Converting Renewable Biomass into Fuel to Reduce Our Need to Import

question 50

Multiple Choice

Converting renewable biomass into fuel to reduce our need to import petroleum and release carbon dioxide from fossil fuels is a great idea. But, to be viable, the process must be cost-effective, not subsidized by taxpayer support, and not reduce our supply of food! It also must be recognized that the amount of energy produced through biomass conversion will always be small compared to our total needs. In any case, Professor Popsnorkle's research students at PC University have projects dealing with these issues. Amy's project deals with $\alpha$ -glucoside hydrolysis of starches, and Brad's project deals with $\beta$ -glucoside hydrolysis of cellulose. What do you see as the value of these projects and why?

• A) Amy's is more valuable because improving the efficiency of starch hydrolysis will increase the effectiveness of our edible corn for fuel program and reduce the need for taxpayer subsidies.
• B) Brad's is more valuable because the hydrolysis of cellulose, which is not edible, to produce glucose and ethanol currently is not economically viable.
• C) Both are valuable because anything we can do along these lines merits equitable support.
• D) Neither is valuable because these ideas are promoted only to enrich farmers in the Midwest.
• E) I have a neutral position on the value of these projects because I do not know enough about these issues.

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Definitions:

Managerial Skills

A set of abilities that includes planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, necessary for effective management.

Need Hierarchy

A theory in psychology that prioritizes human needs in a level-based structure, starting from basic physical needs to higher psychological needs.

Self-actualization Needs

The highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, representing the fulfillment of one's potential and self-fulfillment.

Regression Hypothesis

Regression Hypothesis is a statistical concept that suggests the relationship between variables, often used to predict the value of a dependent variable based on the value of one or more independent variables.