Question 1

Which of the following statements with regards to the role of phytoplankton is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Phytoplankton scatter and absorb light entering the water. 
B)  Phytoplankton productivity increases with increasing UV radiation. 
C)  Phytoplankton release volatile organic compounds to help clouds form. 
D)  Phytoplankton fix atmospheric carbon dioxide. 
E)  Phytoplankton is a small autotrophic organism which in large numbers may cause green colouration on water. 
A)  Phytoplankton scatter and absorb light entering the water. 
B)  Phytoplankton productivity increases with increasing UV radiation. 
C)  Phytoplankton release volatile organic compounds to help clouds form. 
D)  Phytoplankton fix atmospheric carbon dioxide. 
E)  Phytoplankton is a small autotrophic organism which in large numbers may cause green colouration on water. B

Question 2

Which of the following statements about salt in Australian rural landscapes is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  High levels of salt are mainly found in wetter regions. 
B)  Clearing allows the water table to rise, carrying salts. 
C)  Salt is only a problem when it forms scalds on the surface. 
D)  Salt in ground water is a problem as it stunts root growth. 
E)  Salinity is not a significant problem in Australia. 
A)  High levels of salt are mainly found in wetter regions. 
B)  Clearing allows the water table to rise, carrying salts. 
C)  Salt is only a problem when it forms scalds on the surface. 
D)  Salt in ground water is a problem as it stunts root growth. 
E)  Salinity is not a significant problem in Australia. B

Question 3

The cane toad

Accepted Answer

A)  is not a considered to be a pest species within Australia. 
B)  has a very specific diet. 
C)  has no effect on native wildlife. 
D)  lack of natural predators. 
E)  continues to spread throughout parts of Australia. 
A)  is not a considered to be a pest species within Australia. 
B)  has a very specific diet. 
C)  has no effect on native wildlife. 
D)  lack of natural predators. 
E)  continues to spread throughout parts of Australia. E

Question 4

Rainforest ecosystems are characterised by

Accepted Answer

A)  frequent natural disturbance. 
B)  rapid nutrient recycling. 
C)  high abundance of decomposers such as fungi. 
D)  dense root systems which prevent erosion. 
E)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  frequent natural disturbance. 
B)  rapid nutrient recycling. 
C)  high abundance of decomposers such as fungi. 
D)  dense root systems which prevent erosion. 
E)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 5

Tropical rainforest covers

Accepted Answer

A) > 50 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 10 per cent of all species. B) about 50 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 70 per cent of all species. C) about 20 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 80 per cent of all species. D) about 10 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 10 per cent of all species. E) < 10 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 50 per cent of all species. A) > 50 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 10 per cent of all species. B) about 50 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 70 per cent of all species. C) about 20 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 80 per cent of all species. D) about 10 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 10 per cent of all species. E) < 10 per cent of the earth's surface and contains about 50 per cent of all species.

Question 6

Some rare and endangered Australian parrots are frequently found for sale in Singapore. Attempts to prevent this trade in exotic wildlife, which threatens biodiversity, is under the control of the

Accepted Answer

A)  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. 
B)  Native Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. 
C)  Environmental Protection Act. 
D)  World Heritage Act. 
E)  Australian Customs. 
A)  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. 
B)  Native Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. 
C)  Environmental Protection Act. 
D)  World Heritage Act. 
E)  Australian Customs.

Question 7

Biodiversity is

Accepted Answer

A)  the variety of life forms. 
B)  the diversity of genes. 
C)  the diversity of ecosystems. 
D)  the diversity of oceans. 
E)  All of these answers are part of biodiversity. 
A)  the variety of life forms. 
B)  the diversity of genes. 
C)  the diversity of ecosystems. 
D)  the diversity of oceans. 
E)  All of these answers are part of biodiversity.

Question 8

Which of the following measures would help to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  Burning garbage instead of coal for electricity generation 
B)  Using plain toilet paper instead of printed 
C)  Drinking diet-coke instead of coke-zero 
D)  Reducing the levels of flatulence in livestock 
E)  Flying to work in individual helicopters or jets instead of driving 
A)  Burning garbage instead of coal for electricity generation 
B)  Using plain toilet paper instead of printed 
C)  Drinking diet-coke instead of coke-zero 
D)  Reducing the levels of flatulence in livestock 
E)  Flying to work in individual helicopters or jets instead of driving

Question 9

Which of the following statements about human impacts on Australian ecosystems is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The rate of species extinction has levelled out. 
B)  Accelerated rates of extinction are expected particularly for birds. 
C)  Many species have declined in abundance but not in range. 
D)  While many bird species have become extinct, the impact of humans is not significant on the mammalian species. 
E)  All of the answers are true. 
A)  The rate of species extinction has levelled out. 
B)  Accelerated rates of extinction are expected particularly for birds. 
C)  Many species have declined in abundance but not in range. 
D)  While many bird species have become extinct, the impact of humans is not significant on the mammalian species. 
E)  All of the answers are true.

