B1.5 Energy and biomass in food chains

Question 1

Biomass

Answer 1

Biomass is the mass of living material in plants and animals.

Question 2

Pyramid of Biomass

Answer 2

A pyramid of biomass represents the mass of the organisms at each stage in a food chain. It may be more accurate than a pyramid of numbers. For example, one bush may have many insects feeding on it but the mass of the bush is far greater than the mass of the insects.

Question 3

explain the cycle of biomass

Answer 3

1.Biomass in as food
2.biomass digested
3.biomass lost in movement,growth etc
4biomass lost in urine
5.biomass lost in faeces
6.energy from cell

Question 4

Detritus feeders

Answer 4

Detritus feeders (such as maggots and some type of worms) may start the process of decay by eating dead animals or plants and produce waste materials.  Decay organisms then break down the waste.
Decay organisms are microorganisms (bacteria and fungi).  They are called decomposers.

Question 5

Explain the carbion cycle

Answer 5

The recycling of carbon involves both photosynthesis and respiration.
Photosynthesis removes CO2 from the atmosphere.
Green plants as well as animals respire. This returns CO2 to the atmosphere.
Combustion of fossil fuels releases CO2 into the atmosphere.
Animals eat green plants and build the carbon into their bodies. When organisms die (or produce waste) microorganisms release CO2 back into the atmosphere through respiration.
A stable community recycles all of the nutrients it takes up.