UNIT 10 – ECOLOGY BOARD QUESTIONS

REVISION WORK SHEET

1. In the illustration given below of a simplified food web on an island, the arrows 1
indicate the direction of energy flow and the Roman numbers indicate species
within the food web.
At which trophic level or levels does the species VIII function ?
(A) 2nd and 3rd consumer
(B) 1st consumer
(C) Producer
(D) 3rd and 4th consumer

Ans. (C) / Producer

2. Assertion (A) : The Mediterranean orchid Ophrys uses sexual deceit to get 1
pollinated by a species of bee.
Reason (R) : The female bee changes its colour depending on the
temperature of the area.

(c) /A is true but R is false

3. In which one of the following population interactions are both the partners
benefitted ?
(a) Predation
(b) Commensalism
(c) Ammensalism
(d) Mutualism
 (d) / Mutualism

4. Why are some species of insects and frogs cryptically coloured ? 1

(a) To attract the opposite sex
(b) To procure food
(c) To survive adverse conditions
(d) To avoid detection by predators

(d) / To avoid detection by predators

5. The largest species-rich taxonomic group of plants among the 1

following is :
(a) Fungi
(b) Angiosperms
(c) Algae
(d) Gymnosperms

(b) / Angiosperms

6. What does nature’s carrying capacity for a species indicate ? 2

Ans. (In nature) a given habitat has enough (limited) resources to support a
maximum possible number , no further growth in population is possible =
1+1
7. Suggest four advanced ex-situ methods to conserve threatened biodiversity. 2

Ans. Cryopreservation , in vitro fertilisation , tissue culture , seed banks = (½ ×

4)

8. Why are sacred groves highly protected ? 2

Ans Sacred groves are highly protected - because of religious and cultural
traditions , refuges for large number of rare and threatened plants /
ecologically unique and biodiversity rich regions =1+1

9. Mention the kind of biodiversity of more than a thousand varieties of mangoes 2

in India represent. How is it possible ?

Ans. Genetic diversity / single species show high diversity at genetic level = 1
Single species show high diversity at genetic level over its distributional range /
different varieties grow in different geographical areas = 1

10. “Pyramid of number can be upright as well as inverted.” Explain with the help 2
of one example of each.
 Ans Upright - ln a grass land producers are more in number than herbivores,
and herbivores are more than Carnivores = ½ + ½
Inverted - On a big tree, a large number of insects feed up on the tree / many
birds feeding on insects on the tree = ½ + ½

11. Identify the areas labelled i, ii, iii and iv in the pie chart given below 2
representing the biodiversity of plants showing their proportionate number of
species of major taxa.

i - Lichen , ii - Algae , iii - Fungi , iv - Mosses = ½ × 4

12. If 8 individuals in a population of 80 butterflies die in a week, calculate the 2

death rate of population of butterflies during that period.

13. 2
 (a)
(i) (I)Tropical - Y, (II) Temperate - X
(ii) ● Y will show high biological diversity
● Reason : less seasonal / constant and predictable environment, more solar
energy available for species diversification

14. 2

(i) Does not have its natural predators.

(ii) predators act as conduits for energy transfer across trophic levels, they keep
prey population under control, predators help in maintaining species diversity
in a community by reducing competition among prey species. (Any 2)

15. 2
16. 2

17. 2

(i) The larger and competitively superior barnacle (Balanus) dominates the
intertidal area , and excludes the smaller barnacle (Chathamalus) from the
zone
(ii) Herbivores, plants

18. 2
 (a) Carrying capacity is the maximum possible number of organisms (beyond
which no further growth is possible) in a habitat.
(b) Limited resources lead to competition, fittest survives and reproduces

19 2

20. Given below is a food web that involves nine organisms. 2

(a) Identify two producers and two carnivores shown in the food web.
(b) Is it possible to make an ecological pyramid depicting this food web ? Give
reason in support of your answer.

(a) •Producers: 1/2/3

• Carnivores: 6/7/8/9
 (b)
• No
• Pyramid does not accommodate food web
//
• Yes
• In the given food web no organism occupy more than
one trophic level

21. Name the type of food chains responsible for the flow of larger fraction of 2
energy in an aquatic and a terrestrial ecosystem respectively. Mention one
difference between the two food chains.

