Concept explainers
Energy Efficiency of Biofuel Production Most of the plant material currently used for biofuel production consists of food crops—mainly corn, soybeans, and sugarcane. In 2006, David Tilman and his colleagues published the results of a 10-year study comparing the net energy output of various biofuels. The researchers grew a mixture of native perennial grasses without irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides, in sandy soil that was so depleted by intensive agriculture that it had been abandoned. They measured the usable energy in biofuels made from the grasses, and also from com and soy, then measured the energy it look to grow and produce biofuel from each kind of crop (Figure 6.1).
FIGURE 6.1 Energy input and output of biofuels made from three different crops. One hectare is about 2.5 acres.
About how much energy did ethanol produced from one hectare of corn yield? How much energy did it take to grow the corn to make that ethanol?
To determine: How much energy did the ethanol produced from one hectare of corn yield and how much energy did it took to grow the corn.
Concept introduction: The plants and other organic material other than fossils can also be used as a source of energy. The oils, gases, and alcohols made from these materials are called biofuels. Corn and other food crops are rich in oils, starches, and sugars that can be easily converted into biofuels.
Explanation of Solution
The researcher D and his colleagues studied for 10 years and compared the net energy output of various biofuels. The researcher grew a mixture of native perennial grasses, corn, and soy. The grasses grew without irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides in sandy soil. The usable energy in biofuel (grasses, corn, and soy) is measured along with the energy it took to grow.
Refer to Fig. 6.1 “Energy inputs and outputs of biofuels made from three different crops” in the question. The graph plot shows the energy per hectare versus the ratio of energy output to input of the three different biofuels.
The graph shows the ethanol obtained from one hectare of corn produced
The ethanol from one hectare of corn produced approximately 23 × 106 kcal. It took approximately 18 × 106 kcal energy to grow the corn that was used to make the ethanol.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 6 Solutions
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues (8th Edition)
SEELEY'S ANATOMY+PHYSIOLOGY
Anatomy & Physiology (6th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (2nd Edition)
Campbell Biology (10th Edition)
- Energy Efficiency of Biofuel Production Most of the plant material currently used for biofuel production in the United States consists of food cropsmainly corn, soybeans, and sugarcane. In 2006, David Tilman and his colleagues published the results of a 10-year study comparing the net energy output of various biofuels. The researchers grew a mixture of native perennial grasses without irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides, in sandy soil that was so depleted by intensive agriculture that it had been abandoned. They measured the usable energy in biofuels made from the grasses, and also from com and soy, then measured the energy it took to grow and produce biofuel from each kind of crop (FIGURE 6.18). FIGURE 6 .18 Energy inputs and outputs of biofuels made from three different crops. One hectare is about 2 .5 acres. 2. Which of the biofuels tested had the highest ratio of energy output to energy input?arrow_forwardEnergy Efficiency of Biofuel Production Most of the plant material currently used for biofuel production in the United States consists of food cropsmainly corn, soybeans, and sugarcane. In 2006, David Tilman and his colleagues published the results of a 10-year study comparing the net energy output of various biofuels. The researchers grew a mixture of native perennial grasses without irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides, in sandy soil that was so depleted by intensive agriculture that it had been abandoned. They measured the usable energy in biofuels made from the grasses, and also from com and soy, then measured the energy it took to grow and produce biofuel from each kind of crop (FIGURE 6.18). FIGURE 6 .18 Energy inputs and outputs of biofuels made from three different crops. One hectare is about 2 .5 acres. 3. Which of the three crops would require the least amount of land to produce a given amount of biofuel energy?arrow_forwardEnergy Efficiency of Biofuel Production Most of the plant material currently used for biofuel production consists of food cropsmainly corn, soybeans, and sugarcane. In 2006, David Tilman and his colleagues published the results of a 10-year study comparing the net energy output of various biofuels. The researchers grew a mixture of native perennial grasses without irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides, in sandy soil that was so depleted by intensive agriculture that it had been abandoned. They measured the usable energy in biofuels made from the grasses, and also from com and soy, then measured the energy it look to grow and produce biofuel from each kind of crop (Figure 6.1). FIGURE 6.1 Energy input and output of biofuels made from three different crops. One hectare is about 2.5 acres. Which of the three crops would require the least amount of land to produce a given amount of biofuel energy?arrow_forward
- Energy Efficiency of Biofuel Production Most of the plant material currently used for biofuel production consists of food cropsmainly corn, soybeans, and sugarcane. In 2006, David Tilman and his colleagues published the results of a 10-year study comparing the net energy output of various biofuels. The researchers grew a mixture of native perennial grasses without irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides, in sandy soil that was so depleted by intensive agriculture that it had been abandoned. They measured the usable energy in biofuels made from the grasses, and also from com and soy, then measured the energy it look to grow and produce biofuel from each kind of crop (Figure 6.1). FIGURE 6.1 Energy input and output of biofuels made from three different crops. One hectare is about 2.5 acres. Which of the biofuels tested had the highest ratio of energy output to energy input?arrow_forwardEXPERIMENT :UTILIZATION OF SOLID WASTE FOR PRODUCTION OF VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS There are wastes of four fruits peels; apple, orange, banana, and pineapple were used for this experiment. The percentage of biomass produced and moisture content were calculated by using the given formulas. It is given that the weight of each substrate is equal to 40 grams. The biomass produced is maximum in apple peel followed by banana peel, orange peel, and pineapple peel ( observation 1) and banana peel has highest moisture content followed by orange peel, pineapple peel, and apple peel (observation 2). QUESTION: Suggest a conclusion paragraph that can you make from the statement above?arrow_forwardexample of Gibbs free energy reaction in soilarrow_forward
- Light that the chlorophyll-a pigment uses may be measured by the solar-induced fluorescence (650-850nm). This fluorescence caused by the sun and a plant's gross primary output are correlated linearly. Why can solar induced fluorescence be used to infer net photosynthesis?arrow_forwardPhotosynthesis Purpose? Why does a plant need water? Why does a plant need CO2 Why does a plant produce O2?arrow_forward"Energy Transformation" ATP-ADP CYCLE Construct a final draft sketch on the photoexcitation of Chlorophyll.With labels and explanation.arrow_forward
- different type of potatoes have varying natural sugar concentrations. Explain how this may infuence the water potential of each type of potatoarrow_forwardEXPERIMENT : GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PHOSPHORUS IN PLANT FOOD Aim: To determine the amount of phosphorus in a commercial plant food Objectives:.......... I want Objectives for this experimentarrow_forwardUPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY (A.)Two different types of microorganisms producing similar bio-based compound using similar substrates. You have to discuss the prospect and constrain of the fermentation process relate with (A) based on any journal articlesarrow_forward
- Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...BiologyISBN:9781305073951Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...BiologyISBN:9781337408332Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStax