Question 1

Earthquakes result from _.

Accepted Answer

A)  surges of magma from the earth's core 
B)  global climate change 
C)  release of gases from the underlying mantle 
D)  separation of layers within sedimentary rock 
E)  energy released from movement at plate boundaries and faults 
A)  surges of magma from the earth's core 
B)  global climate change 
C)  release of gases from the underlying mantle 
D)  separation of layers within sedimentary rock 
E)  energy released from movement at plate boundaries and faults

Question 2

is defined as the number of protons plus the number of neutrons.

Accepted Answer

A)  Isotopic number 
B)  Atomic number 
C)  Ionic number 
D)  Mass number 
E)  Nuclear number 
A)  Isotopic number 
B)  Atomic number 
C)  Ionic number 
D)  Mass number 
E)  Nuclear number

Question 3

Plastics are _ _.

Accepted Answer

A)  unstable and break down easily 
B)  moldable, petroleum -based hydrocarbons 
C)  naturally occurring macromolecules 
D)  synthetic proteins 
E)  assembled by enzymes in cells 
A)  unstable and break down easily 
B)  moldable, petroleum -based hydrocarbons 
C)  naturally occurring macromolecules 
D)  synthetic proteins 
E)  assembled by enzymes in cells

Question 4

Hydrogen bonds give water which of the following properties?

Accepted Answer

A)  the ability to resist temperature changes 
B)  the ability to dissolve lipids 
C)  low pH 
D)  the ability to freeze into ice, which is denser than liquid water 
E)  high pH 
A)  the ability to resist temperature changes 
B)  the ability to dissolve lipids 
C)  low pH 
D)  the ability to freeze into ice, which is denser than liquid water 
E)  high pH

Question 5

Why are both ends of each water molecule positive and the middle negative?

Accepted Answer

A)  Protons are more attracted to oxygen than they are to hydrogen. 
B)  Protons are more attracted to hydrogen than they are to oxygen. 
C)  Electrons are more attracted to hydrogen than they are to oxygen. 
D)  Electrons are more attracted to oxygen than they are to hydrogen. 
E)  Hydrogen bonds create a charge difference. 
A)  Protons are more attracted to oxygen than they are to hydrogen. 
B)  Protons are more attracted to hydrogen than they are to oxygen. 
C)  Electrons are more attracted to hydrogen than they are to oxygen. 
D)  Electrons are more attracted to oxygen than they are to hydrogen. 
E)  Hydrogen bonds create a charge difference.

Question 6

Which of the following describes a property of pure water?

Accepted Answer

A)  changes temperature rapidly 
B)  molecules are noncohesive 
C)  can hold many molecules in solution 
D)  acidic pH 
E)  more dense as a solid 
A)  changes temperature rapidly 
B)  molecules are noncohesive 
C)  can hold many molecules in solution 
D)  acidic pH 
E)  more dense as a solid

Question 7

Which of the following statements about the rock cycle is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sedimentary rock forms metamorphic rock as it erodes. 
B)  Weathering and erosion can cause all three rock types to become sediments. 
C)  Sediments form igneous rock via lithification. 
D)  The cooling of magma forms metamorphic rock. 
E)  Sedimentary rock forms metamorphic and igneous rock via the process of lithification. 
A)  Sedimentary rock forms metamorphic rock as it erodes. 
B)  Weathering and erosion can cause all three rock types to become sediments. 
C)  Sediments form igneous rock via lithification. 
D)  The cooling of magma forms metamorphic rock. 
E)  Sedimentary rock forms metamorphic and igneous rock via the process of lithification.

Question 8

are composed of amino acids.

Accepted Answer

A)  Bases 
B)  Proteins 
C)  Nucleic acids 
D)  Lipids 
E)  Carbohydrates 
A)  Bases 
B)  Proteins 
C)  Nucleic acids 
D)  Lipids 
E)  Carbohydrates

Question 9

The primary source of increased levels of greenhouse gases on Earth is .

Accepted Answer

A)  loss of heterotrophs 
B)  modern human lifestyles 
C)  increased photosynthetic activity 
D)  asteroids falling to Earth 
E)  aerosol spray cans 
A)  loss of heterotrophs 
B)  modern human lifestyles 
C)  increased photosynthetic activity 
D)  asteroids falling to Earth 
E)  aerosol spray cans

Question 10

During photosynthesis within plants, .

Accepted Answer

A)  sugars and carbon dioxide are produced 
B)  carbon dioxide and oxygen are produced 
C)  water and carbon dioxide are consumed 
D)  the high -quality energy from sugar is converted to heat and light 
E)  oxygen and carbon dioxide are consumed 
A)  sugars and carbon dioxide are produced 
B)  carbon dioxide and oxygen are produced 
C)  water and carbon dioxide are consumed 
D)  the high -quality energy from sugar is converted to heat and light 
E)  oxygen and carbon dioxide are consumed

Question 11

You live in the Pacific Northwest and hear a news story about the dangers associated with pyroclastic flow. Which of the following is the news story about?

