Environmental Science Exam 1
5. In explaining your choice of an environmental science major in college to your roommate, you would probably emphasize the fact that environmental science is a(n) A. Applied interdisciplinary field with an emphasis on solving problems B. Well-established field that has been in existence for a long time C. Theoretical discipline that will help solve the problems created by human impact D. Relatively new field that will identify remedies to environmental issues E. Theoretical field with an emphasis on scientific understanding
A
6. The statement, "Since every insect I have examined so far has six legs, I conclude that all insects must have six legs." is an example of A. Inductive reasoning B. Deductive reasoning C. Hypothesis testing D. Reductive reasoning E. Parsimony
A
7. Most of the early scientific studies of environmental damage were done by A. Colonial administrators who were often trained scientists B. Native Peoples of North America C. European peasant farmers who understood the connection between deforestation and local climate change D. Industrial leaders of the nineteenth century who were worried about the degradation caused by factories E. Scientists in Europe worried about deforestation and erosion in their countries
A
7. Of the following statements and questions, which is the best example of deductive reasoning? A. If all insects have six legs, then butterflies have six legs B. In repeated tosses of a coin, there is a 50/50 chance of each toss resulting in a "head." C. How many times will the toss of coins turn "heads-up" if 100 people each toss a coin? D. Since every insect I have examined so far has six legs, I conclude that all insects must have six legs E. All of these are examples of deductive reasoning
A
9. Experiments in which conditions are deliberately altered and all other variables are held constant are known as ___________ experiments. A. Manipulative B. Natural C. Hypothetical D. Probability E. Double-blind
A
1. _________________ is a process for producing knowledge methodically and logically. A. Universalism B. Science C. Relativism D. Morality E. Parsimony
B
10. Double-blind studies are especially useful in A. Genetic experiments B. Health studies C. Statistical analysis D. Opinion surveys E. Double-blind studies are not useful in any situation
B
15. Environmentalism stemming from the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring differed from earlier North American conservation perspectives by A. Focusing on human population growth B. Placing more emphasis on pollution problems C. Emphasizing international problems D. Encouraging energy efficiency E. Emphasizing the value of natural resources
B
17. Metabolism is a collective term for thousands of A. Organic compounds in a cell B. Enzymatic reactions necessary for life C. Molecular reactions in a compound D. Cells in an organism E. Molecular reactions in a cell
B
20. Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen estimates that at least 3 million people die each year from diseases triggered by A. Water pollution B. Air pollution C. Exposure to radiation D. Cigarette smoking E. Mosquito-borne illnesses
B
21. Evidence of progress in dealing with population problems is best illustrated by A. Current evidence of a stable population in the developing and developed world B. A decrease in the average number of children born to each woman C. Current evidence of a globally stable population growth D. The decreasing population growth rate in the United States E. Current evidence of a stable population in the developing world
B
21. Which of the following has the highest quality energy? A. A warm brick B. A flame C. A flowing stream D. A rock rolling downhill E. Hot air
B
22. If everybody in the world used resources at the rate that people in the United States do, A. People would be healthier and happier worldwide B. Our current resources would run out quickly C. Violent conflicts would decrease because basic needs would be met D. Economies would prosper E. More people would experience health problems because people in more prosperous countries experience more stress
B
23. The second law of thermodynamics states that as energy moves through different forms and systems it gradually A. Becomes more concentrated B. Dissipates and becomes unavailable C. Disappears and is lost D. Accumulates in the form of electricity E. Changes from kinetic to potential energy
B
24. The world's poorest people _______________ environmental degradation. A. Cause the most B. Are victims and agents of C. Are unaffected by D. Don't really care about E. Are ignorant of
B
26. Photosynthesis is the process of converting __________ into __________ energy. A. Chemical bond energy; kinetic B. Sunlight; chemical bond C. Solar energy; kinetic D. Solar electrical energy; heat E. Chemical bond energy; potential
B
3. Most environmental problems result from A. Political differences B. Complex, interrelated problems C. Technological development problems D. Global warming E. Urban degradation
B
3. Water vapor, water and ice are examples of A. Types of matter B. Phases of matter C. Transfers of energy into matter D. Forms of energy E. Types of mass
