Biology Exam 2 Engaging Quiz

Placing a green tomato in a sealed plastic bag with an overripe banana would be a good way to ripen it. This is because bananas release a gas called ethylene, which speeds up the ripening process of fruits. By trapping the ethylene gas in the sealed bag, it creates a controlled environment that promotes ripening. The green tomato will be exposed to the ethylene gas released by the overripe banana, causing it to ripen faster.

The likely reason why your friend's seedlings did better than yours is because the soil from the southwest probably contained fungi that were able to establish a mycorrhizal association with the seedlings' roots. This association between the fungi and the roots helps enhance nutrient uptake and overall plant growth, giving your friend's seedlings an advantage over yours.

Auxins are a class of plant hormones that play a crucial role in regulating plant growth and development. One of the main effects of auxins is to promote cell division and elongation, leading to increased growth. By stimulating cell division, auxins contribute to the formation of new tissues and organs in plants. Additionally, auxins also promote cell elongation, which is responsible for the elongation and expansion of plant cells, resulting in overall growth. Therefore, the correct answer states that auxins increase growth by promoting cell division and elongation.

When auxin is transported in equal amounts down all sides of a twig, it promotes cell elongation uniformly. This means that all sides of the twig will grow at the same rate, resulting in even elongation. Therefore, the twig will elongate evenly.

The root system of a plant is responsible for anchoring the plant into the soil, absorbing water, and uptake of nutrients. However, photosynthesis is not a function of the root system. Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves of the plant, where chlorophyll captures sunlight and converts it into energy through a chemical process. The roots do not have chlorophyll and therefore cannot perform photosynthesis.

Plants grow toward light through the action of hormones. Hormones in plants, such as auxins, help regulate growth and development. When a plant is exposed to light, auxins move towards the shaded side of the plant, causing the cells on that side to elongate. This differential growth causes the plant to bend towards the light source. Therefore, hormones play a crucial role in enabling plants to grow towards light.

The male organ of a flower is called the stamen. It consists of two main parts, the anther and the filament. The anther produces and holds the pollen, which contains the male gametes. The filament supports the anther and positions it for pollination. The stamen is responsible for the reproductive function of the flower by producing and releasing pollen to fertilize the female reproductive organs of other flowers.

When gardeners pinch off the stem tip of a plant, it disrupts the apical dominance, which is the control exerted by the terminal bud on the growth of lateral buds. The terminal bud produces hormones that inhibit the growth of lateral buds, causing the plant to grow taller rather than bushier. By removing the terminal bud, gardeners promote the growth of lateral buds and encourage the plant to become bushier. Therefore, pinching off the stem tip works against apical dominance.

When a nursery worker pinches off the terminal buds on a young chrysanthemum plant, it stimulates the growth of side branches. This is mainly due to the plant hormone called cytokinin. Cytokinins promote cell division and growth in plants, particularly in the lateral buds. By removing the terminal buds, the concentration of cytokinins increases in the lateral buds, leading to their activation and subsequent growth of side branches.

The petals of a flower play the main role in attracting the notice of animal pollinators. They are often brightly colored and have attractive patterns or markings that help to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, or birds. The petals also often have a pleasant scent that can further attract pollinators. By being visually appealing and enticing, the petals help to ensure that the flower is noticed and visited by pollinators, increasing the chances of successful pollination and reproduction for the plant.

Fruits have evolved to perform the function of seed dispersal. This means that they aid in the dispersal of seeds away from the parent plant, increasing the chances of the seeds germinating and growing into new plants. Fruits often have adaptations that help them attract animals, such as bright colors, enticing smells, or tasty flesh. Animals that eat the fruits then carry the seeds in their digestive systems or on their fur, effectively transporting them to new locations where they can be deposited and potentially grow into new plants.

The node of a plant stem refers to the point of leaf attachment. This is where leaves, branches, or other structures grow from the stem. Nodes play a crucial role in determining the overall structure and growth pattern of the plant. They serve as the sites for leaf development and are important in the transportation of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant.

Gravitropism is the correct answer because it is the growth response that causes plant shoots to grow upward in the absence of light. Gravitropism is the plant's ability to sense and respond to gravity, causing the shoots to grow against gravity and towards the light source. This allows the plant to maximize its exposure to light for photosynthesis. Thigmotropism is the growth response to touch, heterotropism is not a recognized growth response, photoperiodism is the response to changes in day length, and phototropism is the growth response towards or away from a light source.

