B1 5 Energy in Biomass Flashcards
What do green plants and algae do with some of the sun’s radiation?
They absorb it and using chlorophyll use it for photosynthesis.
What is the source of energy for all living organisms?
Radiation from the sun (heat and light)
What energy transfers take place during photosynthesis?
Light to chemical
Where is the energy stored in plants?
The substances which make up the cells of the plants and algae.
What does the new material add up to?
Biomass
What is biomass?
The dry mass of living material.
What happens to the amount of biomass at each stage of a food chain?
It is less than it was at the previous stage.
What can the biomass at each stage be shown using?
A pyramid of biomass
Why is the biomass at each stage less than its previous stage?
- 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
Why is biomass passed out as waste?
As not all biomass can be digested.
How is biomass lost through movement?
Energy is used for respiration and other life processes. The muscles contract and get hot so more energy is used from its food.
How is biomass lost through keeping a constant body temperature?
When it’s cool, it’s used for heating. When it’s hot, it’s transferred to surroundings.
What are decomposers?What is their role?
Microorganisms, they break down dead plant and animal material.
What does decay cause?
Materials removed from the environment being recycled back as waste materials and decaying living material.
How does the process of decay go?
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.
How are materials recycled?
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.
What are the conditions required for decay?
Warm, moist and aerobic conditions (plenty of oxygen)
What is meant by a stable community?
The processes which remove materials are balanced by the processes which return materials.
Where else are microorganisms useful?
Sewage treatment plans and in a compost heap.
What is the carbon cycle?
The constant cycling of carbon.
Explain the ways in which carbon is removed from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis - used to make carbohydrates, proteins and fats - build biomass.
What are the ways in which carbon is returned back into the atmosphere?
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.
What is the equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + water (+ light energy) = glucose + oxygen
What is the equation for respiration?
Glucose + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)