Energy transfer in ecosystemsIB MYP Biology: Flashcards

Exam questions on Energy transfer in ecosystems

1. On the Serengeti plains in East Africa, grass is eaten by zebra, and zebra are hunted by lions. When animals die, bacteria and fungi in the soil break down their remains.
   State two ways in which a zebra loses energy so that it is not available to the lion that eats the zebra.2 marks
2. In an English oak woodland, one large oak tree supports about 2000 caterpillars on its leaves. The caterpillars are eaten by about 20 blue tits, and the blue tits are hunted by a single sparrowhawk.
   Explain why the biomass at each trophic level is less than the biomass at the level below it.2 marks
3. A farmer wants to know which of two feeds turns more of its energy into chicken growth. Each chick eats either Feed X or Feed Y for a week. Each chick on Feed X is supplied with 8000 kJ of energy and gains new body tissue containing 1200 kJ. Each chick on Feed Y is supplied with 9000 kJ of energy and gains new body tissue containing 1530 kJ. The farmer used one group of chicks for each feed.
   Calculate the efficiency of energy transfer for Feed X and for Feed Y, and state which feed is more efficient.3 marks