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A gardener wants to add compost to the soil to increase his yield of strawberries - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 2
A gardener wants to add compost to the soil to increase his yield of strawberries. The gardener wants to make his own compost. An airtight compost heap causes anaer... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A gardener wants to add compost to the soil to increase his yield of strawberries - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain why the gardener might be against producing compost using this method.
Answer
Anaerobic decay can result in undesirable byproducts such as methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Moreover, the process may produce a bad smell, which could be unpleasant for the gardener and the surrounding environment.
Step 2
Determine the ratio X in Table 2.
Answer
To determine the ratio X in Table 2, we can use the formula for the carbon to nitrogen ratio:
ext{Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio} = rac{ ext{Mass of Carbon}}{ ext{Mass of Nitrogen}}
Given that the mass of carbon in the sample is 9.80 g and the mass of nitrogen is X g, we can set up the relationship:
rac{9.80}{X} = 25:1
Cross-multiplying gives:
Solving for X:
X = rac{9.80}{25} = 0.392
Thus, the ratio X is approximately 0.39.
Step 3
Explain how the carbon is recycled into the growth of new leaves.
Answer
When leaves die, they decompose through the action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. These organisms break down the carbon compounds in the leaves into carbon dioxide, which is then released into the soil and atmosphere.
Plants absorb this carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, which is the process of using light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced provides the necessary energy and building blocks for the growth of new leaves. Therefore, the cycle of carbon from dead leaves back into plant growth illustrates the interconnectedness of ecosystems.