Which of the following is a biotic component of an ecosystem? 

A) Water 

B) Soil 

C) Plants 

D) Minerals

C) Plants

Fill in the blank: The first trophic level in a food chain is occupied by ______.

Producers

True or False: An artificial ecosystem is one that occurs naturally without human intervention.

False. An artificial ecosystem is created by humans.

What are the three categories of organisms based on how they obtain sustenance?

Producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Which level of consumers primarily eats plants?

Herbivores

Fill in the blank: Energy transfer in a food chain occurs through ______ levels.

Trophic

What typically happens to the amount of energy available at each successive trophic level?

It decreases progressively.

Which synthetic chemicals are primarily responsible for ozone layer depletion?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Fill in the blank: Substances that can be decomposed by microorganisms are called ______ wastes.

Riddle: I can shield you from harmful rays, but too much of me is not good. What am I?

Ozone

What is the main consequence of energy loss in food chains at each trophic level?

Only about 10% of the energy is passed to the next level.

Identify the two types of wastes based on their decomposition characteristics.

Biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

They break down organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the environment.