Environmental Science Final

Births and deaths are the only two factors that determine population sizes.. T or F?

False

The interaction of two species with each can actually affect the evolution of those species.. T or F

True

The process of secondary succession would typically follow a forest fire.. T or F?

True

_________ is the combination of all factors that act to limit the growth of a population

environmental resistance

Estuaries and wetlands have very high primary productivity

functional diversity

Nutrients typically cycle much faster in tropical areas than in polar areas

functional diversity

An early fox population evolved into the grey fox and artic fox

genetic diversity

Caribbean snails of the same population exhibit a variety of shell colors and banding patterns

genetic diversity

A tiny fish called a wrasse lives in and around the mouth of sharks. It cleans up the debris left after the shark eats flesh, and it gains protection by living in the shark's mouth

mutualism

Clownfish live amongst the stinging tentacles of sea anemone. They keep the sea anemone tentacles clean by eating the debris, and they gain protection from other animals by living in the tentacles

mutualism

The cattle egret is a large North American bird that commonly sits on the backs of grazing cattle and eats insects that pester the cattle. This is an example of _____

mutualism

Fleas live in and on household pets

parasitism

Sea lampreys attach themselves to fish such as trout

parasitism

Your housecat kills the mice in your yard and around your house

predation

Coral reefs are known for their very high number of species

species diversity

Some tropical forest contain thousands of producer species

species diversity

Areas with both mountain rages and coastal ecosystems have high diversity

ecological diversity

Coastal states in the United States typically have more ecosystems than land-locked states

ecological diversity

The owl butterfly is native to costa rica. its hind wings have patterns in the shape and size of the eyes of a large owl

mimcry

An exponential growth curve depicting an ever-growing population is shaped like the letter.. a. J b. L c. M d. S e. U

a. J

Which of the following terms encompasses all the others? a. natural capital b. natural resources c. natural services d. renewable resources e. nonrenewable resources

a. Natural Capital.

A group of organisms with a unique set of characteristics that distinguishes them from other organisms, is called a... a. species b. ecosystem c. sustainable society d. natural resource e. population

a. Species.

The aquatic ecosystems with the highest average net primary productivity are.. a. estuaries b. lakes c. rivers d. oceans e. artic ice shelf

a. estuaries

Complex arrangements of feeding patterns in ecosystems are best described as.. a. food webs b. food chains c. trophic levels d. pyramids of energy e. trophic chains

a. food webs

Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas? a. nitrogen (N2) b. carbon dioxide (CO2) c. water vapor (H2O) d. methane (CH4) e. two of the listed choices are not greenhouse gases

a. nitrogen (N2)

The major plan nutrient most likely to be a limiting factor is.. a. phosphorous b. calcium c. nitrogen d. potassium e. carbon

a. phosphorus

The conversion of solar energy into chemical energy occurs in.. a. photosynthesis b. food chains c. chemosynthesis d. heterotrophic organisms e. food web

a. photosynthesis

Which of the following would exhibit primary succession? a. rock exposed by a retreating glacier b. an abandoned farm c. a forest that has been clear-cut d. newly flooded land to create a reservoir e. a forest that has been burned

a. rock exposed by a retreating glacier

Which of the following is a major factor contributing tot he degradation of natural capital associated with the pricing of consumable goods? a. they are priced in such a way that they do not reflect the environmental damage caused by their production b. they are priced in such a way as to allow even those in poverty in developing nations to acquire them c. they are priced in such a way that only the most affluent purchaser is able to acquire them d. consumers are typically aware of the kinds of environmental damage resulting from the production of the item e. it is fashionable in some local cultures to purchase items that are expensive because of the social status it brings

a. they are priced in such a way that they do not reflect the environmental damage caused by their production

