Questions and Answers
What is the consequence of selectively breeding plants for desirable traits, and how does this impact their ability to respond to disease?
Selectively breeding plants for desirable traits reduces their genetic diversity, making them more vulnerable to disease. If a disease affects one plant, it can spread quickly through the population, potentially killing or severely damaging the entire crop.
What is the primary risk associated with monoculture, and how does it affect the crop population?
The primary risk associated with monoculture is that if a new disease infests the crop, most individual plants will be affected in the same way, potentially killing or severely damaging the entire population.
What is the purpose of gene banks, and how do they help mitigate the risks associated with monoculture?
Gene banks preserve the genetic diversity of early ancestors of modern plants, allowing breeders to introduce new traits into modern crops if needed. This helps mitigate the risks associated with monoculture by providing a source of genetic diversity to draw upon.
How are the specimens in gene banks obtained, and what is their significance in terms of plant evolution?
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What is the long-term benefit of preserving genetic diversity in crops, and how does it impact food security?
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Study Notes
Selective Breeding and Monoculture
- Plants are bred for desired qualities through selective breeding, resulting in a lack of genetic diversity.
- Monoculture involves the large-scale planting of identical species varieties over extensive areas.
- Monoculture increases the risk of crop failure due to disease, as genetically similar plants are equally vulnerable to infection.
Consequences of Monoculture
- A single disease outbreak can decimate an entire crop population, causing significant losses.
- The lack of genetic diversity in monoculture crops leaves them without natural defense mechanisms against disease.
Gene Banks
- Gene banks have been established to mitigate the risks associated with monoculture and preserve plant diversity.
- Gene banks contain early ancestors of modern plants, collected from wild habitats and archaeological sites.
- These preserved organisms provide a source of genetic diversity that can be introduced into modern plants if needed.
Significance of Gene Banks
- Gene banks offer a safeguard against crop disasters by preserving genetic diversity.
- By introducing diverse genetic material into modern plants, gene banks can help protect against disease and ensure food security.
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Description
This quiz explores the practices of selective breeding and monoculture in agriculture, including their effects on genetic diversity and crop susceptibility to disease.
