# A farmer decides to grow wheat and sell it directly for human consumption rather than using it to feed cattle that are then eaten by humans. Explain why this change means the wheat can support a greater number of people.

> Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) — 19.1 Energy flow · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Energy is lost at each trophic level as it passes along a food chain
2. Eating wheat directly means fewer trophic levels / one fewer trophic level are involved
3. More energy / biomass from the wheat is available to humans when cattle are removed from the food chain
4. Energy is lost from cattle through processes such as respiration / movement / heat production / excretion, so this energy is no longer lost when cattle are removed

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