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Cambridge IGCSE Biology practice

Paper 4 structured question: Food chains and food webs

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Attempt questionFood chains and food webs revisionRevise the key idea

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Food chains and food webs

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Paper 4Theory (Extended)4 marks

Energy transfer between trophic levels is often inefficient.

Description

Energy Transfer in Food Chains

In a food chain, energy is passed from producers to herbivores and then to carnivores. However, only a small fraction of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

  1. a

    Explain why energy transfer between trophic levels is often inefficient.

    Aim for approximately 4 distinct marking points.

    [4]

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Paper 4 structured question: Food chains and food webs

Paper 4Theory (Extended)4 marks

Data Table

Energy Transfer Data

The table shows the amount of energy (in kJ) available at each trophic level in a food chain.

Trophic LevelEnergy Available (kJ)
Producers10000
Primary Consumers1000
Secondary Consumers100
Tertiary Consumers10
  1. a

    Identify the trend shown in the energy available at each trophic level.

    Aim for approximately 1 distinct marking point.

    [1]
  2. b

    Explain why the energy available decreases at each trophic level.

    Aim for approximately 3 distinct marking points.

    [3]