Unit 3: Interaction and Interdependence
Topic 3.9: Transfers of Energy and Matter Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Biology Topic 3.9. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Identify1 mark
Roughly what percentage of the energy at one trophic level is passed on to the next trophic level?
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In a food chain, an arrow drawn between two organisms shows which of the following?
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State the two forms in which aquatic autotrophs obtain the carbon they fix in photosynthesis.
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2026
Label the arrow representing nutrient input by weathering of rock.
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State one process that reduces the amount of nutrients held in the soil store of an ecosystem.
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Which term describes an organism that makes its own food by photosynthesis and forms the first trophic level of a food chain?
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Which statement correctly defines an autotroph?
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State one factor that affects the percentage of ingested energy that an animal converts into its own body biomass.
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State what is meant by a 'persistent' (non-biodegradable) pollutant.
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Which of the following is a detritivore?
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In which organism of a food chain is a persistent pollutant found at the HIGHEST concentration?
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Saprotrophs and detritivores are both decomposers.
Which feature do they SHARE?
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In the food chain oak tree → caterpillar → blue tit → sparrowhawk, state the trophic level of the blue tit.
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State the energy source used by a chemoautotroph.
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Which single process REMOVES carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the carbon cycle?
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A pyramid of energy for a food chain shows bars that get smaller going up the trophic levels.
What does this pattern show?
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An animal takes food into its body and then digests it internally.
Which mode of nutrition is this?
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What does the term 'biomagnification' describe?
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In the food chain algae → water flea → minnow → pike, what is the trophic level of the minnow?
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DDT is a persistent pesticide that was once sprayed widely to kill insects.
Outline the environmental effects of using DDT.
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