You Take a Large Sample of Soil and Divide It

question 15

Multiple Choice

You take a large sample of soil and divide it among individual pots. You then separate the pots into two groups. In the first group, every pot of soil has been sterilized. In the second group, none of the pots of soil have been sterilized. You plant soybean seeds in all the pots. What would you expect to see as the seeds sprout and grow?

• A) The plants growing in the sterile soil are bigger because they have not been exposed to any bacteria.
• B) The plants growing in the non-sterile soil are bigger because they have mutualistic associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
• C) The plants growing in the sterile soil are bigger because they do not have to compete with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in order to obtain usable nitrogen.
• D) The plants growing in the non-sterile soil are bigger because saprotrophic bacteria produce nutrients for them.
• E) There is no difference in size between the plants growing in the sterile soil and those in the non-sterile soil.

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Definitions:

Domestic Investment

Financial investments within a country's borders, including purchases of property, plants, and equipment.

Government Deficit

A scenario in which a government spends more than it earns over a certain timeframe, usually resulting in the need to borrow funds.

Government Budget Deficit

A financial situation where a government's expenditures exceed its revenues in a given fiscal period, leading to borrowing or debt accumulation.

Political Reforms

Changes introduced to the political system of a country or region aimed at improving governance, enhancing democracy, and addressing flaws in the existing structure.