Chapter 15.

1: ECOLOGY
Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
a. state that the Sun is the principal source of energy input to biological systems
b. describe the non-cyclical nature of energy flow
c. define the following terms and establish the relationship of each in food webs:
 producer – an organism that makes its own organic nutrients, usually using energy from sunlight through
photosynthesis
 consumer – an organism that gets its energy by feeding on other organisms
 herbivore – an animal that obtains its energy by eating plants
 carnivore – an animal that obtains its energy by eating other animals
 decomposer – an organism that obtains its energy from dead or waste organic matter
 food chain – a chart showing the flow of energy (food) from one organism to the next, beginning with the
producer (e.g. mahogany tree → caterpillar → songbird → hawk)
d. describe energy losses between trophic levels and infer the advantages of short food chains
e. describe and interpret pyramids of numbers and of biomass
f. describe and state the importance of the carbon cycle

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1 The diagram represents the flow of substances within a balanced
ecosystem. [J05/P1/28] producer herbivore carnivore
The boxes are various trophic levels. A 1 6 7
Which box represents herbivores? B 2 4 5
C 4 2 6
D 7 3 8

3 The diagram shows some animals and green plants sealed in an

aquarium. [N05/P1/27]

2 The diagram shows a food web in a freshwater pond.

[J05/P1/29] [J12/P11/29]

What must be supplied to keep the organisms alive for the longest
possible time?
A. carbon dioxide
B. light energy
C. nitrates
D. oxygen

4 Some types of bacteria make carbohydrates from carbon dioxide

and water using the energy from sunlight. [N05/P1/30]

What are these bacteria?

A. anaerobic
B. consumers
C. decomposers
Which of the organisms is a producer, a herbivore or a carnivore? D. producers

1
5 The diagram shows nine organisms forming a food web.
[N05/P1/32] 9 The diagram shows part of a food web. [N06/P1/30]

Which of the organisms is a producer and which is a carnivore?

producer carnivore
A 1 4
B 2 6
C 5 8
D 7 9

6 Which statement is not correct? [J06/P1/28]

A. Anaerobic respiration releases less energy than aerobic

respiration. Which is a primary consumer?
B. The sun is the principal source of energy input into A. beetle
biological systems. B. carnivorous bird
C. Energy flowing through biological systems is recycled. C. insectivorous mammal
D. Active transport is an energy-consuming process. D. nectar-feeding insect

7 A sparrow-hawk eats small birds that feed on caterpillars. 10 Which statement correctly describes factors that are passed on
Caterpillars feed on plant leaves. [J06/P1/29] in an ecosystem? [J07/P1/28]
Which diagram shows the pyramid of biomass for this food chain?
A. Carbohydrates are passed from decomposers to
producers.
B. Energy is passed from secondary consumers to primary
consumers.
C. Proteins are passed from primary consumers to
producers.
D. Water is passed from respiring decomposers to
producers.

11 The diagram shows a pyramid of numbers in an ecosystem.

In which group of organisms are the individuals largest?
8 Which is a possible sequence for energy flowing through a food [J07/P1/29]
web? [N06/P1/29]

Lost as Present in Present in Recycled for

heat glucose protein photosynthesis
A - 2 1 3
B 1 - 3 2
C 2 3 - 1
D 3 1 2 -

12 Which diagram shows part of the energy flow in an ecosystem?

[N07/P1/28]

2
 ‘Population changes in animal plankton lag behind similar changes
in plant plankton because the animals feed on the plants.’
13 The diagram shows a food web. [N07/P1/29] Into which category does the statement fall?

A. It is a reasonable interpretation of the data.

B. It is a restatement of the data, not an interpretation.
C. It is contradicted or not supported by the data.
D. More data are required in order for this interpretation to
be made.

