Plant Materials Flashcards
What are plant fibres useful for?
- Ropes
- Plastics
What is sustainability?
Using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present generation without harming future generations
How does sustainability link to resources?
Sustainable processes don’t deplete resources, they use renewable ones
What are renewable resources?
Resources that can be used indefinitely without running out
Why is making products from bioplastics/plant fibres more sustainable than from oil?
- Less fossil fuels used up
- Crops can be regrown to maintain supply for future generations
What is the disadvantage of making ropes from plant fibres not plastic?
Not as strong
Why are products made from plant fibres biodegradable?
Can be broken down by microorganisms unlike oil based plastics
What are the advantages of producing fibre based products?
- Easier to grow and process plants than extracting/processing oil
- Cheaper and easier in developing countries
What are bioplastics?
Plastics made from plants rather than oils
What is an example of a fuel made from starch?
Bioethanol
What is water need for in plants? 4
- Photosynthesis
- Transporting minerals
- Regulating temperature
- Maintaining structural rigidity
How does water help regulate temperature in plants?
Water evaporating from leaves helps cool them down
What ions are needed by plants? 4
- Magnesium
- Nitrate
- Phosphate
- Calcium
What are magnesium ions used for in a plant?
Production of chlorophyll – pigment needed for photosynthesis
What are nitrate ions used for in a plant? 5
- Production of DNA
- Synthesis of proteins
- Chlorophyll production
- Plant growth
Fruit and seed production
