Tree Biology
Written Exam 1.
I. Multiple choice questions.
1.
a.
b.
c.
d.
In a trunk cross section of Juglans nigra the outer annual rings are light colored, softer, and functional in water
transport. This area of the wood is called?
Summer wood
Spring wood
Sapwood
Heartwood
2.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Which of the following is NOT a reason that allows some trees to live for millennia?
Redundant growth points and branches
Wound repair mechanisms
Selection for the best genotypes early in life
Diverse chemistry to protect against bacteria, fungi, and insects
Record of time that is kept in annual rings
3.
a.
b.
c.
This totipotent, “stem” tissue establishes the pattern of leaves and stems.
Apical meristem
Cork cambium
Vascular cambium
4.
This is a large organic molecule produced that makes wood dark and strong. It also is important in creating a
crumbly organic layer of soil.
a. Lignin
b. Hemicelluloses
c. Cellulose
d. Pectin
e. Tannin
5.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The wood sample to the left is
Most likely to be found in temperate areas
Likely in Quercus, Carya, and Juglans
Looks to be ring porous
Can be found in angiosperms, but not gymnosperms
All of the above
6.
A.
B.
C.
D.
The large open spaces in the wood section to the left
Transport sugars throughout the tree
Have very dense rigid cell walls and are called tracheids
Are found only in gymnosperms
Transport water efficiently
7. This unusual property of wood is believed to even out the distribution of waters
and minerals to all parts of the canopy and increase trunk strength.
A. Reaction wood
B. Transportation cylinder
C. Spiral grain
D. Primary growth
8.
When pruning large branches from trees, what is the proper number of cuts
required to protect the tree and promote wound healing?
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
e. five
9. This large organic molecule is abundant in the bark of Tsuga canadensis and used to preserve animal hides.
a. Lignin
b. Hemicelluloses
c. Cellulose
d. Pectin
e. Tannin
10.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Which of the following is an evolutionary consequence of being a tree?
Tree species tend to have low chromosome numbers
Genera of woody plants are more diversified than herbaceous genera
Tree genera tend to have slower rates of evolution than herbaceous genera
Tree species have highly specialized toxins to combat specific pests
11.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Trees with ring porous wood are likely to
Have determinate growth
Be a walnut, hickory, or oak
Be found in temperate areas
Have wider vessel elements in spring wood
All of the above
12.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Which of the following is NOT an ecological characterization of trees?
Grow in relatively stable environments
Have great life time reproduction
Are accumulators of carbon
Are more susceptible to drought and floods than herbaceous plants
Are likely to alter environmental conditions that affect the growth and survival of other organisms
13. The primary photosynthetic layer of leaves is called
A. Photoderma
B. Palisade mesophyll
14.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
C. Bundle sheath
D. Spongy mesophyll
How has Pinus flexilis and Salix responded to increases in atmospheric CO2?
By decreasing the density of stoma on leaves
Increasing water transport tissues
Decreasing the size of leaves
Increasing the size of leaves
There is no evidence for any response
15. Several North American tree genera (e.g., Prunus, Catalpa, Populus, and Viburnum) have species that produce
extrafloral nectaries on leaves or petioles. What is the hypothesized function of these extrafloral nectaries?
A. The nectar encourages the growth of fungi with antibiotic properties
B. The nectar attracts insects that protect leaves from herbivores
C. The nectar has properties that protects leaves from desiccation
D. The nectar has sunscreen properties for young developing leaves
16. The variation in leaf shape and form on a single tree as seen in Gleditsia, Morus, and Sassafras is called
A. Thigmonasty
B. Homomorphy
C. Dioecy
D. Heterophylly
17.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Why angiosperm leaves have nested loop venation patterns in leaves?
It increases the aesthetics of the leaf
Makes it more difficult for burrowing insects to have straight line access to the inside of a leaf
Allows the leaf to have multiple routes for water and mineral movement through the leaf
Vascular loops increase the rigidity of the leaf surface
18. This molecule is an important secondary molecule of human diets. It is known to help remove free radicals,
lower cholesterol, and prevent some cancers. This molecule also makes the reds and purples of apples and fall
foliage.
A. Tannin
B. Carotenoids
C. Anthocyanin
D. Anti-reductant
19. The periderm of Quercus suber is best known as?
a. Inner bark
b. Cork
c. Spongy Mesophyll
d. Pith
20. Which of the following is not in a dictionary definition of a tree?
a. It is a perennial plant
b. It is herbaceous
c. It has a permanent self-supporting stem
d. It tends to reproduce only one, but at a considerable size and age
e. They contain wood
21. What is true of evergreens?
a. They are more abundant in the south and tropical latitudes
b. They are durable leaves designed to last a long time
c. They have a thick cuticle and lots of vascular tissue.
d. They often have drip tips in the tropics
e. All of the above
22. A tree with a continuously stretching, “spandex-like” bark is?
a. Betula alleghaniensis
b. Carya ovata
c. Tsuga canadensis
d. Fagus grandifolia
Superlative Trees. For the following questions, use the letter code for the above six tree species.
Each question is worth one point. Each answer is used only once.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Pinus longaeva
Taxodium mucronatum
Eucalyptus regnans
Azadirachta indica
Hippomane mancinella
Manilkara chicle
Cinnamomum camphora
Taxodium distichum
23. Considered the most poisonous tree in the world, this tropical evergreen grows along beeches of Central
America, south Florida and the Caribbean. The species name means “little apple” in Spanish.
24. The Tule tree is a celebrated giant of this species in Mexico. It is also related to the Bald Cypress of the
Southeastern United States.
25. Members of this species have been measured as the tallest angiosperms on Earth. This species is found in
Australia.
26. The milky latex of this species can be dried to make a natural rubber and was formerly imported by Wrigley to
use in chewing gum.
27. Oils from this species make a mosquito repellent and pesticide that is non-toxic to humans.
28. The oldest member of this species was accidentally cut down by a graduate student from North Carolina in 1964.
29. The essential oils of this tree are distilled from leaves and wood and used in respiratory ointments and
sometimes flavorings.
30. The Senator is found in Florida’s and is the oldest and largest known bald cypress.
Name
Tree Biology Answer Sheet
31. In the Adirondacks, two conifers (Abies balsamea and Picea rubens) are abundant on high elevation hillsides that
receive a lot of wind. Cross-sections of the trunks demonstrate a strong eccentricity of the annual rings that
allows one to predict the direction of the prevailing winds. In the space below, illustrate and predict the
eccentric pattern of the conifer annual rings with respect to the prevailing wind. What is this type of wood
called? Indicate any unusual molecules that may give the wood unusual coloration or important properties.
(6 points)
32. Definitions. (28 points). Define ONLY SEVEN of the following nine terms/phrases as completely as possible. In
several instances, you may wish to use illustrations along with your written descript to supplement your answer.
Frost Rib
Tracheid
Outer Bark
Thorn
Spring Wood
Tension Wood
Burl
Tannin
Paraheliotropism
33. Please answer either question 1 or 2, but not both! (15 points)
a. What is the significance that trees form a polyphyletic group? Provide examples to illustrate your
understanding of polyphyletic concept as it pertains to trees.
b.
Compare and contrast the wood of Angiosperms and Gymnosperms. Describe the ecological advantages of
each type of wood and how these solve different environmental problems.
34. Please answer either question 3 or 4, but not both! (15 points)
a. Describe the evolutionary history of Malus domestica from species found in Eurasia. Be sure to describe
how Malus developed across Eurasia and the influence of various groups to perpetuate useful traits in
the species.
b. Describe the impact of John Chapman and the New York State Agricultural Experimental Station on
modern apple development.