Nonpoint sources of pollution.. a. enter ecosystems from single identifiable sources b. are more difficult to control than point sources c. include smokestacks and automobile exhaust pipes d. are cheaper and easier to identify than point sources e. are always found in rural areas

b. are more difficult to control than point sources

Nitrogen fixation is accomplished by.. a. legumes b. bacteria c. algae d. protozoa e. round worms

b. bacteria

Which of the following best represents the process of photosynthesis? a. carbon dioxide+glucose+solar energy=>water+oxygen b. carbon dioxide+water+solar energy=>glucose+oxygen c. oxygen+glucose+solar energy=>carbon dioxide+water d. oxygen+glucose=> solar energy+carcon dioxide+water e. carbon dioxide+water=>solar energy+glucose+oxygen

b. carbon dioxide+water+solar energy=>glucose+oxygen

A community of different species interaction with one another and the physical and chemical factors of their nonliving environment is called a.. a. species b. ecosystem c. population d. lithosphere e. community

b. ecosystem

A sequence of organisms, each of which serves as a source of nutrients or energy for the next, is called a.. a. food web b. food chain c. ecosystem d. community e. food chain and food web (they are interchangeable)

b. food chain

The variety of genes within a species or population is called the.. a. species diversity b. genetic diversity c. functional diversity d. ecological diversity e. molecular diversity

b. genetic diversity

Biomes are.. a. large aquatic regions of the earth with distinct climate and certain species adapted to them b. large terrestrial regions of the earth with distinct climate and certain species adapted to them c. groups of populations living in harmony in a given ecosystem d. all the biological portions of the planet e. types of forests that are extensive and widespread on a continent

b. large terrestrial regions of the earth with distinct climate and certain species adapted to them

Organisms that feed on both plants and animals are called.. a. detritus feeders b. omnivores c. carnivores d. herbivores e. decomposers

b. omnivores

The tragedy of the commons refers to.. a. overuse of privately held resources b. overuse of shared common resources c. human deaths from polluted shared resources such as air or water d. government over-regulation of fresh water use d. a Shakespeare play

b. overuse of shared common resources

All of the following increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere except.. a. respiration b. photosynthesis c. combustion d. decomposition e. none of these answers

b. photosynthesis

Transfer of carbon among organisms depends primarily on.. a. fuel combustion and decomposition b. photosynthesis and cellular respiration c. soil bacteria and precipitation d. volcanic activity and organic decay e. the rock cycle

b. photosynthesis and cellular respiration

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular place is an.. a. species b. population c. community d. organism e. biome

b. population

The obvious relationship demonstrated by a food chain is.. a. competition b. predation c. parasitism d. mutualism e. commensalism

b. predation

A grizzly bear eating blueberries is best categorized as which of the following? a. producer b. primary consumer c. tertiary consumer d. detritivore e. decomposer

b. primary consumer

The process by which members of isolated populations become so different in genetic makeup that they cannot produce live, fertile offspring if they are rejoined is best described as.. a. geographical isolation b. reproductive isolation c. evolutionary isolation d. endemic isolation e. niche isolation

b. reproductive isolation

A worldview that hold that we can and should manage the Earth for our own benefit but that we also have an ethical responsibility to be caring stewards is called the.. a. planetary management worldview b. stewardship worldview c. environmental wisdom worldview d. socialist worldview e. monarchy worldview

b. stewardship worldview

What do giraffes and caterpillars have in common? a. they are both autotrophs b. they are both herbivores c. they are both secondary consumers and herbivores d. they are both detritivores e. giraffes and caterpillars do not have anything in common

b. they are both herbivores

The actual average replacement-level fertility for the whole world is slightly higher than.. a. one child per couple b. two children per couple c. three children per couple d. six children per couple

b. two children per couple

An organism's niche is analogous to its.. a. address b. way of life c. food source d. trash dump e. all of these answers

b. way of life

The crude birth rate is the number of live births per ____ persons in a given year a. 50 b. 100 c. 500 d. 1,000

d. 1,000

Select the choice that correctly states the best priority for use of non-renewable resources, such as metal and plastics, from the environmentally sustainable perspective. a. recycle, reuse, reduce b. reuse, reduce, recycle c. reduce, reuse, recycle d. reduce, recycle, refuse e. repurpose, recycle, remake

c. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Which of the following would best be categorized as a perpetual resource? a. oil reserves b. fisheries c. solar energy d. forests e. coal reserves

c. Solar Energy.

