BLY 122 Test 4

Why are many of the world's deserts found at 15 to 35 degrees latitude?

Descending air masses warm as they go, absorbing more water vapor.

Which of the statements about patterns of energy use among countries is false? Energy use is distributed unevenly among countries. Individuals in countries with higher standards of living use more energy than countries with lower standards of living. Countries where individuals travel more frequently have higher levels of energy use than countries where individuals travel less frequently. Individuals in high-latitude countries use more energy than individuals in equatorial countries in part because of the need to heat buildings. Individuals in larger countries use more energy than individuals in smaller countries.

Individuals in larger countries use more energy than individuals in smaller countries

Nearly everything we use requires both land and energy. T or F

T

Some of the characteristics used to describe biomes include precipitation and:

average temperature.

If phosphorous concentrations were to suddenly increase in a marine ecosystem, which of the choices would likely occur? no change in the rate of primary productivity decreased primary productivity increased primary productivity

increased primary productivity

All of the factors influence patterns of biodiversity except: distribution of physical environments. interspecific competition. patterns of rainfall and solar radiation. intraspecific competition. natural selection.

intraspecific competition.

An invasive species: is any species that causes disease and death in host organisms. is any non-native species that becomes established in a new ecosystem. is any species that has a negative impact on community diversity. is always the competitively dominant species in an ecosystem. is any species that has been genetically modified by man.

is any non-native species that becomes established in a new ecosystem.

Which latitude typically receives more rainfall than any other latitude? 90 degrees 0 degrees 30 degrees 60 degrees

0 degrees

Approximately what percentage of our planet's land area is covered by crop and pasture lands?

25%

How many "cells" of circulating air are found around the Earth?

6

How can crop yields be increased? All of these choices are correct. increasing the use of machinery to harvest crops increasing the use of fertilizers to replenish nutrient-depleted soil converting more land to agricultural fields using genetically modified crops that are more resistant to disease

All

Invasive species spread to new areas through: purposeful importing. ballast water in ships. All of the answer options are correct. migratory birds. shipping of produce.

All

Consider evolution in the presence of global changes and indicate whether the statement is true or false. Evolution is a natural phenomenon that is outside the influence of humans. T or F

F

Consider evolution in the presence of global changes and indicate whether the statement is true or false. Evolution is not seen in domesticated animals. T or F

F

Most phosphorus on the planet is found in living organisms. T or F

F

Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but do not contribute carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. T or F

F

Primary producers fix phosphorus into biologically useful molecules just like they fix carbon and, in some cases, nitrogen. T or F

F

Seasons are caused by the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun. T or F

F

Similar to nitrogen, phosphates can be artificially created, resulting in relatively unlimited supplies of phosphate-based fertilizer. T or F

F

The populations of all species except humans have experienced some decline during the Anthropocene period. T or F

F

Within lakes, eutrophication is a direct result of algae or cyanobacteria at the water's surface depleting oxygen. During eutrophication, oxygen levels at the bottom of lakes remain relatively constant. T or F

F

Which of the statements about agricultural fertilizers is false? Nitrate and phosphate runoff cause eutrophication in different communities. Phosphates are obtained exclusively through mining. Global nitrate and phosphate resources are in decline. If the human production of fixed nitrogen stopped, the amount of fixed nitrogen added to the biosphere each year would only be about half of what it is now. Large amounts of fertilizers are necessary to maintain high crop yields year after year.

Global nitrate and phosphate resources are in decline.

If you were a doctor at a local hospital in the United States, how would humans' impact on the evolution of organisms impact your work?

Patient mortality may increase as drug-resistant pathogens become more prevalent.

Overfishing predators of crown-of-thorns starfish is likely to result in an increase in crown-of-thorns starfish population sizes. T or F

T

If a scientist wanted to determine if a forest environment had been polluted, which group of organisms typically would be the best indicator for the presence of pollutants?

amphibians

Which group in a food web is responsible for returning inorganic compounds back to the environment? tertiary consumers primary producers secondary consumers primary consumers decomposers

decomposer

A researcher that goes into the environment and collects information on species diversity would be referred to as a(n):

field biologist.

The "Anthropocene Period": is so named to reflect increasing global surface temperatures. is so named to reflect the impact of humans on the planet. refers to the period when the earliest primate ancestors appeared in the fossil record. is Latin for "modern era." refers specifically to the period of time following the industrial revolution.

is so named to reflect the impact of humans on the planet.

Reserves help to establish and maintain more diverse communities. This is important because:

more diverse communities are more resilient to disturbance.

