environmental science exam 1

How have humans impacted the nitrogen cycle? a. Humans have impacted the nitrogen cycle in all of these ways. b. Water runoff containing nitrogen has caused water bodies to become hypoxic (low in oxygen). c. Nitrogen-based fertilizers can strip the soil of other vital nutrients. d. Burning fossil fuels generates nitrogenous compounds in the atmosphere that act as greenhouse gases. e. Nitrogenous compounds can produce acid deposition that damages forests and lakes.

a. Humans have impacted the nitrogen cycle in all of these ways.

After making careful observations and asking questions, scientists next develop __________. a. a hypothesis b. an experiment c. a conclusion d. a theory e. a set of data

a. a hypothesis

Wine has a pH of 3, which means it is __________ times more acidic than tomatoes, which have a pH of 4. a. one b. 10 c. 100 d. two e. five

b. 10

In a typical grassland community, which of the following is the primary (first-order) consumer? a. Grass b. Grasshopper c. Hawk d. Snake e. Shrew

b. Grasshopper

The equation 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose)+ 6O2 represents which of the following processes? a. Cellular respiration b. Entropy c. Photosynthesis d. Kinetic energy e. First law of thermodynamics

c. Photosynthesis

The _____ viewpoint denies, overlooks, or devalues the notion that nonhuman things have intrinsic value. a. biocentric b. ecocentric c. anthropocentric d. environmental e. sustainable

c. anthropocentric

Which of the following conditions represent(s) potential energy: (1) table sugar ready to be ingested, (2) a diver about to dive off the 10-meter platform at the Olympics, or (3) a gerbil running on its exercise wheel in its cage? a. 1 and 2 b. 1 only c. 2 only d. 1, 2, and 3 e. 2 and 3

a. 1 and 2

A cow's herbivorous diet indicates that it is a(n) __________. a. primary (first-order) consumer b.. secondary consumer c. decomposer d. autotroph e. producer

a. primary (first-order) consumer

Almost all the living organisms on the planet use __________ as the ultimate source of energy. a. chemical reactions within cells b. the sun c. chemical reactions between cells and their environment d. ocean currents e. oxygen gradient

b. the sun

Which organisms would be found in the same trophic level? a. A plant and an herbivore b. A pack of wolves and a herd of deer c. Pine trees and garden snakes d. crickets and cows

d. crickets and cows

Why is it unsustainable to depend on nonrenewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)? a. Because they are nonrenewable, it is going to be harder to obtain them as they are depleted. Extracting and burning fossil fuel resources also degrades the environment, releases pollution, and contributes to climate change. b. Fossil fuels have been mostly replaced by renewable fuel sources. c. We have already almost run out of fossil fuels. d. Fossil fuels have helped us decrease air pollution in urban areas. e. Fossil fuels have hindered our ability to manufacture consumer products.

a. Because they are nonrenewable, it is going to be harder to obtain them as they are depleted. Extracting and burning fossil fuel resources also degrades the environment, releases pollution, and contributes to climate change.

Why is the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) a better measure of a country's economic standing than estimating the traditional per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? a. Certain actions increase a nation's GDP but reduce its human and natural resources and its future wealth. b. GDP is much harder to calculate than GPI and is therefore less realistic. c. GDP gives us too much information, so the important points of an issue become lost. d. GDP increases a country's economic standing by including environmental damage due to human activities. e. None of these are correct; GDP is actually a much better estimate of a country's economic standing than GPI.

a. Certain actions increase a nation's GDP but reduce its human and natural resources and its future wealth.

Why is the World Trade Organization (WTO) often criticized with regards to protecting the environment? a. It can impose financial penalties on nations whose environmental laws serve as unfair barriers to trade. b. It refuses to enforce trade agreements between developing nations. c. It is erecting more trade barriers between developed nations. d. It encourages environmental protection over economic progress. e. It unfairly prefers developed nations over developing nations.

a. It can impose financial penalties on nations whose environmental laws serve as unfair barriers to trade.

What role does the United Nations (UN) play in environmental policy? a. It promotes environmental sustainability through sponsoring conferences, coordinating treaties, and publishing research. b. It lends money to developing nations for economic development. c. It represents multinational corporations and promotes free trade. d. It seeks to promote Europe's unity and its economic progress. e. It exerts influence over policy by being made up of a group of organizations that are diverse in size and scope.

a. It promotes environmental sustainability through sponsoring conferences, coordinating treaties, and publishing research.

