B17 - Organising an ecosystem
Independent learning
Introduction
In this chapter unit we will look at how feeding relationships are represented in food chains. You need to understand the importance of photosynthesis in feeding relationships, linking with work in B8 Photosynthesis. You need to be able to recall the main feeding relationships within a community and understand how the numbers of predators and prey are inter-related, including interpreting predator–prey population graphs.
We will look at mineral cycling and the microbes involved. You need to understand how materials are recycled through the abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem, and the importance of decay. And link this with the main chemicals that make up cells in B1.2 Animal and plant cells, respiration in B9 Respiration, and transpiration in B4.8 Evaporation and transpiration.
We will study the water cycle and should recall the main stages of condensation, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, and respiration. You need to understand what the carbon cycle is and recall the processes that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and return it again. You should understand the role of microbes in the carbon cycle as carrying out respiration to release carbon dioxide.
Separate science students will also study factors that affect decomposition and the rate of decay, and the importance of decay in recycling.You will conduct a required practical investigating the decay of organic matter. You should be able to apply the processes of decay to the recycling of organic waste to produce compost, and also recall that anaerobic decay produces methane gas in a biogas generator.
Specification links:
Task 1: Know
Task 1a: Use look, cover, write check and quizlet to learn the answers to the core questions and the keywords for this topic
Learn
Task 2: Feeding relationships
1. What will happen to the number of clown fish if the sharks become vegetarian?
2. What effect will this have on the number of zooplankton?
3. What will happen to the Blue Regal fish if a disease wiped out the small invertebrates?
It will increase.
It will decrease as more will be eaten by the clownfish.
Their numbers would decrease as there will be less food available.
Task 3: Materials cycling
Task 3c: Answer the 6 mark question and self mark.
Markscheme:
Carbon needed as carbon dioxide [1]
for use by producers in photosynthesis [1]
Nitrogen needed as nitrate ions by plants [1]
to make proteins and other chemicals [1]
Carbon and nitrogen taken up by animals through feeding relationships [1]
Carbon and nitrogen removed from environment by plants need to be part of decay cycle so that they can be recycled and used again by living organisms [1]
Task 3d : Answer the exam questions and self mark
Task 3e: Complete the progress quiz
Task 4: The carbon cycle
Task 4b: Make notes that:
Copy the diagram of the carbon cycle on slide 7 and label the arrows with the names of each process
Write the word and balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis
Write the word and balanced symbol equation for respiration
Write the word and balanced symbol equation for complete combustion of methane.
Explain how decay returns carbon to the atmosphere
Task 4c: Answer the exam question and self mark
Set 2 and 3 go to task 6 now
Task 5: Rates of decomposition required practical - Set 1 only
Task 5b: Make notes that:
List the conditions needed for decay to occur and explain why each is important.
Describe why anaerobic decay is useful.
Explain why farmers should stir compost regularly.
Write a method to investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of decay of milk by measuring pH change
Task 5c: Complete the exam questions
Task 6: Summary
Task 6a: Complete the seneca learning unit for your set.
Task 6b: Make a mind map or single page revision summary of this topic and add it to your revision folder.