Unit 3.4: Food production Flashcards
Why does the human population require more food?
Because its rapidly growing and thus more people need it
Name 2 chemicals used in agriculture to increase food yield.
Fertilisers
Pesticides
How can pesticides be used to increases food yield?
By exterminating pests
How do fertilisers increase food yield?
By increasing nitrate concentration which makes them grow faster
How do plants use nitrates?
They dissolve in the soil and the plant absorbs them to produce amino acids which synthesis into plant proteins
How do animals obtain amino acids?
By consuming plants or other animals
Give 2 examples of pesticides
Herbicide
Fungicide
What benefits do pesticides do in agriculture?
Pests dont ruin the crops
Describe the negative impact of pesticides in society.
It poisons humans
What happens to the algae when fertiliser is in the water?
It increases and creates algae bloom which blocks sunlight in the water
What happens to the bacteria when fertiliser is in the water and why does this happen?
it increases because there is more food for them to feed on
What happens to oxygen levels when fertiliser is in the water and why does this happen?
It decreases because the bacteria use it up
What happens to biodiversity when fertilisers are in the water and why does this happen?
It decreases because there is no light for plants to photosynthesis and no oxygen for animals
What can be used as an alternative to reduce the use of fertilisers?
GM crops
Describe the negative impact of spraying pesticides onto crops.
The plants can absorb them causing them to become toxic
