Comprehension
Read the passage carefully and answer the given questions.
Comprehension Passage:
A pond is a shallow water body in which all the basic components of an ecosystem are well exhibited.
The abiotic component is the water with all the dissolved inorganic and organic substances and the rich soil deposit at the bottom of the pond.
The solar input, the cycle of temperature, day-length and other climatic conditions regulate the rate of function of the entire pond.
The autotrophic components include the phytoplankton, some algae and the floating, submerged and marginal plants found at the edges.
The consumers are represented by the zooplankton, the free swimming and bottom dwelling forms.
The decomposers are the fungi, bacteria and flagellates especially abundant in the bottom of the pond.
This system performs all the functions of any ecosystem and of the biosphere as a whole, i.e., conversion of inorganic into organic material with the help of the radiant energy of the sun by the autotrophs, consumption of the autotrophs by heterotrophs, decomposition and mineralisation of the dead matter to release them back for reuse by the autotrophs.
These events are repeated over and over again.
There is unidirectional movement of energy towards the higher trophic levels and its dissipation and loss as heat to the environment.
Comprehension Passage:
A pond is a shallow water body in which all the basic components of an ecosystem are well exhibited.
The abiotic component is the water with all the dissolved inorganic and organic substances and the rich soil deposit at the bottom of the pond.
The solar input, the cycle of temperature, day-length and other climatic conditions regulate the rate of function of the entire pond.
The autotrophic components include the phytoplankton, some algae and the floating, submerged and marginal plants found at the edges.
The consumers are represented by the zooplankton, the free swimming and bottom dwelling forms.
The decomposers are the fungi, bacteria and flagellates especially abundant in the bottom of the pond.
This system performs all the functions of any ecosystem and of the biosphere as a whole, i.e., conversion of inorganic into organic material with the help of the radiant energy of the sun by the autotrophs, consumption of the autotrophs by heterotrophs, decomposition and mineralisation of the dead matter to release them back for reuse by the autotrophs.
These events are repeated over and over again.
There is unidirectional movement of energy towards the higher trophic levels and its dissipation and loss as heat to the environment.
Question: 1
Name the abiotic and autotrophic components of a pond.
Name the abiotic and autotrophic components of a pond.
Show Hint
Always classify ecosystem components into abiotic and biotic before identifying producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Updated On: Jan 5, 2026
- Abiotic: Water and soil; Autotrophic: Phytoplankton and plants
- Abiotic: Zooplankton; Autotrophic: Bacteria
- Abiotic: Fungi; Autotrophic: Animals
- Abiotic: Consumers; Autotrophic: Decomposers
- Abiotic: Flagellates; Autotrophic: Zooplankton
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Every ecosystem is made up of abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components.
Autotrophs are producers that manufacture their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
From the given passage, the abiotic components of the pond include water containing dissolved inorganic and organic substances.
The soil deposits present at the bottom of the pond also form an important abiotic component as they store nutrients.
The autotrophic components include phytoplankton, algae, and floating, submerged, and marginal plants.
These organisms carry out photosynthesis and convert solar energy into chemical energy stored as food.
They form the primary producers and constitute the first trophic level of the pond ecosystem.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Abiotic components are water and bottom soil deposits, while autotrophic components include phytoplankton, algae, and aquatic plants.
Every ecosystem is made up of abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components.
Autotrophs are producers that manufacture their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
From the given passage, the abiotic components of the pond include water containing dissolved inorganic and organic substances.
The soil deposits present at the bottom of the pond also form an important abiotic component as they store nutrients.
The autotrophic components include phytoplankton, algae, and floating, submerged, and marginal plants.
These organisms carry out photosynthesis and convert solar energy into chemical energy stored as food.
They form the primary producers and constitute the first trophic level of the pond ecosystem.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Abiotic components are water and bottom soil deposits, while autotrophic components include phytoplankton, algae, and aquatic plants.
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Question: 2
Name the decomposers present in a pond.
Name the decomposers present in a pond.
Show Hint
Decomposers are usually microorganisms and are commonly associated with nutrient recycling questions.
