Question

exam lesson name: introduction to agriculture science
exam number: 700792rr
▶ exam guidelines
▶ exam instructions
question 14 of 20 :
select the best answer for the question.

1. which statement best describes how the field of plant breeding has evolved?

○ a. gregor mendel was the first to breed plants.
○ b. plant breeding has been banned as a backlash reaction to gmos.
○ c. plant breeding wasnt possible before the advent of molecular biology.
○ d. humans have always performed plant breeding but havent always understood the genetic mechanisms underlying plant breeding.
□ mark for review (will be highlighted on the review page)
<< previous question next question >>

Explanation:

• Option A: Gregor Mendel studied genetics in pea plants, but plant breeding (like selective breeding) existed before him, so he wasn't the first to breed plants. Eliminate A.
• Option B: Plant breeding (including traditional methods) is not banned; GMOs are a different, more modern form of plant modification, and traditional plant breeding is still widely used. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Plant breeding (e.g., selective breeding of crops for better yield, taste, etc.) was done for centuries before molecular biology. For example, farmers selected better plants for propagation long ago. Eliminate C.
• Option D: Humans have been breeding plants (e.g., choosing seeds from better - yielding plants to plant next year) for a long time. However, the understanding of the genetic mechanisms (like how traits are inherited) came later with the work of Mendel and subsequent genetic research. This statement accurately describes the evolution of plant breeding.

Answer:

D. Humans have always performed plant breeding but haven't always understood the genetic mechanisms underlying plant breeding.