APES Chapter 11 Checkpoint

What is a genetically modified organism?

A GMO is an organism whose genetic material has been altered through some genetic engineering technology or technique.

Explain the energy subsidy in agriculture.

Energy inputs for hunting and gathering and for small-scale food production are mostly in the form of human energy, whereas fossil fuel energy is the primary energy subsidy for large-scale modern food production.

What is food insecurity?

Food insecurity is limited or uncertain availability of safe, nutritious foods.

What are the major benefits of using GMOs?

GMOs increase crop yield and quality, as well as engineered to produce important nutrients for humans. Also they can eliminate the use of pesticides and they can increase profit because produce greater amounts and not buying pesticides.

What are some of the possible reasons for food insecurity in the world today?

Poverty impedes access to safe food. This also causes unequal food distribution, and the poorer people cannot afford to buy the food they need.

Describe the benefits and disadvantages of alternatives to industrial farming methods.

Some benefits are that they reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Some drawbacks are that they require the use of smaller farms and increased labor costs.

What are the disadvantages of using GMOs?

Some disadvantages to using GMOs are they potentially could be dangerous to humans. They decrease the biodiversity and can eliminate the natural species.

What are the goals of alternative agricultural methods?

The goals are to decrease environmental impacts and lead to overall sustainability.

What are the major features of the Green Revolution?

The major features were new management techniques and mechanization as well as the triad of fertilization, irrigation, and improved crop varieties. The farmers used intensive breeding, irrigation and fertilizers to increase crop yield.

What are the pros and cons of pesticide use?

The pros are that using pesticides is a rapid, relatively easy response to an infestation of pests on an agricultural crop, and they allow greater crop yield on less land. The cons are that pesticides can injure or kill organisms other than their intended targets, and they cause bioaccumulation.

What are undernutrition and malnutrition?

Undernutrition means not consuming enough calories while malnutrition means not consuming the proper vitamins and nutrients.

What are the basic principles of organic agriculture?

Use ecological principles and work with natural systems rather than dominating them, keep as much organic matter and as many nutrients in the soil and on the farm as possible, avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, maintain the soil by increasing soil mass, biological activity, and beneficial chemical properties, and reduce the adverse environmental effects of agriculture.