Question 1

Clay in soils represents a trade-off in nutrient availability, such that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  anions are less likely to leach out of soil but are difficult for plants to extract 
B)  cations are less likely to leach out of soil but are difficult for plants to extract 
C)  nitrogen levels are exceptionally high, but much of the nitrogen leaches away 
D)  oxygen levels are exceptionally high, but much of the nitrogen leaches away 
A)  anions are less likely to leach out of soil but are difficult for plants to extract 
B)  cations are less likely to leach out of soil but are difficult for plants to extract 
C)  nitrogen levels are exceptionally high, but much of the nitrogen leaches away 
D)  oxygen levels are exceptionally high, but much of the nitrogen leaches away

Question 2

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A)  abundant humus 
B)  air spaces 
C)  good drainage 
D)  high cation exchange capacity 
E)  a pH of 8.5 
A)  abundant humus 
B)  air spaces 
C)  good drainage 
D)  high cation exchange capacity 
E)  a pH of 8.5

Question 4

What kind of climate is most often associated with epiphytic plants?

Accepted Answer

A)  warm 
B)  humid 
C)  sunny 
D)  freezing 
A)  warm 
B)  humid 
C)  sunny 
D)  freezing

Question 5

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 in a sustainable way?

Accepted Answer

A)  establishing an extensive irrigation system 
B)  using plenty of the best fertilizers 
C)  growing high value crops that require rich, moist soil 
D)  selecting crops adapted to arid areas 
E)  converting hillsides into fields 
A)  establishing an extensive irrigation system 
B)  using plenty of the best fertilizers 
C)  growing high value crops that require rich, moist soil 
D)  selecting crops adapted to arid areas 
E)  converting hillsides into fields

Question 6

Which of the following statements about essential nutrients are TRUE? Essential nutrients ________.
I. are necessary for plant growth and reproduction
II. are required for a specific structure or metabolic function
III. cannot be synthesized by a plant
IV. are produced by symbiotic bacteria

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Which of the following elements correctly pairs an essential element in plants with its function?

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen-component of nucleic acids, proteins, hormones, coenzymes 
B)  magnesium-component of nucleic acids, phospholipids, ATP, several coenzymes 
C)  phosphorus-cofactor functioning in protein synthesis 
D)  potassium-component of chlorophyll; activates many enzymes 
E)  sulfur-component of DNA; activates some enzymes 
A)  nitrogen-component of nucleic acids, proteins, hormones, coenzymes 
B)  magnesium-component of nucleic acids, phospholipids, ATP, several coenzymes 
C)  phosphorus-cofactor functioning in protein synthesis 
D)  potassium-component of chlorophyll; activates many enzymes 
E)  sulfur-component of DNA; activates some enzymes

Question 8

Which of the following experiments is the best way to determine if an element is essential for plant growth?

Accepted Answer

A)  Measure the amount of the element stored in plant tissues. 
B)  Grow plants in soil deficient in the element and note whether or not the plants are healthy. 
C)  Measure the amount of the element in the soil after plant growth. 
D)  Grow plants using hydroponics with and without the element and measure plant growth and health. 
E)  Measure the weight of the plant and soil before and after plant growth. 
A)  Measure the amount of the element stored in plant tissues. 
B)  Grow plants in soil deficient in the element and note whether or not the plants are healthy. 
C)  Measure the amount of the element in the soil after plant growth. 
D)  Grow plants using hydroponics with and without the element and measure plant growth and health. 
E)  Measure the weight of the plant and soil before and after plant growth.