A long-day plant is a plant that requires a critical minimum day length of more than 12 hours in order to flower. In this case, the plant described needs a day length of at least 14 hours to flower, indicating that it is a long-day plant.

The chief function of root hairs is to increase the surface area for absorption of water and minerals. Root hairs are tiny, hair-like extensions that grow from the epidermal cells of the roots. They greatly increase the surface area of the root, allowing for more efficient absorption of water and minerals from the soil. This increased surface area allows the roots to take in a larger volume of nutrients, which is essential for the plant's growth and survival.

Removing the terminal buds of a plant is the most reliable way to stimulate branching. Terminal buds produce hormones that inhibit the growth of lateral buds, so by removing them, the inhibition is removed and the lateral buds can grow and branch out. Applying auxin to the axillary buds or giving short-day light treatments can also stimulate branching, but removing the terminal buds is considered the most effective method. Adding extra fertilizer or applying ethylene does not have a direct effect on branching.

The holes in the plastic bags allow for the diffusion of ethylene away from the fruit. Ethylene is a gas that is naturally produced by fruits as they ripen. If ethylene builds up around the fruit, it can accelerate the ripening process and cause the fruit to overripen quickly. By allowing ethylene to diffuse out of the bag, the holes help to slow down the ripening process and keep the fruit fresh for longer.

The relationship between a plant and mycorrhizal fungi is mutualistic. Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic association with plant roots, where they provide the plant with essential nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, in exchange for carbohydrates produced by the plant through photosynthesis. This mutually beneficial relationship enhances the plant's nutrient uptake and overall growth, while the fungi receive a source of energy. Therefore, both the plant and the mycorrhizal fungi benefit from this interaction, making it a mutualistic relationship.

Secondary growth is the correct answer because it is the process responsible for the increase in girth in trees. Secondary growth occurs in the lateral meristems, specifically the vascular cambium and cork cambium, which are responsible for producing secondary xylem (wood) and secondary phloem (bark). This process allows the tree to increase in diameter over time, resulting in the growth of wood and bark. Primary growth, on the other hand, is responsible for the increase in length of the plant, while the other options are not directly related to the increase in girth.

Mutualistic relationships between plants and other organisms are expected to evolve because they benefit both organisms and increase their fitness. This type of relationship allows both parties to obtain resources or services that they wouldn't be able to acquire on their own, leading to improved survival and reproductive success. This mutual dependence promotes the evolution and maintenance of these relationships over time.

Growing legumes in rotation with primary field crops benefits the soil by adding nitrogen through the process of nitrogen fixation. Legumes have a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that plants can use. This helps to enrich the soil with nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for plant growth. By rotating legumes with primary crops, farmers can reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and improve soil fertility.

The epidermis of a plant serves as its first line of defense against infection. The epidermis is the outermost layer of cells that covers the plant's surfaces, acting as a physical barrier to prevent pathogens from entering. It also contains specialized cells called guard cells that regulate the opening and closing of stomata, which further helps in preventing the entry of pathogens. Additionally, the epidermis may produce antimicrobial compounds and secrete substances that attract beneficial microorganisms to fight against potential pathogens. Overall, the epidermis plays a crucial role in protecting the plant from infections.

Apical meristems are responsible for the growth in length of plant stems. These meristems are located at the tips of the stems and roots and are responsible for producing new cells that differentiate into various tissues and organs. As the apical meristems divide and produce new cells, the stem length increases. This growth allows the plant to reach for sunlight and maximize its exposure to light for photosynthesis. Therefore, the correct answer is apical meristems.

Heartwood is the inner, older part of a tree trunk that no longer transports water and minerals. It is composed of non-living cells and provides structural support to the tree. On the other hand, sapwood is the outer, younger part of the tree trunk that still conducts xylem sap, which is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the tree. Therefore, the correct answer is that heartwood no longer transports water and minerals, while sapwood still conducts xylem sap.

One adaptive advantage for deciduous plants that lose their leaves during the winter is that it prevents water loss from leaves when soil water is unavailable due to freezing. By shedding their leaves, these plants reduce the surface area through which water can evaporate, conserving water during the winter months when the soil is frozen and water is scarce. This adaptation helps the plants survive in cold and dry conditions by minimizing water loss and ensuring their survival until the soil thaws and water becomes available again.

