Question 1

Which of the following is not a major factor in shaping the climate of a local region?

Accepted Answer

A)  the intensity of solar radiation 
B)  global patterns of atmospheric circulation 
C)  the dominant herbivorous organisms of a region 
D)  global patterns of oceanic circulation 
A)  the intensity of solar radiation 
B)  global patterns of atmospheric circulation 
C)  the dominant herbivorous organisms of a region 
D)  global patterns of oceanic circulation

Question 2

Which of the following would have the greatest climactic effect over the largest area?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Missouri River 
B)  the Great Lakes 
C)  tropical rainforests 
D)  the Gulf Stream Current 
A)  the Missouri River 
B)  the Great Lakes 
C)  tropical rainforests 
D)  the Gulf Stream Current

Question 3

Occupying more than 75 percent of Earth's surface, _______ biomes are clearly the dominant habitat for life on this planet.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Occupying more than 75 percent of Earth's...

Question 4

_______ biomes are characterized by slowly flowing shallow water on lands that border larger bodies of water.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _______ biomes are characterized by slowly flowing...

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why a given biome is not found in each location where it could potentially exist?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ecologists are presently unable to answer this question; biomes appear to develop randomly and are based on unknown factors. 
B)  Biomes consist of unique assemblages of organisms; each biome can occur at only one place on Earth. 
C)  Despite the appropriate climatic conditions, the bedrock at any given location may not produce the correct soils that would allow the biome to develop. 
D)  Where aquatic and terrestrial biomes meet, no type of biome is able to become established. 
A)  Ecologists are presently unable to answer this question; biomes appear to develop randomly and are based on unknown factors. 
B)  Biomes consist of unique assemblages of organisms; each biome can occur at only one place on Earth. 
C)  Despite the appropriate climatic conditions, the bedrock at any given location may not produce the correct soils that would allow the biome to develop. 
D)  Where aquatic and terrestrial biomes meet, no type of biome is able to become established.

Question 6

Chemicals used by humans have reduced the concentration of ozone (O₃) in the stratosphere over both the North and South poles. Why is the reduction of ozone dangerous to humans?

Accepted Answer

A)  Localized changes in the Earth's atmosphere can alter the general global circulation and rainfall patterns. 
B)  The ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet light, a known mutagen; if it is reduced, the UV exposure at ground level will significantly increase. 
C)  Ozone is critical for the recycling of oxygen from carbon dioxide. 
D)  With reduced ozone concentrations the fixation of nitrogen gas to nitrate (NO₃) will occur too slowly. 
A)  Localized changes in the Earth's atmosphere can alter the general global circulation and rainfall patterns. 
B)  The ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet light, a known mutagen; if it is reduced, the UV exposure at ground level will significantly increase. 
C)  Ozone is critical for the recycling of oxygen from carbon dioxide. 
D)  With reduced ozone concentrations the fixation of nitrogen gas to nitrate (NO₃) will occur too slowly.

Question 7

All cities at a given latitude have the same average temperature.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The biome characterized by warmth, rain, and a rich diversity of trees, shrubs, and vines is the

Accepted Answer

A)  tundra. 
B)  chaparral. 
C)  tropical forest. 
D)  temperate forest. 
A)  tundra. 
B)  chaparral. 
C)  tropical forest. 
D)  temperate forest.

Question 9

During an El Niño event,

Accepted Answer

A)  sea surface temperatures in the Pacific become significantly warmer. 
B)  a reversal of the Peru current brings Pacific Ocean water to the tip of South America where it mixes with Atlantic ocean water. 
C)  the Earth's rotational axis tilts beyond its normal 23.5°. 
D)  sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic become significantly warmer. 
A)  sea surface temperatures in the Pacific become significantly warmer. 
B)  a reversal of the Peru current brings Pacific Ocean water to the tip of South America where it mixes with Atlantic ocean water. 
C)  the Earth's rotational axis tilts beyond its normal 23.5°. 
D)  sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic become significantly warmer.

Question 10

An ecosystem consists of both biotic (living) and _______ (nonliving) factors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An ecosystem consists of both biotic (living)...

Question 11

In the Northern Hemisphere most ocean currents run clockwise.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

With respect to productivity, why are aquatic biomes more influenced by terrestrial biomes than vice versa?

Accepted Answer

A)  Terrestrial biomes cover more of Earth's surface than aquatic biomes do. 
B)  Terrestrial biomes are unaffected by climate and thus are more stable than aquatic biomes. 
C)  Aquatic biomes are low in nutrients and rely on nutritional input from nearby terrestrial biomes. 
D)  The ocean covers nearly 70 percent of the Earth's surface, but the latitudes where temperature and rainfall are best for photosynthesis are terrestrial. 
A)  Terrestrial biomes cover more of Earth's surface than aquatic biomes do. 
B)  Terrestrial biomes are unaffected by climate and thus are more stable than aquatic biomes. 
C)  Aquatic biomes are low in nutrients and rely on nutritional input from nearby terrestrial biomes. 
D)  The ocean covers nearly 70 percent of the Earth's surface, but the latitudes where temperature and rainfall are best for photosynthesis are terrestrial.

Question 13

In which of the following would oxygen-rich surface water be most likely to sink seasonally to replenish deeper waters?

