Many animal rights activists and "Hunger Watch" groups have claimed that if beef cattle and other sources of meat were eliminated, more people could be fed. What is the ecological theory behind the argument that humans should eat a greater proportion of
their food "lower in the food chain"? Also speculate about a situation in which this principle may be less applicable.
What will be an ideal response?
Because available energy is significantly reduced with each step up the food chain, the agricultural land devoted to growing animal feed could feed a much larger number of people. Each step up the food chain or web "wastes" up to 90 percent of the calories captured by producers, and perhaps more where warm-blooded animals are considered. However, there are exceptions to this principle. Some areas, such as parts of the North American plains, have soil and growing conditions that are not suitable for food crops. In such areas, growing grasses that support livestock is arguably a sensible idea.
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Ultimately, into what molecule are the
electrons released from glucose in aerobic respiration incorporated?
a. carbon dioxide b. ATP c. oxygen gas d. water e. NADH
What is the main role of T cells in the immune response?
A. To recognize sites of infection B. To stimulate the production of immune cells C. To secrete antibodies D. To trigger clonal selection
Cancer occurs when
A. both uncontrolled cell division and stimulation of apoptosis occurs. B. cells are unable to divide because of a mutation. C. apoptosis occurs. D. the regulation of the cell cycle is lost and uncontrolled cell division occurs. E. faulty spindle fibers are unable to pull chromatids apart.
Which of the following is NOT a prezygotic barrier to interbreeding between different species?
a. Biochemical factors prevent the sperm of one species from fertilizing the egg of the other species. b. Two species have sufficient physical differences that cause them to be unable to mate. c. Two species live in areas so far from each other that they never meet. d. Two species have different courtship rituals. e. Hybrids between the two species are infertile