CLEP Biology Ecosystems and Energy Flow 2

Question 1

Which ecological term describes the total mass of living organisms in a given area at a given time?

Accepted Answer

Biomass

Answer

Productivity

Answer

Carrying capacity

Answer

Biodiversity

Question 2

In a food web, detritivores play which role?

Accepted Answer

They feed on dead organic matter and break it into smaller pieces

Answer

They photosynthesize sunlight into sugars

Answer

They fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms

Answer

They consume living primary producers

Question 3

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) minus plant respiration equals:

Accepted Answer

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

Answer

Secondary productivity

Answer

Tertiary productivity

Answer

Ecosystem respiration

Question 4

Which biome stores the greatest amount of carbon per unit area in above-ground plant biomass?

Accepted Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Temperate grassland

Answer

Arctic tundra

Answer

Desert scrubland

Question 5

The 'green world hypothesis' suggests that herbivore populations are kept in check primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Predation and disease

Answer

Competition for plant resources

Answer

Nutrient limitation in plants

Answer

Seasonal temperature changes

Question 6

In an upwelling zone in the ocean, nutrients from deep water rise to the surface. This primarily increases which trophic level most directly?

Accepted Answer

Primary producers (phytoplankton)

Answer

Tertiary consumers (fish predators)

Answer

Secondary consumers (zooplankton predators)

Answer

Apex predators (sharks, seals)

Question 7

Which process in the nitrogen cycle converts nitrates (NO₃⁻) back into atmospheric nitrogen gas (N₂)?

Accepted Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Ammonification