Question 1

Which criteria allow biologists to divide chemicals into macronutrients and micronutrients?

Accepted Answer

A)  molecular weight of the element or compound 
B)  the quantities of each required by plants 
C)  how they are used in metabolism 
D)  whether or not they are essential for plant growth 
A)  molecular weight of the element or compound 
B)  the quantities of each required by plants 
C)  how they are used in metabolism 
D)  whether or not they are essential for plant growth B

Question 2

Which of the following would be the most effective strategy to remove toxic heavy metals from a soil?

Accepted Answer

A)  heavy irrigation to leach out the heavy metals 
B)  application of sulfur to lower the soil pH and precipitate the heavy metals 
C)  adding plant species that have the ability to take up and accumulate heavy metals 
D)  inoculating soil with mycorrhizae to avoid heavy-metal uptake 
A)  heavy irrigation to leach out the heavy metals 
B)  application of sulfur to lower the soil pH and precipitate the heavy metals 
C)  adding plant species that have the ability to take up and accumulate heavy metals 
D)  inoculating soil with mycorrhizae to avoid heavy-metal uptake C

Question 3

Soil leaching can cause nutrient deficiencies in the soil. Which of the following are symptoms of nutrient deficiency in plants?
I chlorosis
II death of meristems
III excess storage of chlorophyll
IV small internodes

Accepted Answer

A)  I, II, and III 
B)  II, III, and IV 
C)  I, II, and IV 
D)  I, II, III, and IV 
A)  I, II, and III 
B)  II, III, and IV 
C)  I, II, and IV 
D)  I, II, III, and IV C

Question 4

Epiphytes are

Accepted Answer

A)  fungi that attack plants. 
B)  fungi that form mutualistic associations with roots. 
C)  nonphotosynthetic parasitic plants. 
D)  plants that grow on other plants. 
A)  fungi that attack plants. 
B)  fungi that form mutualistic associations with roots. 
C)  nonphotosynthetic parasitic plants. 
D)  plants that grow on other plants.

Question 5

Soil erosion could be controlled by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  planting rows of trees as windbreaks 
B)  no-till agriculture 
C)  terrace hillside crops 
D)  all of the above 
A)  planting rows of trees as windbreaks 
B)  no-till agriculture 
C)  terrace hillside crops 
D)  all of the above

Question 6

Two groups of tomatoes were grown under laboratory conditions, one with humus added to the soil and one a control without humus. The leaves of the plants grown without humus were yellowish (less green)compared with those of the plants grown in humus-enriched soil. The best explanation is that

Accepted Answer

A)  the healthy plants used the food in the decomposing leaves of the humus for energy to make chlorophyll. 
B)  the humus made the soil more loosely packed, so water penetrated more easily to the roots. 
C)  the humus contained minerals such as magnesium and iron needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll. 
D)  the heat released by the decomposing leaves of the humus caused more rapid growth and chlorophyll synthesis. 
A)  the healthy plants used the food in the decomposing leaves of the humus for energy to make chlorophyll. 
B)  the humus made the soil more loosely packed, so water penetrated more easily to the roots. 
C)  the humus contained minerals such as magnesium and iron needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll. 
D)  the heat released by the decomposing leaves of the humus caused more rapid growth and chlorophyll synthesis.

Question 7

Mycorrhizae enhance plant nutrition mainly by

Accepted Answer

A)  absorbing water and minerals through the fungal hyphae. 
B)  providing sugar to root cells, which have no chloroplasts. 
C)  converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. 
D)  enabling the roots to parasitize neighboring plants. 
A)  absorbing water and minerals through the fungal hyphae. 
B)  providing sugar to root cells, which have no chloroplasts. 
C)  converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. 
D)  enabling the roots to parasitize neighboring plants.

Question 8

Carnivorous plants have evolved mechanisms that trap and digest small animals. The products of this digestion are used to supplement the plant's supply of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  energy 
B)  carbohydrates 
C)  lipids and steroids 
D)  nitrogen and other minerals 
A)  energy 
B)  carbohydrates 
C)  lipids and steroids 
D)  nitrogen and other minerals

Question 9

The greatest difference in health between two groups of plants of the same species, one group with mycorrhizae and one group without mycorrhizae, would be in an environment

Accepted Answer

A)  where nitrogen-fixing bacteria are abundant. 
B)  that has soil with poor drainage. 
C)  that has hot summers and cold winters. 
D)  in which the soil is relatively deficient in mineral nutrients. 
A)  where nitrogen-fixing bacteria are abundant. 
B)  that has soil with poor drainage. 
C)  that has hot summers and cold winters. 
D)  in which the soil is relatively deficient in mineral nutrients.

