Q&A Hero

Q: ________ are characterized by stinging cells used for defense and for capturing prey. A) Annelids B) Sponges C) Cnidarians D) Roundworms

Q: The mobile stage of the cnidarian life cycle is the ________ stage. A) bilateral B) polyp C) tadpole D) medusa

Q: What name is given to the food-trapping cells of sponges? A) cnidocytes B) amoebocytes C) skeletal fibers D) choanocytes

Q: How do sponges differ from all other animals? A) Sponges exhibit radial symmetry. B) Sponges are autotrophs. C) Sponges lack a true body cavity. D) Sponges lack true tissues.

Q: Humans are chordates. Which animal group is most closely related to chordates? A) molluscs B) echinoderms C) annelids D) arthropods

Q: Which of these exhibits radial symmetry? A) butterfly B) spoon C) snowflake D) shoe box

Q: The common ancestor of all animals is likely to have been a ________. A) colonial, flagellated protist B) colonial, ciliated protist C) colonial, flagellated bacterium D) sponge

Q: Which of these is a defining characteristic of animals that distinguishes them from other eukaryotes? A) Animals are multicellular. B) Animals ingest food. C) Animals are heterotrophs. D) Animals use photosynthesis.

Q: J. R. R. Tolkien is a famous author who wrote, among others, several books about the adventures of a community of a humanoid (meaning resembling a human) race. The individuals of this race are described by Tolkien as being "between 2 and 4 feet (0.61-1.22 m) tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches (1.07 m) a fairly human figure." This general description characterizes the humanoids mostly closely resembling ________. A) Homo sapiens B) Homo floresiensis C) mandrills D) lemurs

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following questions.People utilize plants to meet many everyday needs, including food, fiber, and building materials. However, not many of the over 300,000 known species of plants are used by people. One species with a lot of future promise is the jatropha tree. This species is native to Central America and is now found throughout the tropics. Many people believe the jatropha could help alleviate poverty in many areas of the world, as the seeds produce an oil that can be used for cooking, lighting, or generating electricity. This oil can also be mixed with diesel fuel or petrol to produce a biofuel. Mature trees produce between 5 and 15 kg of seeds per year and can live more than 30 years. However, critics argue that planting the jatropha tree will take land needed for food production, which will in turn harm the poor.Which of the following statements concerning the jatropha tree is TRUE?A) Jatropha trees are found all over the world.B) Everyone believes planting jatropha trees will be beneficial.C) Humans use over half of the known species of plants for everyday uses.D) Currently, the most valuable part of the jatropha tree is the seed.

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following questions. People utilize plants to meet many everyday needs, including food, fiber, and building materials. However, not many of the over 300,000 known species of plants are used by people. One species with a lot of future promise is the jatropha tree. This species is native to Central America and is now found throughout the tropics. Many people believe the jatropha could help alleviate poverty in many areas of the world, as the seeds produce an oil that can be used for cooking, lighting, or generating electricity. This oil can also be mixed with diesel fuel or petrol to produce a biofuel. Mature trees produce between 5 and 15 kg of seeds per year and can live more than 30 years. However, critics argue that planting the jatropha tree will take land needed for food production, which will in turn harm the poor. What would NOT be an advantage of using oil from jatropha seeds? A) The oil is considered a renewable resource. B) The oil can be used for generating electricity. C) The oil can be used as a biofuel. D) Growing jatropha tress to produce oil may lower food production.

Q: The photo below shows ________. A) a cluster of fern spore capsules B) a fairy ring C) an algal cell with extensive thread-like cilia D) a lichen, a mutually beneficial symbiosis

Q: If seed production had never evolved, which organisms would be missing in today's landscape? A) bryophytes and ferns B) ferns and gymnosperms C) gymnosperms and angiosperms D) angiosperms and bryophytes

Q: This diagram shows what process? A) origin of plants from green algae B) alternation of generations C) angiosperm life cycle D) gymnosperm life cycle

Q: What is this organism? A) fern B) fungus C) bryophyte D) gymnosperm

Q: Corn smut is a fungus that grows in the ears of corn and changes corn kernels into black, powdery balls of fungus tissue. What would you hypothesize is the significance of the relationship between corn smut and corn? A) Corn smut has a parasitic relationship with corn so that it can use the corn as a way to spread spores. B) Corn smut has a symbiotic relationship with corn so that it can use the corn as a way to spread spores. C) Corn smut helps to decompose corn more quickly and therefore replenishes nutrients in the soil at a faster rate. D) Corn smut slows decomposition of corn and therefore reduces the rate at which nutrients are returned to the soil.

