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The diagram shows the numbers and biomass of organisms in a food chain - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2013 - Paper 1
Question 6
The diagram shows the numbers and biomass of organisms in a food chain. | organism | number | biomass / g | |---------------|----------|-------------| | oak ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows the numbers and biomass of organisms in a food chain - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 6 - 2013 - Paper 1
Step 1
Calculate the difference in biomass between the aphids and the ladybirds.
Answer
To find the difference in biomass between the aphids and the ladybirds, we subtract the biomass of ladybirds from that of aphids:
Biomass of aphids = 1000 g Biomass of ladybirds = 50 g
Difference = Biomass of aphids - Biomass of ladybirds Difference = 1000 g - 50 g = 950 g
Step 2
Suggest how this energy is lost between each trophic level.
Answer
Energy is lost between each trophic level in several ways:
- Excretion: Organisms excrete waste, which contains energy.
- Not all of the organism is eaten: Some parts of the organism may not be consumed.
- Indigestibility: Some parts of the organism are indigestible and are not converted into energy.
- Respiration: Energy is used in metabolic processes, leading to energy loss as heat.
- Movement: Energy is also used for movement during activities such as hunting or escaping predators.
Step 3
In the box, draw a pyramid of biomass for this food chain.
Answer
The pyramid of biomass should have the oak tree at the base, supported by the aphids above it, and finally the ladybirds at the top. The relative sizes should represent the biomass:
Ladybirds
|
|
Aphids
|
Oak Tree
Each level should be wider for the oak tree and progressively narrower for the aphids and ladybirds.
Step 4
Step 5
Explain how the recycling of paper and plastics can benefit the environment.
Answer
Recycling paper and plastics benefits the environment in several ways:
- Reduction of Deforestation: Recycling paper reduces the need to cut down trees, allowing more trees to remain for carbon absorption and habitat for wildlife.
- Landfill Space: Recycling reduces the amount of waste in landfills, which helps slow down landfill expansion and decreases environmental pollution.
- Lower Demand for Fossil Fuels: Recycling plastics lowers the demand for new materials, which typically require fossil fuels for production, thus reducing carbon emissions.
- Less Pollution: Recycling minimizes pollution from the process of manufacturing new products since less waste is generated.
- Energy Conservation: The process of recycling often uses less energy than producing new products, leading to a reduction in overall energy consumption.
- Sustainable Practices: Encouraging recycling fosters a culture of sustainability, leading to better environmental stewardship among communities.