Which of the following statements is true of net primary productivity? a. Marine productivity is highest along coasts and in areas where water wells up from the ocean bottom to the surface. b. Deserts and arctic regions have the highest productivity. c. Temperate areas are more productive than tropical areas. d. There is no productivity in the depths of the oceans.

a. Marine productivity is highest along coasts and in areas where water wells up from the ocean bottom to the surface.

What happens to energy and matter as organisms eat each other? a. Matter and energy move through the community from one trophic level to another. b. Most of the energy and matter have increased at higher trophic levels. c. Decomposers are not able to handle all the dead material created. d. Carnivores are far more efficient at using energy and matter than herbivores. e. Food webs become simplified.

a. Matter and energy move through the community from one trophic level to another.

Which of the following would not be capable of performing photosynthesis? a. Mushroom b. Bacterium c. Alga d. Peach tree e. Seaweed

a. Mushroom

Why is it important that sustainability include equitability and environmental justice? a. People must have access to resources and other forms of human well-being, but this access currently is extremely variable around the world. b. Without equitability, resources will be spread evenly among many nations. c. People are generally willing to help their communities develop. d. Each generation must make its own way; nobody owes future generations anything. e. Poor people generally tend to have lower exposure to toxic chemicals and pollutants.

a. People must have access to resources and other forms of human well-being, but this access currently is extremely variable around the world.

Over the past 75 years, which of the following has happened? a. The human population has increased, and resource consumption has increased even more. b. The human population has stopped growing, but resource consumption has increased. c. The human population has increased, but resource consumption has decreased. d. Both the human population and resource consumption have leveled off. e. Both the human population and resource consumption have decreased.

a. The human population has increased, and resource consumption has increased even more.

Which statement is true about how humans are using Earth's species (biodiversity) unsustainably? a. The increasing need for resources is causing the conversion of forests, grasslands, and wetlands to agriculture and urban development. b. Pollution is being cleaned up, so habitats are no longer being degraded. c. Humans have put more land into protection than at any other time. d. Laws have been passed to protect species from overexploitation. e. Because species are adapting to human presence, they are less threatened with extinction.

a. The increasing need for resources is causing the conversion of forests, grasslands, and wetlands to agriculture and urban development.

Which statement about the relationship between humans and the environment is correct? a. We depend completely on nature and its goods and services. b. Modern humans have been able to remove ourselves from most of our dependence on nature. c. Our environmental health and survival depend on a functioning economy. d. Many governments realize that environmental protection must take a backseat to development. e. Environmental protection costs too much money, interferes with progress, and leads to job loss.

a. We depend completely on nature and its goods and services.

People act unsustainably in many ways. Which of the following is an example of human activities overwhelming the ability of nature to cleanse the environment? a. We dump such large amounts of toxic chemicals in the environment that the environment cannot detoxify them. b. To protect homes built on fragile coastlines, developers have tried many different methods to stop the changes brought about by the interaction of waves and sand. c. When large areas of a forest are cut, soils dry out and the area can become a desert. d. People build in areas that are prone to earthquakes or hurricanes. e. The amount of carbon dioxide released by human activities is now changing Earth's climate.

a. We dump such large amounts of toxic chemicals in the environment that the environment cannot detoxify them.

Earth has a vast store of resources and ecosystem services, called natural capital. How can we use our natural capital sustainably? a. We must not use resources faster than they are replaced. b. We should use the cheapest resource we can, because that will produce the maximum economic return. c. We don't have to worry about overusing resources, because we will find suitable substitutes. d. We need to increase our reliance on nonrenewable fossil fuels, since they are the cheapest form of energy. e. Although we depended on natural capital in the past, technology has ensured that most resources are not being used unsustainably.

a. We must not use resources faster than they are replaced.