Accepted Answer

A)  near the shores of the Atlantic Ocean 
B)  in Lake Superior 
C)  in a shallow lake near Miami, Florida 
D)  in the Tennessee River 
A)  near the shores of the Atlantic Ocean 
B)  in Lake Superior 
C)  in a shallow lake near Miami, Florida 
D)  in the Tennessee River

Question 14

Once released into the atmosphere, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Accepted Answer

A)  are quickly destroyed by ultraviolet light and are not a cause for environmental concern. 
B)  reduce the amount of ultraviolet light reaching Earth and negatively impact photosynthesis. 
C)  react with ozone to form carbon dioxide, an important greenhouse gas. 
D)  catalyze the conversion of ozone into molecular oxygen. 
A)  are quickly destroyed by ultraviolet light and are not a cause for environmental concern. 
B)  reduce the amount of ultraviolet light reaching Earth and negatively impact photosynthesis. 
C)  react with ozone to form carbon dioxide, an important greenhouse gas. 
D)  catalyze the conversion of ozone into molecular oxygen.

Question 15

The Gulf Stream move about as much water as the average large river on land does.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Hawaii is positioned near the center of the north Pacific current system; the general flow of ocean water to the south of Hawaii would be to the

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

The biome occupied primarily by drought-resistant shrubs and characterized climatically by dry, hot summers and cool, wet winters is the

Accepted Answer

A)  temperate forest. 
B)  chaparral. 
C)  boreal forest. 
D)  tundra. 
A)  temperate forest. 
B)  chaparral. 
C)  boreal forest. 
D)  tundra.

Question 18

The biosphere is considered to consist of all living things and the physical environments where they live. To more conveniently characterize it, the biosphere is subdivided into

Accepted Answer

A)  ecosystems. 
B)  biomes. 
C)  populations. 
D)  habitats. 
A)  ecosystems. 
B)  biomes. 
C)  populations. 
D)  habitats.

Question 19

The figure below illustrates the rain shadow effect.  
What best explains why the leeward side of the mountain experiences less rainfall?

Accepted Answer

A)  The air mass simply has no more moisture; it was all released on the windward slope. 
B)  As the air flows downslope it is compressed and warmed, allowing it to not only retain its own moisture but often removing moisture from the soil beneath as well. 
C)  The rotation of the earth causes the air moving downslope to be displaced to the right, reducing rainfall behind the mountain. 
D)  All of the above contribute to the rain shadow effect. 
A)  The air mass simply has no more moisture; it was all released on the windward slope. 
B)  As the air flows downslope it is compressed and warmed, allowing it to not only retain its own moisture but often removing moisture from the soil beneath as well. 
C)  The rotation of the earth causes the air moving downslope to be displaced to the right, reducing rainfall behind the mountain. 
D)  All of the above contribute to the rain shadow effect.

Question 20

An _______ studies the many levels of interaction between organisms and their environments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An _______ studies the many levels of...

Exam 33: The Biosphere

Which of the following is not a major factor in shaping the climate of a local region?

Which of the following would have the greatest climactic effect over the largest area?

Occupying more than 75 percent of Earth's surface, _______ biomes are clearly the dominant habitat for life on this planet.

_______ biomes are characterized by slowly flowing shallow water on lands that border larger bodies of water.

Which of the following best explains why a given biome is not found in each location where it could potentially exist?

Chemicals used by humans have reduced the concentration of ozone (O₃) in the stratosphere over both the North and South poles. Why is the reduction of ozone dangerous to humans?

All cities at a given latitude have the same average temperature.

The biome characterized by warmth, rain, and a rich diversity of trees, shrubs, and vines is the

During an El Niño event,

An ecosystem consists of both biotic (living) and _______ (nonliving) factors.

In the Northern Hemisphere most ocean currents run clockwise.

With respect to productivity, why are aquatic biomes more influenced by terrestrial biomes than vice versa?

In which of the following would oxygen-rich surface water be most likely to sink seasonally to replenish deeper waters?

Once released into the atmosphere, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

The Gulf Stream move about as much water as the average large river on land does.

Hawaii is positioned near the center of the north Pacific current system; the general flow of ocean water to the south of Hawaii would be to the

The biome occupied primarily by drought-resistant shrubs and characterized climatically by dry, hot summers and cool, wet winters is the

The biosphere is considered to consist of all living things and the physical environments where they live. To more conveniently characterize it, the biosphere is subdivided into

The figure below illustrates the rain shadow effect. What best explains why the leeward side of the mountain experiences less rainfall?

An _______ studies the many levels of interaction between organisms and their environments.

The Nature of Science and the Characteristics of Life

Organizing the Diversity of Life

Major Groups of Living Organisms

Chemical Building Blocks

Cell Structure and Internal Compartments

Cell Membranes, Transport, and Communication

Energy and Enzymes

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Cell Division

Patterns of Inheritance

Chromosomes and Human Genetics

DNA

From Gene to Protein

Control of Gene Expression

DNA Technology

How Evolution Works

Evolution of Populations

Adaptation and Speciation

The Evolutionary History of Life

Maintaining the Internal Environment

Animal Nutrition and Digestion

Gas Exchange

The Circulatory System

Animal Hormones

The Nervous System

Sensing the Environment

Skeletons, Muscles, and Movement

Defenses against Disease

Reproduction and Development

Animal Behavior

Plant Structure, Nutrition, and Transport

Plant Growth and Reproduction

Growth of Populations

Interactions among Organisms

Communities of Organisms

Ecosystems

Global Change

Biodiversity and People

Cancer: Cell Division Out of Control

Harnessing the Human Genome

Humans and Evolution

Smoking--Beyond Lung Cancer

Feeding a Hungry Planet

Building a Sustainable Society

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