SCI100
Can you identify how chemicals cycle in an ecosystem? To review the chemical inputs and outputs of cellular respiration and photosynthesis, watch these BioFlix animations: Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis. Part A - Chemical cycling in an ecosystem Drag the labels onto the diagram to identify how chemicals cycle in an ecosystem.
1. Carbon Dioxide 2. Water 3. Glucose 4. Oxygen
1. Based on this data, which statement is most accurate regarding the change in lead use in gasoline and average blood lead concentration in children over time? A) Based on the data, there is no clear correlation between the amount of lead used in gasoline and the average blood lead concentration in children between 1970 and 2010. B) As lead use in gasoline declined to zero by 1995, the average blood lead concentration in U.S. children continued to rise until 2010. C) Although there was a brief increase in the amount of lead used in gasoline for a few years following 1975, this was not followed by a similar increase in average blood lead concentration in children. D) Both lead use in gasoline and blood lead concentration in U.S. children declined most rapidly between 1975 and 1985. 2. Pretend you are a public health official giving a presentation to the local community about the dangers of lead exposure. As you show data from the graph in the previous part, what is the most important "take home" message you might share with audience, based on the relationship between the amount of lead in gasoline and blood lead concentration in children between the years 1970 and 2010? A) A sharp drop in the amount of lead used in gasoline was followed by a similarly sharp decline in blood lead concentrations in children between 1970 and 1990, suggesting that lead use in gasoline was strongly correlated to lead exposure, and the ban on lead had a major impact on reducing exposure in the United States. B) Despite a steep drop in the use of lead in gasoline from 1970 to 2010, average blood lead concentration in children changed little during this time, suggesting that lead exposure is not as harmful as what was once believed. C) Although there was a considerable decline in both the amount of lead used in gasoline and average blood lead concentration between 1970 and 2010, the graph suggests that there is still considerable work to be done in further reducing lead levels in gasoline. D) As the amount of lead in gasoline dropped sharply from 1970 to 1990, the average blood lead concentration increased steadily in children, indicating that the lead ban in gasoline was not a successful strategy for reducing human lead exposure. 3. As a researcher, you have been asked to analyze trends in the decline in lead use in U.S. gasoline over time. Based on the data in the graph, by what percentage did the amount of lead used in gasoline decrease between the years 1970 and 1985? A) 100% B) 50% C) 20% D) 80%
1. D) Both lead use in gasoline and blood lead concentration in U.S. children declined most rapidly between 1975 and 1985. 2. A) A sharp drop in the amount of lead used in gasoline was followed by a similarly sharp decline in blood lead concentrations in children between 1970 and 1990, suggesting that lead use in gasoline was strongly correlated to lead exposure, and the ban on lead had a major impact on reducing exposure in the United States. 3. D) 80%
1. Based on what happened with tobacco and, more recently climate change, which of the following is key to scientific consensus? A) Who is doing the research. B) The journals that are publishing the results. C) The cost of the studies. D) Time. 2. You read a news story with the headline "Eating Portobello Mushrooms Prevents Cancer." Which of the following would be best for you to do with that information? A) Look for other, similar research. B) Tell your friends that eating portobello mushrooms cures cancer. C) Start eating copious amounts of portobello mushrooms. D) Share the article on social media. 3. A study is published saying that eating broccoli disrupts sleep, while another study says that eating broccoli enhances sleep. Which of the following does this most resemble? A) Current research on tobacco. B) Current research on climate change. C) Current research on coffee. D) Current research on gravity. 4. When you read a scientific paper, which of the following is most critical to assure that the researchers followed scientific principles? A) It was peer-reviewed. B) It lacked a large control group. C) It was funded by the government. D) Their hypothesis was correct. 5. When reading a scientific paper, which of the following is most likely? A) The larger the sample size, the worse the statistical analysis. B) Sample size has no impact on statistical analysis. C) The smaller the sample size, the better the statistical analysis. D) The larger the sample size, the better the statistical analysis.
1. D) Time. 2. A) Look for other, similar research. 3. C) Current research on coffee. 4. A) It was peer-reviewed. 5. D) The larger the sample size, the better the statistical analysis.
Can you identify how food relates to cellular respiration? To review cellular respiration, watch this BioFlix animation: Cellular Respiration. Part A - How food fuels cellular respiration Drag the labels onto the flowchart to indicate how food molecules reach the body's cells and fuel cellular respiration. Start with the ingestion of food on the left.
1. Eating food provides fuel & building blocks for your body 2. After food is broken down in the digestive system, it is transport to cells via the circulatory system 3. Fuel molecules are broken down further in glycolysis & the citric acid cycle (aka krebs cycle) 4. ATP is produced with the help of the electron transport chain
To test the egg-viability hypothesis, researchers set out to determine whether its predictions were borne out. Predictions of the egg-viability hypothesis include: Prediction #1: The probability of hatching failure will be lower at higher latitudes (because temperatures remain cooler at higher latitudes). Prediction #2:: The probability of hatching failure will be higher later in the season (because temperatures are warmer later in the season). Prediction #3: The probability of hatching failure will be higher in larger clutches (because in a larger clutch, the earlier eggs have to wait longer for incubation to begin). Prediction #4: The probability of hatching failure will be higher for eggs laid earlier within a clutch (because eggs laid earlier in a clutch have to wait longer for incubation to begin). Citizen scientists monitored bluebird nestboxes throughout the breeding season and reported details such as date, location, number of eggs, number of hatchlings, and number of unhatched eggs. The three graphs below show the data they collected. Data from C.B. Cooper et. al. Geographic and seasonal gradients in hSatching failure in Eastern Bluebirds Sialia sialis reinforce clutch size trends. Ibis 148: 221-230 (2006). Review the graphs to determine whether the data support the four predictions. Three graphs showing data on Probability of Hatching Failure vs. Day of Season (Graph A: upward-sloping); Latitude (Graph B: downward-sloping); and Clutch Size (Graph C: U-shaped). Drag the terms to the appropriate blanks to complete the sentences.
1. Graph A shows that the probability of hatching failure INCEASES later in the season. The data SUPPORT Prediction #2. 2. Graph B shows that the probability of hatching failure DECREASES at higher latitudes. The data SUPPORT Prediction #1. 3. Graph C shows that the probability of hatching failure is highest for BOTH LARGEST AND SMALLEST clutch sizes. The data DO NOT SUPPORT Prediction #3. 4. Researchers were unable to test Prediction #4. This is because it was too difficult for volunteers to collect data on which eggs were LAID EARLIEST.
Can you identify how energy flows through an ecosystem? To review energy flow in cellular respiration and photosynthesis, watch these BioFlix animations: Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis. Part A - Energy flow through an ecosystem Drag the labels onto the diagram to identify how energy flows through an ecosystem.
1. Light 2. Glucose 3. ATP 4. Heat
1. Can you identify the steps in the scientific method that correspond to Hunt's experiments? Drag each statement under the step in the scientific method that it demonstrates. 2. Hunt and her team designed an experiment to test her hypothesis about the effect of BPA on mice. They administered daily doses of BPA to groups of female mice over three, five, or seven days and then tested these mice for genetic abnormalities that occur during meiosis, the division of chromosomes during egg formation. Drag the labels to identify the components of Hunt's experiment. Labels may be used once, more than once, or not at all. 3. Drag type of experiment on the left to the example of experiment on the right.
1. Observation: The eggs of mice in plastic cages washed with harsh soap displayed problems during cell division that caused genetic abnormalities. Question: Could bisphenol A from the plastic be affecting the mice in the damaged cages? Hypothesis: The frequency of genetic abnormalities in mice is affected by exposure to bisphenol A Prediction: If mice are exposed to elevated levels of bisphenol A, the frequency of genetic abnormalities in these mice will increase. 2. Dosage 0 ng/g BPA: control Dosage 20 ng/g BPA: treatment Dosage 40 ng/g BPA: treatment Dosage 100 ng/g BPA: treatment Dosage of BPA administered is: independent variable Length of time over which mice were exposed to BPA is a(n): independent variable The percentage of mice displaying genetic abnormalities is a(n): dependent variable 3. Blood concentrations of BPA in college students are compared to their recent consumption of canned food items: Natural The feeding behavior of fish in streams that receive acidic runoff from strip mines is compared to the feeding behavior of fish in unaffected streams: Natural The deformity rate in baby birds from nests in pesticide-sprayed fields is compared to the deformity rate in birds from nests in unsprayed fields: Natural Tumor development is compared in mice exposed to five dosages of a known carcinogen in the laboratory: Manipulative Foraging activity levels are compared in tadpoles exposed to four concentrations of toxic metals in the laboratory: Manipulative Growth of corn plants is compared in field plots sprayed with three different dosages of weed killer: Manipulative BPA concentrations in the urine of people with diabetes are compared to BPA concentrations in the urine of people without diabetes: Natural
Can you identify examples of ecosystem services provided by forests? Drag each ecosystem service on the left to an example of that service on the right.
1. Restores water to the hydrologic cycle 2. Regulates water runoff 3. Water purification 4. Reduction of greenhouse gases 5. Soil conservation 6. Biodiversity conservation 7. Ecotourism
Can you match each term with its description? Drag the terms on the left to the appropriate blanks on the right to complete the sentences. 1. ___ is composed of the organic solids collected during the wastewater treatment process. 2. The solids screened from raw sewage are typically disposed of at a _____ 3. In aeration basins, ____ consume small particles of organic matter. 4. It is called ______ when wastewater sits in tanks, allowing solids to sink to the bottom and greases and oils to rise to the surface. 5. In the final step of the treatment process, wastewater is sterilized with ____ or ultraviolet light.
1. Sludge 2. landfill 3. microbes 4. clarifying 5. chlorine
Can you fill in the photosynthesis equation? To review photosynthesis, watch this BioFlix animation: Photosynthesis. Part A - Photosynthesis equation Drag the labels onto the equation to identify the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis.
1. Source of carbon and oxygen 2. Source of electrons and hydrogen 3. Energy that drives photosynthesis 4. Sugar 5. Gas produced from splitting water
Match the words in the left-hand column to the appropriate blank in the sentences in the right-hand column. Use each word only once.
1. The slowly increasing distance between South America and Africa is due to . --Seafloor spreading 2. Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park in the United States acquires its energy from a . --Hot spot 3. Layered exposed by erosion can be seen when looking at the Grand Canyon in the United States. --Sedimentary Rock 4. Australia is composed of relatively old and thick . --Continental Crust 5. The extremely deep ocean Marianas Trench is a result of . --Subduction 6. found in the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe is composed of dense and relatively young rock. --Seafloor Crust 7. The earthquakes that occur in Southern California generally occur above a --Fault
1. The graph shows the different trends in population growth in less developed regions of the world versus more developed regions of the world. Solid lines in the graph indicate past data, and dashed lines indicate future projections. (Projections of data are based on models, simulations, or extrapolations from past data.) According to the projected data, after what year will the majority of people in less developed regions be living in urban areas? a) 2018 b) 2028 c) 2038 d) 2048 2. Which of the following statements are supported by the graph? Select all that apply. In 2050, rural populations in less developed regions are projected to drop below 3 billion. In 2050, urban populations in less developed regions are projected to reach 5 billion. Urban populations are growing because more people are moving from farms to cities. Urban growth in more developed regions is projected to be faster than urban growth in less developed regions. In 1950, urban populations in more developed regions and less developed regions were almost equal. Rural populations are projected to drop in both more developed and less developed regions.
1. a) 2018 2. In 2050, rural populations in less developed regions are projected to drop below 3 billion. In 2050, urban populations in less developed regions are projected to reach 5 billion. In 1950, urban populations in more developed regions and less developed regions were almost equal. Rural populations are projected to drop in both more developed and less developed regions.
1. Matthew Koehler includes several statistics about impacts of logging in national forests. Which of the following statements describe an ecological impact of logging? a) Approximately 50% of riparian areas require restoration due to logging and other land uses. b) National forest logging levels have decreased since the mid-1990s. c) Existing national forest roads require $10 billion in maintenance. d) U.S. national forests supply less than 2% of our nation's wood products. 2. Dale Bosworth describes several reasons why America's national forests are not pristine landscapes. Which of the following reasons does he include in his essay? a) Most grazing activity took place on grasslands rather than forest areas. b) Climate change is not likely to affect forested areas. c) European settlers left forested areas intact when they came to North America. d) American Indians have managed forests for thousands of years through the use of fire. 3. Both authors describe the unhealthy state of forests but describe very different solutions. Which of the following answers list Koehler's primary solution and Bosworth's primary solution? a) Koehler: ecological restoration; Bosworth: active management (tree thinning) b) Koehler: increased road networks; Bosworth: end logging in national forests c) Koehler: eliminate forest fires; Bosworth: target invasive insect species d) Koehler: subsidize industrial logging; Bosworth: shift to imported wood only 4. Although Koehler and Bosworth disagree about the role of logging in U.S. national forests, their essays suggest one potential point of agreement. Which of the following statements would both authors support? a) National forests are a critical source of domestic lumber. b) Removing some trees from forests can reduce the threat of wildfire in protected areas. c) America's wilderness areas provide sufficient protection for our remaining old-growth forests. d) The U.S. Forest Service is following its mandate and properly managing our national forests. 5. You are a U.S. senator who plans to introduce an updated version of the Organic Administration Act of 1897. What scientific information would be useful for rewriting the original law? a) A research report analyzing various road-building strategies and their effects on forests b) Research on the effects of logging on ecosystem services provided by forests c) A comparison of the ecosystem effects of different logging techniques d) of the costs of imported versus domestic lumber
1. a) Approximately 50% of riparian areas require restoration due to logging and other land uses. 2. d) American Indians have managed forests for thousands of years through the use of fire. 3. a) Koehler: ecological restoration; Bosworth: active management (tree thinning) 4. b) Removing some trees from forests can reduce the threat of wildfire in protected areas. 5. b) Research on the effects of logging on ecosystem services provided by forests
It has been demonstrated that ectotherms (such as insects and reptiles) in warm climates tolerate higher temperatures than ectotherms in cooler climates. Angilletta hypothesized that urban heat islands could lead to similar differences in heat tolerance between urban and rural populations of leaf-cutter ants. He predicted that ants in urban areas would tolerate heat better than ants in nearby rural areas. Select the two best experimental designs for comparing the thermal tolerance of ants in urban areas to ants in nearby rural areas. a) Measure the heat tolerance of many ants of the same species from a city center and from a rural area in the same region. b) Measure the heat tolerance of one species of ant from an urban area and the heat tolerance of a different species of ant from a rural area. c) Measure the heat tolerance of many ants of the same species as a function of the distance they live from a city center. d) Measure the heat tolerance of many ants of the same species from urban areas in the north and south of the United States. e) Measure the feeding activity of many ants of the same species from rural and urban areas in the same region. f) Measure the heat tolerance of 5 ants from an urban area and 5 ants from a rural area.
1. a) Measure the heat tolerance of many ants of the same species from a city center and from a rural area in the same region. c) Measure the heat tolerance of many ants of the same species as a function of the distance they live from a city center.
1. What information is provided on the x-axis? a) area per person, in square meters b) area per person, in square miles c) gallons of gasoline used by each person per year d) area of each city, in square meters 2. What do the orange dots represent? a) U.S. cities b) European cities c) Canadian cities d) Australian cities 3. In which nation or region do cities have the highest degree of urban sprawl? a) Europe b) United States c) Canada d) Australia 4. In which city do individuals have the highest rate of gasoline consumption? a) Houston b) Copenhagen c) Detroit d) Phoenix 5. How do the rates of land use and gasoline consumption in Australian cities compare with those in U.S. cities? a) At any level of per capita land consumption, people in U.S. cities use more gasoline than those in Australian cities. b) The rates of land use and gasoline consumption in U.S. cities are similar to those in Australian cities. c) At any level of per capita land consumption, people in U.S. cities use less gasoline than those in Australian cities. d) The answer cannot be determined from the graph. 6. Is the following statement supported or not supported by the data shown in the graph? The amount of gasoline used by each person generally decreases as per capita land consumption increases. a) supported b) not supported c) cannot be determined from the graph 7. Which of the following statements is supported by the graph? a) As urban sprawl increases, automobile use also increases. b) Rapidly growing cities have higher rates of automobile use than cities with more stable populations. c) Per capita automobile use is higher in wealthy nations than in poor nations. d) As the population of a city increases, automobile use also increases.
1. a) area per person, in square meters 2. b) European cities 3. b) United States 4. a) Houston 5. a) At any level of per capita land consumption, people in U.S. cities use more gasoline than those in Australian cities. 6. b) not supported 7. a) As urban sprawl increases, automobile use also increases.
1. Many pollutants from coal-fired power plants are properly managed today. Which of the following is currently considered to be the biggest threat to the environment? a) carbon dioxide b) nitrous oxide c) methane gas d) oxygen e) sulfur dioxide 2. All fossil fuels, including coal, are considered an indirect form of ____________ energy. a) nuclear b) renewable c) solar d) geothermal e) wind 3. Where is electricity made at a coal-fired power plant? a) generator b) cooling tower c) boiler d) control room e) silo 4. During peak usage, what happens to the cost of electricity? a) It depends on the time of the year. b) It depends on where the power plant is located. c) It almost always increases. d) It almost always decreases. e) Cost of electricity always stays the same. 5. What color smoke coming from a coal-fired power plant would indicate wasted fuel? a) white b) green c) black d) clear e) red
1. a) carbon dioxide 2. c) solar 3. a) generator 4. c) It almost always increases. 5. c) black
1. What does the y-axis show? a) concentration of pollutants, in parts per million b) concentration of pollutants, as percentages c) time of day, in four-hour intervals d) concentration of pollutants, in parts per billion 2. What was the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at 8:00 A.M.? a) 0.35 ppm b) 0.35% c) 0.15 ppm d) 0.15% e) 0.18 ppm 3. What is most likely to have caused the increase in atmospheric nitrogen oxide (NO) between 4 A.M. and 7 A.M.? a) emissions of heavy metals from smelting plants b) exhaust from vehicles during morning rush hour c) reactions driven by sunlight d) generation of electricity in coal-fired plants 4. In which period was the concentration of photochemical smog highest? a) 12:00 noon to 4:00 P.M. b) 8:00 A.M. to noon c) 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. d) 11:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. 5. What is most likely to have caused the rapid increase in photochemical smog between 8 A.M. and 11 A.M.? a) emissions of heavy metals from smelting plants b) exhaust from vehicles during morning rush hour c) reactions of nitrous oxides (NOx) and VOCs with oxygen in sunlight d) reactions of sulfur oxides (SOx) with water vapor in sunlight 6. What is most likely to have caused the levels of ozone and photochemical smog to decline after 4:00 P.M.? a) The rate of photosynthesis declined as the sun began to go down. b) The production of smog declined as the afternoon rush hour began. c) The production of smog declined as the amount of sunlight decreased. d) The production of pollutants declined as smelters and factories closed down for the night. 7. Which of the following factors would be most likely to lead to an overall increase in the level of photochemical smog? a) a temperature inversion b) increased use of public transportation c) installation of scrubbers on factory smokestacks d) windy weather e) increased fuel efficiency in automobiles
1. a) concentration of pollutants, in parts per million 2. a) 0.35 ppm 3. b) exhaust from vehicles during morning rush hour 4. c) 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. 5. c) reactions of nitrous oxides (NOx) and VOCs with oxygen in sunlight 6. c) The production of smog declined as the amount of sunlight decreased. 7. a) a temperature inversion
1. For dinner, you have pasta with tomato sauce and meatballs, with cheese sprinkled on top. Which of these four is most likely to have been produced without bees? a) pasta b) meatballs c) cheese d) tomato sauce 2. The main functional unit, or super organism, of a honeybee hive is the __________. a) colony b) queen c) worker bee d) drone 3. The continued decline of bees in the United States is most likely due to __________. a) many factors, including viral, bacterial, and fungal infections and improper use of pesticides b) fewer farmers raising crops that require fertilization c) colony collapse disorder, in which adult bees suddenly disappear, leaving behind developing young d) the use of pesticides 4. In parts of Asia, many fruit crops are pollinated by hand using feathers. This human method of pollination is used because __________. a) bees do not naturally live in Asia b) overuse of pesticides has greatly reduced the populations of bees c) people are more efficient at pollination of fruit trees than bees d) the bees are eaten by people as a source of protein 5. Which of the following scenarios will most likely produce the most sustainable method of pollinating crops? a) Include strips of wildflowers within and around an apple orchard. b) Alternate fields of wheat and apple trees. c) Surround an apple orchard with large fields of wheat. d) In an apple orchard, only apply pesticides during the spring.
1. a) pasta 2. a) colony 3. a) many factors, including viral, bacterial, and fungal infections and improper use of pesticides 4. b) overuse of pesticides has greatly reduced the populations of bees 5. a) Include strips of wildflowers within and around an apple orchard.
1. Ignoring migration, the age structure of a human population likely to increase in size will have what shape? a) pyramid b) inverted pyramid c) Both a pyramid and a rectangle tapering toward the top result in a population that increases in size. d) Both an inverted pyramid and a rectangle tapering toward the top result in a population that increases in size. e) a rectangle tapering toward the top 2. Ignoring migration, the age structure of a human population likely to decrease in size will have what shape? a) a rectangle tapering toward the top b) pyramid c) Both a pyramid and a rectangle tapering toward the top result in a population that decreases in size. d) inverted pyramid e) Both an inverted pyramid and a rectangle tapering toward the top result in a population that decreases in size. 3. Ignoring migration, the age structure diagram of a human population likely to maintain a relatively stable size will have what shape? a) inverted pyramid b) a rectangle tapering toward the top c) pyramid d) Both an inverted pyramid and a rectangle tapering toward the top result in a population that remains stable in size. e) Both a pyramid and a rectangle tapering toward the top result in a population that remains stable in size.
1. a) pyramid 2. d) inverted pyramid 3. b) a rectangle tapering toward the top
1. Why aren't more couples using birth control in Zambia? Birth control in Zambia __________. a) requires travel that many families cannot afford. b) is too expensive c) is forbidden by the government d) leads to an increase in sexually-transmitted infections 2. The number of children in a family in Zambia has largely been determined by __________. a) the other children in the family b) the father c) the religious practices of the family d) the amount of available food 3. To limit the growth of the Zambian population, humanitarian aid agencies and organizations such as UNICEF are focusing on __________. a) educating and empowering women b) increasing the availability of abortions c) giving people money to purchase birth control d) forced sterilization of women who already have three children 4. What is the relationship between family income and family size? In general, as family income levels __________. a) fall, families have fewer children b) become increasingly unpredictable, families have fewer children c) rise, families have fewer children d) None of the listed responses above is correct.
1. a) requires travel that many families cannot afford. 2. b) the father 3. a) educating and empowering women 4. c) rise, families have fewer children
1. About how long have wastewater treatment plants been in existence? a) 50 years b) 120 years c) 190 years d) 220 years e) 300 years 2. Which of the following diseases has been all but eliminated from the United States because of wastewater treatment plants? a) malaria b) cholera c) Nile virus d) lyme disease e) yellow fever 3. You accidentally flush your cell phone. Where will it most likely be found at a wastewater treatment facility? a) clarifier b) aeration basin c) aquifer d) bar screen e) grit chamber 4. Where does settling of solids occur at a wastewater treatment facility? a) bar screen b) aquifer c) injection well d) clarifier e) aeration basin 5. What does the Kanapaha Wastewater Treatment Facility use to disinfect the treated water? a) ultraviolet radiation b) chlorine c) X-rays d) iodine e) acetic acid 6. Which of the following products of a wastewater treatment facility is often put on farm fields as a fertilizer? a) effluent b) methane gas c) ammonia d) grit e) biosolids
1. b) 120 years 2. b) cholera 3. d) bar screen 4. a) clarifier 5. b) chlorine 6. e) biosolids
1. The red line represents annual human consumption of paleoproduction by fossil fuel combustion. The dashed line indicates current annual net primary production (NPP) for the entire planet. Estimate in what year the annual consumption of paleoproduction surpassed Earth's current annual NPP. a) 1850 b) 1890 c) 1920 d) 1960 2. Estimate in what year our consumption of paleoproduction reached 100 times Earth's current annual net primary production. a) 1850 b) 1890 c) 1920 d) 1960 3. If on average it takes 7,000 units of paleoproduction to produce 1 unit of fossil fuel, estimate the total carbon content of the fossil fuel consumed in the year 2000 (assume 50,000 trillion kg C consumption in 2000). a) 7 trillion kg C b) 7,000 trillion kg C c) 50,000 trillion kg C d) 3.5 x 108 trillion kg C 4. Now calculate the total carbon content of the fossil fuel consumed in the year 1750 (assume 0.03 trillion kg C). How many times greater was the total carbon content of the fossil fuel consumed in 2000 than in 1750? a) 6 x 10-7 b) 1.7 x 106 c) 350,000,210 d) 7.4 x 1010 5. If the paleoproduction consumption line reached a peak in 2000 and began to decline at the same rate it increased, in what year would we be at global net primary productivity again? a) 2040 b) 2080 c) 2110 d) 2130
1. b) 1890 2. d) 1960 3. d) 3.5 x 108 trillion kg C 4. b) 1.7 x 106 5. c) 2110
1. Compare the world population index for 1960 to the world population index for 2000. Then express the world population in 2000 as a percentage of world population in 1960. a) 100% b) 200% c) 400% d) 50% 2. Now compare fertilizer use in 1960 to fertilizer use in 2000. Express the year 2000 N fertilizer use as a percentage of N fertilizer use in 1960. a) 67% b) 7% c) 667% d) 15% 3. In 1960 the ratio of food production to N fertilizer use was 40:15 or 2.7:1. By 2000 the ratio was 1:1. The efficiency of N use in agriculture _____. a) decreased—over time we have produced less food with the same amount of N fertilizer b) stayed the same—the amount of food produced with a unit of N fertilizer has stayed the same over time c) there is not enough data to determine the answer. d) increased—over time we have produced more food with the same amount of N fertilizer 4. Calculate the ratio of the agricultural land index to the population index for 1960 and compare it to the ratio for 2000. The ratios suggest that _____. a) the per capita demand on agricultural land has increased over time b) there is no relationship between agricultural land and population c) the per capita demand on agricultural land has stayed the same over time d) the per capita demand on agricultural land has decreased over time 5. Demographers predict that global population will continue to increase. As population increases, which of the following statements represents future agricultural changes for maintaining an adequate food supply? a) Higher agricultural land-to-population ratio b) Higher food production per unit of agricultural land c) Lower use of N fertilizer per unit of land d) Higher food production due to greater use of N fertilizer
1. b) 200% 2. c) 667% 3. a) decreased—over time we have produced less food with the same amount of N fertilizer 4. a) the per capita demand on agricultural land has increased over time 5. b) Higher food production per unit of agricultural land
1. For every metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted as a result of changes in land use (e.g. deforestation), approximately how much is emitted from industry? a) 0.2 metric tons b) 4 metric tons c) 20 metric tons d) 26 metric tons 2. The figure indicates a net accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere of approximately 15 billion metric tons per year. Based on the figure, what is causing this? a) Human activities are sending more CO2 into the atmosphere than is moving from the atmosphere to the surface. b) Respiration is moving more CO2 into the atmosphere than photosynthesis is taking out of the atmosphere. c) The anthropogenic increased uptake of CO2 by plants balances the extra anthropogenic release of CO2 into the atmosphere. d) The ocean is releasing more CO2 than it is absorbing.
