Question 1

In areas with significant leaching, which soil horizon would be largest?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  E 
D)  O 
E)  R 
A)  A 
B)  B 
C)  E 
D)  O 
E)  R

Question 2

Podsolization is most likely to occur in

Accepted Answer

A)  cold climates where acid soils form under needle-leaved trees. 
B)  cold climates where neutral soils form under broadleaf trees. 
C)  tropical climates where acid soils form under needle-leaved trees. 
D)  tropical climates where neutral soils form under broadleaf trees. 
A)  cold climates where acid soils form under needle-leaved trees. 
B)  cold climates where neutral soils form under broadleaf trees. 
C)  tropical climates where acid soils form under needle-leaved trees. 
D)  tropical climates where neutral soils form under broadleaf trees.

Question 3

Explain how the Coriolis effect would change if Earth were egg-shaped, with a narrower equatorial region.

Accepted Answer

If Earth were egg-shaped with a narrower

Question 4

Which is the correct order of the processes that occur in a Hadley cell?

Accepted Answer

A)  adiabatic cooling, warm air displacing cool air, air rising, adiabatic heating, latent heat release 
B)  adiabatic heating, air rising, warm air displacing cool air, latent heat release, adiabatic cooling 
C)  air rising, warm air displacing cool air, adiabatic heating, latent heat release, adiabatic cooling 
D)  air rising, adiabatic cooling, latent heat release, warm air displacing cool air, adiabatic heating 
A)  adiabatic cooling, warm air displacing cool air, air rising, adiabatic heating, latent heat release 
B)  adiabatic heating, air rising, warm air displacing cool air, latent heat release, adiabatic cooling 
C)  air rising, warm air displacing cool air, adiabatic heating, latent heat release, adiabatic cooling 
D)  air rising, adiabatic cooling, latent heat release, warm air displacing cool air, adiabatic heating

Question 5

Rain shadows occur

Accepted Answer

A)  on the downwind side of mountains. 
B)  in areas without significant convection currents. 
C)  along coasts with cold air. 
D)  between deserts and coastal areas. 
A)  on the downwind side of mountains. 
B)  in areas without significant convection currents. 
C)  along coasts with cold air. 
D)  between deserts and coastal areas.

Question 6

The surface temperature of Mars averages approximately -55°C, with carbon dioxide trapped in ice and permafrost. How could humans begin to make the atmosphere more conducive to life?

Accepted Answer

To make the atmosphere of Mars more cond

Question 7

The parent material of a soil is the

Accepted Answer

A)  organic matter from the vegetation on top of the soil. 
B)  area from which the soil has been transported. 
C)  bedrock underneath the soil. 
D)  type of erosion that contributed to soil formation. 
A)  organic matter from the vegetation on top of the soil. 
B)  area from which the soil has been transported. 
C)  bedrock underneath the soil. 
D)  type of erosion that contributed to soil formation.

Question 8

During summer equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun shines most directly

Accepted Answer

A)  at the Tropic of Capricorn. 
B)  at the Tropic of Cancer. 
C)  north of the solar equator. 
D)  at the equator. 
A)  at the Tropic of Capricorn. 
B)  at the Tropic of Cancer. 
C)  north of the solar equator. 
D)  at the equator.

Question 9

Which soil characteristics are the most desirable for agriculture?

Accepted Answer

A)  high cation exchange capacity and a large E horizon 
B)  low cation exchange capacity and a large E horizon 
C)  high cation exchange capacity and a small E horizon 
D)  average cation exchange capacity and a small E horizon 
A)  high cation exchange capacity and a large E horizon 
B)  low cation exchange capacity and a large E horizon 
C)  high cation exchange capacity and a small E horizon 
D)  average cation exchange capacity and a small E horizon

Question 10

The energy of incident solar radiation reaching the surface of Earth declines toward the poles from its maximum in equatorial regions. Which of these is NOT a reason for this?

Accepted Answer

A)  The tilt of Earth increases the reflection of solar radiation. 
B)  A given amount of solar radiation is spread over a larger area at higher latitudes. 
C)  Solar radiation travels a longer path through Earth's atmosphere at higher latitudes. 
D)  The rays of the Sun strike Earth at right angles over the equator as compared to oblique angles at the poles. 
A)  The tilt of Earth increases the reflection of solar radiation. 
B)  A given amount of solar radiation is spread over a larger area at higher latitudes. 
C)  Solar radiation travels a longer path through Earth's atmosphere at higher latitudes. 
D)  The rays of the Sun strike Earth at right angles over the equator as compared to oblique angles at the poles.

Question 11

Explain how an increased angle of Earth's tilt would affect the variation in the heating of Earth.

Accepted Answer

An increased angle of Earth's tilt would

Question 12

Which of the following ions is NOT an important nutrient for plants?

