APES

Cycads are gymnosperms that were diverse and abundant during the Mesozoic era. Extant species of cycads share many traits with those from the Mesozoic era. Cycads bear cones, are long-lived with slow growth rates, show late reproductive maturity, and have very few offspring. Based on this description, the cycads are A K-strategists with a Type I survivorship curve. B r-strategists with a Type III survivorship curve. C K-strategists with a Type III survivorship curve. D r-strategists with a Type II survivorship curve.

A

In a certain country, the birth rate is high, the death rate is high, and there are many children that are part of the workforce. The country is most likely in which of the following stages of the demographic transition? A Stage 1 B Stage 2 C Stage 3 D Stage 4

A

Many organisms, such as honeybees and livestock, have been domesticated for economic reasons. Which of the following best describes an unintended consequence of this practice? A As humans tamed wild organisms to amplify desired traits, genetic diversity decreased in the organisms' populations. B Domestication increases the ability of wild organisms to breed in captivity and produce offspring with desired traits. C As plants became domesticated, humans began to settle in one region because they did not have to hunt animals and gather plants for food. D Animals that are unpredictable in nature and highly dangerous to humans are tamed only in rare instances.

A

Which of the different components of smog depicted in the graph are most likely released from automobile exhaust? A A and B B B and C C A, B, and C D B, C, and D

A

Which of the following best describes an advantage of constructing habitat corridors? A Corridors connect habitats separated by fragmentation and connect wildlife populations. B Corridors prevent invasive species from traveling between protected habitats. C Corridors provide a safe passage for vehicles and allow humans to travel within wildlife preserves. D Corridors increase the amount of protected area that is not affected by humans.

A

Which of the following best describes the advantage of using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in industrial processes? A HFCs and HCFCs have lower ozone-depleting potentials than CFCs do. B HFCs and HCFCs are more stable than CFCs are in the atmosphere. C HFCs and HCFCs are not classified as greenhouse gases but CFCs are. D HFCs and HCFCs are less expensive to produce than CFCs are.

A

Which of the following best explains why top predators can have up to 60 times as much of persistent organic pollutant (POPPOP) as their prey and up to 600 times as much of the pollutant as producers? A POPsPOPs accumulate in the body fat of living organisms. POPsPOPs increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. B POPsPOPs can travel over long distances by wind or water. Predators have greater access to different locations than do producers and therefore have higher concentrations of POPsPOPs. C POPsPOPs are not carbon-based compounds, so animal digestive systems lack enzymes capable of breaking them down. POPsPOPs biomagnify in the fatty tissues of animals but not in plants. D POPsPOPs are solids, which only animals can ingest. Therefore, POPsPOPs have a greater effect on secondary and tertiary levels of food chains.

A

Which of the following is the best example of an economic approach to reduce overfishing for a fish species with a declining population? A The federal government sets a catch limit (per person or per boat) for the species and imposes a tax on any extra fish that are caught. B A conservation agency creates marine parks where the area is a no-catch zone for the species so that the species can recover and population size can increase. C The state government introduces a subsidy for large fishing companies to help them afford to hire more crew members. D An educational group produces signs and video clips to encourage individuals to buy locally caught seafood and to avoid eating big fish like tuna and shark.

A

Based on the data above, which of the following is the most likely conclusion of a study addressing the following scientific question.What will happen to methane levels in the atmosphere at 60°N60°N to 75°N75°N latitude from 2018 to 2027 if the trend from 2011 to 2017 continues? A Methane levels in the atmosphere will increase because of increased growth of producers at latitudes greater than 60°N60°N. B Methane levels in the atmosphere will increase because melting or thawing permafrost will lead to an increase in the amount of organic matter that will decompose. C Methane levels in the atmosphere will decrease because melting sea ice will increase transportation in the ocean by ships at latitudes greater than 60°N60°N. D Methane levels in the atmosphere will decrease because oil and gas exploration will increase as permafrost continues to melt or thaw.

