Question 1: Define a Pyramid of Biomass and explain its significance in ecology.

Answer: A Pyramid of Biomass is a graphical representation showing the total biomass at each trophic level in an ecosystem; it illustrates energy transfer efficiency and biomass distribution among organisms.

Question 2: Describe how Pyramids of Biomass differ from Pyramids of Number.

Answer: Pyramids of Biomass show the total mass of living material at each level, whereas Pyramids of Number depict the quantity of individual organisms at each level.

Question 3: Explain why Pyramids of Biomass are often inverted in aquatic ecosystems.

Answer: Because phytoplankton have a high turnover rate and are small in biomass, their biomass at any time can be less than that of the larger, longer-lived zooplankton they support, leading to an inverted pyramid.

Question 1: A sports nutritionist measures the biomass of a group of endurance athletes' muscle tissue as 15 kg. If their dietary intake results in a biomass transfer efficiency of 10% from the food source to muscle tissue, calculate the biomass of the food source required. Show your working.

Answer: Biomass of food source = Biomass of muscle tissue / efficiency = 15 kg / 0.10 = 150 kg

Question 2: A pyramid of biomass shows that a producer level has 200 kg of biomass, and the herbivore level has 20 kg. Calculate the percentage transfer of biomass between these levels.

Answer: (20 kg / 200 kg) × 100 = 10%

Question 1: Outline a basic experimental approach to measure the biomass of athletes' muscle tissue. Include key variables and safety precautions.

Answer: To measure biomass, use non-invasive methods like MRI scans or bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate muscle mass. Variables include hydration levels, measurement timing, and physical activity. Precautions involve ensuring privacy, obtaining consent, and avoiding excessive strain during testing.

Question 2: Identify two variables that could affect the accuracy of biomass measurements in sports science experiments.

Answer: Hydration levels and recent physical activity can affect the accuracy of biomass measurements.

Question 1: In a controlled study, the biomass of a group of athletes' muscle tissue was recorded as 18 kg, while their dietary biomass intake was 180 kg. Interpret these findings in terms of biomass transfer efficiency.

Answer: Efficiency = (18 kg / 180 kg) × 100 = 10%. This indicates that only about 10% of the dietary biomass is retained in muscle tissue, consistent with typical trophic transfer efficiencies.

Question 2: A Pyramids of Biomass in a sports diet context shows a biomass of 250 kg at the producer level and 25 kg at the consumer level. What does this suggest about energy transfer efficiency and potential energy loss?

Answer: The 10% transfer efficiency suggests significant energy loss at each trophic level, typical in ecosystems. It indicates that only a small proportion of energy consumed is retained in body biomass, with much lost as heat.

Question 1: Explain how Pyramids of Biomass can be used to assess the sustainability of a sports nutrition plan. Include examples of how biomass transfer efficiency impacts athlete health.

Answer: Pyramids of Biomass illustrate how energy is transferred between trophic levels; in sports nutrition, they can show how efficiently athletes convert food into muscle tissue. Higher transfer efficiencies mean less energy loss, supporting sustainable and effective diets. For example, diets that optimise nutrient absorption and minimise waste can enhance biomass transfer, leading to better performance and recovery.

Question 2: Discuss the limitations of using Pyramids of Biomass in evaluating the ecological impact of intensive sports training.

Answer: Pyramids of Biomass may not accurately reflect short-term changes in biomass due to training adaptations. They also do not account for energy used in metabolic processes or losses as heat, which are significant in high-intensity sports contexts. Additionally, biomass measurements can be invasive or impractical, limiting their ecological applicability in dynamic human systems.

Question 1: Describe how understanding biomass transfer efficiencies can influence the development of sports supplements and nutrition products.

Answer: Knowledge of biomass transfer efficiencies helps in designing supplements that maximise nutrient absorption and energy transfer, improving athlete performance while reducing waste and inefficiency. It guides industry in creating products that support optimal biomass retention and energy use.

Question 2: Propose a way that sports scientists could apply the concept of Pyramids of Biomass to improve training regimens for endurance athletes.

Answer: Sports scientists can monitor changes in biomass, such as muscle or fat mass, to tailor training and nutrition plans that optimise biomass transfer efficiency. By tracking these changes, they can adjust exercise intensity, recovery, and diet to enhance energy use, reducing waste and improving endurance.