Which of the following is best categorized as an example of a natural service? a. renewable energy b. nonrenewable energy c. water purification d. oil e. soil

c. Water purification.

Which of the following would undergo secondary succession? a. cooled volcanic lava b. an abandoned parking lot c. a heavily polluted stream that has been cleaned up d. a bare rock outcrop e. a newly created shallow pond

c. a heavily polluted stream that has been cleaned up

Point sources of pollution.. a. enter ecosystems from dispersed and often hard-to-identify sources b. include runoff of fertilizers and pesticides from farmlands and suburban lawns c. are cheaper and easier to identify than nonpoint sources d. are more difficult to control than nonpoint sources e. are always found in rural areas

c. are cheaper and easier to identify than nonpoint sources

Specialist species.. a. are very adaptable b. tolerate a wide range of environments c. are more likely to become extinct d. eat a wide variety of food e. all of these answers

c. are more likely to become extinct

A relationship in which one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed to any significant degree is best labeled.. a. competition b. predation c. commensalism d. parasitism e. mutualism

c. commensalism

You are an evolutionary entomologist (study insects). You have observed beetles that can raise their abdomens and give off a defensive chemical that generally repels predators. You discover a new species of beetle that raises it abdomen in a threatening way similar to the first species, but no defensive chemical is given off. You are most likely to characterize this defensive strategy as a form of.. a. camouflage b. chemical warfare c. mimicry d. flight mechanism e. warning coloration

c. mimicry

A relationship in which both species benefit is best labeled.. a. competition b. predation c. mutualism d. parasitism e. commensalism

c. mutualism

The coyotes typically forage on mice and squirrels. However, as members of the canine family, Canidae, they are known to be able to eat berries and parts of plants as well as small animals. Thus, they would be classified as.. a. herbivores b. carnivores c. omnivores d. detritivores e. producers

c. omnivores

Ecology is the study of how: a. atoms make up the environment b. humans affect the environment c. organisms interact with each other and their nonliving environment d. energy runs the environment e. evolution affects nature

c. organisms interact with each other and their nonliving environment

A grassy meadow high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is known to support a variety of organisms. During the summers when grass is thick and lush, and wildflowers abound, butterflies take advantage of the abundant nectar source. Bears graze on the berries in shrubs at the edge of the meadow. Deer also forage at the edge of the meadow. In the early mornings, coyote are known to prey on the squirrel and mouse population that burrow into the meadow soil. A variety of birds prey on the butterflies and other insects such as bees and wasps. The coyotes described above would be classifies as.. a. producers b. primary consumers c. secondary consumers d. decomposers e. tertiary consumers

c. secondary consumers

You have decided on a career as an ecologist. Your work could possible be which of the following assignments? a. exploring the earth's crust to locate mineral resources b. negotiating air quality agreements among different countries c. studying interactions of wolves and their prey species in Yellowstone National Park d. studying depletion of large aquifers in the Midwestern United States e. exploring possible wind corridors in the intermountain west for placement of wind farms

c. studying interactions of wolves and their pretty species in Yellowstone National Park

Carrying capacity refers to.. a. reproductive rate b. interaction of natality (birth) and mortality c. the maximum size of population the environment will support d. the proportion of males to females e. the intrinsic rate of increase

c. the maximum size of population the environment will support

The average number of children born to women in a population during their reproductive years is the.. a. crude birth rate b. total birth rate c. total fertility rate d. crude fertility rate

c. total fertility rate

Some predators hide in plain sight before ambushing their prey by virtue of their _______

camouflage

When populations of two different species interact over time in a way that drives changes in their gene pools, it can be said that _____ occurs

co-evolution

Epiphytes are plants that live on the branches or trunks of trees in the tropics. The epiphyte gains access to water and sunlight, but does not hurt or help the tree

commensalism

What is an essential characteristic that indicates whether a resource should be categorized as a renewable resource? a. it must be an energy resource b. it must be a biological resource c. it must be recyclable d. it must have the capacity to be replenished within days to several hundred years e. it must have the capacity to be utilized for immediate economic benefit

d. It must have the capacity to be replenished within days to several hundred years.

