Genetics and Domestication of Maize

What is the process called when humans selectively breed wild plants over generations to develop useful traits, transforming them into crops?

• Genetic modification

• Domestication

• Hybridization

• Natural selection

Which two corn-derived ingredients are commonly found in hundreds of processed food products in the United States?

• Corn starch and corn syrup

• Corn oil and corn flour

• Corn meal and corn flakes

• Corn protein and corn fiber

Which wild grass, native to Central America, was identified by geneticist George Beadle as the likely ancestor of modern corn?

• Wild wheat

• Teosinte

• Sorghum

• Barley

What significant difference in ear structure exists between teosinte and modern corn?

• Teosinte ears are much larger than corn ears.

• Teosinte has hundreds of exposed kernels, while corn has only a few.

• Teosinte kernels are each encapsulated in a hard casing, while corn has hundreds of exposed kernels.

• Teosinte ears grow underground, while corn ears grow above ground.

If the inheritance of a trait is governed by multiple genes, and for each additional gene involved, the probability of an offspring resembling a specific parent decreases by a factor of four, what would be the probability of an offspring resembling that parent if four genes were involved, given that for one gene the probability is 1/4?

• 1/128

• 1/256

• 1/512

• 1/64

How many genes are primarily responsible for the major differences observed between maize and teosinte?

• 1-2 genes

• 4-5 genes

• 10-12 genes

• 20-25 genes

From which specific region and type of teosinte did all modern maize originate?

• Northern Mexico near the Rio Grande

• Southwestern Mexico near the Balsas River

• Central America near Lake Nicaragua

• Southern United States near the Mississippi River

Approximately how long ago did the original domestication of maize occur, according to genetic and archaeological evidence?

• 1,000 years ago

• 5,000 years ago

• 9,000 years ago

• 15,000 years ago