(7) Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

Q.1) Define :Food chain

Ans. Interactions between producers, consumers and decomposers in a definite sequence is called as
a food chain.

Q.2) Define Food web and write a short note on it.

Ans.
i) The interconnection among different food chains in an ecosystem at various levels is called as a
food web.
ii) A organism may be the prey for many other organisms.
iii) For example, an insect feeds upon leves of various plants but the same insect is the prey for
different animals like wall lizards, birds etc.
iv) This forms an intricate web instead of a linear food chain. Such an intricate network is called as
food web.
v) Generally food webs are formed everywhere is nature.

Q.3) Explain in detail the inter-relationship between the food chain and food web.
Ans.
i) Interaction go on continuously between producers, consumers and decomposers.
ii) There is a definite sequence in these interactions which is called the food chain.
iii) Each chain consists of four, five or more links.
iv) An ecosystem consists of many food chains that are interconnected at various levels. Thus a food
web is formed.
v) An organism may be the prey for many other organisms.
For example, an insect feeds upon leaves of various plants but the same insect is the prey for
different animals like frog, wall lizard, birds, etc.
Thus many food chains interconnected together form an intricate web called as food web.

Q.4) Is the number of consumers in a food web fixed?

Ans. No. The number of consumers in a food web is not fixed.

Q.5) What will be the effect on an ecosystem if only one type of organism in it forms the food
for several different consumers in that ecosystem?
Ans. If only one type of organism forms the food for several consumers in an ecosystem, there will be
competition for that food among organisms. Slowly the organism that is the prey will go on declining and
other organisms will die of starvation. This will lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Q.6) Why is balance or equilibrium necessary in a food web?

Ans. - It is necessary to maintain the balance or equilibrium in a food web as the survival of consumer
is dependent on another. For example, the carnivorous animals will starve and their number will
dwindle due to starvation if the primary consumers are removed from the food web. On the other
side, if secondary consumers are removed from the food web the population of primary
consumers would remain unchecked and that will directly affect the producers. Thererfore
removing any one of the consumers from the food web would affect the whole food web in general.

Q.7) Make a list of the various consumers of the ecosystem around you and classify them
according to mode of nutrition.
Ans. –
Primary Secondary Apex Consumers Mixed
Consumers Consumers Consumers
Rabbit, deer, Frog, owl, fox Tiger, Lion, Humans, bears,
Monkey, lizards crocodiles, crows
Zebra, Birds. Leopards
Q.8) Pictures of various organisms are given below. Construct a food web from these pictures.
Ans. – Food Web (diagram)

Q.9) Write a short note on : Tropic level.

Ans.
i) Each level in the food chain is called a trophic level.
ii) A tropic level is the step at which the organism obtains its food in the chain.
iiii) The amount of matter and energy gradually decreases from producers at lowest level to top
consumers at the highest level.
Q.10) Write a short note on : Pyramid of Energy.

Ans.
i) Each level in the food chain is called a trophic level.
ii) The amount of matter and energy gradually decreases from producers at lowest level to top
consumers at the highest level.
iii) The initial quantity of energy goes on decreasing at every level of energy exchange.
iv) Similarly, the number of organisms also decreases from the lowest level to the highest level.
v) This pattern of energy exchange in an ecosystem is called a Pyramid of energy.

Q.11) What happens to the energy during its transfer from producers to apex consumers? Does
it remain trapped in apex consumers? Does it remain in the body of apex consumer till its
death?
Ans :

i) When energy is transferred from producers to apex consumers, some amount of energy is used
by the organisms for their own life processes at every tropic level and some amount of energy is
lost to the surroundings as heat energy.
ii) No, the energy does not remain trapped in apex consumer, it is passed on to the decomposers.
iii) Yes, is does remain in the body of apex consumers till its death. Only after its death the energy
is passed on to the next consumer.