Question 9

The most efficient way to increase essential amino acids in crop plants for human consumption would be to ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  select for higher yield of the desired amino acids 
B)  increase the amount of fertilizer used on fields 
C)  use 20-20-20 fertilizer instead of 20-5-5 fertilizer 
D)  engineer nitrogen-fixing nodules into crop plants lacking them 
E)  increase irrigation of nitrogen-fixing crops 
A)  select for higher yield of the desired amino acids 
B)  increase the amount of fertilizer used on fields 
C)  use 20-20-20 fertilizer instead of 20-5-5 fertilizer 
D)  engineer nitrogen-fixing nodules into crop plants lacking them 
E)  increase irrigation of nitrogen-fixing crops

Question 10

In what way do nitrogen compounds differ from other minerals needed by plants? Only nitrogen ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  can be lost from the soil 
B)  can be provided by symbiotic bacteria 
C)  is needed for protein synthesis 
D)  is held by cation exchange capacity in the soil 
E)  can be absorbed by root hairs 
A)  can be lost from the soil 
B)  can be provided by symbiotic bacteria 
C)  is needed for protein synthesis 
D)  is held by cation exchange capacity in the soil 
E)  can be absorbed by root hairs

Question 11

To understand the role of zinc in plant growth and development, you grow a tomato plant using hydroponics. Which plant organs do you expect to have developmental defects if you provide the plant with a solution devoid of zinc?

Accepted Answer

A)  leaf development only 
B)  stem development only 
C)  aboveground development only 
D)  belowground development only 
E)  All organs will be affected. 
A)  leaf development only 
B)  stem development only 
C)  aboveground development only 
D)  belowground development only 
E)  All organs will be affected.

Question 12

The irt1 gene is responsible for most of the iron uptake activity in roots (Vert et al., Plant Cell 14 [2002]: 1223-33). To determine the specificity of the irt1 transporter in Arabidopsis plants, researchers measured the concentration of manganese, zinc, copper, and cobalt contained in wild-type and irt1-1 mutant plants. What conclusions about irt1 specificity can you draw from the data in the accompanying figure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Under iron-deficient conditions, irt1 is highly specific for iron. 
B)  Under iron-deficient conditions, irt1 is important for the transport of iron and copper. 
C)  irt1 is important for the transport of iron and copper independent of iron concentration. 
D)  Under iron-deficient conditions, irt1 is necessary for the transport of zinc, manganese, and cobalt. 
E)  irt1 participates in the transport of iron, zinc, manganese, and cobalt independent of iron concentration. 
A)  Under iron-deficient conditions, irt1 is highly specific for iron. 
B)  Under iron-deficient conditions, irt1 is important for the transport of iron and copper. 
C)  irt1 is important for the transport of iron and copper independent of iron concentration. 
D)  Under iron-deficient conditions, irt1 is necessary for the transport of zinc, manganese, and cobalt. 
E)  irt1 participates in the transport of iron, zinc, manganese, and cobalt independent of iron concentration.

Question 13

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 14

Stunted growth and leaf necrosis, especially in young plants, is a typical symptom of deficiency of which element?

Accepted Answer

A)  C 
B)  Mg2+ 
C)  N 
D)  P 
E)  K+ 
A)  C 
B)  Mg2+ 
C)  N 
D)  P 
E)  K+

Question 15

Pine seedlings grown in sterile potting soil grow much slower than seedlings grown in soil from the area where the seeds were collected. This is most likely because ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  sterilized soil kills the root hairs as they emerge from the seedling 
B)  the normal symbiotic fungi are not present in the sterilized soil 
C)  sterilization removes essential nutrients from the soil 
D)  water and mineral uptake are slower when mycorrhizae are present 
A)  sterilized soil kills the root hairs as they emerge from the seedling 
B)  the normal symbiotic fungi are not present in the sterilized soil 
C)  sterilization removes essential nutrients from the soil 
D)  water and mineral uptake are slower when mycorrhizae are present

Question 16

Epiphytes are ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  aerial vines common in tropical regions 
B)  haustoria used for anchoring to host plants and obtaining xylem sap 
C)  plants that live in poor soil and digest insects to obtain nitrogen 
D)  plants that grow on other plants but do not obtain nutrients from their hosts 
E)  plants that have a symbiotic relationship with fungi 
A)  aerial vines common in tropical regions 
B)  haustoria used for anchoring to host plants and obtaining xylem sap 
C)  plants that live in poor soil and digest insects to obtain nitrogen 
D)  plants that grow on other plants but do not obtain nutrients from their hosts 
E)  plants that have a symbiotic relationship with fungi

Question 17

Why are anionic nutrients generally mobile in soils, and thus easily leached, while cationic nutrients are relatively immobile?

