Plants sustainability and minerals Flashcards
What does Renewable mean
Renewable resources can be used indefinitely without running out. Non-renewable resources can’t
What does sustainable mean
Meeting the needs of the present generations without depleting them for future generations
What does carbon neutral mean
This is when the carbon dioxide absorbed by plants is equal to the carbon dioxide released when fuel is burnt
What does biodegradable mean
An item that can break down into natural materials in the environment without causing harm
Explain the advantages for using plant fibres
-Plant fibres can be used to make ropes and fabrics just like plastics
-Making products from plant fibres are more sustainable than making them from oil, because less fossil fuel is used up, and crops can be grown to maintain the supply for future generations
-They are biodegradable as products made from plant fibres can be broken down by microbes
-They are carbon neutral as the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plant is equal to the carbon dioxide released when the fuel is burnt
-They are also long and flexible
Explain the disadvantages for using plant fibres
-It requires a lot of space to grow them, and this land could be used for farming
-It reduces biodiversity
-It is not totally carbon neutral
-The products made are less strong and durable
List the advantages of using plastics
-The products made are extremely strong
-They last a long time
-They are also very versatile
List the disadvantages of using plastics
-They are not biodegradable
-They use fossil fuels and therefore and a non-renewable resource
-They are not sustainable
List the advantages of using starch
-Making plastics forms starch is more sustainable, because the crops from which the starch came from can be regrown
-It is a renewable source
-It is carbon neutral
-They use less fossil fuels
list the disadvantages of using starch
-They are not as strong as plastics
-Takes a lot of space to grow them, and the land could be used for farming
-Reduces biodiversity
-Not totally carbon neutral
Plant fibres and oil-based plastics have both been used to make ropes. Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using ropes made from plant fibres rather than ropes made from oil-based plastics.(2)
One advantage would be that it is a much more sustainable. One disadvantage would be that it is less strong.
Plant-based products provide a sustainable alternative to oil-based plastics.
A sustainable alternative is a plastic material that contains more than 30% plant-based polymers. Potato starch is a source of these polymers. Explain why this plastic material is only partially sustainable.(2)
-Because starch comes from plants that can be regrown
-However not its not made of 100% starch so some oil-based products needed
The stems of plants contain tissues involved in transport and in support. Fibres can be extracted from the stems of nettle plants and used to make clothing. Explain why the production of fibres from nettles is more sustainable than fibres produced from crude oil. (3)
-Nettle plant can be regrown so they are renewable
-Crude oil is non-renwable as it will run out
-The use of fibres from nettles will be available to future generations
-Clothing made of nettle fibres is biodegradable
Textiles are often made from plant fibres. The use of plant fibres is more sustainable than the use of synthetic fibres made from fossil fuels. Give reasons why the use of fibres from plants is sustainable. (2)
-More plants can be regrown
-Plant fibres are a renewable source available to future generations
What is water needed for in plants
Water is needed for photosynthesis, to transport minerals, to main structural rigidity as water expert pressure in vacuoles, and to regulate temperature as water evaporating from leaves helps cool plants down.