Q.12) What would happen if the energy remains trapped in the body of apex consumers even
after their death? What will happen if there were no decomposers like microbes and fungi
in nature?
Ans.
i) After the death of apex consumers, their energy becomes available to the decomposers. If energy
remains trapped in the body of apex consumers then energy will not be available for decomposers
and they will not survive thus disturbing the balance of the ecosystem.
ii) Decomposers like microbes and fungi break down the bodies of dead plants and animals and
convert them into simple carbon compounds. These substances easily mix with air, water and soil
from where they are again absorbed by the plants and incorporated into the food chain. If there
were no decomposers, decomposition will not happen and the nutrients will be trapped in the
bodies of plants and animals and this will disturb the food chain, food web and the equilibrium in
the ecosystem.

Q.13) Explain the food chain of various ecosystems which you have studied last year.
Ans.
i) Food chain in a forest ecosystem :
In a forest ecosystem grass is eaten by a deer, which in turn is eaten by a tiger. The grass, deer
and tiger. Form a food chain. In this food chain, energy flows from the grass (producer) to the
deer (primary consumer) to the tiger (secondary consumer).
ii) Food chain in an aquatic ecosystem (pond) :
In a aquatic ecosystem algae are eaten by insect. Insects are eaten by small fish, small fish are
in turn eaten by big fish. And the big fish are eaten by fish eating birds. In this food chain energy
flows from the algae (Producer) to the insects (Primary consumers) to the small fish (secondary
consumers) to the big fish (tertiary consumer) and to the fish eating birds (apex consumer).

Q.14) Explain the following with suitable example. What type of changes occur in the amount of
energy during its transfer from plants to apex consumers?
Ans.
i) Plants of the ecosystem store some of the solar energy in the form of food.
ii) Before reaching the decomposers, this energy is passed on from one torphic level to the next.
iii) At every trophic level, some amount of energy is used by the organism for its own life processes
and some amount of energy is lost to the surroundings.
iv) Decomposers dissipate some amount of energy in the form of heat.
v) However, no part of the energy ever returns to the sun. Hence, such passage of energy is referred
to as ‘one way’ transport.
vi) Therefore energy is maximum at the base of the pyramid and is least at the apex, e.g.
phytoplanktons which form the base of pyramid have 10,000 kcal of energy while humans at apex
have 10 kcal of energy.

Q.15) Why are the number of tertiary consumers (apex carnivores) always less than those of
other consumers?
Ans.
i) In a food chain, at each tropic level some amount of energy is used by the organism for its own
life processes and some amount of energy is lost to the surroundings in the form of heat energy.
ii) Therefore, after a few trophic levels, the amount of energy in the food chain cannot support a
higher trophic level.
iii) Therefore, the number of tertiary consumers is less than that of other consumers.

Q.16) What is of bio-geo-chemical cycle ? State the different types of bio-geo-chemical cycles
and explain the importance of these cycles.
Ans.
Bio-geo-chemical cycle : The cyclical flow of nutrients within an ecosystem is called
bio-geo-chemical cycle.

Different types of bio-geo-chemical cycles and the importance of these cycles:

i) The different types of bio-geo-chemical cycles are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, water vapour, iron,
calcium, phosphorus, etc.
ii) Nutrients, necessary for the growth of the organisms are continuously transferred from abiotic to
biotic factors and biotic to abiotic factors within an ecosystem.
iii) These cycles operate continuously through the medium of the biosphere formed by the
lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere.
iv) The recycling of biological, geological and chemical sources of nutrients takes place through
these cycles.
v) Nutrients from the biosphere enter the bodies of plants and animals. Eventually, after death, all
types of consumers are decomposed by decomposers like bacteria and fungi and they are again
released into the biosphere and are used again by living organisms.
vi) Therefore these cycles helps in maintaining the flow of nutrients and energy through ecosystem
and maintaining the equilibrium in the ecosystem.

Q.17) What are the differences between flow of matter and flow of energy in an ecosystem?
Why?