17 The diagram shows part of a food web. [N08/P1/29]

Which of the organisms, shown in the food web, can survive by

taking in only simple inorganic materials?
A. beetle
B. fungus
C. owl
D. tree

14 A decrease in the numbers of producers in a food chain will Which is a pyramid of numbers based on this food web?
cause [J08/P1/28]

A. the consumers to increase in numbers.

B. more animals to migrate into the area.
C. the total productivity to increase.
D. the total biomass to decrease.

15 The diagram shows a food web from an ecosystem. [J08/P1/29]

18 A lake in a temperate country has warm summers. It has cool

winters from November to March. [J09/P1/28]

The graph shows populations of plant and animal plankton during

one year.

If the population of insects decreases, which other population will

decrease the most?
A. badgers
B. lizards
C. sagebrush
D. squirrels It was suggested that the plant population decreased due to a fall
in water temperature.
16 The graph shows changes in population over time for plant and Into which category does this suggestion fall?
animal plankton in a lake. [N08/P1/28]
A. It is a reasonable interpretation of the evidence.
B. It is a restatement of the evidence, not an interpretation.
C. It is contradicted or not supported by the evidence.
D. More evidence is required to support this interpretation.

Consider the following statement in relation to the data provided by

the graph.
3
19 A sparrowhawk eats small birds that feed on caterpillars. 22 The diagram shows part of a food web. [J11/P11/30]
Caterpillars feed on plant leaves. [J09/P1/29]

Which diagram shows the pyramid of biomass for this food chain?

20 The diagram below shows part of a pond food web. [N09/P1/29]

How many herbivores are shown?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6

23 Why is a producer so called? [N11/P11/28]

A. It produces carbohydrates.
B. It produces carbon dioxide.
How many primary consumers are shown in this food web? C. It produces energy.
A. A 1 D. It produces oxygen.
B. B 2
C. C 3 24 The diagram shows organisms in a habitat. [N11/P11/29]
D. D 4

21 The diagram shows a food web in woodland. [J10/P11/29]

In this food web, the beetles are

A. carnivores. Which shows the feeding relationships of these organisms?
B. decomposers.
C. herbivores.
D. producers.

4
25 The diagram shows four ecological pyramids. [N11/P11/30] 28 What is correct for the organisms at the beginning of every food
chain? [N12/P12/32]
A. They cause decay and provide minerals for the
ecosystem.
B. They feed on animals and recycle energy.
C. They feed on plants and provide food for animals.
D. They absorb nutrients and photosynthesise.
In a food chain, grass is eaten by cows. The cows have insects
living on their skin. The insects are eaten by birds.
29 The diagram shows energy flow in a food web.
Which is the pyramid of mass and which is the pyramid of numbers [J13/P12/28]
in this food chain?

pyramid of mass pyramid of numbers

A 1 3
B 1 4 Which number represents an organism that eats both plants and
C 3 1 animals?
D 3 2 A2 B3 C4 D5

26 The diagram shows a food web. [J12/P11/28] 30 The diagram represents the flow of substances within a
balanced ecosystem. [J13/P12/29]
The boxes are various trophic levels.
Which box represents producers?

What is the energy source for this food web?

A. carbohydrate
B. heat
C. minerals
D. sunlight
31 Which organisms always obtain their energy from dead organic
matter? [N13/P12/28]
A. consumers
27 The diagram shows part of a food web. B. decomposers
[N12/P12/28] C. fungi
D. producers

32 What eventually happens to all the energy in an ecosystem?

[N13/P12/29]
A. It is lost from the system as heat.
B. It is recycled by decomposers.
C. It is used by the producers.
D. It is used by the top carnivore.

33 Which statement correctly describes relationships in

What is the original source of energy for this food web? ecosystems? [J14/P12/28]
A. decomposer organisms
B. light A. Carbohydrates are passed from decomposers to
C. oxygen producers.
D. producer organisms B. Energy is passed from carnivores to herbivores.
C. Proteins are passed from primary consumers to
producers.
D. Water is passed from respiring decomposers to
producers.

