APES Chapter 3 + 4 Test (AP Classroom Practice Questions)
The ozone layer is in the stratosphere
Question 1: Based on the diagram, which of the following identifies a characteristic of the atmosphere between the stratopause and the tropopause? - cloud formation occurs in the stratosphere. - the warmest air is found in the mesosphere. - the ozone layer is in the stratosphere. - the troposphere is the closest layer to the sun.
A
Which latitude shown on the diagram above experiences 24 hours of nighttime on December 21? - A - B - C - D - E
Stratosphere
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following regions of Earth's atmosphere. (A) Thermosphere (B) Exosphere (C) Troposphere (D) Mesosphere (E) Stratosphere The beneficial ozone layer is in this region of the atmosphere. - Thermosphere - Exosphere - Troposphere - Mesosphere - Stratosphere
Open Ocean
Of the following ecosystems, which has the lowest net primary productivity, measured as kilocalories of energy produced per square meter per year? - taiga (boreal forest) - temperature grassland - estuary - agricultural land - open ocean
Phosphorus and nitrogen are both required for plant growth. - Nitrogen and phosphorus are both nutrients required for plant growth.
Question 29: Which of the following would best describe X in the diagram above? - Bacteria play an important role in the conversion of compounds from the atmospheric gas to the form of the compound taken up by plants. - Phosphorus and nitrogen are both required for plant growth. - Volcanic eruptions are a major source of non-anthropogenic inputs. - Processes include weathering and erosion.
Solar radiation - The light warms Earth's surface, creating rising air currents, as seen in the diagram.
Question 9: Which of the following is the source of energy driving the circulation pattern labeled C in the diagram? - the Coriolis effect - solar radiation - Earth's magnetic field - the spinning core of Earth
930 kilocalories - Based on the 10%10% rule and two energy transfers, approximately 1%1% of energy from producers would be passed to secondary consumers. (93,000 kilocalories×0.10×0.10=930 kilocalories)
Algae in an aquatic food chain convert solar energy into 93,000 kilocalories of plant tissue. Which of the following values best represents the amount of energy available for secondary consumers in the food chain? - 930 kilocalories - 9,300 kilocalories - 93,000 kilocalories - 930,000 kilocalories
second law of thermodynamics
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following concepts related to energy (A) Heat flow (B) Kinetic energy (C) Potential energy (D) First law of thermodynamics (E) Second law of thermodynamics An energy transformation occurs and results in increased disorder. - Heat flow - Kinetic energy - Potential energy - First law of thermodynamics - Second law of thermodynamics
Troposphere
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following regions of Earth's atmosphere. (A) Thermosphere (B) Exosphere (C) Troposphere (D) Mesosphere (E) Stratosphere Most oxygen is found in this layer of the atmosphere. - Thermosphere - Exosphere - Troposphere - Mesosphere - Stratosphere
Tropical East Pacific
El Niño, a periodic warming of ocean surface waters, occurs in which of the following regions? - Tropical East Pacific - Gulf of Mexico - Arctic North pacific - Temperate West Atlantic - Tropical Indian Ocean
second law of thermodynamics
Losses of usable energy between successive trophic levels in an ecosystem are best accounted for by which of the following? - the first law of thermodynamics - the law of conservation of matter - the process of ecological succession - limiting factors in the ecosystem
warm air rises at the equator, cools, and sinks at 30 degrees latitude.
Most deserts on Earth are located near the 30° north and 30° south latitudes because humidity is lower at 30°. The best explanation for the lower humidity is that - warm air rises at 90 degrees latitude, cools, and sinks at 30 degrees. - cool air rises at 30 degrees latitude, warms, and sinks at the equator. - warm air rises at the equator, cools, and sinks at 30 degrees latitude. - trade winds transfer moisture away from 30 degrees latitude. - rain-shadow effects are most pronounced at 30 degrees latitude.
Exosphere
Question 25: Region with the lowest atmospheric pressure - Troposphere - Stratosphere - Mesosphere - Thermosphere - Exosphere
Troposphere
Question 26: Region largely responsible for the weather experienced at the Earth's surface - troposphere - stratosphere - mesosphere - thermosphere - exosphere
the constant tilt of Earth's rotational axis with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun
The primary cause of Earth's seasons is the - constant tilt of Earth's rotational axis with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun - changing distance of Earth from the Sun at different times of the year - periodic wobbling of Earth on its axis of rotation - changing relative positions of Earth, its Moon, and the Sun - periodic changes in solar energy output
Stratosphere - The stratosphere contains a protective layer of oxygen compounds (ozone layer). The high concentration of ozone absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation, shielding Earth. The ozone layer protects living things on Earth.
