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What is one significant trait that has been altered in domesticated plants to assist farmers?
What is one significant trait that has been altered in domesticated plants to assist farmers?
Which of the following best describes a reason for the domestication of plants according to Darwin?
Which of the following best describes a reason for the domestication of plants according to Darwin?
Which alteration in plant traits is considered beneficial for farmers in terms of seed collection?
Which alteration in plant traits is considered beneficial for farmers in terms of seed collection?
What characteristic of wild plants does domestication primarily change to enhance agricultural efficiency?
What characteristic of wild plants does domestication primarily change to enhance agricultural efficiency?
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Which of the following methods contributes to the domestication of plants by altering traits?
Which of the following methods contributes to the domestication of plants by altering traits?
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What is a key benefit of larger seeds compared to smaller seeds during germination?
What is a key benefit of larger seeds compared to smaller seeds during germination?
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Which alteration in plant traits is associated with an increase in seed size and number?
Which alteration in plant traits is associated with an increase in seed size and number?
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What happens to seeds during dormancy?
What happens to seeds during dormancy?
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What alteration in the growth habit is observed with increased seed size?
What alteration in the growth habit is observed with increased seed size?
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What is the relationship between increased seed size and the gene pool over time?
What is the relationship between increased seed size and the gene pool over time?
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What characteristic results from the stiff rachis observed in domesticated plants?
What characteristic results from the stiff rachis observed in domesticated plants?
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Which wild ancestor is related to modern corn?
Which wild ancestor is related to modern corn?
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What is a significant trait loss in domesticated beans compared to their wild-type?
What is a significant trait loss in domesticated beans compared to their wild-type?
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What was historically required for shelling domesticated peas?
What was historically required for shelling domesticated peas?
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Which change is NOT associated with the domestication of plants?
Which change is NOT associated with the domestication of plants?
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What is one method used to increase seed size during cultivation?
What is one method used to increase seed size during cultivation?
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How does domestication typically alter the growth habit of plants?
How does domestication typically alter the growth habit of plants?
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What aspect of seed handling changed as a result of domestication?
What aspect of seed handling changed as a result of domestication?
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What occurs during programmed cell death in the rachis?
What occurs during programmed cell death in the rachis?
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What is one consequence of having non-shattering mutations in plants?
What is one consequence of having non-shattering mutations in plants?
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How did early farmers influence the genetics of grass seeds?
How did early farmers influence the genetics of grass seeds?
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What is a smooth abscission layer responsible for?
What is a smooth abscission layer responsible for?
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Why might ripe seeds from mutant plants be preferable for early farmers?
Why might ripe seeds from mutant plants be preferable for early farmers?
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What is the implication of shattering in wild grasses?
What is the implication of shattering in wild grasses?
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What happens to the cells inside the spikelet as seeds ripen?
What happens to the cells inside the spikelet as seeds ripen?
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What effect do recessive mutations have on seed dispersal?
What effect do recessive mutations have on seed dispersal?
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How are non-shattering mutants in barley identified based on fossil evidence?
How are non-shattering mutants in barley identified based on fossil evidence?
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What is a primary characteristic of the wild-type spikelet in barley?
What is a primary characteristic of the wild-type spikelet in barley?
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What does the fossil evidence from archeological sites in the Fertile Crescent primarily support?
What does the fossil evidence from archeological sites in the Fertile Crescent primarily support?
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What phenomenon does the term 'reduction of seed dispersal' refer to in relation to barley?
What phenomenon does the term 'reduction of seed dispersal' refer to in relation to barley?
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In which time period did evidence of non-shattering mutants first appear according to the archeological records?
In which time period did evidence of non-shattering mutants first appear according to the archeological records?
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Other than barley, which food grasses are associated with the spread of non-shattering mutants?
Other than barley, which food grasses are associated with the spread of non-shattering mutants?
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What physical change distinguishes non-shattering mutants from their wild-type counterparts?
What physical change distinguishes non-shattering mutants from their wild-type counterparts?
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What role does predetermined cell death play in the structure of barley spikelets?