Question 10

In the greenhouse effect, incoming solar radiation entering the earth's atmosphere is

Accepted Answer

A)  absorbed by greenhouse gases in the upper atmosphere. 
B)  re-radiated as short wave radiation from the earth's surface and is reabsorbed by the atmosphere. 
C)  re-radiated directly into space. 
D)  re-radiated as heat from the earth's surface and is absorbed by atmospheric gases. 
E)  trapped in the lower atmosphere by carbon dioxide. 
A)  absorbed by greenhouse gases in the upper atmosphere. 
B)  re-radiated as short wave radiation from the earth's surface and is reabsorbed by the atmosphere. 
C)  re-radiated directly into space. 
D)  re-radiated as heat from the earth's surface and is absorbed by atmospheric gases. 
E)  trapped in the lower atmosphere by carbon dioxide.

Question 11

Dandelion, Taraxacum officionale, is a typical weed species. You would expect it to have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  fast growth. 
B)  the ability to colonise disturbed habitats. 
C)  exclusively sexual reproduction. 
D)  good competitive ability. 
E)  early flowering. 
A)  fast growth. 
B)  the ability to colonise disturbed habitats. 
C)  exclusively sexual reproduction. 
D)  good competitive ability. 
E)  early flowering.

Question 12

Rabbits contribute to rural dieback in the mallee ecosystems of Victoria primarily by

Accepted Answer

A)  eating regenerating seedlings. 
B)  ring-barking trees. 
C)  favouring the spread of introduced grasses. 
D)  disturbing roots and killing shrubs by burrowing. 
E)  spreading diseases that attack normal seed vectors. 
A)  eating regenerating seedlings. 
B)  ring-barking trees. 
C)  favouring the spread of introduced grasses. 
D)  disturbing roots and killing shrubs by burrowing. 
E)  spreading diseases that attack normal seed vectors.

Question 13

CO2 is a significant greenhouse gas. The greatest gains in CO2 reduction would be achieved by

Accepted Answer

A)  increasing the rate of land clearing. 
B)  reducing the number of domesticated cattle. 
C)  reducing the use of fossil fuels, particularly oil and coal. 
D)  limiting the use of renewable, non-carbon based forms of energy. 
E)  planting trees which fix carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. 
A)  increasing the rate of land clearing. 
B)  reducing the number of domesticated cattle. 
C)  reducing the use of fossil fuels, particularly oil and coal. 
D)  limiting the use of renewable, non-carbon based forms of energy. 
E)  planting trees which fix carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.

Question 14

The main difference between aboriginal (pre-European) and European burning regimes in Australia, was that

Accepted Answer

A)  Aborigines used extensive, intense wildfires. 
B)  Aborigines burnt regularly but in patches. 
C)  Europeans used regular, intense burning on a small scale. 
D)  Aborigines did not deliberately light fires. 
E)  Europeans burn only in winter. 
A)  Aborigines used extensive, intense wildfires. 
B)  Aborigines burnt regularly but in patches. 
C)  Europeans used regular, intense burning on a small scale. 
D)  Aborigines did not deliberately light fires. 
E)  Europeans burn only in winter.

Question 15

In which areas are Australian ecosystems currently under the most threat from human activities?

Accepted Answer

A)  Pastoral 
B)  Tropical 
C)  Coastal 
D)  Agricultural 
E)  Residential 
A)  Pastoral 
B)  Tropical 
C)  Coastal 
D)  Agricultural 
E)  Residential

Question 16

Induced soil acidity in Australia

Accepted Answer

A)  is a recent land degradation problem. 
B)  is not a significant problem. 
C)  is improved by the addition of ammonia-based fertilisers. 
D)  has been caused by the addition of lime. 
E)  only occurs in mangrove swamps. 
A)  is a recent land degradation problem. 
B)  is not a significant problem. 
C)  is improved by the addition of ammonia-based fertilisers. 
D)  has been caused by the addition of lime. 
E)  only occurs in mangrove swamps.

