Food Production

• What is food security?

  Having enough food to feed a population
• How does intensive farming increase the production of animals?

  By feeding high protein foods and limiting movement
• What is a transgenic organism?

  An organism genetically modified with foreign DNA
• What are the advantages of golden rice?

  It contains beta-carotene for vitamin A
• What is mycoprotein?

  A protein-rich meat substitute for vegetarians
• How is mycoprotein produced?

  Fusarium fungus is grown on glucose syrup
• What biological factor threatens food security by increasing food demand?

  Rising birth rates – More people require more food, putting strain on resources.
• How do changing diets in developed countries threaten food security?

  Changing diets increased demand for resource-intensive foods (e.g., meat) and puts pressure on global food production.
• How do new pests and pathogens threaten food security?

  New pests and pathogens can destroy crops and livestock, reducing food availability.
• How do environmental changes affect food security?

  Environmental changes mean climate change - extreme weather, and soil degradation can reduce crop yields and disrupt food supply chains.
• Why does the increased cost of agriculture threaten food security?

  An increase in the cost of agriculture means that farmers may struggle to afford seeds, fertilizers, and machinery, reducing food production.
• How do armed conflicts threaten food security?

  Wars disrupt farming, supply chains, and access to food, causing shortages and famine.
• Why is intensive farming considered more efficient?

  Intensive farming maximizes food production through controlled environments where animal movement is minimised and high-protein foods are fed.
• How does intensive farming allow easier quality control?

  Livestock and crops are monitored closely, ensuring consistency in food production.
• How can intensive farming contribute to antibiotic resistance?

  Overuse of antibiotics in livestock can create resistant bacteria, posing a risk to human health.
• Why is intensive farming expensive?

  Requires large investments in machinery, chemicals, and energy to maintain productivity.
• What ethical concern is associated with intensive farming?


  Ethical objections regarding animal treatment – Animals are often kept in confined conditions, raising welfare concerns.
• How does intensive farming reduce biodiversity?

  Large-scale monoculture and pesticide use harm ecosystems and reduce species variety.
• How can fishing nets be modified to reduce overfishing?

  Control gap sizes in fishing nets – Larger gaps allow juvenile fish to escape, helping sustain fish populations.
• How do fishing quotas help protect fish stocks?

  Limits on catches prevent overfishing and allow populations to recover.
• How might crops be genetically modified to improve human health?

  To improve nutritional value – Crops can be enhanced with vitamins or minerals (e.g., Golden Rice with vitamin A).
• How can genetic modification help protect crops from pests?

  Genetic modification can make crops pest-resistant by enabling them to produce natural toxins or defences, reducing damage from insects and decreasing the need for chemical pesticides.
• Why are some crops genetically modified to resist pesticides?

  To be pesticide resistant – Allows farmers to use herbicides without harming crops, improving weed control.