Approximately _____ ATP molecules can be produced through cellular

Question

respiration from a single molecule of glucose.
8. Human Impact on Ecosystems and Food Webs: Modern Agriculture
a. Modern farming is unsustainable for the environment. It was designed to
increase production but does not consider the health of the environment.
b. Unsustainable agricultural practices include:
i. Industrial sprinkler irrigation
ii. Use of inorganic pesticides
iii. Monoculture
● Multiple fields that grow a single crop
● Water: Industrial irrigation
○ What is a more sustainable approach to sprinkler irrigation?
● Soil: Repeated monoculture on the same fields
○ What is a more sustainable approach to repeated
monoculture of fields?c. Impact of industrial agriculture on the local ecosystems and resources
i. Loss of biodiversity
ii. Overuse of natural resources
1-1

Loss of beneficial populations
● Pesticide use
● Use of pesticides can damage important populations
○ Example:
● What is a more sustainable approach to the use of industrial
pesticides?
iv. Bioaccumulation
● Bioaccumulation is the buildup of toxic substances in the tissues
of organisms over ________.
● Process of Bioaccumulation:
○ Introduction: Toxic substances enter the environment through
pollution.
i. Example: Pesticides, heavy metals, and ________.
○ Absorption: Organisms absorb toxins from their environment
or food.
i. Example: Fish absorbing mercury from ________.
○ Concentration: Toxins accumulate in higher concentrations in
higher trophic levels.
i. Example: Predators accumulating higher toxin levels
from their prey.
● Effects of Bioaccumulation:
○ Health problems in wildlife and humans.
○ Disruption of ecosystems and loss of ____________.1-1

1. Why do toxins accumulate more in higher trophic levels?
2. What are the potential impacts of bioaccumulation on wildlife and humans?

Answer 1

Cellular Respiration and ATP Production

Approximately 30-32 ATP molecules can be produced through cellular respiration from a single molecule of glucose.

Sustainable Agriculture Approaches

Water: Sustainable Approach to Sprinkler Irrigation

• Drip irrigation is a more sustainable alternative, as it delivers water directly to the roots of plants, reducing water waste and evaporation.

Soil: Sustainable Approach to Repeated Monoculture

• Crop rotation is a more sustainable approach as it varies the types of crops grown in a field over time, which helps maintain soil fertility and reduces pest and disease buildup.

Impact of Industrial Agriculture on Ecosystems and Resources

Loss of Beneficial Populations

• Example of damage from pesticide use: Pollinator populations, such as bees, which are crucial for crop fertilization and biodiversity.

Sustainable Approach to Pesticide Use

• Integrated pest management (IPM) is a more sustainable approach that uses a combination of biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical practices to manage pests in a way that minimizes environmental impact.

Bioaccumulation

• Bioaccumulation is the buildup of toxic substances in the tissues of organisms over time.

Introduction Examples:

• Toxic substances can include pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals.

Absorption Example:

• Fish absorbing mercury from contaminated waters.

Concentration Example:

• Predators accumulating higher toxin levels from their prey, leading to larger and more toxic concentrations at higher trophic levels.

Effects of Bioaccumulation

• Health problems in wildlife and humans can include cancer, reproductive issues, and immune system disorders.
• Disruption of ecosystems can lead to a loss of biodiversity.

Questions

1. Why do toxins accumulate more in higher trophic levels?

   • Toxins accumulate more in higher trophic levels due to the biomagnification effect. As organisms at lower trophic levels consume contaminated food, they accumulate toxins in their bodies. When these organisms are eaten by higher-level predators, the toxins are concentrated further, leading to much higher levels in those top predators.

2. What are the potential impacts of bioaccumulation on wildlife and humans?

   • Potential impacts of bioaccumulation on wildlife include physiological and reproductive harm, increased mortality rates, and disruption of natural behaviors. For humans, the effects can include serious health issues, such as neurological damage, development problems in children, cancer, and endocrine disruption. Additionally, bioaccumulation can affect food safety and security, as contaminated wildlife and fish may pose health risks to human consumers.