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5.3 Energy & Ecosystems (A Level only)

Question Paper

Course AQA A Level Biology

Section 5. Energy Transfers In & Between Organisms (A Level only)
Topic 5.3 Energy & Ecosystems (A Level only)
Difficulty Easy

Time allowed: 50

Score: /36

Percentage: /100

Page 1 of 9

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Question 1a
Primary producers, such as plants, convert light energy from sunlight into chemical energy during photosynthesis.
Give two ways in which plants use the molecules produced during photosynthesis.
[2 marks]

Question 1b
Define the term biomass.
[1 mark]

Question 1c
Biomass is usually measured using dry biomass.
State why dry biomass is a more accurate measurement than wet biomass.
[2 marks]

Question 1d
Describe how an organism's dry biomass would be calculated.
[2 marks]

Page 2 of 9

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Question 2a
Figure 1 below shows a simple example of a piece of equipment called a calorimeter.
Figure 1

Describe how the calorimeter shown in Figure 1 could be used to estimate the stored chemical energy inside the dried plant
sample shown.
[2 marks]

Question 2b
The simple calorimeter shown in Figure 1 does not produce a completely accurate estimate of the energy stored inside the
plant tissue sample.
Suggest two reasons why the estimate may not be completely accurate.
[2 marks]

Page 3 of 9

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Question 2c
An area of grass measuring 50 m2 was mown to obtain the grass cuttings used for the plant sample burned in Figure 1. The
total mass of the grass cuttings taken was 45 kg.
Use the information provided to calculate the gross primary production of the area of grass mowed in g m-2.
[2 marks]

Question 2d
Define the term gross primary production.
[1 mark]

Question 3a
Figure 1 below shows the transfer of energy through a simple food chain.
Figure 1

Name the process indicated in Figure 1 by which solar energy is converted into GPP.

Page 4 of 9

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[1 mark]

Question 3b
The process of converting solar energy into GPP is not 100% efficient.
Suggest one reason why this might be the case.
[1 mark]

Question 3c
The position marked R in Figure 1 represents energy stored in the plant that is not converted into biomass in the consumer.
Explain why this energy is not converted into biomass.
[2 marks]

Question 3d
Use information provided in Figure 1 to calculate the net primary productivity (NPP) of the producers in the food chain shown.
[2 marks]

Page 5 of 9

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Question 4a
Figure 1 below shows the energy transfers taking place in a simple food chain. The energy values are all given in kJ m-3 yr-1.
Figure 1

Use the equation provided below to calculate the respiratory loss (R) of the algae in Figure 1.
NPP = GPP - R
[2 marks]

Question 4b
The net productivity in consumers can be calculated using the following equation:

N = I - (F + R)
N represents the net productivity of the consumer, while I represents the energy ingested by the consumer.
State what is represented by F and R in this equation.
[2 marks]

Page 6 of 9

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Question 4c
Use information in Figure 1 and the equation provided in part b) to calculate the net productivity (N) of small fish in this food
chain.
[2 marks]

Question 4d
The efficiency of energy transfer can be calculated using the following equation:
Net productivity of trophic level
Efficiency of energy transfer (%) = × 100
Net productivity of previous trophic level
Use information in Figure 1 and the equation provided to calculate the efficiency of energy transfer for zooplankton.
[2 marks]

Page 7 of 9

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Question 5a
Figure 1 below shows a series of feeding relationships that exist on farmland.
Figure 1

Identify two biotic factors shown in Figure 1 that would reduce the overall yield of the corn crop.
[2 marks]

Question 5b
State two ways in which the farmer in Figure 1 might reduce the impact of the factors identified in part a) to improve the
overall yield of the corn crop.
[2 marks]

Page 8 of 9

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Question 5c
Two food chains are given below:
Food chain A: Corn → Human

Food chain B : Corn → Cow → Human

State which of food chains A or B would lead to the greatest energy transfer to humans.
Explain your answer.
[2 marks]

Question 5d
It was suggested to the farmer that efficiency could be improved by keeping the cows inside a shed rather than letting them
roam in the fields.
Explain how keeping the cows inside a shed might improve the efficiency of cattle farming.
[2 marks]

Page 9 of 9

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