# Describe how the use of pesticides and fertilisers helps to increase crop yields to feed the growing human population, and suggest one disadvantage of using each of these methods.

> OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247) — B6.2 Feeding the human race · Describe · 4 marks

> Farmers around the world use a range of chemicals to maximise the amount of food they can produce from their land. Demand for food continues to rise as the global human population increases.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Pesticides kill pests / organisms that damage or eat crops, so more of the crop survives to harvest (increasing yield).
2. One disadvantage of pesticides: e.g. they can harm non-target organisms / reduce biodiversity / accumulate in food chains / pollute waterways.
3. Fertilisers provide essential nutrients (e.g. nitrates/minerals) to the soil, promoting faster / greater plant growth and increasing crop yield.
4. One disadvantage of fertilisers: e.g. excess fertiliser can leach into waterways causing eutrophication / algal bloom, leading to death of aquatic organisms.

## Key terms

- [pesticides](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pesticides)
- [fertiliser](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fertiliser)
- [crop yield](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/crop-yield)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-how-the-use-of-pesticides-76ae8985) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.