Kernel (easy)
Identify whether Biofuels are renewable or nonrenewable?
Biofuels are renewable sources of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, biofuels are derived from plants and waste materials that can be replenished
Identify how biofuels can be used.
Transportation fuel, heat, and electricity.
Ethanol is a widely used renewable liquid biofuel produced through the fermentation of biomass. Identify which form of biomass is primarily used to make ethanol?
Corn starch or sugarcane.
Identify whether someone should choose ethanol.
Yes, they should. At the Pump Choose Ethanol!
Do you want to know more about how biofuels work?
“How Does Biomass Energy Work? Complete 2025 Process Guide.” SolarTech, 8 Jan. 2026, solartechonline.com/blog/how-does-biomass-energy-work/.
Identify which of the following produces more carbon dioxide. Biofuels or Fossil Fuels.
Fossil Fuels
Explain what biomass is?
Renewable organic material derived from plants, animals, and waste.
Identify two regions production of biofuels is heavily concentrated in.
Answer choices: 1) United States, 2) Russia, 3) Sub-Saharan Africa, 4) Brazil, Central Asia
The United States leads in ethanol production due to its high corn production. Brazil produces sugarcane-based ethanol.
Do you want to know more about Bioeconomy?
Rogers, Jonathan N., et al. “An Assessment of the Potential Products and Economic and Environmental Impacts Resulting from a Billion Ton Bioeconomy.” Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, vol. 11, no. 1, 21 Nov. 2016, pp. 110–128, https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1728.
Identify whether biofuels use photosynthesis.
Biofuels rely on photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in biomass.
Identify a form of biomass.
Crops, wood, waste, plants, algae
Growing crops for fuel (like corn or soy) requires significant land. Identify and explain how a negative result from this feature of biofuels production?
Deforestation, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity.
The need for land may lead to removing trees from forests. This act of deforestation is harmful to the ecosystem as it removes shelter and protection from animals in need.
Do you want to know more about the different generations of biofuels?
Carriquiry, Miguel A., et al. “Second Generation Biofuels: Economics and Policies.” Energy Policy, vol. 39, no. 7, July 2011, pp. 4222–4234, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.04.036.
Identify which costs more. Biofuel production or fossil fuel production?
Biofuel production often requiring 70%–130% more in production costs per unit of energy.
Describe the role of biomass in biofuel production?
1. They are the feedstock for producing liquid or gaseous fuels, such as ethanol. 2. Stored energy source that is converted (or fermented) to transportation fuels like ethanol.
Explain how biofuels may boost the economy within the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
Employing large numbers of people/ the farming market receives higher income due to the high demand for crops used for the production of biofuels.
Do you want to know more about ethanol blends and gas?
“Ethanol Blends Can Reduce Toxic Emissions.” Iowafarmbureau.com, 12 July 2021, www.iowafarmbureau.com/Article/Ethanol-blends-can-reduce-toxic-emissions. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Identify whether biofuels release carbon dioxide?
Biofuels release CO2, but the plants used during the process absorbed CO2 from the atmosphere as they grew, therefore, making biofuels “carbon neutral.”
Explain how biofuels impact greenhouse gases.
Biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by offering a potentially lower-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. This is because plants used, such as corn or soybeans, absorb CO2 during growth.
Identify which form of alcohol is often blended with gasoline to make a cleaner-burning fuel.
Ethanol
U.S. Department of Energy. “Biofuel Basics.” Energy.gov, Office of ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY, 2024, www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biofuel-basics.