APES PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1-11 (CENAGE LEARNING)
A hypothesis is a.a possible, testable explanation for some observation(s). b.a procedure carried out under controlled conditions to gather information and test ideas. c.a well-tested and widely accepted scientific explanation. d.an approximate representation or simulation of a system being studied.
correct: a
A majority of married women throughout the world use modern birth control. a.True b.False
correct: a
Although tropical rainforests are very diverse and high in species richness, it is almost impossible to carry out sustainable agriculture on tropical rainforest soils. This is because a.soils contain too few nutrients for most crops. b.rainfall amounts are too great for most crops. c.decomposing organisms are in so great a number that they interfere with crop growth. d.light intensity is too great for most crops.
correct: a
Although variations in a number of the following factors often occur, which is the defining character of a desert? a.precipitation b.temperature c.plant life d.cloud cover
correct: a
Although variations in a number of the following factors often occur, which is the defining character of grassland? a.precipitation b.latitude c.temperature d.soil type
correct: a
An apple falls to the earth. Similarly, leaves, stones, and baseballs all fall to the earth when released. Our conclusion is that all things fall to the earth's surface when dropped. This is an example of inductive reasoning. a.True b.False
correct: a
An example of a perpetual resource is a.solar. b.timber. c.iron. d.coal.
correct: a
Climate changes and asteroids impacting the earth may be seen as opportunities for evolutionary change. a.True b.False
correct: a
Climate is a.a long term weather pattern over a large area. b.only affected by incoming solar radiation. c.stable within a given latitude; that is, the climate at the equator over one area of land will be the same as any land occurring at the equator. d.a short term set of atmospheric conditions in a local area.
correct: a
Collectively, we are living unsustainably and degrading the earth's natural capital at an expanding rate. a.True b.False
correct: a
Fortunately for the world, the golden toad, once thought extinct in its Costa Rican rainforests, has been rediscovered. a.False b.True
correct: a
Freshwater rivers and streams may begin as melting snow on mountains or melting glaciers, or as runoff from precipitation on mountains. The region producing the water for rivers and streams is called the a.source zone. b.euphotic zone. c.floodplain zone. d.transition zone.
correct: a
Human populations have been able to grow at the expense of other species, altering other habitat to meet our needs. One way we have altered the environment is by a.all of the choices. b.using some resources faster than they can be replenished. c.eliminating many natural predators. d.increasing the use of the earth's net primary productivity.
correct: a
Humans can validly be accused of degrading and disrupting many freshwater systems; we cannot be accused of a.restoring too many wetlands. b.changing the freshwater habitats of rivers. c.allowing fertilizers and pesticides to enter water systems. d.draining wetlands so that we can increase farmlands.
correct: a
Key factors that determine the types and numbers of organisms found in different ocean water layers include temperature, food availability, light availability, nutrient availability, and a.dissolved oxygen content. b.weather patterns. c.all of the choices d.cloud cover.
correct: a
Organismal populations may grow, shrink, or remain stable over time. Population change a.may be influenced by emigration and immigration. b.is independent of the population's age structure. c.cannot yet be mathematically modeled. d.is dependent only on births and deaths.
correct: a
Organisms that gain their nutrients by breaking down organic compounds in the absence of oxygen do so by a.anaerobic respiration. b.photosynthesis. c.transpiration. d.aerobic respiration.
correct: a
Some prey are able to avoid predation by mimicry. An example of mimicry is when a a.non-poisonous butterfly looks like a poisonous butterfly. b.poison arrow frog has bright colors. c.caterpillar looks like a twig. d.startled caterpillar inflates structures that pop out to look like horns.
correct: a
Species with a capacity for a high rate of increase of ten produce many small offspring and give them little or no parental care. Such species are called ________ species. a.r-selected b.commensal c.K-selected d.predator
correct: a
The "I" of the acronym HIPPCO stands for a.invasive, referring to invasive species. b.illegal, referring to illegal activities that result in ecosystem degradation. c.informed, referring to education programs designed to inform people about ecosystem degradation. d.immediate, referring to the immediate threat that some pollutants present.