Question 17

Many significant hotspots of biodiversity have been identified in Australia. One of these is

Accepted Answer

A)  south-west of Western Australia. 
B)  the grasslands of Victoria. 
C)  tropical rainforests of the Northern Territory. 
D)  the sclerophyll forests of Queensland, home to bats. 
E)  coastal New South Wales. 
A)  south-west of Western Australia. 
B)  the grasslands of Victoria. 
C)  tropical rainforests of the Northern Territory. 
D)  the sclerophyll forests of Queensland, home to bats. 
E)  coastal New South Wales.

Question 18

Erosion in degraded ecosystems is primarily caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  clearing of land for agriculture and cultivation. 
B)  frequent fires. 
C)  over-grazing. 
D)  pasture die-back. 
E)  All of the answers are correct. 
A)  clearing of land for agriculture and cultivation. 
B)  frequent fires. 
C)  over-grazing. 
D)  pasture die-back. 
E)  All of the answers are correct.

Question 19

In general, narrow remnant vegetation along roads

Accepted Answer

A)  makes good wildlife refuges for large animals. 
B)  shows uniform species composition from one side to the other. 
C)  favours the survival of species found in the interior of fragments. 
D)  has a high edge:area ratio. 
E)  provides little protection for small organisms. 
A)  makes good wildlife refuges for large animals. 
B)  shows uniform species composition from one side to the other. 
C)  favours the survival of species found in the interior of fragments. 
D)  has a high edge:area ratio. 
E)  provides little protection for small organisms.

Question 20

At current rates of tropical deforestation, the percentage of tropical forest species that will become extinct per decade is thought to be between

Accepted Answer

A)  2-5%. 
B)  10-15%. 
C)  15-20%. 
D)  25-35%. 
E)  5-10%. 
A)  2-5%. 
B)  10-15%. 
C)  15-20%. 
D)  25-35%. 
E)  5-10%.

Exam 46: Human Impacts

Which of the following statements with regards to the role of phytoplankton is NOT true?

Which of the following statements about salt in Australian rural landscapes is true?

The cane toad

Rainforest ecosystems are characterised by

Tropical rainforest covers

Some rare and endangered Australian parrots are frequently found for sale in Singapore. Attempts to prevent this trade in exotic wildlife, which threatens biodiversity, is under the control of the

Biodiversity is

Which of the following measures would help to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?

Which of the following statements about human impacts on Australian ecosystems is true?

In the greenhouse effect, incoming solar radiation entering the earth's atmosphere is

Dandelion, Taraxacum officionale, is a typical weed species. You would expect it to have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT

Rabbits contribute to rural dieback in the mallee ecosystems of Victoria primarily by

CO2 is a significant greenhouse gas. The greatest gains in CO2 reduction would be achieved by

The main difference between aboriginal (pre-European) and European burning regimes in Australia, was that

In which areas are Australian ecosystems currently under the most threat from human activities?

Induced soil acidity in Australia

Many significant hotspots of biodiversity have been identified in Australia. One of these is

Erosion in degraded ecosystems is primarily caused by

In general, narrow remnant vegetation along roads

At current rates of tropical deforestation, the percentage of tropical forest species that will become extinct per decade is thought to be between

Nature of Molecules

Biomolecules

The Chemistry of Life

Functioning Cells

Movement Across Membranes

Harvesting Energy

Cells, Tissues and Signals

Cell Division

Inheritance

Genes, Chromosomes and Dna

The Genetic Code

Gene Expression

Genomes, Mutation and Cancer

Viruses

Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Reproduction, Growth and Development of Flowering Plants

Structure of Plants

Plant Nutrition, Transport and Adaptation to Stress

Plant Hormones and Growth Responses

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Homeostasis: Water, Solutes and Excretion

Gas Exchange in Animals

Circulation

Metabolism, Temperature Regulation and Environmental Stress

Animal and Human Nutrition

Innate Defences and the Immune System

Hormonal Control in Animals

Nervous Systems

Animal Movement

Animal Behaviour

Evolving Life

Evolving Earth

Mechanisms of Evolution

Bacteria

The Protists

Plants

Fungi

Simple Animals: Sponges to Flatworms

Annelids, Molluscs, Nematodes and Arthropods

Echinoderms and Chordates

Australian Biota

Population Ecology

Living in Communities

Ecosystems

Filters

CO₂ is a significant greenhouse gas. The greatest gains in CO₂ reduction would be achieved by