AP Environmental Science Test - Missed Questions
1. A - Nitrification 2. B - Dentrification
1. Ammonia is converted into nitrite, then to nitrate. 2. Nitrate ions and nitrite ions are converted into nitrous oxide gas and nitrogen gas (N2). A - Nitrification B - Denitrification C - Assimilation D - Ammonification E - Nitrogen fixation
1. A - Asbestos 2. E - Formaldehyde 3. B - Radon
1. Composed of fibers known to cause lung disease 2. Emitted from most manufacturing building materials and furniture 3. Colorless, odorless gas that is naturally occurring decay product of uranium A - Asbestos B - Radon C - Lead D - Carbon monoxide E - Formaldehyde
1. E - Particulates 2. A - Sulfur dioxide
1. Is the major pollutant that electrostatic precipitators are designed to remove from power-plant smokestack emissions. 2. Most often cited as the causative factor for acid deposition A - Sulfur dioxide B - Lead C - Ozone D - Hydrocarbons E - Particulates
D - A decrease in the amount of edge habitat
A large forested area is fragmented into small forest tracts separated by agricultural areas. This change will most likely lead to: A - An increase in the population of top carnivores B - An improvement in the dispersal mechanisms of forest species C - A more stable regional climate D - A decrease in the amount of edge habitat E - A decrease in the gene flow within species of the original forest
A - Environmental degradation and depletion of the resource
A renewable resource, harvested beyond its sustainable yield results in: A - Environmental degradation and depletion of the resource B - Irreversible loss of the resource itself C - Sustainable development D - Exponential growth that generates the resource E - Conservation of the resource base
A - mitigation
A state highway was constructed over wetlands. The state obtained a permit to fill the existing wetlands in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1972, and agreed to create another wetland. This trade-off approach to addressing an environmental issue is known as: A - mitigation B - restoration C - preservation D - remediation E - sustainability
A - Sustainable land-use strategies
A wildlife corridor would be an important part of which of the following? A - Sustainable land-use strategies B - Bioremediation C - Conservation easement D - Debt for Nature swap E - Land reclamation
A - The release of aluminum ions from soil
Acid deposition would most likely result in which of the following? A - The release of aluminum ions from soil B - An increase in populations of mollusks C - The death of species tolerant of low pH levels D - An increase in buffering of lake water by sulfates E - An increase in the pH of unbuffered water
D - Sulfur and nitrogen
Acid precipitation leads to an increase in which two elements in the soil? A - Sulfur and oxygen B - Magnesium and lead C - Aluminum and magnesium D - Sulfur and nitrogen E - Carbon and oxygen
A - Endocrine disrupters
Alligators in a Florida lake polluted by levels of dioxins (chlorinated hydrocarbons) had low testosterone levels and failed to reproduce. Scientists came to the conclusion that the dioxins were acting as which of the following? A - Endocrine disrupters B - Growth hormones C - Carcinogens D - Immune-system suppressors E - Mutagen
C - Are much more efficient at absorbing thermal radiation
Although levels of CFCs in the atmosphere are much lower than those of CO2, CFCs are still potent greenhouse gases because they: A - Remain in the atmosphere for only a brief time B - Lack natural sources C - Are much more efficient at absorbing thermal radiation D - Circulate through the troposphere more easily than CO2 does E - Are more difficult to remove from smokestacks and tailpipes
D - Is a strong oxidant and a respiratory irritant
Although ozone in the stratosphere has been decreasing in recent years, ozone near Earth's surface is on the increase. This ozone near the surface is undesirable because it: A - Absorbs ultraviolet light B - Has a different chemical structure than stratospheric zone C - Reacts with hydrocarbons to form CFC's D - Is a strong oxidant and a respiratory irritant E - Accelerates rates of photosynthesis in plants
C - Sheet erosion
An even disappearance of topsoil is a sign of which type of erosion? A - Wind erosion B - Gully erosion C - Sheet erosion D - Rill erosion E - Subsidence erosion
C - Reduction of crop damage to an economically tolerable level
An integrated pest-management approach to pest control emphasizes which of the following? A - Eradication of the pest population B - Reliance on spraying broad-spectrum pesticides C - Reduction of crop damage to an economically tolerable level D - Use of plant monocultures to simplify spraying E - Elimination of the use of second-generation pesticides
A - That is can produce.
