Year 7 - Science
Using chemicals in farming
Ecosystems
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores the interdependence of organisms in ecosystems, including food webs and insect-pollinated crops. It examines how organisms interact with their environment and the impact of toxic materials. It also highlights the importance of biodiversity and preserving genetic material.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe and explain the benefits and drawbacks of using chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides in farming.
Key Notes
- Farmers use chemicals called fertilisers to produce more crops.
- Farmers use chemicals called pesticides to produce more crops.
- Some pesticides kill insects and this helps crops to grow because they are not being eaten.
- Some pesticides kill other plants (weeds) that compete with the crops to grow.
- Fertilisers and pesticides can be harmful to the environment and wildlife.
Vocabulary To Learn
- fertiliser: Fertilisers are minerals that are added to the soil to help plants to grow.
- pesticide: Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill organisms such as insects and weeds, which prevent crop growth.
- organic: Organic farming only uses chemicals that come from other living things (are not man-made).
- herbicide: Herbicides are a type of pesticide. They kill plants. They are sometimes also known as weedkillers.
- insecticide: Insecticides are a type of pesticide. These chemicals kill insects.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils don't realise that insecticides and herbicides are all examples of pesticides.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Farmers use chemicals called fertilisers to produce more crops. Farmers use chemicals called pesticides to produce more crops.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'fertiliser'
Fertilisers are minerals that are added to the soil to help plants to grow. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils don't realise that insecticides and herbicides are all examples of pesticides. Correction: Pupils should understand pesticides are a group of chemicals that kill organisms. Different types of pesticide kill different types of pest.
More Lessons In This Unit
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