Q: Suppose that, while on a forest hike, you notice a blue fungus and a pink plant growing along the hiking trail. As you continue walking, you observe that if a blue fungus and a pink plant are growing side by side, they are both much larger than if the fungus and the plant are farther apart. What can you hypothesize about the relationship between the fungus and the plant? A) The fungus and the plant have a symbiotic relationship that allows them to have more significant growth when they are near each other than when farther apart. B) The fungus and the plant have a parasitic relationship that allows them to have more significant growth when they are near each other than when farther apart. C) The roots of the plant are choking off nutrient flow to the fungal hyphae. D) The plant is helping the fungus decompose leaf litter on the forest floor.

Q: Biocontrol, short for biological control, is a means to control pest populations (e.g., insects, plants) by intentionally introducing natural enemies of those pests. Biocontrol methods have benefits of typically being less expensive and less environmentally damaging than chemical pesticides. Which of the following should NOT be considered an example of biocontrol? A) the spores of the Chinese caterpillar fungus that are sprayed on crop pests to parasitize and kill them B) the application of herbicides that kill weeds harboring pest populations C) the introduction of mites that prey upon citrus rust mites that infest and destroy citrus crops D) the introduction of insect herbivores that eat weeds but do not feed on native plant species

Q: What important role do fungi play in many ecosystems? A) They decompose organic material. B) They pollinate plants. C) They disperse the fruits of angiosperms. D) They perform photosynthesis.

Q: The function of a mushroom is to ________. A) produce seeds B) store nutrients C) produce spores D) photosynthesize

Q: Like plants, fungi have ________; however, in plants they are composed of ________, whereas in fungi they are composed of ________. A) cell walls... cellulose... chitin B) cell walls... cellulose... peptidoglycan C) cell membranes... phospholipids... chitin D) cell walls... phospholipids... cellulose

Q: What are hyphae? A) symbiotic associations between plant roots and fungi B) threadlike filaments that make up fungal bodies C) fungal digestive enzymes D) fungal spores

Q: Nutritionally, all fungi are ________. A) heterotrophs that acquire their nutrients by absorption B) autotrophs that acquire their nutrients from solar energy C) autotrophs that acquire their nutrients from chemicals D) parasites that acquire their nutrients from other organisms

Q: Which of the following statements is NOT true? A) Rainforests regenerate slowly and cannot sustain slash-and-burn clearing. B) Humans depend on plants for food, wood, and medicines. C) Only a fraction of plant species have been tested as potential medicine sources. D) Local knowledge of rainforest plant communities has no impact on the production of new medicines.

Q: Exploring in the tropics, you discover a nonvascular plant that produces pollen. What type of plant have you discovered? A) an angiosperm B) a fern C) a bryophyte D) an entirely new type that you will get to name

Q: Nearly all food plants are ________. A) bryophytes B) gymnosperms C) ferns D) angiosperms

Q: Which of the following statements about pollination and fertilization is CORRECT? A) Pollination is identical to fertilization. B) Pollination is not the same as fertilization, but pollination guarantees fertilization will occur. C) Pollination and fertilization are unrelated. D) Pollination is not the same as fertilization, and pollination does not guarantee fertilization will occur.

Q: From the point of view of an angiosperm, what is the function of fruit? A) It is where the male gametophyte develops. B) It is a mechanism for the dispersal of seeds. C) It provides nutrients to germinating seeds. D) It attracts pollinators.

Q: The edible portion of a(n) ________ is a ripened ovary. A) cucumber B) broccoli stalk C) radish D) onion

Q: In angiosperms, what structures house female gametophytes? A) stigmas B) petals C) ovules D) sepals

Q: Gymnosperms and angiosperms share multiple similarities. Which of the following is NOT a shared feature of angiosperms and gymnosperms? A) Both produce flowers. B) Both have pollen grains that are male gametophytes. C) Both have a dominant sporophyte generation. D) Both have seeds.

Q: Which structure of a flower traps pollen? A) style B) stigma C) ovary D) filament

Q: Which of the following is a component of the female structure of a flowering plant? A) petal B) filament C) anther D) stigma

Q: In angiosperms, the male gametophyte develops within ________. A) male cones B) filaments C) anthers D) stigma

Q: In angiosperms, the ________ is a nutrient-storing tissue that nourishes a developing embryo. A) fruit B) seed C) carpels D) endosperm

Q: Why are gymnosperms considered to be "naked seed" plants? A) Their seeds have a thin layer of endosperm. B) They do not produce seeds; they produce only spores. C) Their seeds are not enclosed within ovaries. D) Their seeds develop on the surface of sporophytes.

