Chapter 14: Feeding the World
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Transcript Chapter 14: Feeding the World
Chapter 14: Feeding the World
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
CHAPTER 14 (PGS 214 – 229)
MRS. PAUL
Section 14.1: “Human Nutrition”
Humans need energy for growth, movement and
repair.
Get energy by eating food.
Must also consume nutrients to maintain health.
2 types of nutrients:
1. Macronutrients
2. Micronutrients
Macronutrients: provide energy for the body.
Measured in kilocalories (kcal) = Calories
Number = how much energy food provides.
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
Micronutrients: provide small amounts of chemicals needed in
biochemical reactions.
Food Pyramid
Macronutrients- Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates-compound made of carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen in 1:2:1 ratio.
2 main types:
1. Sugars- small and simple; absorbed quickly; provide
immediate energy.
2. Starches- larger and complex; steady, long-lasting energy.
4 cal/gram
Sources: fruits, vegetables, bread, grains.
Function: primary source of energy (starch,
glycogen). Only source of energy for the
brain
Protection (chitin-exoskeleton).
Structural elements (cell wall)
Cellulose helps move food along your
digestive tract (yay fiber!).
Carbohydrates
Macronutrients - Protein
Protein- compound made of amino acids; provide
body with materials to make blood, muscle, etc;
provide energy; carry other structures; serve immune
function.
Must have nitrogen to make proteins (amino acids contain
nitrogen).
4 cal/ gram
20 amino acids
12 can be made by human body.
8 are Essential Amino Acids- must be obtained from food.
Macronutrients - Protein
Sources: food from animals (meats, eggs, dairy);
grains (wheat, rice, corn); legumes (peas, beans,
peanuts).
Combine foods to get all 8 essential amino acids.
Macronutrients - Protein
Functions:
Form structural parts of cell.
Carry other structures (hemoglobin)
Protection from disease (antibodies)
Speed up chemical reactions (enzymes)
Chemical messengers (hormones)
Control traffic in and out of cell (cell membrane)
Proteins
Macronutrients - Fats
Lipid- 3 long chains of fatty acids; component of cell
membranes, protective function, energy storage
function.
Solid lipids- fats (butter and lard)
Liquid lipids – oils
9 cal/ gram
Macronutrients - Fats
Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fats
Saturated Fat-maximum number of hydrogens in the chain;
can’t fit any more
Saturated fats are more solid at room temperature.
Bad for your heart
Hydrogenated-worst for your heart; unsaturated fats pumped full
of hydrogen.
Unsaturated Fat-not full of hydrogen; “crooked”.
Liquid at room temperature.
Good for your heart.
Sources: dairy, meat, avocado, nuts, eggs, etc.
Saturated and Unsaturated Fats
Lipids
Vitamins and Minerals
Micronutrients; play role in reactions that release
energy.
All can be obtained from plants.
Vitamins: A, B, C, D, E, K
Some are water soluble (excess excreted in urine) while others
are fat soluble (extra is stored in fat-can have TOO MUCH).
Minerals: calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, etc.
Also can have too much or not enough.
Vitamins and Minerals
Malnutrition-lack of a specific type of nutrient in the
diet.
Can also result from inability to absorb or use a nutrient even
if you are eating enough of it.
Section 14.2: World Food Supply
Our food supplies have increased.
Why are so many starving?
1. Food increase due to advances in agricultural practices and
crop plants.
2. Food is traded and the price is driven by economic factors.
The Green Revolution
Began in 1960s when new strains of wheat and rice
were developed.
New varieties more responsive to fertilizers and irrigation,
better resistance to disease, faster growth, and can adapt to
variety of climates.
High crop yields.
Use modern methods to harvest more efficiently.
Resulted in more food without increasing the
amount of farmland.
Problems:
Developing nations not have enough water to maintain new
crops.
Not have money for fertilizer or modern machinery or fuel to
run them.
Wheat
Cash Crops
Cash Crop-crop grown for purpose of sale.
Get higher prices by exporting than by selling to local people.
Problem:
Income from sale of cash crops used to buy weapons and
support political leaders that help the landowners.
Food from the Water
Fish and other sea animals.
Estimated that oceans can provide 100 million tons
of food per year.
Reached this in 1989-we now exceed this limit and are starting
to see the effects.
Quantities of fish are beginning to drop.
Alternative:
Aquaculture-commercial production of fish in a controlled,
maintained environment.
Produces 85% of mollusks (clams, oysters, etc) eaten in US.
Section 14.3: Modern Farming Techniques
Agriculture used to involve a lot of labor (preparing
soil, planting seed, maintaining crops, harvesting,
etc).
Middle of 20th century-began to use machines
powered by fossil fuels
Called “Industrialized Agriculture”
Efficient and productive
Require large amount of energy, pesticides, fertilizers.
Often run by corporations (agribuisinesses).
Use of pesticides
Increase in resistant insects and other pests.
1992-California white fly infestation
DDT and decline in bald eagle population
Monoculture
Farms growing only the 1 or 2 crops that bring in the most
money.
Crops genetically identical = more vulnerable to disease
Soil depleted of minerals = soil loses ability to produce healthy
crop.
New grains
Not adapted to local conditions
Looking to use local grains in many areas
Ex: quinoa – grows better than wheat or rice in mountainous
areas, high in protein, can be made into flour, cereal, beverages
and livestock feed.
Quinoa
Section 14.4: Sustainable Agriculture
Modern agriculture has resulted in: soil erosion,
deforestation, desertification, hunger, war, and
environmental damage.
Sustainable agriculture-called regenerative farming;
based on crop rotation, reduced soil erosion, pest
management, and minimal use of soil additives.
Crop Rotation
Crop Rotation- changing the type of crop grown in
an area on a regular cycle.
Usually 1 to 6 years per cycle
Prevent soil from becoming depleted of nutrients
(nitrogen).
Avoid use of synthetic fertilizers.
Cover Crop- nonfood plants grown between grown
seasons on land usually left empty.
Restore nitrogen to the soil and help to reduce erosion
Reducing Erosion
Erosion- process where soil is lost, transported, and
reformed.
Caused by wind and flowing water.
When topsoil removed, loss of nutrients can make
area useless for farming.
Can be reduced by irrigation and soil management.
Irrigation-watering of fields; use systems that deliver less
water, but directly to the roots reduces erosion.
Tilling-turning the soil so lower layers are brought to the
surface.
Destroys weeds and other pests, brings nutrients to the surface,
improves drainage, and aerates the soil.
Wastes water, uses energy, can increase erosion.
Irrigation
Tilling
Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Reduce pesticide use by 90%
Use natural predators to manage pests (ex: wasps,
ladybugs, viruses and bacteria, etc)