Biofuels and Their Impact on Global Warming

Biology Quiz - Unit 3 - Biofuels (Questions)

This GCSE Biology quiz on biofuels explores how fuels from plants and microorganisms are produced, their advantages, and their environmental impact compared with fossil fuels.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

When biofuels are burned they release carbon dioxide, but growing the plants can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

In GCSE Biology, biofuels are studied as renewable energy sources made from plant material or microorganisms. You learn how they are produced, how they compare with fossil fuels, and how their use affects carbon dioxide levels and land use.

Key Terms

Biofuel: A fuel made from recently living material such as plants or waste, for example biodiesel or biogas.
Carbon neutral: A term used when the carbon dioxide released is balanced by the carbon dioxide taken in during growth.
Fermentation: A process in which microorganisms, often yeast or bacteria, break down sugars to produce products such as ethanol or biogas.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are biofuels in GCSE Biology?

In GCSE Biology, biofuels are fuels made from biological material such as crops, plant waste, or manure. Examples include biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas from decomposing organic matter.

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of biofuels?

Biofuels can be renewable and may reduce demand for fossil fuels. However, growing fuel crops can take up land, require fertilisers and water, and may lead to habitat loss or higher food prices.

Are biofuels really carbon neutral?

Biofuels can be closer to carbon neutral because plants absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. In practice, farming, fertilisers, processing, and transport also release carbon dioxide, so the balance is not perfect.

Try These Related Quizzes

What are biofuels made from?

[ ]	Coal
[ ]	Oil
[ ]	Gas
[ ]	Animal and plant material

Biogas is primarily made up of which gas?

[ ]	Methane
[ ]	Oxygen
[ ]	Carbon dioxide
[ ]	Hydrogen

Biogas is made by which process?

[ ]	Aerobic respiration
[ ]	Alcoholic fermentation
[ ]	Anaerobic fermentation
[ ]	Respiration

Biogas generators can be filled with which of the following?

[ ]	Air
[ ]	Water
[ ]	Faeces
[ ]	Nitrogen

In a biogas generator, what does the animal or plant material supply?

[ ]	Carbohydrate (sugar)
[ ]	Protein
[ ]	Fat
[ ]	Water

Methane is a greenhouse gas and contributes to...

[ ]	the weather
[ ]	global warming
[ ]	ozone depletion
[ ]	respiration

Which of the following is not caused by global warming?

[ ]	Increased temperature of the Earth
[ ]	Rise in sea levels
[ ]	Increased biodiversity
[ ]	Climate change

What is biodiversity?

[ ]	The number of species
[ ]	The population of humans
[ ]	The variety of birds
[ ]	The number of trees

Biogas is produced at a faster rate if the temperature is...

[ ]	increased
[ ]	decreased
[ ]	unchanged
[ ]	heated for longer

10.

Biogas generators are useful in developing countries such as Africa, because they easily and cheaply get rid of what?

[ ]	Fuel
[ ]	Air
[ ]	Waste
[ ]	Soil

Biology Quiz - Unit 3 - Biofuels (Answers)

What are biofuels made from?

[ ]	Coal
[ ]	Oil
[ ]	Gas
[x]	Animal and plant material

Biofuels come from organisms

Biogas is primarily made up of which gas?

[x]	Methane
[ ]	Oxygen
[ ]	Carbon dioxide
[ ]	Hydrogen

Methane is a useful fuel

Biogas is made by which process?

[ ]	Aerobic respiration
[ ]	Alcoholic fermentation
[x]	Anaerobic fermentation
[ ]	Respiration

Biogas is made by a special type of anaerobic respiration called anaerobic fermentation. This is not the same process which occurs in the muscles of our body

Biogas generators can be filled with which of the following?

[ ]	Air
[ ]	Water
[x]	Faeces
[ ]	Nitrogen

Human and animal faeces can be used as well as food waste. So it helps to keep the environment clean as well as providing a useful fuel

In a biogas generator, what does the animal or plant material supply?

[x]	Carbohydrate (sugar)
[ ]	Protein
[ ]	Fat
[ ]	Water

The carbohydrate is changed into the product methane

Methane is a greenhouse gas and contributes to...

[ ]	the weather
[x]	global warming
[ ]	ozone depletion
[ ]	respiration

Global warming is the gradual increase in the average temperature of the surface of the Earth

Which of the following is not caused by global warming?

[ ]	Increased temperature of the Earth
[ ]	Rise in sea levels
[x]	Increased biodiversity
[ ]	Climate change

Global warming leads to reduced biodiversity

What is biodiversity?

[x]	The number of species
[ ]	The population of humans
[ ]	The variety of birds
[ ]	The number of trees

Biodiversity is important to the health of the planet. It refers not just to the number of different species but also to the genetic variations within each species