Virtual Lab Biotechnology Dependent and Independent Variables Corn Variety Level of ECB Infestation Golden Crop Low

ow BT123 Low Superharvest Low Superharvest High Journal Questions 1. Describe the effects of the ECB infestations you used. Were all corn varieties equally effective at controlling the ECB? How do you know? The ECB infestations did appear to affect the total yield, and not all varieties were equally effective at controlling the ECB. This is evidenced by the difference in the average yield per variety compared to the level of ECB infestation. 2. If there was no ECB infestation in a certain year, would a farmer gain or lose financially by planting Bt corn? Explain why. It appears that a farmer would still lose financially by planting Bt corn, because the Bt corn average yield is still lower overall that non-Bt corn. 3. What might happen if Bt corn affects non-target organisms such as beneficial insects or harmless insects? The average yield could be decreased if beneficial insects or harmless insects are affected. 4. What might happen if ECB became resistant to Bt? Again, the average yield could be decreased dramatically if ECB became resistant to Bt. 5. Discuss possible benefits and drawbacks of a transgenic organism such as Bt corn. The benefits could include more consistent numbers in average yield, but the drawbacks could include the higher likelihood of ECB becoming resistant to Bt. Growing Pot 1 Yield 177.9 164 159.1 125.5 Growing Pot 2 Yield 171.2 162.6 155 129 Growing Pot 3 Yield 170.6 168.3 157.5 130 Average Yield 173.2 165 157.2 128.2

6. A farmer planted a field of Bt 123 corn and wants to estimate the yield in terms of bushels per acre. He counts 22 ears in 1/1000 of an acre. He determines that each ear has about 700 kernels on average. He also knows that a bushel contains about 90 000 kernels on average. What is the farmer's estimate of yield in bushels/acre? Estimated 171 bushels per acre.