Download Plant Science Exams - Contemporary Topics (BT417) - Semester II 2010/2011 and more Exams Plant Biotechnology in PDF only on Docsity!
Semester II Examinations 2010/
Exam Code(s) 4BS Exam(s) Fourth Science Module Code(s) 4BS2–BT Module(s) BT417: Contemporary Topics in Plant Science Paper No. Repeat Paper External Examiner(s) Professor M. Jones Internal Examiner(s) Professor C. Spillane Dr. D. Hunter Dr. M. Chatterjee
Instructions: Answer two questions, one from each section
Each section carries equivalent marks Use a separate answer book for each section Duration (^) 3 hours No. of Pages 2 Discipline(s) Botany and Plant Science Course Co-ordinator(s) Dr M.Sheehy Skeffington Requirements : None MCQ Release to Library: Yes √ No Handout Statistical/ Log Tables Cambridge Tables Graph Paper Log Graph Paper Other Materials
SECTION A (Answer 1 out of 2 questions)
1. Write an essay on the use and benefits of different types of plant biotechnologies for alteration of plant (crop) reproductive characteristics. In your answer: (a) provide rationales for such alterations; (b) give examples of different approaches to alteration of plant reproduction, and (c) explain the biological bases underpinning such approaches. OR 2. Write an essay on why abiotic stresses on crops are a major constraint for future sustainable development and food security, and (using examples) discuss and explain how plant biosciences could contribute to developing abiotic stress tolerant crops. SECTION B (Answer 5 out of 10 short questions) 3. Answer five of the following ten short questions: i) Using examples based on plants, explain the two different types of spatial data types in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). ii) Explain how Global Positioning Systems (i.e. GPS systems) work and provide examples of how GPS can be useful for plant research. iii) Using Ireland as a case study, explain how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can contribute to plant conservation in Ireland. iv) Using examples, explain how polyploid plants differ from diploid plants, and describe some typical effects of polyploidy on plant development and fitness. v) Explain how Targeting Induced Local Lesion in Genome (TILLING) techniques can be used to improve crop plants. vi) Using examples, discuss the pros and cons of biological control strategies for limiting pest damage to plants and crops. vii) Using examples, explain which characteristics can be used to define invasive plant species and what traits can enhance the invasiveness of plants. viii) Using triticale and other crop plants as examples, explain what is meant by (a) auto-polyploidy (b) allo-polyploidy and (c) doubled haploids, and their relevance to plant breeding. ix) Using examples, explain and discuss the main policy and legal frameworks governing the maintenance of agrobiodiversity at the (a) international and (b) national levels. x) Using examples, discuss the pros and cons of ex situ vs in situ approaches to the conservation of plant genetic resources.
