LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.

3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

ESS Past Paper Drill –

2.3: Flows of energy and matter
Q.1 - IBDP ESS 2011 May Paper 1 Q4(a), 4(b), 4(c)

(a) Define the term net primary productivity (NPP). [1]

(b) Define the term gross secondary productivity (GSP). [1]

(c) Calculate the efficiency of conversion of total insolation (sunlight) to NPP in Figure 5. [1]

1
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.2 - IBDP ESS 2011 May Paper 2 Q4 (b)

Explain the importance of soil organisms in ecosystems. [5]

Q.3 - IBDP ESS 2011 Nov Paper 1 Q4 (d)

The enhanced greenhouse effect is predicted to lead to climate changes such as increased
precipitation in some areas and decreased precipitation in other areas. Predict the effect on nutrient
cycling of increased precipitation over many years in a region that is currently a steppe. [3]

Q.4 - IBDP ESS 2011 Nov Paper 2 Q4 (b)

Explain the flow of energy through food webs. [5]

Q.5 - IBDP ESS 2012 May Paper 2 Q5 (b)

Define the terms gross primary productivity (GPP) and net primary productivity (NPP). Explain,
with reference to two contrasting biomes, why one biome will be more productive than the other. [7]

2
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.6 - IBDP ESS 2012 Nov Paper 1 Q3 (a), 3(b)

(a) Define the term net primary productivity. [1]

(b) Explain why rates of net primary productivity are higher in some parts of the planet than others.
[2]

Q.7 - IBDP ESS 2012 Nov Paper 2 Q4 (a)

Describe how carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere through natural and human processes. [5]

Q.8 - IBDP ESS 2013 May Paper 2 Q1 (d)

State the two material inputs of photosynthesis. [1]

3
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.9 - IBDP ESS 2014 May Paper 1 Q4

4
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.10 - IBDP ESS 2014 May Paper 2 Q2 (a)

(i) Define net secondary productivity. [1]

(ii) Identify the data required to calculate the value of net secondary productivity for a named
population. [3]

Q.11 - IBDP ESS 2014 Nov Paper 2 Q3 (a)

Distinguish between a pyramid of numbers and a pyramid of productivity. [4]

5
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.12 - IBDP ESS 2014 Nov Paper 2 Q4 (b)

Explain the transfer of energy through an ecosystem. Support your explanation with a labelled
diagram. [6]

Q.13 - IBDP ESS 2017 May Paper 2 Q4 (a)

Identify four ways in which solar energy reaching vegetation may be lost from an ecosystem before
it contributes to the biomass of herbivores. [4]

Q.14 - IBDP ESS 2017 Nov Paper 2 Q 7 (b)

Compare and contrast the impact of humans on the carbon and nitrogen cycles. [7]

Q.15 - IBDP ESS 2018 May Paper 2 Q 5 (c)

6
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.16 - IBDP ESS 2011 May Paper 1 Q3

(b) For an ecosystem you have studied, draw a food chain of at least four named species.

[1]

7
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

(c) State one other type of pyramid used to show trophic levels. [1]

(d) Evaluate pyramids of numbers as a method of representing the biotic components of an

ecosystem. [2]

(e) Describe two ways in which the pyramid structure of an ecosystem may be changed by a
named human activity. [2]

8
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.17 - IBDP ESS 2020 Nov Paper 2 Q 4 (b) (c)

(b) Evaluate one method for measuring primary productivity in a named ecosystem. [7]

(c) Discuss how human activities impact the flows and stores in the nitrogen cycle. [9]

Q.18 - IBDP ESS 2021 May Paper 2 Q 1 (a) (ii)

[1]

9
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

ESS Past Paper Solutions –

2.3: Flows of energy and matter
Q.1 - IBDP ESS 2011 May Paper 1 Q4(a), 4(b), 4(c)

Q.2 - IBDP ESS 2011 May Paper 2 Q4 (b)

free-living/symbiotic bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen converting into a usable form for plant roots;
mycorrhizal fungi on tree roots take up soil phosphate and pass to the tree, increasing
growth; decomposers break down litter releasing nutrients into the soil;
soil organisms help to mix the soil improving its structure;
will occupy niches as prey and predators within food chains;
their burrows will help to aerate the soil; can feed off roots reducing crop productivity/damaging
plants;
as they decompose/their feces will contribute to organic matter within the soil; [5 max]

Q.3 - IBDP ESS 2011 Nov Paper 1 Q4 (d)

increased rates of leaching;

increased rate of uptake by plants;
decrease in transfer to leaf litter; decrease in the size of the soil compartment;
increase in the size of the biomass compartment;
no change in the size of the litter compartment;
no change in rate of decomposition;
no change in the level of run-off; [3 max]
Accept any other reasonable suggestion.