correct: a
The American alligator, once nearly hunted to extinction, is making a comeback. It plays an essential role in its habitat because its nesting mounds and resting holes are important to the lives of other species. The alligator is also important in keeping some prey populations in check. Should such an important species become extinct, there would be devastating consequences to its ecosystem. Such a species is called a/an ________ species. a.keystone b.indicator c.native d.exotic
correct: a
The U.S. life expectancy a.is lower than 41 other developed nations. b.is the highest of anywhere in the world. c.has decreased since 1900. d.is the lowest of all developed countries.
correct: a
The amount of biologically productive land and water needed to supply the people in a particular area with resources and to absorb and recycle the wastes and pollution produced by such resource use is called the a.ecological footprint. b.ecological deficit. c.gross domestic product. d.biological capacity.
correct: a
The area of ocean needed to sustain the consumption of an average person, nation, or the world is called the a.fishprint. b.ecological footprint. c.annual rate of consumption. d.aquatic fingerprint.
correct: a
The entire land area that delivers freshwater runoff, sediments, and dissolved oxygen and nutrients is called the a.drainage basin. b.littoral zone. c.vertical zone. d.estuary.
correct: a
The five main causes of environmental problems include population growth, unsustainable resource use, excluding environmental costs from market prices, inadequate environmental education, and a.poverty. b.pollution. c.natural global climate change. d.wealth.
correct: a
The fundamental structural unit of life is the a.cell. b.gene. c.chromosome. d.organism.
correct: a
The largest projected population growth should occur a.at large coastal cities. b.as development and conversion of farmland increase. c.along inland rivers. d.at large inland cities.
correct: a
The role that a species plays in its ecosystem, its "way of life" or pattern of living, is called its a.niche. b.ecosystem. c.species richness. d.habitat.
correct: a
The tropics are warmer than the poles primarily because a.the light from the sun is more intense. b.the spin of the earth draws warm air to the equator. c.the ocean currents are warm. d.the air currents are warm.
correct: a
The two most important factors that distinguish biomes are precipitation and a.temperature. b.altitude. c.latitude. d.wind.
correct: a
Think of a terrestrial forest ecosystem (we have presumably all walked in a forest). From an ecological point of view, ecosystems such as this are actually simple to understand. a.False b.True
correct: a
Unlike either tropical rainforests or coniferous forests, temperate deciduous forest species lose their leaves in the winter. They do this a.as a way of minimizing water loss. Leaf loss is done in conjunction with the trees minimizing their metabolism. b.all of the choices c.in order to provide a food source for decomposers. d.so that the nutrients stored in their leaves will be released to the soil by decomposers.
correct: a
We buy a table that is made from a beautiful tropical hardwood. The table's price is high. Even so, the price usually does not include a.the cost to the environment of removing the tree that the lumber came from. b.the cost of shipping the wood to the U.S. c.the cost to pay the laborer who cut the wood from the tropical forest. d.the cost to make the piece.
correct: a
When making environmental decisions, which of the following must come before all others in the decision-making process? a.identify the problem b.gather information c.propose a solution d.evaluate consequences
correct: a
When marine reserves are established to protect species within them, studies have shown that within 2-4 years after strict protection begins a.all of the choices b.fish populations double. c.reproduction triples. d.fish size increases by about one-third.
correct: a
When water is boiled, the liquid is changed to a gas. We say that a ________ ________ has occurred. a.physical change b.chemical change c.nuclear fission d.nuclear fusion
correct: a
Which of the following is not considered a freshwater inland wetland? a.lake b.arctic tundra in summer c.marsh d.swamp
correct: a
Which of the following statements is true? a.The environmental wisdom worldview holds that we are a part of and totally dependent on nature, and that nature exists for all species, not just for us. b.The environmental wisdom worldview holds that we are separate from nature, that nature exists mainly to meet our needs, and that we can use our ingenuity to manage the earth. c.The stewardship worldview holds that we are part of and totally dependent on nature and that nature exists for all species, not just for us. d.The planetary management worldview suggests that we can and should manage the earth for our benefit, but that we have an ethical responsibility to be caring and responsible managers of the earth.
correct: a
________ occurs when one organism feeds on the body of, or the energy used by, another organism, usually by living on or in it. a.Parasitism b.Mutualism c.Commensalism d.Predation
correct: a
A large lake that has clear, cold water and very few organisms living in it is called a ________ lake. a.hypereutrophic b.oligotrophic c.mesotrophic d.eutrophic
correct: b
A volcanic eruption destroyed most of the population of a species of monkey living in the area. The few that survived will now reproduce and rebuild the population, however the resulting population will have a reduced genetic diversity. This scenario describes a.inbreeding. b.demographic bottleneck. c.genetic drift. d.founder effect.
