Animal Welfare, Livestock Farming and Climate Effects

Ethical Concerns of Large-Scale Animal Farms

Using one example, explain the ethical concerns surrounding the animal welfare and large-scale animal farms. How has this issue been dealt with?

Main products: meat, milk, and eggs.
Goal: highest output at lowest cost.
Grazing: close to half of Earth's land area used for rangeland.
Arid rangeland due to overgrazing of cattle.
Typical high density of livestock.
Is this sustainable or ethical?

• Efficiency in food production
• Animal welfare
• Environmental impacts
• Health risks (disease)

Climate Change and Agricultural Landscapes

Talk briefly about how climate change has impacted our agricultural landscape.

Agriculture is highly dependent on climate; changes make production more difficult. Optimal growth depends on an ecological range for each crop or species. Although an increase in temperature and CO₂ can sometimes increase yields, not all necessary conditions are met (water, moisture, nutrient levels). There can also be a decrease in nutrient quality.

Warmer water temperatures cause shifts in fish ranges. Weeds, pests, and fungi thrive under some changing conditions, which leads to increased costs to control them.

Livestock Ranches and Climate Change

How are large-scale livestock ranches impacting and aiding in the cause of climate change?

Exposure to high temperatures caused an estimated $1 billion in losses in 2011. Heat stress can increase disease, reduce fertility, and lower milk production. Drought threatens pasture and feed supplies for grazing livestock and can increase parasite and disease pressure. Large-scale livestock operations are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

Temple Grandin and Humane Livestock Treatment

Who is Temple Grandin? What has she done for the humane treatment in the slaughter of livestock?

Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science and an autistic consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She is the inventor of the "hug box" and the squeeze machine. She established more humane livestock-handling processes, adapted slaughter corrals to reduce stress and panic, and contributed to standards for slaughterhouses (meat industry).

Flow of Blood Through the Heart

In essay form, write the flow of blood through the heart. Include the chambers and associated blood vessels as well as what circuit you are in.

Which Side of the Heart Is Thicker Walled?

Which side of the heart is thicker walled? Why?

The left ventricular wall is thicker because the left ventricle must pump blood all the way around the body (systemic circuit), which requires higher pressure than the right ventricle, which pumps blood only to the lungs (pulmonary circuit).

Electrocardiogram: Purpose and Waves

What is an electrocardiogram and what does it determine? What are the three waves produced and what do they represent?

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) uses electrodes placed on the body to detect electrical changes that occur during the heartbeat. It helps determine whether conduction pathways are normal, whether the heart is enlarged, and whether there is damage to certain areas. The three main waves are:

• P wave — atrial depolarization
• QRS complex — ventricular depolarization
• T wave — ventricular repolarization