NEET-JEE

360 IN BIOLOGY
BOTANY
ECOSYSTEM

Q1 Which of the following statements related to (B) Stratification.

stratification are incorrect? (C) Ecosytem.
(A) Horizontal distribution of different species. (D) Species diversity.
(B) Vertical distribution of different species.
Q4 Select the incorrect statement.
(C) Species occupy different levels.
(A) Food chains or rather webs are formed
(D) Species occupy same levels.
such that an animal feeds on a plant or on
Choose the most appropriate answer from the
another animal and in turn is food for
options given below:
another.
(A) A and B only
(B) The chain or web is formed because of this
(B) A, B and D only
interdependency.
(C) B and C only
(C) The energy trapped by the producer,
(D) A and D only
hence, is either passed on to a consumer or
Q2 Given below are two statements: one is the organism dies.
labelled as Assertion A and the other is (D) The energy that is trapped into an
labelled as Reason R: organism remains in it forever.
Assertion A: Interaction of biotic and abiotic
Q5 Common herbivores in an aquatic ecosystem
components is characteristic for each type of
are;
ecosystem.
(A) birds. (B) mammals.
Reason R: Identification and enumeration of
(C) insects. (D) molluscs.
species of an ecosystem gives its species
composition. Q6 What will happen if all the bacteria and fungi
In the light of the above statements, choose are destroyed?
the correct answer from the options given (A) There will be fixation of carbon dioxide
below: (B) Amount of nitrogen in soil increases
(C) Dead bodies and excretions will pile up
(A) A is true but R is false. (D) Soil will become rich in all nutrients
(B) A is false but R is true.
(C) Both A and R are true and R is the correct Q7 In a forest, the second vertical strata is
explanation of A. occupied by the;
(D) Both A and R are true but R is not the (A) Trees (B) Shrubs
correct explanation of A. (C) Herbs (D) Grasses

Q3 Vertical distribution of different species Q8 During summer stratification, the upper layer
occupying different levels in an ecosystem is of water is called:
called: (A) Thermocline (B) Hypolimnion
(A) Species composition. (C) Epilimnion (D) Ectolimnion

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Q9 The main reason for low productivity of ocean (A) Primary consumer
is; (B) T
3

(A) the amount of minerals in oceanic water is (C) T

2
also low compared to soil in the terrestrial
(D) Primary consumers or T or Consumer of
ecosystem. 2

(B) the light is a major limiting factor which st order.

decreases with increase in water depth.
Q16 Identify the incorrect match from the
(C) the producers are absent in ocean following:
ecosystem.
(A) Saprotrophs - Decompose dead matter
(D) Both (1) \& (2)
(B) Zooplankton - Primary producers
Q10 Which of the following is not the component (C) Herbivores - Primary consumers
of the ecosystem? (D) Fox - Secondary Consumer
(A) Productivity
Q17 From where do autotrophs obtain energy?
(B) Decomposition
(A) Ecosystem (B) Sunlight
(C) Energy flow (C) Heterotrophs (D) Zooplankton
(D) Phytoplankton distribution
Q18 Assertion (A): Interaction of biotic and abiotic
Q11 The basic requirement for any ecosystem to
components result in a physical structure that
function and sustain is: is characteristic of ecosystem.
(A) Photosynthesis Reason (R): Horizontal distribution of different
(B) Decomposition species occupying different levels in an
(C) A constant input of solar energy
ecosystem is called stratification.
(D) Unidirectional flow of energy in food chain (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are the
Q12 Decomposers of an ecosystem include true, and Reason (R) is a correct
(A) microscopic animals explanation of Assertion (A).
(B) bacteria and fungi (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are the

(C) both (A) and (B) true, but Reason (R) is not a correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
(D) bacteria, fungi and macroscopic animals
(C) Assertion (A) is true, and Reason (R) is false.
Q13 Producers in an aquatic ecosystem; (D) Assertion (A) is false, and Reason (R) is true.
(A) phytoplankton
Q19 _____ and _____ are the two main structural
(B) .algae
features of an ecosystem.
(C) .zooplanktons
(A) Species composition; nutrient cycling
(D) .Both (1) & (2) .
(B) Stratification; decomposition
Q14 Most animals that live in deep oceanic waters (C) Species composition; stratification
are (D) Nutrient cycling; decomposition
(A) Secondary consumers
Q20 Consider the following statements.
(B) Tertiary consumers
(i) An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature
(C) Detritivores
and comprises abiotic and biotic components.
(D) Primary consumers
(ii) Abiotic components are organic materials.
Q15 Herbivores are -