Ans. Aquatic ecosystem - Grazing Food Chain / GFC = ½

Terrestrial ecosystem - Detritus Food Chain / DFC = ½
Difference : GFC begins with phytoplanktons / producers whereas DFC begins
with dead organisms / detritus = 1

22. Justify with the help of an example where a deliberate attempt by humans 2
Has led to the extinction of a particular species.

Ans. The Nile perch introduced into Lake Victoria in East Africa , eventually led
to the extinction of an ecologically unique assemblage of more than 200 species
of cichlid fish in the lake //
Abingdon tortoise in Galapagos islands became extinct , after goats were
introduced due to greater browsing efficiency of goats//
over exploitation by man , caused extinction of Stellar’s sea cow / Passenger
pigeon. ( Any 2)

23. Write a difference between net primary productivity and gross productivity. 2

Gross productivity-Rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis

=1
Net primary productivity-Available biomass for the consumption to
heterotrophs / GPP - R = NPP = 1

24. State the use of Biodiversity in modern agriculture. 2

Ans. A source of hybrids, GM plants, biopesticides, organic farming ,

biofertiliser , Improved varieties of plants, disease resistant plants or any other
relevant use
(Any two)
25.

The above graph shows Species-Area relationship. Write the equation of

the curve ‘a’ and explain.

Ans. S = CAZ = 1
(i) Within a region ,species richness increases with increasing explored area but
only up to a limit = ½
(ii) Relationship between species richness and area for a wide variety of taxa
turns out to be rectangular hyperbola = ½

26. Differentiate between in situ and ex situ approaches of conservation of 2

Biodiversity.

27.

Identify the type of the given ecological pyramid and give one example each
of pyramid of number and pyramid of biomass in such cases.

Ans. Inverted pyramid = 1

28. Narrowly utilitarian arguments are put forth in support of biodiversity 3
conservation. Explain the other two arguments that are put forth in support of
the same cause.

Ans. - Broadly utilitarian = ½

Ecosystem services - Purify air , cycling of nutrients , habitat for wildlife ,
pollinating crops , aesthetic pleasure (any two) = ½ × 2 = 1
- Ethical = ½
Philosophical / spiritual / moral duty towards future generations = ½ × 2 = 1
(½ + 1 + ½ + 1)

29. (a) Explain any two defence mechanisms plants evolved against their predators. 3
(b) How does predation differ from parasitism?

Ans. (a) (i) Thorns are (morphological) means of defence = 1

(ii) produce / store chemicals which inhibit digestion / disrupts reproduction /
kill // Calotropis produces highly poisonous cardiac glycosides // plants may
produce chemicals such as nicotine / caffeine / quinine / strychnine / opium
are produced as defence = 1

30. Draw a pyramid of biomass and pyramid of energy in sea. Give your comments 3
on the type of Pyramids drawn.
 The pyramid of biomass in sea is inverted = ½
The pyramid of energy in sea is upright = ½

31. (a) A parasite has to adapt to be able to live in the host. Write the various 3
parasitic adaptations.
(b) Mention an adaptive feature exhibited in brood parasitism in Koel and
Crow.

Ans. (a) - Loss of unnecessary sense organs /- Adhesive organs or suckers to

cling on to the host /- Loss of digestive system /- High reproductive capacity /
- Loss of chlorophyll and leaves (any four) = ½ × 4
(b) The eggs of the parasitic bird (Koel) resemble the host’s egg (Crow) in size
and colour to reduce the chances of the host bird detecting the foreign eggs
and ejecting them out from the nest = 1

32. Co-evolution is a spectacular example of mutualism between an animal and a 3

plant. Describe co-evolution with the help of an example.

Ans. Fig & wasp = 1

The female wasp uses the fruit for oviposition / egg laying , uses seeds within
the fruit (developing seeds) for nourishing its larvae , the wasp pollinates the fig
inflorescence, the given fig species can be pollinated by its ‘partner’ wasp
species & no other species = ½ × 4 = 2
or any other correct example
33. Name and explain the type of interaction that exists in mycorrhizae and 3
between cattle egret and cattle.

Mutualism = ½
Association between fungi and the root of higher plants , fungus absorbs
essential nutrients from the soil and plant provides the fungi with energy
yielding carbohydrates (both benefitted) = ½ × 2

- Commensalism = ½
Cattle stir up and flush out insects from the vegetation on which the egret feed,
cattle is neither harmed nor benefitted / not effected = ½ × 2

34. Predation is usually referred to as a detrimental association. State any three 3

positive roles that a predator plays in an ecosystem.

