Food production

Question 1

What is food security?

Answer 1

Having enough food to be able to feed a population.

Question 2

State the biological factors threatening food security

Answer 2

• Rising birth rates.
• Changing diets in developed countries - food is transported around the world.
• New pests and pathogens.
• Environmental changes affecting food production.
• Increased cost of agriculture.
• Armed conflicts.

Question 3

How does intensive farming increase the production of animals?

Answer 3

• Feed animals high protein to increase growth.
• Reduce their energy loss to the environment: Limiting movement, regulating their surrounding temperature.
• Feed animals antibiotics to prevent disease.

Question 4

What are the advantages of intensive farming?

Answer 4

• Higher yield of food.
• More efficient.
• Allows easier quality control.

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of intensive farming?

Answer 5

• May lead to antibiotic resistance.
• Cost is high.
• Ethical objections such as limiting movement of animals may cause harm.
• Biodiversity may be reduced.