B1.5 Flashcards
What is biomass?
Mass of living things
Why is the amount of energy contained in the biomass of organisms reduced at each stage of the food chain?
Because biomass is used to make new tissue, to respire, and is lost through faeces and urine
Why are plants called producers?
They make their own food
What process do plants use to collect energy from the sun?
Photosynthesis
What does a pyramid of biomass show?
The amount of biomass passed on through the food chain
What is the purpose of photosynthesis?
To convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy to make glucose
What is glucose used for in the plant?
~ To produce proteins (along with nitrates from the soil)
~ To produce fats and oils for storage
~ Converted into insoluble starch for storage
~ To produce cellulose for the cell well
~ Immediately to provide energy via respiration
What are limiting factors of the rate of photosynthesis?
~ Low light levels
~ Shortage of CO2
~ Shortage of water
What two things are produced from photosynthesis and what are they used for?
Glucose - for making biomass and energy
Oxygen - released into the atmosphere as a byproduct