Q: Seeds develop from ________. A) carpels B) anthers C) ovules D) ovaries

Q: ________ were the first plants that did not require water for transferring sperm to eggs. A) Bryophytes B) Gymnosperms C) Ferns D) Angiosperms

Q: A pollen grain is a(n) ________. A) female gametophyte B) sporophyte C) male gametophyte D) integument

Q: Which of these adaptations to a terrestrial existence evolved most recently? A) vascular tissue B) seeds C) lignin D) cuticle

Q: What global climatic change gave gymnosperms an advantage over ferns? A) the climate becoming hotter and wetter B) increased fluctuations in global climate temperatures C) the climate becoming cooler and drier D) the climate becoming hotter and drier

Q: What is an evolutionary reason why individual ferns may produce millions of spores? A) Having many spores increases the chances that they will produce fossil fuels. B) Having many spores increases the chances that they can produce seeds. C) Spores can germinate only in the right environmental conditions, so producing many spores increases the chances that at least one will end up in an area of those conditions. D) Spores can disperse only short distances, so producing many spores increases the chances that at least one will travel far enough to germinate.

Q: If you wanted to propagate (grow) ferns, what do you need to collect from existing ferns? A) diploid zygote cells B) haploid spores C) fossil fuels D) seeds

Q: Of the following, which is the earliest step in the formation of fossil fuels? A) subjecting organic matter to extreme pressure B) flooding swamps with seawater C) incomplete decomposition of organic matter D) subjecting organic matter to extreme heat

Q: Much of the coal we use today came from ________ that lived during the Carboniferous. A) gymnosperms B) mosses C) angiosperms D) ferns

Q: Why are ferns considered incompletely adapted to the terrestrial environment, when compared with other plants? A) They lack vascular tissue. B) Their sperm are flagellated. C) The gametophyte generation is dominant. D) They lack cuticle.

Q: ________ are seedless vascular plants. A) Ferns B) Angiosperms C) Bryophytes D) Gymnosperms

Q: Gametophytes reproduce ________. A) by producing sperm and eggs B) by fission C) by meiosis of special cells in the gametophyte D) by budding

Q: Gametophytes are ________; sporophytes are ________. A) male... female B) an adaptation to an aquatic existence... an adaptation to a terrestrial existence C) haploid... diploid D) the dominant stage of the conifer life cycle... the less obvious stage of the conifer life cycle

Q: In ________ the gametophyte is more obvious than the sporophyte. A) conifers B) mosses C) grasses D) ferns

Q: Why are bryophytes considered incompletely liberated from their ancestral aquatic habitat? A) They lack lignin. B) Their sperm are flagellated. C) The gametophyte generation is dominant. D) They lack a cuticle.

Q: Which of the following lack vascular tissue? A) cone-bearing plants B) grasses C) ferns D) mosses

Q: Which of the following correctly illustrates the sequence of the origin of modern groups of plants? A) gymnosperms, ferns, bryophytes, angiosperms B) bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms C) bryophytes, ferns, angiosperms, gymnosperms D) ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms, bryophytes

Q: Plants first moved onto land at least ________ years ago. A) 65 million B) 475 million C) 1.2 billion D) 3.5 billion

Q: Which of the following is the lineage of green algae believed to most resemble early plant ancestors? A) charophytes B) ulva C) volvox D) dinoflagellates

Q: Some companies that produce paper will also produce a by-product that is sold as a binder (something that binds, or holds, things together). From which part of trees does this by-product come? A) leaves B) mycorrhizae C) lignin D) stomata

Q: Would you expect desert plants to have a thin or thick cuticle? A) thin because desert plants do not have stomata B) thin because desert plants have a short root system C) thick because desert plants have an extensive shoot system D) thick because desert plants need to retain water in this dry environment

Q: ________, a chemical that hardens cell walls and supports terrestrial plants, is found in all plants EXCEPT ________. A) Lignin... bryophytes B) Cellulose... bryophytes C) Cellulose... ferns D) Lignin... ferns and bryophytes

Q: The ________ help(s) plants retain water. A) hypha B) cuticle C) mycorrhiza D) lignin

Q: Mutualistic associations of plant roots and fungi are called ________. A) mycorrhizae B) mycelia C) shoots D) hyphae

Q: Why is the symbiotic relationship of truffle mushrooms and tree roots considered to be crucial to the colonization of land? A) This relationship is found in some of the oldest plant fossils. B) Truffles have the terrestrial adaptation of seeds. C) Tree roots can be found only in terrestrial environments. D) Truffles provide trees with sugars.

