Food Production & Biodiversity Quiz

Study Notes

Food Production's Impact on Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Intensive food production methods, including machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, and selective breeding, are reducing biodiversity. Monoculture practices severely limit species diversity.
Intensive livestock farming contributes to pollution, overuse of resources, and animal welfare concerns.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of species in a given ecosystem.
Monoculture farming directly reduces biodiversity by limiting the number of species present.

Habitat Destruction

Land conversion for agriculture, housing, and other uses leads to habitat loss, affecting diverse ecosystems.
Deforestation has devastating consequences including habitat loss, biodiversity reduction, increased soil erosion, and an increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.

Pollution

Pollution from untreated sewage and fertilizers reduces the oxygen levels in water bodies, harming aquatic life.
Non-biodegradable plastics cause environmental damage and threaten animals through ingestion or contact.
Greenhouse gases, especially CO2 and methane, released from fossil fuels, livestock, and rice cultivation, contribute greatly to climate change.

Conservation Efforts

Conservation strategies include establishing protected areas, regulating logging, replanting trees, and controlling fishing practices (e.g., quotas, closed seasons) to protect forests and fish stocks.
Monitoring habitats, captive breeding programs, and seed banks play crucial roles in protecting species.

Biotechnology and Genetic Modification

Bacteria in Biotechnology

Bacteria are used due to their rapid reproduction rates, ability to produce complex molecules, and ethical advantages. Plasmids are examples of tools in these applications.

Anaerobic Respiration

Yeast plays a role in producing carbon dioxide (for bread rising) and ethanol (a biofuel).

Enzymes in Biotechnology

Pectinase increases the yield and clarity of fruit juices by breaking down pectin.
Biological washing powders use enzymes like proteases and lipases to remove stains (proteins, fats, and starch).
Lactase aids digestion for lactose-intolerant individuals by breaking down lactose.

Fermenters

Fermenters provide controlled environments for bacteria and yeast growth, producing various products like ethanol, insulin, and carbon dioxide.

Genetic Modification (GM)

Genetic modification alters genetic material through gene removal, addition, or modification.

Applications of GM

Bacteria are modified for medicine to produce human proteins like insulin and growth hormones.
Herbicide-resistant crops reduce herbicide dependence.
Pest-resistant crops decrease pesticide use.
Golden rice is enriched with beta-carotene to combat vitamin A deficiency.

GM Process

Restriction enzymes cut human genes; DNA ligase joins these genes to bacterial plasmids; the plasmids are then introduced into bacteria.
Modified bacteria multiply and produce the desired protein.

Controversies of GM Crops

Health, environmental, and ethical concerns exist around the use of GM crops like soybeans, maize, and rice.

Description

Explore the significant impact of food production on biodiversity and ecosystems. This quiz covers topics such as intensive farming methods, habitat destruction, and pollution effects on species diversity. Test your knowledge on how modern agricultural practices influence our environment.