B

Based on the data in the table, which of the following pairs of organisms has two ecological relationships, both competition and predation? A Spiders and shrews B Hawks and snakes C Spiders and snakes D Spiders and grasshoppers

B

Endocrine disruptors directly affect which of the following in an organism? A White blood cells B Hormones C Iron content D Oxygen levels

B

How many BTUs were consumed in the United States in 2017 by consumers that used petroleum as a fuel source? A 28 quadrillion BTUs B 36 quadrillion BTUs C 62 quadrillion BTUs D 97 quadrillion BTUs

B

Smoke from forest fires is most likely to affect air quality over larger areas for many days when A smog is produced due to chemical reactions in the atmosphere B a persistent atmospheric inversion exists in the region C oak trees are burned, releasing terpenes into the atmosphere D primary, rather than secondary, forests are burned E vegetation in the region is green and burns more slowly

B

The LD50 for arsenic in humans is 13mg/kg. Which of the following approaches should be used to calculate the number of grams of arsenic it would take to reach the LD50 in a 140-pound person? [Note: 1kg=2.2pounds] A 140lb×2.2lb1kg×1kg13mg×1g1,000mg B 140lb×1kg2.2lb×13mg1kg×1g1,000mg C 13mg1kg×50×140lb×1kg2.2lb D 13mg1kg×1kg2.2lb×140lb1

B

When water used to cool power plants during normal plant operations is released into adjacent waterways, which of the following is most likely to occur as a result? A Biodiversity of aquatic life in the adjacent waterways would decrease because the used coolant water is radioactive. B The dissolved oxygen in the adjacent waterways would decrease because used coolant water is warm and leads to thermal pollution. C Salinity in the adjacent waterways would increase because of dissolved solids in the used coolant water. D Nutrient levels in the adjacent waterways would increase because of phosphorous in the used coolant water.

B

Which of the following best describes the action of an endocrine disruptor? A An endocrine disruptor attacks hormones that invade a body system and cause disease. B An endocrine disruptor blocks the receptor protein binding site of a hormone so that the cell cannot receive a signal. C An endocrine disruptor acts as an organic catalyst, produced by living things to regulate the rate of chemical reactions. D An endocrine disruptor helps to transport substances, such as pesticides, in an organism following exposure.

B

Which of the following countries is most likely represented in the age structure diagram shown above? A Country A B Country B C Country C D Country D

B

Which of the following describes a component of a modern sanitary landfill? A A series of screens and grates to prevent large objects from entering the landfill B A bottom liner of plastic or clay to prevent groundwater contamination C Aerated tanks in which bacteria break down organic matter D Chemical or ultraviolet light systems that kill pathogens

B

Which of the following describes an environmental problem that can result from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity? A A chemical reaction occurs between the fossil fuel and oxygen to produce energy for the generation of electricity. B Carbon dioxide is a product of the combustion fossil fuels, and it can lead to global climate change when released into the atmosphere. C The combustion of fossil fuels can heat water to convert the water into steam to turn turbines that are connected to electrical generators. D Combustion reactions using fossil fuels require more energy than they produce and are therefore very inefficient.

B

Which of the following irrigation methods is most likely to result in salinization of the soil, especially if the agricultural fields are located in a warm climate with consistent sunlight? A Spray irrigation B Furrow irrigation C Flood irrigation D Drip irrigation

B

Which of the following is the most practical solution to maximizing energy production at wind farms while minimizing the risk to wildlife? A Turn on turbines only at night when most birds and bats are not flying. B Turn off turbines during periods of maximum migration. C Turn on turbines only when winds are below 5mph. D Limit the height of turbines to 10 meters and the width of the blades to 5 meters.

B

Which of the following was the average beak size of finches on the island of Daphne Major in 1976? A 8.8 mm B 9.5 mm C 10.2 mm D 13.8 mm

B

Which of the following water quality tests would best indicate if sewage from the wastewater treatment plant has contaminated the Moose River? A Dissolved oxygen measured at site A B Fecal coliform measured at site B C Nitrates measured at site C D Temperature measured at site D

B

Which of the following is the most likely consequence of the trend for the change in sea ice shown in the graph, creating a positive feedback loop in the Arctic? A Increasing albedo and increasing absorption of heat by the ocean B Increasing albedo and decreasing absorption of heat by the ocean C Decreasing albedo and increasing absorption of heat by the ocean D Decreasing albedo and decreasing absorption of heat by the ocean

C

Which of the following substances is released by CFC's and catalyzes a chain reaction that breaks down ozone in the upper atmosphere? A Carbon monoxide B Carbon dioxide C Chlorine D Sulfur dioxide E Methane

C

Based on the diagram, which of the following is the most likely reason that a community with good sanitation could still have individuals who contract cholera? A Disease transmission for cholera is through direct contact with infected individuals and is independent of sanitation conditions. B V. cholerae grow rapidly in clear, moving water that has limited nutrients or wastes. C Waste water treatment facilities that use high levels of chlorine to treat the outgoing municipal water supply have an increased risk of cholera outbreaks. D Runoff from a nearby agricultural field pollutes a reservoir used for drinking water.

