How could biotechnology lead to a decrease in the use of pesticides?
Plants can be genetically engineered through the use of biotechnology to be less susceptible to insects. This trait will make pesticide use less necessary.
Explain why the energy harnessed per person (per capita) has increased so dramatically since the industrial revolution.
Increased energy use leads to increased economic activity and an increased quality of life. Ever since the industrial revolution, advances in technology have let humans in industrialized nations increase their standard of living significantly, which required significant increases in the amount of energy harnessed per capita.
Explain why there might be some resistance to the use of biotechnology.
Although the application of biotechnology has many potential advantages, it also has potential risks. These risks include increased resistance of insects and microorganisms, overproduction of new plants, and competition with natural organisms. Some individuals may not believe that the benefits of biotechnology outweigh the risks.
Explain the reciprocal relationship between human society and limiting factors.
Human societies are constrained by limiting factors such as food, water, and space, but human activities like agriculture, technology, and pollution can alter or remove those natural limits, creating a two-way relationship.
How does the global environment differ from the outdoor environment?
The global environment includes aspects of the environment that are globally determined, such as ozone depletion that can affect an individual’s health. The outdoor environment refers to environmental factors that can directly influence an individual’s health, but are specific to that individual’s location.
How might nutrition and exercise influence whether or not an individual develops a disease for which they have an inherited higher risk?
Student answers will vary. A possible answer is that nutrition and exercise are directly related to certain genetically influenced diseases, such as obesity. Individuals who inherit genes conferring a higher risk of obesity may be able to avoid any issues through good nutrition and exercise habits.
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