Question 1

As a group, the _______ gases allow light energy to pass through the atmosphere but absorb heat energy as it passes through the atmosphere to outer space.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a group, the _______ gases allow...

Question 2

Why is the amount of nitrogen that cycles among organisms much smaller than the amount in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nitrogen is not needed by most of Earth's organisms. 
B)  Nitrogen gas in the atmosphere cannot be used directly by most organisms. 
C)  Human nitrogen fixation activities cause an increase in the amount of nitrogen gas in the atmosphere. 
D)  Nitrogen has a sedimentary nutrient cycle. 
A)  Nitrogen is not needed by most of Earth's organisms. 
B)  Nitrogen gas in the atmosphere cannot be used directly by most organisms. 
C)  Human nitrogen fixation activities cause an increase in the amount of nitrogen gas in the atmosphere. 
D)  Nitrogen has a sedimentary nutrient cycle.

Question 3

Which of the following represents the most significant anthropogenic modification to the nitrogen cycle?

Accepted Answer

A)  industrial fixation of nitrogen to produce fertilizer 
B)  release of nitrogen dioxide as a waste emission from burning coal 
C)  production of nitrogen monoxide by car engines 
D)  nitrogen fixation by bacteria associated with agricultural crops such as peas 
A)  industrial fixation of nitrogen to produce fertilizer 
B)  release of nitrogen dioxide as a waste emission from burning coal 
C)  production of nitrogen monoxide by car engines 
D)  nitrogen fixation by bacteria associated with agricultural crops such as peas

Question 4

Having a sustainable impact on the Earth and our biosphere means that we must

Accepted Answer

A)  produce more fertilizers to feed a growing population. 
B)  take advantage of global warming by growing more crops in areas that were previously unavailable for agriculture. 
C)  find ways to recycle carbon dioxide more rapidly. 
D)  create better balances between our consumption of resources and the rates at which they can be replenished. 
A)  produce more fertilizers to feed a growing population. 
B)  take advantage of global warming by growing more crops in areas that were previously unavailable for agriculture. 
C)  find ways to recycle carbon dioxide more rapidly. 
D)  create better balances between our consumption of resources and the rates at which they can be replenished.

Question 5

Wetlands are one of the few habitats to have escaped human-caused destruction; the worldwide distribution of wetlands has remained relatively stable for the past 200 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

When plants are initially exposed to elevated carbon dioxide levels most increase their rate of photosynthesis; how might plant communities be affected?

Accepted Answer

A)  no changes other than increased NPP 
B)  competition increases for other resources such as sunlight or phosphorus with the eventual disappearance of some community members 
C)  community members decrease in size over time with the removal of the selection pressure for carbon dioxide acquisition 
D)  Since carbon dioxide is never a limiting factor like water, nitrogen, or phosphorus, increased levels typically have no significant effects. 
A)  no changes other than increased NPP 
B)  competition increases for other resources such as sunlight or phosphorus with the eventual disappearance of some community members 
C)  community members decrease in size over time with the removal of the selection pressure for carbon dioxide acquisition 
D)  Since carbon dioxide is never a limiting factor like water, nitrogen, or phosphorus, increased levels typically have no significant effects.

Question 7

The conversion of N₂ to NH₄⁺ is called _______ _______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The conversion of N₂ to NH₄⁺ is...

Question 8

Global levels of carbon dioxide have risen dramatically in the past 200 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Carbon dioxide makes up approximately _______ percent of Earth's atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A)  94 
B)  44 
C)  4 
D)  0.04 
A)  94 
B)  44 
C)  4 
D)  0.04

Question 10

Which of the following statements is not correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  Land and water transformations are caused by humans. 
B)  Land and water transformations are global in scale. 
C)  Land and water transformations are currently occurring. 
D)  Land and water transformations have had little effect on Earth. 
A)  Land and water transformations are caused by humans. 
B)  Land and water transformations are global in scale. 
C)  Land and water transformations are currently occurring. 
D)  Land and water transformations have had little effect on Earth.

Question 11

In the past 45 years, people who fish are catching fewer large carnivorous fishes worldwide. Which of the following statements best explains the significance of this fact?

Accepted Answer

A)  Humans will have to begin eating fish that are primary consumers, meaning we will gather less energy from each fish eaten than if we ate secondary consumers. 
B)  The large fish have been hunted to near extinction, and this will affect the populations of both their predators and their prey. 
C)  The large fish have moved to areas of the ocean where fishing is less intense. 
D)  Humans will have to become producers in order to gather the maximum amount of energy from marine food webs. 
A)  Humans will have to begin eating fish that are primary consumers, meaning we will gather less energy from each fish eaten than if we ate secondary consumers. 
B)  The large fish have been hunted to near extinction, and this will affect the populations of both their predators and their prey. 
C)  The large fish have moved to areas of the ocean where fishing is less intense. 
D)  Humans will have to become producers in order to gather the maximum amount of energy from marine food webs.

Question 12

The figure below shows the relative concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in several members of a lake food web.  
Although the lake trout and minnow are both fish, the lake trout is more contaminated. Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lake trout are bigger so their bodies can store a greater quantity of PCBs. 
B)  PCBs dissolve poorly in water but readily in fat; lake trout have a higher percentage of body fat than minnows. 
C)  Lake trout are large and long-lived; when they respire the pass water over their gills allowing the PCBs in the lake to accumulate it their bodies. 
D)  Lake trout fed on minnows while minnows fed on crustaceans. 
A)  Lake trout are bigger so their bodies can store a greater quantity of PCBs. 
B)  PCBs dissolve poorly in water but readily in fat; lake trout have a higher percentage of body fat than minnows. 
C)  Lake trout are large and long-lived; when they respire the pass water over their gills allowing the PCBs in the lake to accumulate it their bodies. 
D)  Lake trout fed on minnows while minnows fed on crustaceans.

