F5 Bio exercise 3 Chapter 20 Ecosystem
MCQs
Directions: The following two questions refer to the graph below, which shows the
concentrations of nitrates and oxygen, and the number of algae in a river. Sewage containing
organic waste is discharged into the river at location V.
1 The increase in the concentration of nitrates near V is due to the action of
A nitrifying bacteria only.
B denitrifying bacteria only.
C decomposers and nitrifying bacteria.
D decomposers and denitrifying bacteria.
2 The decrease in the number of algae from Y to Z is most probably due to
(1) the decrease in the concentration of nitrates.
(2) the increase in oxygen concentration.
(3) the increase in organic waste.
A (1) only
B (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)
Directions: The following two questions refer to the nitrogen cycle below. X and Y are two
organisms involved.
3 What are X and Y?
X Y
A nitrifying bacteria denitrifying bacteria
B nitrifying bacteria nitrogen fixing bacteria
C nitrogen fixing bacteria nitrifying bacteria
D denitrifying bacteria nitrogen fixing bacteria
4 Apart from the action of Y, through which of the following processes can nitrogen in the
atmosphere be converted into nitrogen-containing compounds?
A decomposition
B respiration
C lightning
D photosynthesis
5 The diagram below shows part of the nitrogen cycle.
Which process(es) must involve bacteria?
A X only
B Z only
C X and Y only
D X, Y and Z
6 In ecological studies, a quadrat can be used to
(1) estimate the abundance of plants in a grassland.
(2) estimate the number of fish in the freshwater stream.
(3) estimate the number of barnacles in the rocky shore.
A (1) and (2) only
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)
7 Which of the following forms of nitrogen can be absorbed directly by producers?
A nitrates
B nitrites
C ammonium compounds
D nitrogen gas
8 Which of the following processes can lead to an immediate increase in the nitrate level in the
soil?
(1) combustion
(2) lightning
(3) nitrogen fixation
A (1) only
B (2) only
C (3) only
D (2) and (3) only
LQs
1 Clover is a plant which grows in dense patches. In an investigation of the distribution of clover
in a field, quadrats were placed randomly throughout the field. The drawing shows the area in
one quadrat in which clover was growing. Thin wires were used to divide the quadrat into small
squares.
a What is the percentage area covered with clover in this quadrat? Explain how you arrived
at your answer. (2 marks)
b African snails are animals commonly found in this field. The area of this field is estimated
to be 250 m2. Describe and explain how you can use the quadrat shown above to estimate
the population of African snails in this field.
(3 marks)
2 Some students are carrying out an ecological study to investigate the level of pollution in a
stream. They count the numbers of four indicator species, P, Q, R and S, in the stream.
Indicator species Pollution level
P Clean
Q Low
R High
S Very high
The numbers of different species in 2008 and 2013 are shown below.
a What can you say about the water quality of the stream in 2013 as compared with 2008?
State two evidences to support your answer. (3 marks)
b State two ways to make the survey a fair test. (2 marks)
c State a non-biological factor that can be used as an indicator of the level of pollution in the
stream. (1 mark)
3 State whether the following sentences are true or false. Explain briefly if they are false.
a Energy from the sun enters ecosystems through photosynthesis. (1 mark)
b All secondary consumers must be carnivores or omnivores. (1 mark)
c All the energy in food eaten by an organism will be turned into the biomass of the
organisms. (1 mark)
d Decomposers return carbon to the ecosystem in the form of urea. (1 mark)
4 Knowledge of the nitrogen cycle can be used to make decisions about management of farmland.
A farmer uses her grass meadow to raise sheep. In a separate field she grows cabbages.
The diagram below shows part of the nitrogen cycle. The four boxes on the bottom line of the
diagram refer to substances in the soil.
a Briefly describe the steps that must occur for plant protein to be converted to animal
protein in the farmer’s sheep, as shown by arrow A in the diagram.
(3 marks)
b List the processes which contribute to B in the meadow where sheep are raised.
(2 marks)
c Name the bacteria that carry out processes C and D, and explain the significance of these
bacteria for the growth of plants. (3 marks)
d Use the letters in the diagram to explain why the soil nitrate concentration will decrease in
the cabbage field if it is used to grow repeated crops of cabbages year after year.
(3 marks)
e The farmer does not wish to use inorganic fertilizer to replace the nitrates in the soil of the
cabbage field. She wishes to make use of process F.
Suggest a crop she could plant that would allow process F to occur and explain how this
would add nitrates to the soil. (3 marks)