Accepted Answer

A)  Anions readily form crystals while cations do not. 
B)  Cations interact with clay particles and organic materials. 
C)  Cations are more readily taken up by plant roots. 
D)  Anions are repelled from the surfaces of living roots. 
A)  Anions readily form crystals while cations do not. 
B)  Cations interact with clay particles and organic materials. 
C)  Cations are more readily taken up by plant roots. 
D)  Anions are repelled from the surfaces of living roots.

Question 18

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

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

Most of the dry mass of a plant is derived from ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  NO3- and CO2 
B)  K+ and CO2 
C)  PO4 and K+ 
D)  H2O and K+ 
E)  H2O and CO2 
A)  NO3- and CO2 
B)  K+ and CO2 
C)  PO4 and K+ 
D)  H2O and K+ 
E)  H2O and CO2

Exam 36: Plant Nutrition

Clay in soils represents a trade-off in nutrient availability, such that ________.

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

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

What kind of climate is most often associated with epiphytic plants?

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 in a sustainable way?

Which of the following statements about essential nutrients are TRUE? Essential nutrients ________. I. are necessary for plant growth and reproduction II. are required for a specific structure or metabolic function III. cannot be synthesized by a plant IV. are produced by symbiotic bacteria

Which of the following elements correctly pairs an essential element in plants with its function?

Which of the following experiments is the best way to determine if an element is essential for plant growth?

The most efficient way to increase essential amino acids in crop plants for human consumption would be to ________.

In what way do nitrogen compounds differ from other minerals needed by plants? Only nitrogen ________.

To understand the role of zinc in plant growth and development, you grow a tomato plant using hydroponics. Which plant organs do you expect to have developmental defects if you provide the plant with a solution devoid of zinc?

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

Stunted growth and leaf necrosis, especially in young plants, is a typical symptom of deficiency of which element?

Pine seedlings grown in sterile potting soil grow much slower than seedlings grown in soil from the area where the seeds were collected. This is most likely because ________.

Epiphytes are ________.

Why are anionic nutrients generally mobile in soils, and thus easily leached, while cationic nutrients are relatively immobile?

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 ________.

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

Most of the dry mass of a plant is derived from ________.

Biology and the Tree of Life

Water and Carbon: the Chemical Basis of Life

Protein Structure and Function

Nucleic Acids and the Rna World

An Introduction to Carbohydrates

Ecosystems and Global Ecology

Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells

Inside the Cell

Energy and Enzymes: an Introduction to Metabolism

Cellular Respiration and Fermentation

Photosynthesis

Cellcell Interactions

The Cell Cycle

Meiosis

Mendel and the Gene

Dna and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair

How Genes Work

Transcription, Rna Processing, and Translation

Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria

Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes

The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology and Beyond

Genes, Development, and Evolution

Evolution by Natural Selection

Evolutionary Processes

Speciation

Phylogenies and the History of Life

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Green Algae and Land Plants

Fungi

An Introduction to Animals

Protostome Animals

Deuterostome Animals

Viruses

Plant Form and Function

Water and Sugar Transport in Plants

Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses

Plant Reproduction and Development

Animal Form and Function

Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals

Animal Nutrition

Gas Exchange and Circulation

Animal Nervous Systems

Animal Sensory Systems

Animal Movement

Chemical Signals in Animals

Animal Reproduction and Development

The Immune System in Animals

An Introduction to Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

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