D

How many units of energy return to space from Earth and its atmosphere? A 25 B 30 C 95 D 100 E 120

D

Many scientists maintain that a rise in sea level has occurred in the last hundred years as a result of global warming. If this is true, which of the following factors best explains such a rise? A Increased precipitation B Increased cloud cover C Increased evapotranspiration D Thermal expansion of the ocean E Melting of permafrost

D

The concentration of H+ ions in a solution with a pH value of 4 is how many times as great as the concentration of H+ ions in a solution with a pH value of 7 ? A 1 B 10 C 100 D 1,000 E 10,000

D

The increase in mean global temperature is likely to result in all of the following EXCEPT A decreased size of the Greenland ice sheet B increased range of some plant species C increased populations of insects D increased ground-level ultraviolet radiation E increased sea level

D

This biome contains plants that are adapted to prevent water loss due to the low average rainfall and high temperatures year-round. A Savanna B Boreal forest C Tropical rain forest D Desert

D

West Nile virus was identified in the Western Hemisphere during the summer of 1999 and was associated with human, equine, and avian deaths. This virus is acquired by A ingesting certain imported foods B coming in contact with polluted water C coming in contact with a sick horse or bird D being bitten by an infected mosquito E inhaling contaminated airborne droplets

D

Which of the following best describes an environmental advantage of urbanization? A Individuals living in cities have more varied employment opportunities than individuals living in rural areas. B Individuals living in cities have greater access to health care than individuals living in rural areas. C Individuals living in cities usually have greater access to fresh, local agricultural products than individuals living in rural areas. D Individuals living in cities usually have a lower transportation carbon footprint than individuals living in rural areas.

D

Which of the following best describes the primary cause of global ocean warming? A Increased number of animal species using ocean gyres for migration B Increased movement from the ocean floor (upwelling) during La Niña events C Increased thermal pollution in rivers and streams near power plants and industrial manufacturers D Increased global temperature from an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

D

Which of the following examples includes both a point and a nonpoint source of pollution? A A factory smokestack and a sewage overflow B Runoff from city streets and pesticides from agricultural fields C Waste from animal feedlots and sediment from construction sites D Fertilizer from suburban lawns and wastewater from a water treatment plant

D

Which of the following is a biome found at 30°30° NN and 30°30° SS as seen in the diagram? A Rain forests B Tundras C Coniferous forests D Deserts

D

Which of the following is a characteristic of nonrenewable energy sources that distinguishes them from renewable energy sources? A The construction of power plants that use nonrenewable energy sources is typically more expensive than the construction of those that use renewable energy sources. B Nonrenewable energy sources are typically less harmful to wildlife and ecosystems than renewable energy sources are. C Nonrenewable energy sources typically require additional new technology in order to be used than renewable energy sources do. D Nonrenewable energy sources typically take a longer time to replenish than renewable energy sources do.

D

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas that comes only from human sources? A Nitrous oxide B Carbon dioxide C Methane D Chlorofluorocarbons E Carbon monoxide

D

Which of the following is a limitation of using only the data in the table to complete an ecological footprint analysis of the different students? A The footprint for each individual is based on simple calculations to determine approximate resource use. B The footprint uses a top-down approach to provide a complete picture of resource use for comparison between individuals. C The footprint uses global hectares, rather than hectares, to determine the approximate proportion of Earth's surface needed to support the activities of an individual. D The footprint is a static analysis and does not include all environmental impacts of an individual.

D

Which of the following is used to reduce SO2 emissions from coal-burning power plants? A Catalytic converters B Ultrafine mechanical filters C Electrostatic precipitators D Wet-scrubber units E Afterburners

D

Which of the following major storage reservoirs of carbon, stored in the form of carbon dioxide, is not represented in this diagram? A Algae B Soil bacteria C The Moon D The ocean

D

Based on the theory of island biogeography, which of the following is the most likely reason that an island in the ocean that is 5 kilometers from a continent would have a higher number of species than one that is 15 kilometers from a continent? A There are more species that have the ability to travel 5 kilometers than can travel 15 kilometers. B Islands that are closer to continents always have a wider range of habitats than more distant islands do. C There are smaller populations of each species on islands that are at greater distances from continents. D Islands that are closer to continents always have more ecological niches than more distant islands do.