When you hear the term organic compound, the first element that comes to mind is __________. a. carbon b. hydrogen c. titanium d. oxygen e. nitrogen

a. carbon

Nitrogen fixation is __________. a. converting nitrogen in the air into a form usable by plants b. using nitrogen to build molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids c. recycling nitrogen from organic matter in the soil d. absorbing N2 from the soil e. an unhealthy obsession with nitrogen

a. converting nitrogen in the air into a form usable by plants

The major role of detritivores and decomposers in ecosystems is to __________. a. eat dead or nonliving organic matter, which recycles chemical nutrients to a form capable of being used by autotrophs b. provide a nutritional resource for heterotrophs c. prevent the buildup of the organic remains of organisms, feces, and so on d. return energy lost to the ecosystem by other organisms

a. eat dead or nonliving organic matter, which recycles chemical nutrients to a form capable of being used by autotrophs

The _____ ethic holds that we should protect the natural environment in a pristine, unaltered state and that nature deserves protection for its own sake. a. preservation b. conservation c. land d. utilitarian e. best

a. preservation

According to Aldo Leopold's land ethic, "a thing is right when it ____." a. preserves the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community b. maximizes profit c. prohibits resource exploitation d. causes economic development e. alleviates poverty

a. preserves the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community

Organisms that produce chemical energy through photosynthetic processes are called __________. a. primary producers b. secondary consumers c. secondary producers d. primary consumers

a. primary producers

Which of the following is incorporated into the concept of sustainability? a. Leaving future generations with an Earth that is rich in biodiversity b. All of these are part of the concept of sustainability. c. Using resources wisely and efficiently d. Developing long-term solutions to environmental problems e. Ensuring that ecological systems are protected and kept fully functioning

b. All of these are part of the concept of sustainability.

Which of the following statements about the scientific method is correct? a. The most informative experiments are those that have the ability to show that a hypothesis is correct. b. An experiment compares two groups that differ in only one way. That difference is the variable (factor) that is being tested. c. The most informative experiments are those that have the ability to show that a theory is correct. d. The scientific method can be used to invalidate religion.

b. An experiment compares two groups that differ in only one way. That difference is the variable (factor) that is being tested.

What did ecological economist Robert Costanza conclude in his 2014 study of the economic value of Earth's ecosystem services? a. All of Earth's ecosystem services are equal to the GDP of the U.S. b. Earth's biosphere provides more than $125 trillion (equal to $148 trillion in 2017 dollars) worth of ecosystem services each year—more than the global annual monetary value of goods and services created by people. c. Earth's ecosystem services simply cannot be given an economic value, despite valiant efforts. d. Luckily, there is no significant loss to the global economy yet, due to environmental destruction, although this might change in the future. e. Earth's ecological services are important, but not as important as true economic income for workers.

b. Earth's biosphere provides more than $125 trillion (equal to $148 trillion in 2017 dollars) worth of ecosystem services each year—more than the global annual monetary value of goods and services created by people.

Why does a vegetarian leave a smaller ecological footprint than an omnivore? a. Vegetarians require less protein than do omnivores. b. Eating meat is an inefficient way of acquiring photosynthetic productivity. c. Vegetarians need to ingest less chemical energy than omnivores. d. There is an excess of plant biomass in all terrestrial ecosystems. e. Fewer animals are slaughtered for human consumption.

b. Eating meat is an inefficient way of acquiring photosynthetic productivity.

Which statement most accurately describes how matter and energy are used in ecosystems? a. Matter flows through ecosystems; energy cycles within ecosystems. b. Energy flows through ecosystems; matter cycles within and through ecosystems. c. Energy can be converted into matter; matter cannot be converted into energy. d. Matter can be converted into energy; energy cannot be converted into matter. e. Matter is used in ecosystems; energy is not.

b. Energy flows through ecosystems; matter cycles within and through ecosystems.c.

Which of the following statements is true about trophic levels? a. Energy and biomass are smaller at higher trophic levels, but there are more individuals at higher trophic levels. b. Energy, biomass, and numbers are all smaller at higher trophic levels, compared to lower trophic levels. c. Organisms at higher trophic levels give off energy as heat, but organisms at lower trophic levels retain their heat. d. Organisms at lower trophic levels give off energy as heat, but organisms at higher trophic levels retain their heat. e. Eating animals is far more efficient than eating plants.

b. Energy, biomass, and numbers are all smaller at higher trophic levels, compared to lower trophic levels.

Which of the following is not part of a sustainable activity? a. Water removed from the Great Lakes is replaced by rivers that flow into them. b. Fossil fuels are used in industry and transportation. c. Solar energy is used to heat homes and produce electricity. d. Limited numbers of fish are harvested from the ocean, so they can be replaced by reproduction. e. Forests are cut down and new trees regrow to replace them.

b. Fossil fuels are used in industry and transportation.