5
34 The diagram shows a pyramid of biomass.
38 The diagram shows a food web. [J15/P12/29]
[J14/P12/29]

What do levels 1, 2 and 3 represent?

Which statement about this food web is correct?

A. Eagles obtain their energy from foxes.
B. If the hummingbirds all die the caterpillars will have more
food.
35 Why does an ecosystem need to be exposed regularly to C. Part of this food web is the food chain: nectar →
sunlight? [N14/P12/28] caterpillar → small birds
A. Energy is converted to biomass. D. The small birds are carnivores.
B. Energy is lost as heat.
C. Energy is lost to decomposers.
D. Energy is reflected by plants. 39 The diagram shows changes in the appearance of a leaf over a
period of time, as it lies on thedamp ground. [N15/P12/29]
36 The diagram shows a pyramid of numbers in a woodland
ecosystem. [N14/P12/29]
At which trophic level are the individual organisms largest in size?

Which type of organism is most likely to cause these changes?

A. carnivore
B. decomposer
C. herbivore
D. producer
37 Some types of bacteria make carbohydrates from carbon
dioxide and water using the energy from sunlight. [J15/P12/28]
40 The diagram shows a food web. [N15/P12/32]
Which of the following describes these bacteria?
A. carnivores
B. decomposers
C. herbivores
D. producers

To which pair of animals is the greatest amount of energy

available?
A. fox and hawk
B. fox and sheep
C. hawk and vole
D. sheep and vole

6
41 A farmer is growing wheat in a field. The farmer uses
insecticides to kill insect pests and chemicals to kill weeds in the
field. [J16/P12/28]
Which statements about this field are correct?
1. Both the wheat and the weeds are producers.
2. Insects feed at the first trophic level.
3. Weeds may use light, water and mineral ions that the
wheat plants need.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

42 The diagram shows the flow of substances within an

ecosystem.
[J16/P12/29]
The circles represent trophic levels.
Which circle represents herbivores?

43 Which statement is correct for the flow of energy through an

ecosystem? [N16/P12/28]
A. All organisms lose energy from metabolic processes to
the environment.
B. An organism in a food chain passes on as much energy
as it receives.
C. Energy from decomposition is essential for the growth of
plant roots.
D. Top carnivores represent the final stage in the flow of
energy.

44 The diagram shows a pyramid of biomass. [N16/P12/29]

Which percentage of biomass is passed from the primary

consumer to the secondary consumer?

A 1% B 10% C 20% D 50%

7
 STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
1 The arrows in Fig. 1.1 show energy flowing through part of a food Explain why the carnivores have the smallest biomass in this
chain. pyramid.
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
......................................................................................................[1]
[Total : 9] [J02/P2/1]
2 Fig. 2.1 shows different organisms in an ecosystem.

Fig. 1.1
(a) (i) Identify the form of energy indicated at A on Fig. 1.1.
..........................................................................................................
.
(ii) State the form in which energy is lost at B and a different form
in which energy is lost at C.
B .....................................................................................
C .....................................................................................
(iii) State two ways in which the cow can use the energy
represented by D in Fig. 1.1. Fig. 2.1

1. ..................................................................................... (a) State what is represented by the arrows between the

2. .....................................................................................[5] organisms in this ecosystem.

(b) (i) State a type of organism that might use the energy lost by ..........................................................................................................

the cow at C. ..................................................................................................... [1]

.......................................................................................................... (b) Which organisms will exist in the largest numbers?

. ..........................................................................................................

(ii) Explain how the activity of this type of organism could ..................................................................................................... [1]

eventually be of benefit to the cow. (c) Which organisms would be most likely to exist in the smallest

.......................................................................................................... numbers? Give reasons

.......................................................................................................... for your answer.

.......................................................................................................... organisms .........................................................................................

......................................................................................................[3] .

(c) Fig. 1.2 shows a pyramid of biomass. reasons ............................................................................................