B
30. Sustainable development differs from traditional economic development in that it emphasizes economic development in the A. Short term B. Long term C. Present D. Past E. Present and past
B
31. Places in the world where indigenous people live tend to have A. Terrible environmental conditions B. High biodiversity C. Little or no biodiversity D. Little natural resources E. Rich natural resources such as oil
B
31. The process of cellular respiration A. Helps primary producers store energy accumulated by chloroplasts B. Releases energy from chemical bonds of molecules such as glucose C. Eliminates the need for enzymes in metabolism D. Does not occur in primary producers E. Does not occur in detritivores
B
32. Producers rely on ____________ to release chemical energy and consumers rely on ____________ to release chemical energy. A. Cellular respiration; photosynthesis B. Cellular respiration; cellular respiration C. Photosynthesis; cellular respiration D. Photosynthesis; photosynthesis E. The sun; the sun
B
32. The branch of philosophy concerned with the distinction between right and wrong and the ultimate worth of actions of things is A. Values B. Ethics C. Morals D. Attitudes E. Characters
B
35. Another word for "steward" is A. Organizer B. Caretaker C. Participant D. Consumer E. Leader
B
37. If an ecosystem exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings, it would be referred to as a(n) ______ system. A. Closed B. Open C. Dynamic D. Isolated E. Interactive
B
37. The issue that racial and ethnic minorities face unusually high exposure to environmental hazards is a central argument to A. Sustainable development B. Environmental justice C. Economic development D. Urban renewal E. Interpretive science
B
38. Many ecologists think of ecosystems and even the Earth as a superorganism because its systems appear to be A. Unregulated B. Self-regulating and self-stabilizing C. Completely unpredictable D. Unchangeable E. Hierarchical
B
4. Generally, distinguished scientists A. Always agree if they really are expert scientists B. May have different interpretations of the same evidence C. Never disagree once a theory is established D. Believe each other and support each other in their work E. Always disagree so they can prove theories
B
9. Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean is a model for balancing nature and human needs because in the eighteenth century a French governor A. Declared the island a nature sanctuary B. Ordered sensitive areas such as steep slopes to be preserved in forests C. Bought the island as a private sanctuary for the government of France D. Supported an extensive environmental education campaign E. Enforced strict punishment for people who damaged any natural resources
B
4. The fundamental basis of environmental science as a discipline is the A. History of the use of natural resources B. Diversity of life on Earth C. Human impact on the Earth D. Pollution on the Earth E. Future use of natural resources
C
6. The smallest particle that exhibits the characteristics of a chemical element is known as a(n) A. Molecule B. Microorganism C. Atom D. Phase of matter E. Isotope
C
7. A compound is to a(n) _________ as a word is to a ________. A. Element; sentence B. Isotope; sentence C. Atom; letter D. Molecule; punctuation mark E. Element; phrase
C
10. Which of the following statements changes the following false statement into a true statement? "Most, but not all, living organisms are made up of organic compounds." A. All living organisms are made up of organic compounds B. All living organisms are made up of only inorganic compounds C. Most, but not all, living organisms are made up of inorganic compounds D. Most, but not all, living organisms are made up of organic elements E. Most, but not all, living organisms are made up of inorganic elements
A
12. Biocentric preservationists, first led by John Muir, advocate saving natural areas for their A. Aesthetic and spiritual values and wildlife habitat B. Hunting and fishing value C. Wood and mineral resources for the future D. Tourism and recreation potential E. Economic value in cleaning the air and preventing soil erosion
A
14. The National Park Service reflects a ________ approach while the Forest Service reflects a ________ approach. A. Biocentric preservationist; pragmatic utilitarian conservationist B. Global environmentalist; cornucopian C. Pragmatic resource conservationist; moral and aesthetic preservationist D. Cornucopian; global environmentalist E. Pragmatic utilitarian conservation; biocentric preservation
A
16. A(n) ________ is like a screwdriver that you use to build something because it ______________. A. Enzyme; does not get consumed as it is used B. Molecule; organizes pieces together to form something different C. Lipid; provides the structure and form of the piece you are building D. Sugar; provides the energy to put something together E. The analogy of a screwdriver can be applied to each of these examples
A