Which of the following describes the intrinsic value of a tiger? a. We can kill it for its fur. b. It has the inherent right to exist, simply because it exists. c. We can kill it because it eats deer. d. It helps keep deer populations in check. e. It adds to the world's biodiversity.

b. It has the inherent right to exist, simply because it exists.

Although we are facing many environmental problems, there are some reasons to be hopeful about our future. Which of the following is not one of these reasons? a. Water pollution is being cleaned up in many places. b. Many countries are realizing that climate change is not as great an issue as we feared. c. New technologies are reducing air pollution in some of the world's largest cities. d. People around the world are donating money to organizations to save habitat. e. Laws and treaties are being implemented to protect endangered species.

b. Many countries are realizing that climate change is not as great an issue as we feared.

Why is a cost-benefit analysis often not the best way to evaluate whether an activity should be undertaken? a. Although benefits can be easily quantified, costs often can only be estimated. b. Not all costs and benefits can be easily identified, defined, or quantified. c. Economists have not yet found a way to estimate costs and benefits of many activities. d. Environmental protection costs too much, compared to its benefits. e. Economists no longer use cost-benefit analysis in today's markets.

b. Not all costs and benefits can be easily identified, defined, or quantified.

__________are large biological molecules consisting of long chains of amino acids. a. Carbohydrates b. Proteins c. Lipids d. Nucleic acids e. Micronutrients

b. Proteins

Which of the following statements about food webs is true? a. Food webs show which species are keystone species. b. Several species can be present in each trophic level. c. A food web depicts a single species as it changes demographically. d. The overall average number of trophic levels found in a food web is about seven.

b. Several species can be present in each trophic level.

People act unsustainably in many ways. Which of the following shows that humans can actually affect the entire Earth? a. Dams built to generate electricity affect water flow rates and change the downstream ecosystems which were adapted to pre-dam patterns of flooding. b. The amount of carbon dioxide released by human activities is causing the global climate to change. c. When large areas of a forest are cut, soils dry out and the area can become a desert. d. People build in areas that are prone to earthquakes or hurricanes. e. To protect homes built on fragile coastlines, developers have tried many different methods to stop the changes brought about by the interaction of waves and sand.

b. The amount of carbon dioxide released by human activities is causing the global climate to change.

What was Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring about? a. The dangers of unregulated predators on wildlife b. The dangers that pesticides such as DDT posed to the environment and humans c. The dangers of dams on rivers and ecosystems d. The dangers of endocrine disruptors to wildlife and humans e. The dangers of noise pollution on wildlife and humans

b. The dangers that pesticides such as DDT posed to the environment and humans

Why are university campuses in many areas unsustainable? a. Most students are well educated in sustainability. b. They are huge consumers of resources and energy. c. Most campuses use renewable sources of energy. d. Most classrooms are "green." e. They recycle most of their cafeteria wastes.

b. They are huge consumers of resources and energy.

Which is true of human impacts on the global water cycle? a. Asphalt and pavement increase the amount of groundwater by inhibiting evaporation. b. Withdrawals of surface water and groundwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic uses deplete rivers, lakes, and aquifers. c. Use of water from rivers for irrigation effectively replenishes groundwater supplies by percolation. d. Croplands aid in water conservation due to their more extensive root systems compared with plants in natural habitats.

b. Withdrawals of surface water and groundwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic uses deplete rivers, lakes, and aquifers.

Cutting an old growth forest for its timber and replanting the area with seedlings would be part of a _______ ethic. a. preservation b. conservation c. land d. hands-off e. protectionist

b. conservation

The second law of thermodynamics states that whenever energy changes occur, __________ always increases. a. order b. disorder c. kinetic energy d. potential energy e. electromagnetic energy

b. disorder

Most plants get nitrogen from __________. a. N2 gas in the air b. nitrates in the soil c. proteins d. ammonium in the soil e. rainfall

b. nitrates in the soil

A major characteristic that all lipids have in common is __________. a. they are all made of fatty acids and glycerol b. they don't dissolve well in water c. they all contain nitrogen d. none of them is very high in energy content e. they are all acidic when mixed with water

b. they don't dissolve well in water

What is the difference between 12C and 13C? a. 12C has one more proton than 13C. b. 12C has one less proton than 13C. c. 12C has one less neutron than 13C. d. 12C has one less electron than 13C. e. There is no difference between the two.

c. 12C has one less neutron than 13C.