..........................................................................................................
..................................................................................................... [3]
(d) Explain the importance of organisms X to the other living
organisms in the ecosystem.
Fig. 1.2
..........................................................................................................
8
.......................................................................................................... (c) From which type of organism was this cell taken? Explain your
.......................................................................................................... answer.
..................................................................................................... [3] type of organism ...............................................................................
[Total : 8] [J03/P2/5] explanation .......................................................................................
......................................................................................................[1]
[Total: 9] [N05/P2/3]

3 Fig. 3.1 shows a tank containing animals and water plants. 4 Over a period of several months, a student recorded some
activities of the wild life in a particular habitat. The following
observations appeared in her notebook.

Fig. 3.1
(a) (i) Name the pigment responsible for the green colour of the
plants. (a) Complete Fig. 4.1 by filling in the names of the organisms to

.................................................................................................... [1] show the feeding relationships in this community.

(ii) Name the mineral ion which must be present for the
manufacture of this pigment.
......................................................................................................[1]
(b) (i) The animals supply the plants with a gas essential for the
plants’ food production.
Name the gas and the process for which it is used.
gas ....................................................
process ............................................. [2]
(ii) Suggest how the animals might benefit from the presence of
these plants.
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................... [4]

.......................................................................................................... Fig. 4.1

.......................................................................................................... (b) (i) What name is given to a chart of feeding relationships as

.......................................................................................................... shown in Fig. 4.1?

......................................................................................................[4] ..................................................................................................... [1]

Fig. 3.2 shows a cell taken from one of the organisms in the tank. (ii) Name two top carnivores observed by the student.
1. .........................................................
2. ......................................................... [2]
(c) In each space below,
(i) draw and label a pyramid of biomass for the hawks, mice and
bean plants in this habitat,
Fig. 3.2

9
 [2] [2]
(ii) draw and label a pyramid of numbers for a bean plant, small (c) (i) In the space below, draw and label a pyramid of biomass for
birds and aphids. the organisms in this habitat.

[2]
[Total: 11] [J08/P2/3]
[2]
5 Fig. 5.1 shows a number of organisms living together. (ii) Draw and label a pyramid of numbers for the same habitat.

(a) What name is given to such a collection of organisms together

with the habitat in which they live?
......................................................................................................[1]
(b) In the space below, draw and label a food chain linking the
[2]
organisms shown. Indicate on your drawing where energy enters
(d) The birds in this habitat then become severely infected by
the chain. You do not need to draw pictures of the organisms.
parasites (e.g. fleas). Draw a labelled pyramid of numbers below to
include these parasites.

10
 [2]
[Total: 9] [N04/P2/4]

6 Fig. 6.1 shows what happens to energy as it passes through an

herbivorous mammal [1]
(an ox). (ii) Explain why there must always be fewer oxpeckers than ticks in
this food web.
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 10] [J10/P21/1]
Fig. 6.1
(a) (i) State the source of the energy in the food eaten by the ox.
7 Fig. 7.1 shows energy flow in a habitat.
............................................................ [1]
(ii) State the form in which the energy is present in the
carbohydrate eaten by the ox.
............................................................ [1]
(b) (i) Name the process that makes the remaining 35% of the
energy in the food available to the ox.
............................................................ [1]
(ii) State three ways in which the energy may be used within the
ox.
1. ...................................................................................................... Fig. 7.1

.......................................................................................................... (a) (i) Suggest the identity of X in Fig. 7.1.

. .............................................................................. [1]

2. ...................................................................................................... (ii) State the form in which energy passes from the green plants to

.......................................................................................................... X.

3. ...................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................[1]

..................................................................................................... [3] (iii) Calculate the percentage of energy passing to X.