Flow of matter. Flow of energy

(1) It involves circulation 1) It involves the flow of

and recycling of nutrients in energy from one trophic
a cyclic manner within the level to another in
biosphere. unidirectional or non-cyclic
manner.
2)There is no dissipation of 2) There is dissipation of
matter at any level energy at every level.
3)Biosphere is the source of 3) Sun is the most important
nutrients. source of energy

Q.18) What would you do to help maintain the equilibrium in the various bio-geo-chemical cycle?
Explain in brief.
Ans.
i) Biogeochemical cycles always involve the achievement of equilibrium, ie., a balance in the cycling
of the nutrients between the spheres.
ii) Human activities that are known to be environmentally unfriendly can disrupt this balance.
iii) We should avoid deforestation as trees play an important role in maintaining the balance.
iv) We should avoid overuse of fertilizer. The fertilizers get washed way in the nearby water bodies
disrupting the balance.
v) Avoid burning of fossil fuels as these fuels release a large amount of carbon in the form of carbon
dioxide thus disrupting the balance.
vi) Vehicular emissions is another contributor to the disruption in balance of the various cycles. These
emissions release oxides of nitrogen and carbon and other hazardous air pollutants. So we must
use better quality fuel like CNG or ethanol to reduce vehicular emissions.
Q.19) Distinguish between : Gaseous Cycle and sedimentary Cycle.

(1) It is an accumulation of
(1) It is an accumulation of
the main abiotic gaseous the main abiotic nutrient
nutrient materials found in
materials found in the soil,
the earth’s atmosphere. sediment and sedimentary
rocks, etc. of the earth.
(2) It includes nitrogen, (2) It includes soil
oxygen, carbon dioxide, components like iron,
water vapour etc. calcium, phosphorus etc.

Q.20) The cycle of gases and the sedimentary cycle cannot be completely separated from
each other. Give two examples to support this statement.
Ans.
i) Nitrogen is present in the form of a gas in the atmosphere and in the form of compounds like
nitrogen oxide in the soil and sediments.
ii) Similarly, carbon, occurs in abiotic form mainly in coal, granite, diamond, limestone, etc. in the
earth’s crust and in form of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere.
iii) Therefore, the cycle of gases and the sedimentary cycle cannot be completely sparated from one
another.

Q.21) How does interaction take place between biotic and abiotic factors of an ecosystem?
Ans.
i) All living organisms depend upon abiotic factors.
ii) Plants use the abiotic factors like carbon dioxide, water and energy from the sun to produce food
by photosynthesis.
iii) Also, the type of soil and the climatic conditions determine the type of flora and fauna in that
region.
iv) Thus, the biotic and abiotic factors interact with each other through biogeochemical cycles.

Q.22) Write the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis and respiration. :
Ans.
i) Photosynthesis :

ii) Respiration :

Q.23) Write a short note on Carbon cycle :

Ans.
i) The circulation and recycling of carbon from the atmosphere to living organisms and after
their death back to the atmosphere is called the carbon cycle.
ii) Abiotic carbon atoms are circulated and recycled into biotic form mainly through photosynthesis
and respiration. Hence, the carbon cycle is one of the important bio-geo-chemical cycles.
iii) Plants convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates by the process of photosynthesis.
iv) Similarly, they produce carbon compounds like proteins and fats, too.
v) Carnivores feed upon herbivores. In this way, biotic carbon is transported from plants to
herbivores, from herbivores to carnivores and from carnivores to apex consumers.
Main process in the carbon cycle

vi) Eventually, after death, all types of consumer, are decomposed by decomposers like bacteria and
fungi and carbon dioxide is released again into the atmosphere and is used again by living
organisms. In this way, carbon is continuously passed on from one living organism to another.
After the death of living organisms, carbon goes to the atmosphere and is again taken up by living
organisms.

Q.24) The carbon cycle is very effective in the temperate region. Why is it so?
Ans. Temperate regions are rich in forest. Forest play a major role in carbon cycle. Trees absorb
carbondioxide and convert it into food (Chemical energy) by a process of photosynthesis. Thus,
carbon cycle is very effective in temperate regions.

Q.25) Even though the carbon content on the earth is constant, why is there a rise in temperature
due to carbon dioxide?
Ans.- Carbon content on earth is constant but the burning of wood, and fossil fuels releases CO2
into the atmosphere which is a greenhouse gas and causes more heat to be trapped on the earth’s
surface leading to increase in temperature.