17. At the end of the twentieth century, ____________________ has/have been added to environmental thinking. A. Global concerns B. Urban problems C. Water supply and pollution problems D. Human population growth E. Air pollution problems
A
2. How are matter and mass related? A. Mass is a component of matter B. Neither matter nor mass take up space C. Matter is a component of mass D. Both matter and mass take up space E. Mass takes up space while matter does not take up space
A
20. The motion of a rock rolling downhill is known as __________ energy. A. Kinetic B. Latent C. Potential D. Electrical E. Mechanical
A
22. The first law of thermodynamics and the law of conservation of matter are similar in that A. Under normal circumstances neither energy nor matter is created nor destroyed B. Both energy and matter are recycled through biological systems C. Both energy and matter flow in a one-way path through biological systems D. Under normal circumstances energy and matter are destroyed as they pass through biological systems E. The first law of thermodynamics and the law of conservation of matter are not similar
A
23. One way to decrease the size of our ecological footprint is to A. Decrease consumption rates B. Increase consumption rates C. Increase the development in the region D. Reduce the size of a biologically productive area in the region E. None of these, it is not possible to change the size of an ecological footprint
A
25. Poverty is usually passed on from one generation to the next through A. The lack of available opportunities B. Genetic conditions C. Improper care of natural resources D. The lack of motivation to change E. Illnesses spread by viruses
A
27. Which country listed is not in the top 5 with respect to sustainable development? A. The United States B. Sweden C. Finland D. New Zealand E. They are all in the top 5
A
29. Photosynthesis produces sugars from A. Water, carbon dioxide and energy B. Water, other sugars and oxygen C. Oxygen, carbon dioxide and water D. Carbon dioxide, enzymes and energy E. Oxygen, water and energy
A
33. Although there are exceptions, in general, a species includes all organisms that are similar enough to A. Produce fertile offspring in nature B. Look alike C. Fill the same niche D. Occupy the same community E. Live together
A
35. A biological community consists of all A. Populations living and interacting in an area B. Members of a species living in the same area C. Living things on Earth D. Populations of a given species E. Members of a species living in the same biome
A
38. Lead poisoning in children is an example that exemplifies the problem of ___________ for minority children. A. Environmental racism B. Inadequate nutrition C. Poverty D. Sanitary conditions E. Inadequate healthcare
A
40. How can a highly productive ecosystem (high total productivity) have a low net productivity? A. The rate of decomposition is high B. The rate of secondary productivity is high C. The rate of photosynthesis is low D. The rate of decomposition is low E. The rate of secondary productivity is low
A
34. All members of a species that live in the same area at the same time make up a(an) A. Species B. Ecosystem C. Community D. Population E. Biome
D
4. What implication(s) does the law of conservation of matter have for humans? A. We cannot create energy because it is neither created nor destroyed B. As matter is recycled it loses some of its integrity so we need to be careful when we dispose of goods C. Natural resources are unlimited because they are used and reused by living organisms D. Disposable goods are not going "away" when we throw them out E. All of these are implications of the law of conservation of matter
D
42. A simple linked feeding series such as grass-rabbit-wolf is known as a(n) A. Energy cycle B. Food web C. Carbon cycle D. Food chain E. Food cycle
D
43. Primary consumers are also known as A. Carnivores B. Scavengers C. Decomposers D. Herbivores E. Top carnivores
D
8. In chemical terms water (H2O) would best be described as a(n) A. Element B. Atom C. Ion D. Compound E. Isotope
D
1. Ecologists study A. Living things and their genetic makeup B. Genetic patterns and the chemistry in them C. The physical world and its processes D. The Earth and its processes E. Relationships between organisms and their environment
E
1. The word "environment" comes from a French word that means having to do with A. Life B. Nature C. Wildlife D. Home E. Surroundings
E
12. A fat or oil is to a _______ as an enzyme is to a _______. A. Nucleic acid; lipid B. Protein; nucleic acid C. Nucleic acid; carbohydrate D. Carbohydrate; protein E. Lipid; protein
E
15. A cell is A. The smallest molecule exhibiting organic characteristics B. A building block for DNA C. A small organic compound made of carbon, water and nitrogen D. Made up of DNA E. The smallest unit in which life processes go on
E
18. Which of the following is a form of energy? A. Electricity B. Food C. Heat D. Light E. All of these are forms of energy
E
28. About ___________ percent of the solar energy that falls on plants is captured for photosynthesis. A. 100 B. 60 - 70 C. 40 - 50 D. 10 - 20 E. 1 - 2
E
