B1.5 Energy In Biomass Flashcards
Define biomass
The dry mass of living material in an animal or plant measured in grams
Draw a food chain which has the secondary consumer as a fox.
Grass->rabbit->fox
Define producer
Green plants - make food by photosynthesis
Define primary consumer
Usually eat plant material - they are herbivores
Define secondary consumer
Usually eat animal material - carnivores
Define predator
Kill for food. Either secondary or tertiary consumers
Define prey
The animals that predators feed on
Define scavengers
Feed on dead animals eg. Hyenas
Define decomposers
Feed on dead and decaying organisms and in undigested parts of plant and animal matter in faeces
How is some energy wasted as it passes each stage in a pyramid of biomass?
Respiration
Movement
Control body temperature
Growth
What’s the process of decay?
Decomposers can be bacteria and fungi. Detritus feeders start the process of decay. They eat dead animals so they can grow. The waste products are carbon dioxide, water and nutrients.
What are the best conditions for decay?
Warm
Moist
Lots of oxygen
Why is decay important?
In sewage treatment, the microorganisms break down the bodily waste we produce. Useful in compost heaps and it means waste can be broken down.
What’s the carbon cycle?
Constantly, a relatively small amount of available carbon is cycled between living things and the environment
The main processes involved are respiration, photosynthesis, combustion, feeding and death.
What is a detritus feeder and give an example.
An organism that feed on dead plant or animal matter. Eg. Earth worms, woodlice and millipedes.
Where are large amounts of carbon found on earth?
Fossil fuels
Limestone
Atmosphere
Oceans
Why is the carbon cycle important?
It ensures that carbon is evenly distributed between the atmosphere and organisms. If too much co2 was in the atmosphere them global warming would be extreme.
What are the three fossil fuels?
Coal
Wood
Oil
What are the benefits of making compost?
Helps soil retain water and nutrients. Roots can spread out Prevents spreading of disease in soil Compost can hold nutrients tightly Makes soil easier to work with
How do compost heaps work?
Microbes, worms, snails, insects and fungi decompose organic material aerobically. Bacteria are the powerhouse of s compost heap. They break down plant matter and create carbon dioxide and heat.
How do we recycle organic waste?
Compost heap
Compost bin
Council composting
Sewage treatment plants
What’s a sankey diagram?
A type of graph with arrow shapes which shows total energy taken in and how it is transferred.
Why do we normally eat herbivores rather than carnivores?
There are less stages in the food chain. Eating plants is the most efficient way of feeding the world population, but if we want meat less energy is wasted your eating herbivores.
What does organic waste mean?
Waste from living organisms containing carbon compounds (such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins).
