Integrated Science Population and Agriculture Unit Overview IS4: Populations and Agriculture
The Story: This unit will provide some of the necessary scientific background to comprehend the various aspects involved in the complex issues of human population and food resources. The unit will focus on the human population and its relationship to agriculture, by examining population growth mechanisms and limiting factors. Human food resources will be approached through the study of plant biology and agricultural resources.
Student Outcomes
Understand population dynamics in various systems.
Gain an understanding of how light is captured from sunlight and stored through synthesis of sugar from carbon dioxide and the role of mitochondria in making stored chemical-bond energy available to cells by completing the breakdown of glucose to carbon dioxide.
Considering irrigation, fertilization, pest control and mechanizations, review various agricultural ecosystems in terms of feeding the world.
Understand how plants grow, reproduce and transport materials within their systems.
Outcome 1: Understand population dynamics in various systems. Outcome 2: Gain an understanding of how light is captured from sunlight and stored through synthesis of sugar from carbon dioxide and the role of mitochondria in making stored chemical-bond energy available to cells by completing the breakdown of glucose to carbon dioxide Outcome 3: Considering irrigation, fertilization, pest control and mechanizations, review various agricultural ecosystems in terms of feeding the world. Outcome 4: Understand how plants grow, reproduce and transport materials within their systems.
Focus Questions and Corresponding Concepts: 1. How many people can the earth hold?
Components of carrying capacity: exponential growth, j & s curves
Open and closed populations
Trends in human population
Factors involved in stabilizing population growth
Limiting factors
2. How do we feed the world?
Nutritional and energy demands (Plants & humans)
Agricultural strategies and practices
Nitrogen cycle
3. How do plants grow? Photosynthesis and respiration