Food production- crop plants

Created by

Zara Thakrar

Cards (43)

What do glasshouses and polythene provide in terms of environment, and what does this mean 
An enclosed environment meaning farmers, to some extent, can control climate inside and increase their crop yields
what can conditions in glasshouses be manipulated to do
increase the rate of photosynthesis
what are examples of conditions that can be manipulated in a glasshouse 
Artificial heating, Artifical lighting, increasing carbon dioxide content and regular watering
manipulating conditions in glasshouse: Artifical heating
enzymes controlling photosynthesis can work faster at higher temperatures (heat can be trapped from the sun)
Manipulating conditions in a glasshouse: artificial lighting
Allows plants to photosynthesise for longer
Manipulating conditions in a glasshouse: increase carbon dioxide content of the air inside
Increases rate of photosynthesis
Manipulating conditions in a glasshouse: water
Plants can regularly be watered
What are polythene tunnels/polytunnels
Large plastic tunnels that cover crops
How polythene tunnels can be used to increase crop yield: protecting against weather
Protect groups grown outside, from effects of weather, (eg excessive wind, rain and extreme temperatures)
How polythene tunnels can be used to increase crop yield: pests
They prevent entry of pests that can damage plants / diseases that can kill plants
How polythene tunnels can be used to increase crop yield: temperature
They increase the temperature slightly inside tunnel- higher work rate for enzymes
What do fertilisers contain
Nutrients which allow plants to grow faster and larger, increasing crop yield
Which minerals do fertilisers contain
Nitrates, phosphates and potassium
(Chemical) fertilisers increasing crop yield: nitrates (nitrogen)
Make amino acids for proteins, aiding plant growth
(Chemical) fertilisers increasing crop yield: phosphates (phosphorous)
Needed to make DNA and cell membranes
(Chemical) fertilisers increasing crop yield: potassium (compounds of potassium)
Allows enzyme reactions to take place for respiration to occur, and is required for enzymes involved in photosynthesis
What are pesticides
Chemicals intended to kill insects and other organisms (pests) that damage crops
What form can fertilisers be in
Organic and chemical
What are examples of organic fertilisers commonly used by farmers
Manure and compost
How are chemical often applied to the soil
As dry granules or can be sprayed on in liquid form
How do fertiliser work
They’re water-soluble minerals that can be absorbed into land roots by active transport
What is pest control
Using chemical or biological control to prevent insects eating plants
What are examples of pesticides
Fungicides, herbicides and insecticides
What is chemical control
Using pesticides
What is biology control
Introducing other species and occurs natuarlly
What is a generic example of biological control
Ladybirds eating aphids
What do insecticides kill
Insect pest
What do herbicides kill
Plant pests
What do fungicides kill
Fungal pests
Advantages of pesticides: accessibility and pricing
Easily accessible and relatively cheap
Advantages of pesticides: immediacy
Kills entire population of pests
Disadvantages of pesticides: resistance
Organisms they are meant to kill can develop resistance to them
Disadvantages of pesticides: specificity
They’re non specific and so may kill other beneficial organisms
Disadvantages of pesticides: application
Need to be repeatedly applied
Disadvantages of pesticides: bioaccumulation
They can be persistent chemicals meaning they don’t break down in body and so can accumulate in great concentrations at top of food chains and harm top predators
Advantages of biological control: natural
It’s a natural method, so no pollution is produced
Advantages of biological control: resistance
Pests can’t become resistant
Advantages of biological control: specificity
Can target specific species
Advantages of biological control: long term
It’s long lasting
Advantages of biological control: application
Doesn’t need to be repeatedly applied