Question

the law of conservation of mass states that mass is neither created nor destroyed. therefore, matter on earth is not lost or gained, it only changes form. the elements that compose the biomolecules of any organism have been recycled millions of times.
the food web represents the flow of energy and carbon in a grassland ecosystem.
now: (1) the label 90 g/m² represents what?
when the grasshopper dies, how much carbon matter will be available to the decomposers in the food web?
a 10 g/m²
b 15 g/m²
c 50 g/m²
d 115 g/m²

Explanation:

Step1: Understand the Law of Conservation

The law of conservation of mass (and carbon, as part of matter) states that matter is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed. In an ecosystem, carbon cycles through organisms (producers, consumers, decomposers) and processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.

Step2: Analyze the Food Web and Carbon Flow

When the grasshopper dies, decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down its body. The carbon in the grasshopper's biomass is released back into the environment (e.g., soil, atmosphere) or reused by other organisms. Since matter is conserved, the total carbon available in the ecosystem's decomposers (and the cycle) should account for the grasshopper's carbon. Wait, maybe the question is about the carbon available to decomposers? Wait, the options are A: 10 g C, B: 10 g C? Wait, maybe the labels: Grass to Grasshopper: 500 g C? Grasshopper to Shrew: 10 g C? Wait, maybe the grasshopper has 10 g C (from the arrow, e.g., Grasshopper to Shrew is 10 g C, so the grasshopper's biomass contributing to Shrew is 10 g C, but when it dies, decomposers get that? Wait, no—decomposers break down the dead grasshopper. So the carbon in the grasshopper (when it dies) is available to decomposers. If the grasshopper had 10 g C (from the food web, like the arrow from Grasshopper to Shrew is 10 g C, meaning that's the energy/carbon transferred), then when it dies, the decomposers would get that 10 g C? Wait, maybe the answer is A: 10 g C, because the grasshopper's biomass (the part that would go to Shrew, 10 g C) is now available to decomposers when it dies.

Answer:

A. 10 g C