Approximately how long did it take for the human population to reach 1 billion?

more than 100,000 years

Which of the nutrients is responsible for eutrophication in the Gulf of Mexico? carbon oxygen nitrogen water

nitrogen

Of the processes involved in the long-term carbon cycle, which introduces CO2 back into the atmosphere? respiration photosynthesis volcanism chemical weathering carbonate precipitation

volcanism

We often think that biologists are primarily responsible for coming up with solutions to climate change. How could engineers also help to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels? by developing more efficient gas-powered engines, limiting our consumption of fossil fuels by developing new strategies to ship food products, effectively increasing crop yield All of these choices are correct. by developing better ways to heat or cool our homes, creating more energy-efficient houses. by developing new ways to harness "alternative energy," such as developing smaller or more efficient wind turbines

All

Which condition contributes to rain shadows? All of these choices are correct. warm air being less dense than cool air warm air holding more moisture than cool air the direction of prevailing winds

All

Which of the answer choices is a reservoir of carbon? oceans All of these choices are correct. soil organisms the atmosphere

All

Which of the factors are responsible for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria? patients forgetting to take all of the doses of antibiotics the inability of patients to pay for the full regimen of antibiotics All of these choices are correct. overprescription of antibiotics, especially for non-bacteria associated ailments

All

Which of the professionals would provide evidence that the world is changing as a result of human activities? A researcher assessing methane levels in the atmosphere. A researcher studying the acidity of seawater. All of these choices are correct. A doctor treating patients with antibiotic-resistant M. tuberculosis. A botanist studying the flowering times of plants.

All

All of the choices are examples of an ecosystem service except: the ability of tree roots to stabilize the soil and reduce erosion. bivalves that filter contaminants from coastal areas. plants that sequester heavy metals in their tissues. All of these choices are considered ecosystem services. decomposition of dead organisms by bacteria.

All of these choices are considered ecosystem services.

Which of the statements is true regarding atmospheric CO2 levels during the last 400,000 years? Atmospheric CO2 levels fluctuate periodically, with the highest levels occurring during interglacial periods. Atmospheric CO2 levels have remained relatively constant and have only increased since the 1800s. Atmospheric CO2 levels fluctuate periodically, with the highest levels occurring during glacial periods. Correlation exists between low levels of atmospheric CO2 and high temperatures. Causation exists between low levels of atmospheric CO2 and high temperatures.

Atmospheric CO2 levels fluctuate periodically, with the highest levels occurring during interglacial periods.

Which of the statements regarding the loss of biodiversity is false? Loss of biodiversity may result in less productive and resilient communities. Loss of biodiversity results in the loss of novel compounds with potential medical applications. Habitat degradation is one of the most important threats to biodiversity. There will be fewer species at the end of the 21st century than there are now. Earth is losing 2.5 percent of its species annually.

Earth is losing 2.5 percent of its species annually.

Which of the hypothetical lines of evidence most strongly refutes the hypothesis? More species exist in the tropics than in biomes at higher altitudes because the tropics have existed for a longer period of time. Phylogenies that show lineages of organisms in the tropics originate earlier than those in higher latitudes. Evidence that speciation rates of organisms at the equator are faster than those at higher latitudes. Evidence that landmasses have always been present at the equator. Evidence that there are more coevolutionary relationships between organisms at the equator than at higher latitudes.

Evidence that speciation rates of organisms at the equator are faster than those at higher latitudes.

A politician states that climate change really isn't an issue, because as soon as humans stop introducing excess CO2 into the environment, geological processes immediately remove it. He makes the comment, "As soon as we stop, Earth cleans itself up." This statement is: T or F

F

Consider evolution in the presence of global changes and indicate whether the statement is true or false. Evolution acts on animals but not plants. T or F

F

Consider evolution in the presence of global changes and indicate whether the statement is true or false. Evolution always results in a visible change in the physical characteristics of an organism. T or F

F

Consider evolution in the presence of global changes and indicate whether the statement is true or false. Evolution always results in an increase in an organism's fitness. T or F

F

Consider evolution in the presence of global changes and indicate whether the statement is true or false. Evolution can only occur in the natural environment. T or F

F

Which of the statements about invasive species is accurate? Invasive species enhance community diversity through displacement, competition, and predation. Introduction of invasive species is less common on islands because of the smaller size of islands compared to the mainland. Invasive species often thrive in new areas because they have few natural predators. Humans are responsible for dramatic decreases in the number of invasive species. The effect of invasive species on natural communities is always a reduction in diversity.

Invasive species often thrive in new areas because they have few natural predators.