A logistic growth curve depicting a population that is limited by a definite carrying capacity is shaped like the letter.. a. J b. L c. M d. S e. U

d. S

A population crash occurs when.. a. a population approaches its carrying capacity b. environmental resistance comes into play gradually c. resources are essentially unlimited d. a population greatly overshoots carrying capacity, and resulting environmental pressures cause effects e. the population growth rate slows

d. a population greatly overshoots carrying capacity, and resulting environmental pressures cause effects

All of the following are sources of phosphorous except.. a. inorganic fertilizer b. runoff of animal wastes from feedlots c. detergents d. acid rain e. rocks

d. acid rain

Geographic isolation may result from.. a. a volcanic eruption b. an earthquake c. a mountain rage d. all of these answers e. none of these answers

d. all of these answers

Which of the following is a major factor in human population increase in the last 200 years? a. humans have developed the ability to expand into almost all of the planet's climate zones b. early and modern agriculture has allowed more people to be fed per unit of land area c. improved health and sanitation has lowered the death rate d. all of these are correct answers

d. all of these are correct answers

An adaptive trait is.. a. any heritable trait b. any heritable trait that improves organisms' chance of survival c. any heritable trait that improves organisms' chances for survival and reproduction d. any heritable trait that improves organisms' chanced for survival and reproduction at higher rates than other individuals in a population e. any inheritable trait that improves organisms' chance for survival and reproduction at lower rates than other individuals in a population

d. any heritable trait that improves organisms' chanced for survival and reproduction at higher rates than other individuals in a population

An entomologist is a biologist that has special training in the study of insects. Which of the following groups of detritivores would an entomologist possibly study? a. fungi b. bacteria c. vultures d. carpenter ants e. giraffes

d. carpenter ants

Tropical rain forest cover about 2% of the Earth's land surface, and.. a. contain about 2% of the Earth's total biodiversity b. contain less than 10% of the Earth's total biodiversity c. contain no more than one-fourth of the Earth's total biodiversity d. contain up to one-half of the Earth's total biodiversity e. scientists currently do not know how much of the Earth's total biodiversity is contained in tropical rainforests, although they suspect it is very high

d. contain up to one-half of the Earth's total biodiversity

Which of the following groups can be called autotrophs? a. ants, termites and butterflies b. wolves, coyotes and foxes c. rabbits, moles and robins d. daisies, roses and grass e. mushrooms and fungi

d. daisies, roses and grass

A change in the genetic composition of a population is called.. a. emigration b. mutation c. natural selection d. evolution e. genetic drift

d. evolution

Which of the following best describes what is meant by an ecological footprint? a. it is the average size of the lot on which a family home is built b. it is the number of acres necessary to grow enough food to support a family c. it is the geographic are in which a person travels during the course of their average daily activities d. it is the amount of biologically-productive land and water needed to supply the people in a particular country or area with the resources they need e. it is the amount of tillable agricultural land necessary to supply the food requirements of a nation

d. it is the amount of biologically-productive land and water needed to supply the people in a particular country or area with the resources they need

Which of the following is true with regard to mutations? a. mutations are always harmful b. mutations always provide for beneficial changes in an organism's genetic makeup c. mutations are chosen by the organism to improve their survival d. natural selection determines the types of mutations that survive in a population e. mutations are caused only by harmful chemicals

d. natural selection determines the types of mutations that survive in a population

Ecologists study interactions within and among which five levels of organization? a. cell, organism, atom, ecosystem, and molecule b. atom, molecule, cell, organism, and population c. molecule, cell, atom, community, and biosphere d. organism, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere e. atom, organism, cell, biosphere, and population

d. organism, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere

Which of the following organisms would best be described as a specialist species? a. flies b. cockroaches c. white-tailed deer d. panda bears e. humans

d. panda bears

Which of the following statements is true regarding keystone species? a. animals can be keystone species, but plants cannot b. top predators can be keystone species, but other animals cannot c. insects can never be keystone species because they are pests d. some keystone species are more vulnerable to extinction than other species e. a species must have a very large population size in order to be a keystone species

