A biological community in its environment such as a pond, an ocean, a forest, even an aquarium is known as
- A.biome
- B.community
- C.abiotic environment
- D.ecosystem
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of living things together with the non-living environment they interact with, and it can be as large as an ocean or as small as an aquarium.
The term was coined by the British ecologist A. G. Tansley in 1935. Every ecosystem has biotic parts (producers, consumers and decomposers) and abiotic parts (water, air, soil, light and minerals). Energy flows through it in one direction along food chains, while nutrients cycle between the living and non-living parts. Ecosystems are natural, such as ponds, forests and grasslands, or artificial, such as crop fields and aquariums.
Option A is wrong because a biome is a very large region with a typical climate and vegetation, such as a tropical rainforest or desert. Option B is wrong because a community means only the living organisms, without their surroundings. Option C is wrong because the abiotic environment is only the non-living part.
Exam tip: ecosystem = biotic community + abiotic environment; term coined by A. G. Tansley, 1935.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following statements :
I. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India are less than 0.5 t CO2/capita.
II. In terms of CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, India ranks second in Asia-Pacific region.
III. Electricity and heat producers are the largest sources of CO2 emissions in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.I and III only
- B.II only
- C.II and III only
- D.I, II and III
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India is the second-largest emitter of fuel-combustion CO2 in the Asia-Pacific after China, and power and heat generation is its biggest source, but its per capita emissions are well above 0.5 tonne.
Read the full explanation →The term 'Domestic Content Requirement' is sometimes seen in the news with reference to
- A.Developing solar power production in our country
- B.Granting licences to foreign T.V. channels in our country
- C.Exporting our food products to other countries
- D.Permitting foreign educational institutions to set up their campuses in our country
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Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) is the rule that certain solar projects must use solar cells and modules made in India.
Read the full explanation →In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?
- A.Creating the artificial rains in some regions
- B.Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
- C.Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
- D.Reducing the global warming
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Both ideas are geoengineering proposals meant to cool the planet by changing how much heat enters or leaves the Earth.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?
1. Cnidarians
2. Fungi
3. Protozoa
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
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Cnidarians, fungi and protozoa all include species that live in close, mutually useful partnerships with other organisms. Symbiosis means two different species living closely together, often to the benefit of both.
Read the full explanation →Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements :
I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.
II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.
III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.I only
- B.I and II
- C.II only
- D.II and III
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The Gooty tarantula is a tree-dwelling spider found only in a few forest patches of India; it is not a crustacean.
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