1. b) 4 metric tons 2. a) Human activities are sending more CO2 into the atmosphere than is moving from the atmosphere to the surface.
1. Suppose that a system has 5000 grasshoppers. How many hawks would be expected? a) 5 b) 50 c) 500 d) 5000 2. How is energy transferred from one trophic level to the next? Select all that apply. a) cellular respiration b) heat loss c) predation d) parasitism e) herbivory
1. b) 50 2. c) predation d) parasitism e) herbivory
1. How does a coal-fired power plant use the energy in coal to produce electricity? a) Burning coal generates light that is converted into electricity. b) Burning coal heats water and creates steam that turns the blades of a turbine and generates electricity. c) Burning coal heats air that spins the blades of a turbine and produces electricity. d) Burning coal heats wires to very high temperatures, which then generate electricity. 2. What environmental problem that contributes to global warming is addressed by using amine solutions to treat the fumes of a coal-burning power plant? a) the production of fine carbon particles and ash b) the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere c) the production of acid rain d) the release of heat into the atmosphere 3. Once the carbon dioxide is captured from the fumes of a coal-burning power plant, something must be done with it. The option with the least environmental impact involves releasing the carbon dioxide into __________. a) the oceans b) deep underground caverns c) the air d) frozen lakes during the winter months 4. One-quarter of Scotland's electricity is generated by the third-largest coal-fired power station in Europe. In just three minutes, this power plant uses __________ of coal. a) one train car (wagon) b) 1,000 pounds c) 4 billion tons d) 4 million tons
1. b) Burning coal heats water and creates steam that turns the blades of a turbine and generates electricity. 2. b) the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere 3. b) deep underground caverns 4. a) one train car (wagon)
1. Which of these is exhibiting kinetic energy? a) a rock on a mountain ledge b) a space station orbiting Earth c) the high-energy phosphate bonds of a molecule of ATP d) a person sitting on a couch while watching T e) Van archer with a flexed bow 2. "Conservation of energy" refers to the fact that _____. a) the entropy of the universe is always increasing b) the net amount of disorder is always increasing c) energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be converted from one form to another d) no chemical reaction is 100 percent efficient e) if you conserve energy you will not be as tired 3. Chemical energy is a form of _____ energy. a) potential b) motion c) entropic d) kinetic e) heat 4. In your body, what process converts the chemical energy found in glucose into the chemical energy found in ATP? a) redox b) anabolism c) cellular respiration d) digestion e) potentiation 5. Which of these are by-products of cellular respiration? a) carbon dioxide and water b) ATP, carbon dioxide, and water c) heat, carbon dioxide, and water d) glucose, carbon dioxide, and water e) ATP and carbon dioxide
1. b) a space station orbiting Earth 2. c) energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be converted from one form to another 3. a) potential 4. c) cellular respiration 5. c) heat, carbon dioxide, and water
1. Which of these provides your body with energy? a) minerals b) fats c) oxygen d) vitamins e) light 2. What element is found in all organic compounds? a) carbon b) oxygen c) helium d) iron e) nitrogen 3. Where do plants get the energy to make organic molecules? a) minerals b) glucose c) vitamins d) light e) water 4. Where do plants get the carbon they use to make organic molecules? a) glucose b) oxygen c) water d) starch e) carbon dioxide 5. Which of these is NOT an organic molecule? a) carbohydrates b) minerals c) proteins d) glucose e) lipids
1. b) fats 2. a) carbon 3. d) light 4. e) carbon dioxide 5. b) minerals
1. What information is presented on the y-axis of the graph? a) global surface warming, in °Fahrenheit b) global surface warming, in °Celsius c) global surface temperature, in °Celsius d) time, in 100-year intervals 2. What does the yellow line represent? a) Business as Usual: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if governments and individuals take no action to slow the increase in CO2 emissions. b) Sustainable World: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if governments and individuals take significant actions to slow the increase in CO2 emissions. c) Today's World: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if CO2 emissions cease immediately and CO2 concentrations continue at their current level. 3. Which line is not a computer-generated forecast? a) the blue line representing a Sustainable World b) the black line representing 20th century data c) the yellow line representing Today's World d) the red line representing Business as Usual 4. How did the global surface temperature change between 1900 and 2000? a) It decreased by about 0.7 °C. b) It increased by about 0.7 °C. c) It increased by about 0.7 °F. d) It remained relatively constant. 5. According to the Business as Usual scenario, how will the global surface temperature change in the century between 2000 and 2100? a) It will increase by about 2.0 °C. b) It will increase by about 2.0 °F. c) It will increase by about 3.5 °C. d) It will increase by about 3.5 °F. e) It will increase by about 4.5 °C. 6. Which prediction has the greatest degree of certainty? a) Business as Usual b) Today's World c) Sustainable World 7. Which of the following statements is supported by the graph? a) All of the computer-generated forecasts predict some global warming, but reducing the level of CO2 emissions will significantly slow the rate of increase. b) Because there is so much uncertainty in the forecasts, no conclusions can be drawn about how actions to reduce CO2 emissions will affect the rate of global warming. c) If CO2 emissions cease immediately, global temperatures will stabilize near the 1900 level.
1. b) global surface warming, in °Celsius 2. c) Today's World: The amount of global warming that is likely to occur if CO2 emissions cease immediately and CO2 concentrations continue at their current level. 3. b) the black line representing 20th century data 4. b) It increased by about 0.7 °C. 5. c) It will increase by about 3.5 °C. 6. b) Today's World 7. a) All of the computer-generated forecasts predict some global warming, but reducing the level of CO2 emissions will significantly slow the rate of increase.
1. The ultimate source of energy that drives wind power is __________. a) ocean currents b) the sun c) differences in the temperature of the Earth's surface because of internal heating by magma, which occasionally rises to the surface in volcanoes d) friction between the Earth's plates, produced by plate tectonic movements and earthquakes 2. A typical wind farm in the United States consists of __________. a) very large wind turbines in the suburbs of major cities b) millions of small wind turbines in the back yards of highly populated areas c) millions of small wind turbines in remote regions with low human populations d) many very large wind turbines clustered in a region with a low human population 3. The year 2030 goal set by the US Department of Energy is to generate __________. a) 20% of electricity using wind-powered systems b) 50% of electricity using wind-powered systems c) all electricity using solar and wind-powered systems d) all electricity from wind-powered systems 4. Electricity in a wind turbine is generated __________. a) by building pressure in pistons that compress chambers of nitrogen b) when spinning magnets move past a coil of copper wire c) using the heat produced from friction between a spinning shaft and its case d) when electrons are thrown off of a solid, spinning copper core 5. Producing electricity using wind instead of fossil fuels __________. a) generates a different kind of electricity that can be used only to heat homes b) requires a completely different electrical generating system c) generates less sulfur dioxide but more carbon dioxide d) generates no carbon dioxide in the process
1. b) the sun 2. d) many very large wind turbines clustered in a region with a low human population 3. a) 20% of electricity using wind-powered systems 4. b) when spinning magnets move past a coil of copper wire 5. d) generates no carbon dioxide in the process
1. Overall, how many studies showed a positive effect of organic farming on biodiversity? a) 13 b) 9 c) 66 d) 41 2. What percentage of the studies showed a negative effect of organic farming on organisms? a) 89% b) 13% c) 11% d) 8% 3. For which group of organisms is evidence of positive effects the strongest? a) Plants b) Birds and mammals c) Soil microbes d) Beetles 4. What is the overall ratio of positive effects of organic farming to negative effects? a) 8:66 b) 1:8.25 c) 66:8 d) 8.25:1 5. A scientist plans to further investigate the impact of organic farming on biodiversity. Which groups of organisms should the scientist select? a) Birds and mammals b) Beetles and other arthropods c) Soil microbes and plants d) Spiders
1. c) 66 2. c) 11% 3. a) plants 4. d) 8.25:1 5. b) Beetles and other arthropods
1. According to Clinton Jenkins, the real reasons humans choose to protect biodiversity include: a) Desire to protect diverse physical systems. b) Interest in protecting all life-forms. c) Attachment to places or animals that have emotional appeal. d) Concern for the ecosystem impacts of species loss. 2. David Suzuki promotes the idea of protecting "latent hotspots." His justification is that "latent hotspots": a) Are located in the tropics and have high levels of biodiversity. b) Contain many species in immediate danger of extinction. c) Are the most expensive areas to protect. d) Contain species that are currently stable but face high risks in the near future. 3. Clinton Jenkins and David Suzuki would likely agree that we have enough knowledge about threats to biodiversity to begin conservation efforts. Which statement below describes a likely follow-up comment from one of the authors? a) Suzuki—"We have biodiversity knowledge, but we are not applying our knowledge in a cost-effective manner." b) Suzuki—"We should begin our efforts in tropical biodiversity hotspots." c) Jenkins—"If people knew about additional species in an area they would be likely to favor protecting an area." d) Jenkins—"Biodiversity knowledge is irrelevant because people are willing to protect all types of species and ecosystems." 4. Some species are less tolerant of human disturbance than others. As human impacts in an area increase, these species are more likely to suffer. Which of the following hypothetical species might be most at risk? a) A small mammal that lives in both forested and alpine habitats b) A large mammal that lives only in alpine areas c) A bird that ranges throughout North America d) An insect that lays hundreds of eggs 5. Imagine a natural area near your hometown that has been identified as a latent hotspot. Considering the comments of both authors, which of the following public media approaches might succeed in convincing the public to protect the area? a) Share the lists of species in the area with the public, including everything from fungi and insects to trees. b) Argue that protecting this area would also save the species already verging on extinction. c) Tell the public that despite the cost, protecting this area will benefit numerous insect, plant, and microbial species. d) Identify a large, charismatic mammal within the area as the reason for protecting the area.
1. c) Attachment to places or animals that have emotional appeal. 2. d) Contain species that are currently stable but face high risks in the near future. 3. a) Suzuki—"We have biodiversity knowledge, but we are not applying our knowledge in a cost-effective manner." 4. b) A large mammal that lives only in alpine areas 5. d) Identify a large, charismatic mammal within the area as the reason for protecting the area.
1. Which of the following is leading to an increase in wildfires in the Western United States? a) Wetter winters and warmer springs. b) Drier winters and cooler springs. c) Drier winters and warmer springs. d) Wetter winters and cooler springs. 2. If trends of 2015 continue, what will the majority of the U.S. Forest Service budget be spent on? a) Cutting down trees. b) Decreasing fire risk. c) Fighting fires. d) Planting trees. 3. Your aunt builds a home in a fire-prone forested area. Which of the following would be best for her to do to decrease the chance that her home will be lost to a forest fire? a) Remove the excess brush around her home. b) Plant trees in a random pattern around her home. c) Dig a shallow trench that surrounds her home. d) Plant native grasses in a ten foot radius around her home. 4. You are on a hot shot fire crew in Arizona. Your crew is using an "indirect attack" to fight a large wildfire. Which of the following are you doing? a) Sandbagging around homes. b) Wetting excess vegetation with a chemical solution. c) Burning excess vegetation in the area the fire is approaching. d) Telling homeowners to fight the fire on their own and then evacuate. 5. It is 1973 and a fire starts in Targhee National Forest in Idaho. Which of the following was most likely to have happened? a) The fire would have been put out only if it threatened private property. b) The fire would have been allowed to burn naturally. c) The fire would have been put out only if it threatened public property. d) The fire would have been put out as quickly as possible.
1. c) Drier winters and warmer springs. 2. c) Fighting fires. 3. a) Remove the excess brush around her home. 4. c) Burning excess vegetation in the area the fire is approaching. 5. d) The fire would have been put out as quickly as possible.
1. Which three regions used the most paper overall for the entire time period represented on the graph? Select the answer that lists the top three regions in order from most to least paper use. a) Europe, Asia, North America b) North America, Asia, Europe c) North America, Europe, Asia d) Asia, Europe, North America 2. Approximately how many tons of paper and paperboard were consumed worldwide in 1970? a) 130 tons b) 350 tons c) 130 million tons d) 350 million tons 3. Now calculate the tons of paper and paperboard consumed worldwide in 2000. Use your answer to this question and your answer from Part B to calculate the approximate percentage change in consumption from 1970 to 2000. a) 2% b) 63% c) 170% d) 370% 4. In the year 2000 Africa had a population of 840 million people Asia had a population of 3,766 million people North America had a population of 319 million people Which region had the highest per capita paper use in 2000? a) Asia b) North America c) Africa d) There is not enough information. 5. Based on population and consumption trends, which region would have had the highest paper consumption in the year 2010? a) Asia, due to rising population and rising consumption rates b) Europe, due to the developed world businesses and industries present in the region c) Latin America, due to high population growth rates d) North America, due to high per capita consumption levels
1. c) North America, Europe, Asia 2. c) 130 million tons 3. c) 170% 4. b) North America 5. a) Asia, due to rising population and rising consumption rates
1. How does China's air pollution get to the United States? China's air pollution __________. a) is carried by winds over Europe and the Atlantic Ocean to the east coast of the United States b) is carried by jets traveling from Asia to the United States c) is moved by the jet stream to the west coast of the United States d) settles into the ocean and drifts across the Pacific to the west coast of the United States 2. In general, China's air pollution __________. a) increases the amount of ice that forms in the Arctic region b) increases the amount of snowfall in eastern Europe c) decreases rainfall in California d) falls out in rain over the ocean 3. How do dust particles from the vast deserts in China affect weather patterns? The dust __________. a) decreases the chances of storms in Europe b) decreases the chances of snowfall in Oregon c) increases the chances of rainfall in California d) increases the chances of snowfall in Australia 4. Snow and ice accumulations in California's mountains are carefully monitored because __________. a) they contribute to the main water source for most of the residents of the state b) they produce essential water for agriculture in Utah and New Mexico c) winter sports activities are the most important economic activities in the state d) deaths from avalanches and floods are the leading killer of people living in California
1. c) is moved by the jet stream to the west coast of the United States 2. c) decreases rainfall in California 3. c) increases the chances of rainfall in California 4. a) they contribute to the main water source for most of the residents of the state
1. One of the most toxic components of a computer is the _____. a) copper in the wires of the cords b) plastic in the keyboard c) lead embedded in the glass of the monitor d) silicon in the glass of the computer 2. Which of the following are examples of e-waste? a) computer b) DVD player c) microwave d) All answers are correct. 3. When computers are recycled in the United States in ways that limit environmental pollution, they are ____. a) separated down to the atomic level, creating supplies of elements for later use b) burned to generate electricity c) crushed, mixing all the components together and then melted into a large block that is buried d) disassembled into their basic parts and recycled in various ways 4. What has happened to about 80% of the e-waste collected in the United States by recyclers? a) The electronics were given to schools for students to use. b) The electronics were carefully separated into their components and safely recycled. c) The electronics were placed into landfills in the United States. d) The electronics were sent to developing countries. 5. One of the main messages in the film about e-waste is that responsible consumers _____. a) should ship outdated electronics overseas, where they can be used by others b) should never replace their electronics c) should not buy any electronics d) should recycle outdated electronics
1. c) lead embedded in the glass of the monitor 2. d) All answers are correct. 3. d) disassembled into their basic parts and recycled in various ways 4. d) The electronics were sent to developing countries. 5. d) should recycle outdated electronics
1. In an ecosystem, phytoplankton are _____. a) detritivores b) tertiary consumers c) producers d) secondary consumers e) primary consumers 2. An earthworm that feeds on the remains of plants and animals is acting as a _____. a) detritivore b) producer c) primary consumer d) tertiary consumer e) secondary consumer 3. When a human eats a steak, the human is acting as a _____. a) primary consumer b) tertiary consumer c) producer d) secondary consumer e) detritivore 4. A cow eating grass is an example of a _____. a) primary consumer b) detritivore c) tertiary consumer d) secondary consumer e) producer 5. A seal that just ate a clam is eaten by a shark. The shark is acting as a _____. a) tertiary consumer b) primary consumer c) producer d) detritivore e) secondary consumer
1. c) producers 2. a) detritivore 3. d) secondary consumer 4. a) primary consumer 5. a) tertiary consumer
1. What does the left y-axis represent? a) per capita generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year b) per capita generation of municipal solid waste, in kilograms per year c) total generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year d) total generation of municipal solid waste, in kilograms per year 2. What does the red line on the graph represent? a) the average amount of solid waste generated by each person in the United States per year b) the total amount of solid waste generated by all people in the United States per year c) the period of time in years d) the average amount of solid waste generated by each household in the United States per year 3. In 2000, how much solid waste did the average person in the United States produce? a) 220 metric tons per year b) 770 kilograms per year c) 190 metric tons per year d) 840 kilograms per year 4. Which of the following statements is the best description of the per capita generation of solid waste between 1960 and 2010? a) Between 1960 and 1990, per capita generation increased at a steady rate. After 1990, per capita generation continued to increase, but at a slower rate. b) Between 1960 and 2010, per capita generation was relatively constant. c) Between 1960 and 2010, per capita generation of solid waste increased steadily. d) Between 1960 and 2000, per capita generation increased. After 2000, per capita generation declined. 5. Which of the following actions would not reduce the per capita generation of solid waste? a) reusing items such as shopping bags and clothing b) reducing the volume of product packaging c) composting kitchen scraps and yard waste d) recycling paper and plastic bottles e) installation of waste-to-energy incinerators 6. Which of the following statements is the best description of the total MSW generation between 1960 and 2010? a) Between 1960 and 2010, total MSW generation increased steadily. b) Between 1960 and 2010, total MSW generation remained constant. c) Between 1960 and 2000, total MSW generation increased. After 2000, total MSW generation declined. d) Between 1960 and 2005, total MSW generation increased at a steady rate. After 2005, total generation leveled off. 7. Between 2000 and 2010, per capita generation of solid waste declined, but the total amount of MSW remained relatively constant. What caused the difference in these two trends? a) Per capita generation of waste is not included in the figures for total MSW generation. b) The amount of industrial waste was increasing. c) The total population was increasing. d) The answer cannot be determined from this graph. 8. How is the generation of municipal solid waste likely to change in the next 20 years? a) Total municipal waste generation will continue at its current rate. b) Per capita generation of waste will continue to decline. c) Total municipal waste generation will decline. d) The answer cannot be determined from the graph.
1. c) total generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year 2. a) the average amount of solid waste generated by each person in the United States per year 3. b) 770 kilograms per year 4. d) Between 1960 and 2000, per capita generation increased. After 2000, per capita generation declined. 5. e) installation of waste-to-energy incinerators 6. d) Between 1960 and 2005, total MSW generation increased at a steady rate. After 2005, total generation leveled off. 7. c) The total population was increasing. 8. d) The answer cannot be determined from the graph.
1. In what year was the fishing mortality highest for North Atlantic swordfish? a) 1978 b) 2000 c) 1996 d) 1987 2. In what year was the biomass highest for North Atlantic swordfish? a) 1996 b) 1987 c) 2000 d) 1978 3. Which of the following statements describes the mortality and biomass trends for swordfish before the United States implemented an international recovery plan? a) Mortality was decreasing and biomass was increasing. b) Mortality was increasing and biomass was decreasing. c) Mortality was fluctuating and biomass was stable. d) Mortality was steady and biomass was decreasing. 4. Compare the percent change in stock biomass from 1978 to the international recovery plan in 1994 and following the recovery plan to the year 2000. a) Prior: 50% decline; Post: 50% increase b) Prior: 20% decline; Post: 10% increase c) Prior: 33% decline; Post: 25% increase d)Prior: 2% decline; Post: 1% increase 5. Based on the data in the graph, predict the likely trend in swordfish production from 2000 to 2010, assuming no change in trends. a) Stabilize at 50 b) Increase to 70 c) Decline to 0 d) Increase to 90
1. d) 1987 2. d) 1978 3. b) Mortality was increasing and biomass was decreasing. 4. c) Prior: 33% decline; Post: 25% increase 5. d) Increase to 90
1. What is the atomic number of an atom that has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons? a) 0 b) 18 c) 12 d) 6 e) -1 2. Which of these refers to atoms with the same atomic number but different atomic masses? a) These atoms are different elements. b) These atoms have different numbers of electrons. c) These atoms are isotopes. d) These atoms have different numbers of protons. e) These atoms are isomers. 3. Fluorine's atomic number is 9 and its atomic mass is 19. How many neutrons does fluorine have? a) 9 b) 10 c) 19 d) 81 e) 28 An uncharged atom of boron has an atomic number of 5 and an atomic mass of 11. How many protons does boron have? a) 11 b) 6 c) 5 d) 16 e) 0
1. d) 6 2. C) These atoms are isotopes. 3. b) 10 4. c) 5
1. In the solar panel system presented in the video, which of the following was necessary to generate usable electrical current for a home? a) Electrical energy had to be stored in batteries for several days. b) The electrical energy had to be converted to nuclear energy. c) The heat of the sun had to be used to generate steam. d) DC power had to be converted to AC. 2. Which of the following best describes the energy conversion sequence in the solar panel system described in the video? a) Electrons, carrying energy from the sun, are focused by lenses onto wires, which carry the electrons as electricity. b) Photons, carrying energy from the sun, are used to create steam that turns turbines to generate electricity. c) Photons carrying energy from the sun chemically react with silicon crystals to generate a flow of electrons. d) Electrons, carrying energy from the sun, are collected by thin chemical wafers, which concentrate the electrons to make electricity. 3. Which of the following would indicate that a home is using solar power to generate electricity and is NOT using batteries? a) There are solar panels on the roof and power lines going to the home. b) There are water pipes running to and from the solar panels on the home. c) There are solar panels on the roof and no power lines going to the home. d) There are small plumes of smoke drifting away from the solar panels on the home. 4. If a home uses a large supply of solar panels to generate electricity, but has no battery system, surplus electricity that is produced is usually __________. a) used to power chemical reactions that generate water for the home b) used to pump water high up into a tank to store the energy c) released harmlessly into the ground d) released into the power grid for others to use, generating a credit to the homeowner 5. Which of the following is a challenge to using solar-generated electricity in places not connected to a power grid? a) the generation of toxic fumes by the solar panel system b) the limited supply of silicon to make the wafers used in solar panels c) the reliance upon fossil fuels to power the system d) the lack of efficient and inexpensive battery technology
1. d) DC power had to be converted to AC. 2. c) Photons carrying energy from the sun chemically react with silicon crystals to generate a flow of electrons. 3. a) There are solar panels on the roof and power lines going to the home. 4. d) released into the power grid for others to use, generating a credit to the homeowner 5. d) the lack of efficient and inexpensive battery technology
1. What does the Murphree Water Treatment Plant use to disinfect the water? a) nitrogen b) iodine c) oxygen d) chlorine e) phosphorus 2. What federal agency regulates the bottled water industry? a) Environmental Protection Agency b) Department of the Interior c) Department of Agriculture d) Department of Health and Human Services e) Food and Drug Administration 3. Which of the following is considered to be the safest drinking water source? a) a river b) melted snow c) the groundwater d) a lake e) the ocean 4. What is the next frontier in the drinking water industry? a) bottling b) evaporation c) distillation d) desalination e) condensation 5. Once a groundwater supply is contaminated with marine water, how long will it remain contaminated? a) Such water is not considered contaminated. b) It depends on the concentration of the salt. c) Forever. d) It depends on the location. e) It depends on the amount of the precipitation in the area. 6. What are the two types of aquifers? a) tapped and untapped b) thick and thin c) confined and unconfined d) renewable and nonrenewable e) shallow and deep
1. d) chlorine 2. e) Food and Drug Administration 3. c) the groundwater 4. d) desalination 5. c) Forever. 6. c) confined and unconfined
1. What does the y-axis show? a) time, in 50-year intervals b) relative frequency of forest fires between 1700 and 1988 c) total area occupied by a forest stage, in square miles d) percentage of landscape occupied by a forest stage 2. What does the red graph line represent? a) thinning stage b) establishment stage c) old-growth stage d) transition stage 3. During which period were forest fires most extensive? a) 1700-1750 b) 1750-1800 c) 1800-1850 d) 1850-1900 4. In 1770, how much of the landscape did the thinning stage occupy? a) 15% b) 25% c) 50% d) 50 square miles 5. Which of the following best describes the Yellowstone Plateau landscape in 1900? a) Most of the landscape was occupied with forests made up of young lodgepole pines. b) More than half of the landscape was occupied by forests in which shade-tolerant trees were becoming established. c) More than half of the landscape was covered by forests made up of mature shade-tolerant trees. d) All of the forest stages occupied about the same amount of area. 6. Is this statement supported or not supported by the graph? Between 1700 and 1985, the dominant forest stage on the Yellowstone Plateau progressed from establishment stage to old-growth forest, in a pattern typical of secondary succession. a) supported b) not supported c) cannot be determined from the graph 7. Which statement is most likely to have described how the landscape changed in the 12 years after the 1988 fires? a) The percentage of the landscape in old-growth stage forest increased. b) The percentage of the landscape in old-growth stage forest stayed the same. c) The percentage of the landscape in old-growth stage forest decreased. d) It is not possible to make a prediction based on the data in this graph.