Q.26) Identify the relationship between carbon in the air and the rise in atmospheric temperature.
Ans. There is a direct relationship between carbon in air and rise in atmospheric temperature.
More the level to carbon dioxide, more the heat trapped and hence higher rise in temperature.

Q.27) What is Oxygen cycle ?

Ans. The circulation and recycling of oxygen within the biosphere is called as oxygen cycle.

Q.28) Explain the Oxygen cycle in your own words with suitable diagrams:

Ans.
 i) Oxygen forms 21% of the atmosphere. It is also present in the hydrosphere and lithosphere.
Circulation and recycling of Oxygen within the biosphere is called the oxygen.
ii) This cycle, includes both the biotic and abiotic components. Oxygen is continuously produced as
well as used up in the atmosphere.
iii) Oxygen is highly reactive and it readily reacts with other elements and compounds.
iv) As oxygen is found in various forms like molecular oxygen (O 2), water (H2O), carbon dioxide
(CO2), inorganic compounds etc, the oxygen cycle of the biosphere is extremely complex.
v) Oxygen is released in the process of photosynthesis whereas it is used up in processes like
respiration, combustion, decomposition, corrosion, rusting, etc.

Q.29) What is the importance of oxygen?

Ans.
i) Oxygen forms 21% of the atmosphere.
ii) It is also present in hydrosphere and lithosphere.
iii) Oxygen is required for the process of respiration, combustion, decomposition, corrosion, rusting
etc.
iv) Oxygen is important for the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
v) It is also used in various chemical reaction.
vi) Ozone (O3) is produced from oxygen through various atmospheric processes. This ozone layer
protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Q.30) What is nitrogen cycle? Explain the nitrogen cycle in your own words with suitable
diagrams. Mention the important processes of nitrogen cycle.

Ans: Nitrogen Cycle : The circulation and recycling of nitrogen gas into the form of different
compounds through various biotic and abiotic processes in nature is called the nitrogen
cycle.
Explanation :
i) Nitrogen forms 78% i.e. the maximum portion of the atmosphere. It is necessary for the
maintenance of the cycle of nature.
ii) The circulation and recycling of nitrogen gas into the form of different compounds through various
biotic and abiotic processes in nature is called the nitrogen cycle.
iii) All organisms participate in the nitrogen cycle. It is an important component of proteins and nucleic
acids.
iv) As compared to other elements, it is inactive and does not easily combine with other elements.
Most organisms cannot use the free form of nitrogen.
v) Important processes of nitrogen cycle.
1) Nitrogen fixation : Conversion of nitrogen into nitrates and nitrites through atmospheric,
industrial and biological processes.
2) Ammonification : Release of ammonia through decomposition of dead bodies and excretory
wastes of organisms.
3) Nitrification : Conversion of ammonia into a nitrite and then nitrate.
4) Denitrification : Conversion of nitrogen compounds into gaseous nitrogen.
Q.31) What is Nitrogen fixation? How does it take place?

Ans.- Nitrogen fixation :The Process of conversion of free nitrogen gas of the atmosphere into
nitrogen compounds is called as nitrogen fixation. It takes place in the following ways :

(a) Atmospheric nitrogen fixation :

i) Lightening results in reaction between nitrogen and oxygen present in air to produce
oxides of nitrogen.
ii) These oxides dissolve in rainwater forming dilute nitric acid .
iii) This nitric acid reacts with alkalis of the soil (like limestone) to turn into nitrates.

(b) Biological nitrogen fixation :

i) It is the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds by living organisms.
ii) Nitrogen fixing bacteria, called rhizobium are found in the root nodules of the leguminous
plants.
iii) They can fix atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates.

Q.32) What is ammonification? :

Ans.
i) When plants and animals die, their remains are converted into ammonia and ammonium
compounds by decay bacteria and fungi (decomposers) present in the soil.
ii) This process of release of ammonia through decomposition of dead bodies and excretory wastes
of organisms is called as ammonification.