The bird on the ox’s back is an oxpecker that feeds both on blood-
sucking parasites (ticks) living on the ox, and on blood from the
ox’s wounds. ............................................................ [1]

(c) (i) In the space below, draw a food web to show the feeding (b) State the name of the process D in Fig. 3.1

relationships of the organisms in Fig. 6.1. .......................................................................... [1]

11
(c) (i) Describe how energy passes into the soil and is then ..........................................................................................................
released. ..........................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................... [3]
.......................................................................................................... (c) The cork prevents atmospheric air from entering the jar. Explain
.......................................................................................................... how the plants are able to remain alive without a continuous supply
.......................................................................................................... of fresh air.
.......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................
......................................................................................................[3] ..........................................................................................................
(ii) Suggest how the release of this energy is useful to seeds in the ..........................................................................................................
soil. ..........................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... [4]
.......................................................................................................... (d) Explain why no water needs to be added to the jar.
.......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................
......................................................................................................[2] ..........................................................................................................
[Total: 9] [J11/P22/3] ..................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 11][N13/P22/4]
8 Fig. 8.1 shows a large jar in which plants are growing.
9 Pitcher plants, similar to the one shown in Fig. 9.1, trap insects in
their pitchers and digest them to supplement their nutritional
requirements.

Fig. 8.1
This jar provides an environment in which plants can live for many
months without adding water or removing the tightly-fitting cork to Fig. 9.1
allow air to enter. Some pitcher plants attract small mammals such as bats to spend
(a) State the reason for placing the jar where it can receive a their resting hours comfortably in the opening to their pitchers.
supply of sunlight. Others attract small tree shrews by releasing a sweet, nectar-like
.......................................................................................................... substance from glands on the pitcher lids, as shown in Fig. 9.2.
..................................................................................................... [1]
(b) Suggest why the plants in the jar show only very limited growth
compared with similar plants growing under natural conditions.
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
12
 Fig. 10.1
Fig. 9.2
Sloths have the following features:
(a) (i) Name the process used by the pitcher plant to manufacture
 They are extremely slow moving.
the nectar-like substance before it is released.
 Some tear leaves from trees using their lips and the
..................................................................................................... [1]
teeth at the back of their mouths.
(ii) Describe how that substance is translocated to the glands on
 They have no front teeth.
the pitcher lids.
 They climb down the tree to deposit their faeces in a hole
..........................................................................................................
they dig near the foot of the tree.
..........................................................................................................
 They lose over a quarter of their body weight when they
..........................................................................................................
defaecate, which may be once every 6–8 days.
..........................................................................................................
 Their fur is often green since it contains single-celled,
..................................................................................................... [2]
plant-like organisms (algae).
(b) The pitcher plant that attracts the tree shrew is called the
 Their fur also contains blood-sucking mosquitoes and
lavatory plant. These pitcher plants that attract small mammals
many small animals such as adult moths that feed on the
rarely catch and digest many insects.
algae and on the hair of the sloth.
Suggest and describe how these plants may benefit from the
 Moths lay their eggs in the faeces of the sloth on which
presence of tree shrews and bats.
the moth larvae feed.
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................  The major predators of the sloth are jungle cats and the

.......................................................................................................... harpy eagle.

.......................................................................................................... (a) The structure and functions of the regions of the sloth’s

.......................................................................................................... alimentary canal are generally similar to those of a human.

.......................................................................................................... (i) Suggest which type of front teeth are likely to be absent in the

.......................................................................................................... mouth of the sloth.

.......................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................[1]

.......................................................................................................... (ii) One region of the sloth’s alimentary canal is proportionally

.......................................................................................................... much larger than the same part in humans. Suggest which part

.......................................................................................................... and give a reason for your answer.

.......................................................................................................... part ...................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................... reason ..............................................................................................

..................................................................................................... [5] ..........................................................................................................

[Total: 8][N14/P22/3] ..........................................................................................................

......................................................................................................[2]

10 Fig. 10.1 shows a sloth. The sloth is a mammal that lives in the (b) Complete the food web in Fig. 10.2 to show the feeding

trees of the South American rainforests. relationships of the organisms mentioned.

