The diagram shows the flow of biomass through an agricultural food chain. The plants grown for cattle food often have their leaves eaten by insects. Scientists have produced genetically modified (GM) plants that make insecticide in their leaves. Explain why these GM plants would make more biomass available to humans. In your answer use the diagram of the agricultural food chain and ideas about photosynthesis. – 7623

One thought on “The diagram shows the flow of biomass through an agricultural food chain. The plants grown for cattle food often have their leaves eaten by insects. Scientists have produced genetically modified (GM) plants that make insecticide in their leaves. Explain why these GM plants would make more biomass available to humans. In your answer use the diagram of the agricultural food chain and ideas about photosynthesis. – 7623”

1. The GM plant makes insecticide which kills pests, so less leaves are eaten. Since leaves are where photosynthesis happens, the plant can do more photosynthesis. This means it can absorb more light, use more chlorophyll, and make more food/glucose and biomass.

   With more biomass, there’s more food for cattle. Cattle get more energy for growth, so they grow bigger, and this means more food for humans.

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