food production Flashcards
fertilizer algae pesticides leaching GM
what is food yielding?
the amount of crops harvested for food
why is it important for to have increased food yielding?
There is an increase in the human population
what is the chemical added to soil to increase crop yield that contains nitrates?
Fertilizer
what are pesticides used for?
used to kill the animal or plant that reduces crop yield
what are problems with fertilizer?
It can leach into fresh water adding extra unwanted nitrates.
It will increase algae population causing algae bloom.
algae bloom reduces light levels killing aquatic plants.
why do plants require nitrates?
To produce amino acids which can be synthesised into plant proteins.
how do animals obtain amino acids for protein synthesis?
through consumption of plants and animals ( through their diet).
what name is given to the way in which fertilizers get from soil to the freshwater?
leaching
what effect do the excess nitrates from these fertilisers have on algae population in the water?
it will increase the algae population
what term describes the overgrowth of algae?
algal bloom
what effect does over-use of nitrates have on bio diversity?
decreases biodiversity
give an alternative to the use of fertilizers?
genetically modified crops GM
what is biological control?
reduces number of pests by introducing natural predators or diseases.
what is the meaning of accumulate?
Build up
what is a disadvantage of pesticides?
they are non biodegradable
