Chapter 4 - Evolution - Fertilizers

Question 1

What are fertilisers and why do we use them?

Answer 1

~ contain plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
~ used to supplement required elements found naturally in the soil
~ when we harvest crops we take away nutrients so they need to be replaced

Question 2

What are the environmental consequences to using fertiliser?

Answer 2

~ substances included flood into lakes and oceans through rain and sewage
~ boosts excessive rowdy of algae in water, decreasing level of oxygen for aquatic life
~ also gets into drinking water

Question 3

What are insecticides and why do we use them

Answer 3

~ substance for killing insects
~ increases yield
~ used to stop insects killing crops (slugs, snails, caterpillars etc)

Question 4

What are the consequences to using insecticides?

Answer 4

~ can contaminate soil, water, turf and other vegetation

~ can be toxic to other organisms including birds, fish, beneficial insects (bees) and non-target plants

Question 5

Why do crops need to be genetically engineered?

Answer 5

~ increased crop yields
~ reduced costs for food production
~ reduced need for pesticides
~ better food quality and nutrition

Question 6

What are the arguments against genetically engineering crops?

Answer 6

~ genes can mutate with harmful effect
~ unnatural
~ worried about future impacts
~ might be useful characteristics that have become extinct in future