Humans and the Energy Cycle

Explain why hunter-gatherer societies were highly mobile.

Hunter-gatherer societies did not farm or raise livestock; they collected the resources they required from the local environment. In order to ensure a continuous supply of needed resources, hunter-gatherer societies followed their food sources and moved frequently.

Explain why the energy harnessed per person (per capita) has increased so dramatically since the industrial revolution.

Increased energy use leads to increased economic activity and an increased quality of life. Ever since the industrial revolution, advances in technology have let humans in industrialized nations increase their standard of living significantly, which required significant increases in the amount of energy harnessed per capita.

Why does nitrogen have to be "fixed"? What organisms are responsible for nitrogen fixation?

Nitrogen has to be ¨fixed¨ because it is unusable by most living organisms. Plants, animals, and micro-organisms can die of nitrogen deficiency. The organisms that are responsible for nitrogen fixation are bacteria and plants.

Which of the following is true of the relationship between energy use and quality of life?

Not(a. Energy use has no relationship to overall quality of life.)

Which of the following statement about energy and nutrients in an ecosystem is true?

Not(b. Energy and nutrients cycle through an ecosystem.)

Which of the following might not be considered a facet of a quality life?

Not(b. luxury goods)

The percentage of a hunter-gatherer society's diet provided by hunting versus gathering was mostly determined by _______.

Not(b. the types of prey)

Explain why quality of life is critically dependent upon energy use and consumption.

Research has shown that there is a direct relationship between the amount of energy used and overall economic activity in a country. In many ways quality of life is also directly related to the level of economic activity in a country because sufficient economic resources can ensure the physical components required for a high quality of life. In this way, energy use directly impacts quality of life by impacting economic activity.

What advantages are provided to developing rural areas by building and using an anaerobic digester?

The advantages that are provided to developing rural areas by building and using an anaerobic digester is that anaerobic digesters offer both a source of energy and a sanitary method of waste disposal which can help control disease. Digesters can improve rural sanitation, reduce labor (collecting fuel wood), and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve respiratory health and increase agricultural productivity through improvements in soil quality.

Explain the goals of the World Resources Simulation Center.

The goal of the World Resources Simulation Center is to study global resource use in order to solve current and predict future problems. The hope is that by identifying future problems now, many may be avoided, or minimized through proper planning. It is intended to answer the question of how world resources can be harnessed equitably by all of humanity.

Explain the relationship between energy and economic development.

The relationship between energy and economic development is that the more developed a country is, the more energy they use. The problem is that energy can currently only be realistically be made by fossil fuels or by nuclear power. Some energy can be made hydroelectric, but this is limited. Alternative energies can be created, but they produce less energy then the cost to create so do not provide any additional power. Some people believe that the output of fossil fuel plants creates warming of our planet.

The transformation and transport of substances through Earth's systems are known as biogeochemical cycles. What is included in these?

What is included in the transformation and transport of substances through Earth´s systems which is known as biogeochemical cycles are living biosphere, and the nonliving lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

Explain why the definition of a quality life is highly individualized.

While there are many elements that might be considered important for a quality life, the ultimate determination of what defines a quality life is a personal judgement based on individual experiences and values. People in different socioeconomic situations will value different things; a homeless person will likely value shelter and food higher than convenience and luxury. Different experiences and relationships will result in different priorities.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between economic growth and energy use?

a. Increased energy use leads to increased economic growth.

Why does culture establish the standard by which quality of life is measured?

b. Culture establishes the framework by which individuals judge their environment.

Which of the following is not true concerning the energy harnessed by humans throughout history?

b. Fire let humans increase their energy use tenfold.

Which condition is a result of using an anaerobic digester?

b. increase in land fertility due to the addition of the nitrogen and phosphorous byproduct

Which of the following is true concerning energy flow through an ecosystem's food chain?

c. Energy is lost at each successive energy level in the chain.

The Inuit were not native to_______.

c. Finland

Which of the following best explains the factors that led to the dust bowl?

c. Poor farming techniques that killed the soil were combined with drought.

The best determinant of how an individual measures their quality of life is _______.

c. culture

The goal of the world resource simulation center is best described as _______.

c. determining how to manage global resources for all humanity

The best determination of a community's quality of life is _______.

c. the energy used per capita

The dust bowl refers to _______.

c. years of dust storms in the Midwest in the 1930's

Which of the following is influenced by culture?

d. all of the above

Hunter-gatherer societies traditionally occupied the same territories year-round in order to care for their livestock.

false

Typically, areas with a high energy consumption are associated with a low quality of life.

false

In an ecosystem, energy that flows to tertiary consumers ultimately originates from the sun.

true

The Dust Bowl occurred as a result of drought and poor farming practices.

true

The World Resources Simulation Center is intended to address both current and future resource problems.

true