Question 10

We would expect the greatest difference in plant health between two groups of plants of the same species, one group with mycorrhizae and one group without mycorrhizae, in an environment ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  where nitrogen-fixing bacteria are abundant 
B)  that has soil with poor drainage 
C)  in which the soil is relatively deficient in mineral nutrients 
D)  that is near a body of water, such as a pond or river 
A)  where nitrogen-fixing bacteria are abundant 
B)  that has soil with poor drainage 
C)  in which the soil is relatively deficient in mineral nutrients 
D)  that is near a body of water, such as a pond or river

Question 11

The specific relationship between a legume and its mutualistic Rhizobium strain probably depends on ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  each legume having a chemical dialogue with a fungus 
B)  each Rhizobium strain having a form of nitrogenase that works only in the appropriate legume host 
C)  each legume being found where the soil has only the Rhizobium specific to that legume 
D)  specific recognition between the chemical signals and signal receptors of the Rhizobium strain and legume species 
A)  each legume having a chemical dialogue with a fungus 
B)  each Rhizobium strain having a form of nitrogenase that works only in the appropriate legume host 
C)  each legume being found where the soil has only the Rhizobium specific to that legume 
D)  specific recognition between the chemical signals and signal receptors of the Rhizobium strain and legume species

Question 12

Which of the following plants is classified as an epiphyte?

Accepted Answer

A)  Venus flytrap 
B)  pitcher plant 
C)  staghorn fern 
D)  mistletoe 
A)  Venus flytrap 
B)  pitcher plant 
C)  staghorn fern 
D)  mistletoe

Question 13

Deficiency of calcium in plants causes ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  wilting and poor growth 
B)  chlorosis between veins and wilting 
C)  crinkling of young leaves and death of terminal buds 
D)  reduced internode length and crinkled leaves 
A)  wilting and poor growth 
B)  chlorosis between veins and wilting 
C)  crinkling of young leaves and death of terminal buds 
D)  reduced internode length and crinkled leaves

Question 14

The earliest vascular plants on land had underground stems (rhizomes), but no roots. Water and mineral nutrients were most likely obtained by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  diffusion through stomata 
B)  absorption by mycorrhizae 
C)  osmosis through the root hairs 
D)  diffusion across the cuticle of the rhizome 
A)  diffusion through stomata 
B)  absorption by mycorrhizae 
C)  osmosis through the root hairs 
D)  diffusion across the cuticle of the rhizome

Question 15

If an African violet has chlorosis, which of the following elements might be a useful addition to the soil?

Accepted Answer

A)  molybdenum 
B)  copper 
C)  iodine 
D)  magnesium 
A)  molybdenum 
B)  copper 
C)  iodine 
D)  magnesium

Question 16

Hyphae form a covering over roots. These hyphae create a large surface area that helps to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  aid in absorbing minerals and ions 
B)  maintain cell shape 
C)  increase cellular respiration 
D)  anchor a plant 
A)  aid in absorbing minerals and ions 
B)  maintain cell shape 
C)  increase cellular respiration 
D)  anchor a plant

Question 17

What soil composition would be best for availability of nutrients, water, and root development?

Accepted Answer

A)  equal amounts of sand, clay, and humus 
B)  higher proportion of humus; lower amounts of clay and sand 
C)  higher proportion of clay; lower amounts of humus and sand 
D)  higher proportion of sand; lower amount of humus and clay 
A)  equal amounts of sand, clay, and humus 
B)  higher proportion of humus; lower amounts of clay and sand 
C)  higher proportion of clay; lower amounts of humus and sand 
D)  higher proportion of sand; lower amount of humus and clay

Question 18

Two groups of tomatoes were grown under laboratory conditions, one with humus added to the soil, and one a control without humus. The leaves of the plants grown without humus were yellowish (less green)compared with those of the plants grown in the humus-enriched soil. The best explanation for this difference is that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the healthy plants used the food in the decomposing leaves of the humus for energy to make chlorophyll 
B)  the humus made the soil more loosely packed, so water penetrated more easily to the roots 
C)  the humus contained minerals such as magnesium and iron, needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll 
D)  the heat released by the decomposing leaves of the humus caused more rapid growth and chlorophyll synthesis 
A)  the healthy plants used the food in the decomposing leaves of the humus for energy to make chlorophyll 
B)  the humus made the soil more loosely packed, so water penetrated more easily to the roots 
C)  the humus contained minerals such as magnesium and iron, needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll 
D)  the heat released by the decomposing leaves of the humus caused more rapid growth and chlorophyll synthesis

