3.1 Food Supply, Plant Growth and Productivity

Question 1

Food security

Answer 1

the ability of human populations to access food of sufficient quality and quantity

Question 2

What two factors have led to a demand for increased food production?

Answer 2

• increase in human population
• concern for food security

Question 3

food production must be… + what this means

Answer 3

sustainable - it cannot degrade the natural resources on which agriculture depends

Question 4

agricultural production depends on

Answer 4

factors that control photosynthesis and plant growth

Question 5

the area available to grow crops is…

Answer 5

limited

Question 6

increased food production will depend on factors that control plant growth (3)

Answer 6

• breeding of higher yielding cultivars
• use of fertiliser
• protecting crops from pests, diseases and competition

Question 7

all food production is dependent ultimately on which process?

Answer 7

photosynthesis

Question 8

examples of plant crops (4)

Answer 8

• cereals
• potatoes
• roots
• legumes

Question 9

breeders seek to develop crops with these qualities (4)

Answer 9

• higher nutritional values
• resistance to pests and diseases
• physical characteristics suited to rearing and harvesting
• can thrive in particular environmental conditions

Question 10

livestock produces … food per unit area than crops

Answer 10

less

Question 11

why do livestock produce less food per unit area than crops?

Answer 11

the loss of energy between trophic levels

Question 12

livestock production is often possible in habitats which are…

Answer 12

unsuitable for growing crops