Food Production (Edexcel GCSE Biology): Exam Questions

What is meant by the term food security?

Beef cattle and fish are two sources of protein farmed for human consumption.

Figure 1 shows the changes in global production of beef cattle and farmed fish since 1950.

Figure 1

(i) Describe the changes in the global production of farmed fish and beef cattle since 1950.

(3)

(ii) Suggest a reason for the changes described in part (i).

(2)

(iii) In 2024, the production of farmed fish is expected to be eight times greater than in 1990.

Calculate the mass of farmed fish expected to be produced in 2024.

(2)

Suggest two advantages of fish farming compared to catching fish in the wild.

Figure 1 shows the differences in food security across several regions.

Figure 1 

(i) Describe what is meant by the axis label in Figure 1: 'percentage of the population suffering from food insecurity'.

(1)

(ii) Use Figure 1 to compare changes in food insecurity between Africa and Oceania.

(3) 

Discuss the key factors which may result in a threat to food security in a developing country.

In order to maintain food security, sustainable methods of farming and food production are necessary.

(i) Explain what is meant by sustainable methods. (2)

(ii) In order to maintain sustainability of the fishing trade, fishing quotas have been imposed and fishermen are required to only remove fish exceeding a certain mass.

Suggest how introducing fishing quotas and minimum masses of captured fish ensures fishing is carried out sustainably.

(2) 

The increasing human population is affecting farming and the habitats of animals.

Figure 1 shows the human population of the UK from 1960 to 2018.

Figure 1

Extend the line to estimate the human population of the UK in 2030 if this trend continues.

................................... million

Food security means that a population has enough safe and healthy food.

Which of these would improve food security?

A scientist tested three samples of different foods.

Figure 2 shows the results.

Figure 2

(i) Name the food group in sample E.

(1)

(ii) Name the food groups in sample F.

(1)

(iii) The emulsion test shows that food sample G contained fat. Describe how fat is digested in the body.

(2)

One crop commonly grown in Africa for biofuel production is Jatropha curcas.

It's a drought-resistant shrub whose seeds contain oil that can be processed into biodiesel.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of growing this crop to produce biofuel.

Along the shores of Lake Malawi, seasonal swarms of small insects are harvested to make a traditional food known as kunga cake. Community members sweep lightly oiled pans through the swarms so the insects stick to the pan surface, then press them into patties and shallow-fry them. The resulting patties (Figure 1) are a valued seasonal food in lakeshore communities.

Figure 1

Explain how the production of kunga cake has benefits for food security. 

The insects used to make kunga cake rely on the temperature of their surroundings to control their body temperature, while many farm animals regulate their body temperature using internal control mechanisms.

Explain how this difference can benefit food security when insects are used as a food source.

A company in the USA has pioneered the use of crickets (Figure 2) as a source of nutrients in its food products, made for human consumption.

Crickets are crushed and processed into a flavourless, flour-like product that can be used in many different recipes.

 Figure 2

In its marketing brochure, the company makes certain claims about crickets as a food source, in direct comparison to traditional livestock animals like cattle.

These claims are summarised in Table 1.

Table 1

Sceptics reading the brochure would point to reasons why cricket-based foodstuffs have not been commercially successful yet.

Use the data in Table 1 and your knowledge of eating habits to evaluate the production and sale of cricket-based food products. 

In many parts of the world rice is a staple food. Magnaporthe grisea, also known as rice blast fungus, is a pathogenic fungus and that causes a serious disease affecting rice.

Explain how the food security of rice could be improved by using a fungicide. 

Selective breeding of rice could help improve food security.

Explain how.

The rice blast fungus can affect a rice crop within 10 days. Naturally occurring root-associated rhizospheric bacteria have been shown to inhibit the effect of the rice blast fungus. 

Scientists investigated the effect of different strains of rhizospheric bacteria by measuring the number of leaf lesions caused by Magnaporthe grisea. Fungal spores were sprayed on 3-week-old whole plants 24 hours after being treated with the strains of rhizospheric bacteria. The scientists' results are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

With reference to Figure 1 determine the most effective strain of rhizospheric bacteria on Magnaporthe grisea.