Productivity Flashcards

1
Q

What is biomass?

A

Total dry mass of tissues over a given time in a specific area

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2
Q

Give a possible unit for biomass

A

Mass and area/volume
Grams per metre squared
Grams per litre

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3
Q

How is the biomass of organic material found?

A

Heat the organic material (must not burn) in a incubator
To evaporate off the water
Measure the mass of material
Re-heat for 24 hours
Measure the mass of material [
Continue until the mass remains constant

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4
Q

Define gross primary productivity GPP

A

Total chemical energy in plant biomass within a given area/volume

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5
Q

Define net primary productivity NPP

A

Total chemical energy available for plant growth and reproduction and energy transfer to other trophic levels after respiratory losses.

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6
Q

Why is most of the energy in sunlight not converted into organic material?

A

Absorbed by atmosphere
Not all light falls directly on a chlorophyll molecule
Wrong wavelength to be absorbed by photosynthetic pigments

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7
Q

Why does energy decrease along a food chain?

A

Energy lost in nitrogenous waste eg urine and faeces
Some of organism is not consumed
Energy lost to surrounding as heat

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