Olympiad Test : General Science - 1 - Class 5 MCQ

Key Fact about Asteroids:

• Asteroids are planet-like objects, but smaller and often irregular shaped: This means that asteroids are similar to planets in terms of their composition and formation, but they are smaller in size and have irregular shapes. They are made up of various materials, including rock, metal, and sometimes ice.


• Asteroids do not revolve around the Sun the way that planets do: While planets follow a regular orbit around the Sun, asteroids have more unpredictable and varied paths. They can have elliptical or highly eccentric orbits, crossing the paths of multiple planets.


• The asteroid belt is between Venus and Jupiter: The majority of asteroids in our solar system are found in the asteroid belt, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This region is known for its high concentration of asteroids.


• Asteroids can be classified into groups: Asteroids can be categorized into different types based on their composition, spectral properties, and characteristics. Some common asteroid groups include carbonaceous (C-type), silicate (S-type), and metallic (M-type) asteroids.

Overall, asteroids are fascinating celestial objects that provide valuable insights into the early formation of our solar system. They have unique characteristics and behaviors that distinguish them from planets, making them an intriguing subject of study for astronomers and scientists.

Full Moon

Explanation:
The Clementine spacecraft was a joint project between NASA and the Department of Defense, launched in 1994 with the primary objective of studying the Moon. During its mission, Clementine collected valuable data and images of the lunar surface. Among the materials that may have been found on the Moon by the Clementine spacecraft are:
- Light-coloured rocks: The Moon's surface is composed of various types of rocks, including both light-colored and dark-colored rocks. Clementine would have captured images of these light-colored rocks during its mission.
- Atmosphere: The Moon does not have a substantial atmosphere like Earth, so it is unlikely that Clementine would have detected any significant atmosphere during its observations.
- Water-ice: Water-ice has been discovered in some permanently shadowed regions of the Moon, particularly at the lunar poles. However, the presence of water-ice was not confirmed during the Clementine mission.
- Dark-colored rocks: Just like light-colored rocks, the Moon's surface also contains dark-colored rocks. Clementine would have captured images of these dark-colored rocks as well.
Therefore, based on the given options, the material that may have been found on the Moon by the Clementine spacecraft is light-colored rocks.

The phase of the moon following the full moon is known as the waning gibbous moon. After this phase, the phase of the moon that occurs three weeks after the new moon is the third quarter moon. After the third quarter moon, the waning crescent moon occurs right before the next new moon.

Explanation:

Bacteria and fungi serve an important role as decomposers.

• Decomposers: Bacteria and fungi are both decomposers, which means they break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. They play a crucial role in the decomposition process, breaking down complex organic compounds into simpler forms that can be used by other organisms.


• Nutrient Cycling: By decomposing organic matter, bacteria and fungi release nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus back into the environment. This nutrient cycling is essential for the maintenance of healthy ecosystems.


• Recycling Energy: Decomposers help to recycle energy in an ecosystem by breaking down dead organisms and returning their energy to the food web. This allows energy to flow through the ecosystem and be reused by other organisms.


• Soil Formation: Bacteria and fungi contribute to the formation of soil by breaking down organic matter and converting it into humus. Humus is a dark, nutrient-rich substance that improves soil fertility and structure.


• Disease Control: Some bacteria and fungi have the ability to control or suppress the growth of disease-causing organisms. They can produce antibiotics or compete for resources, preventing harmful pathogens from proliferating.

In conclusion, bacteria and fungi play a vital role as decomposers in ecosystems. They contribute to nutrient cycling, energy flow, soil formation, and even disease control. Their activities are essential for the overall health and balance of ecosystems.

