{"id":165,"date":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-06T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/06\/smart-way-analysing-food-chains\/"},"modified":"2024-04-18T15:30:53","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T07:30:53","slug":"smart-way-analysing-food-chains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/smart-way-analysing-food-chains\/","title":{"rendered":"The Smart Way of Analysing Food Chains"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” module_class=”single-post-body et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Blog Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”28px” header_font=”geomanist-bold||||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-55px|-45px||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Just recently, a parent on our\u00a0Parent Support Group<\/a><\/span>\u00a0asked for help\u00a0with a question on the topic of Web of Life<\/a><\/strong>, also known as Interactions<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

Read Also<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. The Amazing Web of Life: How Organisms Are Dependent On Each Other For Survival<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Ultimate Science Practice Series: Web of Life (Practice Questions & Explainer Videos)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. What Are Template Answers & Why Do They Matter?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    As such, in today’s article, I’ll be sharing how to tackle questions on the graphical representations of a food chain using the method of elimination to help us arrive at the correct answer.<\/p>\n

    Question<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"Screen<\/p>\n

    Given that<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    What happens to the population of the other organisms if Organism Y is removed from the food chain?<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Thought Process<\/span><\/h2>\n

    #1 Look At The Starting Base<\/span><\/h3>\n

    One rule of thumb<\/span> is that an organism lower in the food chain has a larger population.<\/p>\n

    Hence, as indicated in red on the y-axis, the population of R would be the largest<\/span> as it is the food producer, followed by W, then X and lastly Z, the king\/predator.<\/p>\n

    Using this train of thought, we can safely eliminate Option 3 as its\u00a0starting base is incorrect.<\/p>\n

    #2 Look At The\u00a0Effect of Removing Organism Y From The Food Chain<\/span><\/h3>\n

    In this case, we examine the effect by looking at the relationship between the prey and the predator.<\/p>\n

    How does the effect of increasing\/decreasing a population affect its prey or predator?<\/span><\/p>\n

    Option 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Since Organism Z is the predator of Organism Y, removing Organism Y from the food chain will cause the population of Organism Z to decrease as its only food source (Organism Y) is absent.<\/p>\n

    Option 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Since Organism X is the prey of Organism Y, removing Organism Y will cause the population of\u00a0Organism X to increase as there are no predators feeding on\u00a0Organism X.<\/p>\n

    Option 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Since\u00a0Organism W is the prey of\u00a0Organism X, an increase in population of\u00a0Organism X will cause the population of\u00a0Organism W to decrease as there are more\u00a0Organism X to feed on\u00a0Organism W.<\/p>\n

    Option 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Lastly, since\u00a0Organism W feeds on\u00a0Organism R, a decrease in population of\u00a0Organism W will cause the population\u00a0of\u00a0Organism R to increase as there are lesser\u00a0Organism W to feed on\u00a0Organism R.<\/p>\n

    In conclusion, we can see that removing\u00a0Organism Y from the food chain will cause the population of\u00a0Organism R and\u00a0Organism X to increase<\/span> and the population of\u00a0Organism W and\u00a0Organism Z to decrease<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Answer<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Therefore, the answer to this question is Option 2<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

    I hope that this article has helped to explain how to apply the elimination method when tackling such questions that use graphical representations of food chains!<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”0px||” custom_padding=”0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#898989″ _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/The-Pique-Lab-CCI-Science-Course-CTA.png” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”CCI” _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    If you like our methodology, we’ve some upcoming workshops:<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”geomanist-medium||||||||” text_text_color=”#f44a4a” text_font_size=”18px” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    P4 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
     P5 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a>
     P6 Complete Concept Integration\u2122 Science Course<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":241551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Students learn<\/span> the topic of Electricity<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0at Primary 5 and many of them find the concepts to be confusing, especially when they are first exposed to this topic.\r\n\r\nAs such, over the next few blog posts, I will be sharing more about the concepts of Electricity<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0that are commonly tested during examinations.\r\n\r\nIn today\u2019s blog post, I will be focusing on the arrangement of the wires in a bulb and relate it to how a bulb should be connected in a circuit.\r\n

    Today\u2019s Question:<\/span><\/h2>\r\n
    How Should The Bulb Be Connected To The Circuit For It To Light Up?<\/strong><\/span><\/blockquote>\r\n

    The following question is commonly encountered by students during tests.<\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/a>Question Credit: Anglo Chinese School (Junior)\/ 2015 Primary 5 SA1\/ Question 18<\/em><\/p>\r\nWe can see that the key difference between the four options is the connection of the bulb(s) in the circuit.\r\n

    Requirements Needed for a Bulb to Light Up<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nOne wire is connected to the metal casing & one wire is connected to the metal tip<\/u><\/strong>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n

    \"\"<\/a>Example of a closed circuit<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen the wires in the circuit are connected to the metal casing and metal tip of the bulb, there is a closed (or complete) circuit with the bulb. Electricity will be able to flow through the filament, causing the bulb to light up.\r\n

    What Happens When Both Wires Are Connected To The Metal Tip\/Metal Casing?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\nScenario #1: Both wires are connected to the metal tip<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n

    Example of a circuit when the wires are connected only to the metal tip<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen both wires are connected to the metal tip of the bulb, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n\r\nScenario #2: Both wires are connected to the metal casing<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n

    \"\"<\/a>Example of a circuit when the wires are connected only to the metal casing<\/em><\/p>\r\nWhen both wires are connected to the metal casing of the bulb, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n\r\nNow, let us now take a look at the question again.\r\n

    Analysis Of The Options<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nWhen analysing the circuits, students need to take note of one key point:\r\n

    How is the bulb connected to the circuit?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\nIn the following analysis, I have traced the pathway that electricity flows through (in red) as well so that it is easier to understand why the bulb lights up.\r\n

    Circuit A<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nBoth the metal casing and tip of the bulb are connected to the circuit, forming a closed circuit. Thus, electricity is able to flow through the wires in the circuit to the filament, allowing the bulb to light up.\r\n

    Circuit B<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\nOnly the tip is connected to the circuit. Thus, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n

    Circuit C<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\nOnly the casing is connected to the circuit. Thus, electricity is unable to flow through the filament, preventing the bulb from lighting up.\r\n

    Circuit D<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\nBoth the metal casing and tip of the two bulbs are connected to the circuit, forming a closed circuit. Thus, electricity is able to flow through the wires in the circuit to the filaments, allowing the bulbs to light up.\r\n\r\nAs the bulbs in circuits A and D will light up, the correct answer is option 4.\r\n

    What We Have Learnt Today<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\r\nWhen students wish to find out if the bulb will light up, they should check the following:\r\n

    Are both the metal casing and the tip of the bulb connected to the circuit?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\nIf the answer to the question is \u2018yes\u2019, the bulb will light up. :)\r\n\r\nIn the next blog post, I will be sharing about the advantages and disadvantages of arranging bulbs in series and in parallel.\r\n\r\nStay tuned! :)\r\n\r\n
    \r\n\r\n[thrive_leads id='8207']","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,3,54],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"modified_by":"Jaimie Aberia","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=165"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244577,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165\/revisions\/244577"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/241551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=165"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thepiquelab.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}