An organisms's biotic potential is the maximum number of offspring: A - That it can produce B - That survives to adulthood C - Its habitat can support D - It produces at one time E - It actually produces over its lifetime
C - 5.0-6.0
At which of the following ranges in pH will the ecology of a lake environment begin to be significantly impacted? A - 3.0-3.5 B - 4.5-5.0 C - 5.0-6.0 D - 6.5-9.0 E - 9.0-9.5
B - Aerosol routes
Biological agents can be transmitted to humans in a variety of ways. Which of the following routes of transmission have the highest risk? A - Ingestion B - Aerosol routes C - Occupational exposure D - Incidental exposure E - Skin contact
B - That a species' environment can support on a long-term basis
Carrying capacity is the population: A - That an environment can support in an optimal year B - That a species' environment can support on a long-term basis C - That remains after a catastrophic dieback has occurred D - Of a species without limiting factors E - Of a species without predators
B - Feedback loop
Change that tends to stabilize a system A - Linear growth B - Feedback loop C - Exponential growth D - Equilibrium
I. and III. only
Elements that cycle in the environment and that also have a gaseous phase at some point in their cycle include which of the following? I. Carbon II. Phosphorus III. Sulfur
D - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Establishes cradle-to-grave tracking of hazardous waste A - Safe Drinking Water Act B - Clean Water Act C - Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) D - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act E - Toxic Substances Control Act
B - Providing habitats for wildlife
In a typical forest ecosystem, dead trees and fallen trees are more important because of their role in which of the following? A - Providing a valuable source of timber B - Providing habitats for wildlife C - Contributing to soil erosion D - Increasing water runoff E - Removing carbon dioxide from the air
D - Directional selection.
In early years of the Industrial Revolution, soot settling on trees in England helped dark colored moths avoid predators, causing the population to shift from lighter to darker colored moths. This is an example of: A - Disruptive selection. B - Reproductive isolation. C - Stabilizing selection. D - Directional selection. E - Ecological isolation.
C - It increases as the concentration of the pollutant decreases.
In the removal of a pollutant from wastewater, which of the following is true of the cost per unit of pollutant removed? A - It decreases as the toxicity of the pollutant increases. B - It decreases as the time passed before remediation increases. C - It increases as the concentration of the pollutant decreases. D - It increases as the volume of the wastewater decreases. E - It does not change over time or with concentration of pollutant.