Q: Which aspect of truffle mushrooms drives their commercial importance? A) size B) smell C) taste D) texture

Q: Under what abiotic conditions can monomers spontaneously form polymers? A) in the presence of oxygen gas B) when ribozymes are present to catalyze the reaction C) when a collection of organic molecules with a cell membrane are isolated D) when water evaporates from a hot surface

Q: Whose experiments demonstrated that, given the conditions on the primitive Earth, biological monomers could arise spontaneously? A) Miller and Urey B) Darwin and Linnaeus C) Watson and Crick D) Wallace and Darwin

Q: What was the first stage of the process that led to the abiotic origin of life? A) synthesis of monomers, such as amino acids and nucleotides B) origin of self-replicating molecules C) synthesis of polymers, such as proteins and nucleic acids D) formation of pre-cells

Q: The absence of ________ in the primitive atmosphere was essential to the origin of life on Earth. A) N2 B) CO2 C) CH4 D) O2

Q: All of the following are true EXCEPT one. Choose the exception. A) The great diversification of animals occurred during the Cambrian explosion. B) For most of biological history, life was confined to aquatic habitats. C) The evolution of multicellularity took place after the origin of the eukaryotes. D) The first organisms to colonize land were animals.

Q: Based on fossil evidence, eukaryotes evolved about ________ years ago. A) 500,000 B) 1 billion C) 1.8 billion D) 3.5 billion

Q: Land was first colonized about ________ years ago. A) 100 million B) 500 million C) 1.7 billion D) 2.5 billion

Q: The first organisms to colonize land were A) plants, protists, and insects B) plants, fungi, and insects C) bacteria, plants, and fungi D) protists, bacteria, and fungi

Q: Animal life underwent its greatest diversification during the ________, which began about ________ million years ago. A) Paleozoic era... 290 B) Paleozoic era... 540 C) Mesozoic era... 363 D) Mesozoic era... 245

Q: Large amounts of oxygen gas appeared in Earth's atmosphere about ________ years ago. A) 200 million B) 1.7 billion C) 2.7 billion D) 4.5 billion

Q: Eukaryotes arose about ________ years after the first prokaryotes. A) 3.0 million B) 1.7 billion C) 3.5 billion D) 4.0 billion

Q: Scientists hypothesize that disrupting our ________ communities may increase our susceptibility to infectious diseases, predispose us to certain cancers, and contribute to conditions such as asthma and other allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, and autism. A) microbial B) exotoxin C) protist D) pathogen

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following question(s). Endotoxins are commonly found in the air, both inside and outside our homes. These "air endotoxins" can come from sources that include house dust mites, agricultural and industrial dust, and dust from indoor pets. Air endotoxins are typically found in low amounts, but production of them can increase dramatically under specific environmental conditions such as dampness, mold, and sewage. Many scientific studies have been conducted investigating possible links between indoor endotoxin levels and asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other upper respiratory diseases. Interestingly, some studies have found positive correlations between indoor endotoxin exposure and severity of some of these diseases while other studies have suggested that some air endotoxin exposure can actually decrease the risk of developing asthma in children. Additionally, data suggests that industrial workers who are exposed to endotoxins in the air can develop irreversible lung damage. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the eastern coastline of the United States. The state of Louisiana, and in particular the city of New Orleans, experienced tragic loss of human life and homes due to the failure of the levee system. Intense flooding destroyed homes and created severe exposure to wet, moldy surfaces. At that time there were no regulations in existence on the amount of exposure that individuals should have to air endotoxins. Scientists from the Natural Resources Defense Council who wanted to determine if endotoxin levels had risen in New Orleans, conducted tests across 12 outdoor areas, 9 of which had been significantly flooded while the other 3 were less affected. Two indoor areas were also sampled for endotoxin levels. No significant differences were found in endotoxin levels between the flooded and non-flooded areas or between the indoor and outdoor areas. However, a limited number of samples were collected, and they were taken after a recent dry spell. Endotoxin levels at all sites were found to be higher than national average levels but were lower than levels typically associated with long-term changes in lung function. What is a logical conclusion to draw from this study? A) Workers that come to these areas to help rebuild do not need to be concerned with indoor air endotoxin levels. B) Workers that come to these areas where there was flooding damage should be advised to wear protective respiratory gear. C) Workers that come to these areas to help rebuild do not need to be concerned with outdoor air endotoxin levels. D) Workers that come to these areas to help rebuild buildings can assume that they will develop an irreversible lung infection.

