APES assessment
If a population of 100 birds increases to 120 birds in a year, what is its rate of growth? * 0.16 0.20 1.2 2
.2
What would be the safe dosage of caffeine for a human? * 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5
.2
A forest has a GPP of 3.8 kg C/m2/year and the rate of cellular respiration is 2.4 kg c/m2/year. What is the NPP? * 6.2 1.4 1.0 9.12
1.4
Based on the laws of thermodynamics, which of the following is the applied mathematical routine used to estimate the biomass of the mice in the pyramid? * 18,705 kg x 10 18,705 kg/10 x 100 18,705 kg x 0.10 x 0.10 18,705 kg / 0.10
18,705 kg x 0.10 x 0.10
Given the mortality curve in the figure for a 0.5-kg rate, what would be the safe dosage of caffeine for a rat? 10mg 20mg 40mg 100mg
20 mg
A soil sample near Chernobyl was found to contain 187/kBq/m2 of cesium-137. If the half life of cesium-137 is approximately 30 years, how much cesium-137 will remain in the sample after 90 years? * 93.5 kBq/m2 23.38 kBq/m2 6.23 kBq/m2 1.58 kBq/m2
23.38 kBq/m2
Based on the data in the graph, by approximately what percent did the sea ice decrease from 1980-2005? * 10% 30% 50% 70%
30%
Using the rule of 70, a population growing at 10 percent would double in * 7 years. 10 years. 15 years. 17 years
7 years.
Which of the following describes a component of a modern sanitary landfill? * A series of screens and grates to prevent large objects from entering the landfill A bottom liner of plastic or clay to prevent groundwater contamination Aerated tanks in which bacteria break down organic matter Chemical or ultraviolet light systems that kill pathogens
A bottom liner of plastic or clay to prevent groundwater contamination
When leaf litter inputs to the stream decrease, the amount of fish and insect biomass leaving the downstream section decreases by a similar amount. This represents * A negative feedback loop Conservation of potential energy A positive feedback loop A decrease in entropy
A negative feedback loop
Which of the following best describes a country in stage 2 of the demographic transition, based on the model shown below? * Birth and death rates are both high, and the population is experiencing a slow rate of increase Birth and death rates are both low, and the population is stable Birth rates are high and death rates are declining, an the population is increasing rapidly Birth rates are low and death rates are high, and the population is declining Birth rates are low and death rates are high, and the population is declining rapidly
Birth rates are high and death rates are declining, an the population is increasing rapidly
Which of the following best describes the differences between the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation of a soil? * CEC is the proportion of nutrients to clay particles; base saturation is the proportion of soil bases to soil acids CEC is the proportion of nutrients to clay paticles; base saturation is the proportion of soil acids to bases CEC is the ability of a soil to retain beneficial nutrients for lant production; base sauration is the proportion of beneficial minerals to detrimental minerals in soil CEC is the ability of a soil to adsorb and release nutrients; base saturation if the proportion of soil bases to soil acids
CEC is the ability of a soil to adsorb and release nutrients; base saturation if the proportion of soil bases to soil acids
Which of the following is a nonanthropogenic source of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere? * Cellular respiration Photosynthesis A coal-fired power plant A hydrogen powered car
Cellular respiration
The table below shows volcano and earthquake data for four countries that are approximately equal in size. Based on the data in the table, which of the countries is most likely located at a subduction zone between an oceanic tectonic plate and a continental tectonic plate? * Country A Country B Country C Country D
D
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? * Increasing albedo and increasing absorption of the heat by the ocean Increasing albedo and decreasing absorption of the heat by the ocean Decreasing albedo and increasing absorption of the heat by the ocean Decreasing albedo and decreasing absorption of the heat by the ocean.
Decreasing albedo and increasing absorption of the heat by the ocean
Based on the diagram, which group of organisms would be considered herbivores? * Snakes Mice Grasshoppers Grasses
Grasshoppers
Which of the following is a disadvantage associated with the genetic modification of crops? * Genetically modified crops have a decreased resistance to drought Genetically modified crops have a shorter shelf life and are more difficult to transport long distances Genetic modifications can decrease the genetic diversity of crop species Genetic modifications decrease nutritional content in foods
Genetic modifications can decrease the genetic diversity of crop species
Why is integrated pest management (IPM) especially successful in developing countries? * High quality pesticides are not available in developing countries. High-input industrial farming is not feasible because farmers lack financial resources. IPM closely resembles traditional farming techniques. The U.N. offers subsidies to farmers using IPM techniques in developing nations.
