1. Plants provide most of the calories and protein for the human diet. True or False

2. Coffee is native to the mountains of Columbia and Brazil. True or False

3. One hundred fifty acres of forest are cut down for each New York Times Sunday Edition. True or False

4. The crop with the highest world production (in tons) of any other is:

a. corn

b. rice

c. wheat

d. sugar cane

5. The discovery of how to make bread from wheat flour is attributed to the:

a. Egyptians

b. Chinese

c. Inca

d. Syrians

6. The crop which feeds more people than any other is:

a. corn

b. rice

c. wheat

d. potatoes

7. Coca leaf extracts were added to "Coca-Cola" until:

a. 1889

b. 1903

c. 1941

d. Coca leaf extracts are still added to this popular beverage

8. The world’s most expensive spice is:

a. ginger

b. saffron

c. star anise

d. cardamon

9. The phrase "American as apple pie" is incorrect as apples actually originated in:

a. Japan

b. Europe

c. Iceland

d. Asia

10. The "gin and tonic" was a drink developed by the British as a malarial preventative. True or False

11. Two Central American species of Yam (Dioscorea) provided the raw materials to synthesize:

a. birth control pills

b. hydrocortisone (anti-itch crème)

c. fertility drugs

d. heart medications

e. all of the above are correct

12. An enzyme extract from Papaya is used to treat severe back pain caused by a slipped disc and also serves as a great meat tenderizer. True or False

An elective course for biology majors. This course addresses the impact that plants have on modern society, and includes discussion of major food crops, plants used for paper and wood, medicinal plants, and the role of plant biotechnology in crop improvement. Lecture only. Prerequisite: Principles of Biology II

Contact Dr. John Choinski for further information.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN ALSO ENROLL CONCURRENTLY IN ECONOMIC BOTANY LABORATORY