Accepted Answer

A)  mudslides 
B)  tsunamis 
C)  volcanic eruptions 
D)  floods 
E)  geysers 
A)  mudslides 
B)  tsunamis 
C)  volcanic eruptions 
D)  floods 
E)  geysers

Question 12

Consider the following processes: respiration, chemosynthesis, combustion of firewood, and photosynthesis. How many of these result in the release of oxygen into the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  none 
B)  1 
C)  2 
D)  3 
E)  all 4 
A)  none 
B)  1 
C)  2 
D)  3 
E)  all 4

Question 13

How does burning fossil fuels contribute to global warming?

Accepted Answer

A)  New energy is created on Earth when fossil fuels are burned. 
B)  Burning fossil fuels creates increased plate tectonic movement. 
C)  Fossils, if left untouched, cool Earth. 
D)  Carbon present in coal, oil, and natural gas becomes carbon dioxide when these fuels burn. 
E)  Burning fossil fuels removes water vapor from the atmosphere. 
A)  New energy is created on Earth when fossil fuels are burned. 
B)  Burning fossil fuels creates increased plate tectonic movement. 
C)  Fossils, if left untouched, cool Earth. 
D)  Carbon present in coal, oil, and natural gas becomes carbon dioxide when these fuels burn. 
E)  Burning fossil fuels removes water vapor from the atmosphere.

Question 14

Which of the following reactions represents cellular respiration?

Accepted Answer

A)  sugar + oxygen -water + carbon dioxide + energy 
B)  nitrogen + oxygen + sugar -methane + carbon dioxide 
C)  water + carbon dioxide -sugar + oxygen + water + energy 
D)  water + carbon dioxide + energy -sugar + oxygen + water 
E)  sugar + carbon dioxide + energy -water + oxygen 
A)  sugar + oxygen -water + carbon dioxide + energy 
B)  nitrogen + oxygen + sugar -methane + carbon dioxide 
C)  water + carbon dioxide -sugar + oxygen + water + energy 
D)  water + carbon dioxide + energy -sugar + oxygen + water 
E)  sugar + carbon dioxide + energy -water + oxygen

Question 15

Climatic change is a major concern for environmentalists because it can directly lead to .

Accepted Answer

A)  a decrease in the amount of photosynthesis on Earth 
B)  an increase in the diameter of the ozone hole 
C)  extinctions 
D)  more biodiversity on Earth 
E)  an decrease in the amount of geothermal energy 
A)  a decrease in the amount of photosynthesis on Earth 
B)  an increase in the diameter of the ozone hole 
C)  extinctions 
D)  more biodiversity on Earth 
E)  an decrease in the amount of geothermal energy

Question 16

What is the type of rock formed when magma or lava cools?

Accepted Answer

A)  geothermal 
B)  igneous 
C)  lithospheric 
D)  metamorphic 
E)  sedimentary 
A)  geothermal 
B)  igneous 
C)  lithospheric 
D)  metamorphic 
E)  sedimentary

Question 17

rock has undergone heat or pressure, causing it to change form.

Accepted Answer

A)  Metamorphic 
B)  Sedimentary 
C)  Igneous 
D)  Deformative 
E)  Conglomerate 
A)  Metamorphic 
B)  Sedimentary 
C)  Igneous 
D)  Deformative 
E)  Conglomerate

Question 18

An atom has 2 electrons, 3 protons, and 3 neutrons. What is the atom's mass number?

Accepted Answer

A)  3 
B)  5 
C)  6 
D)  8 
E)  Cannot be determined from the information given 
A)  3 
B)  5 
C)  6 
D)  8 
E)  Cannot be determined from the information given

Exam 2: Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

Earthquakes result from _.

is defined as the number of protons plus the number of neutrons.

Plastics are _ _.

Hydrogen bonds give water which of the following properties?

Why are both ends of each water molecule positive and the middle negative?

Which of the following describes a property of pure water?

Which of the following statements about the rock cycle is TRUE?

are composed of amino acids.

The primary source of increased levels of greenhouse gases on Earth is .

During photosynthesis within plants, .

You live in the Pacific Northwest and hear a news story about the dangers associated with pyroclastic flow. Which of the following is the news story about?

Consider the following processes: respiration, chemosynthesis, combustion of firewood, and photosynthesis. How many of these result in the release of oxygen into the atmosphere?

How does burning fossil fuels contribute to global warming?

Which of the following reactions represents cellular respiration?

Climatic change is a major concern for environmentalists because it can directly lead to .

What is the type of rock formed when magma or lava cools?

rock has undergone heat or pressure, causing it to change form.

An atom has 2 electrons, 3 protons, and 3 neutrons. What is the atom's mass number?

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development

Human Population

Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Geology, Minerals, and Mining

Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control

Global Climate Change

Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

Renewable Energy Alternatives

Managing Our Waste

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Sustainable Solutions

Answers to Data Analysis Questions

How to Interpret Graphs

Metric System

Periodic Table of the Elements

Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index

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