Decay

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  • Created by: Emma
  • Created on: 30-10-12 11:55

Energy and Cycles in nature

Biomass - Biologocial material in particular the total mass of living material at a specified level in a food chain or in a specified area

Chemical energy - Energy stored in the chemical bonds of compounds such as those in the cells of living organisms

Tropic level - A level in a food chain, such as producer or primary consumer

Respiration - The breakdown of glucose in cells to release energy, co2+water

An animal makes biomass by eating. When an animal eats some of the chemicals from it's food are absorbed, the others are converted to faeces. The animal also makes waste products like urine.

Energy/biomass is lost in faeces, urine, respiration as heat, heat and chemical reactions.

Food chain:

Producer (grass) > Primary (caterpillar) > Secondary (Bird) > Tertiary (Fox)

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Decay

Decay - The breakdown of dead plants and animal material by fungi, bacteria and other organisms

Organic materials decay because they are broken down by microbes.

Respiration by the microbes produces carbon dioxide that plants use in photosynthesis.

Decay releases minerals eg nitrates that plants need to make proteins and grow

Conditions required for decay:

  • Warmth
  • Water
  • Oxygen

Respiration = Oxygen + Glucose ----> energy released + water + carbon dioxide

Photosynthesis = Carbon dioxide + water ----light----> oxygen + glucose

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