus which undergoes microbial action at a very fast rate

  4. Catabolism: Last step in decomposition under fully anaerobic conditions

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores such as earthworm.
Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil.
Humification is the process of formation of dark colored substance humus on the soil. It undergoes microbial action at a slow rate. Mineralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.
Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex molecules into the simpler molecules.
Thus, the correct answer is 'Fragmentation: Carried out by organisms such as earthworm.'

During the process of decomposition in which stage complex organic matter is converted into organic ions and salts by fungi

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Mineralisation

  2. Catabolism

  3. Fragmentation

  4. All the above

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Decomposition is the process of breaking of complex organic matter into simpler inorganic matter. There are five steps of decomposition. These are fragmentation, leaching, catabolism, humification and mineralization. Fragmentation is the process of breaking of detritus into small pieces by detrivores. Leaching is the process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil. Catabolism is the process of breaking down of complex organic molecules into the simpler organic ions and salts by fungi. Humification is the process of formation of dark colored humus on the soil. MIneralization is the process of degradation of the hummus to release inorganic nutrients.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Catabolism.'

Which one of the following processes during decomposition is correctly described ?

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Fragmentation Carried out by organisms such as earthworm

  2. Humification Leads to the accumulation of a dark coloured substance humus which undergoes microbial action at a very fast rate

  3. Catabolism Last step in the decomposition under fully anaerobic condition

  4. Leaching Water soluble inorganic nutrients rise to the top layers of soil

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
-Detrivores(eg- Earthworms) breakdown detritus into smaller particles. this process is called fragmentation.
-Humification leads to the accumulation of dark coloured substance humus which undergoes microbial action at an extremely slow rate.
-Catabolism the third step of decomposition which occurs by fungal and bacteria action under anaerobic condition.
-By the process of leaching, water-soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and get precipitated as unavailable salts.
So, the correct answer is 'Option A'.
So the correct option is A.

What is the correct sequence of the microorganisms involved in the decomposition of plant residues in the terrestrial ecosystems?

zoology ecosystems decomposition in ecosystem ecosystem productivity and decomposition producers, consumers and decomposers

  1. Actinomycetes

  2. Spore producing bacteria

  3. Mould fungi and no spore producing bacteria

  4. Cellulose mycobacterium

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Correct Option: A