Question 1

Even though a plant will often have a large amount of stored calcium, how come periodic calcium deficiencies in the soil will lead to odd growth patterns?

Accepted Answer

A)   Calcium stores in the plant are not transportable from one part to the other.
B)   Calcium is a necessary neurotransmitter.
C)   Plants continually excrete calcium into the soil and this leads to deficiencies.
D)   The calcium is concentrated in the growing portions only.
E)   none of the aboveF) B) and E)
G) D) and E)

Question 2

What is one disadvantage of the use of synthetic fertilizers compared to natural fertilizers like compost?

Accepted Answer

A)   Synthetic fertilizers do not provide organic bulk needed for microorganisms in soil.
B)   Synthetic fertilizers do not provide inorganic ions needed for soil health.
C)   Synthetic fertilizers do not provide soluble fiber needed for soil health.
D)   Synthetic fertilizers are better than natural fertilizers because they do not lead to chalky soil.
E)   all of the aboveF) C) and D)
G) B) and E)

Question 3

Thoroughly dried dead plant material is 44.4 percent oxygen by weight. How is this oxygen held in the plant so that it doesn't escape into the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)   This oxygen is held within cellulose micropores of the plant tissue.
B)   This oxygen is found mostly as carbon dioxide, which is heavier than air.
C)   This oxygen is not gaseous  , but oxygen atoms bound to the cellulose structure.
D)   Plants fix this oxygen during photosynthesis.E) None of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 4

Which of the following is a straight fertilizer?

Accepted Answer

A)   NH3
B)   KNO3
C)   (NH4) 3PO4
D)   All of the above are straight fertilizers.
E)   These are all synthetic fertilizers.F) All of the above
G) B) and E)

Question 5

In what ways are the roots of a plant like an ion-exchanger used to purify hard water?

Accepted Answer

A)   The roots release ions, which exchange with the mineral ions in the soil.
B)   The plant roots purify water.
C)   The plant roots trap ions in the water and store them until recharged.
D)   all of the above
E)   none of the aboveF) A) and C)
G) C) and D)

Question 6

What happens to most biochemical energy as it passes from one trophic level to the next?

Accepted Answer

A)   Biochemical energy increases from one trophic level to the next.
B)   Biochemical energy decreases from one trophic level to the next.
C)   Biochemical energy does not change from one trophic level to the next.
D)   Biochemical energy decreases from the producer level to the primary consumer level. All other level changes show an increase in biochemical energy.E) B) and C)
F) A) and C)

Question 7

Which of the following statements of trophic levels is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   There are far less consumers than producers.
B)   Carnivores are primary consumers.
C)   Herbivores are secondary consumers.
D)   Decomposers are not consumed.
E)   None of the above are true.F) B) and C)
G) D) and E)

Question 8

Where do plants get most of the elements that make up their mass?

Accepted Answer

A)   air and water
B)   roots
C)   soil
D)   sunlight
E)   none of the aboveF) A) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 9

What is the leading cause of malnutrition?

Accepted Answer

A)   lack of social infrastructure to distribute food
B)   lack of food
C)   lack of nutritious food
D)   lack of soil nutrients to provide adequate crop yield
E)   none of the aboveF) All of the above
G) A) and C)

Question 10

What is the first step in food production?

Accepted Answer

A)   photosynthesis
B)   eating
C)   sowing
D)   plowing
E)   decompositionF) B) and D)
G) B) and E)

Question 11

What is acting as the energy storage media in photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

A)   carbohydrates
B)   chlorophyll
C)   carbon dioxide
D)   oxygen
E)   waterF) C) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 12

Why does organic farming exclude the use of pesticides when pesticides themselves are organic?

Accepted Answer

A)   Organic pesticides are a type of chemical.
B)   Organic pesticides tend not to decompose by natural means.
C)   Pesticides made from organic chemicals tend to taste bad.
D)   The word "organic" of organic farming is used in a different context.E) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 13

Which of the following would not illustrate part of the trophic structure of an ecosystem?

Accepted Answer

A)   plants absorbing carbon dioxide to make sugars
B)   grasshoppers eating plants
C)   racoons digging in your trash for your discarded food
D)   skunks releasing a powerful scent to dissuade predators
E)   all of the aboveF) None of the above
G) A) and D)

Question 14

Anything that eats a producer is called a(n)  ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   predator
B)   consumer
C)   herbivore
D)   decomposer
E)   all of the aboveF) None of the above
G) C) and E)

Question 15

What are the major natural sources of phosphorus used by plants?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is extracted from rocks as phosphate anion.
B)   It is formed by atmospheric reaction of phosphorus and oxygen during lightning strikes.
C)   It is converted from elemental phosphorus by specialized bacteria in the roots of plants.
D)   all of the above
E)   only A and BF) C) and D)
G) None of the above

Question 16

Why are advances in genetic engineering so significant to agriculture?

Accepted Answer

A)   Genetically engineered crops can generate more food.
B)   Genetically engineered crops can be more resistant to pest thereby requiring fewer pesticides.
C)   Food from genetically engineered plants can have greater nutritional value.
D)   all of the aboveE) A) and C)
F) C) and D)

Question 17

Which of the following forms of nitrogen is most readily accessible to plants?

Accepted Answer

A)   NO3-
B)   NH4+
C)   N2
D)   N2O
E)   A and BF) A) and B)
G) B) and C)

Question 18

Which of the following is part of integrated pest management?

Accepted Answer

A)   determining ideal crop rotation strategies
B)   identifying the best set of crops for a given location
C)   passing legislation that lowers the restrictions on pesticide use
D)   choosing the best crop for the current agricultural market
E)   only A and BF) C) and D)
G) A) and D)

Question 19

Humans are ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   primary consumers
B)   secondary consumers
C)   tertiary consumers
D)   all of the above
E)   none of the aboveF) A) and B)
G) A) and E)

Question 20

Earthworms are repelled by the high concentrations of nutrients in soils treated with synthetic fertilizers. How might this affect the soil structure?

Accepted Answer

A)   The soil becomes less fertilized by bird droppings.
B)   The soil becomes more compact.
C)   As the worms leave, insect larvae take over the role of making the soil porous.
D)   Decaying dead worms are an important component of soil compost, which is why soil without many worms is less fertile.E) B) and D)
F) None of the above

Exam 15: Optimizing Food Production

Even though a plant will often have a large amount of stored calcium, how come periodic calcium deficiencies in the soil will lead to odd growth patterns?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is acting as the energy storage media in photosynthesis?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the first step in food production?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is one disadvantage of the use of synthetic fertilizers compared to natural fertilizers like compost?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What happens to most biochemical energy as it passes from one trophic level to the next?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is a straight fertilizer?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following would not illustrate part of the trophic structure of an ecosystem?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Where do plants get most of the elements that make up their mass?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Earthworms are repelled by the high concentrations of nutrients in soils treated with synthetic fertilizers. How might this affect the soil structure?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the leading cause of malnutrition?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What are the major natural sources of phosphorus used by plants?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Thoroughly dried dead plant material is 44.4 percent oxygen by weight. How is this oxygen held in the plant so that it doesn't escape into the atmosphere?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why does organic farming exclude the use of pesticides when pesticides themselves are organic?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following forms of nitrogen is most readily accessible to plants?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In what ways are the roots of a plant like an ion-exchanger used to purify hard water?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why are advances in genetic engineering so significant to agriculture?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is part of integrated pest management?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements of trophic levels is true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Anything that eats a producer is called a(n) ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Humans are ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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