What role does predetermined cell death play in the structure of barley spikelets?
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What is a key characteristic of domesticated sunflowers compared to wild types?
What is a key characteristic of domesticated sunflowers compared to wild types?
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Which of the following alterations has not been observed in the domestication of plants?
Which of the following alterations has not been observed in the domestication of plants?
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What is the significance of reduced seed dispersal in domesticated plants?
What is the significance of reduced seed dispersal in domesticated plants?
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Which characteristic is primarily associated with the domestication of lima beans?
Which characteristic is primarily associated with the domestication of lima beans?
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What trait changes are observed when moving from wild to domesticated squash?
What trait changes are observed when moving from wild to domesticated squash?
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Which of the following is a common feature of domesticated plant life cycles?
Which of the following is a common feature of domesticated plant life cycles?
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How does domestication affect the palatability of food plants like nightshades?
How does domestication affect the palatability of food plants like nightshades?
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Which of the following traits would not be expected from selective breeding of plants?
Which of the following traits would not be expected from selective breeding of plants?
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Study Notes
Plants and Society
- The course BIOB38 covers topics like the origin of agriculture, plant domestication, the Green Revolution, plants that provide food, flavor, medicine, and other goods, and plants that are important for warmth and strength.
Plant Domestication
- Plant domestication, as described by Charles Darwin, is about the adaptation of plants to benefit human use or preference, not the plant's own good.
- Domestication requires inheritable variation within wild populations, desirable traits, and human selection over time.
Altered Plant Traits
- Reduction of seed dispersal: Wild plants typically disperse seeds away from the parent plant. Domesticated plants often have reduced seed dispersal, making it easier for farmers to collect seeds.
- Increase in seed size and number: Domesticated plants often have larger seeds and a greater number of seeds per plant. This is beneficial for farmers because it provides more food.
- Loss of dormancy: Wild plants often require specific environmental conditions to germinate, but domesticated plants often lose this dormancy, allowing them to be planted and grown in a wider range of environments.
- Shorter life cycle: Wild plants may have longer life cycles, whereas domesticated plants are often annuals, completing their life cycle in one year.
- More compact growth habit: Some domesticated plants have more compact growth habit compared to their wild relatives. This is easier to manage, harvest and care for.
- Increased palatability: Over time, plants become more palatable to humans. Domesticated plants may lack toxins or unpleasant compounds present in wild plants.
- Diversification: Domesticated plants show diversification in terms of flavor, texture, color, cooking time, and uses.
Loss of Dormancy
- Dormancy is the state of inactivity or rest in plants, and in some cases, it can be tied to environmental conditions like weather patterns.
- Plants that lose this dormancy response adapt better to various environments.
- The loss of dormancy in various plants was part of the domestication process, making them suitable for different growing conditions.
More Compact Growth Habit
- Domesticated plants often exhibit more compact growth patterns compared to their wild counterparts.
- This change is crucial for easier harvesting, management, and preventing unwanted seed dispersal.
- One example is the transition from many small flower heads in wild sunflowers to one or a few large flower heads in domesticated sunflowers.
Increased Palatability
- Domestication often leads to a reduction in toxic secondary compounds or unpleasant compounds in plants.
- This makes the domesticated plant more appealing and suitable for human consumption.
- Examples include reducing toxic alkaloids, cyanogenic glucosides, etc.
Diversification
- Domesticated plants exhibit diversification across various characteristics like flavor, texture, and color.
- This aspect is crucial for developing diverse cultivars and meeting different human needs and preferences.
Propagation: Sexual to Clonal
- The process of propagating plants can shift to one that is asexual, such as rhizomes, stolons, cutting, or grafting.
- This shift is important in order to maintain desirable genes and traits in the domesticated plants.
- Examples of asexual propagation include potato, ginger, or cassava, and in grapes, or fruit trees.
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Description
This quiz explores the significant traits that have been altered in domesticated plants to support farming. Examine how these changes relate to agricultural efficiency, seed collection, and the benefits of larger seeds. Test your understanding of the key concepts behind plant domestication and its impact on farming practices.
