Mid-term # 1 - 2008

This is a 50 minute exam in which you will provide answers to 5 questions from among those provided below;therefore, I will expect that your answers will be well thought out and complete. While brevity, crypticness, and terseness will not be to your advantage neither will verbosity without substance. The best answers will be those that demonstrate that you understand the underlying cogent facts and can use those facts to synthesize an intelligent and reasonable answer.

The exam will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude at 8:50 a.m sharp. Those desiring extra time may wish to begin at the early time.

Remember EVERY question has associated with it WHY? or EXPLAIN. These are ESSAY questions. A essay requires more than a list, phrase or short answer. Three sentences is not likely to satisfy the requirement. Choose your words carefully, improper use of terms (e.g. confusing disease and pathogen) will be severely marked down.

READ THIS:
THIS WILL NOT BE AN OPEN BOOK/NOTES EXAM.
Exam answers must be in BLUE BOOK
You may not use the same disease as an example in more than one question.

If you use the same disease in two answers you will receive no credit for either answer.
Every answer MUST use specific disease as a part of the answer.

  1. Discuss how (with specific examples) an understanding of the biology of a pathogen is essential in developing an effective Plant Health Management Strategy.

  2. Compare and Contrast the application of Koch's Postulates to: (While performing the "Compare and Contrast " a good answer will give define the postulates and a present thorough discussion of the importance/significance of each.)

  3. Overlapping circles were used to explain the Disease Triangle. What components are contained in the various circles and are these circles applicable for expaining the magnitude of a disease? Why, or why not?

  4. Compare and Contrast the "coats" or "outer-coverings" of three of the following; a virus, a bacterium, a protist, a fungus, a nematode?

  5. Compare and Contrast Corn Smut and Tobacco Mosaic diseases.

  6. Explain, to someone unfamiliar with modern biology, the relationship between Wellness and Death. Use plant disease related illustrations in your explanation.

  7. "Diagnosing a disease of turf is different from diagnosing a disease of Soybeans", Discuss

  8. Discuss the Disease Cycle concept using Early Blight of Tomato as your reference.

  9. A. Define and discuss Signs, Symptoms, disease, and Causal Agent.
    B. Use these terms correctly in describing Fire Blight of Apple and Pear.

  10. A facultative parasite has a survival advantage over a facultative saprophyte. Discuss. (A discussion requires more than a few cryptic comments and fragmented comments. You are expected to fully develop your reasoning and support your point of view.)

PROCEDURE

Questions One through Four:Answer any four (4) of the five (5) questions indicated from the cards that were selected

Each answer will receive 2 scores; 50% for demonstration of factual knowledge, 50% for presenting the factual knowledge in a cogent fashion and using it to address the question and/or solve a problem.

Question Five: Present the Disease Cycle for the disease below that corresponds to the number turned over.

  1. Soybean Rust
  2. Fire Blight of Apple and Pear
  3. Tobacco Mosaic
  4. Pine Wilt
  5. Early Blight of Tomato
  6. Corn Smut
  7. Late Blight of Potato
  8. Rusts of Turfgrass

The answers to question five will be evaluated for; accuracy, completeness, and explanation of Plant Health Management Strategy application based on the Disease Cycle elements.
Examination terminology: Link to source
  1. Compare and Contrast: describe two situations/individuals and present the similarities and differences between them. On its own, a separate description (or listing of differences) of each of the two does not meet the requirements of this key word - Contrast.

  2. Explain: describe clearly, make intelligible and give reasons for a concept, process, relationship or development.

  3. Discuss: consider a statement or to offer a considered review or balanced discussion of a particular topic. If the question is presented in the form of a quotation, the specific purpose is to stimulate a discussion on each of its parts. The question is asking for your considered opinions; these should be presented clearly and supported with as much empirical evidence and sound argument as possible.

  4. Describe: give a portrayal of a given situation. It is a neutral request to present a detailed picture of a given situation, event, pattern, process or outcome, although it may be followed by a further opportunity for discussion and analysis.