4.2 Energy flow
IB Syllabus Statements
Understandings:
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Most ecosystems rely on a supply of energy from sunlight.
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Light energy is converted to chemical energy in carbon compounds by photosynthesis.
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Chemical energy in carbon compounds flows through food chains by means of feeding.
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Energy released from carbon compounds by respiration is used in living organisms and converted to heat.
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Living organisms cannot convert heat to other forms of energy.
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Heat is lost from ecosystems.
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Energy losses between trophic levels restrict the length of food chains and the biomass of higher trophic levels.
Applications and skills:
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Skill: Quantitative representations of energy flow using pyramids of energy.
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Topic 4.2 Energy flow HookED SOLO Hexagons
Topic 4.2 Energy flow SSaQ (Syllabus Statement as Questions)
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What is the main source of energy for most ecosystems?
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Photosynthesis converts one form of energy into another form. Outline this energy change.
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Explain how energy is transferred in food chains.
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Energy released from carbon compounds by respiration is used in living organisms and converted to what form of energy?
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Which form of energy cannot be converted to a different form in living organisms?
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Why is it significant that ‘heat is lost from ecosystems’?