1. d) percentage of landscape occupied by a forest stage 2. a) thinning stage 3. a) 1700-1750 4. c) 50% 5. b) More than half of the landscape was occupied by forests in which shade-tolerant trees were becoming established. 6. a) supported 7. c) The percentage of the landscape in old-growth stage forest decreased.
1. Which of these would NOT contribute to a global increase in temperature? a) deforestation b) increasing the use of gasoline-burning vehicles c) increasing the industrial release of carbon dioxide d) planting trees e) increasing the amount of animal life on Earth 2. Switching from fossil fuels to _____ energy would significantly decrease the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. a) solar b) nuclear c) geothermal d) solar and geothermal e) solar, nuclear, and geothermal
1. d) planting trees 2. solar, nuclear, and geothermal
1. Look at the age-structure pyramids. The numbers between the bars (in the middle of the graphs) serve as the y-axis. What do these numbers represent? a) the population of males and females b) the number of people born in a particular year c) the total population, in millions d) the age classes, in 5-year ranges e) the percentage of the population in each age class 2. What do the bars on the graphs represent? a) the number of males and females born in different years b) the percentage of males and females in each age group c) birth rate or death rate for each age group d) the number of males and females in each age group 3. In 2014, how many 25- to 29-year-old women lived in Niger? a) about 0.6 million b) about 1.2 million c) about 0.6 billion d) cannot be determined from the graph 4. The colors of the bars on the graphs indicate the life stage of the people in that age class. What does it mean if a bar is colored red? a) The people in that age class are past reproductive age. b) The answer cannot be determined from the graphs. c) The people in that age class are of reproductive age. d) The people in that age class have not yet reached reproductive age. 5. The 2014 age-structure pyramid for Niger indicates that the population of Niger ________. a) was increasing b) was stable c) was decreasing d) cannot be determined from the graph 6. In the Netherlands in 2014, which age classes contained the largest number of people? a) children between 5 and 14 b) adults between 25 and 34 c) adults between 35 and 45 d) adults between 45 and 54 e) adults between 55 and 64 7. In the Netherlands in 2014, people between the ages of 45 and 54 made up the largest percentage of the population. What factor is most likely to have caused this bulge in the age pyramid? a) a decline in the birth rate during the Great Depression of the 1930s b) the increased availability of oral contraceptives in the 1950s and 1960s c) an increase in the death rate during World War I and the influenza epidemic of 1917 d) a surge in the birth rate after World War II ended in 1945 8. Assuming that current trends continue, predict how the age structure of the Netherlands in 2034 will likely differ from that in 2014. a) The proportion of the population made up of children (ages 0-15) will increase. b) The proportion of the population made up of adults of reproductive age will increase. c) The proportion of the population made up of older adults (65+) will increase. d) The answer cannot be determined from the graph. 9. Based on a comparison of the age-structure pyramids, which of the following would likely be a higher priority in the Netherlands than in Niger? a) providing long-term care for the elderly b) building new schools c) providing childhood vaccinations d) providing prenatal care
1. d) the age classes, in 5-year ranges 2. d) the number of males and females in each age group 3. a) about 0.6 million 4. a) The people in that age class are past reproductive age. 5. a) was increasing 6. d) adults between 45 and 54 7. d) a surge in the birth rate after World War II ended in 1945 8. c) The proportion of the population made up of older adults (65+) will increase. 9. a) providing long-term care for the elderly
1. The y-axis to the right represents ___________. a) the level of excess resources available for population growth b) the population available to use the resources c) resources increasing as population increases d) the level of resources available per capita 2. What does the orange graph line represent? a) exponential growth b) logistic growth c) carrying capacity d) population size 3. Which of the following statements are true of logistic growth? Select all that apply. a) The population grows at a steady rate. b) As the population approaches carrying capacity, it grows more rapidly. c) As the population approaches carrying capacity, it grows more slowly. d) When the population reaches carrying capacity, it stops growing. 4. Which of the following statements are true of a population at carrying capacity? Select all that apply. a) The rate at which resources are used is equal to the rate at which they are supplied. b) The population growth rate equals zero. c) The population continues to grow at a constant rate. d) The birth rate equals the death rate. 5. As a population approaches carrying capacity, environmental resistance __________. a) remains constant b) cannot be determined from the graph c) increases d) decreases 6. Which of the following factors does not contribute to environmental resistance? a) weather conditions b) competition for food c) environmental toxins d) birth rate e) competition for space
1. d) the level of resources available per capita 2. b) logistic growth 3. c) As the population approaches carrying capacity, it grows more slowly. d) When the population reaches carrying capacity, it stops growing. 4. a) The rate at which resources are used is equal to the rate at which they are supplied. b) The population growth rate equals zero. d) The birth rate equals the death rate. 5. c) increases 6. d) birth rate
1. _____ are secondary consumers. a) Producers b) Herbivores c) Plants d) Cows e) Carnivores 2. Approximately _____% of the energy at one trophic level is passed on to the next highest trophic level. a) 0-5 b) 5-10 c) 10-15 d) 15-20 e) 90-100 3. 10,000 kcal of producer could support approximately _____ kcal of tertiary consumer. a) 1,000 b) 100 c) 10 d) 1 e) 0
1. e) Carnivores 2. b) 5-10 3. c) 10
1. What name is given to the process by which detritivores return carbon to the atmosphere? a) burning b) predation c) photosynthesis d) predation and photosynthesis e) decomposition 2. Which of these removes carbon from the atmosphere? a) logging trees b) rabbits c) burning fossil fuels, such as oil d) bobcats e) algae 3. Detritus is composed of _____. a) detritivores b) dead organic matter c) inorganic minerals d) excreted wastes e) dead organic matter and excreted wastes
1. e) decomposition 2. e) algae 3. d) dead organic matter and excreted wastes
Drag the pollutant on the left to each characteristic described on the right. Not all terms will be used.
1. lead 2. tropospheric ozone 3. particulate matter 4. carbon monoxide 5. nitrogen dioxide 6. sulfur dioxide
The following graphs are possible results from your experiment. Drag group 1 labels (blue) to match each description with the appropriate graph. Drag group 2 labels (pink) to indicate how well each graph supports the hypothesis that natural selection results in urban ant populations with greater heat tolerance.
1. more; strongly 2. slightly more; weakly 3. no change; not 4. less; not
Can you sequence the steps in the eutrophication process that occurs in a body of water? Drag each statement to the appropriate location in the flowchart of the eutrophication process.
1. nutrients enter a waterway 2. nutrients promote 3. more phytoplankton 4. hypoxic conditions 5. aquatic life in and near
Drag the air pollution impact on the left to the description on the right. Terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
1. photochemical smog 2. stratospheric ozone depletion 3. stratospheric ozone depletion 4. acid deposition 5. stratospheric ozone depletion 6. photochemical smog 7. acid deposition 8. photochemical smog
Drag the type of toxicant on the left to the example of that type on the right. Terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
1. teratogen or endocrine disruptor 2. neurotoxin 3. carcinogen 4. allergen 5. neurotoxin 6. carcinogen 7. teratogen or endocrine disruptor
Osborn and his colleagues found no evidence that well water from any of the test sites was contaminated by the chemicals injected in the hydrofracking process. However, when they tested the concentration of methane, the primary gaseous component of natural gas, they found the following: Drag the labels on the left to the appropriate blanks on the right to complete the sentences. Labels may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
1. x axis 2. y axis 3. red dots; blue dots 4. 10; 28 5. 1,000; 9; 1,000 6. decreases; 4500
The researchers visited private wells that draw drinking water from aquifers that lie above the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations in Pennsylvania and New York. With the homeowners' permission, they collected samples from 68 wells and tested their chemical composition. Half of the water wells were located within 1000 meters of active gas drilling sites; the other half were more than 1000 meters away from the nearest drilling site. Osborn and his colleagues found no evidence that well water from any of the test sites was contaminated by the chemicals injected in the hydrofracking process. However, when they tested the concentration of methane, the primary gaseous component of natural gas, they found the following: Drag the labels on the left to the appropriate blanks on the right to complete the sentences. Labels may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
1. x axis 2. y axis 3. red dots; blue dots 4. 10; 28 5. 1,000; 9; 1,000 6. decreases; 4500
__________ is a social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world from the undesirable changes brought about by human actions. A) Environmentalism B) Preservationism C) Environmental science D) Conservationism
A) Environmentalism
Pollution changes the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) How does this occur? A) GDP goes up when the polluting substance is produced and again when society pays to remove the substance from the environment. B) It has a zero net effect. C) GDP goes down when society pays to remove the substance from the environment. D) There is no correlation between pollution and GDP.
A) GDP goes up when the polluting substance is produced and again when society pays to remove the substance from the environment.
Which of the following correctly illustrate the two ways that economic growth can occur? A) Increased inputs to the economy and improvements in efficiency through technology B) Pollution and increased inputs to the economy C) Decreased inputs and pollution D) Decreased inputs and improvements in technology
A) Increased inputs to the economy and improvements in efficiency through technology
How many citizens of Mexico does it take to equal the ecological footprint of the average citizen of the United States? A) It takes just over three Mexican citizens to equal the ecological footprint of the average U.S. citizen. B) They are essentially equal. C) It takes about 12 Mexican citizens to equal the ecological footprint of the average U.S. citizen. D) It takes just over eight Mexican citizens to equal the ecological footprint of the average U.S. citizen. E) It takes just over two Mexican citizens to equal the ecological footprint of the average U.S. citizen.
A) It takes just over three Mexican citizens to equal the ecological footprint of the average U.S. citizen.
What is the term that refers to the substances and forces that sustain our society and everyday lives? A) Natural resources B) Nonmarket values C) Free riders D) Mixed economy
A) Natural resources
Which of the following is the main concern of neoclassical economics? A) Production B) ecosystem services C) ecosystem goods D) Waste
A) Production
How does the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) differ from the GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator)? A) The GPI takes into account externalities (both good and bad) and other nonmarket values, while the GDP does not. B) The GDP reflects only a single calendar year, while the GPI looks at historical trends and projects into the future. C) GDP does not include items bought and sold over the Internet. Critics say that this makes the GDP out-of-date and came up with the GPI to add these purchases into the calculations. D) GPI reflects the total value of goods and services, while the GDP focuses only on the goods produced.
A) The GPI takes into account externalities (both good and bad) and other nonmarket values, while the GDP does not.
What is meant by "market failure"? A) This occurs when markets do not take into account the environment's positive effects on economies (such as ecosystem services) or when they do not reflect the negative impacts of economic activity on people or the environment (external costs). B) The national GDP drops below the level forecast by Wall Street investors. C) The GDP dips below the GPI. D) Economists are forced to use contingent valuation rather than rely on direct costs and benefits.
A) This occurs when markets do not take into account the environment's positive effects on economies (such as ecosystem services) or when they do not reflect the negative impacts of economic activity on people or the environment (external costs).
Ecosystem services ________. A) are economically valuable services provided by natural systems B) are valuable to natural systems but not to human-created systems C) contribute to keeping ecosystems productive D) are required to rebalance natural systems that we have disturbed E) are not necessary to sustainable systems
A) are economically valuable services provided by natural systems
In animal populations, DDT causes _____. A) birth defects B) tuberculosis C) sleeping sickness D) the flu E) malaria DDT is _____-soluble so it accumulates in _____. A) fat ... milk B) water ... milk C) water ... streams D) fat ... streams E) water ... oceans Which one of the following statements is true? A) DDT does not help prevent disease from passing from agricultural animals to humans. B) Cost was a major factor in the United States government's decision to ban DDT. C) Many African governments concluded that the potential long-term health effects of DDT were not as serious as the immediate problem of insect control. D) DDT cannot accumulate in the fat of animals. E) The DDT ban in the United States has made it very difficult to control agricultural insect pests.
A) birth defects A) fat ... milk C) Many African governments concluded that the potential long-term health effects of DDT were not as serious as the immediate problem of insect control.
Which of the following groups advocates economies that neither grow nor shrink but remain stable? A) ecological economists B) subsistence gatherers C) classical economists D) neoclassical economists
A) ecological economists
An ______________ is a social system that converts resources into goods (material commodities made and bought by individuals and businesses) and services (work done for others as a form of business). A) economy B) ecosystem C) nongovernment organization D) calculator
A) economy
Which of the following acts to discourage unsustainable activities? A) green tax B) Subsidy C) permit trading D) ecolabeling
A) green tax
A company that produces household cleaners decides to produce a "green" version of its products, even though the formulas are virtually unchanged compared to the original formulas. This is an example of __________. A) greenwashing B) ecolabeling C) whitewashing D) ecofeminism
A) greenwashing
Which of the following is NOT an external cost that affects people who are not involved in some environmentally damaging transaction? A) job security B) water pollution C)human health problems D) aesthetic damage
A) job security
A __________ is widely accepted and has been extensively validated by a great amount of research. A) theory B) prediction C) hypothesis D) paradigm shift
A) theory
Can you classify solutions as acidic, neutral, or basic? Decide whether each label describes a solution that is acidic, neutral, or basic, and then drag it into the appropriate bin.
Acidic: a solution with a higher concentration of hydrogen ions(H+) than hydroxide ions (OH-), rainwater, lemon juice, solution with a pH of 6 Neutral: a solution with equal concentrations of hydroxide ions (OH-) and hydrogen ions (H+), pure water, solution with a pH of 7 Basic: a solution with a higher concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-) than hydrogen ions (H+), liquid soap, solution with a pH of 12
The following graphs are possible results from Angilletta's experiment. Match each description with the appropriate graph. Graph 1
Ants from urban locations tolerate heat more than ants from rural locations.
The following graphs are possible results from Angilletta's experiment. Match each description with the appropriate graph. Graph 3
Ants from urban locations tolerate heat slightly less than ants from rural locations.
The following graphs are possible results from Angilletta's experiment. Match each description with the appropriate graph. Graph 2
Ants from urban locations tolerate heat slightly more than ants from rural location.
Which of the following is a scientific theory? A) "Students who sleep better at night do better on their exams than those who do not." B) All organisms are composed of similar units of organization called cells." C) "Aspirin reduces the risk of heart attack." D) "I think my skin itches because I switched to a new body soap."
B) All organisms are composed of similar units of organization called cells."
What was the main emphasis of the first major era of U.S. environmental policy? A) Policies driven by the burning of the Cuyahoga River B) Development through management and westward expansion C) Addressing environmental pollution D) Policy driven by new evidence such as Rachel Carson's Silent Spring
B) Development through management and westward expansion
Which type of advertising assists consumers in choosing products that are grown or manufactured with environmentally friendly methods? A) Ecobalance B) Ecolabeling C) Energy Star labeling D) Ecodocuments
B) Ecolabeling
What type of economic discipline maintains that society, like natural populations, cannot surpass environmental limitations? A) Environmental economics B) Ecological economics C) Neoclassical economics D) Classical economics
B) Ecological economics
Later in his life, pioneering environmental philosopher Aldo Leopold would have most likely agreed with which one of the following statements? A) If a development project would provide significant economic benefit to humans, it would be a worthwhile endeavor even if it harms the environment. B) Humans are members of the land-community. C) Our ethical concerns should focus on applying a standard of fairness and equality to all people. D) People should put natural resources to use but should use them wisely.
B) Humans are members of the land-community.
How did the agricultural revolution lead to an increase in human population numbers? A) The discovery of medicines like antibiotics allowed us to live longer B) The shift from a nomadic lifestyle to settling down on farms with domesticated animals allowed for nutritional needs to be met more easily. C) Farming allowed for the discovery of pesticides, which allowed for better food production. D) Industrialization and manufacturing allowed us to produce more food.
B) The shift from a nomadic lifestyle to settling down on farms led to people producing more food to meet their nutritional needs, and therefore, having more children.
What is the purpose of peer review? A) To analyze data collected in an experiment B) To guard against faulty science being published C) To promote a paradigm shift D) To repeat an experiment to verify the results
B) To guard against faulty science being published
The main advantage of observational studies and natural experiments over manipulative studies is that natural experiments __________. A) show causation B) are able to test hypotheses in the field and with large study areas C) can prove hypotheses D) always limit the independent variables to one
B) are able to test hypotheses in the field and with large study areas
To determine your specific impacts on the environment, you can ________. A) determine your current water pollution impact. B) calculate your ecological footprint. C) measure the volume and type of all the wastes you contribute to the municipal waste stream. D) measure local air pollution and its impacts on your health. E) calculate the biodiversity of your local community.
B) calculate your ecological footprint.
Which of the examples below illustrates the economic principle of a negative externality? A) cost or benefit of a transaction that involves the buyer or seller when both parties lose money B) cost of rebuilding roads damaged by trucks heavily loaded with goods C) cost of transportation of goods from the site of production to a market D) cost of labor to produce a product
B) cost of rebuilding roads damaged by trucks heavily loaded with goods
What costs are associated with transactions that can result in damage to the environment, human health, and property? A) internal costs B) external costs C) ntangential costs D) traditional market costs
B) external costs
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) _________. A)was needed because the EPA was unable to control pollution B) gave citizens the right to see and comment on proposed government projects through the creation of environmental impact statements C) was part of the first wave of U.S. environmental policy D) was signed into law by a president belonging to the Democratic Party
B) gave citizens the right to see and comment on proposed government projects through the creation of environmental impact statements
During the second wave of U.S. environmental policy, in 1872, Congress designated Yellowstone as the world's first __________. A) wildlife refuge B) national park C) national forest D) wilderness area
B) national park
The average footprint per person has increased from 2.2 to 2.9 since 2008, and the footprints of many developing nations, such as India and China, have also increased. This means that ________. A) some nations no longer have a measurable footprint B) our collective lifestyle is even more unsustainable than before C) the ability of the planet to sustain human beings has increased D) our collective lifestyle is slightly more sustainable than before E) the populations of both India and China have decreased since 2008
B) our collective lifestyle is even more unsustainable than before
What event is credited with leading to the passage of the Clean Water Act? A) the Chicago River being reversed (to flow into the Illinois River rather than into Lake Michigan) to move pollution away from Chicago B) the Cuyahoga River catching fire C) sewage collecting on beaches in San Diego D) Lake Erie being declared "dead"
B) the Cuyahoga River catching fire
If an experiment fails to disprove a hypothesis, then __________. A) it is proven B) this lends support to the hypothesis but does not prove it is correct C) it becomes a theory D) scientists will automatically believe it
B) this lends support to the hypothesis but does not prove it is correct
Osborn's team established that methane concentrations were higher in wells nearer to drilling sites. But where exactly did the methane come from? There are two different types of methane: thermogenic methane, which is produced deep underground, and biogenic methane, which is produced at shallow depths by microorganisms. Determining which type of methane was in the well water would help to reveal whether fracking was the cause of the methane contamination in their water samples. Thermogenic and biogenic methane contain differing complements of isotopes (recall that isotopes are forms of an element that differ in the number of neutrons in their nuclei). Osborn's team analyzed ratios of isotopes in the methane from the contaminated well water to determine if the gas was thermogenic or biogenic in origin. They found that the methane from well water near drilling sites was largely thermogenic, suggesting contamination from drilling. In contrast, methane present in small amounts in wells far from drilling sites was mostly of shallow biogenic origin. Moreover, the chemical composition of the natural gas in wells near drilling sites was consistent with the composition of gas within the Marcellus Shale formation underlying the region. Still, the Marcellus Shale lies 1000 - 2000 meters below the surface, whereas the drinking water wells extend only 36 -190 meters underground. How could methane from so far down have reached these shallow wells? Osborn's team proposed three scenarios by which thermogenic methane could have reached the aquifer during the drilling process: Possibility A: Gas-rich solutions from deep underground were displaced by fracking and traveled upward through existing fractures to the shallow aquifer. Possibility B: Fracking unintentionally created or enlarged fractures in shallow areas far above the shale formations, allowing gas to travel to the surface. Possibility C: Some gas well casings were leaking, allowing gas pulled up from deep below to escape from the well casing near the surface and infiltrate shallow aquifers. Use the diagram below to identify where each possible problem would have originated.
C top left. B top right. A bottom right.
Osborn's team proposed three scenarios by which thermogenic methane could have reached the aquifer during the drilling process: Possibility A: Gas-rich solutions from deep underground were displaced by fracking and traveled upward through existing fractures to the shallow aquifer. Possibility B: Fracking unintentionally created or enlarged fractures in shallow areas far above the shale formations, allowing gas to travel to the surface. Possibility C: Some gas well casings were leaking, allowing gas pulled up from deep below to escape from the well casing near the surface and infiltrate shallow aquifers. Use the diagram below to identify where each possible problem would have originated.
C top left. B top right. A bottom right.
Which of the following terms best describes the practice of environmental science? A) Abstract and theoretical B) Highly specialized and focused C) Integrative and interdisciplinary D) Theoretical and controversial E) Elitist and unnecessary
C) Integrative and interdisciplinary
The average citizen of which of the following nations has the largest ecological footprint? A) China B) Haiti C) United States D) France
C) United States
Which statement best exemplifies the concept of sustainability? A) Forests that we have today will be preserved and not used for human consumption. B) The E.P.A. sets stricter standards on air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. C) Water extracted from underground resources must be equal to or less than the water that recharges the underground resources. D) Human population must decline for the foreseeable future to maintain Earth's natural resources.
C) Water extracted from underground resources must be equal to or less than the water that recharges the underground resources.
The scientific process and scientific knowledge are based on ________. A) the fact that all hypotheses can be proven true B) guesses based on personal feelings about the subject under inquiry C) a systematic process of learning about and testing our understanding of the world D) observation alone E) quantitative data alone
C) a systematic process of learning about and testing our understanding of the world
Most of the environmental progress made over the past few decades has come about through __________ methods. A) public ownership B) free-rider C) command-and-control D) green tax
C) command-and-control
An experiment ________. A) is designed to generate new scientific hypothesis B) does not need to be repeated if well designed C) is an activity designed to test the validity of a hypothesis D) involves only collection of quantitative data E) often involves manipulating as many variables as possible
C) is an activity designed to test the validity of a hypothesis
A study's results are deemed worthy of acceptance into the body of scientific knowledge if they are published in journals which ________. A) meet guidelines advocated by environmentalists or consumer groups B) are funded by corporations funding the research C) use the peer review process D) conform to current political and religious views E) charge a high fee for acceptance
C) use the peer review process
The hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico is not unique; at least 200 dead zones exist at estuaries and along seacoasts worldwide. These low-oxygen regions share many of the same causes, and they all have ecological and economic repercussions for ecosystems and people. Fortunately, we can pursue strategies to lessen the number, severity, and impacts of dead zones. The following answers for the Causes and Consequences features are examples and are not intended to represent a comprehensive list. In addition, the sequence of items is not meant to connote relative importance. Sort the examples below into the appropriate bin. Think about which factors contribute to the development of dead zones (the cause), the consequences that result from dead zones, and possible solutions.
Cause: Nutrient runoff from agricultural fertilizers, manure, and urban sources, which leads to rapid algal growth and subsequent bacterial decomposition. Consequences: death of aquatic organisms that cannot escape-economic losses for fisheries-shifts in the marine food web. Solutions: reduction of fertilizers use to decrease nutrient pollution from farms-construction of wetlands to absorb nutrients-policies to promote no-till agriculture
The following answers for the Causes and Consequences features are examples and are not intended to represent a comprehensive list. In addition, the sequence of items is not meant to connote relative importance. Sort the examples below into the appropriate bin.
Causes: Expansion of farming. Growing demand for wood products. Subsistence grazing. Consequences: Soil erosion. Decreased carbon sequestration. Change in the hydrological cycle with more surface runoff. Solutions: Increased tree planting. Recycling of paper products. Substitution of other materials for wood products.