correct: b
Air that travels over a mountain range is ________ than it was before going over. a.warmer b.drier c.wetter d.less dense
correct: b
An ENSO (El Niño - Southern Oscillation) a.is a device that measures ocean currents in the southern hemisphere. b.is a large-scale weather pattern in the southern hemisphere that produces warmer Pacific Ocean water and disrupts normal world weather patterns. c.is the name of a weather pattern that occurs over tropical rainforests. d.is an ocean current that runs from the east side of South America up the coast of New England, affecting weather patterns throughout the region.
correct: b
Areas that are partially enclosed bodies of water where rivers meet the sea, and therefore areas of mixed fresh and salt water, are called a.salt marshes. b.estuaries. c.coastal wetlands. d.mangrove forests.
correct: b
Blamed for two-thirds of all fish extinctions in the U.S., this ongoing problem is a major source of ecosystem disruption. a.water pollution from city sewage systems b.introduced invasive species c.agricultural runoff d.over fishing
correct: b
CITES is a a.type of fishing that degrades the ocean floor and is especially disruptive. b.legislation protecting endangered species from being bought or sold. c.type of pollution particularly harmful to aquatic systems. d.species of fish currently coming back from the brink of extinction.
correct: b
Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ozone in the atmosphere naturally trap some of the light that reflects back from the earth's surface. The light is converted to heat, with the gases acting as insulating blankets. This natural process warms the earth enough to support life. This process is called a.nutrient flow and energy cycling. b.the greenhouse effect. c.global climate change. d.solar capital.
correct: b
Evaporation and ________ are responsible for putting water into the atmosphere. a.precipitation b.transpiration c.percolation d.infiltration
correct: b
Examples of density-dependent population limiting factors include all of the following except a.parasitism. b.fire. c.disease. d.predation.
correct: b
Examples of organisms that live in the abyssal zone are a.sharks and rays. b.oysters and sponges. c.whales and dolphins. d.tuna and anchovies.
correct: b
For the past 200 years, human population growth has a.occurred mostly in wealthy nations. b.been exponential. c.decreased in poor nations. d.occurred mostly in developed nations.
correct: b
Fossil fuels are found in the a.stratosphere. b.geosphere. c.troposphere. d.hydrosphere.
correct: b
Heat is a byproduct of each energy transformation in an ecosystem. Therefore, this represents a one way energy flow from the sun through the ecosystem. a.False b.True
correct: b
If the replacement-level fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman were achieved tomorrow, the world's population would a.decline over the next 50 years. b.keep growing for the next 50 years. c.remain stable from that point into the future. d.change, but we don't know how.
correct: b
In a 2008 four-year study, researchers discovered that one primary species has greatly affected the world's oceans. a.False b.True
correct: b
Land owned by a community or government that is available for use by citizens is called a(an) a.open access renewable resource. b.common property. c.private property. d.a developing country.
correct: b
Limiting factors are abiotic factors that can enhance or prevent growth of a population, even if all other factors are at or near the optimum. Which of the following would be an example of a limiting factor? a.food availability b.water availability c.mate availability d.all of the choices
correct: b
Mountains play a significant ecological role in all of the following ways except: a.they hold vast amounts of water as ice; mountains are important in regulating/influencing the Hydrologic Cycle. b.they store much heat absorbed during the day, then slowly release the heat back to the environment. c.they hold the majority of the world's forests. d.they serve as sanctuaries for plant and animal species.
correct: b
Populations, not individuals, evolve. a.False b.True
correct: b
Scientific evidence suggests that the earth's surface has changed significantly over time, as great land masses have moved past and/or into each other. These shifting land masses are connected to subsurface structures called a.continents. b.tectonic plates. c.glaciers. d.fossils.
correct: b
Since salt is concentrated NaCl molecules, we say that it is a.an element. b.high-quality matter. c.a liquid. d.all of the choices.
