Different species in a habitat may depend on each other for food - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 2
Question 3
Different species in a habitat may depend on each other for food. Figure 3 shows a food chain.
Figure 3
The grass needs energy to grow.
What is the source for the... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Different species in a habitat may depend on each other for food - AQA - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2023 - Paper 2
Step 1
What is the source for the grass?
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Answer
The source of energy for the grass is the sun. Grass relies on sunlight for the process of photosynthesis, which allows it to convert light energy into chemical energy.
Step 2
Write the name of one organism from Figure 3 in each box in Table 2.
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Answer
Feeding relationship
Organism
Secondary consumer
Lynx
Primary consumer
Snowshoe hare
Producer
Grass
Step 3
Explain how the different fur colour increases the chance of survival of the snowshoe hare.
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Answer
In summer, the snowshoe hare's fur is brown, which helps it blend in with the grassy and rocky terrain. This camouflage makes it harder for predators, such as the lynx, to spot the hare. Conversely, in winter, its fur turns white, allowing it to remain concealed in the snow. This seasonal change in fur colour significantly enhances the hare's chances of avoiding predation, thereby increasing its survival rate.
Step 4
State two reasons why the number of snowshoe hares increases.
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Answer
Fewer lynx to eat them, as a result of a low predator population during certain years.
Availability of more food (grass), which allows hares to thrive, reproduce, and multiply.
Step 5
What effect does an increase in the number of snowshoe hares have on the number of lynx?
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Answer
An increase in the number of snowshoe hares would likely lead to an increase in the number of lynx, as they have more available prey to feed on, thus supporting their population growth.
Step 6
Suggest one reason why the number of lynx decreased from 1915 to 1919.
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Answer
One possible reason for the decrease in the number of lynx from 1915 to 1919 is the decline in snowshoe hare numbers, which would result in less available food for lynx, leading to starvation and reducing their population.
Step 7
Give two ways the biomass is lost.
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Lost in respiration of the snowshoe hare as it converts food into energy, releasing carbon dioxide.
Egestion of faeces, where not all ingested matter is digested and nutrients are lost through waste.