Indoor air pollution receives less attention than outdoor air pollution, yet it exerts severe health impacts on millions of people. Poverty worsens indoor air pollution in the developing world; high-technology products and chemicals contribute to it in the developed world; and certain lifestyle choices can affect all of us. Fortunately, many solutions are within reach to address the causes and lessen the consequences of this environmental health risk. The following answers for the Causes and Consequences features are examples and are not intended to represent a comprehensive list. In addition, the sequence of items is not meant to connote relative importance. Sort the examples below into the appropriate bin.
Causes: inefficient... Radon... VOCs... Consequences: People... Lung... Respiratory... Solutions... Measurement... Conversion... Purchase...
Assume you are the chief engineer at a fracking operation extracting natural gas from the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania. There are four potential locations for your fracking well. The map below shows those locations (A, B, C, D), along with the locations of nearby homes with water wells. You wish to minimize the potential for methane contamination of well water from your fracking operation. Based on Osborn's conclusions regarding the relationship between methane contamination and the distance to the nearest water well, choose the drilling site that minimizes the potential for risk. Based on distance to the nearest water well, which drilling site would pose the least risk of methane contamination?
D
Based on Osborn's conclusions regarding the relationship between methane contamination and the distance to the nearest water well, choose the drilling site that minimizes the potential for risk. Based on distance to the nearest water well, which drilling site would pose the least risk of methane contamination?
D
Today (2018), there are about ________. A) 10 billion people on Earth B) 9 billion people on Earth C) 5.35 billion people on Earth, the same as for the past 6 years D) 7.5 billion people on Earth E) 2% fewer people on Earth than in 2010
D) 7.5 billion people on Earth
Which statement is correct concerning international law? A) All international law is established by treaties between nations. B) Being a good neighbor, the United States ratified the Kyoto treaty with Japan and the United Kingdom to limit carbon dioxide emissions. C) Customary law is more easily enforced and binding than conventional law. D) An example of customary law is the idea that no nation should use its resources in ways that adversely affect its neighbors.
D) An example of customary law is the idea that no nation should use its resources in ways that adversely affect its neighbors.
How do economists assess (calculate) the economic health of a nation? A) net primary productivity B) net domestic product C) gross primary productivity D) Gross Domestic Product
D) Gross Domestic Product
What is the title of the book by Rachel Carson that refers to the absence of birdsongs due to the poisoning of birds by pesticides? A) A Sand County Almanac B) Our Stolen Future C) The Land Ethic D) Silent Spring
D) Silent Spring
What are ecosystem services? A) GPI B) The "invisible hand" C) Neoclassical economics D) These are essential processes such as soil formation, nutrient cycles, the pollination of plants, etc.
D) These are essential processes such as soil formation, nutrient cycles, the pollination of plants, etc.
If someone says, "Earth and all of its contents were created for the betterment of human beings, so as long as something is good for humans, it is good for the whole earth," what ethical perspective would he or she hold? A) biocentric B) ecocentric C) envirocentric D) anthropocentric
D) anthropocentric
In which of the following ways did neoclassical economics contribute to environmental problems? A) by encouraging industry continually to improve technology B) by forcing buyers to pay for ecosystem services C) by encouraging governments to give subsidies to environmentally damaging businesses D) by encouraging society to view the supply of resources as infinite
D) by encouraging society to view the supply of resources as infinite
While in the grocery store, Maria chooses to purchase the soy milk produced from non-genetically modified soybeans over the brand grown conventionally. Maria has made use of __________ for her decision. A) market analysis B) GDP C) green accounting D) ecolabeling
D) ecolabeling
The role of an administrative agency is that of _______. A) judicial control B) enforcing rules or statutes only according to presidential directives C) passing legislation D) enforcement and elaboration of laws passed by Congress
D) enforcement and elaboration of laws passed by Congress
Which of the following is the study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment? A) microbiology B) environmentalism C) anthropology D) environmental science
D) environmental science
Which one of the following represents quantitative data? A) whether you play a college sport B) offspring gender C) whether an endangered California condor successfully raises a condor chick D) levels of nitrate pollution in local waterways
D) levels of nitrate pollution in local waterways
The process by which several researchers review another researcher's manuscript prior to publication to ensure research quality is referred to as ________. A) hypothesis testing B) investigative inquiry C) quality control D) peer review E) critical analysis
D) peer review
The environmental justice movement started because __________. A) corporate polluters were not serving jail time for breaking environmental laws B) Aldo Leopold published The Land Ethic. C) the Environmental Protection Agency was not doing its job D) people realized that environmental damage is not equally distributed among all classes and racial groups; minority and low-income communities tend to contain a much larger share of the environmental damage (such as landfills, incinerators, toxic waste sites, etc.)
D) people realized that environmental damage is not equally distributed among all classes and racial groups; minority and low-income communities tend to contain a much larger share of the environmental damage (such as landfills, incinerators, toxic waste sites, etc.)
What is sustainable development? A) a purely economic pursuit, not including ethical considerations B) promoting a viable economy and meeting social needs at the expense of the environment C) what the United States is practicing right now D) promoting a viable economy while maintaining a viable environment and meeting social needs
D) promoting a viable economy while maintaining a viable environment and meeting social needs
For each factor described below, decide whether dams have an overall positive impact on it, an overall negative impact on it, or both positive and negative impacts on it. Part A Drag each label to the appropriate bin.
Dams have an overall positive impact on: - electricity generation - supplies of drinking water and irrigation water for nearby cities - reducing property damage from seasonal flooding in downstream areas Dams have an overall negative impact on: - the risk of catastrophic flood damage in downstream areas - supplying sediments to downstream habitats Dams have both positive and negative impacts on: - recreational opportunities - fish populations in the river system
Suppose you are able to manipulate a plant's access to components in the photosynthesis equation. Drag each label to the appropriate bin to predict how that action will affect plant growth. For each increase or decrease, assume that every other component of the photosynthesis equation is unlimited.
Decrease plant growth: -Decrease Sunlight -decrease H2O -Decrease CO2 No Impact on plant growth: -decrease C6H12O6 -increase C6H12O6 Increase Plant growth: -Increase H20 -Increase CO2 -Increase sunlight
Scientific inquiry is based on ________. A) making huge leaps of knowledge with scientific insights B) the production of technological advances C) designing experiments that have never been done before D) facts that can be proven true without experimental manipulation E) an expanding knowledge based on observation, questioning, testing and discovery
E) an expanding knowledge based on observation, questioning, testing and discovery
Issues of ________ are environmental issues whose dimensions include differential exposure to risk from toxic wastes and air pollution or differential access to the natural beauty of parks based on ethnicity or race. A) paradigm shifts B) ecocentrism C) moral relativism D) anthropocentrism E) environmental justice
E) environmental justice
What does the field of environmental health encompass?
Environmental health encompasses the control and evaluation of environmental implications which could affect health.
Can you identify sources of groundwater? Part A Drag each label to the correct location on the diagram.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Artesian well Water table Groundwater Unconfined aquifer Confined aquifer Recharge zone
Can you determine whether these factors have a warming or cooling effect on Earth's surface? Part A Drag each of these factors into the appropriate bin.
Factors that contribute to WARMING: -Black carbon aerosols and soot particles -Tropospheric ozone (O3) -Parts of Earth's surface with low reflectivity (low albedo) -Nitrogen oxides (N2O) from denitrification and fossil fuel combustion -Carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel combustion -Methane (CH4) from decomposition and feedlots Factors that contribute to COOLING: -Parts of Earth's surface with high reflectivity (high albedo) -Condensed water vapor(cloud albedo)
Scientists grew a population of yeast cells in a flask to which they provided a constant supply of nutrients. As the population of yeast cells increased, competition for the nutrients also increased. This caused the population to grow more slowly, until the rate at which the yeast cells used the nutrients was equal to rate at which the nutrients were supplied to the flask. Which of the three graphs shown in Part G best represents the growth of these yeast population? Which of the three graphs shown in Part G best represents the growth of these yeast population? Graph A Graph B Graph C
Graph A
A pair of coyotes colonized a large island where rodents (their prey) were abundant. At first the number of coyotes increased. But as the coyote population increased, competition for prey also increased and the coyote population grew more slowly. In some years, weather conditions killed many of the rodents, causing some coyotes to starve. In other years, weather conditions were favorable for the rodent poulation, allowing the coyotes to thrive, reproduce, and raise many pups. Which of the three graphs shown in Part G best represents the growth of this coyote population? Which of the three graphs shown in Part G best represents the growth of this coyote population? Graph A Graph B Graph C
Graph B
Graphs A, B, and C represent three different patterns of population growth. Refer to these graphs as you read about the populations in the following questions. Three graphs represent three different patterns of population growth. Every line depicts the change of population growth in time. Graph A is an S-shaped curve that reaches a plateau at carrying capacity, ending with a medium level of population growth. Graph B is a curve that slightly increases at the beginning but then increases quickly reaching its maximum a bit higher than the carrying capacity level. Finally, it fluctuates near the carrying capacity. Graph C is a curve that increases slightly at the beginning but then increases quickly reaching the maximum higher than the carrying capacity level. And, after this, it drops almost to zero. A female darkling beetle laid her eggs in a sack of corn meal. The corn meal was an excellent source of food for the beetle larvae (mealworms), and the beetle population quickly increased. After four months, the beetles had eaten all of the corn meal, and the adult beetles flew away to find new food sources. Which graph best represents the growth of the beetle population in the sack of corn meal? Which graph best represents the growth of the beetle population in the sack of corn meal? Graph A Graph B Graph C
Graph C
Researchers next focused on the one prediction that was not supported by their data -- Prediction #3. That prediction said that hatching failure would be higher in large clutches because the earlier eggs would have to wait longer for incubation to begin. However, the data showed a U-shaped curve with a equally high probability of hatching failure at both small and large clutch sizes. The researchers developed a hypothesis to explain this result -- small three-egg clutches were laid more often by lower-quality females. (Lower-quality females might produce lower-quality eggs or be less skilled at incubating their eggs, resulting in a higher probability of hatching failure.) How can researchers test the hypothesis that lower-quality females produce smaller clutches? Researchers can assess the quality of an Eastern bluebird female by her plumage. Specifically, it is known that high-quality bluebird females have more ornamented blue plumage. What data should the researchers collect and graph, and what result would support their hypothesis? Drag the labels of group 1 to the graph below to indicate what data researchers should plot on the x- and y- axes. Then select the graph line that would support their hypothesis.
Group 1 On the X axis - Female Plumage ornamentation On the Y axis - Clutch size Group 2 And the graph would be upward line
Can you identify characteristics of Earth's interior layers? Drag the labels to the appropriate targets.
Inner core- composed mostly of solid metal outer core-composed of molten metal lower mantle- thick layer of dense rock surrounding the core upper mantle- contains the asthenosphere just below the crust crust- thin rock layer at earth's surface
Can you fill in the cellular respiration equation? To review cellular respiration, watch this BioFlix animation: Cellular Respiration. Part A - Cellular respiration equation Drag the labels onto the equation to identify the inputs and outputs of cellular respiration.
Inputs: 1 glucose(fuel) +6 O2(gas we inhale) Outputs: 6CO2 (gas we exhale) + 6 H2O (water) + ATP (energy packets that cells use to do work
Suppose you are helping McCarthy choose her sample sites. You have the resources to conduct the study at only 4 sites. Pick the 4 sites that allow all 4 possible treatment combinations, while controlling for sunlight. Drag a check mark to each site you would use, and drag Xs to the sites you would not use. You should end up placing 4 check marks and 8 Xs. Labels can be used more than once.
LEFT TO RIGHT=FIRST ROW 1-NO 2-YES 3-NO LEFT TO RIGHT=SECOND ROW 1-NO 2-YES 3-NO LEFT TO RIGHT= THIRD ROW=SECOND BUBBLE 1-NO 2-YES 3-YES LEFT TO RIGHT=FOURTH ROW= SECOND BUBBLE 1-NO 2-NO 3-NO
Determining whether clean groundwater has become dirty and what caused any contamination is a complex pursuit. Stephen Osborn and three colleagues from Duke University set out to learn whether drinking water was really being contaminated by nearby hydrofracking. Osborn's team focused on sites in northeastern Pennsylvania and adjacent New York, where the Marcellus shale formation overlies the Utica Shale formation. The sites they tested are indicated in the map below. Drag each statement under the step in the scientific method that it demonstrates.
Observation: Some people... Question: Is the water... Hypothesis: Well water near gas... Prediction: If a water well is near a gas... Test: Osborn's team collected water...
Map of the Marcellus Shale and the Utica Shale, and the area where they overlap. The Dimock drilling site is shown as a red dot, and nearby water wells that were sampled are shown as black dots. Drag each statement under the step in the scientific method that it demonstrates.
Observation: Some people... Question: Is the water... Hypothesis: Well water near gas... Prediction: If a water well is near a gas... Test: Osborn's team collected water...
For each description, decide which type of environmental hazard it best represents. Part A Drag each description to the appropriate bin.
Physical hazard: - suffering injury during an earthquake - exposure to UV light during everyday activities Chemical hazard: - exposure to bisphenol A in drinking water - ingesting synthetic pesticides on food Biological hazard: - suffering nutritional deficiencies from an intestinal parasite - contracting influenza and becoming ill Cultural hazard: - inhalation of carcinogens when choosing to smoke cigarettes - exposure to excessive UV light when going to a tanning salon
For each characteristic of mineral extraction, decide whether it applies to strip mining, subsurface mining, or both types of mining. Drag each description to the appropriate bin.
Strip mining: used to extract resources near the surface overburden is removed the mining site destroys large areas of wildlife habitat Subsurface mining: safety requires good ventilation systems used to extract resources deep underground one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States Both: used to extract coal generate acid drainage
The following graphs are possible results from Angilletta's experiment. Match each description with the appropriate graph. Graph 5
There is little to no difference in the heat tolerance of ants from each type of location.
The following graphs are possible results from Angilletta's experiment. Match each description with the appropriate graph. Graph 6
There was a flaw in the experimental design.
Can you sort the items by which biogeochemical cycle they apply to? Drag each description to the appropriate bin.
Water Cycle: Transipiration is a... This cycles largest reservoir is ocean water Carbon Cycle: This Cycle is significantly... Photosynthesis is a major... Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrification is a major... This cycles largest reservoir is the atmosphere Phosphorus Cycle: This cycle is affected by... The weathering of rock...
Why is it important to understand our interactions with the environment? What will studying environmental science enable you to do?
We depend on the environment for a number of things such as food and water. Humans are capable of changing the environment and we are doing so every day. Studying environmental science will enable us to make changes that affect the environment in a positive way. If we are unable to do this, the environment will continue to suffer.
What is the difference between the amount of paper within the waste stream before and after recycling/composting? a) 1.2% b) 12.3% c) 16.2% d) 27.4%
a) 1.2%
Today's extinction rate is approximately __________ times greater than the background extinction rate. a) 100-1000 b) 5 c) 50-100 d) 10-20
a) 100-1000
What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater, that is water that is relatively pure with few dissolved salts. a) 2.5% b) 10% c) 97.5% d) 100%
a) 2.5
Which statement is correct concerning the process of ecological succession? View Available Hint(s) a) After a disturbance, the community goes through a somewhat predictable set of changes until reaching a final state. b) Shrubs will replace pines during succession. c) Primary succession starts after a forest fire. d) Planting pines in an abandoned farm field mimics the natural progression of species during succession.
a) After a disturbance, the community goes through a somewhat predictable set of changes until reaching a final state.
Which of the following can potentially make flooding worse? a) Building dikes and levees to hold water in channels b) Restoring a natural wetland c) Building an artificial wetland on an area that used to contain a factory d) Building an airplane
a) Building dikes and levees to hold water in channels
Can you label a diagram of the carbon cycle? To review the carbon cycle, watch this BioFlix animation: The Carbon Cycle. Part A - Carbon cycle diagram Drag the labels onto this diagram of the carbon cycle. First, drag Group 2 (blue) labels onto Group 2 (blue) targets to identify the organisms involved. Then drag Group 1 (pink) labels onto Group 1 (pink) targets to identify the processes and reservoirs in the carbon cycle.
a) CO2 in atmosphere b) Cellular respiration c) Consumers d) Decomposers e) Produces f) Photosynthesis
What type of trading system harnesses the efficiency of market capitalism to reduce emissions? a) Cap-and-trade b) Fee-and-dividend c) Carbon tax d) Carbon capture
a) Cap-and-trade
Environmental factors set limits on the growth of populations. What is this limit referred to? a) Carrying capacity b) Population density c) Tipping point d) Total fertility rate
a) Carrying capacity
Which of the following is a positive effect that cities have on the environment? a) Cities give people places to live with smaller land use. b) Concentrating people in cities contains water and air pollutants, which are removed by greenbelts. c) Garbage from New York is distributed to Kentucky to fill up abandoned mines. d) Air pollution from the Midwest and "Rustbelt" states is exported to the northeastern United States and Canada.
a) Cities give people places to live with smaller land use.
Why do we study demography? a) Demography investigates the relationship between population ecology and population changes. b) Demography involves the nature of viruses. c) Demography examines the interactions between living and nonliving members of an ecosystem d) Demography explores the relationship between population and war.
a) Demography investigates the relationship between population ecology and population changes.
Which statement about e-waste is accurate? a) E-waste contains toxic heavy metals that can leach into the environment. b) There is no financial incentive to recycle e-waste. c) Electronic devices die easily, so few of the devices thrown out in the United States could be reused. d) E-waste is biodegradable.
a) E-waste contains toxic heavy metals that can leach into the environment.
Which of the following statements is NOT accurate regarding geothermal power? a) Geothermal power generators are one of the true fully sustainable energy sources. b) Geothermal power reduces but does not eliminate emissions. c) Geothermal power can deplete groundwater sources. d) Geothermal energy can be used as heat exchangers for heat pumps for homes and businesses.
a) Geothermal power generators are one of the true fully sustainable energy sources.
Why are over one-sixth of the world's people at risk for running out of drinking water? a) Glaciers in many areas are melting. b) There is not enough surface water. c) The world's fresh water wells are drying up. d) The oceans are drying up.
a) Glaciers in many areas are melting.
In the United States, which renewable energy source makes the largest contribution to electrical production? a) Hydropower b) Nuclear energy c) Biomass d) Wind
a) Hydropower
As recycling and composting efforts have grown, what has occurred with the annual amount of waste sent to landfills? a) It has decreased. b) It has stayed the same. c) It has increased. d) It has disproportionally increased.
a) It has decreased.
How is compost used? a) It is used to enrich soil. b) It is used to generate energy. c) It is used as animal feed. d) It is used as building material.
a) It is used to enrich soil.
Pat and Terry are considering moving from near the center of a large city into the suburbs. Which of the following discussion points is valid? a) It will be easier to have a place for a vegetable garden if they move to the suburbs. b) If they move to the suburbs, it will cost much less for transportation. c) If they stay in the city, they will contribute more to local pollution. d) If they stay in the city, they'll probably get less exercise. e) They'll experience more stress if they move to the suburbs.
a) It will be easier to have a place for a vegetable garden if they move to the suburbs.
Which of the following statements about China's Three Gorges Dam is true? a) It will generate enough power to replace dozens of coal and nuclear plants. b) No cities were flooded during the construction of the dam. c) It will alleviate water pollution. d) Archeological sites, thousands of years old, were preserved while building the dam.
a) It will generate enough power to replace dozens of coal and nuclear plants.
What is the difference between biosphere reserves and other protected areas? a) Local people are allowed to live in and harvest resources from the outer areas of the reserve. b) All species are completely protected within the reserve. Even land managers are not allowed to kill any organisms. c) Biosphere reserves are found only around enormous or unusual features. d) Rather than open up a costly park, iosphere reserves are put in place after clear-cutting to help establish new old-growth forest.
a) Local people are allowed to live in and harvest resources from the outer areas of the reserve.
Which of these is a major reason that we have used fossil fuels rather than their alternatives? a) Market costs are generally lower for fossil fuels than for their alternatives. b) Fossil fuels add carbon dioxide to the global carbon cycle, increasing greenhouse gases and contributing to global climate change. c) Fossil fuels produce more air pollution. d) Our supplies of fossil fuels are limited, and in most cases we may have only a few decades' supply remaining.
a) Market costs are generally lower for fossil fuels than for their alternatives.
Which of these is a major reason that we have used fossil fuels rather than their alternatives? a) Market costs are generally lower for fossil fuels than for their alternatives. b) Our supplies of fossil fuels are limited, and in most cases we may have only a few decades' supply remaining. c) Fossil fuels produce more air pollution. d) Fossil fuels add carbon dioxide to the global carbon cycle, increasing greenhouse gases and contributing to global climate change.
a) Market costs are generally lower for fossil fuels than for their alternatives.
What moves through the community from one trophic level to another as organisms feed on one another? a) Matter and energy b) Water and energy c) Matter and water d) Disease and parasites
a) Matter and energy
What compound that results from hydraulic fracturing can contaminate groundwater? a) Methane b) Carbon monoxide c) Carbon dioxide d) Sulfur dioxide
a) Methane
Which greenhouse gas is produced by rice farming and the raising of cattle? a) Methane b) Propane c) Halocarbon and fluorocarbon gases d) Nitrogen oxides
a) Methane
How does predation differ from parasitism? View Available Hint(s) a) Parasites rarely kill their host, while predators kill their prey. b) Parasitism is beneficial to the host, whereas predation always harms the prey. c) Predation happens between trophic levels, while parasitism happens within a trophic level. d) Parasites are only insects or mites, while predators can be any kind of large animal.
a) Parasites rarely kill their host, while predators kill their prey.
The country with the largest amount of domestic oil available for sale on the international market is ________ a) Saudi Arabia b) the United States c) Germany d) Iran e) Japan
a) Saudi Arabia
What is an abandoned waste site that poses a direct threat to health and the environment, designated to have U.S. government funds applied to its cleanup? a) Superfund site b) landfill leachate-producing site c) hazardous waste site d) surface impoundment site
a) Superfund site
What two factors exert the greatest influence over a terrestrial biome? a) Temperature and precipitation b) Species diversity and species density c) Number of detritivores and herbivores d) Soil deposition and soil profile
a) Temperature and precipitation
What was the first document that called for voluntary reductions of greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000? a) The 1992 U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change b) A bill passed by both houses of the 104th Congress and signed by Bill Clinton c) The Montreal Protocol d) The Kyoto Protocol
a) The 1992 U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change
How can an engineered cover on landfills reduce decomposition of the trash? a) The cover keeps the landfill dry, which decreases the ability of bacteria to decompose trash. b) The cover keeps the landfill moist on the inside, preventing decomposition. c) The cap prevents hawks and blue jays from decomposing the trash. d) The cover causes paper to bond to plastic in the landfill.
a) The cover keeps the landfill dry, which decreases the ability of bacteria to decompose trash.
A leaf falls from a tree and lands on the ground. Through time, bugs and bacteria consume the leaf. Which of the following statements regarding this scenario is true? a) The nutrients from the leaf have been recycled and released back into the soil. b) Through the process of digestion, the bugs and bacteria have created new matter that did not exist before. c) The decomposers are able to use all of the energy that the plant's leaf obtained from sunlight using photosynthesis. d) The nutrients from the leaf have been removed from that ecosystem.
a) The nutrients from the leaf have been recycled and released back into the soil.
When an increase in the population of prey occurs, which of the following usually occurs in the population of its predator? View Available Hint(s) a) The population of the predator increases. b) The population of the predator decreases. c) The population of the predator remains unchanged. d) The population of the predator will become extinct.
a) The population of the predator increases.
What is sprawl? a) The spread of low-density urban or suburban development outward from an urban center. b) The spread of sustainable urban or suburban development outward from an urban center. c) The spread of random urban or suburban development outward from an urban center. d) The spread of high-density urban or suburban development outward from an urban center.
a) The spread of low-density urban or suburban development outward from an urban center.
How is the sun's energy production different from the process in which energy is produced in current nuclear power plants? a) The sun releases energy through nuclear fusion, whereas our current nuclear power technology releases energy through nuclear fission. b) The sun releases energy through nuclear fission, whereas our current nuclear power technology releases energy through nuclear fusion. c) Both the sun and nuclear power plants release energy through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and helium. d) Both the sun and nuclear power plants release energy through the chemical reaction of uranium and hydrogen.
a) The sun releases energy through nuclear fusion, whereas our current nuclear power technology releases energy through nuclear fission.
Which statement describes the effects of having a total fertility rate of 2.1? a) The value means that two children plus a fraction to compensate for the death of offspring will replace the average male and female in the population. b) The value represents the number of children born per person in a population. c) At a total fertility rate of 2.1, the population will be shrinking. d) The value means that the population is growing slowly, because 2.1 - 2.0 = +0.1.
a) The value means that two children plus a fraction to compensate for the death of offspring will replace the average male and female in the population.
Why have some open pit mines been declared Superfund sites? a) The waters in the pit become highly acidic and contain high levels of toxic metals. b) The size of the pit poses a serious hazard, as someone could fall in. c) The sites are considered dangerous because of the fear of collapsing shafts and sinkholes. d) Chemicals used in the mining process to dissolve the rock have left the site permanently toxic.
a) The waters in the pit become highly acidic and contain high levels of toxic metals.
What do chromium, mercury, copper, and tin have in common? a) They are heavy metals. b) They are all gases. c) They are ignitable. d) They are all corrosive materials.
a) They are heavy metals.