correct: b
Some lichens (an "organism" composed of a fungus and an alga) are particularly sensitive to industrial pollutants, especially factory smoke. Scientists have been able to use lichens as a measure of pollution since greater lichen deaths mean higher pollution amounts. Because we can use lichens in this way, we say they are a.keystone species. b.indicator species. c.specialist species. d.foundation species.
correct: b
Studies clearly indicate that a.inland wetlands have ecological value, yet may be substituted by agricultural lands to achieve the same value. b.inland wetlands are vitally important areas that must be preserved, maintained, and/or created. c.inland wetlands' ecological value is significantly less than the health problems they generate through acting as mosquito and other parasitic organism breeding grounds. d.inland wetlands have little ecological value, provide few ecological services, and may be developed without many ecological consequences.
correct: b
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that the energy coming out of a system is always less than the energy put into the system. a.True b.False
correct: b
The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that a.kinetic energy may be converted to potential energy, but potential energy may not be converted to kinetic energy. b.when energy changes from one form to another, we always end up with lower-quality energy than we started with. c.heat may be transformed to usable energy only when all other forms of energy are unavailable. d.potential energy may be converted to kinetic energy, but kinetic energy may not be converted to potential energy.
correct: b
The ability of a living system to be restored through secondary succession after a moderate disturbance is called a.persistence. b.resilience. c.inertia. d.tipping point.
correct: b
The average number of children that couples in a population must bear to replace themselves is a.total fertility rate. b.replacement-level fertility rate. c.crude birth rate. d.population change.
correct: b
The basic, fundamental unit of life is the a.organism. b.cell. c.molecule. d.species.
correct: b
The chaparral biome is largely maintained by a.warm temperatures. b.fire. c.water. d.cold temperatures.
correct: b
The following is an example of secondary succession. a.A volcanic island eventually becomes a lush tropical rainforest. b.Abandoned farmland eventually becomes a forest. c.A retreating glacier leaves behind land that becomes arctic tundra. d.An old parking lot eventually becomes a temperate forest.
correct: b
The largest of four, this ocean contains more than one-half the earth's water and covers one-third of the earth's surface. a.Atlantic b.Pacific c.Indian d.Arctic
correct: b
The relationship between gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), and respiration energy (R) is a.GPP = NPP - R b.NPP = GPP - R c.NPP = GPP/R d.NPP = GPP + R
correct: b
The sustainable human carrying capacity of the earth is ________ people. a.30 billion b.we don't know c.2 billion d.10 billion
correct: b
This aquatic zone makes up only 10% of the world's ocean area, but contains 90% of all marine species. a.life zone b.Coastal Zone c.Bathyal Zone d.Abyssal Zone
correct: b
This vast region is economically very valuable, yet ironically is poorly understood. Because we have so much to learn, it is considered a "research frontier." a.tropical rainforests b.marine systems c.freshwater systems d.tundra
correct: b
Very poor nations a.produce much less pollution and waste than wealthy nations. b.all of the choices c.use far fewer resources than wealthy nations. d.collectively have many more people than found in wealthy nations.
correct: b
We say that environmental science is interdisciplinary. Interdisciplinary means a.adhering to strict rules as to how the science is conducted. b.integrating the inputs from many different areas of study. c.using loose guidelines to promote flexibility. d.excluding the input from any other areas of study.
correct: b
When scientists refer to "survival of the fittest," fitness refers to a species' a.speed. b.reproductive success. c.all of the choices d.strength.
correct: b
When women have access to education and paid employment outside the home, the total fertility rate decreases. a.This trend is true for developed nations only. b.This trend is true for all nations, developed and developing. c.This trend is false. d.This trend is true for developing nations only.
correct: b
Which of the following is false? a.Individuals in populations with high intrinsic rate of growth typically reproduce early, have short generation times, can reproduce many times, and have many offspring at each reproduction. b.Species moved to regions where they are not native will still have the same environmental resistance pressures as native species. c.The growth rate of a population decreases as it nears its carrying capacity. d.There are always limits to population growth in nature.
correct: b
Which of the following is not within the study of population dynamics? a.distribution b.resource availability c.age structure d.density of organisms
correct: b
Your friend wants to buy a new car. He asks your advice, since he wants an efficient car and knows you know the latest on green technology cars. Your advice makes him change his mind from the red SUV to the blue hybrid. In this conversation, changing his mind was a/an a.input. b.output. c.flow. d.system.
