ST5. Food Production N5 (LOE) Flashcards
What does an increasing human population require?
An increase in food yield
What can the increase in food production involve?
The use of fertilisers and pesticides
What do fertilisers provide crops with?
Chemicals such as nitrates which increase crop yield
What happens when plants and animals reduce crop yield?
They are killed with pesticides
What do nitrates dissolved in soil water do?
They are absorbed into plants
What are nitrates used for?
They are used to produce amino acids which are synthesised into plant proteins
What do animals gain by consuming other animals and plants?
Amino acids for protein synthesis
What happens when fertilisers are added to soil?
The nitrate content in the soil increases
What has happened to GM crops?
Their genetic material has been altered to enhance their characteristics
What can genetically modified crops do?
Reduce the use of fertilisers
What are some disadvantages of pesticides?
They can accumulate in the bodies of organisms over time. As they are passed along food chains, toxicity increases and can reach lethal levels
What does bioaccumulation mean?
The build of up toxic substances in living organisms
What is biological control?
Biological control involves using a pest’s natural predator to control pest numbers
What are some alternatives to pesticides?
Biological control and genetically modified crops