Q.33) What is nitrification? :

Ans.
i) Ammonia is converted first into a nitrite and then nitrate.
ii) This conversion of ammonia into a nitrite and then a nitrate is called as nitrification.

Q.34) What is denitrification? :

Ans.
i) Nitrogen compounds in the soil are converted into free gaseous nitrogen by the denitrifying
bacteria present in the soil.
ii) This process of conversion of nitrogen compounds into gaseous nitrogen is called as
denitrification.

Q. 35) Give scientific reasons :

(1) Energy flow through an ecosystem is ‘one way’.

Ans.
(i) The sun is the most important source of energy in any ecosystem.
(ii) Green Plants of the ecosystem store some amount of solar energy in the form of food.
(iii) Before reaching the decomposers, this energy is passed on from one tropic level to the next.
(iv) Decomposers dissipate some amount of energy in the form of heat.
(v) However, no part of the energy ever returns to the sun.
(vi) Hence, energy flow through an ecosystem is one way.

(2) Equilibrium is necessary in the various bio-geo-chemical cycle.

Ans.
(i) The cyclic flow of nutrients within an ecosystem is called bio-geo-chemical cycles.
(ii) Nutrients, necessary for the growth of organisms are continuously transferred from abiotic to biotic
factors and biotic to abiotic factors with an ecosystem.
(iii) Any imbalance in the cycles will break the link between the biotic and abiotic factors.
(iv) Therefore, equilibrium is necessary between bio-geo-chemical cycles.
(3) Flow of nutrients through an ecosystem is cyclic.
Ans.
(i) All organisms need nutrients for their growth.
(ii) The nutrients carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, iron, calcium etc. are circulated and recycled from the
biosphere to living organisms and after their death back to the biosphere.
(iii) Nutrients are taken up by plants and then passed on to the consumers.
(iv) Eventually, after their death, all types of consumers, are decomposed by decomposers like
bacteria and fungi and the nutrients are again released into the biosphere and is, used again by
living organisms.
Therefore flow of nutrients through an ecosystem is cyclic.

Q.36) Distinguish between : Carbon Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle.

1) The circulation and (1) The circulation and

recycling of carbon from recycling of nitrogen
the atmosphere to living into the form of
organisms and after different compounds
their death back to the through various biotic
atmosphere is called and abiotic processes
carbon cycle. in nature is called the
nitrogen cycle.
(2) Main processes 2) Main processes
involved in carbon involved in nitrogen
cycle are cycle are nitrogen
photosynthesis and fixation,
respiration ammonification,
nitrification and
denitrification.
3) Carbon in the form of (3) Nitrogen gas cannot be
carbon dioxide is directly absorbed by plants.
directly absorbed by So nitrogen is fixed by the
plants for process of nitrogen fixation
photosynthesis. and then absorbed from the
soil.

Q.37) Correct and rewrite the following statements and justify your corrections.

(a) Carnivores occupy the second trophic level in the food chain.
Ans. False. Producers form the first trophic level in the food chain. Herbivores depend directly on
producers. So they form the second trophic level whereas carnivores depend on herbivores so
they form the third trophic level in the food chain.

(b) The flow of nutrients in an ecosystem is considered to be a ‘one way’ transport.

Ans. False. The flow of nutrients in an ecosystem is cyclic. The nutrients are circulated and recycled
from the biosphere to living organisms and after their death back to the biosphere.

(c) Plants in an ecosystem are called primary consumers.

Ans. False. Plants are autotrophs. They produce their own food by the process of photosynthesis.
All animals in the ecosystem directly or indirectly depend on plants for food.
Q.38) Complete the Following Table
Ans.

Bio-geo-chemical Biotic Processes Abiotic Processes

cycles
1) Carbon cycle Photosynthesis, Respiration, Burning of fossil fuels,
Decomposition forest fires, volcanic
activity.
2) Oxygen Photosynthesis , Respiration, Combustion, Corrosion,
cycle Decomposition rusting, formation of
ozone (O3).
3) Nitrogen Biological nitrogen fixation, Atmospheric nitrogen
cycle ammonification, nitrification, fixation, industrial
denitrification. nitrogen fixation.