Question

In an ecosystem which of the following are important components?

• A. Food chain and decomposers
• B. All of the above
• C. Energy flow and food chain
• D. Mineral recycling and energy flow

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Any ecosystem has two components -biotic or living organisms and abiotic or non-living component.

Further, two most important functional characteristics of any ecosystem are unidirectional flow of energy and cycling of material. The living organisms of an ecosystem are related through food chains, which gives rise to trophic levels in an ecosystem. Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next through the food chains.

Of all the organisms in an ecosystem, the most important role is played by decomposers. The nutrients are released back into the environment by the decomposition of dead organisms. Thus, the correct answer is option D.