Ans Keeps prey population ( phytophagous / herbivores / carnivore ) under

control , maintenance of ecological balance / maintenance of species diversity ,
acts as conduit for energy transfer = 1+1+1

35. Explain Parasitism and co-evolution with the help of one example of each. 3

Ans Mode of interaction between two species in which one species (parasite)
depends on the other species ( host) for food and shelter / one organism is
benefitted , the other is harmed = ½ + ½
e.g Human liver fluke / Malarial parasite / Cuscuta = ½

Co-evolution is the relationship between two interacting organisms where both

organisms failed to survive in the absence of the other = 1
e.g Fig and fig wasp / ophrys and bumble bee = ½ ( or any other suitable
example)

36. “In a food-chain, a trophic level represents a functional level, not a species.” 3
Explain.

Ans. Position of a species in any trophic level is determined by the function

performed by that mode of nutrition of species in a particular food chain / A
given species may occupy more than one trophic level in the same ecosystem
(in different food chains) at the given time , If the function of the mode of
nutrition of species changes its position shall change in the trophic levels ,
same species can be at primary consumer level in one food chain and at
secondary consumer level in another food chain in the same ecosystem at the
given time = 1 × 3
37. (a) Since the origin and diversification of life on earth there had been five 3
episodes of mass extinctions. How is the sixth extinction presently in progress,
different from the previous episodes and why ?
(b) Mention any two negative effects of loss of biodiversity in the region where it
occurs.

(a) The current extinction rate are estimated to be 100 to 1000 times faster
than in the pre-human times , because of human activities = ½ + ½
(b) (i) Decline in plant production
(ii) Lowered resistance to environmental perturbations such as drought
(iii) Increased variability in certain ecosystem processes such as plant
productivity / water use / pest and disease cycles (Any two) = 1+ 1
38. Explain the ‘Ex-situ conservation’ of Biodiversity. How is the in-situ 3
conservation different from it ?

Ans. Ex-situ - Threatened animals and plants are taken out from their natural
habitat and placed in special settings where they can be protected and given
special care , by keeping the gametes of threatened species preserved in viable
and fertile condition for long time = ½ + ½
Zoological parks / botanical gardens / wildlife safari parks / cryopreservation
/ eggs can be fertilised invitro / tissue culture method / seed banks = Any
correct example explained = 1

In-situ conservation , organisms are given protection in their natural habitat in

which biodiversity is protected at all levels = 1

39. Explain giving reasons that pyramid of energy is always upright. 3

Ans. Pyramid of energy is always upright-because in an ecosystem the energy

flow is always unidirectional, when energy flows from a trophic level to next
level, some energy is always lost to the atmosphere in the form of heat(& never
goes back to sun) // there is a gradual decrease in energy at successive trophic
levels, this happens according to 10% law of energy transfer,
where only 10% of total energy is transferred from one to the next level , the
energy is highest at the producer level and it gradually decreases on moving
from producer to top carnivore = 1×3

40. Explain with the help of an example each any three ways the ecologists use to 3
measure population density of different organisms rather than by calculating
their absolute number.

Ans. (a) By measuring the percent cover or biomass which may be more
meaningful , in cases like in an area where large number of Parthenium are
there but only one banyan tree / densities of micro organisms in a culture
medium = ½× 2
 (b) By measuring relative densities instead of absolute densities of organism,
e.g the number of fish caught per trap in a lake is good enough to estimate
population size. = ½× 2
(c) By estimating the population size indirectly without actually seeing or
counting them , e.g counting tiger population in national parks is based on
their pug marks or faecal pellets = ½× 2

41. 3

42. 3
43. (a) Enlist two criteria that are used to identify a region for maximum
protection as 'Biodiversity hotspots'.
(b) Name any two "hotspot" regions in our country.

(a) – High degree of endemism – high levels of species richness

(b) Western Ghats, Himalaya, Indo-Burma

44. (a) “India has greater ecosystem diversity than Norway.” Do you agree with the 5
statement ? Give reasons in support of your answer.
(b) Write the difference between genetic biodiversity and species biodiversity
that exists at the levels of biological organisation.

