Chapter 8
What is an emergent disease? Give two examples
An emergent disease is a disease that is not previously known, or a disease that has not been present for at least 20 years (Slide 10). Examples of emergent diseases are HIV and the bird flu.
What is the difference between undernourished and malnourished?
Malnutrition includes "deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy and/or nutrients" (WHO). Undernourished is when someone does not have enough food (Prior knowledge). They are different because undernourishment is based solely on the sufficiency of energy (calorie) intake (Our World in Data).
What is a watershed? What watershed do we live in?
A watershed is a "land area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams, and rivers, and eventually" to outflow bodies of water (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). It is also known as a drainage basin. We live in the Malibu Creek Watershed (City of Calabasas website).
What is an ecological disease? Give one example
An ecological disease is an animal epidemic (Slide 12). One example of an ecological disease is white-nose syndrome due to a fungus (Slide 12). This has been recently introduced into the eastern US (Slide 12).
Why is overeating becoming a world problem?
Overeating is becoming a world problem because people are gaining more access to food in developed countries (Prior knowledge). In developed countries, highly processed foods rich in sugar and fat have become a large part of the diet (Slide 10). This has led to an increase in obesity and health issues (prior knowledge).
List one advantage and one disadvantage of a monoculture.
One advantage of a monoculture is the higher profits that farmers gain from this practice (EOS Data Analytics). Growing only one crop in a good environment for that crop leads to better yields and, thus, higher income for farmers (EOS Data Analytics). One disadvantage of a monoculture is the increased risk of disease because monoculture lacks other organisms that would help limit diseases (European Commission).
How are toxins different from pathogens?
Pathogens are disease causing organisms (Slide 9). Toxins are substances made by living organisms that are poisonous to humans (MedlinePlus). They are different because toxins are produced bt pathogens (Frontiers).
What is a farm subsidy? Why is it politically difficult to reduce farm subsidies?
A farm subsidy is money from the government with an intention of keeping the price of commodity low (Sentient Media). It is politically difficult to reduce farm subsidies because they are "costly to taxpayers and can distort planting decisions, induce overproduction, and inflate land values." With this is mind, they "steer resources to households with incomes much higher than average U.S. incomes" (Cato Institute).
Describe the symbiotic relationship between the soil fungus mycorrhizal and plants.
The symbiotic relationship between the soil fungus mycorrhizal is an association between plant roots and certain fungi (Slide 11). This entails when the plant feeds the fungus and the fungus provides water and inorganic nutrients to the plant (Slide 11). This enhances growth (Slide 11).
What is sick building syndrome?
Sick building syndrome is caused by "poorly vented indoor air contaminated by mold spores, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, formaaldehyde, nd other toxic substances (pg. 161). This can cause symptons like headaches, allergies, fatigue, etc (pg. 161). A lot of people suffer from this (prior knowledge).
What are the benefits and drawbacks of using antibiotics in livestock?
The benefits of uses antibiotics in livestock include that it allows producers to limit the spread of disease among the animals being raised in high densities (Slide 20). A drawback of using increased antibiotics in livestock include that it leads to more antibiotic resistant pathogens (Slide 25). Antibiotics in livestock may "may eliminate susceptible microorganisms, leaving resistant ones behind" (University of Nebraska-Lincoln).
How can IPM help reduce pesticide use?
IPM can help reduce pesticide use by removing the "possibility that pesticides will be used when they are not really needed or that the wrong kind of pesticide will be used" (USEPA).IPM does this by preventing pests from becoming threatening (USEPA). They cut pesticide use while maintaining yield (Slide 48).
How does bioaccumulation and biomagnification occur?
Bioaccumulation occurs during the the selective absorption and storgae of toxins when dilute toxins in the environment can build to the dangerous levels inside tissues (Slide 27). Biomagnification occurs when toxic burden of a large number of organisms at a lower trophic level is accumulated and concentrated by a predator at a higher trophic level (Slide 27). An example of this is DDT (Slide 27).
What are the advantages of GMO's in food production? Why are GMO's Controversial?
The advantages of GMOs in food production include that they will increase crop yields, reduce production costs, reduce pesticide needs, enhance food quality, etc (Nature Journal). This can lead to greater food security and medical benefits for the growing population (Nature Journal). GMOs are controversial becayse of the fears of potential negative consequences for the health of humans and animals; this includes allergic reactions, organ damage, etc. (IOPscience).
Describe each of the six components of soil.
The six components of soil are sand and gravel, silts and clays, dead organic material, soil fauna and flora, water, and air (Slide 6). Sand and gravel are fragments of rock or mineral particles (GeoKansas). Silts and clay are very small soil particles (NYSDEC). Dead organic material is typically the bodies or fragments of dead organisms and fecal material (Wikipedia). Soil fauna and flora break down plant remains and cycle nutrients (ScienceDirect). Water is H2O is and essential for organisms to live (Prior knowledge). Air is an invisible mixture of gases (National Geographic Society).