Ethnobotany - Exam
  • 1. Ethnobotany is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the interactions between plants and people. This field encompasses the traditional knowledge and practices of diverse cultures regarding the uses of plants for food, medicine, materials, and rituals. Ethnobotanists explore the cultural significance of plants, investigate traditional plant remedies, and work towards the conservation of biocultural diversity. By documenting and preserving indigenous plant knowledge, ethnobotany contributes to both scientific understanding and the sustainability of human-plant relationships.

    Which term describes the intentional manipulation of plant species for human use?
A) Domestication
B) Germination
C) Photosynthesis
D) Pollination
  • 2. Why is ethnobotany important for biodiversity conservation?
A) It has no direct impact on plant conservation efforts.
B) It promotes deforestation to study plant species in their natural habitats.
C) It helps preserve traditional knowledge that benefits ecosystems.
D) It increases demand for exotic plant species.
  • 3. What is the significance of cultural practices related to plant use in ethnobotany?
A) They lead to overexploitation of plant species.
B) They contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.
C) They promote industrialization of plant resources.
D) They discourage scientific research on plant diversity.
  • 4. Which field of study overlaps with ethnobotany in understanding human-plant interactions?
A) Anthropology
B) Astronomy
C) Geology
D) Physics
  • 5. What role do ethnobotanists play in sustainable agriculture practices?
A) They advocate for intensive pesticide use in monoculture farming.
B) They promote the use of traditional farming techniques and crop varieties.
C) They encourage dependence on genetically modified crops.
D) They ignore traditional agricultural practices in favor of modern technology.
  • 6. How does ethnobotany contribute to community health and well-being?
A) By preserving and sharing knowledge of medicinal plants for healthcare.
B) By isolating communities from natural plant resources.
C) By introducing chemical drugs as the primary medical treatment.
D) By promoting consumption of processed foods over natural plant-based diets.
  • 7. In ethnobotanical research, what does TEK stand for?
A) Tropical Environmental Kinesiology
B) Traditional Ecological Knowledge
C) Therapeutic Essential Knowledge
D) Technological Engineering Kinetics
  • 8. What factor influences the selection of plants for specific uses in ethnobotany?
A) Plant's color and appearance
B) Availability of plant species locally
C) Popularity of the plant in global markets
D) Molecular structure of the plant compounds
  • 9. How does ethnobotany contribute to cultural revitalization?
A) By discouraging cultural ceremonies involving plant use.
B) By fostering a deeper connection to traditional plant knowledge and practices.
C) By promoting monoculture farming practices over diverse plant uses.
D) By promoting reliance on imported plant species.
  • 10. Which field studies the biological and ecological interactions between plants and people?
A) Astronomy
B) Ethnobotany
C) Psychology
D) Linguistics
  • 11. What is the potential impact of loss of traditional plant knowledge in ethnobotany?
A) Enhanced conservation of plant species.
B) Loss of valuable medicinal remedies and cultural heritage.
C) Expansion of industrial agriculture practices.
D) Increase in pharmaceutical research and development.
  • 12. Which plant-based substance is commonly used in traditional medicine for its pain-relieving properties?
A) Willow bark
B) Ginger root
C) Eucalyptus leaves
D) Clove oil
  • 13. What is a plant repository where seeds are stored for future use called?
A) Plant nursery
B) Seed bank
C) Botanical garden
D) Herbarium
  • 14. Which term describes the process of combining genetic material from different plants to create new varieties?
A) Hybridization
B) Pollination
C) Photosynthesis
D) Germination
  • 15. Which plant was historically used as a source of writing material in ancient civilizations?
A) Cotton
B) Hemp
C) Bamboo
D) Papyrus
  • 16. Which plant is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for its immune-boosting properties?
A) Valerian
B) Ginseng
C) Milk thistle
D) Black cohosh
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