Which of the following people would suffer a "negative externality" from logging a forest because it will cost that person in some way, even though that person is neither a buyer or seller of a product? a. The timber company salesperson who sells the logs b. The home builder who buys lumber c. A trout fisherman downstream who catches fewer fish because of sediment pollution from erosion d. The gardener who buys mulch made from the bark of trees e. The store owner who sells the products to the public

c. A trout fisherman downstream who catches fewer fish because of sediment pollution from erosion

Why is a human population size of 7.5 billion, and growing, unsustainable? a. Resources such as water are overused and cannot keep up with demand. b. More people are living in unsuitable areas, such as semi-arid environments. c. All of these indicate that current human population growth is unsustainable. d. Government policies do not account for unexpected variations in environmental conditions. e. Complex ecosystems are being replaced with much simpler, less resilient, human-dominated ecosystems.

c. All of these indicate that current human population growth is unsustainable.

How are humans impacting the global carbon cycle? a. Cutting down trees is increasing the rate of photosynthesis, which is decreasing the amount of atmospheric carbon. b. Burning fossil fuels (i.e., coil, coal, natural gas) causes a chemical reaction in the atmosphere, which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the oceans. c. Burning fossil fuels (i.e., oil, coal, natural gas) is releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is causing Earth's climate to change. d. Humans are causing more carbon compounds to be stored in the Earth, which makes them less accessible for organisms to use.

c. Burning fossil fuels (i.e., oil, coal, natural gas) is releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is causing Earth's climate to change.

If human societies do not become sustainable, what is the most likely outcome for our species? a. Humans will adapt to changed environmental conditions. b. Humans have always solved problems in the past and will solve them in the future. c. Ecosystem conditions will continue to decline, with unknown and perhaps severe impacts on human well-being. d. Some ecosystems will disappear, but this will not greatly affect humans. e. Ecosystems will adapt to humans.

c. Ecosystem conditions will continue to decline, with unknown and perhaps severe impacts on human well-being.

What conclusions can we draw about the effects of policies geared towards environmental protection on a nation's economy? a. Environmental protection has cost countless jobs in the U.S. b. Public policies geared towards protecting the environment work, but they are currently too expensive to implement. c. Environmental protection is good for the economy; environmental public policy is responsible for a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable environment. d. A free-market economy simply cannot exist alongside environmental protection policies. e. Environmental protection is almost cost-free, and concerns about the economy are overblown.

c. Environmental protection is good for the economy; environmental public policy is responsible for a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable environment.

What conclusions can we draw about sustainability if we examine Earth's species of plants and animals? a. Human societies have finally become sustainable. b. People in developed countries have decreased their impact on species. c. Humans are living unsustainably on Earth. d. Some species will disappear, but this is nothing new. e. Animals and plants are adapting to human pressures.

c. Humans are living unsustainably on Earth.

Which of the following is not true about a scientific theory? a. It is an overarching conceptual framework. b. It has been repeatedly verified by experimentation and data collection. c. It is oftentimes "just a guess" about a particular phenomenon. d. It is a widely accepted explanation of one or more causal relationships. e. It consolidates many related hypotheses.

c. It is oftentimes "just a guess" about a particular phenomenon.

A university campus can become more sustainable in many ways. Which of the following is not a desirable way for a campus to become sustainable? a. Students can advocate for campus buses. b. Student organizations can run recycling programs. c. Students can depend on administrators to lead the way toward sustainable actions. d. Students can have a "plant a tree on campus" day each year. e. Students can major in environmental science or at least take an environmental class.

c. Students can depend on administrators to lead the way toward sustainable actions.

How did the relationship between humans and the environment change with the advent of the Industrial Revolution? a. The human impact on the environment decreased significantly. b. The human impact on the environment remained pretty much the same. c. The human impact on the environment grew enormously. d. Humans became more vulnerable to natural disasters. e. The environment became more important to our well-being and happiness.

c. The human impact on the environment grew enormously.

How can we use market-based economics and environmental policy tools to promote sustainability? a. We can limit economic growth by raising taxes. b. We can remove regulatory oversight of companies and let free-market ideas prevail. c. We can pursue policy goals by establishing financial incentives and then letting private entities use the free market to produce new or better solutions at a lower cost. d. We can implement "top-down" regulations that force companies to comply with the rules or get fined. e. We can't use market place dynamics to promote sustainability—it can't be done.

c. We can pursue policy goals by establishing financial incentives and then letting private entities use the free market to produce new or better solutions at a lower cost.

