AGN 115 MSU ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT 2026
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ The full hereditary information of an individual is called its ___.
Answer: Genotype
◉ Dr. Gliesman describes "over-sowing" as planting too much seed
in order to allow multiple strong survivors and thinning out laggard
emergeres in order to get a quality stand established (Chapter 3).
T/F
Answer: False
◉ Bt Corn is highly toxic to humans because of how it binds to and
breaks down the gut (intestinal) walls. T/F
Answer: False
◉ In a mass-selected crop variety each individual plant contains all
the genetic diversity of the variety. In other words, every individual
seed is genetically to the other seeds within the variety. (Ch 15) T/F
Answer: False
,◉ When grain is harvested from a field, significant amounts of plant
nutrients (N, P, K) are carried off the field in the grain. T/F
Answer: True
◉ Dr. Gliessman's textbook indicates that Monsanto dominates the
industry with 80-90% market share of the seed industry, while data
on corporate sales of seed place Monsanto's market share ______ the
estimate reported by Dr. Gliessman. (Ch. 15 and Lec. 6)
Answer: much lower <30%
◉ Pests and drought are threats to the genetic diversity of crop
species. T/F
Answer: False
◉ Pathogens and a failure to separate industrial waste (e.g. heavy
metals) from human waste complicate the use of sewage in
agriculture. (Ch. 8) T/F
Answer: True
◉ Identify which of the following plant nutrients exist in gaseous
phase during part of their biogeochemical cycle. SELECT ALL THAT
APPLY (Ch 3)
Carbon
Oxygen
, Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium (K)
Answer: Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen
◉ All of the following are true of polyploid crops EXCEPT... (Lec 6)
1. A polyploid plant possesses more than two complete sets of
chromosomes.
2. Polyploidy is relatively rare in nature, so the majority of our
polyploid crops were chemically induced.
3. Polyploidy in plants is generally associated with larger fruits and
seeds.
4. The wheat used to make bread is a hexaploid crop.
Answer: 2. Polyploidy is relatively rare in nature, so the majority of
our polyploid crops were chemically induced.
◉ While the crop production industry has narrowed its genetic basis
over time, the livestock industry, which relies more on cross-
breeding, has maintained a high level of diversity. (Ch. 15) T/F
Answer: False
◉ One plant with the genotype 'Tt' for a certain gene is crossed with
a plant that also has the genotype 'Tt', 'T' being the dominant allele
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ The full hereditary information of an individual is called its ___.
Answer: Genotype
◉ Dr. Gliesman describes "over-sowing" as planting too much seed
in order to allow multiple strong survivors and thinning out laggard
emergeres in order to get a quality stand established (Chapter 3).
T/F
Answer: False
◉ Bt Corn is highly toxic to humans because of how it binds to and
breaks down the gut (intestinal) walls. T/F
Answer: False
◉ In a mass-selected crop variety each individual plant contains all
the genetic diversity of the variety. In other words, every individual
seed is genetically to the other seeds within the variety. (Ch 15) T/F
Answer: False
,◉ When grain is harvested from a field, significant amounts of plant
nutrients (N, P, K) are carried off the field in the grain. T/F
Answer: True
◉ Dr. Gliessman's textbook indicates that Monsanto dominates the
industry with 80-90% market share of the seed industry, while data
on corporate sales of seed place Monsanto's market share ______ the
estimate reported by Dr. Gliessman. (Ch. 15 and Lec. 6)
Answer: much lower <30%
◉ Pests and drought are threats to the genetic diversity of crop
species. T/F
Answer: False
◉ Pathogens and a failure to separate industrial waste (e.g. heavy
metals) from human waste complicate the use of sewage in
agriculture. (Ch. 8) T/F
Answer: True
◉ Identify which of the following plant nutrients exist in gaseous
phase during part of their biogeochemical cycle. SELECT ALL THAT
APPLY (Ch 3)
Carbon
Oxygen
, Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium (K)
Answer: Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen
◉ All of the following are true of polyploid crops EXCEPT... (Lec 6)
1. A polyploid plant possesses more than two complete sets of
chromosomes.
2. Polyploidy is relatively rare in nature, so the majority of our
polyploid crops were chemically induced.
3. Polyploidy in plants is generally associated with larger fruits and
seeds.
4. The wheat used to make bread is a hexaploid crop.
Answer: 2. Polyploidy is relatively rare in nature, so the majority of
our polyploid crops were chemically induced.
◉ While the crop production industry has narrowed its genetic basis
over time, the livestock industry, which relies more on cross-
breeding, has maintained a high level of diversity. (Ch. 15) T/F
Answer: False
◉ One plant with the genotype 'Tt' for a certain gene is crossed with
a plant that also has the genotype 'Tt', 'T' being the dominant allele