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following question(s). Endotoxins are commonly found in the air, both inside and outside our homes. These "air endotoxins" can come from sources that include house dust mites, agricultural and industrial dust, and dust from indoor pets. Air endotoxins are typically found in low amounts, but production of them can increase dramatically under specific environmental conditions such as dampness, mold, and sewage. Many scientific studies have been conducted investigating possible links between indoor endotoxin levels and asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other upper respiratory diseases. Interestingly, some studies have found positive correlations between indoor endotoxin exposure and severity of some of these diseases while other studies have suggested that some air endotoxin exposure can actually decrease the risk of developing asthma in children. Additionally, data suggests that industrial workers who are exposed to endotoxins in the air can develop irreversible lung damage. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the eastern coastline of the United States. The state of Louisiana, and in particular the city of New Orleans, experienced tragic loss of human life and homes due to the failure of the levee system. Intense flooding destroyed homes and created severe exposure to wet, moldy surfaces. At that time there were no regulations in existence on the amount of exposure that individuals should have to air endotoxins. Scientists from the Natural Resources Defense Council who wanted to determine if endotoxin levels had risen in New Orleans, conducted tests across 12 outdoor areas, 9 of which had been significantly flooded while the other 3 were less affected. Two indoor areas were also sampled for endotoxin levels. No significant differences were found in endotoxin levels between the flooded and non-flooded areas or between the indoor and outdoor areas. However, a limited number of samples were collected, and they were taken after a recent dry spell. Endotoxin levels at all sites were found to be higher than national average levels but were lower than levels typically associated with long-term changes in lung function. What addition to methodology would be most beneficial to the study? A) pre-flood data to compare to post-flood data in order to better compare endotoxin levels B) a greater number of scientists conducting tests so that different testing methods can be used at each site C) tests conducted on soil endotoxins to compare to air endotoxin levels D) tests conducted on bacterial exotoxins in New York City

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following question(s). Endotoxins are commonly found in the air, both inside and outside our homes. These "air endotoxins" can come from sources that include house dust mites, agricultural and industrial dust, and dust from indoor pets. Air endotoxins are typically found in low amounts, but production of them can increase dramatically under specific environmental conditions such as dampness, mold, and sewage. Many scientific studies have been conducted investigating possible links between indoor endotoxin levels and asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other upper respiratory diseases. Interestingly, some studies have found positive correlations between indoor endotoxin exposure and severity of some of these diseases while other studies have suggested that some air endotoxin exposure can actually decrease the risk of developing asthma in children. Additionally, data suggests that industrial workers who are exposed to endotoxins in the air can develop irreversible lung damage. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the eastern coastline of the United States. The state of Louisiana, and in particular the city of New Orleans, experienced tragic loss of human life and homes due to the failure of the levee system. Intense flooding destroyed homes and created severe exposure to wet, moldy surfaces. At that time there were no regulations in existence on the amount of exposure that individuals should have to air endotoxins. Scientists from the Natural Resources Defense Council who wanted to determine if endotoxin levels had risen in New Orleans, conducted tests across 12 outdoor areas, 9 of which had been significantly flooded while the other 3 were less affected. Two indoor areas were also sampled for endotoxin levels. No significant differences were found in endotoxin levels between the flooded and non-flooded areas or between the indoor and outdoor areas. However, a limited number of samples were collected, and they were taken after a recent dry spell. Endotoxin levels at all sites were found to be higher than national average levels but were lower than levels typically associated with long-term changes in lung function. What is an implication of the fact that tests were conducted after a period of dry weather? A) Dry weather creates harsher sampling conditions for scientists. B) If more periods of rainfall occur after the testing, bacteria that secrete endotoxins may increase, thereby increasing endotoxin levels. C) Dry weather increases the amount of carbon available for the endotoxin bacteria to use for organic compound production. D) The endotoxin bacteria are better able to be used for bioremediation efforts in dry weather than in wet weather.

