Week 3 (Slide 19-22)

Question 1

Why was the domestication of einkorn wheat significant?

A) It was the first domesticated plant in North America.

B) It allowed for a sedentary lifestyle by providing a stable food source.

C) It was easy to grow in all climates.

D) It eliminated the need for hunting.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

What mutation in einkorn wheat led to its domestication?

A) Increased drought resistance

B) Larger grains

C) Faster growth cycle

D) Non-brittle rachis

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Fill in the Blank

The mutation in einkorn wheat that led to its domestication involved a change from a brittle rachis to a _________ rachis, allowing for easier harvesting.

Answer 3

Answer: non-brittle

Question 4

Fill in the Blank

Around _______ years ago, a mutation in einkorn wheat in today’s southern Turkey allowed for its domestication.

Answer 4

Answer: 12,000

Question 5

Drag and drop the correct phrases to complete the sentences:

“A mutation in ______ wheat allowed for its _______. This change involved a shift from _______ rachis to _______ rachis, which enabled stable food production.”

Domestication, Einkorn, Non-brittle, Brittle,

Answer 5

Einkorn, domestication, brittle, non-brittle

Question 6

Why was the shift to a non-brittle rachis in einkorn wheat important for early agricultural societies?

Answer 6

The non-brittle rachis allowed seeds to stay attached to the plant, making it easier for people to harvest and cultivate, which supported stable food production.

Question 7

Describe one risk associated with reliance on einkorn wheat for food.

Answer 7

One risk was complete dependency on harvest times, meaning if the harvest failed due to weather instability, people could face starvation.

Question 8

Define the term “non-brittle rachis” and explain its significance in agriculture.

Answer 8

A non-brittle rachis is a characteristic in some domesticated plants where seeds remain attached to the plant, facilitating easier harvesting. This trait was essential for early agriculture as it enabled efficient collection of seeds.

Question 9

Explain the environmental impact of relying on a single crop, like einkorn wheat, for sustenance.

Answer 9

Relying on a single crop increases vulnerability to climate changes and harvest failures, which could lead to starvation. Additionally, this dependence necessitates intense physical labor to maintain and harvest the crop.