Why are microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and archaeons so important to the carbon cycle? These microorganisms generate the oxygen necessary for aerobic organisms. Many of these microorganisms generate carbon dioxide, making it available for primary producers. These microorganisms form their own portion of the carbon cycle in case other areas of the carbon cycle fail. These microorganisms bridge the carbon cycle between terrestrial and marine environments.

Many of these microorganisms generate carbon dioxide, making it available for primary producers.

Which of the answer choices is a form of nitrogen that can be utilized by plants? N2 NO2- NH4+ None of the other answer options is correct. NO3-

NO3-

Which of the compounds is a form of nitrogen that can be utilized by plants? N2 NO2- NO NO3-

NO3-

Examine the figure. Which of the statements about the growth of the human population is correct? The human population has doubled in size in the past 10 years. The human population has been growing at the same rate since 1800. None of the answer options is correct. The human population quadruples in size every century. The human population first reached 1 billion in the 20th century.

None

In which countries do people have the largest ecological footprint? Middle Eastern countries North American countries African countries India China

North American countries

Recall that during the Paleozoic Era, atmospheric CO2 levels decreased. Why? New, extensive mountain ranges formed and chemical weathering decreased. Volcanism decreased during this period. Earth's plate tectonics changed dramatically, and subduction increased. Photosynthetic, woody plants first appeared during this period.

Photosynthetic, woody plants first appeared during this period

Which of the statements correctly describes antibiotic resistance? Some diseases, such as tuberculosis, have strains that are so antibiotic resistant that they are essentially untreatable. Antibiotic resistance occurs when the use of antibiotics selects for the absence of mutations in bacteria. Once evolved, antibiotic resistance cannot be passed between different species of bacteria. Failure to complete a course of antibiotics selects for pathogens that are most susceptible to antibiotics.

Some diseases, such as tuberculosis, have strains that are so antibiotic resistant that they are essentially untreatable.

Why would a pharmaceutical company be concerned about species loss, especially in areas where species composition and diversity are not completely characterized? Species loss could result in the extinction of animals typically used for research purposes. Species loss could result in the extinction of different pathogenic bacterial strains. Species loss could result in the extinction of plants from which medicinal compounds could be derived (consider quinine). All of these choices are correct.

Species loss could result in the extinction of plants from which medicinal compounds could be derived (consider quinine).

Imagine that you are a physician at a local hospital in America. As climate change continues, you might begin to notice some of your patients have parasites not normally observed in America. T or F

T

Phosphorus released from sedimentary rocks through chemical weathering can be immediately assimilated by primary producers and contributes to the biomass of primary producers in an ecosystem. T or F

T

Primary consumers obtain carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus through ingestion of primary producers. T or F

T

Regardless of profession, knowledge of biology is important for making informed, environmentally responsible choices. T or F

T

Scientists increasingly refer to the modern era as the Anthropocene Epoch to emphasize the dominant impact of humans on the Earth. T or F

T

Some forms of M. tuberculosis are very difficult or even impossible to treat with antibiotics. T or F

T

Species adapted for higher latitudes tend to have larger ranges than those adapted to the tropics. T or F

T

The evolution of biodiversity on the planet can be linked to patterns in the carbon cycle over time. T or F

T

Two people place flags simultaneously on the surface of the Earth. One flag is placed just north of the South Pole (at approximately 85 degrees), and the other one is placed at the equator (approximately 0 degrees). Which of the statements is a correct reflection of their speed? None of the other answer options is correct. The flag at the equator travels faster than the flag at the pole because it will go further in one day (i.e. one turn on its axis). The flag at the pole travels at a faster speed than the flag at the equator, but it makes multiple revolutions in order to travel the same distance as the flag at the equator. Both flags travel at the same speed because the Earth rotates on its axis.

The flag at the equator travels faster than the flag at the pole because it will go further in one day (i.e. one turn on its axis).

If all terrestrial autotrophs were removed from the planet, how would this alter the rate of carbon cycling on Earth? The rate of carbon cycling would decrease because the link between primary consumers and primary producers would be eliminated. The rate of carbon cycling would remain the same because microorganisms would liberate carbon faster into the atmosphere. The rate of carbon cycling would increase because marine primary producers would be able to use all the sunlight and not have to compete with terrestrial plants for light. The rate of carbon cycling would decrease because there could be no terrestrial animals without plants supporting higher trophic levels.

The rate of carbon cycling would decrease because the link between primary consumers and primary producers would be eliminated.

Why are there no pronounced seasons at the equator? The sun hits the equator more directly than any other latitude throughout the whole year. There is more land at the equator; the heat it absorbs during the day heats the air at night, so temperature stays constant. The amount of mass at the center of the Earth allows it to hold more heat and achieve constant temperature year-round. There is more water at the equator, and the heat held by the water keeps the temperature constant at the equator.

