Food Production Flashcards
What is the nitrogen cycle
1- nitrates are dissolved in soil water
2- nitrates are absorbed through root hair cells
3- nitrates are used to make amino acids and then proteins
4- animals eat the plant and make plant protein into animals protein
5- animals eat other animals then die releasing the nitrate into the soil
What are fertilizers
Provide chemicals like nitrates which increase crop yield
What are pesticides
Kill plants and animals which reduce crop yield
What gas is present in all amino acids
Nitrogen
Nitrogen in plants process
Nitrates are dissolved in the soil water
Absorbed through the root hair cells
Nitrates used to produce amino acids
These are synthesized into plant proteins
Nitrogen in Animals process
Animals source of nitrogen is its diet
Protein comes from plants or animals
Protein is digested into amino acids and absorbed by the gut
Amino acids make new animal proteins
What elements do fertilisers contain?
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
What is leaching
When fertilizers from fields are washed off land into fresh water
What is the process of leaching
Fertilisers run off into water
Algal bloom
Algae blocks sunlight
Aquatic plants die
Bacteria multiply and use up oxygen
Fish die
What is bioaccumulation
When pesticides build up in the bodies of organisms over time
What are alternatives to pesticides
Biological control
Genetic modification
An example of genetic modification as an alternative to pesticides
Cotton, soy beans, maize and canola
Example of biological control as an alternative to pesticides
Parasitic wasps attack aphids
