3.5.3.2 - Energy and Ecosystems (Agricultural Farming) Flashcards Preview

Medical Science UNEDITED 2 > 3.5.3.2 - Energy and Ecosystems (Agricultural Farming) > Flashcards

Flashcards in 3.5.3.2 - Energy and Ecosystems (Agricultural Farming) Deck (13)
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1
Q

Describe two ways that farming practises can increase the amount of energy available for human consumption.

A
  1. Reduce the energy lost to other organisms e.g pest control.
    Reduce the energy lost through respiration e.g restrict movement, control temp.
2
Q

What are insecticides used for?

A

To kill insect pests that eat and damage crops.

3
Q

What are herbicides used for?

A

To kill weeds to remove direct competition for sunlight.

4
Q

How do biological agents increase crop yield?

A

They reduce the number of pests, so crops lose less energy and biomass.

5
Q

What type of biological agents can be used?

A

Parasites to either kill the insect or reduce it’s ability to function or
Pathogenic bacteria and viruses

6
Q

What is an integrated system ?

A

A system of using both chemical and biological methods to reduce pests.

7
Q

What ethical issues might arise from keeping animals in pens?

A

It may cause animals pain, distress and restrict their natural behaviours.

8
Q

Why are intensively reared animals kept indoors?

A

To control the environmental temperature so less energy is wasted by generating body heat.

9
Q

Keeping cattle indoors, in barns, leads to a higher efficiency of energy transfer.

Explain why.

A

Less energy lost as heat / in maintaining body

temperature / in movement

10
Q

Explain 3 advantages for a farmer of removing hedgerows.

A
  1. source of pests / animals, this effect on crop;
  2. source of weeds / no longer taking nutrients, hence competition / reduced yield;
  3. creation of larger fields / leaving room, hence more efficient use of machinery / grow more crops;
11
Q

Apart from providing a habitat for predators of crop pests, give 3 biological benefits of replanting hedgerows.

A
  1. increases biodiversity;
  2. source of food for animals;
  3. habitat / nest for animals;
12
Q

Give one reason why not all the light energy falling on the producers is used in photosynthesis.

A

transmission / reflected / misses chlorophyll / chloroplasts / wrong wavelength;

13
Q

What is meant by the term ecological niche?

A

An organism’s role / in the ecosystem / community;