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GCSE level biology exam revision notes on food production
4c.
The use of various agrichemicals and pharmaceutical products to increase food
production - advantages and disadvantages
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4(c)
An assortment of agrichemical and
pharmaceutical products to increase yields
Synthetic inorganic fertilisers
are dealt with in
Part 4b.
You can control disease and insect damage
without using GM crops by the use of herbicides and pesticides,
but there are advantages and disadvantages.
Pesticides are chemical compounds
designed to be toxic to any living thing that attacks crops and
reducing damage to crops and increase yields by utilising pest
control methods.
'Pests' include
microorganisms-pathogens including bacteria and fungi, a
variety of insects and mammals like rats.
Insecticides kill insects that
may eat or damage the crops, reducing yields.
Herbicides kill weeds that
compete with the crop for water, light and minerals in
the soil.
Fungicides kill any fungus that
damage the crop, reducing quality and yield.
The pest control is usually
sprayed onto crops to kill the 'pest', but they are
often toxic to humans and other animals that are not
considered as pests e.g. bees, ladybirds and birds of
prey are affected - anything higher in a food chain is
affected if their food supply is damaged.
The minimum 'safe level' of pesticide
is applied to minimise contamination of toxic chemicals
accumulating in the local ecosystem food chains.
Insecticides kill insects,
fungicides kill fungi, herbicides kill weeds.
All of these increase crop yields and
are extensively used for intensive farming methods, but not
without unwanted consequences.
Again, as with fertilisers, they are not to be
overused and unfortunately organisms like insects and bacteria can
undergo mutations and develop 'strains' resistant to e.g. a
particular fungicide
or insecticide product.
This is happening all the time, so new costly
products have to be developed all the time.
Pharmaceutical products
As well as treating plant crops with anti-pest
agents, you can vaccinate livestock against certain diseases.
Antibiotics can be given to animals to protect against bacterial
pathogens - but this means antibiotics have entered the food chain,
so we may consume them - not good for our immune system?
Plant growth hormones are applied to
crops to encourage growth and increase crop yields.
You can also control when crops ripen and
harvesting - as far as I know, these methods are not controversial.
See
Hormone control of plant growth and uses of plant hormones
gcse biology notes
Growth hormones are also used in cattle
rearing as well as feeding the animals supplementary high protein
foods.
Animals may be deliberately confined in
huge cattle sheds to minimise movement, so less energy is wasted
and more used for growth - so hormones, protein food and
confinement all increase the energy transfer to the cattle.
BUT, the ethics of these methods is being
questioned and there are biological consequences too.
The spread of a disease is rapid because
of the close confinement of the animals.
Cattle have been bread to produce greater
yields of beef meat or greater volumes of milk, but such animals
and not as genetically healthy as their predecessors e.g.
lameness in milk cows.
Is it fair to not allow the animals to
move naturally freely beyond their 'cages'?
The unethical nature of some animal
transportation and slaughtering.
When cattle are given hormones to
increase milk and meat yields - these hormones
are entering the food chain to reach us and out into the environment
via faeces!
Key biology points
Source of information are based on
the syllabus-specifications for students taking the AQA GCSE, Edexcel GCSE and OCR
GCSE level biology examinations (~US grades 9-10).
Further thoughts on using agrichemicals and
pharmaceuticals to increase food production
Biology Revision
Notes – Agrichemicals & Pharmaceuticals in Global Food Production
Agrichemicals and
pharmaceuticals play a key role in improving soil quality,
increasing fertility, and boosting crop yields to support
global food production.
These substances include
pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, and growth hormones,
which enhance farming efficiency but also present environmental and
health concerns.
1.
Agrichemicals for
Soil and Crop Health
Agrichemicals include
pesticides, herbicides, and
fungicides, which are used to protect crops and improve soil
conditions.
Advantages of
Agrichemicals
-
Increased Crop
Yields – Protects crops
from pests, weeds, and diseases, reducing losses.
-
Improved Soil
Condition – Some
agrichemicals enhance soil health by preventing infestations and
maintaining nutrient balance.
-
Efficient Farming
– Reduces manual labour by controlling weeds and pests chemically.
-
Extended Storage
Life – Protects harvested
crops from spoilage, ensuring a stable food supply.
Disadvantages of
Agrichemicals
-
Environmental
Pollution – Excess
chemicals can contaminate soil and water, harming ecosystems.
-
Development of
Resistant Pests & Weeds –
Overuse can lead to organisms developing resistance, requiring stronger
chemicals.
-
Health Risks
– Exposure to pesticides can pose health hazards to farmers and
consumers.
-
Loss of
Biodiversity – Chemicals
may harm beneficial insects, such as bees and pollinators.
2.
Pharmaceuticals in
Agriculture
Pharmaceuticals include
antibiotics, vaccines, and growth hormones, which help
improve livestock health and food production.
Advantages of
Agricultural Pharmaceuticals
-
Healthier
Livestock – Antibiotics
and vaccines prevent diseases, reducing losses.
-
Faster Growth &
Higher Meat Production –
Growth hormones boost animal development.
-
Better Food Safety
– Reducing infections in animals prevents disease transmission to
humans.
-
Increased Food
Availability – More
efficient livestock farming helps meet global demand.
Disadvantages of
Agricultural Pharmaceuticals
-
Antibiotic
Resistance – Overuse of
antibiotics in livestock can lead to resistant bacteria, affecting human
health.
-
Unnatural Growth
Effects – Growth hormones
may alter animal development and impact food safety.
-
Bioaccumulation
Risks – Residues of
pharmaceuticals can accumulate in the food chain.
-
Ethical Concerns
– Using drugs for animal growth raises concerns about welfare
and natural farming practices.
3.
Balancing
Agrichemical and Pharmaceutical Use
To ensure sustainable food
production, farmers must adopt responsible management strategies,
such as:
-
Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) –
Combining biological and chemical pest control methods.
-
Controlled
Antibiotic Use – Reducing
unnecessary antibiotic use in livestock farming.
-
Eco-Friendly
Alternatives – Using
organic pesticides and natural disease prevention techniques.
Conclusion
Agrichemicals and
pharmaceuticals are essential for modern food production,
but they must be used responsibly to minimize health risks and
environmental damage.
A balanced approach
ensures sustainable agriculture, healthy ecosystems, and global
food security.
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