High-input industrial farming is not feasible because farmers lack financial resources.
Many scientists argue that worldwide fisheries are declining, yet the worldwide number of fish harvested continues to increase. What best explains this discrepancy? * Scientists are being cautious in their estimates. Fisheries are collapsing only in select areas. Only apex predator populations are collapsing. Improvements in technology is increasing the catch despite declining populations.
Improvements in technology is increasing the catch despite declining populations.
Which of the following groups consists entirely of secondary pollutants? * CO2, CH4, Pb PM, NO, NO2 NO2, SO2, O3 NO3-, O3, SO4 ^2-
NO3-, O3, SO4 ^2-
Which of the following best describes the process of electricity generation at a nuclear power plant? * Nuclear power is generated through fission, which releases a large amount of heat. The heat is used to generate steam, which turns a turbine that powers a generator nuclear power is generated when photons are converted to a direct current using a semiconducting material such as silicon. An inverter is used to convert the direct-current electricity into alternating current Nuclear power is generated from the thermal energy of Earth, which is a result of radioactive decay. The water underground is turned to steam, which turns a turbine to produce electricity Nuclear power is generated from the combustion of mined uranium, which provides enough heat to power a generator. The generator turns a turbine to create electricity.
Nuclear power is generated through fission, which releases a large amount of heat. The heat is used to generate steam, which turns a turbine that powers a generator
i + O2 --> O3 + UV-C --> O + ii and ii + 2O + O2 --> iv The Roman numerals refer to which compounds? * O, O2, CFCs, 2O2 O, O2, UV-C, O + O3 O, O2, energy, O3 CFC, O2, CFC, O3
O, O2, CFCs, 2O2
Which list contains terms for lake classification, from systems with the lowest primary productivity to systems with the highest primary productivity * Eutrophic, mesotrophic, oligotrophic Oligotrophic, eutrophic, mesotrophic Mesotrophic, oligotrophic, eutrophic Oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic
Oligotrophic, mesotrophic, eutrophic
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster led to the release of massive radiation, specifically iodine-131 and cesium-137, which has been connected to a variety of environmental problems in the 30 years following the disaster. A meltdown in which of the following structures at a nuclear power plant, such as Chernobyl, would most likely lead to the accidental release of radiation? * Cooling tower Turbine Generator Reactor core
Reactor core
Which measure of biodiversity takes into account the number of species present and the relative abundance of the species present? *Shannon's index Species richness Species evenness Biodiversity index
Shannon's index
Based on the theory of island biogeography, which of the following best explains how the scientists' calculation of the average number of species would change with the inclusion of this new island in their study? * The average would increase because more species would have migrated directly to the farther island The average would decrease because fewer species would have migrated directly to the farther island The average would not change because it is likely that the additional island has about the same number of species that migrated as the original island group The average would not change because the island is approximately the same size as those in the original group and therefore just as likely to recruit species from the mainland
The average would decrease because fewer species would have migrated directly to the farther island
Scientists are interested in determining the impact of the construction of a hydroelectric dam on a population of salmon that live downstream of a populated area. They measure the health of the salmon population in its current state, several years after the dam was constructed. Which of the following would be the best to use as a control in this study? * The health of the salmon population in the river before humans lived in the area The health of the salmon population at the apex of the dams construction The health of the salmon population just after the dam's construction was complete The health of the salmon population prior to any dam construction
The health of the salmon population prior to any dam construction
During an El Nino event, warm surface water movies from the western equatorial pacific ocean to the eastern equatorial region, which of the following best describes how the warm water will affect upwelling off the coast of equatorial south America? * The warm surface water will not change upwelling because this region is at the equator and always has warm water The warm surface water will increase upwelling because of the difference in salinity between the warm surface water and the cold deep water The warm surface water will decrease upwelling because the cooler temperature on land in the region will prevent upwelling The warm surface water will decrease upwelling because of the density difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep water.
The warm surface water will decrease upwelling because of the density difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep water.
Populations with an age structure diagram that is narrower at the bottom than at the top have * high crude death rates. a similar number of individuals in each age group. a declining population. a high growth rate.
a declining population.