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(iii) Biotic components are producers, a one-way trip through food web.
consumers and decomposers. (D) there is a continuous process by which
(iv) Energy flow is bidirectional. energy is lost as heat, and chemical
Which two statements are correct? elements leave the ecosystem through
(A) (i) and (ii) (B) (ii) and (iv) runoff.
(C) (iii) and (iv) (D) (i) and (iii)
Q26 Match List-I with List-II
Q21 NPP means;
(A) gross primary product of respiratory losses.
(B) available biomass for the consumption of
heterotrophs.
(C) biomass produced consumers.
(D) All of these

Q22 Ecosystem has two components

(A) Plants and animals Choose the correct answer from the options
(B) Weeds and trees given below:
(C) Biotic and abiotic (A) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
(D) Frogs and man (B) A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I
(C) A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I
Q23 The components of the ecosystem are seen to
(D) A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
function as a unit when you consider the
following aspects except: Q27 Given figure represents two food chains ( X
(A) standing crop. (B) productivity.
and Y ) linked together to form a food web.
(C) decomposition. (D) energy flow.

Q24 Which of the following is correct about

photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)?
(A) It is the amount of sunlight that is not
required for the photosynthesis.
(B) It is the part of sunlight that is utilised by
Identify the types of food chains X and Y and
plants for photosynthesis.
the organism A that interconnects these food
(C) Less than 2% of PAR is captured by plants.
chain.
(D) More than 50% of solar radiation is PAR.
(A) X Detritus foodchain
Q25 In an ecosystem, Y Grazing food chain
(A) energy is recycled through the trophic A Bacterium
structure. (B) X Detritus foodchain
(B) energy is usually captured from sunlight by Y Grazing food chain
primary producers, passed to secondary A Detrivore
producers in the form of organic (C) X Grazing foodchain
compounds, and lost to detritivores in the Y Detritus food chain
form of heat. A Detrivore
(C) chemicals are recycled between the biotic (D) X Grazing foodchain
and abiotic sectors, whereas energy makes Y Detritus food chain

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A grasshopper resistant to microbial action and undergoes

decomposition at an extremely slow rate is
Q28 Find the incorrect statement(s) among the
called:
following.
(A) Mineralization (B) Humification
A. Earthworm break down detritus into smaller
(C) Organization (D) Transformation
particles.
B. Identification and enumeration of plant and Q32 Which of the following statement is true?
animal species of an ecosystem gives its (A) Earthworm breaks down detritus into
species composition. smaller particles. This process is called
C. The rate of energy consumption is called catabolism.
productivity. (B) Mineralisation leads to the accumulation of
D. Humification leads to accumulation of a a dark coloured amorphous substance.
light coloured crystal substance called humus. (C) Decomposition rate is slower if detritus is
Choose the most appropriate answer from the rich in lignin and chitin.
options given below. (D) Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade
(A) A and C only detritus into simpler organic substances.
(B) A, C and D only
Q33 Which one of the following process help the
(C) C and D only
water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into
(D) All A, B, C and D
the soil horizon and get precipitated as
Q29 Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark, unavailable salts?
flowers and dead remains of animals, (A) Fragmentation (B) Leaching
including fecal matter, constitute detritus, (C) Catabolism (D) Humification
which is the raw material for ___________ .
Q34 Humus is;
(A) Decomposition (B) Leaching
(A) colloidal in nature.
(C) Humification (D) Mineralisation
(B) a dark colored crystalline substance.
Q30 Which of the following is incorrect about (C) not resistant to microbial action.
decomposition process? (D) not a reservoir of nutrients.
(A) Warm and moist environment favour
Q35 Which of the following is not a characteristic of
decomposition.
humus?
(B) Anaerobiosis promotes decomposition.
(A) It is rich in organic matter such as lignin
(C) Decomposition rate is quicker if detritus is
and cellulose.
rich in nitrogen and water-soluble
(B) It is colloidal in nature and serves as a
substances like sugars.
reservoir of nutrients.
(D) Low temperature slows the rate of
(C) It is highly resistant to microbial action and
decomposition.
undergoes slow decomposition.
Q31 The process of accumulation of a dark (D) It is further degraded by the process of
coloured amorphous substances that is highly humification.

