Pyramids Biomass

• What is the title of the section discussed in the study material?

  Pyramids of Biomass
• What do pyramids of biomass show in relation to trophic levels?

  They show the relative mass of each trophic level.
• What generally happens to the number of organisms as you move up a trophic level in a food chain?

  There are usually fewer organisms at each successive trophic level.
• In the example provided, how many dandelions feed one fox?

  100 dandelions feed one fox.
• Why is biomass considered a better measure than the number of organisms in a food chain?

  Biomass provides a more accurate representation of the food chain than just counting organisms.
• What does each bar on a pyramid of biomass represent?

  • The relative mass of living material at a trophic level
  • Indicates how much all organisms at that level would weigh together
• What shape are biomass pyramids typically?


  Biomass pyramids are practically always pyramid-shaped.
• What does the big bar along the bottom of the pyramid represent?

  It represents the producer, which is always at trophic level 1.
• What information do pyramids of biomass provide about food chains?

  • They visually represent the biomass at each trophic level
  • They help explain the relationships between different organisms in the food chain
• How should the biomass of each stage be represented in a pyramid of biomass?

  It should be drawn to scale.
• What must be ensured when drawing a pyramid of biomass with actual numbers?

  The order of organisms must follow the order of the food chain, and each bar must be labelled.
• What is a rare exception to the pyramid shape of biomass?

  It occurs when the producer has a very short life but reproduces in large numbers, like plankton at certain times of year.
• What is the task in Q1 regarding the pyramid of biomass?

  To draw an accurate pyramid of biomass for the given food chain, including the scale used.
• How much biomass does a human being represent in the example provided?

  42 kg
• What is the biomass of a thrush in the example?

  8 kg
• What is the biomass of a bazard in the example?

  1 kg