BPSC STUDY QUESTIONS MIDTERM #2
What is the structure of the grape (Vitis vinifera) flower?: - Answers -They are perfect
and radially symmetric (actinomorphic). They are insect or wind pollinated. Their floral
formula: K4-5 C4-5 G(superior)2. They have a Calyptra = Flower cap = Petals (which
fall off as flower grows). Fruit: Grapes are a multi seeded fleshy berry (or seedless)
Do the vitis vinifera flowers have an unusual feature? If so, what is it? - Answers -The
unusual feature the flowers have are the Calyptra/Flower cap for petals
What type of fruit (in vitis vinifera) is made?: - Answers -A berry is made
How did they make seedless grapes? - Answers -Seedless grapes were made from a
natural mutation
What are the four grape products grown and made in CA?: - Answers -Wine grapes,
table grapes, raisins, and grape leaves (and golden raisins?)
Why are grapes healthy?: - Answers -Grapes are healthy because they contain
antioxidants (resveratrol and polyphenols), Fibrous Pectin (a carb), Potassium (K),
Vitamin B1, and Vitamin B2. They also may be anit-cancer. Also are anti-microbial
How are raisins produced? Are dark and yellow raisins processed in the same manner?
- Answers -Raisins are produced on the vine or on paper in the field, dried up in the sun.
But, Golden Raisins are mechanically dried and processed
What is the Purpose of the Citrus Variety Collection? - Answers -The purpose of the
CVC was to support the growing industry of Citrus growers, this also got them the
Experiment Station to give them knowledge on how to continue to grow their citrus.
Collection of many diff kinds of citrus and things that are closely related to citrus. Very
diverse (29 of 33 genera of sub families of citrus). Now it serves to preserve the
diversity of citrus. It's the source material for making new varieties and how to protect it.
Can you name two Citrons from the CVC? - Answers -Buddhist Hand and Italian Citron
What are the five ancestors or progenitors of Citrus? - Answers -1. Kumquats
(Fortunella spp Citrus)
2. Papeda (Micrantha)
3. Citron (Medica)
4. Pummelos (Maxima)
5. Mandarins (Reticulata)
What makes the Australian finger lime unique - Answers -When cut in half, the juice
vehicles come out like little bubbles (look like caviar), so it's called citrus cavalier.
They're being used in many foods → Taste like lime
,What makes Buddhist Hand unique? How was it formed (hint: answer in given in the
podcast) - Answers -Small genetic change that caused it to have 'fingers' where it looks
like a hand. It has no flash and so only used for decoration or scent. These unique
citruses were the reason why they got so popular and started museums all for the citrus
varieties
Do lemons and limes taste different? Why - Answers -In the US, limes are just
premature to be green, when mature they will be yellow and look like a lemon. They
taste different, by even within lemons and limes (sub genres) they can taste different
(ex: Amber Lemon)
What is the relationship between the Sicilian Mafia and lemons? - Answers -Lemons
can be blamed for the Mafia. 1860 Italy was changing from Pope's to Kingdom and
growing lemons was lucrative (everybody wanted to become a citrus farmer). They had
to invest money into the business (build wells, access roads, walls, etc) then had to wait
8 years before any return on their investment. The Mafia then spotted the investors and
acted friendly and suggested they help on their farm (supply water, etc) and give them a
huge/confusing contract that people would sign ⇒ The Mafia then controlled the
industry (intimidation → If you said no, the then friendly neighbor would destroy your
farm). People started to get murdered → scent or orange reminded them or corpses
What is scurvy? - Answers -Caused by a lack of vitamin C, so sailors on long voyages
commonly got scurvy (feel weak and tired, pursuing, swollen, teeth fall out, and death)
→ There was a naval doctor who did the first clinical controlled experiment to treat
scurvy, found out that lemons (citrus) helped cure scurvy the best ⇒ Waited 40 years to
recognize this and then used lemons from Sicily, but THEN they decided to stop buying
from Sicily and then bought lime juice from India (cheaper) and lime juice just didn't
work
What is Huanglongbing (HLB) or "Citrus Greening" disease and how it is spread? -
Answers -Moved by an insect (Asian Citrus Psyllid) that visits young citrus leaves, and
the bacteria sets in the Phloem until it goes down to the roots, green the citrus, and kill
the tree. Florida's juice industry has been majorly affected by the HLB disease
What are some of the approaches that scientists are using to slow the spreading of the
HLB or Citrus Greening disease? - Answers -Dr. Tracey Kahn was given $1,000,000 to
help find new ways to protect the citrus from HLB. Florida scientist has been trying to
lure male ACP to get them away, genetic engineering to make more resistant trees
(adding genes), and other genetic engineering that removes genes to see the infection
faster
What is the difference between a eudicot and a monocot? Which is barley and maize? -
Answers -A eudicot means being dicotyledons (2 cotyledon/seed leaves (embryonic
leaves) upon germination) whereas a monocot is only one cotyledon (1 embryonic/seed
leaf). Maize and barley are monocot
, Barley and maize are members of the Poaceae? What kind of a seed do they have? -
Answers -Barley and maize are members of the Poaeceae, they have a single
caryopsis (a grain) as their fruit/seed. It is also an achene
What macromolecules are stored in seeds? Where are they stored in a monocot seed?:
- Answers -Proteins, oils, and starch (complex carbohydrate starch) are stored in seeds.
There are in the root and/or shoot in a monocot seed. The macromolecules feed the
seed before photosynthesis can (since its underground)
How is barley used in beer making? What is malt? - Answers -Barley is used in beer
making by being turned in malt. The barley seeds are germinated (fed by
macromolecules), then enzymes begun to break down proteins and oils and enzymes
convert starch to glucose --> Respiration. The germinated seed is then dried ==> Malt.
The malt it then grounded, cooked, hops (humulus lupulus) is added, and heated again.
The yeast is added to ferment the glucose and makes ethanol --> Beer
Can you describe the key features of maize? Does it have perfect flowers? Is it
monecious or diecious? What does monecious and diecious mean?: - Answers -Maize
is a monocot with simple, alternate, and exstipulate leaves with a sheathing leaf base.
It's an annual plant (120-150 day lifecycle), is monoecious (male and female flowers on
same plant, whereas dioecious is male and female flowers on separate plants). It's
flowers are imperfect (only male OR female), with male inflorescence being called a
tassel and female called ear. Female flowers are also silk. It's fruit is a caryopsis
How do we use maize? - Answers -We use maize as corn, biofuel feedstock (seeds and
stalks), and in many processed foods (corn starch, high fructose syrup).
How does maize rank in the USA? in CA?: - Answers -Maize is #2 in the top 10 cash
crops in the USA but is NOT a top 10 CA crop.
Where did maize originate from? We call this region a Center of _____ or a Center of
_____ (this comes later in the lecture) - Answers -Maize originated from Mesoamerica,
also known as its Center of Origin/Center of Diversity
What is the name of maize's wild relative? What do we think this progenitor might be
used for?: - Answers -Teosinte is the name of maize/zea mays before domestication.
We think it was used for pop-teonsinte (popcorn), sweet stalks, or alcoholic beverage
What four traits did teosinte have that were improved in cultivated maize? How did they
change? What advantage do these traits have for humans?: - Answers -1. Small ear
with few caryopsis --> (after domestication) Large ears with many caryopsis.
2. Fruits disperse easily --> Fruits held on "ear".
3. Highly branched plant --> Unbranched plant
4. Male flowers in tassel and near to female flowers --> Male flowers only in tassel and a
distance from the female flowers (silk)