Bioenergetics and Ecology: Practice Questions

In a forest ecosystem, for which of the following resources are animals most likely to compete with each other?

In a well-managed greenhouse on a bright, sunny afternoon in summer, which factor is most likely to be the limiting factor for the rate of photosynthesis?

Extremophiles are organisms that live in very harsh environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Which type of adaptation allows these organisms to maintain their metabolism at high temperatures and pressures?

Plants produce glucose during the process of photosynthesis. Which substance is this glucose often converted into for long-term storage within the plant's cells?
a) Cellulose
b) Chlorophyll
c) Insoluble starch
d) Nitrate ions

Which enzyme, produced by the pancreas and small intestine, is responsible for catalyzing the breakdown of lipids into fatty acids and glycerol?

When a person performs vigorous exercise, the body’s demand for energy increases. Describe how glycogen is used within the muscles to meet this demand.

The human circulatory system is described as a double circulatory system. Explain the physiological advantage of this arrangement for a large, active multicellular organism.

A coastal ecosystem receives \( 600,000 \text{ J} \) of incident energy from sunlight. Calculate the energy available in the primary consumers if the producers transfer \( 1\% \) of incident light and the biomass transfer efficiency is \( 10\% \).

When a person performs vigorous exercise, their body undergoes several physiological changes to maintain the supply of energy to muscle cells.

a) Explain why both the heart rate and the breathing rate increase during exercise.
b) If the oxygen supply becomes insufficient, anaerobic respiration takes place. Write the word equation for this reaction in animals and explain why this process leads to muscle fatigue.
c) Describe the process of oxygen debt. In your answer, explain how the lactic acid produced during exercise is eventually removed from the body.

In a stable woodland ecosystem, the cycling of matter and the transfer of energy are essential for maintaining the community.

a) Explain the role of photosynthesis and respiration in the constant cycling of carbon in this ecosystem. Include the balanced symbol equation for aerobic respiration in your answer.
b) Microorganisms play a vital role in the decay of dead organic matter. Identify two environmental conditions that increase the rate of decay and explain how the products of decay are utilized by the producers in the forest.
c) A biomass survey of this woodland shows that the producers have a total biomass of \( 15000 \) kg. Calculate the expected biomass of the tertiary consumers, assuming that exactly \( 10 \% \) of the biomass from each trophic level is transferred to the level above. Show your working.
d) Explain two specific reasons why approximately \( 90 \% \) of the biomass is not transferred to the next trophic level.