The sun hits the equator more directly than any other latitude throughout the whole year.

Tropical rainforests have high species richness, but low density. In deciduous forests the pattern is the opposite. Which of the statements is not a plausible explanation for this pattern? Because there are fewer organisms that can adapt to higher latitudes, there are fewer "pest" species that could easily move between trees in close proximity. Organisms that are adapted to the variability in higher latitudes are able to achieve higher population sizes. Many deciduous tree species are pollinated by wind, so individuals must be more closely spaced to one another for fertilization to occur. There are fewer species in temperate regions because the number of trees per hectare is lower than in tropical rainforests.

There are fewer species in temperate regions because the number of trees per hectare is lower than in tropical rainforests.

What would happen if the Earth were not tilted on its axis? The seasons would be more extreme. The seasons would be longer. The seasons would be shorter. The seasons would be less extreme. There would be no seasons.

There would be no seasons.

Over the last several decades, what have researchers discovered about atmospheric CO2 levels? They have decreased. They have increased. They increased for a period but have now stabilized. They have remained the same.

They have increased.

Why are most deserts found at 30 degrees latitude? This is where warm dry air falls from cells originating at the equator. This is where winds coming off the oceans pull water from the air, drying out the surface. These areas are not close to any ocean, so water levels in the air are extremely low. This is where sunlight strikes the earth at the most direct angle, so all water evaporates.

This is where warm dry air falls from cells originating at the equator.

In the fall of 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused more than 110 deaths and an estimated $65.5 billion of damage along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Who needs to be involved in preparing for the next "Sandy"? Only engineers, who design our buildings and transportation systems need to be involved. Only politicians, who we elect to take care of us need to be involved. Every individual is solely responsible for his or her future. We are all collectively responsible for preparing for our future. Only scientists, who are responsible for innovation and new ideas need to be involved.

We are all collectively responsible for preparing for our future.

The Mojave Desert lies to the east of the coastal and Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Deserts in Chile lie to the west of the Andes Mountains. Both the California and the Andes mountains run along the west coast of their respective continents. What contributes to one desert being located on the east side of its neighboring mountain range, while the other is located on the west side of its neighboring mountain range? The Andes are very high and block any wind that might move over the Andes to the other side. Winds move from east to west along the Andes in the southern hemisphere. Winds to the west of the Andes dry the air and create the deserts. The Andes are a young mountain range, and there hasn't been enough time for plants to colonize the range.

Winds move from east to west along the Andes in the southern hemisphere.

Sunlight hits the Earth most directly:

at the equator rather than at either of the poles.

Some of the characteristics used to describe biomes include precipitation and: number of grass species. average temperature. number of trophic levels in the communities. species richness.

average temperature.

A scientist studying a material has determined that 12C, 13C, and 14C occur in the material in a ratio of 1000:10:1. How did he most likely differentiate between these forms of carbon?

by the number of neutrons in 12C, 13C, and 14C

Carbon is returned to the atmosphere through: decomposition of detritus by fungi. storage of carbohydrates in animals. photosynthesis in plants. photosynthesis in marine algae.

decomposition of detritus by fungi.

In terrestrial ecosystems, nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere by: denitrifying bacteria. nitrogen-fixing bacteria. All of these choices are correct. nitrifying bacteria.

denitrifying bacteria.

Which of these biomes receives the least amount of rainfall, and therefore has low primary production, nutrient-poor soil, and plant species that are adapted for water storage? desert chaparral savannah alpine tundra

desert

Which of the groups of biomes is listed in order of greatest to lowest potential evapotranspiration to precipitation ratio? deciduous forest, desert, rain forest desert, deciduous forest, rain forest deciduous forest, rain forest, desert rain forest, deciduous forest, desert desert, rain forest, deciduous forest

desert, deciduous forest, rain forest

A researcher that goes into the environment and collects information on species diversity would be referred to as a(n): epidemiologist. lab technician. molecular biologist. field biologist. statistician.

field biologist.

Diversity can be described at many different levels. All of the choices are a level of diversity considered by conservation biologists except: species numbers within a community. species numbers within an ecosystem. genetic diversity within an individual. genetic diversity within a population.

genetic diversity within an individual.

