ISB multiple choice exam questions

which of the following ranks the greenhouse gases in order from highest to lowest Global Warming Potential.

CFC's, Methane, CO2

True statements

- A species is defined as a group of organisms that are capable of breeding and producing fertile offspring that can also reproduce - taxonomy is a field of study that groups organisms based on combinations of shared characteristics

which of the following is true of CFC's?

- CFC's destruct ozone - CFC's have a high global warming potential - CFC's are human-made and do not break down in the atmosphere easily

which of the following is true regarding broad spectrum pesticides?

- DDT is an example of a broad spectrum pesticide - they are developed to kill a broad range os insect pests

which are true statements regarding integrated pest management (IPM)

- IPM requires thorough understanding of pest biology and ecology - IPM is multi-pronged approach of using multiple methods of controlling pest populations

which of the following is/are true regarding sinks and sources?

- a sink is described as a place where a molecule is locked in place for a long period of time - coal that is underground is considered to be a sink of carbon dioxide

which of the following could be responsible for an increase in dissolved oxygen?

- an increase in photosynthesis by benthic plants

which of the following contribute to ozone thinning?

- chloroflorocarbons in the atmosphere, which deconstruct ozone by robbing oxygen atoms - rotation and tilt of the earth, which causes seasonal changes - fluctuations i sunlight and temperature, which cause cold temperatures and the destruction of ozone

which of the following is accurate with regard to earth's rotation?

- earth's rotation causes six major air circulation patterns on the planet - earth's rotation causes weather patterns that explain why latitudes near the equator receive weather from east to west

which of the following is/are examples of co-evolution within a leaf-cutter ant colony?

- fungus and ants - bacteria and ants - fungus and bacteria

which is true regarding disruptive coloration?

- it helps break up the organisms body outlines - the bold patterns cause a misrepresentation of true speed and direction

which of the following are correct with regard to environmental science?

- it is how the earth works - it is highly integrated field of study - it attempts to provide solutions to problems associated with the way the earth is working

which of the following is accurate with regard to water's property of high specific heat?

- it takes a lot of energy to heat up water - water heats up quickly but loses its heat slowly

which of the following is/are ways that ozone can be produced naturally?

- lightening can break apart CO2 molecules to free up oxygen atoms and create O3 - UV light from the sun can break apart O2 molecules to free up oxygen atoms and create O3

the grounding of planes after 9/11 resulted in days becoming warmer and nights becoming colder. which of the following is/are correct statements regarding this scenario?

- more sunlight was able to reach earths surface during the day, which caused more light to be absorbed and transformed to heat and daytime temperature to increase - the lack of clouds/contrails in the atmosphere at night meant that less heat coming from earth surface was held and redirected towards earth making it colder at night

which is/are correct responses explaining why a turtles eggshells are the not too thick to prevent a baby turtle from hatching and also not too thin to prevent the egg from being crushed during incubation?

- natural election - stabilizing selection

which of the following is/are true regarding the history of public lice (crabs) and humans

- natural selection is part of the story - evolution is part of the story - co-evolution is part of the story - symbiosis is part of the story

which of the following is true regarding non-native species?

- non-native species are also referred to as exotic species - non-native species are also referred to as alien species - non-native species are also referred to as introduced species

methane is produced wherever there is_______

- respiration from anaerobic bacteria - decomposition and a low oxygen environment

soil is produced from the physical and chemical breakdown of____

- rocks - dead plants and animals

which of the following is/are shared characteristics of all hexapodas?

- six legs - exoskeleton - bilateral symmetry

the significance of fossils such as tiktaalik and archaeopteryx are______

- that they are considered missing links and transitional fossils - that they help to explain how some of the organisms we have today have evolved over time

which of the following is/are accurate with regards to the albedo effect?

- the albedo effect is greater at higher latitudes due to the angle of the sunlight hitting earth - the albedo effect influences the amount of light that is transformed into heat

which of the following is/are considered internal costs associated with disposable chopsticks?

- the expenses associated with packaging disposable chopsticks - the expenses associated with shipping chopsticks from china to the united states

which of the following is/are accurate with regards to the milankovitch cycles?

- these cycles describe changes in the way the earth orbits the sun over time

which of the following are true with regard to aquifers?

- they are an underground bed or layer of earth, gravel, or porous stone that yields water - an aquifer that lies between two relatively impermeable rock layers is called a confined aquifer

which of the following is/are true regarding species using sexual reproduction and have high biotic potential?

- they have a higher rate of mutation within the population than species with lower biotic potential - they can adapt to environmental change more quickly than organisms with lower biotic potential - they have the ability to evolve faster than species with lower biotic potential

which of the following describe ways a river can become more eutrophic?

- when salmon returns to rivers to spawn and die - when a large amount of tree leaves enter a river - the runoff of farm fertilizers into a river

which is/are correct responses explaining why a bald eagles eggshells are the not too thick to prevent a baby eagle from hatching and also not too thin to prevent the egg from being crushed during incubation?