Question 19

Rhizobia, actinomycetes, and cyanobacteria all share the common feature that they can ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  increase water uptake in plants 
B)  kill parasites in the soil 
C)  exist in extreme environments 
D)  fix atmospheric nitrogen 
A)  increase water uptake in plants 
B)  kill parasites in the soil 
C)  exist in extreme environments 
D)  fix atmospheric nitrogen

Question 20

While hiking in a forest, you notice an unusual plant growing on the branches of a tree. What will help you to determine if this plant is epiphytic or parasitic?

Accepted Answer

A)  If the plant is green, it is epiphytic; if not, then it is parasitic. 
B)  The root of an epiphytic plant will be in the soil, but a parasitic plant will grow from the trunk of a tree. 
C)  The roots of a parasitic plant will penetrate under the bark into the tree xylem, and the roots of epiphytic plant will not. 
D)  The epiphytic plant will have large water collecting leaves, and the parasitic plant will not. 
A)  If the plant is green, it is epiphytic; if not, then it is parasitic. 
B)  The root of an epiphytic plant will be in the soil, but a parasitic plant will grow from the trunk of a tree. 
C)  The roots of a parasitic plant will penetrate under the bark into the tree xylem, and the roots of epiphytic plant will not. 
D)  The epiphytic plant will have large water collecting leaves, and the parasitic plant will not.

Exam 37: Soil and Plant Nutrition

Which criteria allow biologists to divide chemicals into macronutrients and micronutrients?

Which of the following would be the most effective strategy to remove toxic heavy metals from a soil?

Soil leaching can cause nutrient deficiencies in the soil. Which of the following are symptoms of nutrient deficiency in plants? I chlorosis II death of meristems III excess storage of chlorophyll IV small internodes

Epiphytes are

Soil erosion could be controlled by ________.

Two groups of tomatoes were grown under laboratory conditions, one with humus added to the soil and one a control without humus. The leaves of the plants grown without humus were yellowish (less green)compared with those of the plants grown in humus-enriched soil. The best explanation is that

Mycorrhizae enhance plant nutrition mainly by

Carnivorous plants have evolved mechanisms that trap and digest small animals. The products of this digestion are used to supplement the plant's supply of ________.

The greatest difference in health between two groups of plants of the same species, one group with mycorrhizae and one group without mycorrhizae, would be in an environment

We would expect the greatest difference in plant health between two groups of plants of the same species, one group with mycorrhizae and one group without mycorrhizae, in an environment ________.

The specific relationship between a legume and its mutualistic Rhizobium strain probably depends on ________.

Which of the following plants is classified as an epiphyte?

Deficiency of calcium in plants causes ________.

The earliest vascular plants on land had underground stems (rhizomes), but no roots. Water and mineral nutrients were most likely obtained by ________.

If an African violet has chlorosis, which of the following elements might be a useful addition to the soil?

Hyphae form a covering over roots. These hyphae create a large surface area that helps to do which of the following?

What soil composition would be best for availability of nutrients, water, and root development?

Rhizobia, actinomycetes, and cyanobacteria all share the common feature that they can ________.

While hiking in a forest, you notice an unusual plant growing on the branches of a tree. What will help you to determine if this plant is epiphytic or parasitic?

Evolution, the Themes of Biology, and Scientific Inquiry

The Chemical Context of Life

Water and Life

Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

The Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules

A Tour of the Cell

Membrane Structure and Function

An Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cell Communication

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles

Mendel and the Gene Idea

The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance

The Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Gene Expression: From Gene to Protein

Regulation of Gene Expression

Viruses

DNA Tools and Biotechnology

Genomes and Their Evolution

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

The Evolution of Populations

The Origin of Species

The History of Life on Earth

Phylogeny and the Tree of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Plant Diversity I: How Plants Colonized Land

Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants

Fungi

An Overview of Animal Diversity

An Introduction to Invertebrates

The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates

Vascular Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Resource Acquisition and Transport in Vascular Plants

Angiosperm Reproduction and Biotechnology

Plant Responses to Internal and External Signals

Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function

Animal Nutrition

Circulation and Gas Exchange

The Immune System

Osmoregulation and Excretion

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Neurons, Synapses, and Signaling

Nervous Systems

Sensory and Motor Mechanisms

Animal Behavior

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology

Conservation Biology and Global Change

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