Unit B Review

Key Ideas   Unit Checklist

  Review

On the next page, you will take a 35-question unit test. Are you confident you know the Unit B material well?


It's always a good idea to make sure you are prepared for a test by studying. You can do this by returning to the Table of Contents and reviewing any Unit B lessons you are not sure about.

Also, you can review unit B material by trying three review exercises.

  1. Create a mind map of the unit material. A mind map is a visual representation of how all the ideas and concepts of the unit connect with each other. Try building a mind map by clicking the first tab below.

  2. Do a puzzle! A puzzle can be a fun way to review unit concepts or terms. Try the puzzle we have prepared for you by clicking the second tab below.

  3. Practice answering some questions. We have prepared some questions that will really get you thinking about the unit material. Try the practice questions by clicking the third tab below.

Remember, these are just suggestions for review! In addition to doing these three review exercises, you might also:

  • Contact your teacher for assistance if you are not sure about any concepts.
  • Check the course glossary and read all the unit B terms.
  • Make your own study cards and test yourself.


Whatever you choose to do, good luck with your unit review!


Create a Mind Map
A mind map is a visual representation of how all the ideas and concepts of the unit connect with each other. There are several ways you can create a mind map:

As an example to get you started, below you will see the start of mind map for Unit B that was built using mindmup. You can re-create it and build on it, or create a completely new one of your own.
Unit B Example Mind Map





Do a Puzzle!
A puzzle can be a fun way to review unit concepts or terms. We have prepared a Unit A review puzzle for you:




Try Some Practice Questions
The following 5 questions are meant to get you thinking about the Unit B material. Answers are provided below each question, but before you look at the answer, you should really try hard at answering the question yourself. If you have to, review the Unit B lessons.
Question 1
6 marks

Identify two differences of coniferous and deciduous trees. Be sure to clearly identify the features of each type of tree that makes them different. Also explain why each feature is a helpful adaptation for coniferous trees and for deciduous trees.


6 marks total: 1 for identifying each difference; 2 for explaining each adaptation

Sample responses: (identify any two.)

  • Difference: Coniferous trees have thin needles and deciduous trees have broad leaves.
  • Adaptation: Thin needles mean coniferous trees lose less water in dry climates. Broad leaves mean deciduous trees collect lots of light for photosynthesis in warm climates.

  • Difference: Many deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, but most coniferous trees retain their needles (leaves).
  • Adaptation: Losing leaves helps deciduous trees store water and energy in their roots for the winter. Leaves decomposing on the ground provide nutrients for deciduous trees. Evergreen needles help coniferous trees resume photosynthesis quickly in the spring.

  • Difference: Coniferous trees produce seeds in cones, and deciduous trees produce seeds in fruits or nuts (acorns).
  • Adaptation: Cones protect the seeds of coniferous trees until environmental conditions are good for germination of seedlings. Fruits or nuts from deciduous trees are eaten by animals, which help spread the seeds for growth when conditions are favourable.
Question 2
2 marks

Coir is a water-absorbing material made of the fibre of coconut pods that surround the coconuts familiar to us.


Often, coir is added to seed-starting soil mixes. It is similar to peat moss, which is decomposing organic material that takes thousands of years to form.


What are two advantages of using coir in seed-starting soil mixes?

2 marks total: 1 each

Sample responses: (identify any two.)
 
  • Coir absorbs water well and prevents the soil from drying out quickly. Water is necessary for seed germination. The seed coat needs to absorb water to soften and germinate.
  • Coir is a renewable resource that can be produced faster than peat moss can be. Peat moss takes thousands of years to form, but growing coconut trees produce coconuts each year.
Question 3
3 marks

A family moves into a new house. The next summer, they dig up a section of their backyard to develop a vegetable garden. The family plants vegetable seeds. They notice that their garden needs water every day to stop the soil from drying out. Also, they notice that their vegetable seedlings are very small and are growing very slowly.


What kind of soil is probably in this family’s garden? Explain your answer.

What is one thing this family could do to improve the soil in their garden?

3 marks total: 1 for soil type, 1 for explanation, and 1 for suggested improvement

Sample response:
 
  • The soil is probably sandy soil because it does not retain water well. Sandy soil contains few nutrients, which is why the vegetables are growing poorly.
  • To improve the soil, the family could add organic material, or humus, to the soil. Compost or animal manure are types of humus that help make the sandy soil more fertile.
Question 4
3 marks

Humans use technologies to increase crop yields. Name one technology and describe how it works to increase crop yields.

3 marks total: 1 for the technology, 1 for the description, 1 for connection to crop yields

Sample responses:
 
  • Pesticides are chemicals that are applied to crops to kill insects or fungi that eat crops. Pesticides increase crop yields because less of the crop is destroyed by insects or fungi.
  • Herbicides are chemicals that are applied to weeds. Herbicides kill weeds that compete for nutrients with crops. Less competition for water and nutrients means more crop plants survive and grow larger, increasing crop yields.
  • Hydroponics is the growing of crops without soil. Most hydroponic systems run nutrient-rich water over the roots of plants. Hydroponics allows crops to be grown in rural areas with poor soil or urban areas with no soil, increasing crop yield in those places.
  • Fertilizers are extra nutrients added to the soil. Fertilizers help plants grow larger and faster. Fertilizers help crop yields because more plants are produced in shorter time.
  • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants with altered genes. GMO crops have specific desired traits, such as being resistant to herbicides. GMO plants increase crop yields because the GMO plants are engineered to grow better in difficult environmental conditions.

Question 5
2 marks

Biopesticides are alternatives to applying human-made chemicals to crops. Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using natural biopesticides on crops.

2 marks total: 1 mark per explanation

Ensure at least one advantage and one disadvantage are included.

Sample responses:

  • Advantages:
  • Biopesticides do not harm other organisms, including humans.
  • Biopesticides are renewable resources, including live animals or plants.

  • Disadvantages:
  • Biopesticides usually work slower than chemical pesticides do.
  • Biopesticides may not be as effective as chemical pesticides are.