Question

The available biomass for consumption to herbivores and decomposers is often referred to as:

• A. Primary production
• B. Gross primary productivity
• C. Net primary productivity
• D. Secondary productivity
• A. Primary production
• B. Gross primary productivity
• C. Net primary productivity
• D. Standing crop
• A. Both species are benefitted
• B. Both are harmed
• C. One is harmed and the other benefitted
• D. One is benefitted and the other remains unaffected
• A. Predation
• B. Parasitism
• C. Competition
• D. Mutualism
• A. Commensalism
• B. Amensalism
• C. Mutualism
• D. Competition

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine the available biomass for consumption by herbivores and decomposers in an ecosystem, we need to understand the concept of productivity in ecological terms. 

1. Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): This is the total amount of energy captured by green plants through photosynthesis. It represents the total biomass production in an ecosystem, but it is not entirely available to consumers.

2. Net Primary Productivity (NPP): This is the biomass available for consumption after accounting for the energy used by plants for their own respiration (R). It can be calculated as:

\(NPP=GPP-R\)

NPP represents the amount of organic material available to herbivores and decomposers, which is our required answer.

3. Primary Production: This term encompasses both gross and net productivity and does not specifically refer to the biomass available after respiration.

4. Secondary Productivity: This is associated with the energy or biomass generation by heterotrophic organisms (consumers), not producers.

Given these explanations, the term that best describes the available biomass for consumption to herbivores and decomposers is Net Primary Productivity.

Answer 2

• Net primary productivity (NPP) represents the biomass available for herbivores and decomposers after accounting for plant respiration (NPP = GPP - respiration).
• Primary production (1) is a general term, while gross primary productivity (GPP) (2) is the total photosynthesis output (not accounting for respiration).
• Secondary productivity (4) refers to biomass generated by heterotrophs (consumers), not plants.

Answer 3

The term that describes the rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis is Gross Primary Productivity (GPP). To understand why this is the correct choice, let's break down the concepts involved: 

• Primary Production: This is the process by which plants, through photosynthesis, convert solar energy into chemical energy, producing organic matter. It encompasses both Gross Primary Productivity and Net Primary Productivity.
• Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): This refers to the total amount of organic matter produced by plants through photosynthesis. It is the raw rate of energy capture.
• Net Primary Productivity (NPP): This is the amount of biomass that remains after subtracting the energy plants use for respiration from the Gross Primary Productivity. It represents the energy available for consumption by heterotrophs (consumers) in the ecosystem.
• Standing Crop: This term refers to the total biomass of plants present in an area at a specific time, not the rate of production.

In summary, the option "Gross Primary Productivity" is correct because it specifically addresses the rate of production of organic matter during the process of photosynthesis.

Answer 4

• Gross primary productivity (GPP) measures the total organic matter produced via photosynthesis, before accounting for plant respiration.
• Primary production (1) is a broader term that includes both GPP and NPP.
• Standing crop (4) refers to the total biomass present at a given time, not the production rate.

Answer 5

In an ecosystem, different species interact with each other, resulting in various types of relationships. These interactions can be classified as: 

• Mutualism: Both species benefit from the interaction.
• Competition: Both species are harmed as they compete for the same resources.
• Parasitism: One species benefits while the other is harmed.
• Commensalism: One species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

In the interaction between sea anemones and clownfish, the correct description is mutualism:

• The clownfish gains protection from predators by living among the anemone's stinging tentacles, which the predators avoid.
• The sea anemone benefits as the clownfish cleans the tentacles, providing nutrients from its waste and sometimes even luring other fish close enough for the anemone to capture and eat.

Therefore, the correct statement regarding their interaction is: Both species are benefitted.

Answer 6

• Clownfish and sea anemones share a mutualistic relationship (both benefit):
• The clownfish gains protection from predators (anemone’s stinging tentacles don’t harm it).
• The anemone benefits from nutrients (clownfish waste) and protection from polyp-eating fish.
• This is a classic example of obligate mutualism in marine ecosystems.

Answer 7

In ecological studies, different types of species interactions are categorized based on their effects on the species involved. According to the provided passage, species interactions can be: 

• Mutually beneficial for both species (Mutualism)
• Harmful to one species while benefitting the other (Parasitism or Predation)
• Beneficial to one species, with no effect on the other species
• Harmful to both species (Competition)

In the context of this problem, the interaction where both species suffer a negative impact is known as "Competition." Competition occurs when two species vie for the same resources such as food, space, or light, leading to a situation where resource availability is insufficient for both, causing harm to both species.

Therefore, the correct option is Competition.

Answer 8

• Competition occurs when species vie for the same limited resources (e.g., food, space), leading to reduced fitness for both.
• Predation (1) and parasitism (2) benefit one species at the expense of the other.
• Mutualism (4) benefits both species, the opposite of the question’s scenario.

Answer 9

To determine the type of association between fungi and the roots of higher plants known as mycorrhizal association, we need to refer to the concept of species interactions in an ecosystem. The passage elaborates on different types of interactions: 

• Commensalism: One species benefits, and the other is neither helped nor harmed.
• Amensalism: One species is inhibited or destroyed while the other remains unaffected.
• Mutualism: Both species derive benefits from the interaction.
• Competition: Both species are harmed by the interaction.

In a mycorrhizal association, fungi colonize the root system of a host plant, providing increased water and nutrient absorption capabilities, while the plant provides the fungi with carbohydrates formed from photosynthesis. Both partners benefit from the association, characterizing it as Mutualism. Hence, the correct answer is Mutualism.

Answer 10

The mycorrhizal association between fungi and the roots of higher plants is best referred to as mutualism. Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit from the interaction. In this case, the fungi assist the plant roots in absorbing water and essential nutrients such as phosphorus, while the plant provides the fungi with carbohydrates and other organic compounds derived from photosynthesis. This relationship exemplifies mutual benefit, distinguishing it from other forms of species interaction such as commensalism, amensalism, and competition.

To summarize, the interaction fits the characteristics of mutualism: beneficial to both involved parties.