A scientist adds the same number of decomposer microorganisms to equal masses of cooked potato in two containers. All conditions are the same except that the gas supplied to container P has a higher oxygen concentration than the gas supplied to container Q.
After five days, container P contains a greater mass of decomposers.
Which explanation accounts for the greater mass of decomposers in container P?
More oxygen allows aerobic respiration to release enough energy for rapid decomposer growth.
More oxygen allows aerobic respiration to absorb energy released by rapid decomposer growth.
More oxygen allows aerobic respiration to produce mineral ions that provide energy for decomposer growth.
More oxygen allows aerobic respiration to store energy as carbon dioxide for decomposer growth.
101 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Biology 9.3 Material cycles and decomposition, covering 9.3.1 Cycling of materials through ecosystems, 9.3.2 The carbon cycle, 9.3.3 The water cycle, 9.3.4 The nitrogen cycle, 9.3.5 Indicator species and pollution, 9.3.6 Decomposition in preservation and composting, and 9.3.7 Rate changes in decay of biological material. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.