correct: b
________ is the only significant natural process that moves carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. a.Aerobic respiration b.Photosynthesis c.Anaerobic respiration d.Precipitation
correct: b
A given population has increased in size. An increase in what factor besides birth rate may be directly responsible? a.emigration b.death rate c.immigration d.no other factor
correct: c
A grassland is composed of many plant species that rely on many factors for survival. In addition to the plants, there exist many animals that graze or eat each other. Sometimes these populations of plants and animals get too large, but there is always something that keeps their population in check. The life drama of growth and death, life and decay, winter and summer play out year after year. The aspect of sustainability that allows living organisms to take in needed atoms and molecules, and to return these same atoms and molecules at life's end, is called a.biodiversity. b.population control. c.nutrient cycling. d.sustainability.
correct: c
A high birth rate, low death rate, and an increase in population size are all indicative of the ________ stage of the demographic transition. a.Industrial (Stage 3) b.Postindustrial (Stage 4) c.Transitional (Stage 2) d.Preindustrial (Stage 1)
correct: c
A significant cause of natural sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere is a.sulfur in animal tissues. b.animal waste decomposition. c.volcanic eruptions. d.sulfur in ocean sediments.
correct: c
A simulation or approximate representation of a system being studied is an/a a.experiment. b.scientific law. c.model. d.scientific hypothesis.
correct: c
A total of ________ convection cells (re)distribute warm, moist air and cold, dry air masses, resulting in conditions leading to various biomes. a.3 b.5 c.6 d.2
correct: c
Air a.that is warmed by sunlight and the land beneath it is denser. This dense air falls. b.warms the land or water beneath it, but its density does not change. c.that is warmed by sunlight and the land beneath it is less dense. This less dense air rises. d.is warmed by sunlight and the land beneath it, but its density does not change.
correct: c
Beaches experience a high and low tide several times a day. The land region between high and low tides is called the a.barrier island. b.euphotic zone. c.intertidal zone. d.barrier beach.
correct: c
Biodiversity refers to the variety of a.ecosystems in which species live. b.earth's species. c.all of the choices d.energy flow and nutrient cycling that supports life in ecosystems.
correct: c
Both energy and nutrients flow through ecosystems. Which of the following is true? a.Without new inputs of energy and nutrients, both will eventually run out. b.Both energy and nutrients are biotic. c.Although useful energy will eventually be used up, nutrients can always be recycled. d.Water causes both energy and nutrients to flow throughout the system.
correct: c
Cancer-causing pollutants called PCBs are in the Hudson River (NY); they increase the risk of fish getting cancer by X%. Another pollutant in the river increases the risk of cancer by Y%. When both of these pollutants are present, the cancer risk goes up by much more than X% + Y%. This is called a.a discontinuity. b.the tipping point. c.synergism. d.a positive feedback loop.
correct: c
Coral reefs are among the world's a.most productive ecosystems. b.oldest ecosystems. c.all of the choices d.more diverse ecosystems.
correct: c
Disease-causing bacteria that are resistant to a particular disease a.have a mutation that gives them resistance. b.will probably produce offspring that are also disease resistant. c.all of the choices d.should have an adaptive advantage when exposed to this disease
correct: c
Each year, up to $34 billion are given as fishing subsidies. These subsidies a.all of the choices b.pay fishermen not to fish, offsetting their annual losses while allowing marine fish populations to recover. c.provide monies for ships, fuel, equipment, and research. d.are used in education programs designed to heighten public awareness of fishing practices and needed management systems.
correct: c
Ecosystem study primarily involving GIS (geographic information system) is usually most closely associated with a.laboratory research. b.ecosystem modeling. c.field research. d.literature review.
correct: c
Energy flow pyramids show a.loss of energy at each trophic level. b.available energy at each trophic level. c.all of the choices d.why food chains cannot be too large.
correct: c
From the first 2 billion people on planet earth, it took just 50 years to add 2 billion more. The next 2 billion people were added 25 years later. Assuming the growth rate were to remain constant, when might we expect the next 2 billion people? a.10 years b.25 years c.12.5 years d.50 years
correct: c
Global warming leading to rising sea levels is thought to a.produce no effect on coral reefs. Coral reef damage results from pollution and reef degradation, not sea level changes. b.kill most coral reefs and mangrove forests, leading to disastrous changes in aquatic ecosystems. c.damage coral reefs, unless waters rise slowly enough for them to adapt, and other environmental stressors are low. d.help coral reefs since rising sea levels will open new habitat for potentially greater coral reef area.
