Biotechnology in Agriculture

Which least describes how biotechnology has increased crop production in North Carolina?

• It has increased the growth rate of plants.
• It has decreased the amount of plants that die due to drought.
• It has decreased the amount of plants that can be grown in an area.
• It has increased plants’ ability to fight off pests and reduced the need for pesticides.
  

Which best represents a direct benefit from biotechnology to agriculture during an extended drought period?

• planting crops only in shaded areas
• genetically modifying crops to be stress-tolerant
• harvesting crops that have thick stems and leaves
• watering crops with a recycled-water irrigation system

Which best describes a potential economic benefit to the rural areas of North Carolina?

• Biotechnology can help farmers develop disease-resistant crops.
• Biotechnology can help make the harvesting process less efficient.
• Biotechnology can reduce the amount of time required to plant a crop in the field.
• Biotechnology can help farmers advertise and sell their produce through the Internet.

Which career field would most likely be involved in the creation of transgenic organisms that produce insulin? 

• agriculture
• construction
• manufacturing
• medical

Stem cells from a donor are cultured and then implanted into a person with Alzheimer’s disease. Why is this procedure most likely considered controversial?

• There are associated ethical and moral issues.
• There is an insufficient supply of donor cells.
• There is an increased risk of infection.
• The patient did not give consent.
  

Which situation is most likely to raise ethical questions about using biotechnology?

• increased crop yields
• new vaccine development
• increased job opportunities
• genetically modified food crops

Which potential problem could occur from recent increases in genetically modified foods?

• increased crop yield
• creation of herbicide-resistant weeds
• increased risk to crops from environmental stresses
• improved taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional qualities of food

Why is the number of biotechnology careers most likely increasing across the U.S.?

• They are simple careers to learn.
• They require no education past high school.
• They are an inexpensive way to provide new food products and medicines.
• They are needed to meet the public demand for new food products and medicines.
  

Which best describes the process where genes from one organism are inserted into the DNA of another organism?

• genetic coding
• genetic evolution
• genetic adaption
• genetic engineering

In which field would a student most likely pursue a career after obtaining a degree in biotechnology?

• geology
• astronomy
• civil engineering
• pharmaceuticals