Chapter test—Chapter 17
Emerging technologies: How will emerging
technologies impact on our future?
This test is a mixture of multiple choice questions and short answer
questions. For the multiple choice questions, please circle the correct
answer. For the short answer questions, please write on the lines
provided. Each of the multiple choice questions is worth one mark. The
short answer questions have their marks allocated next to the question.
1
2
3
4
A nanometre is:
a
one billionth of a metre
b
one hundredth of a metre
c
one thousandth of a metre
d
one hundred thousandth of a metre.
The nanoscale is used to measure the size of objects from around 0.01 nm up to:
a
10 nm
b
100 nm
c
1000 nm
d
10 000 nm.
Which of the following is an allotrope of carbon?
a
diamond
b
graphite
c
carbon nanotube
d
all of the above.
Carbon nanotubes offer the advantage over metals of being:
a
good electrical conductors
b
light and flexible
c
good absorbers of heat
d
strong.
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5
6
7
8
9
Carbon nanotubes have the potential to increase the efficiency of solar panels due to:
a
their high tensile strength
b
being light and flexible
c
efficient heat and electrical conductivity
d
their hardness.
Carbon nanotubes have the potential to create clothing that is resistant to bullets due to:
a
their high tensile strength
b
being light and flexible
c
efficient heat and electrical conductivity
d
none of the above.
The use of living things to create or change products or processes for a specific purpose is known as:
a
nanotechnology
b
biotechnology
c
bioremediation
d
genetic engineering.
The use of microbes to break up an oil spill would be an example of:
a
nanotechnology
b
assisting technology
c
bioremediation
d
fermentation.
Yeast is a:
a
single-celled fungus that break down sugar to produce ethanol
b
multi-celled fungus that break down ethanol to produce sugar
c
single-celled virus that break down ethanol to produce sugar
d
multi-celled fungus that break down sugar to produce ethanol.
10 The process whereby micro-organisms breakdown sugar is known as:
a
nanotechnology
b
assisting technology
c
fermentation
d
bioremediation.
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11 Combinations of plants with other organisms has occurred:
a
only in the last 20 years
b
only in the last 50 years
c
only in the last 100 years
d
none of the above.
12 The fermentation process is responsible for the production of:
a
only beer and wine
b
only cheese
c
beer, wine, cheese, bread and yoghurt
d
only beer, wine and cheese.
13 The industrial biotechnology process that breaks down pesticides is best achieved using:
a
a fungus
b
enzymes
c
a virus
d
an introduced species.
14 Which of the following is true?
a
No machine has been built with a human level of intelligence, contrary to the predictions of the first
generation of artificial intelligence researchers.
b
Machine have been built with a human level of intelligence, contrary to the predictions of the first
generation of artificial intelligence researchers.
c
No machine has been built with a human level of intelligence, agreeing with the predictions of the first
generation of artificial intelligence researchers.
d
Machine have been built with a human level of intelligence, agreeing with the predictions of the first
generation of artificial intelligence researchers.
15 Which of the following are linked to Moore’s Law?
a
the processing speed of electronic devices
b
computer memory capacity
c
the number and size of camera pixels
d
all of the above.
16 Historically, most robots were used:
a
handling dangerous materials
b
cutting and polishing
c
in car assembly lines
d
performing intricate surgery.
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17 How many artificial intelligence computers have so far passed the Turing Test?
a
one
b
twenty
c
one hundred
d
none.
18 The Turing Test:
a
only uses objective questions
b
uses questions about how the answer was developed
c
may show a bias in favour of living organisms
d
all of the above.
19 Asimov’s Laws of Robotics concern:
a
artificial intelligence
b
Moore’s Law
c
the Turing Test
d
machine ethics.
20 The main difference between the robot Gordon and other robots is that Gordon can:
a
move around objects
b
perform more meaningful tasks
c
learn
d
has emotions.
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21 Reorder the following from smallest to largest: (3 marks)
carbon nanotube, red blood cell, width of a human hair, DNA molecule, hydrogen atom
22 Explain why nanotechnology has so much potential. (2 marks)
23 Two students were comparing the properties of nanogold and bulk gold in a list, however they got some of
the properties mixed up. In the lists below, circle the properties that are in the correct list. (4 marks)
Nanogold
Bulk gold
very unreactive
more reactive
will disperse through water
very insoluble
range of colours
range of colours
won’t conduct
excellent conductor
24 a
b
How is the structure of a carbon nanotube similar to that of diamond and graphite? (1 mark)
How is it different? (1 mark)
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25 a
b
What is a nanobot? (1 mark)
What is one possible application of these devices in the future? (1 mark)
26 How might a diabetic person utilise nanotechnology in the future? (2 marks)
27 Label the following statements as true (T) or false (F). (4 marks)
a
Some foods are available in Australia now that contain nanoparticles. _________________
b
There is no evidence that nanoparticles could be toxic to humans. _________________
c
The use of most nano-ingredients is not covered by regulations. _________________
d
Sunscreens with nanotechnology have been used in Australia since 2000. ___________________
28 Why is it true to say that biotechnology has been used for thousands of years? (2 marks)
29 Genetic engineering has been used successfully in Australia in the agricultural industry. (2 marks)
a
Give one example of how it has it been a success?
b
Give one example of a possible future application of this form of green biotechnology.
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30 How has biotechnology assisted the development of a cheaper form of penicillin? (2 marks)
31 State two arguments AGAINST the use of genetically modified foods. (2 marks)
32 It is unlikely that the biotechnology revolution will successfully feed the world’s hungry populations. Give
two reasons why this is so. (2 marks)
33 Explain how scientists are currently controlling the spread of European carp using biotechnology.
(3 marks)
34 If at one stage in history, the transistor count (capacity) was one million, what would Moore’s Law say was
possible six years later? Include a reason with your answer. (2 marks)
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35 To be called a ‘robot’ it must look human. Is this statement true or false? Justify your answer and give an
example. (3 marks)
36 Have you tried the new self-service lane at Safeway or a bank ATM (automatic teller machine)? Each of
these is a type of robot that does an automated job. What are two advantages of making these types of
tasks automated? (2 marks)
37 What is the potential for ‘domestic’ robots? Give two suggestions. (2 marks)
38 The Turing Test is one any computer could do and pass easily. Is this correct? Explain what the Turing
Test is to justify your answer. (3 marks)
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39 Why has the Turing Test been controversial? Give two reasons. (2 marks)
40 Why is machine ethics such a challenge for scientists and engineers working on artificial intelligence?
(2 marks)
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