Thigmotropism is the plant growth response to touch or mechanical stimulation. This response allows plants to respond to physical contact by growing or bending in a particular direction. Unlike phototropism (growth response to light), bolting (rapid growth and elongation of the stem), geotropism (growth response to gravity), and gravitropism (growth response to gravity), thigmotropism specifically refers to the plant's response to touch.

Monocot floral parts usually occur in multiples of three. This is because monocots typically have flower parts, such as petals, sepals, and stamens, arranged in threes or multiples of three. This characteristic is one of the distinguishing features of monocots, which are a type of flowering plant. By contrast, dicots, another type of flowering plant, typically have floral parts arranged in multiples of four or five.

Hydrogen bonding between water molecules is responsible for the cohesiveness of water. In a water molecule, the oxygen atom is slightly negative and the hydrogen atoms are slightly positive, creating a polar molecule. These polar molecules attract each other through hydrogen bonding, forming a network of intermolecular forces that give water its unique properties, such as high surface tension and the ability to stick to other substances. This cohesive force allows water molecules to stick together, creating a strong bond between them.

Plants get most of their mass from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose, which is then converted into other organic molecules, such as cellulose, that make up the plant's structure. While plants do require other nutrients like water and minerals from the soil, the majority of their mass is derived from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Micronutrients function in plants as cofactors in chemical reactions. Cofactors are non-protein molecules that bind to enzymes and assist in their biological activity. In plants, micronutrients such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and boron act as cofactors, playing essential roles in various enzymatic reactions. These reactions are crucial for processes like photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen fixation, and hormone synthesis. Without these micronutrient cofactors, the enzymes would not be able to function properly, leading to impaired plant growth and development.

Gas exchange occurs in the stomata of vascular plant leaves. Stomata are small openings located on the surface of the leaves. They are surrounded by two specialized cells called guard cells. These guard cells can open and close the stomata, regulating the exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide with the surrounding environment. Chloroplasts, on the other hand, are responsible for photosynthesis, not gas exchange. The cuticle is a waxy layer on the surface of leaves that helps reduce water loss, but it does not directly participate in gas exchange.

Perennials are plants that continue to grow year after year. Unlike annuals or biennials, which complete their life cycle in one or two years respectively, perennials live for multiple years. They have the ability to survive harsh winters and regrow from their roots or base each spring. This allows them to continue growing and flowering for several years, making them a popular choice for landscaping and gardening.

In a flowering plant, sperm are produced by meiosis in the anthers. The anthers are the male reproductive organs of a flower and they contain pollen sacs where meiosis occurs to produce haploid pollen grains. These pollen grains contain the sperm cells that are necessary for fertilization to occur. Therefore, the anthers are responsible for producing the sperm in a flowering plant.

Removing the terminal bud of a plant that shows apical dominance will cause increased growth of axillary buds. This is because the terminal bud suppresses the growth of axillary buds by producing a hormone called auxin. When the terminal bud is removed, the auxin concentration decreases, allowing the axillary buds to grow and develop into new branches. This leads to increased branching and overall growth of the plant.

Annual growth rings are formed in woody stems primarily through the activities of the vascular cambium. The vascular cambium is a layer of cells located between the xylem and phloem in the stem. It is responsible for the production of new xylem and phloem cells, which contribute to the growth of the stem in diameter. Each year, the vascular cambium produces a new layer of xylem and phloem cells, resulting in the formation of annual growth rings. These rings can be used to determine the age of a tree and provide information about its growth patterns.

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Stomata are the pores found on the surface of plant leaves that facilitate gas exchange. They allow for the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen with the surrounding environment, which is essential for photosynthesis and respiration. The other options listed, such as cuticles, lenticles, plasmodesmata, and guard cells, are not directly involved in gas exchange in plant leaves. Cuticles are waxy layers that help reduce water loss, lenticles are small openings in the bark of woody plants for gas exchange, plasmodesmata are channels that connect plant cells, and guard cells regulate the opening and closing of stomata.