E - Biogeochemical cycle
Involves the most complete pathway that a chemical element follows through the Earth's system A - Carbon cycle B - Nitrogen cycle C - Hydrologic cycle D - Geological cycle E - Biogeochemical cycle
A - An increases in species diversity
Occasional (at least once every 50 years), light fires in jack pine forests in Michigan. A - An increase in species diversity B - A decrease in species diversity C - No change in species diversity
B - Leachate contamination of groundwater
Of the following, which is the most serious immediate problem associated with sanitary landfills? A - Generation of CO2 gas B - Leachate contamination of groundwater C - Release of disease organisms D - Incomplete degradation of wastes E - Compaction and settling
C - Fertilizers
Phosphorus is a primary ingredient in which of the following? A - Pesticides B - Herbicides C - Fertilizers D - Gasoline additives E - Genetically modified crops
E - Genetic drift
Random changes in the frequencies of traits in a population A - Mutation B - Genetic diversity C - Competitive exclusion D - Ecological gradient E - Genetic drift
D - Weathering of bedrock
Soil forms as a result of which of the following processes? A - Erosion of weathered material B - Movement of material due to gravity C - Movement of worms and burrowing mammals in the soil D - Weathering of bedrock E - Compaction and cementation of sediment
A - Cutting small groups of medium- and large- sized trees in uneven-aged forests
Sustainable use of forests in the United States would likely be encouraged by: A - Cutting small groups of medium- and large-sized trees in uneven-aged forests B - Clear-cutting old-growth forests to allow for secondary succession C - Allowing road building in wilderness areas so that older, clear-cut forests have time to regenerate D - Logging on steep slopes in designated wilderness areas E - Enforcing all provisions of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
D - Landfills
The NIMBY defense can become an issue when people consider disposing of solid waste in which of the following ways? A - Composting B - Demanufacturing C - Detoxifying D - Landfills E - Ocean dumping
C - Lithosphere
The main storage of carbon in the ecosphere is that: A - Hydrosphere B - Biosphere C - Lithosphere D - Atmosphere
D - Climate
The type of climax community in an area depends mainly on the area's A - Primary productivity B - Microorganisms C - Pioneer productivity D - Climate
E - Large floating booms, skimmer boats, and genetically engineered bacteria
Three common methods employed in the cleanup of oil spills are: A - Aeration of water, skimmer boats, and genetically engineered bacteria B - Aeration of water, phytoremediation, and genetically engineered bacteria C - Skimmer boats, high temperature incineration, and phytoremediation D - Large floating booms, high temperature incineration, and phytoremediation E - Large floating booms, skimmer boats, and genetically engineered bacteria
B - Are wet at least some of the year
Wetlands are biomes that: A - Are wet all year round B - Are wet at least some of the year C - Have fresh, no salty water D - Receieve more rainfall than other ecosystems E - Are only located near streams
D - Grasses
What are the first organisms that may appear after a disturbance damages an existing community but leaves the soil intact? A - Lichens B - Autotrophic microorganisms C - Shrubs D - Grasses E - Trees
A - Thermocline
What develops in the oceans between warm surface waters and cooler bottom waters? A - Thermocline B - Heat gradient C - Isocline D - Contour E - Heat differential
C - Basal skin cancer
What is the most common form of skin cancer? A - Melanoma skin cancer B - Squamous skin cancer C - Basal skin cancer D - Sarcoma E - Lymphoma
B - Rivers and Harbors Act
What was the first anti-pollution law passed in the United States? A - Migratory Bird Treaty Act B - Rivers and Harbors Act C - Oil Pollution Act D - Clean Water Act E - Clean Air Act
E - Direct pollution limits
Which method of internalizing the cost of pollution is the most economically inefficient? A - Impact fee B - Pollution tax C - Emission tax D - Tradable pollution permit E - Direct pollution limits
E - COs, NOx, and VOCs
Which of the following are direct products of the use of hydrocarbon fuels in automobile engines? A - O, N, and CO B - CO, Ar, and O3 C - CO2, H2O, and O3 D - CO2, O3, and Pb E - CO2, NOx, and VOCs
B - They are quickly depleted of nutrients when the forest is removed.
Which of the following best describes soils in many tropical rain forests? A - They lack soil horizons. B - They are quickly depleted of nutrients when the forest is removed. C - They are similar to soils in grasslands. D - They are well suited for growing a wide variety of crops. E - They are deep and well drained.
C - Infrared radiation from Earth's surface is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere.
Which of the following best describes the mechanism of the greenhouse effect in Earth's atmosphere? A - Ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is absorbed by ozone gas in the stratosphere. B - Gamma radiation from the Sun is absorbed at ground level by dust particles in the atmosphere. C - Infrared radiation from Earth's surface is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere. D - Cosmic radiation from deep space is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere. E - Alpha radiation from the Sun is absorbed by water vapor in the atmosphere.
C - Under many conditions, phosphorus forms stable insoluble compounds.