(a) Yes = ½
45. 3

Paul – Ehrlich compared Airplane with ecosystem, in an airplane (ecosystem)

all parts are joined together using thousands of rivets (species), if every
passenger travelling in it starts popping a rivet to take home (causing a species
to become extinct), it may not affect flight safety (proper functioning of
ecosystem) initially, if more and more rivets are removed then the plane
becomes dangerously weak over a period of time, loss of rivets on the wings
(Key species that drives major ecosystem functions) is a more serious threat to
flight.

46. 3

(i) Extinction of an ecologically unique assemblage of more than 200 species of

cichlid fish in the lake.
(ii) carrot grass / (Parthenium), Lantana , water hyacinth / (Eichhornia)
47. 3

(a) ● Yes
● Degradation of habitats by fragmentation threatens the survival of many
species / mammals / birds / migratory birds which require large territories
(are badly affected), leading to decline of population.
(b) Fragments / Fragmentation
48. 3

(i) Panama—Tropic
Canada—Temperate
Denmark—Polar
(ii) Latitudinal gradient, species diversity decreases as we move away from
equator toward poles / species diversity vary due to different climatic
conditions present at different places of world.

49. You have a friend whose parents are too indulgent in his/her daily affairs. They 4
think him/ her to be still young which makes him/her sad and is upset all the
time. As he/she feels that the parents should give him/her opportunity to take
independent decision on some issues.
(a) Would you support your friend and why ?
(b) Write the characteristics of this age group.
(c) List two curative measures.

Ans. (a) Yes , because of peer understanding = ½ + ½ =1

(b) Curious , adventurous , look for excitement , experimentation = ½ × 4 =2
(c) Avoid undue peer pressure / education & counselling / help from parents &
peers / identifying the danger signs / professional and medical help or any
other appropriate measures (any two)
 = ½ + ½ =1

50. (a) Name the two growth models that represent population growth and draw the 5
respective growth curves they represent.
(b) State the basis for the difference in the shape of these curves.
(c) Which one of the curves represent the human population growth at present
? Do you think such a curve is sustainable ? Give reason in support of your
answer.

(a) Exponential growth curve , logistics growth curve = ½ + ½

a - exponential growth curve b - logistic growth curve

(b) Exponential growth - food resources and space unlimited ,

Logistic growth - food resources and space limited = ½ + ½
(c) Exponential growth = 1
not sustainable, as resources are limited / carrying capacity. = ½ + ½

51. (i) Describe growth pattern of a population growing in a habitat with limited 5
resources.
(ii) Name the type of curve that is formed for this kind of growth.

Ans. (i) A population growing in a habitat with limited resources initially shows
a lag phase = 1
followed by phase of acceleration , = 1
and deceleration and finally an asymptote , = 1
when population density reaches the carrying capacity = 1
(ii) Sigmoid curve / logistic growth = 1

52. (a) Taking an example of a small pond, explain how the four components of an 5
ecosystem function as a unit.
(b) Name the type of food chain that exists in a pond.

(a) Productivity - conversion of inorganic substances into organic material with

the help of radiant energy / sunlight by the autotrophs / producers (
phytoplankton , algae , floating ,submerged plants ) =1
 Decomposition - decomposers ( fungi , bacteria , flagellates ) breakdown dead
decayed organic matter into simpler compounds =1
Energy Flow - Unidirectional movement of energy towards higher trophic levels
( producer to consumer ) and its dissipation and loss as heat to the
enviornment =1
Nutrient cycle- Mineralisation of dead matter to release them back for reuse of
autotrophs =1

(b) Grazing food chain / detritus food chain =1

53. (a) Why should we conserve biodiversity ? How can we do it ? 5

(b) Explain the importance of biodiversity hot-spots and sacred groves.

Ans. (a) (i) - Narrowly utilitarian - related examples like derive economic
benefits from nature food (cereals, pulses, fruits) / firewood / fibre /
construction materials / industrial products (tannins, lubricants, dice, resins,
perfumes) / product of medicinal importance / drugs = ½
- Broadly utilitarian - 20% of total O2 from Amazon forests / pollination /
aesthetic pleasures = ½
- Ethical - millions of species (plants, animals, microbes) share this planet /
we need to realise that every species has an intrinsic value (even if it may
not current or any economic value to us) / we have a moral duty to care for
their wellbeing and pass on our biological legacy to future generations = ½

(ii) - In situ conservation / biosphere reserves / national parks / sanctuaries /

sacred groves = ½ //
- Ex situ conservation / zoological parks / botanical gardens / wild life safari
parks / cryopreservation / seed banks / tissue culture (eggs in vitro) = ½