correct: c
Gross domestic product (GDP) measures a.the value of a country's currency when it is used in other countries. b.the changes in a country's economic growth per person. c.the annual market value of all goods and services produced within a country. d.the amount of goods and services that a country's average citizen could buy in the U.S.
correct: c
Groups of individuals that are closely related and can interbreed are called ________; a group of living things interacting with one another and with their living/nonliving environment is called a/an ________. a.organisms; ecosystem. b.species; ecology. c.species; ecosystem. d.organisms; ecology.
correct: c
If asked to pick the model that best illustrates real-world biotic ecosystem interactions, you should pick the a.pyramid of energy flow. b.biogeochemical cycle. c.food web. d.food chain.
correct: c
In contrast to reuse, recycling materials completely changes their form (but not their substance). Which of the following may be recycled? a.plastic b.copper c.all of the choices d.glass
correct: c
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) a.all of the choices b.prevent all commercial fishing within these defined areas. c.are ocean areas partially protected from human activity. d.exist entirely within the U.S. so far.
correct: c
One of the best measures of a society's quality of life is a.crude birth rate. b.total fertility rate. c.infant mortality rate. d.average age of marriage.
correct: c
Population controls are factors that limit population size for a given environment. Which of the following would be considered a human population control? a.famine b.HIV leading to AIDS c.all of the choices d.war
correct: c
Skunks have few predators, yet their populations change relatively little from one year to the next. Such a species demonstrates ________ pattern of variation in its population size. a.cyclic b.irruptive c.stable d.irregular
correct: c
Some 90% of fish living in the ocean spawn (reproduce) a.in the depths of the ocean. b.in the open ocean. c.in coral reefs, mangrove forests, coastal wetlands, and rivers. d.off the edges of the continental shelf.
correct: c
The ecological footprint a.of affluent people is smaller than that of impoverished people. b.is smaller today than one decade ago. c.of people in developed nations is much larger than that of people in developing nations. d.is decreasing for the world as a whole.
correct: c
The euphotic zone of deep aquatic systems is a.where most photosynthesis takes place. b.the region of greatest primary production. c.all of the choices d.the zone of light penetration.
correct: c
The following is an example of primary succession. a.An abandoned lot eventually is replaced by weeds and shrubs. b.An old Iowa farm becomes a prairie. c.An old parking lot eventually becomes a temperate forest. d.Abandoned farmland eventually becomes a forest.
correct: c
The interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the environment is a.sustainability. b.environmentalism. c.environmental science. d.ecology.
correct: c
The portion of a freshwater river that empties into the ocean may be described as a.a delta. b.the mouth of the river. c.all of the choices d.the floodplain zone.
correct: c
The world's total fertility rate, that is, the average number of children born to women in a population during their reproductive years, has been a.decreasing dramatically. b.increasing dramatically. c.decreasing slowly. d.increasing slowly.
correct: c
We continue to live in an "Age of Discovery," learning about nature all around us. Some areas have been more thoroughly researched than others, which means that some areas still have many secrets to reveal. Which of the following do we currently know the least about? a.Australia b.the moon's surface c.oceans d.the South Pole
correct: c
When we say that parallel changes in vegetation type occur when we travel from the equator to the poles and from lowlands to mountaintops, we are recognizing that changes in biomes in the two situations are similar. What we are really comparing is biome changes that occur in a.longitude versus elevation. b.convection cells versus elevation. c.latitude versus elevation. d.time versus space.
correct: c
Which of the following is false? a.It takes about 27 tractor-trailer loads of resources per year to support one American. b.Affluence is the same as wealth or being wealthy. c.Affluence occurs most in developing nations. d.The average American consumes 100 times as many resources as the average person in the world's poorest nations.
correct: c
Which of the following is false?10.Exponential growth a.slows down when approaching a species' carrying capacity. b.is maintained as long as environmental resistance factors are high. c.is represented by a "J-shaped" curve when plotting population numbers over time. d.is slow at the start, fast in the middle, and slow at the end.