Which of the following best helps to explain why phosphorus is often a limiting factor in many ecosystems? A - There is usually a gaseous phase in the phosphorus cycle. B - Phosphorus cycles very quickly through environments. C - Under many conditions, phosphorus forms stable insoluble compounds. D - Phosphorous is not readily taken up by plants. E - There are no anthropogenic sources of phosphorus.
E - Depletion of an aquifer by regional farmers
Which of the following best illustrates the concept of the tragedy of the commons? A - Destruction of landscape by surface mining on private land B - Selective harvesting of trees by a timber company in a national forest C - Legislation of catch limits to avoid depletion of fish stocks in a shared lake D - Inadvertent destruction of beneficial species while attempting to control pests E - Depletion of an aquifer by regional farmers
B - Cage
Which of the following devices would be used for aquaculture? A - Purse-seine B - Cage C - Trawl bag D - Drift net E - Lines
E - Increased levels of plant nutrients
Which of the following is a common characteristic of lakes undergoing cultural eutrophication? A - Decreased rates of sediment accumulation B - Decreased amounts of green and blue-green algae C - Increased levels of oxygen throughout the water column D - Increased water clarity in the epilimnion E - Increased levels of plant nutrients
A - Methane, CH4
Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that is also a by-product of anaerobic respiration? A - Methane, CH4 B - Nitrogen, N2 C - Oxygen, O2 D - Nitrogen dioxide, NO2 E - Hydrogen sulfide, H2S
E - Eel grass preservation zone
Which of the following is a non-use benefit of a coastal environment? A - Whale watching B - Oyster harvesting C - Fishing D - Wildlife observation E - Eel grass preservation zone
A - New island created by volcanoes
Which of the following is a place where primary succession may occur? A - New island created by volcanoes B - Forest land cleared for farming C - Area after forest fire D - Dried up lake E - Alaskan wilderness
A - Formation of carbonate deposits
Which of the following is a process that indirectly removes carbon from Earth's atmosphere? A - Formation of carbonate deposits B - Outgassing by volcanoes C - Respiration by mammals D - Respiration by anaerobic bacteria E - Photodissociation by ultraviolet light
B - It is based in part on the principle of the greenhouse effect.
Which of the following is a true statement about passive solar heating? A - It is effective only during the summer months. B - It is based in part on the principle of the greenhouse effect. C - It is not used to heat commercial buildings. D - It is not efficient because it cannot produce high-quality energy. E - It produces more pollution than heating with an electric heat pump.
E - It is grater in countries with high infant-mortality rates than in countries with low infant-mortality rates.
Which of the following is a true statement about replacement-level fertility? A - It equals the average number of children a woman will give birth to during her child-bearing years. B - It equals the annual number of live births per 1000 people in a population. C - It equals the natural increase of a population in one year. D - It is found by subtracting the number of emigrants from the number of immigrants in one years. E - It is greater in countries with high infant-mortality rates than in countries with low infant-mortality rates.
E - Ozone
Which of the following is an effective alternative to chlorine for disinfecting wastewater in a municipal treatment plant? A - Freon B - Alcohol C - Phosphate D - Ammonia E - Ozone
E - An increased frequency of flooding of the river valley
Which of the following is most likely to result from destruction of wetlands surrounding a river? A - A decreased sediment load in the river B - A decreased level of pollutants such as nitrates in the river C - An increased diversity of aquatic species in the river D - An increased level of oxygen in the river E - An increased frequency of flooding of the river valley
A - Established an Exclusive Economic Zone of 12 miles for coastal nations
Which of the following is not a provision of the Law of the Sea? A - Established an Exclusive Economic Zone of 12 miles for coastal nations B - Covers rights to fishing, marine life, and mining C - Establishes general guidelines for safeguarding marine life and protecting the freedom of scientific research on the high seas D - Creates a legal mechanism for controlling mineral resource exploitation in international waters E - Created the International Seabed Authority
D - Genetic diversity
Which of the following is the best term for the range of genetic differences found within and between species? A - Biodiversity B - Genetic drift C - Ecological diversity D - Genetic diversity E - Biotic relationships
C - Mining waste
Which of the following is the major source of solid waste in the United States? A - Farming B - Domestic products C - Mining waste D - Industry E - Municipal systems
D - It established a cap-and-trade programm for SO2 in 1990.
