Question 1

To help ensure a prosperous future for the largest number of people,developed countries should

Accepted Answer

Reusing, recycling, and reducing resources at home and encouraging the same abroad is the most sustainable and environmentally friendly option. It promotes a circular economy, reduces waste, and allows resources to be used more efficiently, which can contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future for all. The other options either exploit or limit the resources of underdeveloped or developing countries or threaten the habitat and livelihood of indigenous peoples.

Question 2

The taller a Brazil nut tree is,
1)the more valuable it is as a source of lumber.
2)the less useful it is to harpy eagles.
3)the greater its photosynthetic rate relative to neighbouring plants.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that the taller a Brazil nut tree is, the more valuable it is as a source of lumber, indicating that choice 1 is correct. It also suggests that the taller a Brazil nut tree is, the greater its photosynthetic rate relative to neighbouring plants, indicating that choice 3 is correct. There is no evidence to suggest that the height of the tree affects its usefulness to harpy eagles, so choice 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the best choice is C, with options 1 and 3.

Question 3

In the long run,harvesting Brazil nut trees for their lumber is most likely to benefit

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the long run,harvesting Brazil nut trees...

Question 4

If a female orchid bee has just left a Brazil nut tree with nectar in her stomach,and if she visits only other flowers on the same tree,the result should be

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a female orchid bee has just...

Question 5

Ecologists often build models to depict the relationships between organisms.In such models,an arrow is used to link two organisms in a relationship.The arrowhead is next to the organism that is affected.If the effect is positive,the arrow is labeled with (+),and if negative,then the label is (-).Capuchin monkeys have been known to use rocks to smash open the fruits of Brazil nut trees.On the rare occasions this has been observed,the monkeys consume all of the Brazil nuts.Thus,which of the following correctly depicts the relationship between capuchin monkeys and Brazil nut trees?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ecologists often build models to depict the...

Question 6

A fruit is most commonly

Accepted Answer

A fruit is most commonly defined as a mature ovary, which can contain seeds. This definition includes a wide range of fruits, from berries to nuts to drupes.

Question 7

Which of the following is not a characteristic that distinguishes gymnosperms and angiosperms from other plants?

Accepted Answer

Alternation of generations is a characteristic shared by all plants, not just gymnosperms and angiosperms. Ovules, integuments, pollen, and dependent gametophytes are all unique characteristics of gymnosperms and/or angiosperms.

Question 8

If all agoutis were permanently removed from the rain forest,what would be the result?

Accepted Answer

Agoutis play a significant role in the dispersal of Brazil nuts, so their removal would lead to a decline in the population of Brazil nut trees and ultimately their extinction. The other options are not directly dependent on the presence of agoutis in the rainforest.

Question 9

Ecologists often build models to depict the relationships between organisms.In such models,an arrow is used to link two organisms in a relationship.The arrowhead is next to the organism that is affected.If the effect is positive,the arrow is labeled with (+),and if negative,then the label is (-).Which of the following models best illustrates the relationship of the Brazil nut tree and the other organisms associated with it?

Accepted Answer

In this model, the arrow points from the Brazil nut tree to the bees, indicating a positive relationship (the bees pollinate the tree). The arrow points from the tapir to the Brazil nut tree, indicating a positive relationship (the tapirs disperse the seeds of the tree). The arrow points from the caterpillar to the tree, indicating a negative relationship (the caterpillars can defoliate the tree). The arrow points from the squirrel to the tree, indicating a positive relationship (the squirrel disperses the seeds of the tree).

Question 10

People who attempted to plant Brazil nuts in hopes of establishing plantations of Brazil nut trees played roles most similar to those of

Accepted Answer

Agoutis are rodents in the Amazon rainforest that play a crucial role in seed dispersal for Brazil nut trees. They bury the nuts and often forget where they have hidden them, resulting in the sprouting and growth of new trees. People who attempted to plant Brazil nuts were essentially trying to replicate this natural process by creating artificial seed-dispersal sites, similar to what agoutis do. Therefore, their role is most similar to that of agoutis.

