Human Biology - Environment

Front 1

What are the advantages of early farming?

Back 1

Humans settle down and can develop their culture (trading)
More food available
Humans can live in environments with low food supply

Front 2

Suggest advantages of the Slash and burn method:

Back 2

Burning trees leaves behind ash which is rich in nutrients
Crops are harvested before they die/decompose

Front 3

What are the disadvantages of the Slash and burn method?

Back 3

Yield falls with subsequent crops.
Nitrogen is not recycled and not returned to the soil.
Soil becomes less fertile - farmers moved away after few years.

Front 4

State how evidence is found for farmed animals:

Back 4

Bone structure (different to wild animals due to selective breeding).
Pollen analysis (same type of pollen at farmed areas).

Front 5

How is the age of animal helpful with evidence?

Back 5

Predominantly adult sized bones if animals are farmed.
Hunters kill animals of the extreme ages (very old and very young).
Those are more vulnerable and easier to hunt.

Front 6

State the effects of Deforestation:

Back 6

Felling one hectare will give space for agriculture for high income.
But the land loses fertility after a few years.
Using cleared land for cattle will give a low income per year.

Front 7

Name three things humans have selectively bred:

Back 7

Cereals, Dogs and Cattle

Front 8

Explain how Cereals are selectively bred:

Back 8

Wild grasses loose seeds before they can be harvested.
Stronger grasses retain seeds and can be sown the next year.
Selectively taken grains from cereal grasses that produce a high yield.
Other grains are eaten.

Front 9

Define lodging:

Back 9

wheat damaged by strong wind

Front 10

State the advantages of having short stalks:

Back 10

Prevent lodging.
Better for harvesting by machinery.
Energy from sunlight used to produce better grain rather than long stalk.

Front 11

Why were Dogs selectively bred?

Back 11

Barking dogs frightens predators (wild adult dogs don’t bark as much).
Wild dogs that attack children were killed.
Selected to assist rounding up sheep and cattle.

Front 12

Why were Cattle used?

Back 12

Eat grass which cannot be used by humans.
Stay in herds, easier to control.

Front 13

Give two types of cattle and their uses:

Back 13

Dairy cattle - produce large volumes of milk.
Beef cattle - larger amount of muscle.

Front 14

What is Succession?

Back 14

Process in which different species make up a community over time.

Front 15

What is Autogenic succession?

Back 15

Brought about by plants only.

Front 16

What is Allogenic succession?

Back 16

External factor (eg flooding) alters development of community.

Front 17

What is Primary Succession?

Back 17

Succession where no living organisms have been found before.

Front 18

What is Secondary Succession?

Back 18

Community of living organisms have already been there / Human activity damaged vegetation and stopped succession.

Front 19

Define the Climax Community:

Back 19

Final most complex stage of succession.