You are a biologist for a new fruit and fiber company. Your job description is to devise several ways to lower the THC level in Cannabis sativa. With lower THC levels your CEO sees a vast expanding market for hemp products. Explain at least three approaches to achieve your goal
What will be an ideal response?
Students hopefully will give several creative answers but they should include the source of most THC, which are glands associated with trichomes found on the epidermis of stems, leaves, and bracts. Some possible answers may include: (a) Discourage lateral branching of the hemp plant. Less branching may mean less epidermis and thus less trichomes. Keeping apical meristems in intact (less pruning) could do this. (b) Reduce flowering that will reduce the number of bracts. Hormones are available to do this. (c) Research the enzymes needed for THC production and/or trichome production. Devise a way to inhibit these enzymes. (d) Apply genetic engineering techniques that could also impact the enzymes involved.
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In seed plants the embryo develops inside the seed, which allows for:
A. less dispersal of the sporophyte generation. B. the development of dormancy. C. the dominance of the gametophyte generation. D. nutrient reserves for the developing embryo. E. greater protection for the developing embryo. F. the development of dormancy as well as nutrient reserves and greater protection for the developing embryo.
Which of the following is a diploid cell destined for a specialized role in the production of gametes?
A) somatic cell B) germ-line cell C) spermatid D) polar body E) ootid
The tubes that extend from the uterus and function to transport the immature egg from the ovary to the uterus are known as ________
A) vas deferens B) cervix C) oviducts D) seminiferous tubules
Which category of genetic changes does not lead to the formation of oncogenes?
A) translocations B) point mutations C) correct DNA repair D) copy number changes