biolec exam: climate change

the following is an indicator of climate change

Decrease in snow cover and glaciers

the major sources of this greenhouse gas are agriculture and the decay of organic material

methane

_____ describe the general characteristics of similar ecosystems across the globe.

biomes

_____ refers to a level of biological organization that represents the interaction of biotic and abiotic factors.

ecosystem

Biomes are distinguished from one another by the two most important climatic variables _____ ___ _____

temperature and precipitation

wha levels of biological organization represents the sum of all of the locations where life may be found o the planet?

the biosphere

TRUE OR FALSE: Greenhouse gases act like a blanket, absorbing infrared energy and preventing it from escaping into outer space.

true

The worldwide increase in average surface temperatures of Earth is called __________

global warming

_____ refers to the long-term regional or even global average of temperature and rainfall patterns over seasons, years, or decades.

climate

what is considered to be greenhouse gases?

-carbon dioxide -water vapor -methane

the following descriptions correctly explains the difference between climate and weather

Climate refers to the long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation. Weather describes the short-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.

the following statement correctly explains the greenhouse effect

Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation emitted by the planet's surface. This trapped heat energy is released slowly back into the atmosphere.

Based on projections made by scientists studying climate change, if human activities continue to impact climate at the same rates as today, what will most likely be the future of the level of biological organization in ecosystems across the planet?

Human activities will have serious impacts on climate and on the levels of biological organization in ecosystems across the planet.

An increase in the temperature of a grassland, with no change in the precipitation patterns, would result in it changing into which type of biome? Choose the best answer.

Savanna

TRUE OR FALSE: mosquitoes and ticks are called vectors because they have the ability to transmit a disease between individuals

TRUE

Scientists studying global warming have noted an unusual trend in carbon dioxide level. Which of the following statements explains the trend of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

The rise in carbon dioxide levels have occurred relatively rapidly.

One consequence of climate change is change in temperature and precipitation patterns, which results in

an increase in the severity and frequency of droughts and heat waves.

what is not directly associated with an increase in global temperatures?

increases in the frequency of tornadoes

By _____________ the levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the natural greenhouse effect is amplified, causing the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and land surface to ______________.

increasing, rise

the production of carbonic acid occurs as a result of increased carbon dioxide concentrations in what?

oceans

_____ refers to the daily temperature and chance for precipitation that may occur locally over short periods of time—from minutes to hours or days.

weather

a cold winter is an example of

weather

climate change has already cause which of the following at the individual and species levels?

-increased exposure to diseases from mosquito vectors -increase extinction rates

the average temperature and precipitation of an are are referred to as its:

climate

the following term is able to encompass all the others

climate change

invasive species:

-may be introduced accidentally by humans -can adapt to changing environmental conditions -disrupt local biological communities

TRUE OR FALSE: Confined to only one area of the planet, climate change is only affecting species with a low tolerance for changes in their environment.

false

TRUE OR FALSE: All gas molecules in the atmosphere are able to absorb infrared radiation.

false

TRUE OR FALSE: Without the presence of greenhouse gases, the temperature on Earth would be extremely hot.

false (it would be cold)

_____ are divisions of the year marked by variations in the amount of sunlight striking the Earth's surface.

seasons

TRUE OR FALSE: Climate change creates new risks for humans because of its potential for vector-borne diseases, or diseases in which an infectious agent is spread from one organism to another.

true

TRUE OR FALSE: Greenhouse gases are normally present in the atmosphere and play an important role in maintaining the climate of the planet within a range that supports life.

true

TRUE OR FALSE: Human activities are changing the greenhouse effect by increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases.

true