d. some keystone species are more vulnerable to extinction that other species

Which of the following ecosystems has the highest net primary productivity? a. agricultural land b. open ocean c. temperate forest d. swamps and marshes e. lakes and streams

d. swamps and marshes

Photosynthesis.. a. converts glucose into energy and water b. requires the combustion of carbon c. produces carbon dioxide and oxygen gas d. yields glucose and oxygen gas as products e. yields glucose and carbon dioxide as products

d. yields glucose and oxygen as products

Over land, about what percent of the water vapor in the atmosphere comes from water that has transpired from the surface of plants? a. 40-50% b. 60% c. 70% d. 80% e. 90%

e. 90%

Which of the following is a form of natural capital gained directly or indirectly as a result of solar energy? a. forests b. flowing water and wind energy c. wing energy only d. coal and oil e. forest, flowing water, wind energy, coal and oil

e. Forests, flowing water, wind energy, coal and oil.

Developed countries... a. are high-income b. are low-income c. use about 88% of the world's resources d. make up about 80% of the world's population e. are high-income and use about 88% of the world's resources

e. are high-income and use about 88% of the world's resources

Bacteria and fungi are typically categorized as which of the following ecosystem components? a. autotrophs b. producers c. primary consumers d. tertiary consumers e. decomposers

e. decomposers

Evidence that we are living unsustainably includes which of the following? a. renewable forests are shrinking b. topsoil is eroding, and the lower atmosphere is warming c. deserts are expanding d. deserts are shrinking e. deserts are expanding, renewable forests are shrinking, topsoil is eroding and the lower atmosphere is warming.

e. deserts are expanding, renewable forests are shrinking, topsoil is eroding and the lower atmosphere is warming

The organisms that are classified as primary consumers are the.. a. detritivores b. omnivores c. carnivores d. decomposers e. herbivores

e. herbivores

Which of the following is not a factor that is contributing to the decline in amphibian populations? a. habitat loss and fragmentation b. viral and fungal diseases and parasites c. increase in UV radiation d. prolonged drought e. hunting of frogs for frog legs, a delicacy that is served in restaurants

e. hunting of frogs for frog legs, a delicacy that is served in restaurants

Net primary productivity.. a. is the rate at which producers manufacture chemical energy through photosynthesis b. is the rate at which producers use chemical energy through respiration c. is the rate of photosynthesis plus the rate of respiration d. is the rate at which producers use photosynthesis to produce and store chemical energy e. is the rate at which producers use photosynthesis to produce and store chemical energy minus the rate at which they use this energy through aerobic respiration

e. is the rate at which producers use photosynthesis to produce and store chemical energy minus the rate at which they use this energy through aerobic respiration

The fossil record is incomplete because.. a. not all fossils have been found b. some fossils have decomposed c. some life forms left no fossils d. some life forms have left no fossils and some have decomposed e. not all fossils have been found, some have decomposed and some life forms have left no fossils

e. not all fossils have been found, some have decomposed and some life forms have left no fossils

Nonrenewable resources include.. a. oil b. minerals c. salt and sand d. coal e. oil, minerals, salt, sand and coal

e. oil, minerals, salt, sand and coal

Prey are least likely to defend themselves against predators by.. a. camouflage b. acute senses of sight and smell c. protective shells d. warning coloration e. pursuit and ambush

e. pursuit and ambush

Hawks typically forage for their rodent prey species during the daytime. While owls may eat similar prey species, and live in the same area, they forage during the night. This is best described as an example of.. a. interspecific competition b. mutualism c. parasitism d. predation e. resource partitioning

e. resource partitioning

The hydrologic cycle refers to the movement of.. a. hydrogen b. oxygen c. nitrogen d. hydrocarbons e. water

e. water

Which of the following choices best describes the common phosphorous reservoirs in the ecosystem? a. water b. water and organisms c. atmosphere and geosphere d. rocks and marine sediment e. water, organisms, rocks and marine sediment

e. water, organisms, rocks and marine sediment

A kestrel (small hawk) and red-tailed hawk hunt for rodents in the same grassy meadow

interspecific competition