This layer of Earth's atmosphere contains the ozone layer that absorbs the sun's ultraviolet rays. - troposphere - stratosphere - mesosphere - thermosphere
Gross primary productivity is the total amount of solar energy captured by producers through photosynthesis over time. - Gross primary productivity is the total rate of photosynthesis of producers in an ecosystem over time.
Which of the following best describes gross primary productivity in an ecosystem? - Gross primary productivity is the total amount of energy captured by producers plus the energy used by consumers over time. - Gross primary productivity is the total amount of energy captured by producers minus the energy that producers respire over time. - Gross primary productivity is the total amount of energy lost as heat during energy transfer between trophic levels. - Gross primary productivity is the total amount of solar energy captured by producers through photosynthesis over time.
Decomposition - Decomposition of producers and consumers has led to the storage of carbon over millions of years. In the cycle presented, decomposition is the most direct cause of this storage.
Question 14: Based on the diagram above, which process most directly results in the storage of carbon as coal and oil over millions of years? - photosynthesis - cellular respiration - decompostion - burning of fossil fuels
E
Question 2: Which latitude shown on the diagram above experiences 24 hours of daylight on December 21? - A - B - C - D - E
Tropical rainforest - Tropical rain forest has a net primary productivity of about 2000 g C/m2/year 2000 g C/m2/year . Net primary productivity is highest where temperatures are consistently warm, water is abundant, and day length is consistent all year. The tropical latitudes meet these conditions better than the latitudes of the other biomes.
This biome has the highest net primary productivity, in part because of consistently warm temperatures and abundant sunlight. - Temperate grassland - Taiga - Tropical rainforest - Tundra
Troposphere
This layer of Earth's atmosphere has the highest density of any atmospheric layer and contains most of the water vapor in the atmosphere. - troposphere - stratosphere - mesosphere - thermosphere
Net primary productivity is the amount of energy lost through respiration by producers subtracted from the gross primary productivity of an ecosystem. - Net primary productivity of an ecosystem is equal to gross primary productivity minus respiration by producers.
Which of the following best describes the net primary productivity of an ecosystem? - Net primary productivity is the amount of energy captured by producers through photosynthesis over time. - Net primary productivity is the amount of energy lost by producers through respiration over time. - Net primary productivity is the amount of energy lost through respiration by producers subtracted from the gross primary productivity of an ecosystem. - Net primary productivity is the amount of energy lost through respiration by producers added to the gross primary productivity of an ecosystem.
The cold ocean currents off Africa absorb heat from land and therefore cool the atmosphere. - The cold ocean currents absorb heat from the atmosphere. The cooler atmosphere does not promote cloud formation and precipitation, leading to the difference in moisture.
Question 27: Based on the diagram, which of the following statements best explains why the climate of the West Coast of Africa is drier than that of the East Coast of the United States, even though they are located at similar northern latitudes? - The warm ocean currents off the United States flow east, making the atmospheric temperatures warmer in Africa. - Africa is closer to the equator, which makes the temperatures warmer than those of the United States. - The cold ocean currents off Africa absorb heat from land and therefore cool the atmosphere. - The cold ocean currents evaporate more easily, releasing latent heat into the atmosphere.
Thermosphere - Model AA shows that the thermosphere is 87−500 km 87−500 km above Earth, and according to Model BB , that encompasses the distance (250 km 250 km ) above Earth where radio waves will be reflected.
Question 33: Based on the data in the diagrams, in which layer of the atmosphere would shortwave radio signals be reflected? - Stratosphere - Mesosphere - Thermosphere - Exosphere
Sediments - The primary reservoirs of phosphorus are rocks and sediments. 8.4×108 Tg
Question 36: The diagram shows the amount of phosphorus measured in teragrams (1 teragram = 1×1012 grams), in the various reservoirs of the phosphorus cycle. Based on the diagram, which of the following reservoirs contains the most phosphorus? - plants - sediments - soil - oceans
Assimilation
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following processes. (A) Nitrification (B) Denitrification (C) Assimilation (D) Ammonification (E) Nitrogen fixation Plant roots absorb ammonium ions and nitrate ions for use in making molecules such as DNA, amino acids, and proteins. - nitrification - denitrification - assimilation - ammonification - nitrogen fixation
150 kcal - It is estimated that only 10%10% of available energy is passed on through trophic levels. This energy transfer moves through two trophic levels (primary consumers and secondary consumers.). 15,000 kcal×.10=1,500 kcal;1,500 kcal×.10=150 kcal
In a given ecosystem, producers convert solar energy into 15,000 kcal of chemical energy stored in organic compounds. Which of the following is the most likely amount of energy available to secondary consumers? - 1.5 kcal - 150 kcal - 1,500 kcal - 13, 500 kcal
Warm, moist air that is less dense than the surrounding air. - The Sun warms Earth, which warms the atmosphere above it, causing evaporation. The warm and moist air is less dense than the surrounding air, causing it to rise.