The correct answer is ovule. An ovule is a structure found in the ovary of a flower that contains the female reproductive cells. It is the part of the flower that develops into a seed after fertilization. The other options, such as pollen grain, fruit, ovary, and sporophyte, are not directly involved in the development of a seed.

The correct answer is the 379 ft. redwood tree in California. Redwood trees are known to be the tallest trees on Earth, with some reaching heights of over 300 feet. They are native to the coastal regions of California and Oregon and are able to grow to such great heights due to their unique ability to absorb large amounts of water from the foggy coastal air. The redwood tree mentioned in the answer is an example of the impressive height that these trees can reach.

The specific term that refers to seasonal changes in the relative lengths of night and day is photoperiod. Photoperiod refers to the duration of daily exposure to light and darkness, which varies throughout the year due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. This variation in photoperiod is responsible for triggering seasonal changes in plants, animals, and even human behavior.

Dodder is a parasitic plant that belongs to the family Cuscutaceae. It lacks chlorophyll and therefore cannot produce its own food through photosynthesis. Instead, it attaches itself to the host plants and extracts nutrients and water from them. Dodder has thin, yellow or orange stems that twine around the host plant and small, scale-like leaves. It has specialized structures called haustoria that penetrate the host plant's tissues to obtain nutrients. Dodder is known for its ability to parasitize a wide range of plant species and can cause significant damage to crops and other plants.

Parthenogenesis is a form of reproduction in which an egg develops into an individual without being fertilized by sperm. In the given scenario, the female mulberry plant is able to produce seeds without the need for fertilization by male individuals from its nearest population. This suggests that the plant is capable of undergoing parthenogenesis, allowing it to reproduce and produce offspring without the involvement of males.

Gibberellin is a plant hormone that promotes stem elongation. In the case of cabbage, the application of gibberellin induces "bolting," which is the rapid elongation of the stem. This hormone stimulates cell division and elongation in the stem, leading to the rapid growth observed in bolting. Therefore, the presence of gibberellin in cabbage induces this specific response.

A maple tree is an example of a perennial plant because it lives for many years, while corn is an example of an annual plant because it completes its life cycle in one year.

Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient for plant growth because it plays a crucial role in various physiological and metabolic processes. It is a key component of nucleic acids, ATP (adenosine triphosphate), and phospholipids, which are essential for energy transfer, DNA replication, and cell membrane structure. Phosphorus also plays a vital role in photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and root development. Therefore, plants require an adequate supply of phosphorus to ensure healthy growth and development.

The Casparian strip is a physical barrier in the root that regulates the flow of water to xylem via cell walls. It is a specialized structure found in the endodermis of plant roots. The Casparian strip is made up of suberin, a waxy substance that prevents water and solutes from freely crossing the cell walls of the endodermal cells. Instead, water and nutrients must pass through the selectively permeable plasma membranes of the endodermal cells, allowing for better control over the movement of substances into the xylem.

Plants use the attraction of wasps that kill herbivorous caterpillars as a defense against herbivores. By releasing chemicals or emitting specific scents, plants can attract wasps that are natural predators of herbivorous caterpillars. These wasps then prey on the caterpillars, reducing their population and protecting the plants from damage. This is an example of a biological control mechanism where plants utilize other organisms to defend against herbivores.

Plant hormones are chemical signals that play a crucial role in influencing the growth and development of plants. They are produced in large quantities to be effective in regulating various physiological processes such as cell division, elongation, and differentiation. These hormones act on all cells they encounter, coordinating the plant's response to environmental cues and promoting proper development. Although different hormones may have specific functions, they often work independently of each other to control different aspects of plant growth.

The correct answer is to put the plant in a dark closet at nightfall and check on it in the morning, about 10 hours later, while it is still in the closet. If the leaves are open, it indicates the presence of a biological clock. This experiment tests the hypothesis that mimosa's leaf movements are controlled by a biological clock by isolating the plant from external light cues and observing if the leaves still open and close in a rhythmic pattern.

Parenchyma is the correct answer because photosynthesis primarily occurs in the mesophyll cells of plant leaves, which are composed of parenchyma tissue. Parenchyma cells have abundant chloroplasts, which are responsible for capturing sunlight and converting it into energy through the process of photosynthesis. These cells also have a large surface area and are loosely packed, allowing for efficient gas exchange and the diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Therefore, parenchyma tissue is the main site of photosynthesis in plants.