Energy in Biomass Flashcards
What is biomass
The mass of living material in plants and animals
In a pyramid of biomass what is the usual shape
A pyramid
How might energy be ‘lost’ through a pyramid of biomass?
Stored as faeces or urea, respiration, movement, constant temperature for enzymes, eventually transferred to the surroundings
What’s a detritus feeder?
Such as a worm, decays dead plants and animals, produces waste and microorganisms (decomposers) decay this waste.
What are the optimum conditions for decay to happen and why does decay happen?
Warm and wet
Happens because it needs to release nutrients back into the surroundings
Briefly explain the carbon cycle
All organism respire, animals die, plants photosynthesise, plants die, mircoorganisms also respire and decay waste, combustion of fuel.
How might a human decompose waste?
Using a compost heap, add worms to speed up the process, oxygen and moisture help speed it up too.
