Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport

Taylor - Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections 10th Edition

Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan10th EditionCampbell Biology: Concepts & ConnectionsISBN: 9780136538783Not the one you use?Change textbook

Taylor, Simon, Dickey, Hogan 10th Edition

Ch. 32 Plant Nutrition and Transport

Problem 9

Chapter 32, Problem 9

If the apples you buy are labeled 'organic,' does that tell you anything about how they were grown? About the nutritional content of the apples?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the term 'organic': Organic labeling on food products, including apples, indicates that they were grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms.

Explore the growing practices: Organic farming practices focus on using natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.

Consider the environmental impact: Organic farming tends to be more environmentally friendly, promoting ecological balance, and conserving biodiversity.

Examine nutritional content: While organic apples are grown differently, studies have shown that the nutritional content of organic apples is not significantly different from conventionally grown apples.

Check for certification: For apples to be labeled as 'organic' in most countries, they must meet specific standards set by government bodies, such as the USDA in the United States, and be certified by an accredited organic certifying agent.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.

Video duration:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Organic Farming Practices

Organic farming emphasizes the use of natural processes and materials, avoiding synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This method promotes biodiversity, soil health, and ecological balance. Understanding these practices helps consumers know that organic apples are grown without harmful chemicals, which can influence environmental sustainability.

Nutritional Content of Organic vs. Conventional Produce

The nutritional content of organic produce, including apples, is often debated. Some studies suggest that organic fruits may have higher levels of certain nutrients and antioxidants, while others find minimal differences compared to conventional produce. This concept is essential for understanding whether organic labeling guarantees superior nutritional value.

Certification Standards for Organic Products

Organic products must meet specific certification standards set by regulatory bodies, which vary by country. These standards dictate how crops are grown, handled, and processed. Knowing these standards helps consumers understand the implications of the 'organic' label, ensuring that the apples meet certain quality and safety criteria.

Recommended video:

Guided course

04:36

Primary Production in Aquatic Ecosystems

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Explain how guard cells limit water loss from a plant on a hot, dry day. How can this be harmful to the plant?

1191

views

Textbook Question

Transpiration is fastest when humidity is low and temperature is high, but in some plants it seems to increase in response to light as well. During one 12-hour period when cloud cover and light intensity varied frequently, a scientist studying a certain crop plant recorded the data in the table (top right). (The transpiration rates are grams of water per square meter of leaf area per hour.)

Do these data support the hypothesis that the plants transpire more when the light is more intense?

If so, is the effect independent of temperature and humidity?

Explain your answer. (Hint: Look for overall trends in each column, and then compare pairs of data within each column and between columns.)

2367

views

Textbook Question

Certain types of fungi cause diseases in plants. There are a variety of antifungal sprays that can be used to control this problem. Some gardeners constantly spray their plants with fungicides, even when no signs of disease are evident. How might this be disadvantageous to the plant?

1102

views

Textbook Question

Acid rain contains an excess of hydrogen ions (H⁺). One effect of acid rain is to deplete the soil of plant nutrients such as calcium (Ca²⁺), potassium (K⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺).

Offer a hypothesis to explain why acid rain washes these nutrients from the soil.

How might you test your hypothesis?

1507

views

Textbook Question

Agriculture is by far the biggest user of water in arid western states, including Colorado, Arizona, and California. The populations of these states are growing, and there is an ongoing conflict between cities and farm regions over water. To ensure water supplies for urban growth, cities are purchasing water rights from farmers. This is often the least expensive way for a city to obtain more water, and some farmers can make more money selling water than growing crops. Discuss the possible consequences of this trend. Is this the best way to allocate water for all concerned? Why or why not?

903

views

Textbook Question

One of the most important properties of proper scientific investigations is their repeatability. Yet, as discussed in Module 32.11, studies that compare the nutritional content of conventional and organic produce sometimes produce contradictory results. Name some possible confounding factors that can account for such uneven results.

771

views