B17 Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is biomass?
It is the material of an organism that can be passed on.
What is the order in the food chain?
Producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer and tertiary consumer.
What do decomposers do?
They break down the waste and dead animals and plants.
What are detritivors?
They begin the process of decay, eating the material and producing waste.
What does the water cycle consist of?
Evaporation, condensation and precipitation.
What is the carbon cycle?
The small amount of available carbon being constantly cycled through.
How is carbon used and returned into the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis using it, respiration and combustion releasing it
What 3 factors are needed for decay?
Temperature, where chemical reactions work fast in warm conditions.
Moisture, where microorganisms find it easier to grow in moist conditions, making it easier to digest food.
Oxygen, although some microorganisms are anaerobic, most decomposers respire aerobically.
How is decay used in compost?
The decomposers break down our material and it is then full of nutrients. Farmers also use it as a fertiliser.
What is produced due to anaerobic decay?
Methane gas is produced, which is a greenhouse gas. It can also be used as a fuel.
