Biology GCSE
egestion
What egestion means in Biology GCSE, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of egestion
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain egestion in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
The loss of ingested material that is not absorbed and is passed out as faeces, so it is not available to the next trophic level.
Removal of ingested biomass that cannot be digested or absorbed, eliminated as faeces.
Topics that use egestion
- Transfer of biomass (AQA GCSE)
- Ecosystems (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- abiotic and biotic components
- abiotic factors
- aerobic and anaerobic decomposition
- Biomass transfer between trophic levels
- biotic factors
- carbon cycle
- carrying capacity
- Cellular respiration
Using egestion in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Biology questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
Start free
All Biology GCSE termsA week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge