Question 1

In the Northern Hemisphere, the apparent position of the sun on the horizon at sunrise moves from ________ as summer turns to winter.

Accepted Answer

A)  north to south 
B)  south to north 
C)  east to west 
D)  west to east 
A)  north to south 
B)  south to north 
C)  east to west 
D)  west to east

Question 2

The fragrant oils found in rosemary and thyme

Accepted Answer

A)  encourage humans to pick them and spread their seeds. 
B)  protect the plants from fire. 
C)  help fuel fires, to which they've become adapted. 
D)  discourage humans from consuming the plants. 
A)  encourage humans to pick them and spread their seeds. 
B)  protect the plants from fire. 
C)  help fuel fires, to which they've become adapted. 
D)  discourage humans from consuming the plants.

Question 3

Which of the following has the most biomass per unit area?

Accepted Answer

A)  boreal forest 
B)  tundra 
C)  temperate forest 
D)  tropical forest 
A)  boreal forest 
B)  tundra 
C)  temperate forest 
D)  tropical forest

Question 4

Grazing animals that eat the tops of plants have resulted in the selection of plants that

Accepted Answer

A)  don't reproduce via flowers. 
B)  grow from the tip of the plant. 
C)  grow from the base of the plant. 
D)  can grow only after a fire burns the top of the plant. 
A)  don't reproduce via flowers. 
B)  grow from the tip of the plant. 
C)  grow from the base of the plant. 
D)  can grow only after a fire burns the top of the plant.

Question 5

By definition, fresh water contains ________ salt.

Accepted Answer

A)  less than 0.0001% 
B)  less than 0.1% 
C)  about 1% 
D)  absolutely no 
A)  less than 0.0001% 
B)  less than 0.1% 
C)  about 1% 
D)  absolutely no

Question 6

Buffalo, New York, experiences a "lake effect" when wind blowing across the warm water accumulates water vapor that condenses when reaching cooler land. Boston's climate is moderated by the warmer ocean water that lies to the east. Assuming similar winter temperatures, one would expect ________ snowfall accumulation in Boston.

Accepted Answer

A)  less 
B)  more 
C)  about the same 
D)  It is impossible to predict. 
A)  less 
B)  more 
C)  about the same 
D)  It is impossible to predict.

Question 7

The Gulf Stream is part of what scientists call the "great conveyor belt" that circulates water throughout the world's oceans. There is cause for concern that the increase in global warming might stop the conveyor belt. Would this scenario change Europe's climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes: The Gulf Stream brings cold water from the arctic to Europe. Without this, Europe's climate is expected to be much warmer. 
B)  Yes: The Gulf Stream brings warm water from the tropics to Europe. Without this, Europe's climate is expected to be much cooler. 
C)  No: The climate of Europe is unaffected by ocean currents. 
D)  No: There are other currents that will take over if the Gulf Stream stops functioning. 
A)  Yes: The Gulf Stream brings cold water from the arctic to Europe. Without this, Europe's climate is expected to be much warmer. 
B)  Yes: The Gulf Stream brings warm water from the tropics to Europe. Without this, Europe's climate is expected to be much cooler. 
C)  No: The climate of Europe is unaffected by ocean currents. 
D)  No: There are other currents that will take over if the Gulf Stream stops functioning.

Question 8

Compared to the air above a nearby land mass, the air above a large body of water is

Accepted Answer

A)  cooler in winter. 
B)  warmer in summer. 
C)  cooler in summer. 
D)  the same, unless wind is blowing. 
A)  cooler in winter. 
B)  warmer in summer. 
C)  cooler in summer. 
D)  the same, unless wind is blowing.

Question 9

Tropical rainforests exist in soils that are nutrient-poor because

Accepted Answer

A)  there is a low rate of decomposition, and plants cannot absorb the "undigested" nutrients. 
B)  there is a low rate of decomposition, and plants quickly absorb the nutrients as they are available. 
C)  there is a high rate of decomposition, and plants quickly absorb the nutrients as they are available. 
D)  The plants cannot use the types of nutrients produced by tropical decomposers. 
A)  there is a low rate of decomposition, and plants cannot absorb the "undigested" nutrients. 
B)  there is a low rate of decomposition, and plants quickly absorb the nutrients as they are available. 
C)  there is a high rate of decomposition, and plants quickly absorb the nutrients as they are available. 
D)  The plants cannot use the types of nutrients produced by tropical decomposers.

Question 10

Where would you expect a "rain shadow" to occur in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  on the western side of the Cascade Mountains, in the Pacific Northwest 
B)  on the western side of the Appalachian Mountains, in the eastern United States 
C)  on the eastern side of Lake Ontario, in upstate New York 
D)  on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in Utah 
A)  on the western side of the Cascade Mountains, in the Pacific Northwest 
B)  on the western side of the Appalachian Mountains, in the eastern United States 
C)  on the eastern side of Lake Ontario, in upstate New York 
D)  on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, in Utah

Question 11

When all living organisms are included, ________ contain about 70% of the biomass found on Earth's land surface.

Accepted Answer

A)  forests 
B)  grasslands 
C)  tundras 
D)  deserts 
A)  forests 
B)  grasslands 
C)  tundras 
D)  deserts

Question 12

In a general sense, ________ refers to short term environmental conditions, and ________ refers to long term environmental conditions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a general sense, ________ refers to...

Question 13

Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun during ________ and toward the sun during ________ in the Northern Hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

A)  winter; summer 
B)  summer; winter 
C)  spring; fall 
D)  fall; spring 
A)  winter; summer 
B)  summer; winter 
C)  spring; fall 
D)  fall; spring

Question 14

If you were to buy land in order to plant crops, which type of biome would you prefer?

Accepted Answer

A)  savanna 
B)  prairie 
C)  tropical forest 
D)  chaparral 
A)  savanna 
B)  prairie 
C)  tropical forest 
D)  chaparral

Question 15

The benefits of wetlands include

Accepted Answer

A)  protection from flooding. 
B)  storage of drinking water. 
C)  increasing rate of water flow to bodies of water. 
D)  production of sediment that is useful for fertilizer. 
A)  protection from flooding. 
B)  storage of drinking water. 
C)  increasing rate of water flow to bodies of water. 
D)  production of sediment that is useful for fertilizer.

Question 16

Treatment of wastewater in industrial plants of developed countries includes

Accepted Answer

A)  removing excess nutrients, such as phosphates and nitrates. 
B)  removing semisolid wastes. 
C)  discharging untreated wastewater into waterways. 
D)  burning semisolid wastes for energy. 
A)  removing excess nutrients, such as phosphates and nitrates. 
B)  removing semisolid wastes. 
C)  discharging untreated wastewater into waterways. 
D)  burning semisolid wastes for energy.

Question 17

-As depicted in this illustration, where does the most rainfall generally occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  on the windward side of a body of water 
B)  on the leeward side of a body of water 
C)  on the leeward side of a mountain 
D)  at high altitudes on a mountain 
A)  on the windward side of a body of water 
B)  on the leeward side of a body of water 
C)  on the leeward side of a mountain 
D)  at high altitudes on a mountain

Question 18

The biodiversity of a tropical rainforest is very high because of the

Accepted Answer

A)  high temperature found year-round. 
B)  low amount of solar irradiance. 
C)  high amount of solar irradiance. 
D)  high levels of nutrients in the soil. 
A)  high temperature found year-round. 
B)  low amount of solar irradiance. 
C)  high amount of solar irradiance. 
D)  high levels of nutrients in the soil.

Question 19

In summer, why is the air around a large body of water cooler than nearby inland areas?

