Man and His Environment
Short Questions Bank (120)
1. Define environment.
2. What is ecology?
3. How does man depend on his environment?
4. List two ways in which man affects the environment.
5. What is sustainable development?
6. Describe how pollution affects human health.
7. Why is studying ecology important?
Levels of Ecological Organization
8. What is an ecosystem?
9. Define population in ecological terms.
10. What is a community?
11. Define biosphere.
12. List the levels of ecological organization in ascending order.
13. How does a population differ from a community?
14. Explain the term “habitat.”
15. What is a niche?
16. Define biome with an example.
17. How are biomes categorized?
Components of Ecosystem
18. Differentiate between biotic and abiotic components.
19. What are the primary producers in an ecosystem?
20. Define consumers with examples.
21. What role do decomposers play?
22. Explain the importance of sunlight in ecosystems.
23. What is a food chain?
24. Define a food web.
25. How do producers make their food?
26. Name two abiotic factors in an ecosystem.
27. Give examples of primary and secondary consumers.
Flow of Materials and Energy in Ecosystems
28. What is the main source of energy in most ecosystems?
29. Define energy flow in an ecosystem.
30. How does energy flow through a food chain?
31. Why is energy flow in ecosystems unidirectional?
32. What is the role of autotrophs in energy flow?
33. Explain trophic levels.
34. Why is energy lost at each trophic level?
35. Define photosynthesis.
36. What is cellular respiration?
Ecological Pyramids
37. What is an ecological pyramid?
38. Name the types of ecological pyramids.
39. What does a pyramid of numbers show?
40. Define a pyramid of biomass.
41. Describe a pyramid of energy.
42. Why are ecological pyramids important?
43. Which pyramid cannot be inverted?
44. Explain the concept of energy transfer using an ecological pyramid.
45. What limits the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem?
Biogeochemical Cycles
46. What are biogeochemical cycles?
47. Describe the carbon cycle.
48. Explain the water cycle.
49. How does nitrogen return to the atmosphere?
50. What is nitrogen fixation?
51. Define photosynthesis in the carbon cycle.
52. How do plants contribute to the oxygen cycle?
53. Explain the importance of biogeochemical cycles.
54. How is the phosphorus cycle different from the nitrogen cycle?
Interaction in Ecosystems
55. What is symbiosis?
56. Define mutualism with an example.
57. What is parasitism?
58. Explain commensalism with an example.
59. Describe competition in ecosystems.
60. Define predation.
61. How do species interact in ecosystems?
62. Why is mutualism beneficial for both organisms?
63. Give an example of commensalism in nature.
Symbiosis
64. What is a host in parasitism?
65. Define the term “parasite.”
66. Explain how parasites depend on their hosts.
67. How does commensalism differ from mutualism?
68. What is an example of symbiosis in humans?
69. Why is mutualism considered a win-win relationship?
Ecosystem Balance and Human Impact
70. Define ecosystem balance.
71. How does deforestation affect ecosystems?
72. What is biodiversity?
73. Explain how pollution disrupts ecosystems.
74. What are invasive species?
75. Why is ecosystem balance important?
76. How does industrialization affect the environment?
77. What role do humans play in maintaining ecosystem balance?
Pollution: Consequences and Control
78. What is air pollution?
79. Define water pollution.
80. What are the major sources of soil pollution?
81. How does pollution affect human health?
82. List three pollutants.
83. Define greenhouse gases.
84. Explain acid rain.
85. What is global warming?
86. How can water pollution be reduced?
87. Describe one way to control air pollution.
Conservation of Nature (3 R’s)
88. Define conservation.
89. What are the 3 R’s of conservation?
90. How does reducing waste benefit the environment?
91. Explain recycling.
92. What does it mean to reuse materials?
93. List two benefits of conservation.
94. Why is conservation important?
95. Describe one way to conserve water.
96. How can individuals contribute to conservation?
Long Questions Bank (10)
Easy Level
1. Define ecology and explain its importance in understanding the relationship between man and his environment.
2. Explain the levels of ecological organization with examples.
3. Describe the flow of materials and energy in an ecosystem with the help of a diagram.
Moderate Level
4. Describe the components of an ecosystem and explain the role of biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystem stability.
5. Explain the nitrogen and water cycles and their importance in sustaining life on Earth.
6. Describe the types of ecological pyramids and explain their significance in studying ecosystems.
7. Discuss the different types of interactions within an ecosystem, giving examples of mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism.
Tough Level
8. Discuss the impact of human activities on ecosystem balance. How do pollution and deforestation lead to ecological imbalances?
9. Analyze the importance of conserving biodiversity and explain the methods of conservation using the 3 R’s approach.
10. Describe the consequences of pollution on ecosystems and human health and suggest strategies to control different types of pollution.