Which of the following is one of the three current major drawbacks of solar energy? a) This resource is intermittent in nature. b) The resource is nonrenewable. c) It emits radiation. d) Certain greenhouse gases are emitted with its use.
a) This resource is intermittent in nature.
If a significant amount of extrusive igneous rock is found in an area, one would expect to also find evidence of _________ in the area. a) Tornadoes b) Flooding c) Volcanoes d) Geysers
a) Tornadoes
The EPA tracks six "criteria" air pollutants. Which of these is true of the criteria air pollutants? a) Total emissions of the six have declined below their health standards set by the EPA. b) Efforts to control lead emissions have largely failed. c) Particulate matter is the largest of the six in terms of amount produced. d) Because of anti-pollution efforts, few Americans live in areas where any of the six pollutants build to levels higher than allowed by the EPA.
a) Total emissions of the six have declined below their health standards set by the EPA.
Which of the following biomes has the most annual rainfall? View Available Hint(s) a) Tropical rainforest b) Chaparral c) Temperate rainforest d) Tropical dry forest
a) Tropical rainforest
Which of the following layers of the atmosphere is responsible for the weather that we experience on the surface of Earth? a) Troposphere b) Mesosphere c) Thermosphere d) Stratosphere
a) Troposphere
________ are examples of naturally occurring biological hazards. a) Viruses and Salmonella b) Crude oil seeps and radon gas c) Carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas d) Phthalates and bisphenol A e) DDT and DDE
a) Viruses and Salmonella
What sorts of constituents do atmospheric pollutants (such as sulfates and nitrates) react with to initiate the process that results in acid deposition? a) Water, oxygen, and oxidants b) Chlorofluorocarbons c) Soot d) Lead
a) Water, oxygen, and oxidants
What is the difference between weather and climate? a) Weather occurs over hours and days, and climate occurs over seasons and years. b) Weather and climate are used interchangeably. c) Weather occurs in the northern hemisphere, while climate occurs in the southern hemisphere. d) Weather occurs over seasons and years, while climate occurs over hours and days.
a) Weather occurs over hours and days, and climate occurs over seasons and years.
How is wind energy related to solar energy? a) Wind energy is the result of the sun's producing wind. b) Wind energy produces solar energy. c) Windmills turn to produce electricity that then increases the sun's power. d) Solar energy heats windmills and allows them to conduct electricity.
a) Wind energy is the result of the sun's producing wind.
Which of these statements is not true of wind power? a) Wind turbines take up large amounts of land that is then unsuitable for other purposes. b) Enough wind is present in the United States to provide all of the U.S. electricity needs. c) Wind power has a better energy returned on energy invested (EROI) ratio than do nuclear power, coal, or natural gas for electricity production. d) Wind speeds—and therefore power generation—are greater over water.
a) Wind turbines take up large amounts of land that is then unsuitable for other purposes.
If a population had a carrying capacity of 1000 individuals, which of the following populations would be experiencing the greatest rate of growth as a percentage of the current population size? a) a population of 10 individuals b) 500 individuals c) 1000 individuals d) The answer cannot be determined.
a) a population of 10 individuals
What is Hubbert's peak? a) a prediction, based on rates of extraction and new discovery, of when a country's or global oil production will be at a maximum and then start to fall b) the temperature and pressure at which the highest-quality petroleum forms c) the source of the world's largest anthracite coal deposit d) a statistical maximum value that can be charged for a gallon of gas before people start buying more fuel-efficient vehicles
a) a prediction, based on rates of extraction and new discovery, of when a country's or global oil production will be at a maximum and then start to fall
Which of the following populations would be most vulnerable to extinction? View Available Hint(s) a) a small, endemic population b) a large population of generalists c) a medium-sized population of specialists d) a small population of generalists
a) a small, endemic population
What is the most cost-effective solution for groundwater depletion and land-level subsidence? a) allowing no more water to be withdrawn from an aquifer than is naturally recharged b) building more water treatment facilities c) increasing use of desalinization measures d) dam removal
a) allowing no more water to be withdrawn from an aquifer than is naturally recharged
Synergistic effects of toxicants ________. a) are greater than the sum of the effects of the components b) always involve synthetic toxicants c) are not numerous in the natural environment d) have effects of individual toxicants that tend to cancel one another out e) typically exhibit additive effects of the individual toxicants
a) are greater than the sum of the effects of the components
What is an example of an energy source that is renewable and has less environmental impact than fossil fuels? a) bioenergy b) coal c) natural gas d) crude oil
a) bioenergy
As a result of ________, concentrations of methyl mercury are higher in large fish relative to concentrations in smaller fish. a) biomagnification b) distillation c) bioaccumulation d) toxification e) synergism
a) biomagnification
Autotrophs, at the base of the trophic pyramid, exist in greater numbers than organisms at higher levels of the pyramid and also have greater stores of energy as well as greater __________. a) biomass b) matter and water c) water and energy d) production
a) biomass
The aki is a type of __________ found in __________. a) bird; Hawaii b) monkey; Madagascar c) monkey; Hawaii d) bird; New Zealand,
a) bird; Hawaii
Which of the following is an example of mitigation rather than adaptation for global climate change? a) building more solar panels to generate electricity instead of more coal-fired power plants b) building a sea wall in the Maldives to prevent flooding c) building and maintaining preserves in endangered habitats to make sure they do not disappear d) digging deep wells to get access to more water for agriculture if rainfall in an area should drop off
a) building more solar panels to generate electricity instead of more coal-fired power plants
How does an urban growth boundary attempt to limit sprawl? a) by limiting future growth into already urbanized areas b) by setting limits on where growth can occur that can never be changed c) establishing "zones" where only certain kinds of development can occur d) setting a limit on the number of people that can live in the city
a) by limiting future growth into already urbanized areas
Energy conservation in the United States ________. a) can be improved as individuals make conscious choices to reduce personal consumption b) is unlikely to ever occur c) will be a reality only if there is another major war d) can be accomplished by changes in tax laws e) can be accomplished only through changes in environmental laws
a) can be improved as individuals make conscious choices to reduce personal consumption
Aquaculture ________. a) can bring economic benefits and food security to many developing regions b) requires the flooding of fields to produce water-intensive crops such as cotton and rice c) produces less fish per unit area than ocean water harvesting d) frequently results in unintended catch of nontarget species e) has no real environmental disadvantages
a) can bring economic benefits and food security to many developing regions
What is largely responsible for the ozone hole? a) chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants b) fossil fuels c) nitrogen oxides d) carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
a) chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants
What drives long-term climate patterns, such as the Hadley Cells at the Equator, over large geographic scales? a) convective air currents b) rainfall patterns c) humidity increase d) the Trade Winds
a) convective air currents
Which of the following are responsible for the formation of some of the world's highest mountains? a) convergent plate boundaries b) transform plate boundaries c) tactile plate boundaries d) divergent plate boundaries
a) convergent plate boundaries
Substances that degrade the metals that make up storage tanks or equipment are called __________. a) corrosives b) ignitables c) toxics d) alkaline caustic agents
a) corrosives
Which list includes biomes in the correct order from those that have the lowest annual rainfall to those that have the highest? View Available Hint(s) a) desert, grassland, temperate deciduous forest, tropical rainforest b) tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest, grassland, desert c) desert, grassland, tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest d) grassland, desert, tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest
a) desert, grassland, temperate deciduous forest, tropical rainforest
New urbanism seeks to ________. a) develop walkable neighborhoods, with homes and businesses close together b) provide low-cost, long-distance, mass transit systems c) use tiered taxation to maintain inner cities as vibrant, livable communities d) keep business in a central location, near transportation centers e) use zoning to keep small neighborhoods intact
a) develop walkable neighborhoods, with homes and businesses close together
Transport of airborne toxicants, a specific problem in agricultural environments, is called pesticide ________. a) drift b) transposition c) run-off d) globalization e) leaching
a) drift
Which of the following management practices attempts to minimize ecological impact by allowing some trees in a forest to grow to maturity? a) ecosystem-based management b) maximum sustainable yield c) clear-cutting of secondary forests d) understory management
a) ecosystem-based management
What two processes emit the most carbon in the United States? a) electricity generation and transportation b) transportation and agriculture c) electricity generation and mass production d) mass production and transportation
a) electricity generation and transportation
Regarding PV cells, what is released from the "p-type" layer and transferred to the "n-type" layer, thus initiating an electrical current? a) electrons b) solar energy c) protons d) atoms
a) electrons
The results of overapplying fertilizer can include ________. a) eutrophication in nearby waterways b) large crop yields per acre c) crops spreading rapidly into nearby areas d) very fertile soils in future years e) very large fruits and vegetables
a) eutrophication in nearby waterways
Which trophic level provides energy for all of the other trophic levels? View Available Hint(s) a) first b) second c) third d) fourth
a) first
Which of the following represent the reactants (ingredients) necessary for cellular respiration? a) glucose and oxygen b) hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and water c) carbon dioxide, water, and oxygen d) starch and enzymes
a) glucose and oxygen
All of the following factors have contributed to movement of people to suburbs EXCEPT: a) greater availability of mass transit. b) better schools. c) more space. d) lower crime rates. e) better economic opportunities.
a) greater availability of mass transit.
Which of the following have the ability to absorb energy from Earth's surface and then emit infrared radiation in all directions? a) greenhouse gases b) the oceans c) the sun d) the mountains
a) greenhouse gases
American cities in the northern United States, such as Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit, ________. a) grew very rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries b) have steadily lost population over the past 100 years c) have maintained a steady-state population since the 1970s d) have increased their rate of growth dramatically in the past 20 years e) have always grown rapidly and continue to do so
a) grew very rapidly in the 19th and early 20th centuries
A __________ is defined as the living and nonliving elements in the area around an organism. View Available Hint(s) a) habitat b) niche c) population d) biosphere
a) habitat
Many plants have developed complicated defenses to protect themselves against __________. View Available Hint(s) a) herbivory b) invasive species c) pollination d) parasitism
a) herbivory
Why does the average U.S. citizen create more waste today than 50 years ago? a) higher rates of consumption b) lack of landfill space c) high rates of recycling d) lack of composting facilities
a) higher rates of consumption
The sixth mass extinction event is likely being caused by __________. View Available Hint(s) a) human-induced events b) disease pandemics c) large predators such as wolves and mountain lions d) meteorites
a) human-induced events
A uniform distribution will occur when __________. a) individuals are competing for an evenly distributed resource such as space b) a resource is found in limited, isolated areas within the habitat c) members of a population try to avoid predators d) not enough of a resource is available to support the population
a) individuals are competing for an evenly distributed resource such as space
Which of the following sectors produces the most hazardous waste? a) industry b) small businesses c) residential d) grocery stores
a) industry
Prior to 2005, no rules regulating mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants existed in the United States. This represents the ________. Read the following scenario and answer the question(s) below. a) innocent-until-proven-guilty approach b) dose-response initiative c) case-study approach d) Ames approach e) precautionary principle f) Request Answer
a) innocent-until-proven-guilty approach
The effect of toxicants on fetuses and young children ________. a) is greater because of their developmental immaturity, rapid growth and smaller biomass b) is less than for adults because their metabolism is higher c) is generally the same for adults d) has been thoroughly evaluated for every chemical released into both indoor and outdoor environments e) has not raised concern among environmental health professionals
a) is greater because of their developmental immaturity, rapid growth and smaller biomass
If you were to randomly visit a specific area on Earth, what two factors would you need to know to determine the type of biome you will visit? View Available Hint(s)\ a) its annual rainfall and temperature b) the annual soil nutrient levels and relative humidity c) the annual levels of light and length of day d) the annual daytime high and nighttime low temperatures
a) its annual rainfall and temperature
Hydropower uses the __________ energy of water to generate electricity. a) kinetic b) static c) nuclear d) potential
a) kinetic
Wind turbines convert the wind's __________ energy into electricity. a) kinetic b) potential c) solar d) chemical
a) kinetic
Aquatic animals such as fish and frogs are especially good indicators of water pollution because ________. a) most chemicals are water soluble so they enter these organisms through drinking or skin absorption b) they are easy to catch c) all chemical toxicants are found in water d) the metabolism of these organisms is most like ours e) these organisms are the most abundant on Earth
a) most chemicals are water soluble so they enter these organisms through drinking or skin absorption
What two types of relationships exhibit symbiosis? View Available Hint(s) a) mutualism and parasitism b) mutualism and competition c) parasitism and herbivory d) interspecific and intraspecific competition
a) mutualism and parasitism
DDT, DDE, PCBs, and PBDEs are all ________. a) non-biodegradable and subject to bioaccumulation and/or biomagnification b) approved for use as pesticides by the EPA c) toxic at the organism level but not at the ecosystem level d) biodegradable and do not persist in the environment e) teratogens
a) non-biodegradable and subject to bioaccumulation and/or biomagnification
Fill in the blanks: ozone is made of __________ and is broken down by __________. a) oxygen; chlorine b) sodium; molybdenum c) chlorine; fluorine d) hydrogen; zinc
a) oxygen; chlorine
Over time, pesticides become less effective. This is because __________. a) pests can evolve defenses against pesticides b) farmers decrease the amount of application because of the high cost of product c) federal regulations require that lower-strength pesticides be used d) transgenic crops have been introduced
a) pests can evolve defenses against pesticides
It is more energetically efficient for us to eat more ________. a) plant-based foods b) GM foods c) foods grown using IPM methods d) carnivorous animals like fish and alligator e) herbivorous animals like cattle and chicken
a) plant-based foods
Which of the following are the three principal effects of a human population that determine its impact on the environment (the IPAT model)? a) pollution, aggression, technology b) population, affluence, technology c) population, adaptation, technology d) population, adaptation, total fertility rate
a) population, affluence, technology
At which stage of the sequence of events is rigorous testing implemented utilizing the precautionary principle? a) pre-market testing by industry, government, and academic scientists utilizing the precautionary principle approach b) regulations and bans of unsafe products c) post-market testing by industry, government, and academic scientists d) consumer use of products
a) pre-market testing by industry, government, and academic scientists utilizing the precautionary principle approach
What are corridors? a) protected lands that allow animals to travel between islands of habitat b) covered walkways built by the park service c) a part of a biosphere reserve d) tunnels that allow animals to travel through mountains
a) protected lands that allow animals to travel between islands of habitat
Which of the following approaches best helps congested cities deal with the problems related to transportation? a) provide access to rail and bus transportation in the inner city or other high-density areas b) build more roads c) double-deck all roads and have more limited-access expressways d) make the city transportation "bus only"
a) provide access to rail and bus transportation in the inner city or other high-density areas
According to the precautionary principle, we should ________. a) restrict any chemical that is suspected of toxicity until it is demonstrated to be safe b) do extensive government scientific testing before restricting a chemical for use c) halt the manufacture and use of synthetic chemicals d) levy large fines against companies that manufacture toxic substances e) allow industry to do their own research to determine if a chemical is safe
a) restrict any chemical that is suspected of toxicity until it is demonstrated to be safe
Which piece of legislation set strict standards for air quality and pollution control in the United States? a) the Clean Air Act b) the Endangered Species Act c) the Clean Water Act d) the Montreal Protocol
a) the Clean Air Act
How can solid waste incineration be of benefit? a) the heat from waste combustion can be used to generate energy b) the fly ash can be used as compost or mulch c) it can generate methane d) it can be used to clean the air
a) the heat from waste combustion can be used to generate energy
The carrying capacity is __________. a) the maximum population size that a given environment can sustain b) always the same for a given habitat c) the potential number of species that could exist in a given area d) the greatest number of niches possible in a given area
a) the maximum population size that a given environment can sustain
What is the ultimate source for geothermal energy? a) the radioactive decay of elements deep within Earth b) rocks melting into magma due to geysers c) ignition due to crude oil and natural gas deposits d) magma that wells up from Earth's core
a) the radioactive decay of elements deep within Earth
Which of the following is a problem that occurs within cities because of the concentrated use of energy in buildings and vehicles and the large amount of dark surfaces that absorb solar energy? a) the urban heat island effect b) global warming c) light pollution d) noise pollution
a) the urban heat island effect
Carcinogens may be difficult to identify because ________. a) there is a long lag time between exposure to the agent and disease b) they are rare in nature c) there is no way to measure the carcinogenic potential of a substance d) they are the least common toxicants e) most are invisible
a) there is a long lag time between exposure to the agent and disease
The United States and other industrialized nations devote the greatest proportion of their oil use to __________. a) transportation b) industry c) agriculture
a) transportation
What field of study applies the characteristics of the natural world to urban settings? a) urban ecology b) environmental engineering c) new urbanism d) urban sustainability
a) urban ecology
What sort of process converts the mechanized energy in the ocean into electricity? a) wave energy b) ocean thermal energy conversion c) fuel cells d) geothermal energy
a) wave energy
Can you label graphs showing different patterns of population growth? To review patterns of population growth, watch this BioFlix animation: Population Ecology: Population Growth Curves. Part A - Comparing growth curves Drag the correct labels onto the graph showing two different patterns of population growth. Label the horizontal and vertical axes first.
a. exponential growth b. population size c. time d. carrying capacity e. logistic growth
Can you label the stages of the rock cycle? Drag the labels to their correct location on the diagram of the Rock cycle. Use group 1 (blue) labels to identify types of rock, and group 2 (pink) labels to identify the processes that transform them.
a. magma and lava b. cooling and solidification c igneous rock d. compaction and cementation e. sedimentary rock f. metamorphic igneous -> sediments = weathering sedimentary rock -> metamorphic = heating and pressure metamorphic rock -> magma = melting
Which of the following statements about the importance of organisms in an ecosystem is true? a) Small organisms are always the keystone species in an ecosystem, whereas larger predators are less important. b) "Ecosystem engineers" can be as important as keystone species for the survival of the ecosystem. c) No one species is more important than another in regard to the survival of an ecosystem. d) Small organisms are less important than larger predators for the survival of the ecosystem.
b) "Ecosystem engineers" can be as important as keystone species for the survival of the ecosystem.
The global human population recently passed __________. a) 7 million b) 7 billion c) 7 jillion d) 700 billion
b) 7 billion
Which part of the IPAT model represents the influence of wealth and its environmental impact? a) T for technology b) A for affluence c) I for environmental impact d) P for population
b) A for affluence
Essentially, what is crude oil? a) Any type of fossil fuel b) A mix of hundreds of different types of hydrocarbon molecules c) Mostly methane d) Kerogen
b) A mix of hundreds of different types of hydrocarbon molecules
How much of the sun's energy is reflected back out into space? a) The sun supplies one-third of the energy needed for Earth's processes. b) About 30% of the sun's energy is reflected off Earth and back into space. c) One hundred percent of the sun's energy is absorbed by Earth. None is reflected. d) The only process on Earth that requires the Sun's energy is photosynthesis.
b) About 30% of the sun's energy is reflected off Earth and back into space.
What is an alloy? a) a disease caused by coal mining b) An alloy is a combination of a metal with another metal or nonmetal substance that has been melted and fused together. c) the material left behind after a metal has been removed from an ore d) It is a mining technique for recovering gold from a river basin.
b) An alloy is a combination of a metal with another metal or nonmetal substance that has been melted and fused together.
Which of the following types of transportation consumes the most energy (in BTU per passenger mile)? a) Heavy rail b) Automobiles c) Commuter rail d) Bus
b) Automobiles
What kinds of organisms pollinate three-fourths of our crops? a) Hummingbirds b) Bees c) Crickets d) Ants
b) Bees
In the United States, approximately how much did the production of ethanol increase between 2000 and 2010? a) By 10 gallons b) By 10 million gallons c) By more than 10 billion gallons d) By 100 million gallons
b) By 10 million gallons
Which of the following is an ozone-depleting chemical? a) Tropospheric ozone b) Chlorofluorocarbons c) Carbon d) Nitrates
b) Chlorofluorocarbons
Which of the following actions is required for the recycling loop to be successful? a) Consumers must purchase only products made in the United States. b) Consumers and businesses must purchase products made from recycled materials. c) Genetically modified bacteria must be found to consume toxic components. d) Corporations must make more products from virgin (raw) materials.
b) Consumers and businesses must purchase products made from recycled materials.
What are the goals of waste management? a) Developing technology for more efficient incineration b) Disposing of waste safely as well as effectively, minimizing the amount of waste generated, and increasing recovery c) Developing management training for supervisors of disposal companies d) Promoting mid-level managers to high-level managers to more effectively manage waste
b) Disposing of waste safely as well as effectively, minimizing the amount of waste generated, and increasing recovery
Which statement about food production since 1960 is true? a) During this time 90% of the world's population has been overnourished. b) During this time our food production has grown even faster than our population. c) During this time our food production capabilities have been severely limited, causing the population of many countries to decline rapidly. d) During this time our population has grown faster than our food production capabilities.
b) During this time our food production has grown even faster than our population.
Which term describes the amount of cumulative land and water required to provide the raw materials a person or population consumes and to dispose of the waste that is produced? a) Carrying capacity b) Ecological footprint c) Demographic transition d) TFR
b) Ecological footprint
How has the Clean Air Act's emissions trading program addressed the issue of acid deposition in the United States? a) The program's economic costs outweigh its benefits. b) Economic incentives have encouraged polluters to invest in technologies such as scrubbers. c) Air quality has improved, but water quality has declined. d) It has slightly increased sulfur dioxide emissions.
b) Economic incentives have encouraged polluters to invest in technologies such as scrubbers.
How do energy and matter move through an ecosystem? a) Both energy and matter unidirectionally flow through an ecosystem. b) Energy unidirectionally flows through an ecosystem, whereas matter generally cycles within an ecosystem. c) Both energy and matter cycle within an ecosystem. d) Matter unidirectionally flows through an ecosystem, whereas energy cycles within an ecosystem.
b) Energy unidirectionally flows through an ecosystem, whereas matter generally cycles within an ecosystem.
Which of the following statements accurately describes nuclear fusion reactors? a) Nuclear fusion occurs in Earth's crust. b) Fusion reactions require very high temperatures. c) Fusion reactions can fuse three isotopes of hydrogen into one helium. d) Fusion would be a more advanced technology if governments had provided some money for research or if attempts to develop it were more than just a few years old.
b) Fusion reactions require very high temperatures.
Which of the following statements about ethanol is true? a) Corn-based ethanol has a high energy returned on investment (EROI) value. b) Growing corn for ethanol requires substantial inputs of fossil fuel energy. c) We can supply all of the automotive fuel used in the United States if we just double ethanol production. d) We can easily grow enough corn ethanol and supply the world's food needs.
b) Growing corn for ethanol requires substantial inputs of fossil fuel energy.
Which of the following statements about ethanol is true? a) We can easily grow enough corn ethanol and supply the world's food needs. b) Growing corn for ethanol requires substantial inputs of fossil fuel energy. c) Corn-based ethanol has a high energy returned on investment (EROI) value. d) We can supply all of the automotive fuel used in the United States if we just double ethanol production.
b) Growing corn for ethanol requires substantial inputs of fossil fuel energy.
In England, dogs with large, floppy ears called hounds came into existence. These dogs were favored for hunting because of their excellent sense of smell. Which statement most accurately represents the process that produced such dog breeds from the wild-type (feral) dog? a) Gene mutations in dogs arose spontaneously so that hounds replaced the feral dogs in the wild. b) Humans noticed dogs with large, floppy ears and a great sense of smell and wanted more like them. They then bred them with similar dogs over many generations. c) Natural selection has resulted in the evolution of the wild-type dog into several separate species, including the hounds. d) Natural selection directed the gene mutations and reproductive success of these breeds.
b) Humans noticed dogs with large, floppy ears and a great sense of smell and wanted more like them. They then bred them with similar dogs over many generations.
What is the mechanism behind the movement of Earth's tectonic plates? a) The oceans extend deep into the lithosphere, which allows for the drifting movement of the overlying crust. b) Intense heat from deep within the Earth generates convection. c) Intense heat from the lithosphere generates convection. d) Earth's outer core is a liquid that generates convection, allowing for tectonic plate movement.
b) Intense heat from deep within the Earth generates convection.
What initiative or group is responsible for the most reviewed and widely accepted reports that we have on climate change? a) Montreal Protocol b) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) c) International Test of Emissions (ITE) d) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
b) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
What kind of interaction occurs when two cardinals (birds of the same species) are trying to build a nest in the same tree? View Available Hint(s) a) Mutualism b) Intraspecific competition c) Fundamental competition d) Interspecific competition
b) Intraspecific competition
How has the "Smokey the Bear" campaign damaged forest health? a) It has allowed too much clear-cutting. b) It has allowed too few fires to burn in forests. c) It has focused attention on forests rather than grasslands. d) It has allowed too many fires to burn in forests.
b) It has allowed too few fires to burn in forests.
What is the basis for the use of hydrogen fuel cells? a) It will result in the release of pollution to the atmosphere. b) It is extremely energy-efficient. c) It is an example of a renewable energy source in action. d) It has not been demonstrated to work for powering vehicles.
b) It is extremely energy-efficient.