Updated On: Jan 5, 2026
- Fungi, bacteria and flagellates
- Fish and frogs
- Phytoplankton
- Zooplankton
- Aquatic plants
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead plants and animals into simpler inorganic substances.
They play a crucial role in nutrient recycling within ecosystems.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
As described in the passage, fungi, bacteria, and flagellates are abundantly present at the bottom of the pond.
These organisms secrete enzymes that decompose complex organic matter into simpler forms.
The released nutrients are returned to the water and soil, making them available again to autotrophs.
Thus, decomposers help maintain nutrient balance in the pond ecosystem.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The decomposers present in a pond ecosystem are fungi, bacteria, and flagellates.
Decomposers are organisms that break down dead plants and animals into simpler inorganic substances.
They play a crucial role in nutrient recycling within ecosystems.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
As described in the passage, fungi, bacteria, and flagellates are abundantly present at the bottom of the pond.
These organisms secrete enzymes that decompose complex organic matter into simpler forms.
The released nutrients are returned to the water and soil, making them available again to autotrophs.
Thus, decomposers help maintain nutrient balance in the pond ecosystem.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The decomposers present in a pond ecosystem are fungi, bacteria, and flagellates.
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Question: 3
What climatic factors influence the functioning of a pond ecosystem ?
What climatic factors influence the functioning of a pond ecosystem ?
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In ecology, climatic factors are frequently linked with productivity and photosynthesis-based questions.
Updated On: Jan 5, 2026
- Temperature, day-length and solar input
- Soil fertility only
- Wind velocity only
- Salinity only
- Rainfall only
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Climatic factors control the physical and biological processes occurring in ecosystems.
They directly affect growth, reproduction, and metabolic activities of organisms.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage states that solar input, temperature cycle, and day-length regulate the rate of functioning of the pond.
Solar input determines the rate of photosynthesis carried out by autotrophs.
Temperature affects enzymatic and metabolic activities of aquatic organisms.
Day-length influences seasonal productivity and biological rhythms within the pond ecosystem.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Solar input, temperature cycle, and day-length are the main climatic factors influencing a pond ecosystem.
Climatic factors control the physical and biological processes occurring in ecosystems.
They directly affect growth, reproduction, and metabolic activities of organisms.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The passage states that solar input, temperature cycle, and day-length regulate the rate of functioning of the pond.
Solar input determines the rate of photosynthesis carried out by autotrophs.
Temperature affects enzymatic and metabolic activities of aquatic organisms.
Day-length influences seasonal productivity and biological rhythms within the pond ecosystem.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Solar input, temperature cycle, and day-length are the main climatic factors influencing a pond ecosystem.
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Question: 4
How does energy flow in a pond ecosystem ?
How does energy flow in a pond ecosystem ?
Show Hint
Always remember: energy flow is one-way, while nutrients show cyclic movement in ecosystems.
Updated On: Jan 5, 2026
- Cyclic flow of energy
- Unidirectional flow from producers to higher trophic levels
- Energy flows from decomposers to producers
- Energy remains constant at all levels
- Energy flows only between consumers
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Energy flow refers to the transfer of energy through different trophic levels of an ecosystem.
Unlike matter, energy cannot be recycled and always moves in one direction.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In a pond ecosystem, energy enters in the form of solar radiation.
Autotrophs convert this radiant energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
This stored energy is transferred to primary consumers, then to higher-level consumers.
At each trophic level, a significant amount of energy is lost as heat due to respiration.
Therefore, energy flow is unidirectional and progressively decreases at higher trophic levels.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Energy flows unidirectionally from producers to consumers with continuous loss as heat at each trophic level.
Energy flow refers to the transfer of energy through different trophic levels of an ecosystem.
Unlike matter, energy cannot be recycled and always moves in one direction.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In a pond ecosystem, energy enters in the form of solar radiation.
Autotrophs convert this radiant energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
This stored energy is transferred to primary consumers, then to higher-level consumers.
At each trophic level, a significant amount of energy is lost as heat due to respiration.
Therefore, energy flow is unidirectional and progressively decreases at higher trophic levels.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Energy flows unidirectionally from producers to consumers with continuous loss as heat at each trophic level.
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