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This question is about the effects of deforestation and agriculture - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2023 - Paper 2
Question 6
This question is about the effects of deforestation and agriculture. The processes of photosynthesis and respiration affect the carbon dioxide concentration in the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about the effects of deforestation and agriculture - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2023 - Paper 2
Step 1
Explain what causes the changes in the carbon dioxide concentration in the air from 0 to 6 hours.
Answer
During the time from 0 to 6 hours, there is no sunlight available for photosynthesis. Therefore, only respiration occurs, which produces carbon dioxide. Without the process of photosynthesis, the net carbon dioxide concentration increases due to the continued release from plant respiration.
Step 2
Explain what causes the changes in the carbon dioxide concentration in the air from 8 to 12 hours.
Answer
From 8 to 12 hours, sunlight becomes available, allowing for photosynthesis to occur. During this time, the rate of photosynthesis exceeds the rate of respiration, leading to a net uptake of carbon dioxide. As a result, the carbon dioxide concentration in the air decreases.
Step 3
Explain why replacing rainforest with maize will increase the carbon dioxide concentration in the air after one year.
Answer
Replacing rainforest with a field of maize results in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide uptake. The maize field only takes in carbon dioxide for 6 months of the year, whereas the rainforest provides continuous intake throughout the entire year. Additionally, maize has a lower overall uptake of carbon dioxide compared to a lush rainforest ecosystem, leading to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.