Assessment Questions 9.

2 1-4 and Vocabulary

Name: Brayan Mirabal

Period: 1
Date: 02/26/2024

1. Monoculture and polyculture agriculture both involve the cultivation of crops, but they differ
in their approach. Monoculture focuses on growing a single type of crop over a large area, while
polyculture involves cultivating multiple crops simultaneously in the same space. Both methods
aim to maximize yield, but monoculture often relies heavily on pesticides and fertilizers, while
polyculture promotes natural pest control and soil fertility through diversity.
2. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are organisms whose genetic material has been
altered using genetic engineering techniques. This can involve inserting genes from other
organisms to confer specific traits such as resistance to pests, herbicide tolerance, or improved
nutritional content. GMOs are produced in laboratories through techniques like gene splicing or
gene editing.
3. Biodiversity in food species contributes to food security by providing a broader range of
genetic resources that can adapt to changing environmental conditions, pests, and diseases. A
diverse array of food species ensures resilience in agricultural systems, reducing the risk of crop
failures and food shortages. Additionally, different food species offer varied nutritional profiles,
helping to address dietary needs and preferences, especially in diverse populations.
4. More energy is required to produce meat and fish products than grains, vegetables, and other
plant crops due to the inefficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels. Animals raised for
meat and fish products must consume large amounts of plant-based feed to grow, and only a
fraction of the energy from the feed is converted into edible animal tissue. This process results in
a loss of energy at each trophic level, making meat and fish production less energy-efficient
compared to directly consuming plant-based foods. Additionally, meat and fish production often
require additional resources such as land, water, and feed, further increasing its energy demand.

Vocabulary
industrialized agriculture: Method of agriculture characterized by large-scale operation,
monoculture, and the goal of steadily increasing each crop’s yield, which is the amount of food
produced per unit of land.
polyculture: Growing several different crops on the same plot simultaneously with the use of
solar energy and natural fertilizers. Various crops mature at different times, providing year-round
food and covering the topsoil, which reduces erosion.
aquaculture: Growing and harvesting of fish for human use in freshwater ponds, lakes,
reservoirs, and rice paddies, and in underwater cages in coastal and deeper ocean waters.
monoculture: Cultivation of a single crop, usually on a large area of land.
organic agriculture: Growing crops without the use of synthetic pesticides, synthetic inorganic
fertilizers, and genetic engineering; raising livestock on 100% organic feed without the use of
antibiotics or growth hormones.
traditional agriculture: Method of low-input agriculture characterized by the reliance on human
labor and draft animals.
green revolution: Process of increasing crop production through industrialized agriculture.