(b) Hot spots - regions with high level of species richness , high degree of
endemism = 1 + 1
Sacred groves - tracts of forest containing tree / wild life were venerated ,and
given total protection // to protect last refuges for a large number of rare , and
threatened plants = ½ + ½

54. (a) Represent diagrammatically three kinds of age-pyramids for human 5

populations.
(b) How does an age pyramid for human population at given point of time helps
the policy makers in planning for future.
 (b) Planning of health / education / transport / infra-structure / finance / food
/ employment can depend on the age-pyramid analysis of a population / any
other relevant point. (Any two explanation) = 1 + 1

55. Draw the pyramids of biomass in sea and in a forest. Explain giving reasons 5
why are the two pyramids different ?

Sea - Inverted , because biomass of fish /other aquatic animals exceeds that of
phytoplanktons // small standing crop of phytoplankton supports large
standing crop of zooplankton = ½ + 1
Forest - Upright , because biomass of producers exceeds that of herbivores /
carnivores // allows the sharp decrease in biomass at higher trophic levels = ½
+1

56. (a) Identify the features of a stable biological community. 5

 (b) How did David Tilman’s findings link stability of a biological community to
its species richness ?

Ans a) • A stable community should not show too much variation in

productivity from year to year
• it must be either resistant or resilient to occasional disturbances (natural or
man-made)
• and it must also be resistant to invasions by alien species = 1 × 3 =3
b) • plots with more species showed less year-to-year variation in total biomass.
• increased diversity contributed to higher productivity. 1 × 2 =2

57. (a) How many episodes of mass extinction since the origin and 5
biodiversification of life on the Earth have occurred and which one is presently
in progress ?
(b) How is the present one in progress different from the ones that occurred
previously ?
(c) Write the concerns of the ecologists in this respect.
(d) Explain coextinction with the help of an example.

Ans. a) ‘Five episodes’ of mass extinction of species , the ‘Sixth Extinction’

presently in progress =1+1
b) It is 100 to 1,000 times faster than in the pre-human times / Human
activities only responsible for it / It is anthropogenic =1
c) If the present trends continue nearly half of all the species on earth might be
wiped out within the next 100 years =1

d) When a host fish species becomes extinct its unique assemblage of parasites
also meets the same fate / the case of a coevolved plant-pollinator mutualism
where extinction of one invariably leads to the extinction of the other =1

58. (a) What is a trophic level in an ecosystem ? What is ‘standing crop’ with 5
reference to it ?
(b) Explain the role of the ‘first trophic level’ in an ecosystem.
(c) How is the detritus food chain connected with the grazing food chain in a
natural ecosystem ?

Ans. (a) Specific place of an organism in a food chain , mass of living material
(biomass) at each trophic level at a particular time = 1 + 1
(b) First trophic level has producers / autotrophs , which trap solar energy / to
produce food (photosynthesis) = 1 + 1
(c) Organisms of the Detritus food chain (DFC) are the prey to the Grazing food
chain (GFC) organism , the dead remains of GFC are decomposed into simple
inorganic materials which are absorbed by DFC organisms = ½ + ½
59. Describe the process of decomposition of detritus under the following heads : 5
Fragmentation; leaching; catabolism; humification and mineralization.

Ans. Fragmentation : Breakdown of detritus into smaller particles

Leaching : Water soluble inorganic nutrients go down into the soil horizon and
get precipitated as unavailable salts
Catabolism : Bacterial and fungal enzymes degrade detritus into simpler
inorganic substances
Humification : It leads to the accumulation of a dark coloured amorphous
substance called humus that is highly resistant to microbial action and
undergoes decomposition at an extremely slow rate
Mineralization : The humus is further degraded by some microbes and release
inorganic substances by this process.

60. (a) Explain primary productivity and the factors that influence it. 5
(b) Describe how do oxygen and chemical composition of detritus control
decomposition.

Ans. (a) Primary productivity: amount of biomass/ organic matter produced per
unit area over a time period by the plant during photosynthesis = 1

Factors: availability of nutrients/ quality of light available / availability of

water / temperature of the given place / type of plant species of the area /
photosynthetic capacity of the plants Any four = ½ × 4 = 2
(b) Oxygen increases rate of decomposition = 1
Chemical : decomposition is slow when chitin and lignin are present = 1