Plant Science and Agriculture Quiz

The use of plants and plant-derived materials for energy production, often focusing on renewable sources.

The process where plants convert sunlight into energy, producing oxygen as a byproduct.

Cultivating plants for food, intentionally selecting and breeding them for better yields and qualities.

A set of practices that aim to meet current needs without jeopardizing the future generations' ability to meet theirs.

The many benefits provided by nature that support human life, including clean air, water, and food.

The cultivation of a very limited number of plants, providing most of the world's food supply.

The dependence on a small number of plant species for our food, making us vulnerable to disruptions in their production.

Considering both the benefits and downsides of using biofuels, factoring in environmental impact, economic costs, and social implications.

The main crops grown in Canada, ranked by income generated, are wheat, canola, barley, corn, soybeans, potatoes, flax, and oats.

Foods derived from all plant parts are consumed by humans. Leaves, stems, roots, seeds, fruits, and spices and herbs are all part of our diet.

Wheat is one of the most grown crops in Canada and is a product of flowering plants called angiosperms.

Cereal grains are fruits of grass species. They are a vital food source for humans and domesticated animals alike. Examples of cereal grains include corn, rice, and wheat.

Rice is the most important cereal grain in Asia, while wheat is the most common grain in North America and Europe.

Legumes, belonging to the pea and bean family, are another vital food source, providing approximately 15% of human dietary protein. Examples of legumes include lentils and okra.

Spices are flavored plant parts, such as cinnamon from bark, vanilla and black pepper from fruits, cardamom from seeds, and cloves from flowers.

Saffron, a highly expensive herb, is derived from the manual harvesting of the male floral parts of a crocus flower.

A substance extracted from plants that can be used to treat medical conditions.

A chemical found in the autumn crocus used to reduce inflammation and fight cancer.

A compound derived from cowage seeds used to treat Parkinson's disease.

A group of chemicals extracted from foxglove leaves that regulate heart rhythm.

A substance found in jimsonweed seeds that has sedative qualities.

A chemical extracted from Pacific yew bark that is effective against ovarian cancer.

A powerful painkiller derived from opium poppies.

Chemicals from rosy periwinkle, used against Hodgkin's disease and leukemia.

The gradual replacement of one plant community by another over time, often leading to a more complex and stable ecosystem.

The initial stage of succession, where pioneer species, like fast-growing weeds, colonize a previously barren area.

The stage of succession that occurs after a disturbance, such as a fire or logging, on an area that previously had vegetation.

The dominant tree species in a forest community, which strongly influence the other species present and the overall ecosystem characteristics.

The process by which the environment within a closing forest canopy changes, favoring shade-tolerant species.

The gradual changes in species composition and environmental conditions that occur over time in a forest as it matures.

The ability of a species to survive and thrive in low light conditions, typically found in mature forests.

The ability of a species to grow and reproduce quickly, often seen in pioneer species during early successional stages.

Fuel made from organic matter such as plants or animal waste.

Using biofuels instead of fossil fuels is becoming increasingly popular as a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but can also have negative effects. It can be used as a primary fuel source (like ethanol in gasoline) or blended with other fuels.

The possible downsides of biofuel use, including higher food prices and environmental side effects from large-scale agriculture.

Measuring the full impact of a biofuel on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and the impact on food production.

The process of converting sunlight into energy in plants, which is a key factor in biofuel production as plants store this solar energy.

The practice of cultivating specific plant species for food, sometimes leading to land use changes for biofuel production.

The availability of adequate food for everyone, which can be affected by land use changes for biofuel production.

A decision about whether or not the government should mandate the use of a certain percentage of biofuel in all fuels.

The Sudbury Barrens were created by severe environmental damage caused by smelters, leading to large areas devoid of life.

The restoration of the Sudbury Barrens involved reducing air pollution, improving soil acidity, and introducing plants to kickstart natural recovery.

Reduced air pollution allowed plants to grow, but the acidic soil with high metal levels remained a challenge. Spreading lime helped lower acidity, making the soil suitable for plant life.

The restoration process mimicked the natural process of 'secondary succession' by introducing grasses and legumes to improve soil quality and allow trees to thrive.

The successful restoration of the Sudbury Barrens demonstrates how human actions can negatively impact ecosystems, but also how we can work to repair them.

Many human-caused disturbances are too large or frequent to allow natural recovery through succession.

The diversity of species is essential for a healthy ecosystem. The Sudbury Barrens restoration showcased the importance of plant communities in restoring a damaged environment.

The successful restoration of the Sudbury Barrens provides hope that human actions, like pollution reduction and careful land management, can help reverse environmental damage.