Relationship between a human and a tapeworm:


1. Parasitism:
- The relationship between a human and a tapeworm is categorized as parasitism.
- Parasitism is a type of relationship where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host organism.
- In the case of a tapeworm, it lives and feeds off the nutrients in the human's intestines, harming the host in the process.
2. Tapeworm as a parasite:
- Tapeworms are parasitic flatworms that can infect humans and other animals.
- They attach themselves to the intestinal wall and consume the host's nutrients, depriving the host of these essential resources.
3. Harmful effects on the human host:
- Tapeworm infections can lead to various health issues in humans, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition.
- In severe cases, tapeworm infestations can cause more serious complications, such as intestinal blockages and organ damage.
4. Lack of benefit for the human host:
- Unlike mutualism, where both organisms benefit, in parasitism, the host does not gain any advantage from the relationship.
- The tapeworm benefits by utilizing the human host's resources, while the human suffers negative consequences.
5. Control and prevention:
- Tapeworm infections can be prevented by maintaining proper hygiene, including washing hands before eating and cooking food thoroughly.
- Treatment for tapeworm infections usually involves medication prescribed by a healthcare professional.
In conclusion, the relationship between a human and a tapeworm is parasitic, where the tapeworm benefits at the expense of the human host. The tapeworm lives inside the human's intestines, consuming nutrients and causing potential harm and health issues for the host.

The arrows in a food chain show:
- Who eats whom: The arrows in a food chain indicate the flow of energy and the transfer of nutrients from one organism to another. They show the direction of consumption, indicating which organism is being eaten by another. For example, in a simple food chain of grass → rabbit → fox, the arrow would point from grass to rabbit, and from rabbit to fox, showing the flow of energy and the relationship between the organisms.
- The movement of energy through different organisms: The arrows in a food chain represent the movement of energy through different organisms. They show how energy is transferred from one level of the food chain to another. Each organism in the food chain obtains energy by consuming the organism below it. The arrows indicate this transfer of energy, with energy flowing from the prey to the predator.
- The flow of nutrients: The arrows in a food chain also represent the flow of nutrients from one organism to another. As organisms consume each other, nutrients are passed along the food chain. The arrows show the direction of nutrient flow, illustrating how nutrients are recycled and distributed throughout the ecosystem.
- The interdependence of organisms: The arrows in a food chain demonstrate the interdependence of organisms within an ecosystem. They highlight the relationships between different species and illustrate how each organism relies on others for energy and resources. The arrows show the interconnectedness of organisms in a complex web of life.
In summary, the arrows in a food chain show who eats whom, the movement of energy through different organisms, the flow of nutrients, and the interdependence of organisms within an ecosystem. They provide a visual representation of the relationships and dynamics within a food chain.

The fish tank is an ecosystem because it includes:

1. The living community: A fish tank contains various living organisms such as fish, plants, and microorganisms. These organisms interact with each other and form a community within the tank.


2. A physical environment: The fish tank provides a physical environment for the organisms to live in. It includes elements such as water, rocks, gravel, and decorations. These components create a habitat for the organisms.


3. The living community as well as a physical environment: The combination of the living community and the physical environment forms a complete ecosystem within the fish tank. The organisms rely on the environment for their survival, and their interactions contribute to the overall functioning of the ecosystem.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C: The fish tank is an ecosystem because it includes both the living community and a physical environment.

Explanation:
Detrivores are organisms that feed on the waste material in an ecosystem, including animal remains, animal faeces, and plant debris. Here is a detailed explanation of why detrivores are the correct answer:
1. Detrivores:
- Detrivores are heterotrophic organisms that obtain their energy by consuming dead organic matter.
- They play a crucial role in the decomposition process, breaking down organic material into smaller particles.
- Examples of detrivores include earthworms, beetles, snails, and some species of bacteria and fungi.
2. Producers:
- Producers, also known as autotrophs, are organisms that can produce their food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
- They convert sunlight or inorganic compounds into organic matter, which forms the basis of the food chain.
- Examples of producers include plants, algae, and some bacteria.
3. Decomposers:
- Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic matter into simpler substances.
- They play a crucial role in the recycling of nutrients in an ecosystem.
- While detrivores are considered a type of decomposer, not all decomposers are detrivores.
4. Both detrivores and decomposers:
- While detrivores are a subset of decomposers, not all decomposers are detrivores.
- Decomposers can include microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter, including detritus, but they may not directly consume it.
- Therefore, the correct answer is B: Detrivores, as they specifically feed on waste material in an ecosystem.
In conclusion, detrivores feed on the waste material in an ecosystem, including animal remains, animal faeces, and plant debris. They are essential for the decomposition process and play a vital role in nutrient recycling.