A

Water from which of the following locations on the map would best serve as a control group for the study? A A B B C C D D

A

Although nuclear energy is considered a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels, some scientists argue this does not support the claim that nuclear energy is renewable. Which of the following claims best supports the argument that nuclear energy is a nonrenewable energy source? A Nuclear energy has low carbon emissions and does not contribute to global warming. B The uranium deposits on Earth are finite. C Nuclear energy is generated by the process of nuclear fission. D Nuclear power plants convert water to steam, similar to fossil fuel-burning power plants.

B

Based on the data provided, which of the following descriptions best identifies the types of farms that are being compared? A Farm A is a free-pasture farm for cattle, whereas Farm B is a free-range farm for poultry. B Farm A is a concentrated animal feedlot for beef production, whereas Farm B is a cage-free farm for poultry. C Farm A is a grass-fed pasture for beef production, whereas Farm B is a traditional concentrated animal feedlot for cattle. D Farm A is a cage-free farm for poultry, whereas Farm B is an industrial poultry farm.

C

Based on the diagram, which of the following identifies a characteristic of the atmosphere between the stratopause and the tropopause? A Cloud formation occurs in the stratosphere. B The warmest air is found in the mesosphere. C The ozone layer is in the stratosphere. D The troposphere is the closest layer to the sun.

C

Based on the layers in the diagram, which of the following best explains why a thermal inversion tends to concentrate pollutants in the air layer closest to the Earth's surface? A The air layer that is the second closest to the Earth's surface is less dense than the layer above it. B The inversion layer is warmer than the air layer that is farthest from the Earth's surface. C The air layer closest to the Earth's surface is denser than the layer above it. D The air layer that is farthest from the Earth's surface contains the coolest air.

C

Local legislation was passed to protect animal species prone to extinction. The legislation included criminalizing poaching, setting limits on number of fish people can catch, and protecting habitats. Which of the following threats shown in the graph will most likely decrease the most as a result of the legislation? A Habitat loss and degradation B Pollution C Overharvesting D Climate and natural disasters

C

The majority of atmospheric mercury is produced by A medical waste incinerators B volatilization of lead-based paint C coal-burning power plants D runoff from thermometer factories E municipal waste incinerators

C

Which of the following changes in eastern Pacific Ocean food webs is typically associated with La Niña events? A Decreased populations of squid B Decreased populations of anchovies C Increased phytoplankton concentrations D Increased famine among sea lions and seals

C

Which of the following would most likely result from the deforestation of large areas of tropical rain forests caused by slash-and-burn agriculture? A Increased ozone thinning because of the release of CFCs B Decreased acid rain because of the sequestration of SO2SO2 C Increased global temperature because of the release of CO2CO2 D Deceased evaporation because of the loss of the tree canopy

C

Which of the following scenarios best explains the concept of the tragedy of the commons? A Fish farming, a type of aquaculture, produces fish through selective breeding to produce a cheap source of protein, reducing the fishing pressure on wild stock fish. B A collapse of the fishing industry leads to a loss of fishing-related jobs, which will have negative consequences on the economy. C Declines in the fish population lead to a decline in the population of fish predators, affecting the entire food chain. D Fish are shared resources, and as the fishing industry competes for the fish, the resource extraction is no longer sustainable.

D

Which of the following would be the best control group to evaluate the treated wastewater from the paper company? A A sample of distilled water B A sample of water from a nearby river C A sample of water downstream from the same river D A sample of water upstream from the same river

D

A Carbon dioxide B Carbon monoxide C Methane D Radon E Sulfur dioxide

E

All of the following statements about invasive exotic species are true EXCEPT: A They may compete with native species for food. B They may prey on native species. C They are generally introduced by human activity. D They may be plant or animal species. E They tend to have low reproductive rates.

E

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

E

Which of the following is a major goal of the program begun in 1995 to reintroduce the gray wolf into Yellowstone National Park? A Decrease the number of grizzly bears, because they were becoming a nuisance B Enable the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list C Increase the dwindling numbers of tourists that visit the park each year D Upset the natural predator-prey balance between coyotes and elk E Decrease the number of sheep and cattle that wander into the park and overgraze the vegetation

E

Which of the following not only results from greenhouse warming but also contributes to additional warming of Earth (i.e., 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