What happens when we use ecosystems and their services unsustainably? a. We tend to focus on the long-term consequences of manipulation. b. We are fully aware of the consequences of our actions, but we must continue for our own survival. c. We get out of balance with the natural world by depleting resources, polluting the natural environment, reducing biodiversity, and damaging essential ecosystem services. d. We leave ecosystems alone instead of manipulating and improving them. e. We tend to make ecosystems and their services more complex, so they don't work as well.

c. We get out of balance with the natural world by depleting resources, polluting the natural environment, reducing biodiversity, and damaging essential ecosystem services.

__________ are large molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and are commonly referred to as "sugars." a. proteins b. lipids c. carbohydrates d. nucleic acids e. micronutrients

c. carbohydrates

In which of the following reactions would energy be created? a. A swimmer getting ready to dive into a pool b. Gasoline being burned in an engine to move a car c. none of the listed responses is correct d. Water flowing through a dam's turbines to produce electricity e. A person getting ready to eat a cupcake

c. none of the listed responses is correct

The biggest difference between the flow of energy and the flow of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem is that __________. a. the amount of energy is much greater than the amount of nutrients b. energy is recycled, but nutrients are not c. nutrients are recycled, but energy is not d. organisms always need nutrients, but they don't always need energy e. organisms always need energy, but they don't always need nutrients

c. nutrients are recycled, but energy is not

Helen had a terrarium containing various houseplants on her windowsill. She wondered why the glass was often fogged with water droplets. Her friend Sara, who has taken a biology class, tried to impress Helen by explaining, "The water evaporates from the leaves—it's a process called __________." a. root pressure b. adhesion c. transpiration d. photosynthesis e. pressure flow

c. transpiration

Which of the following is part of a sustainable economy? a. A major goal will be improving human well-being. b. It will value and preserve ecosystem services and goods. c. Technologies will reduce pollutants and use energy efficiently. d. All of the listed responses are parts of a sustainable economy. e. Demand for "green products" will be met by businesses eager to provide them.

d. All of the listed responses are parts of a sustainable economy.

Which of the following statements is not true about nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)? a. An NGO can have a significant influence on international environmental policy. b. An NGO can play a part in environmental research. c. An NGO can advocate for national laws and international treaties. d. An NGO must work with at least one governmental agency in order to be effective. e. NGOs are very diverse in their size and mission. f. NGOs can play a part in local conservation efforts.

d. An NGO must work with at least one governmental agency in order to be effective.

Which of the following is a part of the natural nitrogen cycle? a. Animals take up nitrogen in the water they drink. b. Plants take up atmospheric nitrogen through their stomata and convert it to organic forms. c. When plants decompose, fungi absorb the nitrogen and remove it from the natural cycle. d. Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates in soil or water to gaseous nitrogen, which is released back into the atmosphere.

d. Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates in soil or water to gaseous nitrogen, which is released back into the atmosphere.

This viewpoint recognizes that poor people tend to be exposed to a greater share of pollution, hazards, and environmental degradation than are richer people. a. Ecofeminism b. Intrinsic value c. Instrumental value d. Environmental justice e. Anthropocentrism

d. Environmental justice

__________ is consumed and __________ is produced in the overall process of cellular respiration. a. O2; glucose b. H2O; O2 c. CO2; H2O d. Glucose; CO2 e. CO2; O2

d. Glucose; CO2

Why has the World Bank been criticized with regard to protecting the environment? a. It refuses to make loans to developing nations. b. It no longer takes part in the global economy. c. It encourages environmental protection over economic progress. d. It has funded unsustainable projects that cause environmental harm. e. It unfairly prefers developing nations in South America over other developing nations.

d. It has funded unsustainable projects that cause environmental harm.

Why do we need environmental policies? a. Environmental policies are suggestions that companies can voluntarily take to decrease their environmental impact. b. Companies rely on environmental policies to let them extract resources from public lands with little regulatory oversight. c. Environmental policies are limited in what they can cover, so they have little impact on the day-to-day functioning of companies. d. Market capitalism is driven by short-term gain with no incentives to minimize environmental impacts. e. This is not correct; given our technological advances, we don't need many environmental policies.

d. Market capitalism is driven by short-term gain with no incentives to minimize environmental impacts.

