Unit 1: 5 - Energy in Biomass Flashcards
What is biomass?
The mass of living material in plants and animals.
What is a pyramid of biomass?
A visual representation of the mass of organisms at each stage in a food chain.
How do producers (green plants) start off the food chain?
By converting solar (light) energy into chemical potential energy through photosynthesis.
Give the 3 main reasons why energy in a food chain is wasted.
- Not all food is digested - some is released in the urea or feaces;
- Some of the biomass is used for respiration;
- In many animals, a constant body temperature is required which uses energy (also by respiration).
How do we draw energy transfers in organisms?
By using Sankey diagrams.
What are detritus feeders? Give an example.
Detritus feeders are organisms that feed off dead animals and plants and produce waste minerals, and then they break down the waste. An example is an earthworm.
What are decomposers?
Microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) that decay waste and return neutrients to their surroundings.
What are the optimum conditions for decay by microorganisms?
Warm and wet.
How do humans recycle waste from organic origin?
Using sewage treatment plants and compost heaps.
What do waste veg and peelings, grass cutting and clippings all contain?
Organic waste.
What do gardeners do to speed up composting?
Add worms and layers of soil to composters.
What are the most efficient methods of composting?
Those that allow the waste to be mixed with oxygen and compost.
Describe or draw the carbon cycle.