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Answer Key
Q1 D Q19 C

Q2 D Q20 D
Q3 B Q21 B

Q4 D Q22 C

Q5 D Q23 A
Q6 C Q24 B

Q7 B Q25 C
Q8 C Q26 A

Q9 D Q27 C

Q10 D Q28 C
Q11 C Q29 A

Q12 C Q30 B

Q13 D Q31 B
Q14 C Q32 C

Q15 D Q33 B
Q16 B Q34 A

Q17 B Q35 D

Q18 C

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Hints & Solutions

Note: scan the QR code to watch video solution

Q1 Text Solution:
(4)
The vertical distribution of different species
occupying different levels is called
stratification.
[New NCERT 12th Page No. 206]
Q7 Text Solution:
Q2 Text Solution:
Trees occupy top vertical strata or layer of a
(4)
forest, shrubs the second and herbs and
Interaction of biotic and abiotic components is
grasses occupy the bottom layers.
characteristic for each type of ecosystem.
Identification and enumeration of species of Q8 Video Solution:
an ecosystem gives its species composition.
[New NCERT Class 12th Page No. 206]

Q3 Text Solution:
(2)
Vertical distribution of different species
occupying different levels is called Q9 Text Solution:
stratification. (4)
[New NCERT Class 12th Page No. 206] The main reason for the low productivity of

Q4 Text Solution: the

(D) ocean.
No energy that is trapped into an organism - In aquatic ecosystems, the limiting factor for
remains in it for ever. productivity is light as the producers depend
on light which is scanty in deeper layers.
[New NCERT Class 12th Page No. 209]
- The amount of minerals in oceanic water is
Video Solution: also low compared to soil in the terrestrial
ecosystem.
The producers in the ocean ecosystem are
mainly
free floating phytoplankton.

[New NCERT Class 12th Page No. 207]

Q5 Text Solution: Video Solution:

(4)
Some common herbivores are insects, birds
and mammals in terrestrial ecosystem and
molluscs in aquatic ecosystem.
(NEW NCERT 12th Page No. 209)

Q6 Video Solution:

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Q10 Text Solution:

Components of the ecosystem are
productivity, decomposition, energy flow and
nutrient cycling.
Ecosystem components are mainly categorized
into two types: biotic components (living
organisms) and abiotic components (non- Q13 Text Solution:
living factors). Key components of an (4)
ecosystem include: Producers in an aquatic ecosystem
phytoplankton and algae.
Productivity: This is a biotic component
New NCERT Class 12th Pg. No. 206
that refers to the production and storage
of energy in an ecosystem. Video Solution:
Decomposition: This is also a biotic
process where dead organic material is
broken down and recycled.
Energy flow: This refers to the transfer
of energy through the ecosystem, from
producers to consumers and then to
decomposers. Q14 Video Solution:

On the other hand, Plant plankton

distribution is not typically considered a
primary component of an ecosystem. While it
may be relevant in studying aquatic
ecosystems, it's not categorized as a
fundamental component in the context of Q15 Video Solution:
ecosystem components like productivity,
decomposition, and energy flow.

Video Solution:

Q16 Text Solution:

(2)
Zooplankton are consumers, not producers.
Q11 Video Solution: [New NCERT Class 12th Page No. 210]

Q17 Text Solution:

Sunlight is the main source of energy of
autotrophs. These are the organisms
(producers) that can produce their own food
using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other
chemicals.
Q12 Video Solution:

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Video Solution: Conclusion:

Assertion (A) is true because

ecosystems do have a characteristic
physical structure formed by the
interactions of their components.
Reason (R) is false because it incorrectly
Q18 Text Solution: describes stratification as a horizontal
distribution instead of vertical.
The correct answer is option C
Therefore, the correct option is C: Assertion (A)
Explaination is true, and Reason (R) is false.