Which of the answer choices is not considered a photosynthetic organism and, therefore, does not remove atmospheric CO2? kelp elm tree phytoplankton human moss

human

Which regions in freshwater or marine biomes would you expect to have the highest productivity? at the deepest depth of the biome in the middle depths of the biome near the surface where sunlight penetrates just below the deepest level where sunlight penetrates

near the surface where sunlight penetrates

Organisms in an ecosystem are linked to their physical environment through the cycling of _____ and the transfer of _____.

nutrients; energy

All of the processes contribute to the formation of dead zones except: ocean acidification. fertilizers from agricultural runoff. eutrophication. decomposition.

ocean acidification

Leopards require large amounts of space in order to maintain viable population numbers. If conservation biologists establish reserves that are large enough to preserve populations of leopards, then: other species will have to adapt to new predators. other large predators should be removed from the preserve so the leopards can survive. other species that are prey for leopards will decline in number. other species, endangered or not, will also be protected in that same area.

other species, endangered or not, will also be protected in that same area.

The movement of Earth's crust, plate tectonics, contributes to the long-term carbon cycle through all of the answer choices except: volcanic activity. mountain lifting. subduction. None of the other answer options is correct. photosynthesis.

photosynthesis.

As amphibians have been called the environment's "canary in a coal mine," a researcher has decided to go around to different ponds in his town and evaluate the effects of a specific pesticide on frog survival. This scientist would most likely refer to himself as a(n): molecular biologist. radiologist. geneticist. physiologist.

physiologist.

Some biologists have suggested that overexploitation in the harvesting of some sharks, which are top predators, has caused drastic changes in marine communities. Which of the outcomes would you expect after removal of a top predator from a community? no change in marine communities population decline of prey species population growth of prey species

population growth of prey species

Which of these organisms can incorporate atmospheric carbon directly into C6H12O6, thereby playing a major role in a food web? decomposers primary producers carnivores grazers consumers

primary producers

Cyanobacteria, milkweed plants, and oak trees are all considered: decomposers. secondary consumers. primary consumers. primary producers. tertiary consumers.

primary producers.

Liebig's Law of the Minimum states that: there must be a minimum number of primary producers to support an ecosystem. primary production is limited by the nutrient that is in the greatest abundance for use by primary producers. primary production in all ecosystems is limited by the same nutrient. primary production is usually determined by the abundance of just a single nutrient. primary production is limited by the nutrient that is least available for use by primary producers

primary production is limited by the nutrient that is least available for use by primary producers.

Which of the options would result in a decrease in the size of your ecological footprint? constructing a new home from brick and stone setting the thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter instead of 66 degrees None of the other answer options is correct. only purchasing clothing that was made overseas purchasing produce from local farmers instead of produce shipped from overseas

purchasing produce from local farmers instead of produce shipped from overseas

Decomposers are vital components of a food web because they: immediately provide tertiary consumers with usable forms of carbon. serve as primary producers. return carbon (as CO2) to the atmosphere. incorporate the carbon contained in atmospheric CO2 into C6H12O6.

return carbon (as CO2) to the atmosphere.

On which part of the carbon cycle have humans had the greatest impact? deposition of organic carbon in deep sea sediments All of these choices are correct. capture of atmospheric CO2 by chemical weathering of rocks storage of CO2 through biomineralization in the oceans return of CO2 to the atmosphere by oxidation of ancient organic matter

return of CO2 to the atmosphere by oxidation of ancient organic matter

Chemistry in lake biomes will vary primarily due to: the primary producers that are present in each lake. runoff from the different soils and rocks that are present around each lake. tertiary consumers present in each lake. depth of the photic zone in each lake.

runoff from the different soils and rocks that are present around each lake.

The hypothesis that species diversity is greater at lower latitudes than higher latitudes because low-latitude habitats are older would be supported if speciation rates were: higher at high latitude than at low latitude. higher at low latitude than at high latitude. more variable at low latitude than at high latitude. more variable at high latitude than at low latitude. the same at high and low latitudes.

the same at high and low latitudes.

Which of the choices would you expect to observe as you go from the base to the top of a mountain? the same pattern of climate and biome change one would experience if hiking from low to high latitude the same biome, but varying climate as you hike up the mountain the same climate and biome from the base to the top of the mountain the same pattern of climate and biome change one would experience if hiking from high to low latitude

the same pattern of climate and biome change one would experience if hiking from low to high latitude

Which of the groups of biomes is listed in the predicted order of species diversity from lowest to highest? tundra; tropical rainforests; temperate grasslands tropical rainforests; temperate rainforests; tundra tundra; temperate grasslands; tropical rainforests tropical rainforests; tundra; temperate grasslands

tundra; temperate grasslands; tropical rainforests

In addition to carbon dioxide, which of the compounds are also considered to be greenhouse gases?

water vapor and methane