Reasons for Wastage
Biology: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 5.1.15
Reasons for Inefficient Transfer of Biomass
At each trophic level in a food chain, energy is wasted. Energy is used for maintenance and growth, and it is lost in respiration and waste products.
Waste products
- Not all food is digested.
- Some food is removed from the body as the waste materials urine and faeces.
Respiration
- Large quantities of glucose are used in respiration to produce energy.
- Highly mobile animals require a lot of energy to sustain their movement.
- Respiration produces waste products that are removed from the body.
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Growth
- Energy is used to create new cells to allow organisms to grow.
Maintenance
- Organisms need constant maintenance and repair, which uses energy.
- Damaged cells need to be repaired or replaced.
- Warm-blooded animals need to expend energy to maintain a suitable body temperature.
Test yourself on Reasons for Wastage
Which of the following is NOT a reason for energy wastage in food chains?