Study Questions

Mid-term # 3 - 2008


As you prepare your answers remember that 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.

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READ THIS:
THIS WILL NOT BE AN OPEN BOOK/NOTES EXAM.
You MAY NOT use your Study Journals during the exam.
Bring pens or pencils to the exam.
Bring a BLUE BOOK to the exam.
Every answer MUST use a specific disease as a part of the answer.
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.


  1. When does the environment play the greatest role in a plant disease?

  2. How effective is crop rotation in implementing a long term Plant Health Management Strategy?

  3. Discuss the potential that a chemical control for a plant disease might exhaust its effectiveness and what Plant Health Management Strategies might be implemented to prolong the effectiveness.

  4. In what situations would horizontal or vertical resistance be best implemented into a Plant Health Management Strategy.Use at least two disease examples in your answer.

  5. Explain the concept of Parasitic Balance to someone with very little understanding of plant biology.

  6. Describe the Gene-for-Gene concept then explain why a complete and accurate understanding of the Gene for Gene concept is important in plant improvement.

  7. A pathogen that has a long latent period, is less virulent than one with a short latent period. Discuss:

  8. In order for an epidemic to occur, the incubation period must always be shorter than the latent period. Analyze.

  9. When comparing resistance responses in plants; The Hypersensitive Response is more effective than Apoptosis. Analyze.

  10. Antibiotics are obviously the first line of defense and best Plant Health Management Strategy for diseases caused by bacteria. Discuss.


PROCEDURE

Of the above ten (10) questions, five(5) will be selected as the mid-term exam questions. When you come to class on mid-term day, there will be ten numbered cards lying face down on the desk. A student will be asked to turn over five (5) of them. The five(5) turned over will become the exam questions. . THEREFORE; you can conclude that each question is considered as important as any other question and the likelihood of any question being on the exam is equal to any other question being on the exam. THUS, prepare them all to maximize your potential.

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.

 


Examination terminology: Link to source
  1. Compare and Contrast: describe two situations/individuals and present the similarities and differences between them. On it own, a separate description (or listing of differences) of each of the two does not meet the requirements of this key word
  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.