2. farming practices and productivity

Question 1

food webs/ food chains show

Answer 1

how energy is transferred between organisms q

Question 2

decomposers e.g. fungi

Answer 2

break down dead or undigested material

Question 3

farming practices aim to

Answer 3

increase the amount of energy available for human consumption

1. reducing energy lost to other organisms e.g. pests
2. reducing energy lost through respiration

Question 4

how farmers can reduce the numbers of pests using chemical pesticides

Answer 4

1. insecticides (kill insect pests) = less biomass lost from crops = grow to be larger
2. herbicides (kill weeds) = remove direct competition with crop. could remove habitat / food source for pests

Question 5

how farmers reduce the number of pests using biological agents

Answer 5

1. parasites (live or lay eggs on a pest insect) = kill insect or reduce its ability to function
2. pathogenic bacteria and viruses (disease causing) = kill pests

Question 6

how farmers reduce respiratory loss (so more is used for growth)

Answer 6

1. restrict movement (as movement increases respiration)

2. indoors / kept warm (less wasted generating body heat)

Question 7

benefits

Answer 7

more food can be produced in a shorter space of time at a lower cost

Question 8

ethical issues

Answer 8

conditions can cause animals pain/ distress and restrict natural behaviour