biolec exam: climate change
the following is an indicator of climate change
Decrease in snow cover and glaciers
the major sources of this greenhouse gas are agriculture and the decay of organic material
methane
_____ describe the general characteristics of similar ecosystems across the globe.
biomes
_____ refers to a level of biological organization that represents the interaction of biotic and abiotic factors.
ecosystem
Biomes are distinguished from one another by the two most important climatic variables _____ ___ _____
temperature and precipitation
wha levels of biological organization represents the sum of all of the locations where life may be found o the planet?
the biosphere
TRUE OR FALSE: Greenhouse gases act like a blanket, absorbing infrared energy and preventing it from escaping into outer space.
true
The worldwide increase in average surface temperatures of Earth is called __________
global warming
_____ refers to the long-term regional or even global average of temperature and rainfall patterns over seasons, years, or decades.
climate
what is considered to be greenhouse gases?
-carbon dioxide -water vapor -methane
the following descriptions correctly explains the difference between climate and weather
Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation. Weather describes the short-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.
the following statement correctly explains the greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation emitted by the planet's surface. This trapped heat energy is released slowly back into the atmosphere.
Based on projections made by scientists studying climate change, if human activities continue to impact climate at the same rates as today, what will most likely be the future of the level of biological organization in ecosystems across the planet?
Human activities will have serious impacts on climate and on the levels of biological organization in ecosystems across the planet.
An increase in the temperature of a grassland, with no change in the precipitation patterns, would result in it changing into which type of biome? Choose the best answer.
Savanna
TRUE OR FALSE: mosquitoes and ticks are called vectors because they have the ability to transmit a disease between individuals
TRUE
Scientists studying global warming have noted an unusual trend in carbon dioxide level. Which of the following statements explains the trend of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
The rise in carbon dioxide levels have occurred relatively rapidly.
One consequence of climate change is change in temperature and precipitation patterns, which results in
an increase in the severity and frequency of droughts and heat waves.
what is not directly associated with an increase in global temperatures?
increases in the frequency of tornadoes
By _____________ the levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the natural greenhouse effect is amplified, causing the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and land surface to ______________.
increasing, rise
the production of carbonic acid occurs as a result of increased carbon dioxide concentrations in what?
oceans
_____ refers to the daily temperature and chance for precipitation that may occur locally over short periods of time—from minutes to hours or days.
weather
a cold winter is an example of
weather
climate change has already cause which of the following at the individual and species levels?
-increased exposure to diseases from mosquito vectors -increase extinction rates
the average temperature and precipitation of an are are referred to as its:
climate
the following term is able to encompass all the others
climate change
invasive species:
-may be introduced accidentally by humans -can adapt to changing environmental conditions -disrupt local biological communities
TRUE OR FALSE: Confined to only one area of the planet, climate change is only affecting species with a low tolerance for changes in their environment.
false
TRUE OR FALSE: All gas molecules in the atmosphere are able to absorb infrared radiation.
false
TRUE OR FALSE: Without the presence of greenhouse gases, the temperature on Earth would be extremely hot.
false (it would be cold)
_____ are divisions of the year marked by variations in the amount of sunlight striking the Earth's surface.
seasons
TRUE OR FALSE: Climate change creates new risks for humans because of its potential for vector-borne diseases, or diseases in which an infectious agent is spread from one organism to another.
true
TRUE OR FALSE: Greenhouse gases are normally present in the atmosphere and play an important role in maintaining the climate of the planet within a range that supports life.
true
TRUE OR FALSE: Human activities are changing the greenhouse effect by increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases.
true