B3 - Human Affect on the Environment Flashcards Preview

GCSE Biology > B3 - Human Affect on the Environment > Flashcards

Flashcards in B3 - Human Affect on the Environment Deck (52)
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1
Q

Give three effects of the growing population.

A
  • More waste is produced.
  • Human activity takes up more land.
  • Raw materials are being used up rapidly.
2
Q

Give three ways in which humans pollute water.

A
  • Sewage
  • Fertilisers
  • Toxic chemicals from industry.

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3
Q

Give two toxic chemicals that can pollute the land.

A
  • Pesticides

- Herbicides

4
Q

How can pesticides pollute the water?

A

When it rains, the chemicals are washed into streams.

5
Q

What is eutrophication?

A

When oxygen levels in water fall so low that all aquatic animals die.

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6
Q

Describe the process of eutrophication.

A
  • Algae grows on top of existing algae.
  • The algae on the bottom layer dies due to a lack of sunlight.
  • The algae decomposes at the bottom of the lake.
  • The decomposers uses the oxygen in the water when respiring.
  • There isn’t enough oxygen to support other aquatic life.
7
Q

What are bioindicators?

A

Species which can only be found in very clean or very polluted water.

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8
Q

How is acid rain formed?

A
  • Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released when fossil fuels are burned.
  • The gases dissolve in rainwater making it acidic.
9
Q

Give two biological effects of acid rain.

A
  • The ground becomes too acidic for trees as it destroys the roots.
  • Rivers become too acidic for animals.

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10
Q

Why don’t countries producing acid rain feel the effects?

A

Wind takes the pollution to other countries.

11
Q

How are nitrogen oxides prevented from being released from cars?

A

Catalytic converters.

12
Q

What is global dimming?

A

The release of particulates into the atmosphere.

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13
Q

What are the results of global dimming?

A
  • Sunlight is reflected.
  • Less light hits the surface of the Earth.
  • There could be a cooling of temperatures at the surface of the Earth.
14
Q

What is deforestation?

A

The destruction of forest or woodland.

15
Q

What are the consequences of deforestation?

A
  • Carbon dioxide is released when the trees are burnt.
  • Less carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere.
  • Habitats are destroyed.

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16
Q

How does deforestation lead to carbon dioxide being released?

A
  • Burning the trees releases CO2.

- The dead vegetation decays which releases CO2.

17
Q

Give a problem with a loss of biodiversity.

A

Sources of medicine or food could be lost.

18
Q

How does deforestation reduce biodiversity?

A

The forest is often replaced by a monoculture.

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19
Q

What two things are leading to more methane being released into the atmosphere?

A
  • Rice fields

- Cattle

20
Q

What is the effect of destroying peat bogs?

A

CO2 is released.

21
Q

What is global warming?

A

An increase in the temperature of the surface of the Earth.

22
Q

Give five effects of global warming.

A
  • Big changes in the Earth’s climate.
  • A rise in sea levels.
  • Reduced biodiversity.
  • Changes in migration patterns.
  • Changes in distribution.

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23
Q

What changes can be seen in the weather that are caused by global warming?

A
  • Severe and unpredictable weather.

- Extensive flooding.

24
Q

How does global warming cause a rise in sea levels?

A

Ice caps and glaciers melt.

25
Q

What is the effect of rising sea levels?

A

Low-land flooding.

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26
Q

How does global warming reduce biodiversity?

A

Organisms become extinct because of changing environments.

27
Q

How does global warming change distribution?

A

-Some animals can extend their range as conditions become more favourable.

28
Q

What are the two main types of biofuel?

A
  • Ethanol-based fuels.
  • Biogas

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29
Q

What two plants are used for ethanol based fuels?

A
  • Sugarcane

- Maize

30
Q

Give two advantages of ethanol as a fuel.

A
  • There are no toxic gases.

- The process of production is carbon neutral.

31
Q

Give a disadvantage of ethanol as a fuel.

A
  • A lot of land is needed to grow the plants.

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32
Q

What is biogas?

A

A flammable mixture of biologically produced gases.

33
Q

How is biogas formed?

A

Bacteria break down plant material or waste products of animals in anaerobic conditions.

34
Q

Which gas is biogas mainly made of?

A

Methane

35
Q

What is the optimum temperature for biogas producing bacteria?

A

30C

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36
Q

Why are biogas generators built underground?

A

To provide insulation.

37
Q

Why do short food chains make food production more efficient?

A
  • Biomass is reduced at each stage.

- Having less stages reduces the loss of energy.

38
Q

What is the most energy efficient way to produce food?

A

Grow and eat plants directly.

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39
Q

Give two ways in which farmers get the maximum biomass from animals.

A
  • Limiting the movement of food animals.

- Controlling the temperature of the surroundings.

40
Q

How does limiting the movement of animals improve the efficiency of production?

A
  • Animals don’t use as much energy in moving muscles.

- More biomass is used for growth.

41
Q

How does controlling the temperature of the surroundings of animals improve the efficiency of production?

A
  • Animals don’t use as much energy keeping warm or cooling.

- More biomass is used for growth.

42
Q

What is sustainable food production?

A

Producing food in a way that can continue for years.

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43
Q

What is the result of uncontrolled fishing?

A

Stocks of edible fish are falling.

44
Q

Give three ways fish populations are conserved.

A
  • Controlling the size of holes in nets.
  • Bans on fishing in breeding season.
  • Strict quotas imposed.
45
Q

What is Fusarium?

A

A fungus.

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46
Q

What is the rate of Fusarium growth at optimum temperature?

A

It can double in mass every five hours.

47
Q

What is mycoprotein?

A
  • Protein from fungus.
  • Food produced from fungus.

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48
Q

What conditions are present to give maximum mycoprotein yield?

A
  • Air supply to provide oxygen.
  • A stirrer to maintain a constant temperature and evenly spread oxygen and food.
  • Water-cooled jacket to remove excess energy.
  • Measuring instruments are present to ensure conditions are constant.
49
Q

How is mycoprotein made edible?

A

It is given a range of textures and flavours of everyday food.

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50
Q

Give five environmental problems of sourcing water.

A
  • Dams destroy ecosystems.
  • Flood plains with fertile soil disappear.
  • Environments are destroyed by reservoirs.
  • Reservoirs act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
  • Dams may add to methane release due to eutrophication.
51
Q

How do dams destroy ecosystems?

A

Huge areas dry out where rivers are lost.

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52
Q

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A

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Thank you and good luck!