Question 11

The harpy eagle,Harpia harpyja,is the largest,most powerful raptor in the Americas.It nests only in trees taller than 25 metres.It is a "sloth specialist," but will also take agouti.Thus,if these eagles capture too many agoutis from a particular locale,they might contribute to their own demise by

Accepted Answer

If the harpy eagles capture too many agoutis from a particular locale, they might contribute to their own demise by increasing habitat loss. This is because once they have depleted the agouti population, they will have to find another source of food, which could lead to them expanding their hunting range to other areas and potentially causing habitat loss.

Question 12

Native peoples traditionally use Brazil nuts to treat stomach ache,inflammation,hypersensitivity,and hepatitis.Consequently,a scientist should be interested in promoting

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that Brazil nuts have medicinal properties and are used by native people to treat various ailments. Therefore, a scientist should be interested in evaluating the Brazil nut chemicals for potential drugs. This would promote scientific research and development of natural remedies, rather than disregarding traditional practices. Choices A and B are harmful and unethical as they promote cultural insensitivity and environmental destruction. Choice C assumes that all modern pharmaceutical products are better than traditional remedies and ignores the cost barrier for impoverished communities. Choice E is not feasible as it is based on an unrealistic expectation of free medicines.

Question 13

The same bees that pollinate the flowers of the Brazil nut trees pollinate orchids,which are epiphytes (in other words,plants that grow on other plants); however,orchids cannot grow on Brazil nut trees.These observations explain

Accepted Answer

The observations explain why Brazil nut trees do not set fruit in plantations because the specific bees that pollinate them, and also pollinate orchids, may not be present in plantation settings where the natural ecosystem, including orchids and other plants the bees interact with, is altered or absent. This disrupts the pollination process necessary for Brazil nut trees to set fruit.

Question 14

With respect to angiosperms,which of the following is incorrectly paired with its chromosome count?

Accepted Answer

Megaspores are produced by meiosis and are haploid (n) in angiosperms. The correct pairing should be: egg-n, megaspore-n, microspore-n, zygote-2n, sperm-n.

Question 15

Where in an angiosperm would you find a megasporangium?

Accepted Answer

Megasporangium, also known as the nucellus, is found within an ovule contained within an ovary of a flower in angiosperms. It is where meiosis occurs to produce the megaspores that will eventually develop into the female gametophyte.

Question 16

If a female orchid bee has just left a Brazil nut tree with nectar in her stomach,and if she visits another flower on a different Brazil nut tree,what is the sequence in which the following events should occur?
1)double fertilization
2)pollen tube emerges from pollen grain
3)pollen tube enters micropyle
4)pollination

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence starts with pollination (4), which occurs when the bee transfers pollen to the stigma of a flower. Following pollination, the pollen tube emerges from the pollen grain (2) and grows down the style towards the ovary. The pollen tube then enters the micropyle (3), an opening in the ovule, allowing for sperm to reach the egg and complete double fertilization (1).

Question 17

Brazil nut trees begin producing fruit at the age of 10 years,reach final height at about 120 years,and can live for over 500 years.A landowner can earn more by felling a Brazil nut tree and selling it for lumber than from several seasons' worth of Brazil nut harvests from the same tree.Thus,it makes greater financial sense in the long run to harvest

Accepted Answer

While it might be tempting to sell the Brazil nut trees for immediate profit, this would not be a sustainable practice as the trees take a very long time to reach maturity and could not be replaced quickly. However, the nuts can be harvested for many seasons without damaging the tree or the forest, providing a renewable source of income over time. Therefore, the best choice is to harvest only the nuts for many seasons.

Question 18

Orchid bees are to Brazil nut trees as ________ are to pine trees.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Orchid bees are to Brazil nut trees...

Question 19

Gymnosperms and angiosperms have the following in common except

Accepted Answer

Gymnosperms do not have ovaries, while angiosperms do.

Quiz 30: Plant Diversity II: The Evolution of Seed Plants