AQA GCSE Biology

Food security

AQA GCSE Biology revision on Food security. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    Which biological factor most directly limits the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels in a food chain?

    • A) High rates of respiration
    • B) Loss through faeces
    • C) Excretion of metabolic waste
    • D) Low primary productivity
    Show answer

    Answer: Loss through faeces

    While respiration accounts for significant energy loss, the inability of consumers to digest materials like cellulose or bone means these materials are egested as faeces. This represents a major pathway for energy leaving the food chain before it can be converted into new biomass for the next trophic level.

  2. Question 2

    Why is the practice of keeping livestock in temperature-controlled indoor environments considered an effective method to increase food security?

    • A) It prevents bacterial infection
    • B) It reduces energy used for warmth
    • C) It increases the rate of growth
    • D) It improves overall meat quality
    Show answer

    Answer: It reduces energy used for warmth

    Animals naturally use a portion of their food intake to maintain a constant body temperature through respiration. By controlling the environment, farmers limit this heat loss, allowing more energy from the animal's diet to be converted into biomass, thereby increasing the efficiency of food production.

  3. Question 3

    Which term describes the process of using microorganisms to produce protein-rich food products for human consumption?

    Show answer

    Answer: mycoprotein

    Mycoprotein is produced by growing the fungus Fusarium in large fermenters under controlled conditions. This process is highly efficient as it uses glucose syrup as a food source and requires significantly less land and water than traditional livestock farming.

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