Question 13

Humans have had little lasting impact on the physical appearance of Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Biodeisel fuel is produced from oils synthesized by and harvested from living plants. How does the use of biodeisel fuel compare to the use of fossil fuels with respect to the amount of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is no difference; the combustion of the fuel produces carbon dioxide regardless of its source. 
B)  It is beneficial; converting plant material to biodeisel permanently traps carbon dioxide and prevents its entry to the atmosphere. 
C)  It is detrimental; since biodeisel produces lower mileage more must be burned, causing a proportional increase in carbon dioxide release. 
D)  It is beneficial; since living plants are the source of the biodeisel, burning it simply represents nutrient recycling. 
A)  There is no difference; the combustion of the fuel produces carbon dioxide regardless of its source. 
B)  It is beneficial; converting plant material to biodeisel permanently traps carbon dioxide and prevents its entry to the atmosphere. 
C)  It is detrimental; since biodeisel produces lower mileage more must be burned, causing a proportional increase in carbon dioxide release. 
D)  It is beneficial; since living plants are the source of the biodeisel, burning it simply represents nutrient recycling.

Question 15

Even without the melting of polar ice, sea level is anticipated to rise because warm water expands.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Intentionally supplementing nitrogen into a monoculture like a corn field has predictable and desirable results. Is the same true when added to a system as complex as a community?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes; both primary production and species diversity increase. 
B)  Yes; primary production decreases but species diversity increases. 
C)  No, both primary production and species diversity decrease. 
D)  No, primary production increases but species diversity decreases. 
A)  Yes; both primary production and species diversity increase. 
B)  Yes; primary production decreases but species diversity increases. 
C)  No, both primary production and species diversity decrease. 
D)  No, primary production increases but species diversity decreases.

Question 17

Humans now utilize approximately 30-35 percent of the terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP). A result of this is that

Accepted Answer

A)  human hunger has been virtually eliminated. 
B)  the number of species on Earth has increased. 
C)  humans are often in direct competition with other species for food and other natural resources. 
D)  we have learned how to manage Earth's resources so that all species have the resources they need to survive. 
A)  human hunger has been virtually eliminated. 
B)  the number of species on Earth has increased. 
C)  humans are often in direct competition with other species for food and other natural resources. 
D)  we have learned how to manage Earth's resources so that all species have the resources they need to survive.

Question 18

The amount of nitrogen that cycles among organisms is _______ than the amount that is in the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The amount of nitrogen that cycles among...

Question 19

Factual
The cutting and burning of forests has led to an increase in global _______ _______ levels.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Factual
The cutting and burning of forests has...

Question 20

In comparison to past estimates extinction rates are currently high. Which of the following is the most plausible explanation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Natural fluctuations in climate causes extinctions. 
B)  Continental drift is causing rapid changes in climate, which, in turn, causes extinctions. 
C)  Previous extinctions make survival of contemporary species more difficult. 
D)  Humans are affecting many aspects of the global environment. 
A)  Natural fluctuations in climate causes extinctions. 
B)  Continental drift is causing rapid changes in climate, which, in turn, causes extinctions. 
C)  Previous extinctions make survival of contemporary species more difficult. 
D)  Humans are affecting many aspects of the global environment.

Exam 38: Global Change

As a group, the _______ gases allow light energy to pass through the atmosphere but absorb heat energy as it passes through the atmosphere to outer space.

Why is the amount of nitrogen that cycles among organisms much smaller than the amount in the atmosphere?

Which of the following represents the most significant anthropogenic modification to the nitrogen cycle?

Having a sustainable impact on the Earth and our biosphere means that we must

Wetlands are one of the few habitats to have escaped human-caused destruction; the worldwide distribution of wetlands has remained relatively stable for the past 200 years.

When plants are initially exposed to elevated carbon dioxide levels most increase their rate of photosynthesis; how might plant communities be affected?

The conversion of N₂ to NH₄⁺ is called _______ _______.

Global levels of carbon dioxide have risen dramatically in the past 200 years.

Carbon dioxide makes up approximately _______ percent of Earth's atmosphere.

Which of the following statements is not correct?

In the past 45 years, people who fish are catching fewer large carnivorous fishes worldwide. Which of the following statements best explains the significance of this fact?

The figure below shows the relative concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in several members of a lake food web. Although the lake trout and minnow are both fish, the lake trout is more contaminated. Why?

Humans have had little lasting impact on the physical appearance of Earth.

Biodeisel fuel is produced from oils synthesized by and harvested from living plants. How does the use of biodeisel fuel compare to the use of fossil fuels with respect to the amount of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere?

Even without the melting of polar ice, sea level is anticipated to rise because warm water expands.

Intentionally supplementing nitrogen into a monoculture like a corn field has predictable and desirable results. Is the same true when added to a system as complex as a community?

Humans now utilize approximately 30-35 percent of the terrestrial net primary productivity (NPP). A result of this is that

The amount of nitrogen that cycles among organisms is _______ than the amount that is in the atmosphere.

Factual The cutting and burning of forests has led to an increase in global _______ _______ levels.

In comparison to past estimates extinction rates are currently high. Which of the following is the most plausible explanation?

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

The Biosphere

Growth of Populations

Interactions among Organisms

Communities of Organisms

Ecosystems

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

Filters

The conversion of N₂ to NH₄⁺ is called _ _.

Factual The cutting and burning of forests has led to an increase in global _ _ levels.