BIOL 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Scientific Method
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Question 1
Evolutionary algorithms are used:
In engineering, to arrive at solutions by going through many permutations of possible solutions and allowing them to evolve. |
A genetic feature of complex organisms. |
A process undergone by the human brain, which is similar to evolution by natural selection. |
Another term used for a computer algorithm in general. |
Question 2
Human literature and languages can be studied using methods similar to those used for constructing phylogenies because:
There is no other way of studying these things. |
Languages evolve roughly along the lines of species, with mutations (changes in words and pronunciation), descent with modification (languages becoming more different along the way), and branching of languages (languages giving rise to other languages that are similar to them). |
Because literature and languages are constructed by organisms (human beings), so what applies to one must apply to the other. |
Languages undergo a process of word swapping, which is analogous to horizontal gene transfer. |
Question 3
The degree to which horizontal gene transfer occurs in eukaryotes is:
Something upon which the entire validity of evolutionary biology hinges. |
A mystery that may or may not disprove evolution, but we simply don't know enough about it at this point. |
Something that would overthrow the notion that this phenomenon is important in bacteria. |
An interesting and potentially important aspect of biology with relevance for how evolution occurs, but not something that would call it into question one way or the other. |
Question 4
Learning about the history of scientific theories and the reasons for why they are initially accepted or rejected is important mostly because:
It makes for exciting story telling, and this is very much needed to get people interested in science. |
It teaches us about the process of science as it actually occurs, which is somewhat different to the idealized notion of a purely objective undertaking. |
It tells us which theories are definitely true or false. |
It tells us that science is actually a totally subjective process that tries to present itself as objective. In reality, personal subjective factors are the only relevant factors that really matter in science. |
In what way did Harlanâs theory give rise to Diamondâs theory?
It recognized agriculture might have developed by different mechanisms in different parts of the world. |
Both make the assumption that hunter-gatherers were (and still are) superior to agriculturists. |
It recognized the reason agriculture did not develop in certain parts of the world was because people lacked the intelligence or skill. |
It is a basic case of scientific plagiarism - Diamonds theory is identical to Harlans theory. |
It recognized that agricultural societies were healthier and better fed than hunter-gatherer societies. What is the difference between classically bred varieties and landraces?
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Choose the single best answer
The inability of plants to move makes it difficult for them to:
Disperse seeds, defend themselves, and create oxygen. |
Disperse seeds. |
Disperse seeds and defend themselves. |
Create oxygen. |
Defend themselves. |
Vavilov hypothesized that in a crop plant's area of origin we should expect:
Greater diversity for trans-domesticated species, but lower diversity for species domesticated in their area of origin. |
Greater genetic diversity than in areas outside of the plant's area of origin. |
Lower genetic diversity than in areas outside of the plant's area of origin. |
Lower diversity for trans-domesticated species, but greater diversity for species domesticated in their area of origin. |
Greater herbivore damage because of increased genetic diversity. |
What is one type of information that can be gathered by archeologists who are studying dental caries (cavities) of ancient populations?
How many children the person had |
The time of year the person died |
How many conflicts they have been part of |
The types of tools used for planting/harvesting grains |
The type of plants they may have been consuming |
Brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are all different varieties of the same species, Brassica oleracea. This group of plants demonstrates that crop breeding can lead to:
Low within variety and high between variety diversity |
High within variety and low between variety diversity |
Low within variety diversity |
High within variety and high between variety diversity |
High between variety diversity |
The repeated domestication of grasses (i.e., cereals) and legumes across the globe is likely because:
Early technologies allowed early agriculturalists the ability to communicate with each other over long distances to discuss what plants were best for domestication. |
Both already possessed all of the traits needed for domestication |
Both contain almost all of the amino acids our bodies need to build proteins. |
Human populations were often starving, and needed an additional food source |
Only grasses, not legumes, were repeatedly domesticated |
Norman Borlaug won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for:
Producing the first transgenic plant. |
His discovery that plant secondary metabolites play a role in defending plants from insects and diseases. |
Creating the FlavrSavr tomato. |
His work to create improved, high yield crop varieties that helped to prevent starvation. |
His discovery of the area of origin for maize. |
______________________ compounds are produced by plants, but are not necessary for the plant's immediate survival. However, they often help protect plants from being eaten.
Which of the following best demonstrates evolution?
A houseplant is moved to a sunnier location and it starts to grow more vigorously. |
Your pet walks to the door when it hears your car in the driveway. |
Over time, a gene for disease resistance becomes more frequent in a population of plants. |
A crop has a higher yield after fertilizer is added. |
A giraffe with a longer neck survives a drought year, while one with a shorter neck does not. |
In discussing the origin of agriculture, the term demographic stress refers to:
Lower productivity of un-cultivated plants due to late-Pleistocene cooling. |
A higher incidence of religious practice in societies following the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture. |
The situation where human populations are greater than the carrying capacity of the environment. |
Hobbes's assertion that hunter-gatherer groups did not posses the knowledge or skills to develop agriculture. |
That the stresses on pre-domesticated plant species led to the development of traits that result in the "domestication syndromeâ |
What is the difference between genetically-modified and transgenic crops?
Genetically-modified crops are produced using modern techniques, while transgenic crops are produced through classical breeding. |
Transgenic crops are a type of genetically-modified crops, in which scientists have inserted genes from another species. |
Transgenic crops are illegal, while genetically-modified crops are not. |
They are the same. |
Genetically-modified crops are a type of transgenic crop specifically bred for high yield. |