25 Questions
What determines the traits of organisms?
The sequence of amino acids in proteins
What has led to the extreme diversity in body size among purebred dogs?
Selective breeding
What led to the development of orange-colored carrots?
Mutation selected by a Dutch horticulturist
What process speeds up the introduction of new traits in organisms?
Biotechnology
What determines the diversity in body size among domesticated dogs?
Selection by domestication
What leads to the appearance of new combinations of genes and traits in offspring?
Breeding of two organisms
What percentage of organic ingredients must a product contain in order to use the USDA seal?
100 percent
What is the USDA's stance on the safety and nutritional value of organically produced food compared to conventionally produced food?
They make no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious
What is the main reason provided in the text to choose organic food over conventionally raised food?
No pesticides and food additives
What happens to the nutritional value of produce as it grows larger?
Vitamins, minerals, and beneficial chemical compounds diminish
What does the text say about the nutritional value of organic and conventionally raised foodstuffs?
They are comparable in nutrient content
What percentage of organic ingredients is required for a product to be labeled as 'made with organic ingredients'?
70 percent
What must animals have access to in order to be considered organic?
Outdoors
What are potential concerns for GMO foods?
Safety, environmental impact, and ethical considerations
What is a potential benefit of GMO foods?
Increased crop yields and nutritional enhancements
What technology is described as a game changer in genetic engineering due to its cheap, quick, and precise nature?
CRISPR/Cas9
What is a use of CRISPR in agriculture?
Disease-resistant crops and vitamin-enriched fruits
What does gene drive technology, facilitated by CRISPR, have the potential to do?
Rapidly spread genetic modifications through populations
What does organic agriculture promote and avoid?
Promotes biodiversity and avoids synthetic inputs, genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge
What is the primary purpose of hybridization in agriculture?
To obtain desirable characteristics from different varieties
What is the aim of biotechnology in agriculture?
To improve crop yields by producing crops that resist herbicides, insects, diseases, and environmental stressors
What is the main concern regarding the use of GM salmon?
Its impact on the environment and potential depletion of wild fish populations for feed
What saved Hawaii's papaya production from the ringspot virus?
Genetically engineering the fruit to resist the virus
What was Golden Rice developed to combat?
Dietary vitamin A deficiency
What is the purpose of selective breeding in agriculture?
To develop desirable traits in crops over time
Study Notes
Selective Breeding, Hybridization, and Biotechnology in Agriculture
- Selective breeding of teosinte over 7000 years in MesoAmerica led to the development of corn.
- Approximately 1,200 genes in the corn genome were preferentially targeted for selection during the breeding process.
- Hybridization involves interbreeding to obtain desirable characteristics from different varieties, resulting in hybrids with enhanced traits such as disease resistance and larger ears.
- Hybrid corn yields are significantly higher, ranging from 60-80 bushels per acre compared to 20-40 bushels for non-hybrid corn.
- Biotechnology aims to improve crop yields by producing crops that resist herbicides, insects, diseases, and environmental stressors such as salty soil and dry conditions.
- Examples of genetically engineered crops and their characteristics include insect protection and herbicide resistance in corn and cotton, virus resistance in squash and papaya, and enhanced taste and texture in tomatoes.
- The use of biotechnology saved Hawaii's papaya production, which had been decimated by the ringspot virus, by genetically engineering the fruit to resist the virus.
- Labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods has been a topic of debate, with the food industry resisting mandatory labeling efforts, but a National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard was implemented in 2019.
- AquaAdvantage salmon, a genetically modified fish, contains a growth hormone from the Chinook salmon and a genetic switch from the ocean pout, allowing it to grow faster and reach market size in 18 months instead of 3 years.
- The use of GM salmon raises concerns about its impact on the environment, particularly in terms of depleting wild fish populations for feed.
- Golden Rice, a genetically modified rice variety, was developed to combat dietary vitamin A deficiency, which causes blindness and compromises the immune systems of children in the developing world.
- Opposition to Golden Rice arises from concerns about the necessity of GM foods and the belief that promoting a varied diet with foods rich in vitamin A would be more effective.
Test your knowledge of selective breeding, hybridization, and biotechnology in agriculture with this quiz. Explore the impact of these techniques on crop yields, disease resistance, and environmental stressors. Learn about genetically modified crops and their characteristics, as well as the debate over labeling and the ethical considerations surrounding GM foods.
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