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following question(s). Endotoxins are commonly found in the air, both inside and outside our homes. These "air endotoxins" can come from sources that include house dust mites, agricultural and industrial dust, and dust from indoor pets. Air endotoxins are typically found in low amounts, but production of them can increase dramatically under specific environmental conditions such as dampness, mold, and sewage. Many scientific studies have been conducted investigating possible links between indoor endotoxin levels and asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other upper respiratory diseases. Interestingly, some studies have found positive correlations between indoor endotoxin exposure and severity of some of these diseases while other studies have suggested that some air endotoxin exposure can actually decrease the risk of developing asthma in children. Additionally, data suggests that industrial workers who are exposed to endotoxins in the air can develop irreversible lung damage. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the eastern coastline of the United States. The state of Louisiana, and in particular the city of New Orleans, experienced tragic loss of human life and homes due to the failure of the levee system. Intense flooding destroyed homes and created severe exposure to wet, moldy surfaces. At that time there were no regulations in existence on the amount of exposure that individuals should have to air endotoxins. Scientists from the Natural Resources Defense Council who wanted to determine if endotoxin levels had risen in New Orleans, conducted tests across 12 outdoor areas, 9 of which had been significantly flooded while the other 3 were less affected. Two indoor areas were also sampled for endotoxin levels. No significant differences were found in endotoxin levels between the flooded and non-flooded areas or between the indoor and outdoor areas. However, a limited number of samples were collected, and they were taken after a recent dry spell. Endotoxin levels at all sites were found to be higher than national average levels but were lower than levels typically associated with long-term changes in lung function. What is a potential benefit of testing indoor and outdoor sites as well as sites with heavy flooding and light flooding? A) There is no benefit associated with testing in multiple sites. B) Testing multiple sites takes less time and requires less equipment. C) Testing multiple sites allows for fewer scientists to be exposed to the air endotoxins. D) The data collected would allow scientists to compare endotoxin levels under multiple conditions.

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following question(s). Malaria is a disease caused by parasitic protists in the genusPlasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to humans by female Anopheles mosquitoes. ThePlasmodium parasite feeds on human red blood cells, eventually destroying them. Humans infected with malaria can exhibit many symptoms. Depending on the severity of the infection, these can range from fever, chills, sweating, and headaches to anemia and kidney failure. Ultimately, malaria can result in death. However, if time and money permit, once a person is infected, they can be treated with different antimalarial drugs. Two commonly used drugs are artemisinin and quinine. In addition, one way to prevent the spread of malaria is to apply pesticides to treat areas with Anopheles mosquitoes. The National Malaria Eradication Program began work in 1947 with the goal of eliminating malaria from the southern United States. In 1947, 15,000 cases of malaria were reported nationwide. By 1950, only 2,000 cases were reported, and by 1951, malaria was considered eradicated from the United States. Today, the disease is most common in Africa and South America, two continents that are highly impoverished. About one million people die from malaria every year, many of them children. In Africa, it is estimated that one in every five childhood deaths is due to malaria. A vector is an organism that transfers a pathogen to a host. In the case of malaria, the vector(s) is (are) ________. A) humans only B) humans and Anopheles mosquitoes C) Anopheles mosquitoes only D) humans, Plasmodium, and Anopheles mosquitoes

Q: Read the following scenario to answer the following question(s). Malaria is a disease caused by parasitic protists in the genusPlasmodium. The parasite is transmitted to humans by female Anopheles mosquitoes. ThePlasmodium parasite feeds on human red blood cells, eventually destroying them. Humans infected with malaria can exhibit many symptoms. Depending on the severity of the infection, these can range from fever, chills, sweating, and headaches to anemia and kidney failure. Ultimately, malaria can result in death. However, if time and money permit, once a person is infected, they can be treated with different antimalarial drugs. Two commonly used drugs are artemisinin and quinine. In addition, one way to prevent the spread of malaria is to apply pesticides to treat areas with Anopheles mosquitoes. The National Malaria Eradication Program began work in 1947 with the goal of eliminating malaria from the southern United States. In 1947, 15,000 cases of malaria were reported nationwide. By 1950, only 2,000 cases were reported, and by 1951, malaria was considered eradicated from the United States. Today, the disease is most common in Africa and South America, two continents that are highly impoverished. About one million people die from malaria every year, many of them children. In Africa, it is estimated that one in every five childhood deaths is due to malaria. Suppose production of the pesticides used to treat malaria is halted because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that they are causing too much environmental damage to warrant its continued use. In turn, this drives up the prices of artemisinin and quinine since they are now in higher demand. How might this affect those that live in South America and Africa? A) They will likely experience a decrease in the number of male Anopheles mosquitoes. B) They will likely experience an increase in the number of male Anopheles mosquitoes. C) They will likely experience a decrease in the number of malaria cases D) They will likely experience an increase in the number of malaria cases.