13
 Fig. 10.2
[4]
(c) Suggest and explain an advantage to the sloths of each of the
following:
(i) the algae that live in their fur
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................[2]
(ii) burying their faeces at the foot of the trees in which they live.
..........................................................................................................
ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS
.......................................................................................................... 1 Describe how energy from the sun is trapped by plants and is
.......................................................................................................... eventually used for a person to use their arm. [10]
.......................................................................................................... [Total:10] [N07/P2/8 either]
..........................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................... 2 (a) Explain what is meant by the non-cyclical nature of energy
.......................................................................................................... flow. [3]
.......................................................................................................... (b) (i) Distinguish between a food chain and a food web.
......................................................................................................[3] (ii) Explain the feeding relationships between the main groups of
[Total: 12][N15/P22/2] organisms in a food web. [7]
[Total: 10] [N09/P2/8 or]

3 Several insects, males and females from the same herbivorous

species, were carried by air currents to a distant island. Although
the island had an established food web, it did not include insects of
this species.
(a) In terms of the food web on the island, suggest and explain
what could happen over the next few years. [6]
(b) Explain why it is important to conserve species. [4]
[Total: 10] [J10/P22/7]

4 (a) Describe how energy enters and then flows through a

biological system. [4]
(b) (i) Explain how energy is made available in cells. [2]
(ii) State the uses of energy in the human body. [4]
14
 [Total: 10] [N11/P22/9] [Total: 10] [N12/P22/9]

5 (a) Explain what is meant by the term pyramid of numbers.[4] 7 (a) (i) Give an example of a food chain involving four named
(b) Explain the fact that energy flow is non-cyclical. [6] organisms.
[Total: 10] [J12/P22/7] (ii) Draw and label a pyramid of numbers for your food chain.
[4]
6 (a) Explain what is shown by a pyramid of biomass. [6] (b) Explain how energy is lost along a food chain.
(b) Explain how, for the same organisms, a pyramid of numbers [6]
can differ from a pyramid of biomass. [4] [Total: 10][N14/P22/8]

ALTERNATIVE TO PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

1 Fig. 1.1 and Fig. 1.2 show apparatus that is used for collecting animal specimens during ecological studies.

Fig. 2.1 a Tulgren funnel Fig. 2.2 a pooter

 The apparatus shown in Fig. 1.1 is used for collecting animals that live in leaf litter.
 The apparatus shown in Fig. 1.2 is used for collecting animals that live on the leaves of a tree. When the branches are beaten with a
stick, the animals fall on to a sheet held underneath. The pooter is then used to collect the smaller specimens by sucking them up into
the apparatus.
(a) (i) What is the purpose of the metal gauze shown in Fig. 1.1?
................................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) What is the purpose of the muslin gauze shown in Fig. 1.2?
................................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) (i) Name two stimuli to which the animals may have responded in Fig. 2.1.
1. ......................................................................................................
2. ..................................................................................................[2]
(ii) Suggest two ways in which these responses by the animals might be of benefit to them in their normal way of life in the leaf litter.
1. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................[2]
(iii) Suggest two advantages of collecting animals with the pooter, rather than picking them up with forceps.
1. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................[2]

15
(iv) Suggest how the animals collected in the pooter could be slowed down, without being harmed, so that they could be removed for study and
then released.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]

(c) Table 1.1 records the numbers of individuals of several species that were collected from a large, deciduous tree.
Table 1.1

On the grid below, construct a bar chart of the information from Table 1.1 in such a way that the height of the columns is greatest on the left and
decreases to the right.

16
 [4]

(d) Fig. 1.3 shows a pyramid of numbers and Fig. 1.4 shows a pyramid of biomass, both based on the deciduous tree that was investigated.

Fig. 1.3 Fig. 1.4

(i) Explain the difference in appearance of the two pyramids.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]

17
On the pyramid of biomass, Fig. 1.4, write
(ii) the letter A in the level that represents herbivores; [1]
(iii) the letter S in the level that represents producers. [1]
(e) Mosquitoes were also found on the tree. Suggest a reason for their presence.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]
[Total : 17][N03/P6/2]

18