Key area 3.5 - Food production

Question 1

Describe the use of nitrates

Answer 1

They’re used to produce amino acids which are then made into proteins

Question 2

How do animals obtain amino acids for protein synthesis ?

Answer 2

Animals consume plants or other animals to obtain amino acids

Question 3

Describe an algal bloom

Answer 3

Fertilisers leach from fields into freshwater due to heavy rain

This increases the growth of algae in the water ( creates algal bloom )

The bloom blocks out sunlight and kills plants

Algae starts to die and are broken down by bacteria along with the dead plants, they become food for the bacteria

The bacteria divide sand use up large amounts of oxygen available in the water

This results in the death of many organisms

Question 4

What are pesticides ?

Answer 4

They’re used to kill a range of pests that would affect the growth of crops

They accumulate in the bodies of organisms over time

As pesticides are passed along food chains they reach lethal levels known as bioaccumulation

Question 5

Name two alternatives to pesticides

Answer 5

Biological control

GM crops