Which of the following is true of the Clean Air Act? A - It was passed by Congress during the early 1950s. B - It regulates the amount of CO2 emitted by power plants. C - It has remained largely unmodified since it was originally signed into law. D - It established a cap-and-trade program for SO2 in 1990. E - It is set to expire in 2015.
D - Wet-scrubber units
Which of the following is used to reduce SO2 emissions from coal-burning power plants? A - Catalytic converters B - Ultrafire mechanical filters C - Electrostatic precipitators D - Wet-scrubber units E - Afterburners
B - Iron
Which of the following might be a trace elements that is cycled through an ecosystem? A - Water B - Iron C - Hydrogen D - Nitrogen E - Phosphorus
E - Decreased size of snowpack
Which of the following not only results from greenhouse warming but also contributes to additional warming of Earth (is a positive feedback process)? A - Increased emissions of particulates and aerosols from industrial activity B - Increased volcanic activity C - Decreased air temperature and subsequent formation of clouds D - Decreased incidence of sunspot activity E - Decreased size of snowpack
E - 8.0
Which of the following pH levels is harmless to most fish? A - 3.0 B - 4.0 C - 5.0 D - 6.0 E - 8.0
D - Addition of large amounts of water to leach out salts
Which of the following procedures would be best for remediating the effects of soil salinization? A - Application of broad-spectrum biocides to kill microorganisms B - Application of superphosphate to increase soil fertility C - Addition of clay to increase soil water-holding capacity D - Addition of large amounts of water to leach out salts E - Addition of lime to raise soil pH
B - Strip cropping
Which of the following soil conservation methods involves planting different crops in alternating rows to trap soil and catch runoff? A - Conventional-tillage farming B - Strip cropping C - Conservation-tillage farming D - Contour farming E - Terracing
C - Windbreaks
Which of the following soil conservation methods would be appropriate for dry acid regions? A - Terrace farming B - Strip cropping C - Windbreaks D - Contour farming E - Crop rotation
B - Genetic resistance to pests and diseases can be increased by crossing a crop plant with ancestral varieties.
Which of the following statements about genetic diversity is true? A - Genetic uniformity of a crop increases the crop's overall resistance to pests and disease. B - Genetic resistance to pests and diseases can be increased by crossing a crop plant with ancestral varieties. C - Genetic engineering technology is use to increase genetic diversity by creating new species with synthetic genes. D - Genetic diversity within populations of common crop species such as corn is typically high. E - Genetic diversity is usually high in endangered species.
D - Nitrogen accumulates in the animal biomass an ecosystem in the form of proteins
Which of the following statements about nitrogen storage is correct? A - The atmosphere contains more carbon than nitrogen B - Nitrogen is not stored in organic material of the soil C - Plant biomass in an ecosystem contains many more times nitrogen than carbon D - Nitrogen accumulates in the animal biomass of an ecosystem in the form of proteins
D - It is an orderly progression from pioneer species to climax species indicative of the region being studied
Which of the following statements about primary succession is false? A - It is initiated by pioneer species B - It often involves species changing the environment so that they can no longer thrive and must be replaced by other species C - It generally results in more complex, more self-sustaining stages than preceding ones D - It is an orderly progression from pioneer species to climax species indicative of the region being studied
A - Vulnerable
Which of the following terms describes an organisms that has been locally depleted by human activity? A - Vulnerable B - Threatened C - Endangered D - Extinct E - Rare
B - Beef
[In contrast] with people in developing countries, people in in industrialized countries are more likely to eat: A - Beans B - Beef C - Corn D - Rice E - Wheat