Assertion (A): Q19 Text Solution:

Species composition and stratification are the
"Interaction of biotic and abiotic
two main structural features of an ecosystem.
components result in a physical structure
Q20 Text Solution:
that is characteristic of an ecosystem."
Option (d) is correct answer.
This statement is correct. An ecosystem is
An ecosystem is a functional unit of nature
made up of biotic (living organisms like plants,
and comprises abiotic like soil, light, water and
animals, and microbes) and abiotic (non-living
air and biotic components like bacteria, fungi ,
elements like water, soil, and air) components.
plants and animals. So, statement 1 is true.
The interaction between these components
Biotic components in an ecosystem is
forms a unique physical structure and
producer which plants, consumer which is
organization within the ecosystem. For
zooplanktons, animals and decomposer like
example, a forest ecosystem has a different
bacteria, fungi etc. So, statement 3 is true.
physical structure compared to a desert
There is unidirectional flow of energy from
ecosystem, based on the interactions among
lower trophic level to higher trophic levels and
its biotic and abiotic components.
it's dissipation and loss as heat to the
Reason (R): environment. So, statement 4 is false.
Abiotic components are organic as well
"Horizontal distribution of different species inorganic.
occupying different levels in an ecosystem
Video Solution:
is called stratification."
This statement is incorrect. Stratification in an
ecosystem refers to the vertical arrangement
or layering of vegetation or organisms. For
example, in a forest, we can observe different
layers like the canopy, understory, shrub layer,
and ground cover. These layers represent the
Q21 Text Solution:
vertical distribution of species. Horizontal
Net primary productivity is the available
distribution, on the other hand, refers to how
biomass for the consumption to heterotrophs.
species are spread across the landscape or
area, not the vertical layers. Q22 Video Solution:

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Q23 Text Solution: Q28 Text Solution:

The components of the ecosystem are seen to (3)
function as a unit when we consider the
Humification leads to accumulation of a
following aspects:
dark coloured amorphous substance
(i) Productivity;
called humus that is highly resistant to
(ii) Decomposition;
microbial action and undergoes
(iii) Energy flow; and
decomposition at an extremely slow rate.
(iv) Nutrient cycling.
The rate of biomass production is called
Q24 Text Solution: productivity.
(2)
Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is the Video Solution:
part of solar radiation that is utilized by plants
for photosynthesis. Less than 50% of sunlight
is PAR and only 2-10% of PAR is captured by
plants for photosynthesis.
[New NCERT Class 12th Page No. 209]

Q25 Video Solution:

Q29 Text Solution:
Dead plant remains such as leaves, bark,
flowers and dead remains of animals,
including fecal matter, constitute detritus,
which is the raw material for decomposition.

Q30 Text Solution:

Q26 Text Solution: (2)
(1) Decomposition is largely an oxygen-requiring
Primary producer Tree process. Therefore, anaerobiosis inhibit
Second trophic level Grasshopper decomposition.
Secondary consumer Wolf [New NCERT Class 12th Page No. 208]
Top carnivore Lion
Q31 Text Solution:
[New NCERT Class Page No. 210]
Humification is the process of accumulation of
a dark-colored amorphous substance called
Q27 Video Solution: humus. Humus is highly resistant to microbial
action and undergoes decomposition at an
extremely slow rate. It is a key component of
soil organic matter and plays a crucial role in

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soil structure, nutrient retention, and water- 6. Through catabolism, detritus degrades into
holding capacity. simpler inorganic substances by bacterial and
fungal enzymes.
Video Solution:
7. Humification is the process through which
dark coloured, amorphous substance called
humus is accumulated.
8. Humus further degrades and releases
inorganic nutrients by some microbes. This
process is called mineralisation.

Q32 Text Solution:

Earthworm breaks down detritus into smaller Video Solution:
particles. This process is called fragmentation.
Humification leads to the accumulation of a
dark coloured amorphous substance.
Bacteria and fungi degrade detritus into
simple inorganic molecule.

Q33 Text Solution:

Q34 Text Solution:
1. Decomposition is the process by which
decomposers break down complex organic Humification leads to accumulation of a dark

matter into simple inorganic matter such as coloured amorphous substance called humus
that is highly resistant to microbial action and
carbon dioxide, water and other nutrients.
undergoes decomposition at an extremely
2. Detritus constitute dead remains of plants
slow rate. Being colloidal in nature it serves as
and animals, bark, flower and fecal matter.
Detritus is the raw material for decomposition. a reservoir of nutrients. The humus is further

3. The process of decomposition had various degraded by some microbes and release of
inorganic nutrients occur by the process
steps that include:- fragmentation, leaching,
known as mineralisation.
catabolism, humification and mineralisation.
4. Fragmentation is the breaking down of Q35 Video Solution:
detritus into smaller parts by detritivores such
as earthworms.
5. Leaching is the process by which water
soluble nutrients go deep down into the soil
horizon and get precipitated as unavailable
salts.

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