Biotechnology
Which method for improving food crops was available before genetic engineering technology?
A) Hybridization
B) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
C) Recombinant plasmids
D) CRISPR
Hybridization
What is a valid concern about GM plants?
A) They could transfer diseases to humans.
B) They are always sterile.
C) Chemicals from GM foods will enter water supplies.
D) The high cost of GM seeds may force small farmers out of business.
The high cost of GM seeds may force small farmers out of business.
What often results when topsoil is exposed to water and wind?
A) Soil erosion
B) Soil enrichment
C) Desertification
D) Soil salinization
Soil erosion
Why is eating chicken considered better for the environment than eating beef?
A) Chicken provides more calories per pound.
B) Chicken provides more nutrients per pound.
C) Chicken consumes less during growth.
D) Chickens produce more waste than cows.
Chicken consumes less during growth.
Which type of crops are more likely to use natural pest control by predators?
A) Polyculture crops
B) Monoculture crops
C) Lawns
D) Tree plantations
Polyculture crops
Is selective breeding an example of biotechnology? Why or why not?
A) Yes. It involves the application of technology to living things.
B) Yes. It is used to add genes from other species.
C) No. It occurs naturally among plants or animals.
D) No. It does not involve technical processes.
Yes. It involves the application of technology to living things.
Which crops help improve the environment and benefit ecosystems?
A) GM crops that resist herbicides
B) GM crops that make their own pesticide
C) Crops that animal pollinators spread to wild plants
D) Seeds that germinate in wilderness areas
GM crops that make their own pesticide
What causes soil salinization?
A) Water pollution
B) Topsoil erosion
C) Prolonged rainy seasons
D) Repeated irrigation in dry climates
Repeated irrigation in dry climates
Which fields are most likely to rely on natural pest control?
A) Polyculture crops
B) Monoculture crops
C) Lawns
D) Tree plantations
Polyculture crops
What percentage of the world’s commercial ocean fisheries are overfished?
A) 87%
B) 50%
C) 75%
D) 100%
87%
What led to the Green Revolution, increasing global grain production?
A) Increased efficiencies in subsistence agriculture
B) Small-scale farming practices
C) Use of monocultures, irrigation, fertilizers, and multiple cropping
D) Organic agriculture
Use of monocultures, irrigation, fertilizers, and multiple cropping
What statement provides the strongest argument against claims that GM foods are safe to eat?
A) They are relatively new, so long-term effects cannot be evaluated.
B) They incorporate genes from bacteria.
C) Scientists have yet to sequence the complete genome of most GM plants.
D) Many consumers avoid GM foods.
They are relatively new, so long-term effects cannot be evaluated.
Which statement correctly identifies the order of soil horizons from top to bottom?
A) Organic layer, parent material, subsoil, topsoil, bedrock
B) Bedrock, parent material, subsoil, topsoil, organic layer
C) Organic layer, topsoil, subsoil, parent material, bedrock
D) Topsoil, organic layer, subsoil, parent material, bedrock
Organic layer, topsoil, subsoil, parent material, bedrock
What is the process where fertile land transforms into arid land?
A) Climate change
B) Desalinization
C) Desertification
D) Mechanization
Desertification
What is a common issue with synthetic pesticides in the environment?
A) They are completely safe.
B) They are banned but still found.
C) They improve crop yields.
D) They are only used in organic farming.
They are banned but still found.
Which statement justifies a drawback of bioengineered crops?
A) Disease increase is a side effect of genetic modification.
B) Bioengineered crops are more fragile.
C) Food production is decreased since modifications are not beneficial.
D) Plants lose diversity due to the production of similar modifications.
Plants lose diversity due to the production of similar modifications.
What is the most likely outcome if more farmers begin to plant genetically modified crops?
A) Increased pesticide use harming humans.
B) Increased genetic immunity in humans.
C) Increased toxicity levels in humans.
D) Decreased genetic diversity of crops.
Decreased genetic diversity of crops.
What type of fish species would be more sustainable for raising?
A) Tilapia that eat aquatic plants
B) Tuna that eat other fish
C) Carp that eat fertilizer
D) Trout that can be easily caught
Tilapia that eat aquatic plants
What impact does industrialized agriculture have?
A) Increased biodiversity
B) Heavy reliance on fossil fuels
C) Use of crop rotation
D) Reduced pesticide use
Heavy reliance on fossil fuels
Which farming practice exposes topsoil to water and wind?
A) Conservation tillage
B) Cover cropping
C) Conventional tillage
D) Crop rotation
Conventional tillage
What does the "Green Revolution" refer to?
A) Increase in growth of "green foods"
B) Increase in research and technology leading to significant increases in agricultural production
C) Increase in pressures to consume "natural" foods
D) Increase in political pressures to fight climate change
Increase in research and technology leading to significant increases in agricultural production
What is a significant risk associated with GM crops and biodiversity?
A) They can cause extinction of wild plants.
B) They may lead to decreased crop diversity.
C) They promote natural selection among pests.
D) They can cause human allergies.
They may lead to decreased crop diversity.
What is a major factor that led to soil degradation?
A) Overgrazing by livestock
B) Crop rotation
C) Organic farming
D) Sustainable practices
Overgrazing by livestock
What is a common practice that can harm the sustainability of agriculture?
A) Organic farming
B) Crop diversity
C) Overusing synthetic pesticides
D) Conservation tillage
Overusing synthetic pesticides
What is the impact of using monoculture crops on pest control?
A) Increased biodiversity
B) Higher resilience to pests
C) Greater vulnerability to pests
D) Natural pest control mechanisms
Greater vulnerability to pests