What prevents the contamination of groundwater in landfills? a) Locating them below the water table b) Locating them at least 6 meters above the water table and lining them with a heavy duty plastic c) Locating them in layers of impermeable rock d) Locating them in deserts
b) Locating them at least 6 meters above the water table and lining them with a heavy duty plastic
In many waterways around the United States, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have contaminated the sediments and wildlife. Given that most of the PCBs in the environment were released before 1980 and are still present in these ecosystems, which of the following choices best describes this phenomenon? a) Low probability that an organism will encounter the toxicant b) Long persistence c) High toxicity d) Type of bedrock
b) Long persistence
What moves through the community from one trophic level to another as organisms feed on one another? View Available Hint(s) a) Disease and parasites b) Matter and energy c) Water and energy d) Matter and water
b) Matter and energy
Which gas makes up 78% of the molecules in the atmosphere? a) H2O, water vapor b) N2, nitrogen c) CO2, carbon dioxide d) O2, oxygen
b) N2, nitrogen
Hydroelectric power accounts for approximately how much of the world's electricity production? a) One-half b) One-sixth c) Two-thirds d) One-third
b) One-sixth
At the end of the __________ period, close to 90% of all species are thought to have gone extinct. a) Triassic b) Permian c) Cambrian d) Cretaceous
b) Permian
What happens when acids from acid deposition hit topsoil? a) Toxic metals are tied up by acids and become less available. b) Plants and soil organisms are harmed. c) Plants grow due to increased fertilizers from the acid. d) Fish populations increase because of runoff from the soil.
b) Plants and soil organisms are harmed.
Of the following, which provides the most complete picture of whether a population of humans grows, shrinks, or remains stable? a) Availability of medical procedures b) Rates of birth, death, immigration, and emigration c) Affluence and technology d) Carrying capacity
b) Rates of birth, death, immigration, and emigration
Which large country is currently experiencing zero or even negative population growth? a) Canada b) Russia c) India d) the United States
b) Russia
Which of the following are most likely to be keystone species in an ecosystem? View Available Hint(s) a) Small-bodied, primary consumers b) Secondary or tertiary consumers near the tops of food chains c) Parasites d) Producers
b) Secondary or tertiary consumers near the tops of food chains
Which of the following is an unhealthy mixture of pollutants that forms over cities? a) Ozone layer b) Smog c) Thermosphere d) Stratosphere
b) Smog
What is the greatest negative environmental impact that occurs when people live in suburbs instead of living in cities? a) Suburbanites are not aware of resource use. b) Suburbanites take up many times as much space as city dwellers. c) Suburbanites have higher rates of cardiovascular disease. d) Suburbanites do not recycle.
b) Suburbanites take up many times as much space as city dwellers.
What are the effects of carbon monoxide? a) A bluish haze that gives the Blue Ridge Mountains their name b) Suffocation in mammals c) Damaged respiratory tissue d) It causes acid rain that can damage plants.
b) Suffocation in mammals
Which of the following statements properly describes the cause of a temperature inversion or its effects? a) Temperature inversions are the main cause of cold fronts. b) Temperature inversions can trap air pollution in one place for many days. c) Temperature inversions are caused by the rising air of convection currents. d) Temperature inversions typically happen in open places as weather fronts move through.
b) Temperature inversions can trap air pollution in one place for many days.
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is NOT being used for energy generation anywhere right now. Why not? a) It is not sustainable. b) The cost of generating energy is much too high for OTEC to make economic sense. c) It is too polluting. d) The basic idea--that the ocean's surface is warmer than the deep water--is wrong.
b) The cost of generating energy is much too high for OTEC to make economic sense.
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is NOT being used for energy generation anywhere right now. Why not? a) The basic idea--that the ocean's surface is warmer than the deep water--is wrong. b) The cost of generating energy is much too high for OTEC to make economic sense. c) It is not sustainable. d) It is too polluting.
b) The cost of generating energy is much too high for OTEC to make economic sense.
In 1900, there were approximately 1.75 billion humans on Earth; in 1950, there were approximately 2.3 billion; in the year 2025, approximately 8 billion people will inhabit the biosphere. In the period between 1900 and 2025, what has happened to the human population? a) Zero-population growth policies are at work. b) The intervals between population doublings are decreasing. c) The intervals (in years) of population doubling are fixed. d) It has stabilized.
b) The intervals between population doublings are decreasing.
Can you and other ordinary citizens play a key role in collecting scientific data? The answer is "yes"! Citizen science -- volunteer participation in research -- has a long history in biology. For example, the Christmas Bird Count, an annual census of Western Hemisphere birds conducted by tens of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers, began more than a century ago and still continues today. Recently, the number of citizen science projects has grown immensely, especially in the field of ecology. In this activity, you will look at a study based on data from The Birdhouse Network (now called the NestWatch program), a nationwide citizen-science program that gathers data on the reproduction of bird species. The NestWatch database provides researchers with a huge pool of information from an extensive geographic range. For this study, researchers used data collected over a seven year period at 530 study sites -- a total of 32,567 eggs in 7,231 nests! That's the power of citizen science as a research tool; it offers a scope of data collection that would otherwise be impossible. Part A - Scientific method: Testing a hypothesis Photo of a female Eastern bluebird and nest in a tree cavityA population's life history consists of its schedule of reproduction and survival, including age at first reproduction, number of offspring, frequency of reproduction, and amount of parental care. In birds, clutch size (the number of eggs per brood) is an important life history trait, and variation in clutch size is the subject of extensive ecological research. Eastern bluebirds are small songbirds that are widespread across eastern North America. Bluebirds nest in natural tree cavities such as abandoned woodpecker holes or in nest boxes provided by bird lovers. Eastern bluebird females usually lay two or three clutches of 3-6 eggs each per breeding season, which is in the spring. Late-season clutches are typically smaller than early-season clutches. Clutch size also displays a geographical gradient -- larger clutches are laid at higher latitudes. What accounts for these seasonal and geographic differences in clutch size? One hypothesis -- the egg-viability hypothesis -- proposes that the variation in clutch size results from reduced viability of eggs in warm temperatures. Observations that led scientists to develop this hypothesis include: Birds typically lay one egg a day until the clutch is complete. At that time, they begin incubating all the eggs together, resulting in an equal pace of development. As long as the surrounding temperature is below 24-26°C (75.2-78.8°F) , the temperature that triggers development, the earlier-laid eggs "keep." However, when eggs are exposed for an extended period to a temperature range between the trigger temperature and the optimum incubation temperature, 36-39°C (96.8-102.2°F), development goes awry. What prediction(s) can researchers make based on the egg-viability hypothesis? Select all that apply. a) The probability of hatching failure will be higher for eggs laid later within a clutch. b) The probability of hatching failure will be higher later in the spring season. c) The probability of hatching failure will be higher in large clutches. d) The probability of hatching failure will be lower at higher latitudes.
b) The probability of hatching failure will be higher later in the spring season. c) The probability of hatching failure will be higher in large clutches. d) The probability of hatching failure will be lower at higher latitudes.
Which of these statements about the growth of the human population is true? a) Population growth is evenly divided with 50% of the increase coming from the developed countries and 50% from the developing countries. b) The rate at which the population has been growing has slowed in the past 50 years, but the human population is still getting larger. c) The human population has been growing at a steady and constant rate since 1800. d) The human population peaked in the 1960s and has been declining since.
b) The rate at which the population has been growing has slowed in the past 50 years, but the human population is still getting larger.
How is the sun's energy production different from the process in which energy is produced in current nuclear power plants? a) The sun releases energy through nuclear fission, whereas our current nuclear power technology releases energy through nuclear fusion. b) The sun releases energy through nuclear fusion, whereas our current nuclear power technology releases energy through nuclear fission. c) Both the sun and nuclear power plants release energy through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and helium. d) Both the sun and nuclear power plants release energy through the chemical reaction of uranium and hydrogen.
b) The sun releases energy through nuclear fusion, whereas our current nuclear power technology releases energy through nuclear fission.
Which of the following statements about U.S. landfills is true? a) Landfills should be kept as dry as possible to maintain high biodegradation levels. b) There are more active landfills in existence today than ever before. c) More than three-fourths of the landfills in the United States have been closed since 1988. d) It is against the law to build anything on an abandoned landfill.
b) There are more active landfills in existence today than ever before.
Which of the following is a major reason why renewable energy use is growing? a) There is increasing U.S. governmental concern over environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion. b) There is increasing concern over the environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion. c) Recent inventions have caused huge gains in the total amounts of energy generated. d) It is the trendy thing to do in larger cities.
b) There is increasing concern over the environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion.
What is one of the main reasons for sea level rise? a) Osmotic expansion b) Thermal expansion c) Saltwater intrusion d) Ice and snow melting
b) Thermal expansion
What is the pollution that occurs when human activities raises water temperatures? a) Nutrient pollution b) Thermal pollution c) Sediments d) Heat shield pollution
b) Thermal pollution
Which biome features soil that contains a layer of permafrost? View Available Hint(s) a) Boreal forest (taiga) b) Tundra c) Temperate grassland d) Savanna
b) Tundra
Why is variety in crop plants important for "food security"? a) Monocultures are not capable of reproducing. b) Varieties contain genes that, through conventional breeding, might confer resistance to disease. c) Monocultures are inherently stable. d) People and the food industry naturally want a wide variety of different types of food plants.
b) Varieties contain genes that, through conventional breeding, might confer resistance to disease.
What releases nitric oxide and volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere, initiating the formation of photochemical smog in urban cities like Los Angeles and Tehran? a) Coal-burning power plants b) Vehicle exhaust c) Acid deposition d) Temperature and humidity increase
b) Vehicle exhaust
Lichen is often the first organism to appear in an area that has had all life stripped from it because of some disturbance. What is lichen in this regard? View Available Hint(s) a) an omnivore b) a pioneer species c) a secondary consumer d) an invasive species
b) a pioneer species
Which of the following populations will most likely be stable over time? a) a population with a greater percentage of elderly individuals than those of pre-reproductive and reproductive age b) a population with an approximately equal number of individuals who are elderly and people who are of pre-reproductive and reproductive age c) a population that is subject to constant warfare d) a population with a greater percentage of individuals who are at pre-reproductive or reproductive age than the elderly
b) a population with an approximately equal number of individuals who are elderly and people who are of pre-reproductive and reproductive age
What is a marine protected area? a) any portion of the ocean that is protected from any commercial or recreational use b) any portion of the ocean that is protected from some human activities but may be open to others, such as the laying of cables and some fishing c) an area that has physical boundaries that limit movement of pollutants into and out of the area d) any portion of the ocean that is protected from fishing and the harvesting of kelp
b) any portion of the ocean that is protected from some human activities but may be open to others, such as the laying of cables and some fishing
Most of the world's forests are __________. a) tropical dry forests b) boreal forests c) temperate rainforests d) tropical rainforests
b) boreal forests
What incentive for recycling guarantees a refund to consumers? a) "glassphalt" b) bottle bills c) MRFs d) "pay-as-you-throw"
b) bottle bills
What is a situation in which NO net carbon is emitted? a) carbon offsets b) carbon-neutrality c) carbon tax d) carbon copy
b) carbon-neutrality
This biome often features wildfires due to extensive dry seasons. View Available Hint(s) a) boreal forest (taiga) b) chaparral c) desert d) temperate deciduous forest
b) chaparral
A scientist can use ecological modeling to attempt to explain and predict how __________ function. a) feedback loops b) ecological systems c) landscape ecologists d) elements
b) ecological systems
When a parasite lives inside the human gastrointestinal tract, absorbing some of the human's nutrients at the human's expense, it is considered a(n) __________ interaction. View Available Hint(s) a) displacement b) exploitative c) partitioned d) Galápagos
b) exploitative
Organic farming ________. a) and organically grown produce have not been supported by the European Union b) has increased in the United States, Canada, and Europe in recent years c) is presently limited to crops of fruits and vegetables d) has no state or national standards in the United States e) began in the 1960s
b) has increased in the United States, Canada, and Europe in recent years
What is one problem associated with the incineration of solid waste? a) leachate the may contaminate groundwater b) hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere c) the waste is radioactive d) the volume of waste increases
b) hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere
1. What is the arrow pointing to? a) hydroxide ion b) hydrogen ion c) hydronium ion d) electron e) water molecule
b) hydrogen ion
In a neutral solution the concentration of _____. a) hydrogen ions is greater than the concentration of hydroxide ions b) hydrogen ions is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions c) water molecules is less than the concentration of hydrogen ions d) hydrogen ions is less than the concentration of hydroxide ions e) water molecules is less than the concentration of hydroxide ions
b) hydrogen ions is equal to the concentration of hydroxide ions
Which of the following is a renewable energy source? a) coal b) hydropower c) oil d) natural gas by-products of the formation of coal and oil
b) hydropower
The practice of integrating biocontrol, crop rotation, alternative tillage methods, and chemical use is called __________. a) integrated technological management b) integrated pest management c) integrated biocontrol management d) coordinated biological and chemical control
b) integrated pest management
Members of two separate species cannot __________. a) compete for the same food resources b) interbreed c) take on similar appearances d) live in the same area
b) interbreed
The sixth mass extinction event __________. a) has not occurred b) is ongoing and has been caused by human disturbance c) happened billions of years ago as a result of the sun being further away from Earth d) happened millions of years ago and was caused by an asteroid
b) is ongoing and has been caused by human disturbance
Which of the following represents the largest waste disposal practice in the United States? a) incineration b) landfills c) recycling d) composting
b) landfills
Which of the following agricultural systems would be most susceptible to diseases or pests? a) rangeland used for grazing livestock b) monocultures c) traditional farms d) polycultures
b) monocultures
Which of the following would be a limiting factor for a population of dolphins in the ocean? a) the number of dolphins in the population b) numbers of fish that dolphin prey on c) rainfall d) atmospheric oxygen levels
b) numbers of fish that dolphin prey on
Which of the following is an example of a product found in a "throwaway society," such as the United States? a) fine silverware b) paper napkins c) reusable razor blades d) reusable cloth diapers
b) paper napkins
A community ecologist would study which of the following? a) the effects of soil moisture and nutrients on the growth of the invasive European buckthorn b) patterns of interactions between wolves and coyotes in Yellowstone National Park c) the effects of waterborne microorganisms on humans d) the dynamics of population change in white-tailed deer
b) patterns of interactions between wolves and coyotes in Yellowstone National Park
Today, entire populations of frogs, toads, and salamanders are vanishing without a trace. Recent studies implicate a wide array of factors. What is the second greatest cause of decline for threatened species? a) habitat loss b) pollution c) disease d) fires
b) pollution
The O horizon is ________. a) composed of equal amounts of bedrock and organic material b) primarily composed of organic materials c) composed primarily of bedrock d) usually more sand than silt or clay e) primarily loam
b) primarily composed of organic materials
The requirement in Oregon for every metropolitan area to establish an urban growth boundary is intended to ________. a) reduce the size of natural areas adjacent to cities b) reduce urban sprawl c) force people to move elsewhere d) increase the size of suburbs e) take away incentives for renewal of urban areas
b) reduce urban sprawl
Air travel, the Internet, cheap fossil fuels, and television all have allowed people to ________. a) consume less energy and materials b) remain connected while living in less centralized locations c) live more densely packed into urban areas d) live within the UDBs demanded by smart city design e) return to an agricultural society
b) remain connected while living in less centralized locations
Two species of lizard live on the same tree and consume the same sorts of food. Regardless, neither species is in direct competition with the other. The key to this scenario is that one of the species is nocturnal; the other is diurnal. What is this called? View Available Hint(s) a) herbivory b) resource partitioning c) symbiosis d) parasitism
b) resource partitioning
Ecological restoration tries to __________. View Available Hint(s) a) redesign natural areas to have the showiest plants in places that are the easiest to see so more visitors will come b) return ecosystems to a more "natural" state, often what they were like before industrial civilization altered them c) preserve pristine environments by keeping humans out d) rebuild natural communities to look like what they were in the year 1900
b) return ecosystems to a more "natural" state, often what they were like before industrial civilization altered them
With very few exceptions, what sort of forest is in the United States? a) primary forests b) secondary forests c) tertiary forests d) quaternary forests
b) secondary forests
Which of the following follows the philosophy of "building up, not out"? a) subdivisions b) smart growth c) sprawl d) unbridled growth
b) smart growth
What is the term that refers to the reduction of the amount of waste entering the waste stream? a) inventory b) source reduction c) recycling d) liquidation
b) source reduction
Coal mining involves which two of the following mining techniques? a) strip mining and placer mining b) strip mining and subsurface mining c) solution mining and subsurface mining d) subsurface mining and placer mining
b) strip mining and subsurface mining
What is the ultimate energy source for biomass (also known as biomass energy)? a) the movement of organisms, which generates an enormous amount of kinetic energy b) sunlight through the process of photosynthesis, in which the chemical potential energy of biomass originates c) burning combustible plant matter d) the mass portion of biomass, which is placed upon scales that utilize the gravitational potential energy
b) sunlight through the process of photosynthesis, in which the chemical potential energy of biomass originates
Organic agriculture implies farming techniques that use NO __________. a) water b) synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides c) soil d) fertilizers
b) synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides
What does the T stand for in the IPAT model? a) Tentative b) Technology c) Total d) Terrorism
b) technology
Which of the following is an example of selective breeding (artificial selection) by humans? View Available Hint(s) a) the extinction of frogs in Monteverde's cloud forest b) the diversity of dog breeds in the world today c) the great diversity of human-made fabrics d) the diversity of human species in the world today
b) the diversity of dog breeds in the world today
Mine tailings are __________. a) the name given to the malformations seen in birds that have been poisoned in open pit mines b) the remains of ore after most of the metals have been removed c) the product of metal smelting d) the final portions of rich veins of minerals found in subsurface mining; when the tailings are reached, a new shaft is dug to find a new mineral vein
b) the remains of ore after most of the metals have been removed
What sort of waste is predominantly generated by U.S. industrial facilities? a) radioactive b) wastewater c) organic d) heavy metals
b) wastewater
Passive solar energy collection includes which of the following technologies? a) solar ovens b) buildings designed and building materials chosen to maximize their direct absorption of sunlight c) heating of water using solar panels d) panels installed on roofs of houses
buildings designed and building materials chosen to maximize their direct absorption of sunlight
Which statement is an accurate description of a keystone species? View Available Hint(s) a) If the keystone species disappears, the whole ecosystem collapses, and nothing survives. b) Keystone species are always predators. c) A keystone species that is a predator controls the herbivore populations, which in turn maintains the plant populations and keeps balance. d) Keystone species are the largest-bodied species in a community.
c) A keystone species that is a predator controls the herbivore populations, which in turn maintains the plant populations and keeps balance.
Which statement below most accurately describes a phylogenetic tree? View Available Hint(s) a) A phylogenetic tree is a diagram that shows how one species develops into another. b) A phylogenetic tree is a genetically modified tree that can produce asexually without using seeds. c) A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram used to illustrate a scientist's hypothesis about how divergence took place among evolutionary lines. d) A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram used to illustrate the steps an organism went through during artificial selection.
c) A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram used to illustrate a scientist's hypothesis about how divergence took place among evolutionary lines.
What is Hubbert's peak? a) A statistical maximum value that can be charged for a gallon of gas before people start buying more fuel-efficient vehicles b) The source of the world's largest anthracite coal deposit c) A prediction, based on rates of extraction and new discovery, of when a country's or global oil production will be at a maximum and then start to fall d) The temperature and pressure at which the highest-quality petroleum forms
c) A prediction, based on rates of extraction and new discovery, of when a country's or global oil production will be at a maximum and then start to fall
Which of the following has the potential to cause atmospheric cooling? a) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) b) Carbon dioxide from automobiles c) Aerosols (particularly sulfur compounds) and dusts d) Methane from domestic livestock and swamps
c) Aerosols (particularly sulfur compounds) and dusts
What happens as toxicants, such as fat-soluble DDT, are taken in by organisms from the lowest trophic level to the highest trophic level? a) The toxicants are absorbed in the tissues of the higher trophic level organisms until they disappear altogether. b) The toxicants do not increase appreciably at higher trophic levels, staying much the same. c) Biomagnification occurs in the tissues of each successive higher trophic level organism. The levels of a given toxicant increase more or less exponentially at each successive trophic level. d) These substances cause the organism from the higher trophic level to die and not pass on the toxicant.
c) Biomagnification occurs in the tissues of each successive higher trophic level organism. The levels of a given toxicant increase more or less exponentially at each successive trophic level.
Of the following renewable energy resources, which one has the highest life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions? a) Solar power b) Biomass c) Hydropower d) Wind power
c) Biomass
Which of the following is one of the EPA's six criteria pollutants? a) Argon b) Carbon dioxide c) Carbon monoxide d) Volatile organic compounds
c) Carbon monoxide
________ are substances that cause cancer. a) Teratogens b) Allergens c) Carcinogens d) Vectors e) Neurotoxins
c) Carcinogens
__________ exposure to a chemical occurs at low levels over a long period of time. a) Long-distance b) Acute c) Chronic d) Internal
c) Chronic
__________ is the process of recovering organic waste through decomposition. a) Recovery b) Recycling c) Composting d) Combustion
c) Composting
__________ is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and of the relationships between organisms and their environments. a) Population ecology b) Biology c) Ecology d) Environmental science
c) Ecology
Prairie dogs dig extensive series of tunnels. Beavers build dams that alter the hydrologic profile of an area. What sort of organisms are prairie dogs and beavers? View Available Hint(s) a) Keystone species b) Parasites c) Ecosystem engineers d) Invasive species
c) Ecosystem engineers
Which of the following statements best describes energy? a) Energy is the food we eat. b) Energy can be created and destroyed. c) Energy is the capacity to change the position, physical composition, or temperature of matter. d) Entropy is another name for energy.
c) Energy is the capacity to change the position, physical composition, or temperature of matter.
Which of the following statements about the United States and Europe are true regarding toxins? a) European nations tend to use the innocent-until-proven-guilty approach, while the United States follows the precautionary principle. b) European nations have eradicated toxins from their countries, while the United States has not. c) European nations tend to use the precautionary principle, whereas the United States follows the innocent-until-proven-guilty approach. d) The United States has eradicated toxins from its country, while the European nations have not.
c) European nations tend to use the precautionary principle, whereas the United States follows the innocent-until-proven-guilty approach.
What sort of threat does wind energy pose to certain kinds of wildlife? a) The towers can topple during storms. b) The force of the wind emitted can divert the flight path of birds and other flying animals. c) Flying creatures such as birds and bats are killed when they fly into wind turbine blades. d) Wires leading to the nacelle are often exposed, and this can shock creatures such as squirrels.
c) Flying creatures such as birds and bats are killed when they fly into wind turbine blades.
What sort of threat does wind energy pose to certain kinds of wildlife? a) The towers can topple during storms. b) Wires leading to the nacelle are often exposed, and this can shock creatures such as squirrels. c) Flying creatures such as birds and bats are killed when they fly into wind turbine blades. d) The force of the wind emitted can divert the flight path of birds and other flying animals.
c) Flying creatures such as birds and bats are killed when they fly into wind turbine blades.
Which of the following statements about growth rate and population size is true? a) Growth rate and population size are not related. b) When the growth rate decreases, population size will increase by greater increments with each successive generation. c) If the growth rate remains steady, population size will continue to increase by greater increments with each generation. d) When the growth rate increases steadily, population size decreases steadily.
c) If the growth rate remains steady, population size will continue to increase by greater increments with each generation.
IPAT stands for ________. a) Industry, Population, Attitude, and Teaching b) Industry, People, Attitude, and Teaching c) Impact, Population, Affluence, and Technology d) Impact, People, Affluence, and Technology e) Impact, Population, Attitude, and Technology
c) Impact, Population, Affluence, and Technology
According to a comprehensive review of data from marine reserves in 2001, how can marine reserves benefit ecosystems? a) Increased eutrophication b) Increased swimming speed of fishes c) Increased biomass of organisms d) Increasing factory fishing
c) Increased biomass of organisms
Which of the following damaging pollutants is not closely tracked by the U.S. EPA? a) Carbon monoxide b) Lead c) Mercury d) Nitrogen dioxide
c) Mercury
What are the periodic variations in Earth's rotation and orbit around the sun that alter the way solar radiation is distributed over Earth's surface? a) weather b) climate c) Milankovitch cycles d) radiative forcing
c) Milankovitch cycles
Acid drainage does not normally occur in areas before mines are built but tends to happen after the mine has been in operation for many years. What causes acid drainage? a) The acid is already present in trapped underground pockets and is released by mining equipment. b) Abandoned mining equipment leaks acids from batteries. c) Mining exposes unweathered rock surfaces that react with water and the atmosphere to generate acids. d) Concentrated acids used to dissolve metals from the rock are picked up in rainwater.
c) Mining exposes unweathered rock surfaces that react with water and the atmosphere to generate acids.
___________ is the only process that can change a gene's DNA and therefore give rise to new variations of the gene. View Available Hint(s) a) Extirpation b) Selective breeding c) Mutation d) Natural selection
c) Mutation
Which fossil fuel is produced as a by-product that occurs when bacteria decompose organic material under anaerobic conditions? a) Peat b) Anthracite coal c) Natural gas d) Oil
c) Natural gas
What is the difference between EROI (energy returned on investment) and net energy? a) Net energy is the total amount of energy that is gained after the EROI is calculated divided by the initial addition of energy invested. b) EROI is the net energy times the energy invested, and the net energy is the total amount of energy that is available. c) Net energy is simply the difference between energy returned and energy invested. EROI is a ratio with energy return in the numerator and energy invested in the denominator. d) There is no difference between the two metrics.
c) Net energy is simply the difference between energy returned and energy invested. EROI is a ratio with energy return in the numerator and energy invested in the denominator.
