Ecosystem NEET PYQs (2005–2026) with Solutions

10 solved Ecosystem PYQs

Real NEET and AIPMT questions from this chapter, newest first. Try each one, then open the answer and the step-by-step explanation.

1. Question 1 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyProductivity

   Match List I with List II: Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

   1. AOption A: A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
   2. BOption B: A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
   3. COption C: A-I, B-III, C-IV, D-II
   4. DOption D: A-III, B-I, C-II, D-IV

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (A) A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

   Explanation

   Productivity = rate of biomass production; NPP = GPP − respiration losses; GPP = rate of organic matter production during photosynthesis; secondary productivity = formation of new organic matter by consumers. Hence option (A) is correct.

2. Question 2 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026MediumDecomposition

   Match List I with List II: Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

   1. AOption A: A-IV, B-III, C-I, D-II
   2. BOption B: A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
   3. COption C: A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
   4. DOption D: A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (B) A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

   Explanation

   Decomposition → breakdown of organic matter; Detritus → dead remains; Mineralisation → release of inorganic nutrients; Humification → accumulation of dark humus. Hence A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I. Therefore option (B) is correct.

3. Question 3 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyTrophic levels and food chains

   Which of the following are primary consumers in a food chain?

   1. AOption A: Parasites
   2. BOption B: Predators
   3. COption C: Herbivores
   4. DOption D: Carnivores

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (C) Herbivores

   Explanation

   In a grazing food chain, producers (plants) form the first trophic level. Animals that feed directly on plants, the herbivores, are the primary consumers (second trophic level). Carnivores that eat herbivores are secondary consumers, and predators are generally carnivores at higher trophic levels. So the primary consumers are herbivores, option (C).

4. Question 4 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyEcological Pyramids

   Ecological pyramids represent the relationship between organisms at different trophic levels and they are generally inverted for:

   1. AOption A: Pyramid of number in grassland
   2. BOption B: Pyramid of energy in pond ecosystem
   3. COption C: Pyramid of biomass in grassland
   4. DOption D: Pyramid of biomass in sea

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (D) Pyramid of biomass in sea

   Explanation

   Pyramid of biomass is inverted in aquatic ecosystems such as seas because phytoplankton biomass is lower than consumer biomass at a given time.

5. Question 5 (NEET 2026)

   NEET 2026EasyEnergy flow and ecological pyramids

   Which of the following statements are Correct ? (a) Energy flow from producers to consumers is unidirectional (b) Energy pyramid can never be inverted (c) Transfer of energy follows the 1% law Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

   1. AOption A: (a), (b) and (c)
   2. BOption B: (a) and (b) only
   3. COption C: (a) and (c) only
   4. DOption D: (b) and (c) only

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (B) (a) and (b) only

   Explanation

   (a) is correct: energy flows in one direction, from the sun to producers and then to consumers; it is not recycled. (b) is correct: the pyramid of energy is always upright and can never be inverted, because some energy is always lost as heat at each step when it flows from one trophic level to the next. (c) is incorrect: only about 10 per cent of the energy is transferred to each trophic level from the lower trophic level; this is the 10 per cent law, not a 1% law. So (a) and (b) only are correct, option (B).

6. Question 6 (NEET 2025)

   NEET 2025EasyPopulation Interactions - Commensalism

   Epiphytes that are growing on a mango branch is an example of which of the following?

   1. AOption A: Commensalism
   2. BOption B: Mutualism
   3. COption C: Predation
   4. DOption D: Amensalism

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (A) Commensalism

   Explanation

   In commensalism, one organism benefits while the other is neither harmed nor benefited. Epiphytes gain support from the mango tree without affecting it.

7. Question 7 (NEET 2025)

   NEET 2025EasyBiodiversity and its conservation

   Which one of the following is an example of ex-situ conservation?

   1. AOption A: National Park
   2. BOption B: Wildlife Sanctuary
   3. COption C: Zoos and botanical gardens
   4. DOption D: Protected areas

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (C) Zoos and botanical gardens

   Explanation

   Ex-situ conservation involves conservation of organisms outside their natural habitat. Zoos and botanical gardens are examples of ex-situ conservation.

8. Question 8 (NEET 2025)

   NEET 2025MediumEcosystem Structure

   Given below are two statements : Statement I : The primary source of energy in an ecosystem is solar energy. Statement II : The rate of production of organic matter during photosynthesis in an ecosystem is called net primary productivity (NPP). In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

   1. AOption A: Both statement I and statement II are correct
   2. BOption B: Both statement I and statement II are incorrect
   3. COption C: Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect
   4. DOption D: Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (C) Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect

   Explanation

   Solar energy is the primary source of energy in an ecosystem, so Statement I is correct. Statement II is incorrect because the total rate of organic matter production during photosynthesis is called Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), not Net Primary Productivity (NPP).

9. Question 9 (NEET 2025)

   NEET 2025EasyEcology

   Who is known as the father of Ecology in India?

   1. AOption A: S. R. Kashyap
   2. BOption B: Ramdeo Misra
   3. COption C: Ram Udar
   4. DOption D: Birbal Sahni

   Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

   Correct answer: (B) Ramdeo Misra

   Explanation

   Ramdeo Misra is known as the father of Ecology in India due to his pioneering work in Indian ecology.

10. Question 10 (NEET 2024)

    NEET 2024MediumGause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle

    Given below are two statements : Statement I : Gause’s competitive exclusion principle states that two closely related species competing for different resources cannot exist indefinitely. Statement II : According to Gause’s principle, during competition, the inferior will be eliminated. This may be true if resources are limiting. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

    1. AOption A: Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
    2. BOption B: Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
    3. COption C: Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
    4. DOption D: Both Statement I and Statement II are false.

    Show answer & explanationHide answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (B) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

    Explanation

    Gause’s competitive exclusion principle states that two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot coexist indefinitely. Therefore, Statement I is false because it incorrectly says different resources. Statement II is correct because inferior competitors may be eliminated when resources are limited.