1

1. When a bee, discovers a food 6. With reference to the food chain

source near the hive, it passes on the in ecosystems, consider the following
information to other bees by statements
(a) Producing a singing sound 1. A food chain illustrates the order
(b) Producing a chemical indicator in which a chain of organisms feed upon
(c) Performing a round dance each other.
(d) All of the above 2. Food chains are found within the
population of species.
2. Which one of the following is the 3. A food chain illustrates the
correct sequence of the food chain? numbers of each organism, which are
(a) Herbivores, Phytoplankton, eaten by others.
Whales & Carnivorous Which of the statements given above
(b) Phytoplankton, Herbivores, is/are correct?
Carnivorous & Whales (a) Only 1
(c) Phytoplankton, Carnivorous, (b) 1&2
Herbivores & Whales (c) 1, 2 & 3
(d) Herbivores, Carnivorous, Whale (d) None of these.
& Phytoplankton
7. Which one of the following is the
3. Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?
correct sequence of the food chain? (UPSC Pre 2014)
(a) Caterpillar, Blue-Tit, Kestrel & (a) Potential energy is released to
leaf form free energy
(b) Caterpillar, Kestrel, Blue-tit & leaf (b) Free energy is converted into
(c) Leaf, caterpillar, Kestrel & Blue- potential energy and stored
Tit
(c) Food is oxidized to release
(d) Leaf, Caterpillar, Blue-tit &
carbon dioxide and water
Kestrel
(d) Oxygen is taken, and carbon
4. In a food chain, energy transfer dioxide and water vapour are given out
(a) From river to earth
(b) Lower latitude to higher latitude 8. What would happen if
(c) From one organism to other phytoplankton of an ocean is completely
organism destroyed for some reason?
(d) None of the above. 1. The ocean as a carbon sink
would be adversely affected.
5. Which one of the following is the 2. The food chains in the ocean
correct sequence of a food chain? would be adversely affected.
(UPSC Pre 2014) 3. The density of ocean water would
(a) Diatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings drastically decrease.
(b) Crustaceans-Diatoms-Herrings Select the correct answer using the
(c) Diatoms-Herrings-Crustaceans codes given below: (UPSC Pre 2012)
(d) Crustaceans-Herrings-Diatoms (a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

FOOD CHAIN N.T.

 2

The phenomenon of hibernation can be

9. Vultures which used to be very observed in which of the above kinds of
common in Indian countryside some animals? (UPSC Pre 2014)
years ago are rarely seen nowadays. (a) 1 and 2 only
This is attributed to (UPSC Pre 2012) (b) 2 only
(a) the destruction of their nesting (c) 1, 2 and 3
sites by new invasive species (d) Hibernation cannot be observed
(b) a drug used by cattle owners for in any of the above
treating their diseased cattle
(c) scarcity of food available to them 13. With reference to the food chains
(d) a widespread, persistent and fatal in ecosystems, which of the following
disease among them kinds of organism is/are known as
decomposer organism/organisms?
10. The declining trend in the 1. Virus
population of vultures is due to the use 2. Fungi
of 3. Bacteria
(a) Diclofenac drug Select the correct answer using the
(b) DDT codes given below (UPSC Pre 2014)
(c) Cyanide (a) 1 only
(d) Methyl Isocyanate (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
11. With reference to food chains in
(d) 1, 2 and 3
ecosystems, consider the following
statements:
14. The driving force of an
1. A food chain illustrates the order- ecosystem is
in which of organisms feed upon each (a) Biomass
other. (b) Producer
2. Food chains are found within the (c) Carbohydrates on producers
populations of a species. (d) Solar energy
3. A food chain illustrates the
numbers of each organism which are 15. Assertion (A): A biomass is the
eaten by others. net dry weight of organic material.
Which of the statements given above Reason (R): Biomass feeds the food
is/are correct? (UPSC Pre 2013) chain.
(a) 1 only (a) both A & R are true & R is the
(b) 1 and 2 only correct explanation of A.
(b) both A & R are true but R is not
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
the correct explanation of A
(d) None
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
12. Consider the following:
1. Bats 16. Consider the following
2. Bears statements & select the correct answer
3. Rodents using the code given below

FOOD CHAIN N.T.

 3

The net photosynthesis for an entire magnifications differ because:

plant community is its primary 1. Bio-magnification is a man-made
productivity phenomenon whereas bio-accumulation
Biomass is the gross dry weight of is a natural phenomenon.
organic material 2. Example of bioaccumulation is
(a) Both 1 & 2 are correct mercury accumulating in body tissues
(b) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct as they are non-degradable whereas
(c) Only 1 is correct example of bio magnification is
(d) Only 2 is correct accumulation of calcium in human body
for building bones.
17. Assertion (A): Biomass is the dry Which of the above statements are
weight of organic material incorrect?
Reason (R): Biomass includes both the (a) Only 1
above ground & below ground & both (b) Only 2
living & dead (c) Both 1 & 2
(a) both A & R are true & R is the (d) Neither 1 nor 2
correct explanation of A.
(b) both A & R are true but R is not
the correct explanation of A 21. Which one of the following
(c) A is true but R is false. organisms is likely to show the highest
(d) A is false but R is true. concentration of DDT, once it has been
introduced into the ecosystem?
18. Which one of the following (a) Grasshopper
statements is not correct? (b) Toad
(a) Decomposers are final link in the (c) Snake
food chain (d) Cattle
(b) Decomposers are herbivores
(c) Organisms like bacteria, fungi &
worms are decomposers 22. Spinosad is a reduced risk
(d) Decomposers digest & recycle insecticide which
the organic debris & waste in the (a) Does not bioaccumulate
environment (b) Volatilizes
(c) Persists in the environment
(d) Is highly toxic to humans
19. Assertion (A) Nitrogen fixation is
a reduction process.
Reason (R) It is independent of 23. A pesticide which is a chlorinated
respiration. hydrocarbon is sprayed on a food crop.
(a) If both A and R are true and R is The food chain is: Food crop -Rat -
the correct explanation of A Snake - Hawk. In this food chain, the
(b) If both A and R are true, but R is highest concentration of the pesticide
not the correct explanation of A would accumulate in which one of the
(c) If A is true, but R is false following?
(d) If both A and R are false (a) Food crop
(b) Rat
(c) Snake.
20. Bioaccumulation and bio-

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 4

(d) Hawk 2. nutrients to the surface.

3. bottom-dwelling organisms to the
surface.
Brominated flame retardants are used in
Which of the statements given above
many household products like
is/are correct?
mattresses and upholstery. Why is there
(a) 1 and 2
some concern about their use?
(b) 2 only
1. They are highly resistant to
(c) 2 and 3
degradation in the environment.
(d) 3 only
2. They are able to accumulate in
humans and animals.
Select the correct answer using the
code given below. (UPSC Pre 2014)
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

24. Warm-blooded animal species

maintain thermal homeostasis primarily
through internal metabolic process.
Which of the following are not warm-
blooded?
1. Dog fish
2. Toad
3. Turtle
4. King Cobra
5. Pigeon
6. Bat
Code:
(a) Only 1, 4 and 6
(b) Only 1, 3 and 4
(c) Only 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) Only 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
Exp.: Mammals and birds are the only
warm-blooded animals.

25. In the context of ecosystem

productivity, marine upwelling zones are
important as they increase the marine
productivity by bringing the
1. decomposer microorganisms to
the surface.

FOOD CHAIN N.T.