Question

According to the World Resource Institute, biodiversity is the variety of the world's organisms, including their genetic diversity. In a world of genetically modified (GM) crops, agriculture is greatly reducing the genetic diversity of the plants on Earth. If we ignore genetic diversity while we develop GM products, we risk a disease or pest emerging that will wipe those types out. One answer to this problem is seed banks. Storage of material in the form of seeds is one of the most widespread and valuable ex-situ approaches to conservation. All BUT ONE is an advantage of seed banking over other ex-situ methods of biodiversity conservation. That is

A) seed banks take up little space.

B) seeds are viable for a very long time.

C) seed banks are expensive to maintain.

D) samples are very small and easily handled.

Answer 1

Seed banks have several advantages over other ex-situ methods of biodiversity conservation, such as taking up little space, having long viable seed lifespans, and being easy to handle. However, seed banks can be expensive to maintain.

Step-by-step explanation:

Seed banks have many advantages over other ex-situ methods of biodiversity conservation. The correct option is C) seed banks are expensive to maintain. Seed banks take up little space, seeds can remain viable for a very long time, and samples are small and easily handled. Seed banks provide a way to store and preserve a wide variety of plant species, maintaining their genetic diversity and ensuring our continued supply of food.

Answer 2

Seed banks are expensive to maintain.