NATS1565: Plant Life, Human Life - Week 5: Origins of Agriculture

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the origins of agriculture, significant crops, nutrient cycles, and plant nutrition based on lecture notes for NATS1565.

What is a major source of carbohydrates in the human diet?

Wheat, rice, and corn are major carbohydrate sources.

When and where did the earliest evidence of agriculture occur?

At least 10,000 years ago in the Near East, Far East, and Mesoamerica.

What type of plant is wheat classified as?

Wheat is classified as an angiosperm and is one of the most widely cultivated cereals.

What specialty does Triticum durum cover?

It is used primarily for pasta, noodles, and some bread.

What significant process do plants perform using sunlight?

Photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide and water into sugars.

What does the term 'Fertile Crescent' refer to?

A region in the Near East where agriculture first developed.

What are the two main types of roots in plants?

Fibrous roots and taproots.

Which crop is known as the 'Staff of Life'?

Wheat is referred to as the 'Staff of Life' due to its nutritional value.

What is a key characteristic of the potato's cultivation?

Potatoes are genetically altered from wild species and have significant agricultural importance.

What is the main benefit of azolla in rice paddies?

Azolla harbors nitrogen-fixing bacteria that help fertilize rice plants.

Define angiosperms.

Angiosperms are flowering plants that are the most abundant and diverse group of plants.

What are the major macronutrients essential to human nutrition?

Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (lipids).

What is the ecological role of legumes in nutrient cycling?

Legumes can fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching the soil.

How does the structure of rice plants allow survival in flooded fields?

Rice plants have air chambers in their stems for diffusion of oxygen in waterlogged soils.

What does the term 'tuber' refer to in plant biology?

A tuber is an underground stem that stores nutrients, as seen in potatoes and cassava.

What are the two types of Vitamins found in the human diet?

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble vitamins (C and B complex).

What does 'cross-pollination' mean?

The transfer of pollen from the flower of one plant to the flower of another plant.

What is a key agricultural product of the Tehuacan Valley?

Crops like squash, avocado, and maize were among the first agricultural products grown.

What is the primary nutrient composition of cassava?

Cassava is primarily a source of starch.

How does photosynthesis contribute to the ecosystem?

It serves as the primary source of oxygen and organic material for the food chain.