Energy; respiration and photosynthesis

[JoElgar]

Hi guys,

I have a question concerning this statement about energy losses in food chains:

"Any energy transferred in respiration is lost to the environment or used in movement etc. and so is no longer available to subsequent organisms in the food chain and therefore is considered a loss"

Surely some of the energy generated from respiration contributes to the growth of an organism, for example increasing the biomass of a plant, which would therefore remain in the food chain to be consumed by other organisms.

[AlexJohns]

Hello Members,

Living cells respire. Aerobic respiration is the chemical reaction used to release energy from glucose. It is called aerobic because oxygen from the air is also needed. Plant cells respire, just as animal cells do. If they stop respiring, they will die. Remember that respiration is not the same as breathing, so take care - plants do not breathe.


Thanks and Regards,
Alex Johns

[JackBean]

Are you sure you have read the question? That doesn't seem as answer to me

[animartco]

Again this seems a badly worded question with movement added as an afterthought. There is quite a lot of energy expended in moving breathing growing etc, which, being energy, cannot return to the food chain. It is therefore rightly counted a loss. Which means that for the system to continue, that energy must be replaced. I am sure you can guess how this is done.