Which of the following phenomenon is not likely o be a potential consequence of habitat fragmentation? * a decrease in the proportion of edge habitat an increase in the rate of inbreeding depression loss of genetic diversity within populations a decrease in the range of animal movement
a decrease in the proportion of edge habitat
The upward movement of water through soil is an example of * capillary action Ionic bonding Covalent bonding Surface tension
capillary action
CERCLA is referred to "superfund" because it * collects taxes from chemical and petroleum industries to fund the cleanup of abandoned waste sites where responsible parties cannot be established collects taxes from chemical and petroleum industries to refulate the proper disposal of hazardous water by small, local businesses provides a fund to help both large and small industries to train workers properly on methods of disposing hazardous substances distributes money from varying government agencies to chemical and petroleum industries
collects taxes from chemical and petroleum industries to fund the cleanup of abandoned waste sites where responsible parties cannot be established
Which is not a factor that determines population growth under the theory of demographic transition? * improved sanitation and health care leads to rapid population growth population momentum holds birth rates stable while death rates decline density independent factors slow economic growth education reduces a population growth rate
density independent factors slow economic growth
Massive forest fires that burn large areas and destroy forest canopy are most likely to benefit * early succession species seeking to fill a niche. late succession species that are easily reestablished. apex species that dominated prior to the fire. density-dependent parasites such as bark boring species.
early succession species seeking to fill a niche.
Which of the following consequences of water impoundment for hydroelectric energy production is most likely to release greenhouse gases? * flooding of forest and grasslands siltation the generation of energy by use of turbines transfer of energy to power lines
flooding of forest and grasslands
Which of the following is not likely to increase the efficiency of energy use and production in the united states? * government subsidies for active solar construction design increasing the cost of fossil fuels replacement of large power plants with several smaller parts increasing the production of batteries
increasing the production of batteries
Which of the following is not likely to reduce the risk of sick building syndrome? * replacing asbestos insulation with more modern insulating material installing energ efficient windows using hardwood flooring instead of carpeting installing carbon monoxide detectors
installing energ efficient windows
Black soot causes global warming by * reflecting solar radiation lowering the albedo of snow releasing VOCs interacting with existing greenhouse gases
lowering the albedo of snow
A cone of depression may develop * in any area where artesian wells are common. in areas where the water table is rapidly drained for human use. in areas where high temperatures lead to rapid evaporation. near a deep well from which a great deal of water is rapidly pumped.
near a deep well from which a great deal of water is rapidly pumped.
What would be one method to reduce the rate of urban blight in a city? * increase the taxes of individuals living in acity subsidize failing business within the city reduce police resources in low-income areas reduce funding for highway construction
reduce funding for highway construction
The owner of a rural home poured several liters of concentrated bleach into a sink drain connected to a buried septic system. Which of the following is the owner most likely to notice after a few weeks? * settled sludge will be more sterile and dispersed in leach field sludge has started to accumulate in the leach field sludge has started to accumulate faster in the septic tank there is a lower abundance of pathogens in groundwater
sludge has started to accumulate faster in the septic tank
Scientists analyze the ____ of foraminifera in ocean sediments to detect past changes in _____ * species composition/CO2 concentrations species composition/water temp quantity/ global temp quantity/CO2 concentrations
species composition/water temp
Which of the following best describes the U.S. justification for not signing the Kyoto Protocol after it was modified in 2001? * The US gov argued that the protocol imposed unreasonably stringent regulations on developing nations it is impossible to reduce carbon emissions without causing substantial harm to the economy the US senate voted unanimously that the us should not sign any international agreement that lacked restrictions on developing countries the agreement did not require sufficient reduction in the carbon emissions of china and India despite their large population sizes
the agreement did not require sufficient reduction in the carbon emissions of china and India despite their large population sizes
Which of the following areas is likely to have soil with the greatest accumulation of minerals available for plant growth? * the bottom of an old lake bed a grassland in oklahoma the top of Mount whitney in the colorado rockies a boreal peatland
the bottom of an old lake bed
Which is an example of sympatric speciation? * a stream dived a single turtle population into two isolated populations that evolve into two species forest fragmentation isolates two species of mice two bird species from separate forests evolve reproductive isolation two fish species in a single lake evolve from a single ancestor that once live in the lake
two fish species in a single lake evolve from a single ancestor that once live in the lake
Which is an example of sympatric speciation? * a stream dived a single turtle population into two isloated populations that evolve into two species forest fragmentation isolates two species of mice two bird species from separate forests evolve reproductive isolation two fish species in a single lake evolve from a single ancestor that once live in the lake
two fish species in a single lake evolve from a single ancestor that once live in the lake
Sulfur dioxide emissions can be reduced by * selling sulfur emission credits increasing the temperature at which coal is combusted installing catalytic converters in cars using electrostatic precipitators
using electrostatic precipitators