Environment & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
41. In which type of forest rosewood, Mahogany, Dhupa trees are found?
[A] Mixed Forest
[B] Deciduous Forest
[C] Evergreen Forest
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Evergreen Forest]
Notes:
Tall trees like rosewood, mahogany, kino, teak, dhupa, and hebbalasu grow in Evergreen Forest.
42. Which of the following is an air pollutant?
I. Water vapour
II. Carbon dioxide
III. Hydrogen Gas
[A] Only I
[B] Only II
[C] Only III
[D] Both II and III
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only II]
Notes:
An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. Because of its role as a greenhouse gas Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been described as “the leading pollutant” and “the worst climate pollution”. Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or the Sulphur dioxide released from factories.
43. Highest source of air pollution in the world is _____:
[A] Aircraft
[B] Automobiles
[C] Industries
[D] Household wastes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Automobiles]
Notes:
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), automobile emissions are the number one source of carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds released into the atmosphere that are primarily responsible for air pollution. Industrial processes are the number two cause of lead pollution in the air, following automobile emissions.
44. Which of the following weeds has been found useful to check water pollution caused by industrial affluent?
[A] Water hyacinth
[B] Elephant grass
[C] Parthenium
[D] Both [A] and
[B]
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Water hyacinth]
Notes:
Around the world, there is an increasing trend in areas of land, surface waters and groundwater affected by contamination because of one reason or other. However in the last three decades a special interest in the world has aroused by the potential of using the biological methods in the waste water treatment. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) constitutes an important part of an aquatic ecosystem. Water hyacinth as a very promising plant with tremendous application in wastewater treatment is already proved. Water hyacinth is used to treat waste water from dairies, tanneries, sugar factories, pulp and paper industries, palm oil mills, distilleries, etc.
45. What is the most abundant organic compound in the terrestrial environment?
[A] Sucrose
[B] Lactose
[C] Cellulose
[D] Fructose
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cellulose]
Notes:
The most abundant organic compound in the terrestrial environment is cellulose. A type of carbohydrate, cellulose contains chains of glucose rings. Providing strength and rigidity, cellulose forms the cell walls of plants. Cellulose is the primary constituent of wood, making this organic compound the most abundant one on the surface of the Earth.
46. Which of the following gas leaked in the Bhopal Gas tragedy in December 1984?
[A] Methyl isocyanate
[B] Methyl isochlorate
[C] Methyl phosphate
[D] Methyl isopropate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Methyl isocyanate]
Notes:
In the gas tragedy that occurred at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on 2-3 December 1984, over 500,000 people were exposed to toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas and other chemicals. An estimated 10,000 or more people died in human disaster.
47. Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?
[A] Eco-niche
[B] Ecosystem
[C] Ecozone
[D] Habitat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ecosystem]
Notes:
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with other living and nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system. The nature of the organisms—the species, functional groups and trophic levels to which they belong—dictates the sorts of actions these individuals are capable of carrying out, and the relative efficiency with which they do so.
48. Which one of the following is an indicator of air pollution?
[A] Cycas
[B] Algae
[C] Bryophytes
[D] Lichens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lichens]
Notes:
Lichens are found in both nature and in human-made environments, including rocks, trees, barren earth, metal and concrete. They are sensitive to air pollution because they receive all nutrients from the atmosphere, which makes them valuable as indicator species. The presence of sulphur dioxide force them to perish.
49. Microbial degradation of nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen is known as _____:
[A] Ammonification
[B] Denitrification
[C] Nitrification
[D] Putrefaction
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Denitrification]
Notes:
Denitrification is the biological conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas, nitric oxide or nitrous oxide. It involves nitrate reduction by bacterial species such as Pseudomonas and Clostridium, usually in anaerobic conditions that ultimately produces molecular nitrogen (N2). These bacteria use nitrate as an electron acceptor instead of oxygen during respiration.
50. Which of the following is regarded as the world’s largest sand island?
[A] K’gari (Fraser Island)
[B] Great Barrier Island
[C] North Stradbroke Island
[D] Moreton Island
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [K’gari (Fraser Island)]
Notes:
K’gari, also known as Fraser Island, is recognized globally as the largest sand island. Located in Queensland, Australia, this World Heritage-listed island covers a vast expanse of 120 kilometers. Further adding to its ecological significance, it harbors varied ecosystems ranging from rainforests to perched freshwater lakes. Notably, it serves as a habitat for a pure breed of dingoes and is home to Boomanjin Lake, the world’s largest perched lake. The island carries a historic and cultural resonance as it was once associated with the Butchulla people and used as an Allied training base during World War II.