Question 1

Ethanol can be produced from the biological fermentation of all of the following sources EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Ethanol can be produced from the biological fermentation of any plant material, including corn, algae, sugarcane, and switchgrass, as they all contain sugars or materials that can be converted into sugars for fermentation.

Question 2

Driving habits that maximize mileage include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Maintaining 70 miles per hour on the highway actually increases fuel consumption and decreases mileage. It is more fuel-efficient to maintain a steady speed between 50 and 60 miles per hour.

Question 3

While starch from corn is soft, cellulose in grasses is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Cellulose in grasses is complex, durable, and not easily degraded. This is why it provides structural support in plant cell walls, while starch serves as an energy storage molecule.

Question 4

In 2007 Congress passed the ___________, which requires the United States to produce 36 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels per year by 2022.

Accepted Answer

The Energy Independence and Security Act passed by Congress in 2007 mandates that the US produce 36 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels per year by 2022.

Question 5

What unintended consequence(s) could arise from government subsidies, tax breaks, or mandates that support biofuel production?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What unintended consequence(s) could arise from government...

Question 6

How would the production of cellulosic ethanol circumvent the "food versus fuel" controversy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How would the production of cellulosic ethanol...

Question 7

Which of the following is a beneficial characteristic of using crops such as switchgrass to produce cellulosic ethanol?

Accepted Answer

Each of the choices listed is a beneficial characteristic of using switchgrass to produce cellulosic ethanol. Switchgrass can be grown on exhausted farmland, so this minimizes the need to clear more land for agricultural purposes. Switchgrass does not displace food production, unlike crops that are commonly used for ethanol, such as corn. Production of cellulosic ethanol also consumes less energy than traditional ethanol production, which can reduce the carbon footprint of fuel production. Finally, switchgrass is a perennial plant, which means it can continue to grow and produce biomass over multiple growing seasons.

Question 8

_____________ refers to the process where a plant absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and then stores carbon in its roots.

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is known as carbon sequestration. This involves the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, or other natural reservoirs. It is an important process for mitigating climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Question 9

Infographic 32.5

-Use Infographic 32.5 to describe the production of grain ethanol and cellulosic ethanol. Why is it more challenging to produce ethanol from plants with high cellulose content compared with producing it from grain?

Accepted Answer

The answer of  Infographic 32.5

-Use Infographic 32.5 to...

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a driving habit that maximizes mileage?

Accepted Answer

Keeping the car idling when parked briefly and avoiding turning the car on and off is not a driving habit that maximizes mileage. It is actually the opposite because idling wastes fuel. The other choices (using cruise control, keeping tires properly inflated, avoiding carrying excess weight in the vehicle, and combining trips/planning routes) are all habits that can improve fuel efficiency and maximize mileage.

Question 11

Describe some benefits of making cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe some benefits of making cellulosic ethanol...

Question 12

Infographic 32.5.

-Refer to Infographic 32.5. Which step in the conversion of cellulose to ethanol is the raw material chopped or ground into small, uniform-size pieces?

Accepted Answer

In the preparation step, the raw material is chopped or ground into small, uniform-size pieces to facilitate further processing in the conversion of cellulose to ethanol.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT observed when switchgrass is grown in a high-diversity mix of plant species instead of as a monoculture?

Accepted Answer

When switchgrass is grown in a high-diversity mix of plant species, competition for nutrients and water may actually decrease the need for fertilizers, while also reducing the need for management like weeding and pest control. This can lead to greater biomass production and increased biofuel yields with fewer inputs. However, this means that more fertilizer is not required in a high-diversity mix.

Question 14

Which of the following is the best option in terms of being environmentally friendly?

Accepted Answer

Biking or walking to work, school, or to run errands is the most environmentally friendly option as it does not involve the use of any fuel or emissions. Additionally, it promotes physical activity and reduces traffic congestion.

Question 15

Bioethanol that is produced by breaking down cellulose in plants is called _________.

Accepted Answer

Bioethanol that is produced by breaking down cellulose in plants is called cellulosic ethanol.

Question 16

What are some advantages and disadvantages of using algae for biofuel?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some advantages and disadvantages of...

Question 17

What has recently become an attractive alternative to using grains (corn) or sugarcane to make bioethanol? Briefly describe what sources are used and why its production efficiency is currently an issue.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What has recently become an attractive alternative...

Question 18

Which of the following is a way to improve energy efficiency of vehicles?

Accepted Answer

All of these options are ways to improve energy efficiency of vehicles. Using lighter materials, more aerodynamic shapes, incorporating hybrid technologies, and using more energy-efficient engines can all contribute to reducing the amount of energy needed to operate a vehicle.

Question 19

Cellulose is complex and difficult to break down. Which of the following is NOT a method currently being used to tear apart the strong chemical bonds in cellulose?

Accepted Answer

Low temperatures are not an effective method for breaking down cellulose as it requires high temperatures to break the strong chemical bonds. The other four methods listed (high temperatures, acid, enzymes, and yeast) are all currently being used to break down cellulose.

Question 20

Although it is clear that alternative energy sources such as bioethanol and biodiesel are reducing fossil fuel usage, ___________ is also a key strategy to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Accepted Answer

Conservation, or reducing energy usage through efficiency and lifestyle changes, is a key strategy to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. This can include actions such as using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights when not in use, carpooling or using public transportation, and reducing overall energy consumption. Conservation can help offset the increasing demand for energy as global population and energy needs grow.

Quiz 32: Restoring the Range: the Key to Recovering the Worlds Grasslands May Be a Surprising One