-natural selection - stabilizing selection

goals of full cost pricing

1. Generate funds to offset external costs 2. Increase consumer awareness 3. Increase environmental awareness 4. Decrease consumption

which of the following describes an example of a point-source of water pollution?

a drain pipe pouring water directly into the red cedar river from a factory

Soil is a complex community. A community is best described as all the living organisms and their associated ______ for a particular environment.

abiotic components

which of the following is/are correct regarding the five classes of arthropodas

all have segmented bodies

The accumulation of DDT through a food chain so that the higher trophic levels contain the highest levels of DDT is referred to as____

biomagnification

the species name cochliomyia macellaria translates to?

butcher

the meganose fly of south africa is unusual in that it has the longest proboscis (nose) of any known fly on the planet. it has a specialized pollination relationship with a specific species of tulip with extremely long floral tubes. the long term process by which each of these two species have become further adapted to maximize the efficency of the symbiotic relationship is best described as________

co-evolution

coal formation differs from oil and natural formation in that_____

coal was formed by the partial decomposition of decomposing trees and plants

which of the following accurately represents the relationship between water temperatures and the concentrations of dissolved oxygen in that body of water?

colder water allow for higher levels of dissolved oxygen

which of the following best describes the last step leading to hypoxia in the gulf of mexico?

consumption of dissolved oxygen in the gulf of mexico by bacteria

A species of turtle was found living along the equator that has very large ears. It has been suggested that this turtle and bat-eared fox, which lives on a different continent, both have long ears to avoid over-heating by transferring heat through their ears to the atmosphere. Which of the following terms best explains long ears in this case?

convergent evolution

the emergence of similar characteristics on unrelated organisms due to either living in similar habitats or by means of acquiring a specific food resource is best explained by which of the following?

convergent evolution

within a leaf-cutter aunt colony, there are three distinct sizes of ants (minimas, workers, and soldiers). they are all the same species of ant but over time they have developed three distinct sizes to best perform their respective tasks. which of the following best explains this variation in size?

disruptive selection

which of the following is/are considered external costs associated with disposable chopsticks?

environmental costs

the average length of the african widow birds tail feathers have been getting longer and longer over successive generations. which of the following statements is/are true regarding the african widow bird

evolution and directional stabilization are taking place

a recent article published in the journal of social forces indicated that population growth in developing nations is resulting in increased rates of deforestation. which of the following is an example of an ecosystem service potentially lost as a result of the destruction of these forest ecosystems?

forest ecosystems help to secure soils and prevent erosion

the two most important resources required for a sustainable human culture are_____

fresh water and healthy soil

the two most important resources required for a sustainable human culture are_______

fresh water and healthy soil

what is meant by full cost pricing. include all parts

full cost pricing is when an extra tax is put on a product - internal costs are those that go into making the product - external costs are those that have harmful effects on the environment or people

which best describes the relationship between mutations and adaptation?

genetic mutations allow for adaptations to occur within an organisms environment

what best explains the influence of topography on weather and climate?

influences precipitation rates

Phosphates were reduced and/or eliminated from lawn fertilizers and household detergents because....

it was recognized that the phosphates being released into aquatic environments from our collective daily activities had created a form of pollution that was detrimental not only to our public health but also to our aquatic ecosystems

arthro-poda means

joint foot

which best describes an oligotrophic lake?

low nutrients, deep water, high oxygen

which of the following is/are accurate statements?

more direct sunlight results in greater chance for light to be absorbed and transformed into heat

which/are accurate regarding the relationship between thawing permafrost and a warming planet?

more methane is released from anaerobic bacteria

which of the following best describes a +, + relationship between two species?

mutualism

the ____ and _____ provided best describe an areas natural capital?

natural resources; ecosystem services

the____ and____provided best describe an areas natural capitial?

natural resources; ecosystem services

which of the following is most accurately describes Gause's principle?

no two different species can occupy the same habitat and niche for any significant period of time

london england experiecnes a more moderate climate than do lower latitudes in northern michigan why?

ocean currents bring warm water and air to the area west of london

which of the following is the only habitat that insects have not successfully colonized?

oceans

A fresh waterbody with a low nutrient load is referred to as____

oligotrophic

there are several television commercials out right now that show people trying to break their cell phones, so they can upgrade to a newer version of their phone. these advertisments demonstrate the concept of__________

perceived obsolescence

which best explains the cause for an increase in O2 in the atmosphere during earths early history?

photosynthesis

many of the prodcuts we purchase today are intentionally designed to fail. this strategy is an example of______

planned obsolescence

which of the following is an ideal mechanism by which to sink carbon dioxide?

plant many trees to increase rate of CO2 removal from the atmosphere

which of the following are correct regarding micronutrients?

plants and humans require micronutrients

shared characteristics of all crustaceans?

six legs

This form of natural selection is observed when the extreme genetic variations of a population are selected against

stabilizing selection

what are the primary factors that influence weather and climate?

temperature and precipitation

which of the following best describes a negative feedback loop?

the addition of something that causes a current condition to go back to a previous condition

which of the following are accurate regarding the federal water pollution control act?

the goal of this act was to reduce the input of pollution directly being dumped into fresh waters

the term global warming potential specifically refers to_____

the potential of greenhouse gases to hold heat

You live in a small community with a shared water source. One year, your neighbor decides to plant a garden and sell her produce for extra income. When other neighbors notice she is making extra money, they also decide to plant gardens. After several years in the community realizes that their shared water resource is in trouble and eventually this shared resource is ruined for the entire community. This story is best described as an example of _____________.

the tragedy of the commons

which of the following is/are considered supporting evidences that the ancestors of modern day whales where land mammals?

they are losing their pelvic bone

which of the following is/are true regarding positive feedback loop?

they are the addition of something that produces more of the same in the environment

which is accurate regarding niches?

this can be described as how you obtain energy

true/false: many of the products we purchase are designed for the dump. this is planned obsolescece

true

which explains the cause for an increase in CO2 in the atmosphere during earth's early history?

volcanoes

which of the following is not a potential source of biomass energy?

water

a _____ is best described as a common area of land where all the surface and ground water collects, or drains, into the same place

watershed