__________ is the number of individuals in a population per unit area. View Available Hint(s) a) Population distribution b) Population size c) Population density d) Population dynamics
c) Population density
What is the spatial relationship between the distributions of water and people? a) People only colonize areas with abundant freshwater. b) Anthropogenic colonization has been limited to shorelines. c) Populations and water resources too often have an inverse relationship (lots of people where there is little water). d) People are limited to areas with freshwater or saltwater.
c) Populations and water resources too often have an inverse relationship (lots of people where there is little water).
Tantalum is needed for mobile phones, and the Congo is a major supplier of this metal. Which of these is true of how mining for tantalum has occurred in the Congo? a) The profits from the mining operations have been used to establish and maintain parks and reserves to protect the Congo's natural heritage. b) Most tantalum mining is being done by large multinational corporations. c) Profits from tantalum mining have helped fuel a war that has killed more than 5 million people. d) The tantalum miners are rapidly becoming wealthy and improving conditions in their country.
c) Profits from tantalum mining have helped fuel a war that has killed more than 5 million people.
Which of the following convert or remove airborne pollutants from smokestacks? a) Mufflers b) Catalytic converters c) Scrubbers d) Atmospheric filters
c) Scrubbers
What is the greatest negative environmental impact that occurs when people live in suburbs instead of living in cities? a) Suburbanites do not recycle. b) Suburbanites are not aware of resource use. c) Suburbanites take up many times as much space as city dwellers. d) Suburbanites have higher rates of cardiovascular disease.
c) Suburbanites take up many times as much space as city dwellers.
Which of the following statements is true about the diversity of our crops today? a) Because of genetic engineering, the diversity of our crops has increased dramatically compared to crops in the past. b) The diversity of our crops has increased with the invention of seed banks. c) The Green Revolution has led to a decrease in the diversity of our crops. d) Because of industrial agriculture, the diversity of our crops has increased dramatically compared to crops in the past.
c) The Green Revolution has led to a decrease in the diversity of our crops.
What position did the United States take regarding the Kyoto Protocol? a) The United States took leadership with the Kyoto Protocol and is at the forefront of greenhouse gas emission reduction. b) The United States is participating in the resolutions set forth by the Kyoto Protocol but has refused to take leadership with the process. c) The United States is the only industrialized nation to refuse to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. d) The United States took responsibility for its role in the production of greenhouse gas emissions and pledged to reduce emissions by 75% by the year 1998.
c) The United States is the only industrialized nation to refuse to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
Which of these statements is supported by the graph? Select all that apply. a) Climate change is a major cause of amphibian decline. b) Amphibian declines from pollution have increased since the year 2000. c) The declines of many amphibian species are unexplained. d) Habitat loss is the greatest known cause of amphibian decline. e) There are more non-threatened amphibian species than threatened amphibian species.
c) The declines of many amphibian species are unexplained. d) Habitat loss is the greatest known cause of amphibian decline.
Which of the following contributed to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s? a) The use of GM crops. b) Deforestation of native forests in order to plant crops. c) The removal of native prairie plants. d) Massive industrial agriculture operations disturbed the soil with large, petroleum-powered equipment.
c) The removal of native prairie plants.
What is the reason that solar power provides for so little of our energy needs? a) By the time the sun's energy reaches Earth, it is not strong enough to provide for our energy needs. b) There is not enough surface area on Earth to harness significant power for our use. c) The upfront cost of installation can be very steep. d) Fusion products of the sun do not release energy.
c) The upfront cost of installation can be very steep.
Which of the following is an example of the use of a biological control? a) Honeybees are used to control the production of fruit in an apple orchard. b) Herbicide-resistant soybeans are planted so farmers can use herbicides without killing their crops. c) The use of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, in the 1920s to control the invasive prickly pear cactus that was overrunning rangeland in Australia. d) Golden rice is grown in developing nations to help control blindness in children.
c) The use of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum, in the 1920s to control the invasive prickly pear cactus that was overrunning rangeland in Australia.
How do resource managers achieve maximum sustainable yield? a) They raise the average temperature so that enzymes work faster and growth is greater. b) When they use up the resource in the area they manage, they move on to a fresh area. c) They keep the population at 50% of the carrying capacity, thus maximizing the growth rate. d) They supplement the available natural food with processed, high-nutrient feed.
c) They keep the population at 50% of the carrying capacity, thus maximizing the growth rate.
Which of the following biomes features distinct wet and dry seasons? View Available Hint(s) a) Desert b) Temperate rainforest c) Tropical dry forest d) Temperate deciduous forest
c) Tropical dry forest
What would do the most to reduce indoor air pollution in the developing world? a) Reducing the use of products in the home that contain volatile organic compounds b) Reducing inhalation of second-hand smoke c) Using solar energy to heat homes d) Building new homes with radon-resistant features
c) Using solar energy to heat homes
How is the energy produced by nuclear fission used to produce electricity? a) The fission process produces a strong magnetic field that moves electrons through loops of copper wire, thus making electricity. b) Electrons from the fission are absorbed by spools of copper wire and generate electricity. c) Water in the containment vessel is kept under high pressure and heat from the fission reactions that heat it to well over boiling. This is then used to boil another loop of water, which turns a turbine that drives a generator and makes electricity. d) The radiation is used to make plasma, which is harnessed directly for electricity.
c) Water in the containment vessel is kept under high pressure and heat from the fission reactions that heat it to well over boiling. This is then used to boil another loop of water, which turns a turbine that drives a generator and makes electricity.
How is the energy produced by nuclear fission used to produce electricity? a) The fission process produces a strong magnetic field that moves electrons through loops of copper wire, thus making electricity. b) The radiation is used to make plasma, which is harnessed directly for electricity. c) Water in the containment vessel is kept under high pressure and heat from the fission reactions that heat it to well over boiling. This is then used to boil another loop of water, which turns a turbine that drives a generator and makes electricity. d) Electrons from the fission are absorbed by spools of copper wire and generate electricity.
c) Water in the containment vessel is kept under high pressure and heat from the fission reactions that heat it to well over boiling. This is then used to boil another loop of water, which turns a turbine that drives a generator and makes electricity.
What is the name of an area of land that is drained by a river and all of its tributaries? a) Estuary b) Spring c) Watershed d) Wetland
c) Watershed
What is a potential, and likely, drawback to the deep-well injection of hazardous wastes? a) Large buildings must be constructed to house these wells. b) It is hard to drill very deep into the ground. c) Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel. d) The wells tend to catch fire.
c) Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel.
Which of the following areas would experience the most devastation after an earthquake? a) a city built with strict codes in place to allow for flexible buildings b) a city built on a thick bed of stone c) a marsh-like environment that was filled with landfill in order to build a city d) a city that has invested in strengthening structural components in older buildings
c) a marsh-like environment that was filled with landfill in order to build a city
If you wanted to represent the relative importance of the trophic levels in a food chain, the most accurate way to do so would be a graph in the form of __________. View Available Hint(s) a) a pyramid of specific interactions between species b) a pyramid of the number of individuals c) a pyramid of energy d) a pyramid of keystone species
c) a pyramid of energy
Bisphenol A is ________. a) released from aerosol spray cans b) a currently used herbicide c) an estrogen mimic used in plastic manufacturing d) a banned insecticide e) produced when fossil fuels are burned
c) an estrogen mimic used in plastic manufacturing
A(n) __________ is a water-bearing area that is confined by less permeable or impermeable rock or soil. a) unconfined aquifer b) perched zone c) artesian aquifer d) recharge pond
c) artesian aquifer
For two organisms to belong to the same species, individuals of their species must __________. View Available Hint(s) a) be of the same sex b) live in the same geographical area c) be able to reproduce and have fertile offspring d) share more than 30% genetic identity with each other
c) be able to reproduce and have fertile offspring
Which of the following best describes integrated pest management (IPM)? a) transgenic crops b) continuous monoculture cropping and harvesting c) biocontrol measures, crop rotation, and habitat diversification d) subsidies for pesticide use e) major reliance on synthetic pesticides
c) biocontrol measures, crop rotation, and habitat diversification
Passive solar energy collection includes which of the following technologies? a) solar ovens b) heating of water using solar panels c) buildings designed and building materials chosen to maximize their direct absorption of sunlight d) panels installed on roofs of houses
c) buildings designed and building materials chosen to maximize their direct absorption of sunlight
Most of the indoor air pollution in developing countries comes from __________. a) radon b) acid rain c) burning fuelwood d) burning gasoline
c) burning fuelwood
Recently, how has Germany reduced its dependence on fossil fuels? a) by utilizing fusion power b) by subsidizing the hydraulic fracturing production in oil shale deposits c) by utilizing the feed-in tariff system d) by mass producing biogas resources
c) by utilizing the feed-in tariff system
What potential energy-bearing compound is produced through photosynthesis and made available for consumers? a) water b) lipids c) carbohydrates d) hydrogen sulfide
c) carbohydrates
Which of the following are the reactants (ingredients) needed for photosynthesis to occur? a) sunlight, plants, and oxygen b) glucose, oxygen, and sunlight c) carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight d) plant seeds, water, and soil
c) carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight
The conversion of organic waste to mulch or humus usable for enriching soil by encouraging natural biological processes of decomposition in a controlled manner is called __________. a) composition b) combustion c) composting d) compromising
c) composting
What technology is used to extract freshwater from ocean water? a) irrigation b) conservation c) desalinization d) canals
c) desalinization
What is the major factor driving the move to the suburbs from cities? a) desire to have a garden b) availability of more jobs in suburbs c) desire to live in less crowded, more peaceful conditions d) concern over demographic transitions e) desire for close-knit communities
c) desire to live in less crowded, more peaceful conditions
A single, small population that exists only in one place on the planet is considered __________ to that area. a) extinct b) pandemic c) endemic d) foreign
c) endemic
Since 1960, pesticide use has increased ________ worldwide. a) sixfold b) twofold c) fourfold d) threefold e) fivefold
c) fourfold
Scientists evaluate concentrations of gases and other atmospheric constituents from the distant past by examining which of the following? a) gas bubbles trapped in the oceans b) gas bubbles trapped in soil c) gas bubbles trapped in ice d) gas bubbles trapped in rock
c) gas bubbles trapped in ice
Global biodiversity exists in a number of patterns. The largest and most obvious of these is that biodiversity is __________. a) greatest at high elevations but drops as you descend b) distributed evenly across Earth's surface c) greatest at the equator and drops as you move farther north or south d) higher at the start of a river than at its end
c) greatest at the equator and drops as you move farther north or south
Of the chemicals that fall under the Toxic Substances Control Act, ________ have been tested for toxicity and ________ have been tested for endocrine, nervous, or immune system damage. a) 33%; 22% b) 75%; 10% c) half; 10% d) half; 25% e) a small percentage; even fewer
c) half; 10%
Green Revolution techniques ________. a) focus on sustainability b) focus on organic farming c) have increased crop yields but may not be sustainable d) have contributed to an increased diversity of foods in the human diet e) focus on preserving biodiversity
c) have increased crop yields but may not be sustainable
What is one problem associated with the incineration of solid waste? a) the volume of waste increases b) leachate the may contaminate groundwater c) hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere d) the waste is radioactive
c) hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere
The urban heat island effect is caused by ________. a) street lighting and burning of wastes in landfills b) green buildings c) heat-generating buildings and dark, heat-absorbing surfaces d) air warmed over adjacent oceans blowing into urban areas e) nuclear power plants venting excess heat into the urban landscape
c) heat-generating buildings and dark, heat-absorbing surfaces
Why does the average U.S. citizen create more waste today than 50 years ago? a) lack of landfill space b) high rates of recycling c) higher rates of consumption d) lack of composting facilities
c) higher rates of consumption
When decomposers break down organic molecules, a dark crumbly organic material called __________ that improves soil quality is formed. a) topsoil b) guacamole c) humus d) silt
c) humus
Ocean water is 96.5% water by mass. Most of the remainder consists of __________. a) the nutrients nitrogen and potassium. b) carbon dioxide c) ions from dissolved salts d) oil from human and natural causes
c) ions from dissolved salts
Monoculture farming ________. a) accounts for less than 1% of U.S. farmland b) requires no artificial pesticides or fertilizers c) is a development of industrial agriculture d) is typical of Native American farming techniques e) is always accompanied by no-till agriculture
c) is a development of industrial agriculture
Over the past 60 years, most U.S. citizens who could afford to do so ________. a) moved into high-rise condominiums b) migrated into the cities c) left the cities for the suburbs d) moved into "downtown" city center areas e) improved the cities
c) left the cities for the suburbs
Which of the following fossil fuel sources is currently NOT being utilized due to several limiting factors? a) oil shale b) tar sands c) methane hydrates d) coal
c) methane hydrates
The process that makes nitrogen available to plants by mutualistic and free-living bacteria is called __________. a) decomposition b) ammonification c) nitrogen fixation d) decomposition
c) nitrogen fixation
Which greenhouse gas has a global warming potential that is approximately three times that of methane? a) carbon dioxide b) hydrochlorofluorocarbon HFC-23 c) nitrous oxide d) None of the listed responses is correct.
c) nitrous oxide
Species richness is the __________. a) number of species in a taxonomic group (e.g., phylum) b) value of a species to humans c) number of species in an area d) extent to which species in an area differ in number of individuals
c) number of species in an area
If a human consumes both plant and animal products, then he or she is considered a(n) __________. View Available Hint(s) a) producer b) herbivore c) omnivore d) primary consumer
c) omnivore
What is one of the chemical properties of water that scientists and technicians use to assess water quality? a) Temperature b) Turbidity c) pH d) Microorganisms
c) pH
Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring focuses primarily on the environmental problems associated with ________. a) deforestation b) invasive species c) pesticide toxicity d) aquifer depletion e) overpopulation
c) pesticide toxicity
The original purpose of parks in eastern U.S. cities was to ________. a) protect passenger pigeons, Carolina parakeets, and other rapidly declining species b) provide wildlife sanctuaries within cities c) provide a European style experience of the beauty and intimacy of formal landscapes d) provide open places for picnics and games, such as football, cricket, and lawn tennis e) provide protected places for hunting foxes, birds, and deer
c) provide a European style experience of the beauty and intimacy of formal landscapes
Which type of indirect evidence can substitute for direct measurements of past climate change? a) conclusions b) litigations c) proxy indicators d) observations
c) proxy indicators
The process of __________ turns crude oil into the type of fuels that can be used for cooking, in cars, and for other human purposes. a) secondary drilling b) redefining c) refining d) primary drilling
c) refining
According to the first law of thermodynamics, the total amount of energy in the universe __________. a) is lost to entropy b) is constantly decreasing c) remains constant d) is constantly increasing
c) remains constant
Which of the following can be caused by irrigation of cropland? a) recombination of genes b) terracing c) salinization d) erosion of bedrock
c) salinization
Ozone in the ________ is important for absorbing and scattering much of the UV radiation coming into Earth's atmosphere from the sun. a) clouds b) troposphere c) stratosphere d) mesosphere e) thermosphere
c) stratosphere
What are smaller communities that surround cities called? a) urban growth boundaries b) towns c) suburbs d) highways
c) suburbs
Which of the following is the broadest (most all-encompassing) level of ecological organization? a) an ecosystem b) a population c) the biosphere d) a kingdom
c) the biosphere
How can solid waste incineration be of benefit? a) it can be used to clean the air b) the fly ash can be used as compost or mulch c) the heat from waste combustion can be used to generate energy d) it can generate methane
c) the heat from waste combustion can be used to generate energy
What occurs as sprawl increases in, or adjacent to, a city? a) pollution decreases b) less land is used per capita c) the need for cars increases d) general health is improved
c) the need for cars increases
Humus is ________. a) an artificial fertilizer applied to monocultures b) caused by agricultural runoff into waterways or into the water table c) the organic soil component that holds soil moisture and enhances soil fertility d) one of the primary causes of desertification if it is present in excess e) the layer sometimes found in a soil horizon that is created by eluviation; it causes serious problems in agricultural fields
c) the organic soil component that holds soil moisture and enhances soil fertility
What is electrolysis? a) the conversion of sunlight into electricity in a PV cell b) the generation of energy from wave motion c) the splitting of water into component hydrogen and oxygen d) increasing the efficiency of wind turbines
c) the splitting of water into component hydrogen and oxygen
Which of the following can trap pollutants at ground level and cause dangerous smog? a) solar flares b) the Ozone layer c) thermal inversions d) vertical mixing
c) thermal inversions
The bald eagle, osprey, and peregrine falcon all are ________. a) over-hunted for their feathers b) extinct c) top consumers susceptible to eggshell damage caused by DDT d) U.S. invasive species e) found only in Florida
c) top consumers susceptible to eggshell damage caused by DDT
The United States and other industrialized nations devote about one-third of their oil use to __________. a) agriculture b) heating homes c) transportation
c) transportation
Since 2009, for the first time ever, more people in the world are living in __________ areas than __________ areas. a) developed; developing b) rural; urban c) urban; rural d) developed; urban
c) urban; rural
Which of the following forestry practices would best conserve biodiversity? a) leaving several small areas uncut in the middle of a clear-cut b) clear-cutting stands of timber c) using a selection system to get uneven-aged stands d) the shelterwood approach
c) using a selection system to get uneven-aged stands
What challenge does the concept of SLOSS represent? a) whether to pursue primary-growth forests or secondary-growth forests on federally owned lands b) whether to allow for the use of federally owned lands for hunting c) whether to make a few large reserves or many small reserves d) whether to pursue total conversion of land or to fragment it over time
c) whether to make a few large reserves or many small reserves
Which of the following would be characteristic of sprawl? View Available Hint(s) a) an empty, ruined temple surrounded by nothing but grasslands and herds of wild animals b) a few single-family dwellings near the edge of an enormous forest, adjacent to some cabbage farms and a small town situated 15 miles to the north c) widely spaced homes spread evenly across a vast tract of land d) a state university surrounded by miles and miles of businesses and dwellings housed in large multi-story structures
c) widely spaced homes spread evenly across a vast tract of land
If a population of 1000 individuals has an annual growth rate of 5%, how many individuals will be in the population one year later? a) 5 b) 50 c) 1005 d) 1050
d) 1050
Which of the following would protect Earth's biodiversity? View Available Hint(s) a) Preserve habitats in many countries. b) Prevent the introduction of a non-native species into an area. c) Encourage ecotourism. d) All of the listed responses are correct.
d) All of the listed responses are correct.
Why is there little to no growth expected for hydropower? a) Hydropower uses a nonrenewable resource that is quickly being depleted. b) Too much pollution is generated when the dams are in operation. c) The cost of generating power is much too high. d) Almost all rivers that can be dammed for power generation have been dammed already.
d) Almost all rivers that can be dammed for power generation have been dammed already.
Which is the correct term to describe fish and other ocean organisms that are caught accidentally along with the targeted fish? a) Food-chain decimation b) Trawling c) Harm-catch d) Bycatch
d) Bycatch
Which of the following countries exports the most oil to the United States? a) Saudi Arabia b) Venezuela c) Kuwait d) Canada
d) Canada
Which of these countries increased its carbon emissions since the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol? a) United Kingdom b) Russia c) Germany d) Canada
d) Canada
Which of the following are the top two primary indoor air pollutants in the United States? a) Volatile organic compounds and radon gas b) Cigarette smoke and volatile organic compounds c) Methane and carbon monoxide d) Cigarette smoke and radon gas
d) Cigarette smoke and radon gas
What describes the pattern of atmospheric conditions across larger geographic regions over years, decades, or centuries? a) Temperature inversions b) Coriolis effect c) High pressures d) Climate
d) Climate
How is climate change most significantly affecting coral reefs and sea life? a) The amount of water in the ocean is increasing and causing coral reefs to wash onto shore. b) Climate change causes the oceans to release more carbon dioxide. c) Ozone in the water is killing marine life. d) Climate change causes the oceans to absorb more carbon dioxide resulting in ocean acidification.
d) Climate change causes the oceans to absorb more carbon dioxide resulting in ocean acidification.
Which of the following actions is required for the recycling loop to be successful? a) Genetically modified bacteria must be found to consume toxic components. b) Consumers must purchase only products made in the United States. c) Corporations must make more products from virgin (raw) materials. d) Consumers and businesses must purchase products made from recycled materials.
d) Consumers and businesses must purchase products made from recycled materials.
What process depends on the cyclical, vertical movement of air currents: sinking cold, dense and rising warm, less dense air masses? a) Polar cells b) Thermal inversion c) Coriolis effect d) Convective circulation
d) Convective circulation
What are the goals of waste management? a) Developing management training for supervisors of disposal companies b) Developing technology for more efficient incineration c) Promoting mid-level managers to high-level managers to more effectively manage waste d) Disposing of waste safely as well as effectively, minimizing the amount of waste generated, and increasing recovery
d) Disposing of waste safely as well as effectively, minimizing the amount of waste generated, and increasing recovery
Which of the following is a systematic shift in atmospheric pressure, sea surface temperature, and ocean circulation patterns in the tropical Pacific Ocean that alters weather patterns on a worldwide scale? a) Upwellings b) North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) c) Thermohaline circulation d) El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
d) El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
__________ studies are comparisons that track the fate of large groups of people for long periods of time in order to help answer an environmental question. a) Case b) Historical c) Animal d) Epidemiological
d) Epidemiological
Which of the following statements is NOT accurate regarding geothermal power? a) Geothermal power reduces but does not eliminate emissions. b) Geothermal energy can be used as heat exchangers for heat pumps for homes and businesses. c) Geothermal power can deplete groundwater sources. d) Geothermal power generators are one of the true fully sustainable energy sources.
d) Geothermal power generators are one of the true fully sustainable energy sources.
Which of the following statements about Earth's carrying capacity for humans is true? a) Earth can support an infinite number of humans. b) Humans do not have a carrying capacity because we are at the top of the food chain. c) Earth's carrying capacity for humans is approximately 350 million people. d) Human beings are not unlike other animals concerning carrying capacity, but we utilize technology to artificially raise the carrying capacity increasingly higher.
d) Human beings are not unlike other animals concerning carrying capacity, but we utilize technology to artificially raise the carrying capacity increasingly higher.
Which of the following is a non-consumptive use of water as a resource? a) Copper mining b) Industrial use c) Farmland irrigation d) Hydroelectric power
d) Hydroelectric power
How are warming temperatures causing a vicious cycle (positive feedback) that is leading to enhanced warming? a) Ice and snow reflect light, and as they melt, Earth reflects more of the Sun's rays. b) Melting ice and snow causes water to condense releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. c) Ice and snow absorb light, and as they melt, Earth produces more carbon dioxide. d) Ice and snow reflect light, and as they melt, Earth absorbs more of the Sun's rays.
d) Ice and snow reflect light, and as they melt, Earth absorbs more of the Sun's rays.
Why do industries tend to produce so much waste even though it is not the most efficient way to do business? a) Most of industry is run by disorganized people. b) It is more profitable to be efficient with waste. c) Industry ecologists do not recommend streamlining industrial waste. d) In most cases, there is no financial incentive for becoming efficient.
d) In most cases, there is no financial incentive for becoming efficient.
How is cellulosic ethanol different from traditional corn-based ethanol? a) It is made from sustainably grown corn. b) It can be made from used grease and oil from restaurants. c) It is made from wheat or rice grains instead of corn. d) It can be made from the nonfood portions of plants and from wood.
d) It can be made from the nonfood portions of plants and from wood.
__________ death rates and __________ infant mortality rates are due in large part to technological advances, improved sanitation, and better medical care in developed countries. a) Lower; higher b) Higher; lower c) Higher; higher d) Lower; lower
d) Lower; lower
Which one of the following scenarios would be an example of allopatric speciation? a) Because of a chromosomal error during egg development, a tree frog develops that has four sets of chromosomes instead of the typical two sets. This tree frog cannot mate with other typical frogs but just so happens to mate with another tree frog that has four sets of chromosomes. All of their offspring have four sets of chromosomes and can only mate with other tree frogs that have four sets of chromosomes. Tree frogs with four sets of chromosomes gradually become more common, and eventually, both kinds of tree frog have large geographic ranges. b) Human populations appear very different from one area of the planet to another. c) Dogs have been selectively bred for certain traits so that different dog breeds appear very different from each other. d) Members of a population of meadowlarks living in central North America become separated into two isolated populations during an ice age. After being isolated for thousands of years, the two populations meet up again after glaciers retreat at the end of the ice age, but the members of the two populations can no longer interbreed.
d) Members of a population of meadowlarks living in central North America become separated into two isolated populations during an ice age. After being isolated for thousands of years, the two populations meet up again after glaciers retreat at the end of the ice age, but the members of the two populations can no longer interbreed.
How does radon originate? a) Volatile organic compounds b) Burning wood indoors c) Cigarette smoke d) Natural decay of uranium
d) Natural decay of uranium
What is the difference between EROI (energy returned on investment) and net energy? a) EROI is the net energy times the energy invested, and the net energy is the total amount of energy that is available. b) Net energy is the total amount of energy that is gained after the EROI is calculated divided by the initial addition of energy invested. c) There is no difference between the two metrics. d) Net energy is simply the difference between energy returned and energy invested. EROI is a ratio with energy return in the numerator and energy invested in the denominator.
d) Net energy is simply the difference between energy returned and energy invested. EROI is a ratio with energy return in the numerator and energy invested in the denominator.
