Here are 10 MCQs on “Bacteria-made Band-Aid for Plants” innovation with answers and explanations:
1. What is the primary material component of the “bacteria-made band-aid” used for plant healing?
a) Plant-derived cellulose.
b) Synthetic polymers.
c) Bacterial cellulose (microbial cellulose).
d) Fungal chitin.
Answer: c) Bacterial cellulose (microbial cellulose).
Explanation: The innovation utilizes bacterial cellulose, a natural polymer produced by specific bacteria, which has demonstrated superior healing properties in plants compared to other materials.
2. Which key benefit has been observed in plants treated with bacterial cellulose bandages, regarding their wound healing process?
a) Increased susceptibility to fungal infections.
b) Accelerated wound closure and tissue regeneration.
c) Reduced nutrient absorption at the wound site.
d) Inhibition of vascular tissue development.
Answer: b) Accelerated wound closure and tissue regeneration.
Explanation: Research has shown that bacterial cellulose bandages significantly speed up the healing process in plants, leading to faster wound closure and healthier tissue regeneration.
3. The “bacteria-made band-aid” has shown potential in enhancing vegetative propagation. What is the significance of this application?
a) It increases genetic diversity in plant populations.
b) It improves the efficiency of creating genetically identical plant copies.
c) It promotes the growth of invasive plant species.
d) It reduces the rate of seed germination.
Answer: b) It improves the efficiency of creating genetically identical plant copies.
Explanation: Vegetative propagation, such as using cuttings, is crucial in agriculture. Bacterial cellulose has been found to enhance this process, making it more efficient for producing clones of desirable plants.
4. Which characteristic of bacterial cellulose contributes to its effectiveness in plant wound healing?
a) High toxicity to plant pathogens.
b) Its ability to create an impermeable barrier, preventing gas exchange.
c) Its three-dimensional, gelatinous structure and high water retention.
d) Its rapid decomposition, providing minimal long-term support.
Answer: c) Its three-dimensional, gelatinous structure and high water retention.
Explanation: The unique structure of bacterial cellulose allows it to retain moisture, which is essential for wound healing, while also providing a protective barrier.
5. What are the potential agricultural applications of the “bacteria-made band-aid” technology?
a) Solely for use in laboratory settings.
b) Primarily for aesthetic purposes on ornamental plants.
c) Facilitating grafting, preserving cut plant material, and serving as a growth medium.
d) Replacing all traditional soil-based agriculture.
Answer: c) Facilitating grafting, preserving cut plant material, and serving as a growth medium.
Explanation: The technology has diverse applications, including improving grafting success, preserving cuttings, and providing a suitable environment for plant tissue culture.
6. What is a key difference between bacterial cellulose and plant-derived cellulose?
a) Bacterial cellulose is primarily composed of lignin, while plant cellulose is pure glucose polymers.
b) Bacterial cellulose has a more complex molecular structure and higher purity.
c) Plant cellulose is produced by bacteria, while bacterial cellulose is produced by plants.
d) Plant cellulose is always more effective for wound healing.
Answer: b) Bacterial cellulose has a more complex molecular structure and higher purity.
Explanation: Bacterial cellulose, due to the way it is produced, has a very high purity and a unique nano-fiber structure, that gives it enhanced properties.
7. Which biological process is significantly impacted by the application of bacterial cellulose to plant wounds?
a) Photosynthesis rates.
b) Transpiration rates.
c) The plant’s genetic response related to wound healing and infection resistance.
d) The plants ability to absorb nitrogen from the air.
Answer: c) The plant’s genetic response related to wound healing and infection resistance.
Explanation: Studies have shown that bacterial cellulose triggers a unique genetic response in plants, activating genes related to infection resistance and modifying the standard wound healing processes.
8. What is a key factor that makes bacterial cellulose a potentially “green” or environmentally friendly technology?
a) It requires extensive use of chemical fertilizers.
b) It is biodegradable and produced through bacterial fermentation.
c) It necessitates the destruction of natural forests for its production.
d) It produces significant toxic byproducts.
Answer: b) It is biodegradable and produced through bacterial fermentation.
Explanation: Bacterial cellulose is a natural, biodegradable polymer, and its production through bacterial fermentation is generally considered to be more environmentally sustainable than the production of synthetic polymers.
9. What is a primary area of further research needed to fully realize the potential of bacteria made plant bandages?
a) To increase the toxicity of the bandages, to kill more pathogens.
b) To study the long term effects of the bandages on real world crop plants.
c) To develop methods of making the bandages from synthetic materials.
d) To find ways to make the bandages non biodegradable.
Answer: b) To study the long term effects of the bandages on real world crop plants.
Explanation: While the initial lab results are very promising, more research is needed to understand the long term effects of the bandages on a wider range of crops, and in real world agricultural settings.
10. Which of the following bacterial genera are known to produce bacterial cellulose?
a) Escherichia.
b) Salmonella.
c) Komagataeibacter.
d) Pseudomonas.
Answer: c) Komagataeibacter.
Explanation: Komagataeibacter is a genus of bacteria well known for its efficient production of bacterial cellulose.
About Bacteria-made Band-Aid for Plants
Recent research has highlighted the potential of bacteria-made “band-aids” to significantly improve plant healing and regeneration. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:
- Bacterial Cellulose:
- The “band-aid” is made from bacterial cellulose, a natural polymer produced by certain bacteria.
- This material has already been used in human medicine for wound healing.
- Enhanced Wound Healing:
- Studies have shown that applying bacterial cellulose patches to plant wounds significantly accelerates the healing process.
- Treated wounds healed much faster compared to untreated ones.
- Improved Vegetative Propagation:
- The bacterial cellulose also enhances vegetative propagation, a method of growing new plants from cuttings.
- Potential Agricultural Applications:
- This technology has potential applications in:
- Facilitating grafting.
- Preserving cut plant material.
- Serving as a growth medium in laboratories.
- This technology has potential applications in:
- Key points of the process:
- The bacterial cellulose forms a protective layer, reducing infection risk.
- It also promotes faster regeneration.
- researchers have also found that the cellulose material can contain plant hormones.
In essence, this research suggests that bacterial cellulose could be a valuable tool for improving plant health and agricultural practices.