33. Ethics should guide decisions made regarding A. Environmental issues B. Economic Issues C. Development Issues D. Social Justice Issues E. All of the above issues
E
34. The Mineral King Valley court case is important environmental history because it was a case that argued for the A. Inherent value of trees, rocks and wildlife B. Instrumental value of trees, rocks and wildlife C. Status of moral agents for trees, rocks and wildlife D. Sustainable development of the area E. Moral consideration of sentient things
E
39. Productivity in an ecosystem has to do with A. The efficiency of its primary producers B. The number of different species living in the ecosystem C. Its longevity D. The combined metabolic rate of the biological communities E. Its rate of producing biomass
E
41. Biomass includes all A. Material in an ecosystem B. Things that are living at a given time C. Living and nonliving things D. Matter produced by primary producers E. Biological material
E
44. Omnivores eat mainly A. Detritivores B. Plants C. Animals D. Dead plants and animals E. Plants and animals
E
5. Proof in science is always A. Firmly established B. Beyond question C. An impossible goal D. Changing very quickly E. Open to question or new evidence
E
5. The law of conservation of matter tells us that matter A. Can never be reused B. Needs to be conserved or it will not be available for future generations C. Can be destroyed D. Can be conserved by some adaptive strategies E. Is used repeatedly
E
6. In the fourth century B.C., the philosopher Plato wrote of the erosion and deforestation that _________ Greece. A. Would one day plague B. Were caused by the excessive population in C. Were prevalent in countries outside of D. Had been a problem that was now resolved in E. Had stripped the fine soils and forests of
E
36. An ecosystem consists of A. A physical environment within which a biological community lives B. The species with which a biological community interacts C. A biological community and its physical environment D. The primary producers within a biological community E. All the species in a biological community
C
36. The idea of stewardship is that humans have a/the ___________ the environment. A. Privilege of using B. Technology to shape C. Duty to care for D. Opportunity to degrade E. Responsibility to use resources in
C
10. Pragmatic conservationists, including Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt, supported forest conservation in order to protect A. Wildlife habitats in forested areas B. Untouched, unvisited wilderness areas C. Jobs and homes for people D. The scenic beauty found in natural areas E. Resources such as natural habitats for future generations
C
11. In experimentation, dependent variables are also known as _____________ variables. A. Conventional B. Blind C. Response D. Model E. Distribution
C
11. The distinction between an organic compound and an inorganic compound is that organic compounds contain A. Oxygen B. Water C. Carbon D. Nitrogen E. All of these are correct
C
12. ___________ allow scientists to gather information about complicated and interrelated environmental systems. A. Charts B. Graphs C. Models D. Figures E. Paradigm shifts
C
13. Networks of interactions among interdependent factors are known as: A. Science B. Ecology C. Systems D. Processes E. Negative feedback loops
C
14. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contains billions of atoms and is very large. It would be considered a(n) A. Element B. Enzyme C. Compound D. Mega-atom E. Isotope
C
16. Modern environmentalism, in part led by David Brower and Barry Commoner is becoming well established in the United States. One of the main reasons for this is probably the ___________ in the modern movement. A. Emphasis on technological remedies B. Interconnected nature of our global village C. Combination of activism and research D. Emphasis on impending doom E. Greatly expanded international communications
C
19. Potential energy is _______ energy. A. Electrical B. Motion C. Stored D. Heat E. Latent
C
25. What implication(s) does the second law of thermodynamics have for biological systems? A. Systems cannot create energy because it is neither created nor destroyed B. With each transformation less available energy is available to do work so older systems have less energy C. A constant supply of energy is necessary for maintenance of biological systems D. Energy is unlimited because it is used and reused by living organisms E. None of these is an implication of the second law of thermodynamics
C
27. On the electromagnetic spectrum of energy wavelengths, visible light falls nearest to A. Gamma radiation B. Radio waves C. Infrared radiation D. X-rays E. Microwaves
C
28. Proponents of sustainable development argue that A. All development has environmental costs B. Development is less important than the environment C. Development can proceed with minimal costs to the environment D. The environment is less important than development E. Development does not cause environmental damage
C
