homework help: macroeconomics

[metsfan88]

my professor gave this question but there is nothing about it in my textbook and i don't remember him talking about it in class.

For each of the following goods, briefly describe the allocation mechanism that is most commonly used in the United States:
a. Pepsi cola
b. gasoline
c. medical care
d. marijuana
e. guaranteed student loans
f. body organs
g. babies

I don't really need the whole answer I just need to know what an allocation mechanism means. I've looked through my book and searched on the internet and haven't found anything useful.

thanks

[yellowjack]

off the top of my head, "allocation mechanism" means ways of distributing the goods
e.g. for pepsi cola, vending machine

[BlueBear]

I've took lots of undergrad macroeconomics courses in the distance past but the term "allocation mechanism" doesn't ring a bell. Better clarify with the lecturer what this actually means.

[tabako]

He could be looking for answers like "the open market" (for a or b) and "the black market" (for d or f). Don't really know what the answers would be to the others, or even if this what he wants.

[xSCWx]

[ QUOTE ]
my professor gave this question but there is nothing about it in my textbook and i don't remember him talking about it in class.

For each of the following goods, briefly describe the allocation mechanism that is most commonly used in the United States:
a. Pepsi cola
b. gasoline
c. medical care
d. marijuana
e. guaranteed student loans
f. body organs
g. babies

I don't really need the whole answer I just need to know what an allocation mechanism means. I've looked through my book and searched on the internet and haven't found anything useful.

thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure g is vaginas.

[orlov]

wtf how is this macroeconomic related?

[ItalianFX]

It's all supply and demand.

I'm an Econ major and I have never heard of "allocation mechanism," but when in doubt, the answer is always supply and demand.

[SuperUberBob]

[ QUOTE ]
It's all supply and demand.

I'm an Econ major and I have never heard of "allocation mechanism," but when in doubt, the answer is always supply and demand.

[/ QUOTE ]

QFT

Ditto for me.

[Boondai]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm pretty sure g is vaginas.

[/ QUOTE ]

My exact first thought!

[RR]

[ QUOTE ]
It's all supply and demand.

I'm an Econ major and I have never heard of "allocation mechanism," but when in doubt, the answer is always supply and
demand.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have an MA in econ and have never heard this term in an econ class.