Solved Questions on Living Organisms and their Characteristics
1. Match the following biotic components with their corresponding roles in an ecosystem.
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Column I
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Column II
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1. Producers
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A) Break down dead organisms
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2. Consumers
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B) Convert sunlight into energy
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3. Decomposers
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C) Depend on other organisms for food
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4. Predators
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D) Control the population of prey species
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a) 1:C, 2:A, 3:D, 4:B
b) 1:D, 2:C, 3:B, 4:A
c) 1:B, 2:C, 3:A, 4:D
d) 1:B, 2:C, 3:D, 4:A
Answer: c) Producers: Convert sunlight into energy
Consumers: Depend on other organisms for food
Decomposers: Break down dead organisms
Predators: Control the population of prey species
2. Which of the following is an example of mutualism (both types of organisms benefit each other) in an ecosystem?
a) Bees collecting nectar from flowers
b) Lions hunting and feeding on zebras
c) Parasites infesting a host organism
d) Birds building nests in trees
Answer: a) In this example of mutualism, bees benefit from the nectar they collect as a food source, while flowers benefit from the bees' pollination services, allowing them to reproduce and produce seeds. Both the bees and the flowers depend on each other for their survival and reproductive success, making it a mutually beneficial relationship.
3. Correctly identify the essential characteristics that define living beings.
a) Sunlight, water, and air
b) Competition, predation, and symbiosis
c) Photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition
d) Cells, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli
Answer: d) The essential characteristics that define living beings are cells, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli. While sunlight, water, and air are important for many living beings, they are not defining characteristics of life. Similarly, competition, predation, symbiosis, photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition are specific processes or interactions associated with living beings but do not encompass all the essential characteristics that define them.
4. Which of the following statement accurately explains the role of predation in maintaining ecological balance?
a) It controls the population of prey species.
b) It provides energy for producers.
c) It helps decomposers break down dead organisms.
d) It promotes competition among consumers.
Answer: a) Predation involves one organism (the predator) consuming another organism (the prey). By controlling the population of prey species, predators help maintain a balance in the ecosystem.
5. Which of the following is an example of a producer in an aquatic ecosystem?
a) Fish
b) Seaweed
c) Shark
d) Octopus
Answer: b) Seaweed, with the help of sunlight, converts carbon dioxide and water into energy-rich organic compounds, serving as an important primary producer in aquatic ecosystems. Fish, sharks, and octopuses are examples of consumers in the aquatic food chain, as they depend on other organisms for their energy requirements.
FAQs
1. What is a living organism?
A living organism is a living thing that can grow, reproduce, and respond to its environment. Examples include plants, animals, and microorganisms.
2. What are the important characteristics of living organisms?
A few of the different characteristics of living things are that they are composed of cells, require energy to function, develop, reproduce, react to their surroundings and adjust to changes.
3. How do living organisms grow?
To grow, living things add new cells to their bodies. For example, plants grow higher and produce new branches and leaves.
4. Can living organisms change their environment?
Yes, by constructing buildings or altering the environment to suit their requirements, certain living things-like beavers, ants and humans can change their surroundings.
5. What is the difference between plants and animals?
Animals consume other creatures, whereas plants use photosynthesis to create their own food. Animals can move, while plants are fixed.
