Biology Assessment Questions for Pharmacy Entrance Exams on “Ecological Succession”.
1. Which of the following community develops during the end of the biotic succession?
a) Pioneering community
b) Climax community
c) Primary community
d) Secondary community
Answer: b
Clarification: The changes in the community are constant, orderly and sequential. These changes lead to the formation of a stable, self-perpetuating and final biotic community that developed during the end of biotic succession known as a climax community.
2. Which of the following is known as the first biotic community to develop on a bare land?
a) Pioneer community
b) Climax community
c) Secondary community
d) Individual community
Answer: a
Clarification: The first biotic community to invade a bare land or area is known as the pioneer community. This community consists of one or fewer species containing small-sized organisms. Mostly mosses, lichens, and lower grass species are the pioneering species.
3. Which community develops in between the pioneering and climax communities?
a) Primary community
b) Transitional community
c) Secondary community
d) Tertiary community
Answer: b
Clarification: The community occupying intermediate place or developing between the pioneering and climax communities is called a transitional community. Seral communities are the individual transitional communities of a sere that develop in that area during the succession.
4. Imagine a barren land where once existed a forest. Due to deforestation and fire in that forest, all the species got extinct. A new species came, colonized and expanded in this forest. What kind of succession pattern did this species follow?
a) Primary succession
b) Climax succession
c) Tertiary succession
d) Secondary succession
Answer: d
Clarification: The species in the above example follow a secondary succession. A biological succession occurring in the barren area where there, once life existed is known as secondary succession.
5. Imagine a newly created barren land made of igneous rocks. Some new species came, colonized and grew in this rocky area. What kind of succession pattern did this species follow?
a) Secondary succession
b) Climax succession
c) Primary succession
d) Tertiary succession
Answer: c
Clarification: The species in the above example follow a primary succession. A biological succession (growth of living organisms) occurring on a previously unoccupied or bare land is known as primary succession.