Accepted Answer

A)  K+ 
B)  Ca2+ 
C)  Na+ 
D)  H+ 
E)  Mg2+ 
A)  K+ 
B)  Ca2+ 
C)  Na+ 
D)  H+ 
E)  Mg2+

Question 13

Explain how a decrease in atmospheric temperature can cause rain.

Accepted Answer

A decrease in atmospheric temperature ca

Question 14

Additional water vapor in the atmosphere has both positive and negative feedback. Why is this?

Accepted Answer

Additional water vapor in the atmosphere

Question 15

How might the plowing of soil for agriculture change the soil's fertility?

Accepted Answer

The plowing of soil for agriculture can

Question 16

Decreased temperature in adiabatic cooling is a result of

Accepted Answer

A)  condensation of water vapor. 
B)  a decrease in volume. 
C)  absorption of sunlight. 
D)  a decrease in pressure. 
A)  condensation of water vapor. 
B)  a decrease in volume. 
C)  absorption of sunlight. 
D)  a decrease in pressure.

Question 17

The intertropical convergence zone is

Accepted Answer

A)  the dry region at the edge of the Hadley cells. 
B)  at the solar equator. 
C)  the area between polar and Hadley cells. 
D)  the cause of westerlies. 
A)  the dry region at the edge of the Hadley cells. 
B)  at the solar equator. 
C)  the area between polar and Hadley cells. 
D)  the cause of westerlies.

Question 18

The greenhouse effect is so named because

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth's oceans act as a greenhouse for phytoplankton. 
B)  Earth's landmasses provide the substrate for all terrestrial producers. 
C)  Earth's atmosphere acts like the glass of a greenhouse. 
D)  Earth's land mass is a heat sink much like a greenhouse. 
A)  Earth's oceans act as a greenhouse for phytoplankton. 
B)  Earth's landmasses provide the substrate for all terrestrial producers. 
C)  Earth's atmosphere acts like the glass of a greenhouse. 
D)  Earth's land mass is a heat sink much like a greenhouse.

Question 19

Why is it difficult to predict how climate will change as a response to global warming?

Accepted Answer

A)  The future levels of greenhouse gases are difficult to predict. 
B)  It is difficult to predict how human technology might change the climate. 
C)  The global climate is complex. 
D)  Variability resulting from the Sun's effects is unknown. 
A)  The future levels of greenhouse gases are difficult to predict. 
B)  It is difficult to predict how human technology might change the climate. 
C)  The global climate is complex. 
D)  Variability resulting from the Sun's effects is unknown.

Question 20

Upwelling causes

Accepted Answer

A)  increased surface water temperature. 
B)  nutrient-rich zones. 
C)  low productivity in the deep ocean. 
D)  increased evaporation and precipitation. 
A)  increased surface water temperature. 
B)  nutrient-rich zones. 
C)  low productivity in the deep ocean. 
D)  increased evaporation and precipitation.

Exam 5: Climates and Soils

In areas with significant leaching, which soil horizon would be largest?

Podsolization is most likely to occur in

Explain how the Coriolis effect would change if Earth were egg-shaped, with a narrower equatorial region.

Which is the correct order of the processes that occur in a Hadley cell?

Rain shadows occur

The surface temperature of Mars averages approximately -55°C, with carbon dioxide trapped in ice and permafrost. How could humans begin to make the atmosphere more conducive to life?

The parent material of a soil is the

During summer equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun shines most directly

Which soil characteristics are the most desirable for agriculture?

The energy of incident solar radiation reaching the surface of Earth declines toward the poles from its maximum in equatorial regions. Which of these is NOT a reason for this?

Explain how an increased angle of Earth's tilt would affect the variation in the heating of Earth.

Which of the following ions is NOT an important nutrient for plants?

Explain how a decrease in atmospheric temperature can cause rain.

Additional water vapor in the atmosphere has both positive and negative feedback. Why is this?

How might the plowing of soil for agriculture change the soil's fertility?

Decreased temperature in adiabatic cooling is a result of

The intertropical convergence zone is

The greenhouse effect is so named because

Why is it difficult to predict how climate will change as a response to global warming?

Upwelling causes

Introduction: Ecology, Evolution, and the Scientific Method

Adaptations to Aquatic Environments

Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Adaptations to Variable Environments

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

Evolution and Adaptation

Life Histories

Reproductive Strategies

Social Behaviors

Population Distributions

Population Growth and Regulation

Population Dynamics Over Space and Time

Predation and Herbivory

Parasitism and Infectious Diseases

Competition

Mutualism

Community Structure

Community Succession

Movement of Energy in Ecosystems

Movement of Elements in Ecosystems

Landscape Ecology and Global Biodiversity

Global Conservation of Biodiversity

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