Which is the best definition of sustainability? a. Leaving future generations with at least a hope of surviving b. Increasing the levels of development for poor countries c. Using the best available technology to increase efficiency d. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs e. Developing systems to maximize resource use and energy extraction for now and in the future

d. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

_____ describes the energy that remains in autotrophs after respiration, and it can be used to generate biomass such as leaves, stems, and roots. a. Consumption b. Gross photosynthetic efficiency c. Autotroph maintenance d. Net primary production

d. Net primary production

Is it possible for all the world's people to use as many resources as the average citizen of the United States? a. Yes, we just need to intensify our resource use. b. Yes, but it may take a few hundred years for all nations to develop enough. c. Maybe, if we did not have so many environmental regulations. d. No; it would take more resources than Earth has to allow everyone to live like the average U.S. citizen does. e. Maybe, but only if people became as educated as we are.

d. No; it would take more resources than Earth has to allow everyone to live like the average U.S. citizen does.

Which trophic level is most vulnerable to extinction? a. Decomposer level b. Producer level c. Primary (first-order) consumer level d. Tertiary (third-order) consumer level e. Secondary (second-order) consumer level

d. Tertiary (third-order) consumer level

Proteins are critical in living organisms. What is one example of the many important functions of proteins in organisms? a. Proteins transmit information from one generation to the next. b. They are self-replicating molecules. c. They are a major energy source for all living organisms. d. They increase the rate of chemical reactions inside cells. e. They are a major part of cell membranes and do not mix well with water.

d. They increase the rate of chemical reactions inside cells.

If a hydrogen atom gains an electron, then __________. a. its mass number changes b. its atomic number changes c. it becomes an isotope d. it acquires a negative charge e. nothing happens because hydrogen cannot gain an electron

d. it acquires a negative charge

The key purpose of any single experiment is to __________. a. prove whether a hypothesis is right or wrong b. obtain accurate experimental results c. answer as many questions as possible d. test a hypothesis and see if the evidence supports it e. examine as many variables at once as possible

d. test a hypothesis and see if the evidence supports it

In a cap-and-trade system, ______ set(s) a regulatory cap (limit) on emissions and issue(s) pollution permits, and ______ can buy, sell, and trade these permits with others. a. polluters; the government b. polluters; polluters c. the government; the government d. the government; polluters e. consumers; polluters

d. the government; polluters

An organism's trophic level refers to __________. a. the rate at which it uses energy b. where it lives c. whether it is early or late in ecological succession d. what it eats e. the intensity of its competition with other species

d. what it eats

According to the pyramid of energy, about how much energy of a trophic level is transferred to the next higher trophic level? a. 25% b. 50% c. 75% d. 90% e. 10%

e. 10%

Which of the following shows that humans are currently living unsustainably on Earth? a. Agricultural practices b. Abundant consumer products c. Toxic chemicals from air and water pollution d. Our reliance on fossil fuels e. All of these indicate that we are currently living unsustainably.

e. All of these indicate that we are currently living unsustainably.

In the United States, ______ pass(es) laws to protect the environment, and _______ develop(s) the rules and regulations to enforce the laws. a. the President; Congress b. Congress; the President c. agencies; Congress d. the President; agencies e. Congress; agencies

e. Congress; agencies

How can educating the public and communicating concerns about environmental issues be part of a move toward sustainability? a. It can discourage people from becoming too optimistic about making changes. b. People can realize that they should limit their activities to local issues. c. It can create apathy toward finding sustainable solutions. d. It can improve well-being but increase conflict in some areas. e. Disseminating information and education allows many organizations and governmental agencies to connect with the public, and provide incentives for action to become more sustainable.

e. Disseminating information and education allows many organizations and governmental agencies to connect with the public, and provide incentives for action to become more sustainable.

What conclusions can we draw about the effects of policies geared towards environmental protection on a nation's economy? a. Environmental protection has cost countless jobs in the U.S. b. Public policies geared towards protecting the environment work, but they are currently too expensive to implement. c. A free-market economy simply cannot exist alongside environmental protection policies. d. Environmental protection is almost cost-free, and concerns about the economy are overblown. e. Environmental protection is good for the economy; environmental public policy is responsible for a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable environment.

e. Environmental protection is good for the economy; environmental public policy is responsible for a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable environment.