Question 10: Which of the following causes the air to rise high into the atmosphere in the areas labeled A, B, and C on the diagram? - El Niño circulation patterns - The rotation of Earth shifting the direction of the air upward. - warm, moist air that is less sense than the surrounding air. - rain shadows over maintain ridgess
The ocean - Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in the surface waters of the ocean; the ocean stores large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Question 13: Which of the following major storage reservoirs of carbon, stored in the form of carbon dioxide, is not represented in this diagram? - Algae - Soil bacteria - The moon - The ocean
increase in number of shrews; decrease in number of hawks - Snakes feed on shrews so with less snakes, the population of shrews should increase. Hawks feed on snakes so with less overall food, the population of hawks should decrease.
Question 20: Based on the data in the table, if the number of snakes were to suddenly decrease, which of the following changes would most likely occur in the food web of this ecosystem? - increase in number of shrews; decrease in number of hawks - increase in number of hawks; decrease in number of shrews - increase in number of grasshoppers; decrease in number of shrews - increase in number of spiders; decrease in number of plants
E
Question 37: Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the locations marked by letters in the world map below. The location of the greatest remaining natural biodiversity - A - B - C - D - E
Layer D is the thermosphere, where auroras are found.
Question 4: Which of the following correctly characterizes one of Earth's atmospheric layers? - Layer A is the stratosphere, where meteors are found. - Layer B is the troposphere, where weather occurs. - Layer C is the stratosphere, where the ozone layer is found. - Layer D is the thermosphere, where auroras are found.
I and II only
Question 6: The terrestrial biomes are shown in the diagram above vary in net primary productivity. The explanation for the variation includes which of the following? - I. Temperature - II. Precipitation - III. Longitude
deserts - Deserts form where dry air descends from the upper atmosphere, heating up as it does so.
Question 8: Which of the following is a biome found at 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S as seen in the diagram? - rain forests - tundras - coniferous forests - deserts
Photosynthesis by phytoplankton
The major biological source of dissolved oxygen in the ocean comes from - decomposition of organic sediments on the ocean floor - oxidation of sulfur by bacteria in ocean vent communities - photosynthesis by phytoplankton - respiration by zooplankton
20,000
The net annual primary productivity of a particular wetland ecosystem is found to be 8,000 kcal/m2 per year. If respiration by the aquatic producers is 12,000 kcal/m2 per year, what is the gross annual primary productivity for this ecosystem, in kcal/m2 per year? - 4,000 - 8,000 - 12,000 - 20,000 - 96,000
290,000 kcal/m2/yr - The total energy transferred by photosynthesis would be the gross primary productivity (GPP), which can be calculated according to the formula NPP+Rp=GPP(175,00 kcal/m2/year+115,000 kcal/m2/year=290,000 kcal/m2/year).
The net primary production of a pine forest on a lava flow on Mount Fuji is about 175,000 kcal/m2/yr, and the plant respiration is estimated to be 115,000 kcal/m2/yr. What is the total amount of energy transferred during photosynthesis for this ecosystem? - 60,000 kcal/m2/yr - 115,000 kcal/m2/yr - 175,000 kcal/m2/yr - 290,000 kcal/m2/yr
The surface of Earth absorbs sunlight, heating the lower portion of the troposphere more than the upper part. - The troposphere is the layer of atmosphere closest to Earth and is heated by the Sun's energy, which Earth absorbs and radiates into the air immediately above it.
Which of the following best explains why the lower portion of the troposphere is warmer than the upper portion? - The lower portion of the troposphere is separated by the ozone layer from the upper portion, so the lower portion absorbs more sunlight, increasing the temperature. - The air in the lower portion of the troposphere is less dense than the air in the upper portion, leading to a higher temperature in the lower portion. - The surface of Earth absorbs sunlight, heating the lower portion of the troposphere more than the upper part. - The troposphere is the highest layer of the atmosphere, so the lower portion is warmed more than the upper part by rising air.
