B1 5 Energy in Biomass

Question 0

What do green plants and algae do with some of the sun’s radiation?

Answer 0

They absorb it and using chlorophyll use it for photosynthesis.

Question 1

What is the source of energy for all living organisms?

Answer 1

Radiation from the sun (heat and light)

Question 2

What energy transfers take place during photosynthesis?

Answer 2

Light to chemical

Question 3

Where is the energy stored in plants?

Answer 3

The substances which make up the cells of the plants and algae.

Question 4

What does the new material add up to?

Answer 4

Biomass

Question 5

What is biomass?

Answer 5

The dry mass of living material.

Question 6

What happens to the amount of biomass at each stage of a food chain?

Answer 6

It is less than it was at the previous stage.

Question 7

What can the biomass at each stage be shown using?

Answer 7

A pyramid of biomass

Question 8

Why is the biomass at each stage less than its previous stage?

Answer 8

• Not all organisms are eaten by the stage above
• Some material and energy is passed out as waste
• Used up for other life processes eg. Respiration

Question 9

Why is biomass passed out as waste?

Answer 9

As not all biomass can be digested.

Question 10

How is biomass lost through movement?

Answer 10

Energy is used for respiration and other life processes. The muscles contract and get hot so more energy is used from its food.

Question 11

How is biomass lost through keeping a constant body temperature?

Answer 11

When it’s cool, it’s used for heating. When it’s hot, it’s transferred to surroundings.

Question 12

What are decomposers?What is their role?

Answer 12

Microorganisms, they break down dead plant and animal material.

Question 13

What does decay cause?

Answer 13

Materials removed from the environment being recycled back as waste materials and decaying living material.

Question 14

How does the process of decay go?

Answer 14

First detritus feeders such as maggots and some types of worms feed on the dead animals and produce waste products. Then microorganisms digest everything the dead animals and plants, detritus feeders and their waste.

Question 15

How are materials recycled?

Answer 15

The waste products through respiration by microbes are carbon dioxide, water and nutrients which plants can use. This is then recycled to the atmosphere and used by new plants.

Question 16

What are the conditions required for decay?

Answer 16

Warm, moist and aerobic conditions (plenty of oxygen)

Question 17

What is meant by a stable community?

Answer 17

The processes which remove materials are balanced by the processes which return materials.

Question 18

Where else are microorganisms useful?

Answer 18

Sewage treatment plans and in a compost heap.

Question 19

What is the carbon cycle?

Answer 19

The constant cycling of carbon.

Question 20

Explain the ways in which carbon is removed from the atmosphere?

Answer 20

Photosynthesis - used to make carbohydrates, proteins and fats - build biomass.

Question 21

What are the ways in which carbon is returned back into the atmosphere?

Answer 21

Respiration - oxygen is used to break down the glucose to provide energy for cells. Carbon dioxide is a waste product.
Decay - bodies broken down by decomposes and detritus feeders respire releasing carbon dioxide from body components.
Combustion - burning fossil fuels trapped with carbon. Produce carbon dioxide.

Question 22

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 22

Carbon dioxide + water (+ light energy) = glucose + oxygen

Question 23

What is the equation for respiration?

Answer 23

Glucose + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)

Question 24

What is the equation for combustion?

Answer 24

Fossil fuel or wood + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)

Question 25

Where can carbon dioxide be found?

Answer 25

Rock such as limestone and fossil fuels and animals and plants
Released into air or dissolved into water