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GCSE Food chainsFood chains show the feeding relationships between living things. Pyramids of biomass reveal the mass of living material at each stage in a chain. Part of Biology (Single Science) Ecosystems and habitats
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Energy transferEnergy is transferred along food chains from one trophic level to the next. However, the amount of available energy decreases from one trophic level to the next. Energy transfer A pyramid of biomass A pyramid of biomass A pyramid of biomass A pyramid of biomass Energy lossIn a food chain only around 10 per cent of the energy is passed on to the next trophic level. The rest of the energy passes out of the food chain in a number of ways:
Less energy is transferred at each level of the food chain so the biomass gets smaller. As a result, there are usually fewer than five trophic levels in food chains. Percentage efficiency of energy transferThe percentage efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels can be calculated using the equation: curriculum-key-fact energy transferred to next level ÷ total energy in × 100 Worked exampleWork out the percentage efficiency of energy transfer between producers and primary consumers in the example. QuestionCalculate the total energy that came into the level of the food chain. 4500 kJ + 500 kJ = 5000 kJ QuestionIdentify how much energy is transferred to the next level. 500 kJ QuestionCalculate the efficiency of this transfer using the equation. energy transferred to next level ÷ total energy in × 100 500 kJ ÷ 5000 kJ × 100 = 10%
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How is energy transferred from one organism to another?Answer and Explanation: Energy is passed from one organism to another when an organism consumes another organism, or when nutrients are absorbed. In terms of obtaining energy, there are three types of organisms: autotrophs, heterotrophs and decomposers.
Which shows the transfer of energy from food in the food pyramid?Arrows on a food chain, or food web, represent the flow of energy. The placement of the arrows in a food chain or food web is very important. The arrows always show the direction of the energy as it is transferred from one organism to another. The flow of energy can also be represented within an energy pyramid.
Why food chain is a simple transfer of energy?In a food chain only around 10 per cent of the energy is passed on to the next trophic level. The rest of the energy passes out of the food chain in a number of ways: it is used as heat energy. it is used for life processes (eg movement)
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