Question 1

When all living organisms are included, which biomes 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 2

What factor most influences the dry deserts of Nevada?

Accepted Answer

A)  the hot desert sun 
B)  the Pacific Ocean 
C)  overgrazing by livestock 
D)  the rain shadow from a California mountain range 
A)  the hot desert sun 
B)  the Pacific Ocean 
C)  overgrazing by livestock 
D)  the rain shadow from a California mountain range

Question 3

In which biome are coniferous trees most abundant?

Accepted Answer

A)  tropical forests 
B)  temperate forests 
C)  deciduous forests 
D)  boreal forests 
A)  tropical forests 
B)  temperate forests 
C)  deciduous forests 
D)  boreal forests

Question 4

The temperature of a city is often warmer than the temperature in its surrounding suburbs. This is the result of an urban heat island effect. Why might this effect occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  The pavement and buildings absorb heat. 
B)  There are more parks in the city. 
C)  Fewer people drive in the suburbs. 
D)  Fewer buildings use air conditioning in the suburbs. 
A)  The pavement and buildings absorb heat. 
B)  There are more parks in the city. 
C)  Fewer people drive in the suburbs. 
D)  Fewer buildings use air conditioning in the suburbs.

Question 5

How much rainfall is received in a desert?

Accepted Answer

A)  a negligible amount (essentially 0 inches per year) 
B)  less than 1 inch per year 
C)  less than 20 inches per year 
D)  more than 20 inches per year 
A)  a negligible amount (essentially 0 inches per year) 
B)  less than 1 inch per year 
C)  less than 20 inches per year 
D)  more than 20 inches per year

Question 6

In the Northern Hemisphere, when does the summer solstice occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  when the sun reaches its northern maximum 
B)  when the South Pole is closest to the sun 
C)  when solar irradiance is at its minimum 
D)  when lengths of day and night are equal at all latitudes 
A)  when the sun reaches its northern maximum 
B)  when the South Pole is closest to the sun 
C)  when solar irradiance is at its minimum 
D)  when lengths of day and night are equal at all latitudes

Question 7

What substance builds coral reefs?

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

Question 8

What factor affects the average temperature of a region?

Accepted Answer

A)  the amount of cloud cover that exists 
B)  the amount of light energy per unit area hitting it 
C)  whether there's an El Niño that year 
D)  the amount of precipitation it receives 
A)  the amount of cloud cover that exists 
B)  the amount of light energy per unit area hitting it 
C)  whether there's an El Niño that year 
D)  the amount of precipitation it receives

Question 9

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 10

What is the typical pattern of temperature and rainfall/snowfall in a region, established over a long period of time?

Accepted Answer

A)  climate 
B)  weather 
C)  precipitation 
D)  solar irradiance 
A)  climate 
B)  weather 
C)  precipitation 
D)  solar irradiance

Question 11

Compared to the air above a nearby land mass, how would the air above a large body of water be?

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 12

What factors are found in both tropical and temperate forests?

Accepted Answer

A)  rainy and dry seasons 
B)  seasonal changes in temperature 
C)  enough precipitation to support large trees 
D)  the same species of trees 
A)  rainy and dry seasons 
B)  seasonal changes in temperature 
C)  enough precipitation to support large trees 
D)  the same species of trees

Question 13

What can result from burning fossil fuels?

Accepted Answer

A)  a decrease in ground-level ozone levels 
B)  a decrease in carbon dioxide levels 
C)  an increase in mercury levels 
D)  a decrease in acid rain 
A)  a decrease in ground-level ozone levels 
B)  a decrease in carbon dioxide levels 
C)  an increase in mercury levels 
D)  a decrease in acid rain

Question 14

What is the definition of "swidden"?

Accepted Answer

A)  tundra 
B)  slash-and-burn agriculture 
C)  the boreal forest 
D)  biome 
A)  tundra 
B)  slash-and-burn agriculture 
C)  the boreal forest 
D)  biome

Question 15

What is the purpose of the fragrant oils found in rosemary and thyme?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Which city would have the largest variation in daylight hours between the summer solstice and the winter solstice?

Accepted Answer

A)  New York, New York 
B)  Los Angeles, California 
C)  Miami, Florida 
D)  Montreal, Canada 
A)  New York, New York 
B)  Los Angeles, California 
C)  Miami, Florida 
D)  Montreal, Canada

Question 17

Why do tropical rainforests exist in soils that are nutrient-poor?

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 18

Where are the major deserts of the world located?

Accepted Answer

A)  30° north and south of the equator 
B)  23.5° north and south of the equator 
C)  45° north and south of the equator 
D)  the equator 
A)  30° north and south of the equator 
B)  23.5° north and south of the equator 
C)  45° north and south of the equator 
D)  the equator

Question 19

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 20

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.

Exam 16: Where Do You Live Climate and Biomes

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

What factor most influences the dry deserts of Nevada?

In which biome are coniferous trees most abundant?

The temperature of a city is often warmer than the temperature in its surrounding suburbs. This is the result of an urban heat island effect. Why might this effect occur?

How much rainfall is received in a desert?

In the Northern Hemisphere, when does the summer solstice occur?

What substance builds coral reefs?

What factor affects the average temperature of a region?

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?

What is the typical pattern of temperature and rainfall/snowfall in a region, established over a long period of time?

Compared to the air above a nearby land mass, how would the air above a large body of water be?

What factors are found in both tropical and temperate forests?

What can result from burning fossil fuels?

What is the definition of "swidden"?

What is the purpose of the fragrant oils found in rosemary and thyme?

Which city would have the largest variation in daylight hours between the summer solstice and the winter solstice?

Why do tropical rainforests exist in soils that are nutrient-poor?

Where are the major deserts of the world located?

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

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

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Cancer: DNA Synthesis, Mitosis, and Meiosis

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Vaccination: Protection and Prevention or Peril Immune System,

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