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IBDP Biology- Energy Flow

Topic 4.2- Flow of energy between organisms

· IBDP BIOLOGY,Energy Flow,Biology

In this IBDP biology post, we will be looking at how energy flows between different animals, and the food chain. Let's go!

Photoautotrophs and Chemoautotrophs 

Photoautotrophs:

Use pigments such as chlorophyll to trap light energy which is converted into chemical energy in carbon compounds

Chemoautotrophs:

Use energy from chemical processes 

Example: Volcanic vents

All Autotrophs convert Carbon Dioxide [from atmosphere or dissolved in water] into Organic Compounds

Food Chains 

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Food Chains: Show the flow of energy through the trophic levels of a feeding relationship 

Trophic Level: Feeding position of an organism in a food chain

In IBDP Biology, we know that food Chains mostly only have 3 to 4 trophic levels because of Theories of energy flow and energy losses

Only a small proportion of energy and biomass is passed on from one trophic level to another [10%]

The amount of energy drops along Food Chains - 4th and 5th Trophic Levels too little energy remains to sustain another level  

Pyramids of Energy 

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Pyramids of Energy: A diagram that shows the flow of energy between trophic levels in a community

Measured in units of energy, per unit area per unit time KJ m-2 y-1

90% of energy is lost between Trophic Levels:

  • Not ingested
  • Not digested
  • Excreted
  • Lost as heat from Respiration

As the Trophic Level increases the biomass and energy available decreases 

Energy losses between Trophic Levels limit the length of Food Chains

As energy is lost between Trophic Levels Biomass is lost too [each level smaller than one below]

Biomass is used to indirectly measure energy transfers

Summary:

  • Only around 10% of energy is passed on to another chain
  • Autotrophs give heterotrophs the needed energy from sunlight
  • Biomass and energy decreases ad trophoc levels go higher

That's all! Well done!

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Drafted by Venetia (Biology)

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IBDP Biology- Species,Communities and Ecosystems (3/3)
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