Which of the following results from acid deposition? a) Species diversity is increased. b) Food supply for birds is increased. c) Chlorofluorocarbons are formed near the ground. d) Objects made of stone, like marble headstones, are worn away.
d) Objects made of stone, like marble headstones, are worn away.
What is the largest component of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream? a) Yard waste b) All varieties of plastics c) Metals d) Paper and paper products
d) Paper and paper products
From the 1950s to the 1970s many cities experienced a loss in population as people left for the suburbs. Which one of the following is not a factor that led to this migration? a) Cities experienced a rise in unemployment and crime. b) People liked the room and privacy of the larger houses and lots in the suburbs. c) Government subsidies built highways, making commuting from the suburbs into the cities easier. d) People sought out the better public transportation options present in the suburbs.
d) People sought out the better public transportation options present in the suburbs.
Which of the following pollutants does not occur naturally in groundwater? a) Nitrates b) Aluminum c) Fluoride d) Petroleum products
d) Petroleum products
Which of the following would be a possible geoengineering strategy that could be used to cool the planet? a) Use of biofuels on a large scale rather than coal b) Carbon offsets c) Use of community organisms as fuel d) Placement of colossal mirrors in key locations
d) Placement of colossal mirrors in key locations
________ are examples of indoor chemical hazards. a) Wastewater toxicants b) BPA and PCBs c) DDT and DDE d) Radon and asbestos e) Petroleum and pesticides
d) Radon and asbestos
Which regions of the world tend to have the greatest species richness? a) Areas high in mountains, where humans have not impacted the environment b) Species richness varies randomly across the globe, and no areas are particularly high in species richness compared to other areas. c) Warm, desert-like regions d) Regions near the equator
d) Regions near the equator
The country with the largest amount of domestic oil available for sale on the international market is ________. a) Iran b) the United States c) Germany d) Saudi Arabia e) Japan
d) Saudi Arabia
In which layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found? a) Thermosphere b) Troposphere c) Tropopause d) Stratosphere
d) Stratosphere
What type of biome has been converted most frequently by humans for agricultural use? View Available Hint(s) a) Tundra b) Savanna c) Desert d) Temperate grassland
d) Temperate grassland
Which of the following states has the greatest wind power capacity in megawatts? a) Georgia b) Nevada c) Ohio d) Texas
d) Texas
What is a secondary pollutant? a) A minor pollutant released by a factory b) A pollutant emitted into the troposphere in a form that is directly harmful c) A pollutant that develops after a chemical reaction with chemicals normally present in the atmosphere d) The ash emitted from a volcano
d) The ash emitted from a volcano
What happens as ocean waters warm? a) Tides become higher due to lighter oceans. b) Ocean currents slow down. c) The pH of the ocean increases. d) The oceans absorb less CO2.
d) The oceans absorb less CO2.
How does the pH of the solution on the right compare with that of the solution on the left? a) Both of these solutions are equally basic. b) Both of these solutions are equally acidic. c) The solution on the right is neutral relative to the solution on the left. d) The solution on the right is basic relative to the solution on the left. e) The solution on the right is acidic relative to the solution on the left.
d) The solution on the right is basic relative to the solution on the left.
What is one of the major concerns for using hydrogen as a fuel source? a) Like fossil fuels, below-ground hydrogen deposits are a limited resource. b) Although hydrogen can be burned, we have no way of converting it to electricity efficiently. c) There are few ways to generate hydrogen, so it may be limited in availability. d) There are concerns that hydrogen gas could deplete stratospheric ozone.
d) There are concerns that hydrogen gas could deplete stratospheric ozone.
Which of the following is a major reason why renewable energy use is growing? a) Recent inventions have caused huge gains in the total amounts of energy generated. b) There is increasing U.S. governmental concern over environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion. c) It is the trendy thing to do in larger cities. d) There is increasing concern over the environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion.
d) There is increasing concern over the environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion.
Which term describes a regular periodic change to the ocean's height due to the gravitational influence of the moon and the sun? a) Currents b) waves c) ocean acidification d) Tides
d) Tides
Earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides can displace large volumes of water in the ocean and trigger which of the following natural disasters? a) Lahars b) Tornadoes c) mass wasting d) Tsunamis
d) Tsunamis
What is a potential, and likely, drawback to the deep-well injection of hazardous wastes? a) Large buildings must be constructed to house these wells. b) It is hard to drill very deep into the ground. c) The wells tend to catch fire. d) Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel.
d) Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel.
When a species is moved from its native area to a new area, it can become an invasive species and damage its new ecosystem. What is one reason these species are able to do damage to an ecosystem? a) In nearly every case, when a species is moved across an ocean and into a new habitat, it becomes a harmful invasive species simply because it is in a new habitat. b) When moved to the new location, the species fills in unoccupied niches. c) Having been moved from its home country, the introduced species does not know the local language, and so it is unable to communicate with its new neighbors, and it gets angry, lashing out at any nearby organisms and doing great harm. d) When a species is transported, it leaves behind its predators and the diseases that previously kept its population in check. Therefore, the species is able to grow to large and damaging numbers.
d) When a species is transported, it leaves behind its predators and the diseases that previously kept its population in check. Therefore, the species is able to grow to large and damaging numbers.
Which of these statements is not true of wind power? a) Enough wind is present in the United States to provide all of the U.S. electricity needs. b) Wind speeds—and therefore power generation—are greater over water. c) Wind power has a better energy returned on energy invested (EROI) ratio than do nuclear power, coal, or natural gas for electricity production. d) Wind turbines take up large amounts of land that is then unsuitable for other purposes.
d) Wind turbines take up large amounts of land that is then unsuitable for other purposes.
Which of the following U.S. states experiences the lowest levels of acid rain? a) New York b) Pennsylvania c) West Virginia d) Wyoming
d) Wyoming
In which of the following areas is pore space partially saturated with water? a) Profundal zone b) Zone of saturation c) Aquifer recharge zone d) Zone of aeration
d) Zone of aeration
Which of the following biomes has acidic soil with few nutrients and little organic matter? View Available Hint(s) a) a temperate deciduous forest b) a tundra c) a temperate grassland d) a tropical rainforest
d) a tropical rainforest
What is the greenhouse effect? a) a change in Earth's climate b) an increase in Earth's average surface temperature c) an increase in the concentration of atmospheric gases d) a warming of Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases that trap reflected heat rather than allow it to escape into space
d) a warming of Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases that trap reflected heat rather than allow it to escape into space
Terracing, contour farming, intercropping, and crop rotation all ________. a) contribute to leaching b) contribute to erosion and desertification c) are aspects of IPM d) are techniques for conserving soil resources and fertility e) are prohibited in organic farming
d) are techniques for conserving soil resources and fertility
Use the figure above to answer the following question. Figures such as these ________. a) are used to report the effects of a toxicant on wildlife populations b) allow scientists to determine the exact quantity of a toxicant that will harm humans c) are used by epidemiologists in the assessment of a toxicant's effect d) are used by scientists in determining which organs are damaged by a toxicant e) represent typical dose-response curves for endocrine disruptors
d) are used by scientists in determining which organs are damaged by a toxicant
Which of the following was a factor in helping to reduce total fertility rate of developed countries in the recent past? a) lack of education for women b) increased dependence on farming for survival c) lack of access to birth control d) better medical care
d) better medical care
Maria loves to be outdoors. She hikes every day in the woods, near the home that she shares with five pets. Maria's lifestyle provides evidence of __________. a) nature-deficit disorder b) resilience c) biophobia d) biophilia
d) biophilia
How can consumers decrease waste generation? a) by choosing to buy locally made goods b) by choosing to purchase only imported goods c) by purchasing goods with the Energy Star label d) by choosing minimally packaged goods
d) by choosing minimally packaged goods
The predominant greenhouse gas produced by human use of fossil fuels is __________. a) sulfate aerosols b) nitrous oxide (N2O) c) methane d) carbon dioxide
d) carbon dioxide
Which of the following chemicals is NOT a VOC (volatile organic compound)? a) evaporated gasoline b) cleaning solvents c) terpenes from plants d) carbon monoxide
d) carbon monoxide
While hydrogen energy holds promise, the fact is that hydrogen is an energy __________, not a primary energy __________. a) ion; atom b) element; atom c) source; carrier d) carrier; source
d) carrier; source
Of the following, ________ requires the least land to produce 1 kg of protein. a) eggs b) pork c) milk d) chicken e) beef
d) chicken
The role of zoning is to ________. a) integrate agriculture with urban land use b) promote taxation according to land use c) run city governments like the federal government d) classify areas for different types of urban development and land use e) promote urbanization
d) classify areas for different types of urban development and land use
Which of the following harvesting methods is the most cost-efficient but has the greatest ecological impacts? a) the shelterwood approach b) the seed-tree approach c) the uneven approach d) clear-cutting
d) clear-cutting
Plant-based organic matter that is compressed under high pressure to form solid carbon structures is known as __________. a) biomass b) peat c) charcoal d) coal
d) coal
Which of the fossil fuels is most abundant on Earth? a) natural gas b) crude oil c) electricity d) coal
d) coal
What kind of relationship exists between multiple organisms who seek the same limited resource? a) predation b) herbivory c) parasitism d) competition
d) competition
The conversion of organic waste to mulch or humus usable for enriching soil by encouraging natural biological processes of decomposition in a controlled manner is called __________. a) compromising b) combustion c) composition d) composting
d) composting
Fungi and bacteria are __________, organisms that break down leaf litter and other nonliving matter, making it available for plant uptake. View Available Hint(s) a) autotrophs b) detritivores c) parasites d) decomposers
d) decomposers
What two major economic or global problems could be alleviated if we based our energy on hydrogen? a) oil spills and nuclear accidents b) oil spills and environmental degradation from mining c) air pollution and nuclear accidents d) dependence on fossil fuels and climate change
d) dependence on fossil fuels and climate change
The leading cause of death in the world today is __________. a) starvation b) natural disasters c) injuries d) disease
d) disease
If a scientist spends his/her time studying communities and the nonliving materials that they interact with, he/she would be considered a __________. a) community ecologist b) geneticist c) population ecologist d) ecosystem ecologist
d) ecosystem ecologist
The Kyoto Protocol was initiated as a response to what sorts of emissions? a) water vapor b) ozone c) CFCs d) greenhouse gases
d) greenhouse gases
Density-dependent factors __________. a) cause decreases in numbers of species in an ecosystem as a result of temperature extremes b) are less important for regulating population size than density-independent factors c) act at the community level d) have a greater impact at higher population densities
d) have a greater impact at higher population densities
Which of the following is a renewable energy source? a) natural gas by-products of the formation of coal and oil b) oil c) coal d) hydropower
d) hydropower
The second law of thermodynamics states that __________. a) the total energy in the universe is increasing with time b) the energy in the universe is constant c) all of the food energy eaten by an organism can be used by that organism d) in any transformation, some of the original energy is converted to heat, and the system becomes more disordered
d) in any transformation, some of the original energy is converted to heat, and the system becomes more disordered
Which of the following sectors produces the most hazardous waste? a) residential b) grocery stores c) small businesses d) industry
d) industry
Which type of analysis is performed by industrial ecologists when they examine a product from its beginning as a raw material until its disposal? a) full-term analysis b) reverse-engineering analysis c) disposal-tracking analysis d) life-cycle analysis
d) life-cycle analysis
The region of a lake where plants are able to attach to the bottom and still reach above the surface is known as the __________. a) benthic zone b) profundal zone c) abyssal zone d) littoral zone
d) littoral zone
Which of the following is an example of mitigation? a) developing new strategies for predicting changing weather patterns b) moving inland as sea levels rise c) wearing cooler clothing d) making legislation to reduce our use of fossil fuels
d) making legislation to reduce our use of fossil fuels
Many wild orchids cannot be successfully dug up and transplanted because they need the native mycorrhizae (a fungus) in the soil to survive. What kind of interaction is this? View Available Hint(s) a) competition b) parasitism c) herbivory d) mutualism
d) mutualism
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent boundary that bisects the entire Atlantic Ocean. What is produced at this and other mid-ocean ridges? a) coal b) water c) oil d) new oceanic crust
d) new oceanic crust
What caused the Aral Sea, the fourth largest lake on Earth, to lose four-fifths of its volume in 40 years? a) overconsumption by the fishermen and the community living there to support them b) overconsumption for industrial uses c) overconsumption by large resort communities living on its banks d) overconsumption by cotton farmers
d) overconsumption by cotton farmers
Which of the following types of pollution is most responsible for large numbers of deaths worldwide because of unsafe drinking water? a) sediment pollution b) thermal pollution c) nutrient pollution d) pathogen pollution
d) pathogen pollution
Which of the following are the two processes by which carbon leaves the atmosphere? a) photosynthesis and the production of fossil fuels b) photosynthesis and assimilation by consumers d) photosynthesis and absorption by the oceans e) absorption by the oceans and assimilation by microbes in the soil
d) photosynthesis and absorption by the oceans
The precautionary principle approach to chemical testing __________. a) increases the risk that consumers will be exposed to hazardous chemicals before the products are pulled from the shelf b) allows new products to move rapidly from the lab to consumers c) makes governments responsible for testing and making sure new products are safe d) prevents products from entering the marketplace until well tested
d) prevents products from entering the marketplace until well tested
A __________ pollutant interacts with a part of the atmosphere and becomes a __________ pollutant. a) tertiary; quaternary b) secondary; primary c) secondary; tertiary d) primary; secondary
d) primary; secondary
An urban growth boundary (UGB) is intended to ________. a) ensure that businesses do not locate in residential areas b) enforce certain restrictions within neighborhoods c) maintain low housing costs for the average homeowner d) provide guidelines for city development to separate areas desired to be urban from areas desired to be rural e) help an area retain its distinctive character
d) provide guidelines for city development to separate areas desired to be urban from areas desired to be rural
Most energy in the majority of ecosystems arrives as __________ and exits in the form of __________. a) chemicals from the ocean; radiation from the sun b) chemicals from the ocean; heat c) heat; radiation from the sun d) radiation from the sun; heat
d) radiation from the sun; heat
Which of the following is one of the biggest problems with nuclear power? a) depletion of mineral deposits b) greenhouse gas emissions c) air pollution d) radioactive waste
d) radioactive waste
If we ignore the effects of migration when determining population growth rates, we would calculate the population's __________, which equals __________. a) growth rate; (birth rate) - (death rate) b) growth rate; (death rate) - (birth rate) c) rate of natural increase; (crude death rate) - (crude birth rate) d) rate of natural increase; (birth rate) - (death rate)
d) rate of natural increase; (birth rate) - (death rate)
What is the goal of an industrial ecologist? a) to save endangered species b) to make industry more profitable regardless of environmental impact c) to increase expenditures in industry in order to generate more landfill space d) reduce the waste in industrial systems
d) reduce the waste in industrial systems
Which lifestyle choice would cause the greatest reduction in greenhouse emissions? a) driving a hybrid car b) using public transportation c) driving an electric car (plugged into the grid at night to be recharged) d) riding a bike
d) riding a bike
The __________ of a population is the proportion of males to females in the population. a) gender divide b) X chromosome to Y chromosome ratio c) gender gap d) sex ratio
d) sex ratio
__________ comprises half of the word's genetically modified crops. a) coffee b) corn c) canola d) soybeans
d) soybeans
Point sources of air pollution are __________. a) all the hydrocarbons produced by trees in the Smoky Mountains b) the release of pollution from many unidentifiable sources c) the diffuse release of pollution from autos and homes into the atmosphere d) specific spots--such as a factory's smokestacks--where large quantities of pollution are discharged
d) specific spots--such as a factory's smokestacks--where large quantities of pollution are discharged
What is the ultimate energy source for biomass (also known as biomass energy)? a) the movement of organisms, which generates an enormous amount of kinetic energy b) the mass portion of biomass, which is placed upon scales that utilize the gravitational potential energy c) burning combustible plant matter d) sunlight through the process of photosynthesis, in which the chemical potential energy of biomass originates
d) sunlight through the process of photosynthesis, in which the chemical potential energy of biomass originates
Coal continues to be the main fuel used to generate electricity in the United States. This is partially because ________. a) coal causes almost no air pollution when burned b) the quality of coal in the United States is very consistent from deposit to deposit c) compared to natural gas and oil, coal contains very few impurities, such as sulfur d) the country has such large reserves of coal e) coal deposits in the United States lie very close to the surface and are easily extracted
d) the country has such large reserves of coal
Coal continues to be the main fuel used to generate electricity in the United States. This is partially because ________. a) compared to natural gas and oil, coal contains very few impurities, such as sulfur b) coal deposits in the United States lie very close to the surface and are easily extracted c) coal causes almost no air pollution when burned d) the country has such large reserves of coal e) the quality of coal in the United States is very consistent from deposit to deposit
d) the country has such large reserves of coal
What is the process behind tidal energy? a) the back and forth movement of the daily tidal cycle b) electricity generated by the rise and fall of tides c) waves rushing back and forth as a result of tides d) the difference between high and low tides
d) the difference between high and low tides
What is the ultimate source for geothermal energy? a) rocks melting into magma due to geysers b) magma that wells up from Earth's core c) ignition due to crude oil and natural gas deposits d) the radioactive decay of elements deep within Earth
d) the radioactive decay of elements deep within Earth
Erosion usually begins when __________. a) there is little or no slope to the land b) the O horizon is thick with material c) rainfall levels decrease d) vegetation is removed either naturally or by humans
d) vegetation is removed either naturally or by humans
Which of the following wetland environments only occurs for a short period of time each year? a) swamps b) freshwater marshes c) bogs d) vernal pools
d) vernal pools
What sort of waste is predominantly generated by U.S. industrial facilities? a) heavy metals b) organic c) radioactive d) wastewater
d) wastewater
What two waste products are produced by hydrogen fuel cells? a) hydrogen and oxygen b) carbon dioxide and water c) oxygen and heat d) water and heat
d) water and heat
When do smaller numbers of people have larger ecological footprints? a) when populations immigrate and emigrate b) when they are from developing nations c) when there is war d) when they are from affluent, wealthier nations
d) when they are from affluent, wealthier nations
The practice of classifying areas for different types of development and land use is referred to as ________. a) urbanism b) boundary-setting c) deregulation d) zoning e) green-washing
d) zoning
Infectious disease accounts for ________% of deaths globally. a) almost 50 b) less than 1 c) 17 d) 40 e) 30
e) 30
________ is/are biodegradable and known to have (a) short persistence time(s). a) PBDEs b) DDE c) DDT d) PCBs e) Bt toxin
e) Bt toxin
________ are toxicants that interrupt essential biochemical processes in organisms by blocking one or more steps in important biochemical reactions. a) Neurotoxins b) Carcinogens c) Mutagens d) Insecticides e) Pathway inhibitors
e) Pathway inhibitors
________ are substances that cause birth defects. a) Allergens b) Vectors c) Carcinogens d) Neurotoxins e) Teratogens
e) Teratogens
Use the figure above to answer the following question. Assume that the scales for graphs (a) and (b) are identical. Compare the graphs. Which of the following statements is true? a) Graphs (a) and (b) show results for the same toxicant, but graph (b) shows a higher dose than graph (a). b) The toxicant shown in (b) has a higher toxicity than the toxicant shown in (a). c) The toxicant shown in (b) has a lower LD50 compared to the toxicant shown in (a). d) Graphs (a) and (b) show results for the same toxicant, but graph (a) shows a higher dose than graph (b). e) The toxicant shown in (b) has a lower toxicity than the toxicant shown in (a).
e) The toxicant shown in (b) has a lower toxicity than the toxicant shown in (a).
Why do cows require a large quantity of feed, proportional to body size? a) They are raised on feedlots. b) They are the best source of high-quality protein. c) They are genetically modified organisms. d) They can feed more people than pigs. e) They take time to grow and have a low energy conversion efficiency.
e) They take time to grow and have a low energy conversion efficiency.
The concentration of DDT in a certain lake is 0.0000003 ppm (parts per million), while the concentration of DDT in the tissues of a nearby osprey (a fish-eating bird) is 25 ppm. This is an example of ________. a) biotruncation b) bioremediation c) bioreduction d) biodegradation e) biomagnification
e) biomagnification
During the past half-century, global food production has ________ world population growth. a) stayed about even with b) fallen to critical levels compared to c) surpassed by several orders of magnitude d) fallen behind e) grown at a faster rate than
e) grown at a faster rate than
What is the arrow pointing to? a) proton b) water c) hydronium ion d) hydrogen ion e) hydroxide ion
e) hydroxide ion
Worldwide, the fastest growing cities today are mostly ________. a) the megacities such as Tokyo, Mexico City, and New York City b) large cities worldwide, such as Paris, London, and Los Angeles c) cities in the northern United States, such as Chicago, Illinois, and Portland, Oregon d) small cities in the southern United States, such as Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina e) in developing nations, such as Delhi, India
e) in developing nations, such as Delhi, India
The Toxic Substances Control Act regulates ________. a) cosmetics b) drugs c) pesticides d) food additives e) industrial chemicals
e) industrial chemicals
Studies of endocrine disruptors have shown that they are closely associated with all of the following EXCEPT: a) gonadal abnormalities. b) erectile dysfunction. c) thyroid hormone abnormalities. d) male feminization. e) lung cancer.
e) lung cancer.
Oregon's strong policy of enforcing UGB's (urban growth boundaries) to create livable cities has been exemplary for many years, but between 2004 and 2007, voters ________. a) voiced their desire to have a state as populous as neighboring California b) have gone further by passing a bill capping population in all major cities c) passed a bill promoting unregulated development everywhere in the state d) passed legislation forbidding the construction of any new single-family homes e) passed a bill giving property owners the right to ignore UGB's
e) passed a bill giving property owners the right to ignore UGB's
In developing nations, such as India and Nigeria, ________. a) small numbers of people have moved into the cities b) most of the population is moving to the suburbs from the city centers c) very little change has occurred in the past 40 years regarding where people live d) more people are moving to the suburbs than to the city centers e) rural people are moving to the cities in large numbers
e) rural people are moving to the cities in large numbers
The country with the greatest differential between domestic production and total consumption is ________. a) Japan b) Iran c) Germany d) Saudi Arabia e) the United States
e) the United States
Which three factors have the greatest effect on Earth's climate? a) the sun, the stars, and the moon b) the sun, the atmosphere, and the ocean c) the sun, the moon, and the stars d) the sun, the ocean, and the stars
the sun, the atmosphere, and the ocean
The average American produces how much trash per day? a) 4.4 pounds b) 10 pounds c) 25 pounds d) 100 pounds
4.4 pounds
The following graphs are possible results from Angilletta's experiment. Match each description with the appropriate graph. Graph 4
Ants from urban locations tolerate heat less than ants from rural locations.
Solutions to environmental problems ________. A) can be implemented only by scientists B) must be designed with sustainable goals C) must be on a local scale D) are best designed and discussed in the political arena E) must be short term
B) must be designed with sustainable goals
The following answers for the Causes and Consequences features are examples and are not intended to represent a comprehensive list. In addition, the sequence of items is not meant to connote relative importance. Sort the examples below into the appropriate bin.
Causes: -population growth -groundwater pumping for agriculture -domestic water use for homes and landscaping Consequences: -water shortages -salinization -altered plant communities Solutions: -development of water conservation policies -deployment of more efficient irrigation approaches -improvement of wastewater treatment technology
Using what you learned about the equation for photosynthesis and McCarthy's hypothesis, make predictions for the tree growth at each site. One has already been filled in for you.
LEFT TO RIGHT FIRST ROW -Low growth -medium growth SECOND ROW -High Growth
Rank the biomes in terms of how much you expect plant growth to increase as a function of increased CO2 in the atmosphere.
SMALLEST TO LARGEST -desert -grassland -temperate -tropical
The entire area of land that a river drains is called its __________. a) dead zone b) wetland c) watershed d) lithosphere
Watershed
Which of the following best represents the overall growth rate of a population? a) (birth rate - death rate) + (immigration rate - emigration rate) b) birth rate - death rate c) immigration rate - emigration rate d) (birth rate + immigration rate) + (death rate + emigration rate)
a) (birth rate - death rate) + (immigration rate - emigration rate)
Which of the following is considered a community? a) several interacting species living in the same area b) an ecosystem c) a single population whose individuals are similar enough to each other to be able to breed successfully d) all of the living and nonliving things on Earth
a) several interacting species living in the same area
How much energy is available to the third trophic level, a secondary consumer, if its prey in the second trophic level, a primary consumer, is only able to obtain 10% of the available energy of the first trophic level? View Available Hint(s) a) 100% b) 10% c) 1% d) 0.1%
c) 1%
According to tide gauge data, what was the approximate increase in global average sea level between 1950 and 2000? a) 100 feet b) 250 cm c) 100 inches d) 10 cm
d) 10 cm
In most ecosystems, the original source of energy for the living things in the system is __________. a) glucose b) the primary producer c) the heterotroph d) the sun
d) the sun
In which way does acid deposition originate? a) through the release of CFCs b) through the release of VOCs c) through trapping of radon in the house d) through fossil fuel combustion by cars, electric utilities, and industrial facilities
d) through fossil fuel combustion by cars, electric utilities, and industrial facilities
How do plants contribute to the water cycle? a) through the process of infiltration b) through the process of condensation c) through the evaporation of water from their roots d) through the process of transpiration
d) through the process of transpiration
Until about 10,000 years ago, our species depended on ________. a) hunting and herding b) crops and cattle c) cattle d) crops e) hunting and gathering
e) hunting and gathering