30. The process of photosynthesis and cellular respiration are similar in that they both A. Capture energy in the form of sugar B. Occur in all living organisms C. Store energy in ATP, an energy currency for the cell D. Capture energy from the sun E. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are not similar, they are opposite processes
C
11. Utilitarian conservationists tend to believe that resources should be saved because they are important A. As a home for wildlife B. In the conservation of aesthetic values C. To our understanding of the biosphere D. For a strong economic system E. And used by all living things
D
13. Biocentric preservation is a philosophy that supports the belief that A. The biosphere is a central resource for humans B. Humans must manage resources for maximum productivity C. Preservation of wildlife is needed for human survival D. All living things have a fundamental right to exist and pursue their own interests E. All living things have value for humans
D
13. Nucleic acid is to _______ as lipid is to _______. A. Cellular membrane structure; energy storage B. Cellulose structure; genetic storage C. Energy storage; cellulose structure D. Genetic storage; cellular membrane structure E. Energy storage; genetic storage
D
14. The damage to an ecosystem caused by a hurricane or flood can be referred to as A. An open system B. An emergent property C. Equilibrium in nature D. A disturbance E. Negative feedback loop
D
18. Some of today's leading environmental thinkers, such as Dr. Wangari Maathai of Kenya A. Have denounced the use of technology B. Have shown that a slight decrease in human welfare must accompany environmental protection C. Have focused only on local environmental issues D. Are linking improved environmental quality with social progress E. Treat humans as an entity separate from the environment in which they live
D
19. According to the UN Environment Program how many species have gone extinct in the past century? A. Almost 100 B. Over 250 C. 563 D. More than 800 E. Nearly 1700
D
2. Environmental science is a __________. A. Narrowly defined set of physical, life and social sciences B. Theoretical approach in interpreting the environment C. Way to see the world in scientific terms D. Systematic approach in learning about the environment E. Special set of problem-solving skills
D
2. Ideally, science A. Is correct most of the time B. Tells us what we expected to find C. Uses new technology D. Is orderly and methodical E. Proves that our hypotheses are correct
D
24. As energy is used and transformed it gradually becomes _______ quality and _______ concentrated. A. Higher; more B. Lower; more C. Higher; less D. Lower; less E. As energy is used it does not become transformed; there is no change in quality and it stays the same concentration
D
26. In general, as per capita GDP rises both _____ and _____ increases. A. Infant mortality; life expectancy B. Availibilty of safe drinking water; rate of infectious diseases C. Infant mortality; adult literacy D. Availibilty of safe drinking water; adult literacy E. Total Fertility Rate; percentage of safe drinking water
D
29. Sustainable development, ideally, improves living conditions A. For a few decades into the future B. For the entire current political administration C. As long as resources last D. For generations in the future E. For the present generation
D
3. Which of the following is not an important feature of science? A. Reproducibility B. Parsimony C. Empiricism D. Positive proof E. All are important
D
8. Although your sister is not a scientist, she says that she uses scientific techniques in her everyday life. You do not believe her but she insists it is true. Which of the following examples could she use to best persuade you? A. When she cooks she measures ingredients and puts them together to form something else (e.g., a cake) B. When she drives in her car she hypothesizes about things (e.g., when the red light will turn green) C. She put some tomatoes in the sun and some in the shade to see if the sun causes them to ripen faster D. She buys a brand of toothpaste based on statistical data (four out of five dentists recommend it) E. All of these are examples of using scientific techniques in her everyday life
E
8. The history of conservation and environmentalism is A. Based in the Industrial Revolution B. Largely unrecorded C. A relatively new movement D. Based in the 1970s environmental movement E. Traceable well back into human history
E
9. Which of the following is not a molecule? A. O3 B. O2 C. H2O D. C6H12O6 E. Na+
E
the term toxic colonialism has been used in describing A. Law Environmental regulation for toxic wastes B. The exportation of toxic wastes to poor communities C. Rulings that toxins must not be exported to wealthy nations D. The high level of toxic wate production by wealthy nations E. High level of toxic pesticide by wealthy nations
E
15. An important value of science is that it provides the methodology to prove that a theory is correct. True/False
FALSE
16. Science progress mainly happens when a scientist working in isolation discovers something very important. True/False
FALSE
17. Paradigm shifts occur when ethical considerations are incorporated into scientific theory. True/False
FALSE
