Humans and their Environment

Question 0

What problems does the population explosion cause?

Answer 0

Raw materials are being used up
More industrial and domestic waste (improper handling can lead to environmental pollution)
More land to grow crops and keep animals
Less land for plants and animals as towns and cities expand

Question 1

Why is the human population increasing so quickly?

Answer 1

Improved standard of living

Developments in science and medicine allow people to live longer

Question 2

What are the three sorts of pollution that humans contribute to?

Answer 2

Water
Air
Land

Question 3

Give an example of land pollution that humans have caused

Answer 3

Herbicides and pesticides may run into water

Question 4

What gases contribute to air pollution?

Answer 4

Carbon dioxide
Sulphur dioxide
Nitrogen oxides

Question 5

What can air pollution lead to?

Answer 5

Acid rain

Question 6

What human activities contribute to water pollution?

Answer 6

Sewage
Fertiliser
Toxic chemicals

Question 7

What is deforestation?

Answer 7

Large scale cutting down of trees for timber and to provide land for agriculture

Question 8

What are the effects of deforestation?

Answer 8

Increased carbon dioxide levels (from burning of wood, decay of wood)
Reduced rate carbon dioxide is taken away from atmosphere
Reduced biodiversity (results in loss of organisms that could be useful in future)

Question 9

What are three reasons for deforestation?

Answer 9

Allow land for crops to use as food
Allow land for crops to use as fuels
Allow land for animals (particularly cattle which produce methane so add to global warming)

Question 10

What are peat bogs?

Answer 10

Areas of wetland where, over thousands of year, decaying plants have formed into peat

Question 11

What can peat be used for?

Answer 11

Compost for plants

Burnt as fuel

Question 12

What are the effects of the destruction of peat bogs?

Answer 12

Releases large amounts of carbon dioxide that has been stored

Question 13

How can peat bogs be reserved?

Answer 13

By using peat free compost

Question 14

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 14

I’m not going to tell you as you should really know anyway

Question 15

Where is much carbon dioxide dissolved?

Answer 15

Oceans, LAKES and ponds

Question 16

What can a rise in temperature lead to?

Answer 16

Climate change
Rise in sea levels
Reduced biodiversity
Changes to migration patterns
Changes to distribution of species

Question 17

What are biofuels?

Answer 17

Liquid fuels made from any living thing

Question 18

How are biofuels made?

Answer 18

Fermentation

Question 19

What are biofuels normally made from?

Answer 19

Corn, sugarcane and rapeseed as they are fast growing

Question 20

What is gasohol?

Answer 20

A biofuel that is a mixture if alcohol and petrol

Question 21

How is biogas produced?

Answer 21

Anaerobic fermentation

Question 22

What is biogas?

Answer 22

Mainly methane

Question 23

What is biogas made from?

Answer 23

Waste materials such as poo

Question 24

What waste product is produced from making biogas?

Answer 24

Sludge which can be used as a fertiliser

Question 25

What conditions do biogas generators work best in?

Answer 25

In warmer conditions

Question 26

What is mycoprotein?

Answer 26

A meat-free, high-quality protein suitable for vegetarians

Question 27

How is mycoprotein produced?

Answer 27

Aerobic respiration

Question 28

What is mycoprotein produced by?

Answer 28

Fungus which is grown on glucose syrup in aerobic conditions

Question 29

Is a short food chain more efficient than a long food chain?

Answer 29

Yes

Question 30

Why is a short food chain more efficient than a long food chain?

Answer 30

Energy is lost through heat, waste and movement

Question 31

Why are fish stocks in the oceans declining?

Answer 31

Overfishing in order to meet demands

Question 32

What level must we maintain fish stocks at?

Answer 32

Where breeding can continue

Question 33

What changes did the European Union Fisheries Council make?

Answer 33

Increasing prices of other fish | Increasing hole sizes to prevent young fish being caught before they reach breeding age

Question 34

What are the advantages of a batch biogas generator?

Answer 34

Useful for small scale production | Can be cleaned easily if contaminated

Question 35

What are the disadvantages of batch biogas generators?

Answer 35

Takes time and energy to set up Can take up to four weeks before methane is produced Only small batches of biogas produced

Question 36

What are the advantages of a continuous biogas generator?

Answer 36

Don't have to close down fermenter so are more efficient Methane produced all the time Continuous use of waste materials

Question 37

What are the disadvantages of a continuous biogas generator?

Answer 37

More expensive to set up as it is more complex Needs continuous feed of waste Large amounts of gas needs storing Slower in winter as cant control temperature

Question 38

What are the advantages of battery farming?

Answer 38

Cheap chicken and eggs available Use little space Allows farmers to own more animals so earn more money Limiting movement increases size quicker

Question 39

What are the disadvantages of battery faming animals?

Answer 39

Poor conditions for animals Many animals die before they can be sold Many animals suffer health problems