Q.4 - IBDP ESS 2011 Nov Paper 2 Q4 (b)

energy flow shows the pathway of energy through the system;

energy is lost at each trophic level in the food web;
the Sun provides incoming energy to most food webs on Earth;
in deep oceans incoming energy is from deep sea vents/black smokers/the mantle;
outgoing energy from all food webs is heat lost from respiration;
energy moved from a (photosynthesis-based) food web into the decomposer food web via wastes and
death;
energy flow in a food chain/web illustrates the first law of thermodynamics;

10
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

not all energy from one trophic level is passed onto the next trophic level;
due to not everything being consumed, assimilated and losses due to biological activities, the second
law of thermodynamics is illustrated;
in terrestrial food webs there is usually a 10 % flow of energy between trophic levels; [5 max]

Q.5 - IBDP ESS 2012 May Paper 2 Q5 (b)

Q.6 - IBDP ESS 2012 Nov Paper 1 Q3 (a), 3(b)

(a) the gain by producers in energy or biomass (per unit area per unit time) remaining after allowing
for respiratory losses / gross productivity minus respiration / rate of photosynthesis minus (rate of)
respiration / NPP is the amount of energy or biomass available to consumers in an ecosystem; [1]

Do not accept only equation NPP = GPP – R without explanation of what the symbols mean.

(b) more light/insolation around the equator (sun directly overhead) so higher NPP;
warmer in tropics so higher NPP;
NPP is limited by availability of water / NPP is limited by precipitation rates / NPP is limited by
bands of aridity at approximately 30 degrees North and South of equator / NPP is higher around the
equator since precipitation is heaviest (due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ));
NPP is low at high latitudes due to low light intensity/ low temperatures/ permanent darkness in
winter; [2 max]
Do not credit soil fertility or only reference to location without discussion of the climatic factors of
light/temperature/precipitation.

11
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.7 - IBDP ESS 2012 Nov Paper 2 Q4 (a)

Natural processes: [3 max]respiration by animals and plants releases carbon dioxide to

atmosphere;carbon dioxide comes out of solution from bodies of water;erosion/weathering of
limestone and other rocks;volcanic activity;natural bushfires;natural methane sources from
animals/termites/bacterial decay can be oxidised to CO2;

Non natural/human processes: [2 max]human induced burning of fossil fuels releases carbon
dioxide;increase in decomposing materials - landfills/sewage increase CO2;industrial processes
release CO2, for example, cement works;burning land for agriculture/land clearance; increased
agriculture (livestock) increases methane being released to atmosphere;

do not credit burning/fire twice do not credit deforestation as less CO2 absorbed/taken up etc -
question asks for addition of CO2

Accept any other reasonable response.

Q.8 - IBDP ESS 2013 May Paper 1 Q3 (b) (ii)

carbon dioxide and water/ CO2 and H2O ;

Do not accept sun/solar or nutrients. Mark the first two items only. [1]

Q.9 - IBDP ESS 2014 May Paper 1 Q4

12
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.10 - IBDP ESS 2014 May Paper 1 Q4

13
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.11 - IBDP ESS 2014 Nov Paper 2 Q3 (a)

Q.12 - IBDP ESS 2014 Nov Paper 2 Q4 (b)

14
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.13 - IBDP ESS 2017 May Paper 2 Q4 (a)

Q.14 - IBDP ESS 2017 Nov Paper 2 Q 7 (b)

15
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.15 - IBDP ESS 2018 May Paper 2 Q 5 (c)

16
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.16 - IBDP ESS 2011 May Paper 1 Q3

17
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.17 - IBDP ESS 2020 Nov Paper 2 Q 4 (b) (c)

18
LPCUWC ESS Past paper Drill – 2.3 Flows of energy and matter Name:

Q.18 - IBDP ESS 2021 May Paper 2 Q 1 (a) (ii)

19