correct: c
Which of the following is not one of the three desert types? a.cold b.temperate c.dry d.tropical
correct: c
Which of the following is not true of solar energy reaching the earth? a.Some solar energy is captured by plants to form chemical energy. b.Some solar energy is reflected by the atmosphere. c.Some solar energy is recycled as high energy light. d.Some solar energy is absorbed by ozone in the atmosphere.
correct: c
Which of the following management systems deals with getting the best fish yield, taking into account interactions among species? a.complex computer models in large marine systems b.maximum sustained yield c.optimum sustained yield d.Precautionary Principle
correct: c
Which of the following statements regarding tropical rainforests is false? a.At least one-half of the world's tropical rainforests have already been destroyed or disturbed. b.Tropical rainforests contain about one-half of all living things. c.Tropical rainforests currently cover approximately 20% (one-fifth) of the world's land surface. d.Unless strong conservation measures are soon taken, most of these forests will be destroyed within your lifetime.
correct: c
A market-based system called individual transfer rights (ITR) can be used to control access to fisheries, yet a problem with this system is a.that total allowable catch (TAC) limits are set too high to prevent over-fishing using this system. b.that small fishing companies may be squeezed out of the market more easily by larger companies. c.ITRs effectively transfer ownership of fisheries in publicly owned waters to commercial fishers while making the public pay for monitoring and enforcement costs. d.all of the choices
correct: d
A number of factors that may affect the future world population size are out of our control. Which of the following should not be included in this list? a.hurricane b.war c.new epidemic diseases d.migration
correct: d
A random change in an organism's DNA is called a.adaptation. b.natural selection. c.evolution. d.mutation.
correct: d
A recent research report of open ocean findings showed that a.oceans contain significantly more large fish and large schools of smaller fish than previously thought. b.oceans contain many fewer microbial organisms than previously thought. c.scientists had been correct in their estimates of ocean life all along. d.oceans contain many more microbial organisms than previously thought.
correct: d
A solution contains more hydroxide (OH-) than hydrogen (H+) ions. Which of the following would best describe the solution? a.The solution is basic. b.The OH- ions have more electrons than protons. c.The pH is greater than 7. d.all of the choices
correct: d
Age structure diagrams may be used to a.get an indication of a population's economic condition. b.get an indication of population growth. c.get an idea of the numbers of people in different age classes and stages of life. d.all of the choices
correct: d
Age structure diagrams that indicate rapidly growing populations have the shape of a/an a.bullet. b.tall oval. c.tall rectangle. d.pyramid.
correct: d
Air, water, soil, plants, and wind as well as processes such as photosynthesis are examples of a.natural resources. b.natural services. c.gross domestic product. d.natural capital.
correct: d
All of the following are greenhouse gases, except a.CH4, methane. b.H2O, water vapor. c.N2O, nitrous oxide. d.H2, hydrogen.
correct: d
Although a number of factors vary, the primary factor that defines each of the three open ocean zones (euphotic, bathyal, abyssal) is a.temperature. b.pressure. c.nutrients. d.light.
correct: d
An example of biodegradable point source pollution is a.canine waste from the dogs in the city of Knoxville, TN. b.the exhaust from automobiles in the city of Knoxville, TN. c.ash waste containing heavy metals, resulting from furnaces that burn trash. d.human sewage waste dumping into a river from a waste pipe.
correct: d
Areas of permanently frozen soils in arctic tundra are called a.glaciers. b.ice. c.chaparral. d.permafrost.
correct: d
Average sea level a.will flood many low-lying cities and nations over the next 100 years. b.has increased by 4-8 inches over the last 100 years. c.will probably rise between 7 inches and 5 feet over the next 100 years. d.all of the choices
correct: d
Because of its high amount of sunlight and nutrients that wash in from the land, this freshwater zone has a high biodiversity. Species include crayfish, turtles, frogs, and rooted plants. a.profundal b.benthic c.limnetic d.littoral
correct: d
Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace both first proposed a.that organisms evolve. b.all of the choices c.that ecosystems evolve. d.a mechanism for evolution.
correct: d
Energy a.all of the choices b.always equals the amount of mass in a system. c.is anything that can produce light. d.is the capacity to do work.
correct: d
Even though it interacts with others of its kind and with the abiotic realm around it, a single living individual is best described as a/an a.population. b.system. c.species. d.organism.