How does population growth affect environmental degradation? a. High population growth tends to offset high consumption rates. b. High population growth and fertility rates decrease environmental pressures in developed countries. c. There is no correlation between population growth and environmental degradation. d. Environmental degradation is decreased when population growth increases. e. High population growth and fertility rates increase environmental degradation.

e. High population growth and fertility rates increase environmental degradation.

How can laws and policies promote sustainability? a. Laws and policies can take a larger chunk of tax money from consumers, so they spend less. b. Laws and policies can slow economic growth. c. This is incorrect; laws and policies are not desirable ways to promote sustainability. d. Politicians can protect economic interest over environmental protection. e. Laws and policies can reduce pollution emitted by industries.

e. Laws and policies can reduce pollution emitted by industries.

What is meant by the "tragedy of the commons"? a. Privately owned resources tend to be overexploited more than publicly owned resources. b. Common resources, such as soil, are protected more than rare resources. c. Governments place too much emphasis on regulating commonly held resources, restricting jobs and economic opportunities. d. It is a tragedy that resources become more common when more people use them. e. Many types of resources held and used by the public are overexploited for private gain.

e. Many types of resources held and used by the public are overexploited for private gain.

Why is a diagram of energy flow from trophic level to trophic level shaped like a pyramid? a. There are more producers than primary consumers, and so on. b. There are more producers than primary consumers, and so on. c. Organisms eventually die as they get older. d. There are always fewer secondary consumers than primary consumers, and so on. e. Most energy at each level is lost, leaving little energy for the next level.

e. Most energy at each level is lost, leaving little energy for the next level.

Which of the following actions embodies the main concept of sustainability? a. Cutting down forests and using the wood to build villages b. Burning coal to heat homes c. Hunting tigers for their skins d. Dumping toxic chemicals into rivers that carry them to the ocean e. Reducing the number of fish caught by commercial fisheries

e. Reducing the number of fish caught by commercial fisheries

What best explains the difference between science and religion? a. Science is focused on undermining religion. Religions tend to focus on more important questions than science can answer. b. Science is a belief system centered on evolution. Religion is a belief system centered on a Higher Power. c. Science relies on an unproven theory called evolution. Because it is just a theory, evolution is in direct conflict with religion. d. There really is no difference; it just depends on a person's upbringing and ideology. e. Science is focused on developing hypotheses and collecting evidence that supports or refutes that hypothesis. Religions tend to address questions that cannot be answered with data.

e. Science is focused on developing hypotheses and collecting evidence that supports or refutes that hypothesis. Religions tend to address questions that cannot be answered with data.

What happens when we destroy habitat, pollute the environment, or deplete resources? a. These activities increase some ecosystem services but decrease others. b. These activities provide a long-term increase in job opportunities. c. These activities are being managed as best we know how. d. These economic activities are not related to ecosystem goods and services. e. These activities reduce the services that ecosystems provide for humans, and threaten our well-being and survival.

e. These activities reduce the services that ecosystems provide for humans, and threaten our well-being and survival.

As a college student, what can you do to work towards a sustainable society? a. Buy a hybrid or all-electric car. b. Turn off lights in an empty room. c. Vote for candidates who are sympathetic to environmental concerns and the need for sustainable development. d. Participate fully in recycling efforts. e. You can do all of these things to work towards a sustainable society.

e. You can do all of these things to work towards a sustainable society.

As an example of a base, ________ can be characterized as having a __________. a. water; pH of 7 b. stomach acid; pH less than 7 c. air; pH less than 3 d. vinegar; pH less than 8 e. ammonia; pH greater than 7

e. ammonia; pH greater than 7

Burning coal in a power plant would be part of which cycle? a. Water b. Nitrogen c. Phosphorus d. Energy e. carbon

e. carbon

Plants convert solar energy to __________ energy during the process of photosynthesis. a. thermal b. kinetic c. nuclear d. electromagnetic e. chemical

e. chemical

Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy when glucose is made through the process of __________. a. cellular respiration b. entropy c. creating an inorganic molecule d. respiration e. photosynthesis

e. photosynthesis

Which of the following is the process that ultimately feeds the world? a. entropy b. respiration c. agriculture d. livestock e. photosynthesis

e. photosynthesis

A large boulder is balanced on top of a hill. You give the boulder a push, and it rolls down the hill. This is an example of converting __________ energy to __________ energy. a. kinetic; potential b. kinetic; thermal c. chemical; kinetic d. potential; chemical e. potential; kinetic

e. potential; kinetic