Question 1

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

Question 2

The highest amount of oxygen will be found in soils containing large amounts of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  clay 
B)  sand 
C)  gravel 
D)  silt 
A)  clay 
B)  sand 
C)  gravel 
D)  silt

Question 3

The B horizon of soil has ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  living organisms and decaying organic matter 
B)  a mixture of broken soil with a variety of texture 
C)  much less organic matter than the A horizon 
D)  partially broken-down rock 
A)  living organisms and decaying organic matter 
B)  a mixture of broken soil with a variety of texture 
C)  much less organic matter than the A horizon 
D)  partially broken-down rock

Question 4

Which of the following would inhibit the growth of most plants?

Accepted Answer

A)  abundant humus 
B)  air spaces 
C)  good drainage 
D)  a pH above 10.0 
A)  abundant humus 
B)  air spaces 
C)  good drainage 
D)  a pH above 10.0

Question 5

Which one of the following elements plays a critical role in the formation of chlorophyll?

Accepted Answer

A)  magnesium 
B)  manganese 
C)  calcium 
D)  zinc 
A)  magnesium 
B)  manganese 
C)  calcium 
D)  zinc

Question 6

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 7

You are weeding your garden when you accidentally expose some roots of your pea plants. You notice swellings (root nodules) on the roots, and there is a reddish tinge to the ones you accidentally damaged. Most likely your pea plants ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  suffer from a mineral deficiency 
B)  are infected with a parasite 
C)  are benefiting from a mutualistic bacterium 
D)  are developing offshoots from the root 
A)  suffer from a mineral deficiency 
B)  are infected with a parasite 
C)  are benefiting from a mutualistic bacterium 
D)  are developing offshoots from the root

Question 8

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 9

Which of the following is a primary difference between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae?

Accepted Answer

A)  Endomycorrhizae have thicker, shorter hyphae than ectomycorrhizae. 
B)  Ectomycorrhizae do not penetrate root cells, whereas endomycorrhizae grow into invaginations of the root cell membranes. 
C)  Endomycorrhizae are more common than ectomycorrhizae. 
D)  There are no significant differences between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae. 
A)  Endomycorrhizae have thicker, shorter hyphae than ectomycorrhizae. 
B)  Ectomycorrhizae do not penetrate root cells, whereas endomycorrhizae grow into invaginations of the root cell membranes. 
C)  Endomycorrhizae are more common than ectomycorrhizae. 
D)  There are no significant differences between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.

Question 10

What major benefits do plants and mycorrhizal fungi receive from their symbiotic relationship?

Accepted Answer

A)  Plants receive enzymes, and fungi receive nitrogen and phosphorus. 
B)  Plants receive increased root surface area, and fungi receive digestive enzymes. 
C)  Fungi receive photosynthetic products in exchange for living in plant root nodules. 
D)  Plants receive nitrogen and phosphorus, and fungi receive photosynthetic products. 
A)  Plants receive enzymes, and fungi receive nitrogen and phosphorus. 
B)  Plants receive increased root surface area, and fungi receive digestive enzymes. 
C)  Fungi receive photosynthetic products in exchange for living in plant root nodules. 
D)  Plants receive nitrogen and phosphorus, and fungi receive photosynthetic products.

Question 11

A plant developed a mineral deficiency after being treated with a fungicide. What is the most probable cause of the deficiency?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mineral receptor proteins in the plant membrane were not functioning. 
B)  Mycorrhizal fungi were killed. 
C)  Active transport of minerals was inhibited. 
D)  Proton pumps reversed the membrane potential. 
A)  Mineral receptor proteins in the plant membrane were not functioning. 
B)  Mycorrhizal fungi were killed. 
C)  Active transport of minerals was inhibited. 
D)  Proton pumps reversed the membrane potential.

Question 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

A young farmer purchases some land in a relatively arid area and is interested in earning a reasonable profit for many years. Which of the following strategies would best allow the farmer to achieve such a goal?

Accepted Answer

A)  establishing an extensive irrigation system 
B)  using plenty of the best fertilizers 
C)  finding a way to sell all parts of crop plants 
D)  selecting crops adapted to arid areas 
A)  establishing an extensive irrigation system 
B)  using plenty of the best fertilizers 
C)  finding a way to sell all parts of crop plants 
D)  selecting crops adapted to arid areas

Question 16

Which of the following soil minerals is most likely leached away during a hard rain?

Accepted Answer

A)  Na⁺ 
B)  K⁺ 
C)  Ca⁺⁺ 
D)  NO₃⁻ 
A)  Na⁺ 
B)  K⁺ 
C)  Ca⁺⁺ 
D)  NO₃⁻

Question 17

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 18

Which of the following are problems associated with intensive irrigation?
I.mineral runoff
II.over fertilization
III.aquifer depletion
IV.soil salinization

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

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 20

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 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 chemical signals and signal receptors of the Rhizobium strain and legume species.

Exam 37: Soil and Plant Nutrition

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

The highest amount of oxygen will be found in soils containing large amounts of ________.

The B horizon of soil has ________.

Which of the following would inhibit the growth of most plants?

Which one of the following elements plays a critical role in the formation of chlorophyll?

Mycorrhizae enhance plant nutrition mainly by

You are weeding your garden when you accidentally expose some roots of your pea plants. You notice swellings (root nodules) on the roots, and there is a reddish tinge to the ones you accidentally damaged. Most likely your pea plants ________.

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

Which of the following is a primary difference between ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae?

What major benefits do plants and mycorrhizal fungi receive from their symbiotic relationship?

A plant developed a mineral deficiency after being treated with a fungicide. What is the most probable cause of the deficiency?

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 ________.

A young farmer purchases some land in a relatively arid area and is interested in earning a reasonable profit for many years. Which of the following strategies would best allow the farmer to achieve such a goal?

Which of the following soil minerals is most likely leached away during a hard rain?

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

Which of the following are problems associated with intensive irrigation? I.mineral runoff II.over fertilization III.aquifer depletion IV.soil salinization

Deficiency of calcium in plants causes ________.

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

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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