correct: d
Evolution a.is a change in species over time. b.is supported by fossil evidence. c.results in genetically diverse species. d.all of the choices
correct: d
Germany, Bulgaria, and Russia have the following in common: a.all have high total fertility rates. b.all have high infant mortality rates. c.all are in Western Europe. d.all have populations that are declining.
correct: d
Given that humans have been on the earth for a long time, modifying it to suit their own desires, it comes as no surprise to learn that aquatic species have been pushed out of at least ________% of their habitat. a.10 b.99 c.95 d.50
correct: d
If you found 20 different plant species in a 1m2 area, but only one of each species, we would say there was a.high species evenness and low species richness. b.low species evenness and low species richness. c.high species evenness and high species richness. d.low species evenness and high species richness.
correct: d
Large terrestrial regions with distinct climates and distinct species adapted to them are called a.aquatic life zones. b.ecosystems. c.the biosphere. d.biomes.
correct: d
Natural science a.can only be conducted by trained specialists. b.is a study of anything a person can think of. c.all of the choices d.is a study of nature.
correct: d
One way that species reduce competition for the same resources is by a.exceeding the carrying capacity to drive out competition. b.stimulating mutations that make them more fit. c.increasing niche overlap to drive out competing species. d.reducing niche overlap through resource partitioning.
correct: d
Organisms that gain their energy and nutrients from eating plants are called a.producers. b.omnivores. c.detritivores. d.primary consumers.
correct: d
Short-grass prairies fit within the ________ grasslands. a.cold b.tropical c.tundra d.temperate
correct: d
Some scientists make claims about the coming global climate change; others disagree. We say that such science a.shows only inductive reasoning. b.is unreliable science. c.shows only deductive reasoning. d.is frontier science.
correct: d
The energy present in sunlight is ________ energy. a.physical b.mechanical c.potential d.electromagnetic
correct: d
The primary producers responsible for up to 70% of primary productivity near the ocean surface are a.phytoplankton. b.zooplankton. c.rooted plants near shorelines. d.ultraplankton.
correct: d
The process whereby one species changes into one or more other species over time is called a.species richness. b.genetic diversity. c.biodiversity. d.speciation.
correct: d
The relationship formed between organisms that affect each other's evolution is called a.commensalism. b.resource partitioning. c.secondary succession. d.coevolution.
correct: d
There is growing evidence that the current harmful affects of human activities on the earth's terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services a.could be reversed over the next 50 years. b.could be reversed, requiring about 100 years to accomplish this. c.have permanently damaged our ecosystem, and that we will not be able to reverse the damage no matter what inputs are used. d.could be reversed over the next 20 years.
correct: d
This interaction benefits one organism, but neither helps nor harms a second organism. a.mutualism b.parasitism c.predation d.commensalism
correct: d
To conduct good science, scientists use a.intuition. b.inductive and deductive reasoning, as well as critical thinking skills. c.imagination and creativity. d.all of the choices.
correct: d
We tend to mark the beginning of pivotal events in human history. The most recent such pivotal event was the a.hunter-gatherer stage. b.industrial-medical revolution. c.agricultural revolution. d.information-globalization revolution.
correct: d
Which of the following best describes water, H2O? a.matter, element b.element c.compound d.matter, compound
correct: d
Which of the following does not qualify as a biogeochemical cycle? a.water b.nitrogen c.carbon d.energy
correct: d
Which of the following illustrates a predator-prey relationship? a.honeybee and flower b.squirrel and rabbit c.lion and hyena d.cow and grass
correct: d
Which of the following is false? a.The human ecological footprint is intensifying and spreading across the globe. b.Human activities are impairing ecological and economic services provided by the world's biomes. c.A majority of the world's major terrestrial ecosystems are being degraded or used unsustainably. d.none of the choices
correct: d
While some landowners may consider beavers a pest, they are important to their ecosystem: the dams they build create wetland that many other species use. Because of the role they play, we call them ________ species. a.indicator b.vermin c.endangered d.foundation
correct: d
Wild rivers are those a.that border, or are within, wildlife preserves. b.found in national parks. c.that are of great scenic value, free of dams, mostly undeveloped, and accessible in only a few places by roads. d.that are relatively inaccessible, except by trail.
correct: d
