Exploring the World of Plants

How long ago did plants first arrive on Earth?

• Around 500 million years ago

• 1 billion years ago

• 100 million years ago

• 250 million years ago

What experiment showed plants might react to the sound of caterpillars chewing?

• Plants releasing chemical defenses

• Plants growing towards the sound

• Plants closing their leaves

• Plants changing color

What did researchers use to simulate stress from touch on maize plants?

• Wind simulation

• Artificial light

• Water droplets

• A soft face brush

What is one way plants can sense their environment?

• Through sound vibrations

• Through visual perception

• By moving towards light

• Using their roots to feel

What was unique about the moon dirt used for growing Arabidopsis plants?

• Lacked nitrogen and phosphorus

• Was similar to Earth's soil

• Was extremely fertile

• Contained high levels of organic matter

What is a potential solution for farming on the moon?

• Avoiding plant stress

• Planting in pure water

• Using Earth soil only

• Genetically engineering moon-tolerant plants

What is ethnobotany concerned with?

• Cataloging plant species

• How cultures use local plants

• The genetic modification of plants

• Studying plant diseases

What is the primary source of calories for most of the world's population?

• Wheat, rye, and potatoes

• Potatoes, barley, and soybeans

• Maize, rice, and wheat

• Rice, oats, and corn

How might plants contribute to reducing methane emissions?

• By absorbing methane directly from the atmosphere

• Through increased oxygen production

• Through plant-based substitutes for cattle products

• By converting methane to carbon dioxide

What role do herbaria play in studying plant history?

• Study plant DNA

• Grow ancient plant species

• Catalog new plant species

• Preserve plants from hundreds of years ago