Accepted Answer

A)  Water temperature changes slowly in response to solar irradiation when compared to the rate of temperature change of land surfaces. 
B)  Water temperature isn't affected by solar irradiation, whereas the temperature of land surfaces is affected. 
C)  It's not actually cooler; the breezes associated with the water only make it seem cooler. 
D)  Air molecules are farther away from each other over water, so they do not generate as much heat. 
A)  Water temperature changes slowly in response to solar irradiation when compared to the rate of temperature change of land surfaces. 
B)  Water temperature isn't affected by solar irradiation, whereas the temperature of land surfaces is affected. 
C)  It's not actually cooler; the breezes associated with the water only make it seem cooler. 
D)  Air molecules are farther away from each other over water, so they do not generate as much heat.

Question 20

Coral reefs are built of

Accepted Answer

A)  the limestone skeletons of dead coral. 
B)  rock formations on the ocean floor. 
C)  inactive volcanoes. 
D)  the skeletal remains of fish. 
A)  the limestone skeletons of dead coral. 
B)  rock formations on the ocean floor. 
C)  inactive volcanoes. 
D)  the skeletal remains of fish.

Exam 16: Where Do You Live? Climate and Biomes

In the Northern Hemisphere, the apparent position of the sun on the horizon at sunrise moves from ________ as summer turns to winter.

The fragrant oils found in rosemary and thyme

Which of the following has the most biomass per unit area?

Grazing animals that eat the tops of plants have resulted in the selection of plants that

By definition, fresh water contains ________ salt.

The Gulf Stream is part of what scientists call the "great conveyor belt" that circulates water throughout the world's oceans. There is cause for concern that the increase in global warming might stop the conveyor belt. Would this scenario change Europe's climate?

Compared to the air above a nearby land mass, the air above a large body of water is

Tropical rainforests exist in soils that are nutrient-poor because

Where would you expect a "rain shadow" to occur in the United States?

When all living organisms are included, ________ contain about 70% of the biomass found on Earth's land surface.

In a general sense, ________ refers to short term environmental conditions, and ________ refers to long term environmental conditions.

Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun during ________ and toward the sun during ________ in the Northern Hemisphere.

If you were to buy land in order to plant crops, which type of biome would you prefer?

The benefits of wetlands include

Treatment of wastewater in industrial plants of developed countries includes

-As depicted in this illustration, where does the most rainfall generally occur?

The biodiversity of a tropical rainforest is very high because of the

In summer, why is the air around a large body of water cooler than nearby inland areas?

Coral reefs are built of

Can Science Cure the Common Cold? Introduction to the Scientific Method

Are We Alone in the Universe? Water, Biochemistry, and Cells

Is It Possible to Supplement Your Way to Better Health?

Fat: How Much is Right for You? Enzymes, Metabolism, and Cellular Respiration

Life in the Greenhouse: Photosynthesis and Global Warming

Cancer: DNA Synthesis, Mitosis, and Meiosis

Are You Only as Smart as Your Genes? Mendelian and Quantitative Genetics

DNA Detective: Complex Patterns of Inheritance and DNA Fingerprinting

Genetically Modified Organisms: Gene Expression, Mutation, and Cloning

Where Did We Come From? The Evidence for Evolution

An Evolving Enemy: Natural Selection

Who Am I? Species and Races

Prospecting for Biological Gold: Biodiversity and Classification

Is the Human Population Too Large? Population Ecology

Conserving Biodiversity: Community and Ecosystem Ecology

Organ Donation: Tissues Organs and Organ Systems

Clearing the Air: Respiratory Cardiovascular and Excretory Systems

Vaccinations: Protection and Prevention or Peril? Immune System

Sex Differences and Athleticism: Endocrine Skeletal and Muscular Systems

Is There Something in the Water? Reproductive and Developmental Biology

Attention Deficit Disorder: Brain Structure and Function

Feeding the World: Plant Structure and Growth

Growing a Green Thumb: Plant Physiology

Filters

In a general sense, refers to short term environmental conditions, and refers to long term environmental conditions.

Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun during and toward the sun during in the Northern Hemisphere.