BIO110 Unit 5 Study Guide Climate Change

What is the major consequence of droughts and heat waves to humans in the United States?

Increase in wildfires, not enough water, heat related illnesses

Identify an example of alternative energy when given several options.

Geothermal, biofuel, natural gas, and hydroelectric sources

Identify evidence that weather patterns have changed because of climate change.

heat waves, severe droughts, coastal flooding, extreme precipitation.

What are the two most important insect vectors involved in the spread of bacterial and viral diseases?

mosquitos and ticks

Describe the relationship between climate change and global warming.

Global warming: Primarily associated with increases in the surface temperature. Climate is the average weather patterns in an area over time and is often recorded as temperature and precipitation. (Global Warming is a result of Climate Change)

What product of photosynthesis is a carbon-based molecule and the chief source of energy formost organisms?

Glucose

Identify the cause of the increase in levels of atmospheric CO2 since the 1950s.

Human activities: use of fossil fuels, changes in agricultural practices, and deforestation.

How does climate change influence individuals and species? (Several options)

Increase spread of disease, increased severity of droughts and heat waves, loss of habitat

Describe nuclear energy

Nuclear power is sometimes considered an alternative energy source because it does not directly use fossil fuels. It is not generally referred to as being "clean" energy due to its potential environmental impact.

What percent of the United States' energy needs come from fossil fuels?

Over 80%

Describe the effects climate change is having on tropical reef biomes.

The increase in water temperature disrupts the relationship between algae and coral, resulting in death to the coral reef.

Define ecosystem.

Level of biological organization that represents the interaction of biological communities and abiotic factors, such as climate.

Agricultural crops are being genetically engineered to be more tolerant of climate change. Beable to identify a change that would help crops be more tolerant of climate change when given several options.

The genetic engineering of plants allows new varieties of food to be grown in areas experiencing drought or high temperatures associated with climate change.

The average global temperature has always measured higher than the average since what decade?

1980s

Desertification is an example of a biome level change that is associated with climate change.When given several options, be able to identify which is associated with desertification.

An increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation leads to the formation of a desert biome. In addition to climate change, the deforestation of regions and poor agricultural practices (namely cattle farming) can lead to the conversion of grasslands to deserts.

How do invasive species impact ecosystems?

An invasive species is one that has been introduced into places outside its natural range, usually though human actions - an introduction that often negatively impacts the biodiversity, community structure, and functioning ecosystem of the native area.

Identify the process that contributes the greatest amount of CO2 to the atmosphere.

Burning of fossil fuels

What gas do fires and volcanic activity produce?

Carbon dioxide

Identify which is considered a "clean" energy source when given several options.

Clean energy sources of energy do not pollute the environment. Geothermal, biofuel, hydroelectric sources, solar.

How do fossil fuels play a role in the carbon cycle?

Fossil fuels are fuel source that has been formed within the Earth from plant and animal remains. All involve submerging organic material over long periods of time and subjecting them to the heat and pressure of the Earth's crust.

Which diet would contribute to the lowest carbon footprint?

Fruits and vegetables, vegetarian

What is the main difference in the formation of coal vs. the formation of natural gas and oil?

Natural gas and oil are primarily formed from remains of plants and animals living in oceans. Coal is mainly formed from plants and animals decomposing in swampy, anoxic environments.

What is the most costly food source when it comes to the carbon footprint?

Red meats or dairy products.

Explain why ocean acidification is problematic for some marine life.

Shellfish need carbonate to form shells, so they have a hard time forming shells in an acidic environment. Losing these important contributors to the food chain has wide-reaching effects on the ecosystem.

Which part of the solar energy spectrum is important in photosynthesis?

The visible spectrum of light.

What has been the overall trend for earth's temperatures over the past several decades?

Upward trend, temperatures have been increasing.

Identify greenhouse gases when given several options.

Water (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (N2O), Ozone (O3), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

What is the most likely cause for the sudden sharp increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?

Increase in manufacturing in the 1950s, vehicle production and increased population.

Sunlight consists of a wave and a particle. What is the particle is also known as?

Photons

Describe the benefit(s) of wind energy.

Wind energy is nonpolluting, wind and geothermal energy are both produced from renewable energy sources.

What is most likely to happen as global temperatures increase?

Glaciers and snow coverage is likely to decrease as global temperatures increase.