Question 1

What is the least likely effect of fires on organisms?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fire stimulates the germination of seeds. 
B)  Fire's combustion frees minerals locked in organic matter. 
C)  Fire instigates the growth of shade-tolerant plants. 
D)  Fire encourages the growth of shade-intolerant plants. 
E)  Fire increases soil erosion. 
A)  Fire stimulates the germination of seeds. 
B)  Fire's combustion frees minerals locked in organic matter. 
C)  Fire instigates the growth of shade-tolerant plants. 
D)  Fire encourages the growth of shade-intolerant plants. 
E)  Fire increases soil erosion.

Question 2

Toxic chemicals introduced into the environment eventually enter food chains and food webs. In 1972, DDT (a chemical used to control mosquitoes) was banned in the United States because of its deleterious effects on the food chain and web. The processes that proved DDT to be hazardous also have shown that other substances, like heavy metals, are harmful to food chains and webs. Explain why heavy metals can have such far-reaching effects. Your answer should include the terms bioaccumulation, persistence, and biological magnification.

Accepted Answer

The danger of DDT and similar chemicals,

Question 3

In an ecosystem, which measure of energy is the largest in amount or rate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Net primary productivity 
B)  Gross primary productivity 
C)  Plant respiration 
D)  Animal respiration 
E)  Both plant and animal respiration 
A)  Net primary productivity 
B)  Gross primary productivity 
C)  Plant respiration 
D)  Animal respiration 
E)  Both plant and animal respiration

Question 4

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which gaseous nitrogen is converted to nitrate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

During the cycling of phosphorus, which biological process is critical in cycling dissolved phosphorus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Photosynthesis 
B)  Decomposition 
C)  Mitosis 
D)  Meiosis 
E)  Respiration 
A)  Photosynthesis 
B)  Decomposition 
C)  Mitosis 
D)  Meiosis 
E)  Respiration

Question 6

Drier climates tend to prevail

Accepted Answer

A)  on the windward side of mountains. 
B)  in a rain shadow. 
C)  close to the coast of the continent. 
D)  in temperate regions. 
E)  only in the Northern Hemisphere. 
A)  on the windward side of mountains. 
B)  in a rain shadow. 
C)  close to the coast of the continent. 
D)  in temperate regions. 
E)  only in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 7

Arrange the following from the ecosystem with the smallest average NPP to the ecosystems with the largest NPP. (1) Lake
(2) Savannah
(3) Estuary
(4) Tropical rain forest
(5) Open ocean

Accepted Answer

A)  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 
B)  2, 1, 4, 3, 5 
C)  2, 1, 5, 3, 4 
D)  5, 2, 1, 3, 4 
E)  5, 1, 2, 3, 4 
A)  1, 2, 3, 4, 5 
B)  2, 1, 4, 3, 5 
C)  2, 1, 5, 3, 4 
D)  5, 2, 1, 3, 4 
E)  5, 1, 2, 3, 4

Question 8

Which nutrient cycle does not have a gaseous phase?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hydrologic cycle 
B)  Nitrogen cycle 
C)  Carbon cycle 
D)  Sulfur cycle 
E)  Phosphorus cycle 
A)  Hydrologic cycle 
B)  Nitrogen cycle 
C)  Carbon cycle 
D)  Sulfur cycle 
E)  Phosphorus cycle

Question 9

Dissolved phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems may return to the land via

Accepted Answer

A)  erosion. 
B)  phosphate mining. 
C)  birds eating fish and mollusks. 
D)  zooplankton. 
E)  decomposition. 
A)  erosion. 
B)  phosphate mining. 
C)  birds eating fish and mollusks. 
D)  zooplankton. 
E)  decomposition.

Question 10

Define an ENSO event and describe the conditions contribute to its occurrence. What effect does an ENSO event have on the global environment, and how does it manage to have such far-reaching impacts?

Accepted Answer

Concepts to Consider: ENSO events result

Question 11

The 'sun's energy is produced by

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear fission reactions. 
B)  nuclear fusion reactions. 
C)  electromagnetic radiation. 
D)  ultraviolet radiation. 
E)  infrared radiation. 
A)  nuclear fission reactions. 
B)  nuclear fusion reactions. 
C)  electromagnetic radiation. 
D)  ultraviolet radiation. 
E)  infrared radiation.

Question 12

Which statement reflects a key concept about ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

A)  Matter moves linearly through different systems, both abiotic and biotic, within an ecosystem. 
B)  There is a one-way flow of energy through the food webs of ecosystems. 
C)  Conservation should focus on the success and survival of individual species. 
D)  The abiotic environment does not influence the distribution and survival of particular organisms. 
E)  Heat energy can be used by organisms for their daily activities. 
A)  Matter moves linearly through different systems, both abiotic and biotic, within an ecosystem. 
B)  There is a one-way flow of energy through the food webs of ecosystems. 
C)  Conservation should focus on the success and survival of individual species. 
D)  The abiotic environment does not influence the distribution and survival of particular organisms. 
E)  Heat energy can be used by organisms for their daily activities.

Question 13

The main steps of the nitrogen cycle are

Accepted Answer

A)  nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, digestion, and denitrification. 
B)  nitrigenation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification. 
C)  nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification. 
D)  nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, carbonation, and denitrification. 
E)  nitrogen fixation, oxidation, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification. 
A)  nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, digestion, and denitrification. 
B)  nitrigenation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification. 
C)  nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification. 
D)  nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, carbonation, and denitrification. 
E)  nitrogen fixation, oxidation, assimilation, ammonification, and denitrification.

Question 14

Nitrogen is a critical requirement for living organisms because it is a component of

Accepted Answer

A)  carbohydrates and lipids. 
B)  carbohydrates. 
C)  lipids and nucleic acids. 
D)  nucleic acids and proteins. 
E)  nucleic acids and carbohydrates. 
A)  carbohydrates and lipids. 
B)  carbohydrates. 
C)  lipids and nucleic acids. 
D)  nucleic acids and proteins. 
E)  nucleic acids and carbohydrates.

Question 15

How does temperature changes with respect to latitude and season?

Accepted Answer

Because the sun strikes the earth at an

Question 16

Denitrifying bacteria

Accepted Answer

A)  make nitrogen available for assimilation. 
B)  decompose organic nitrogen compounds into nitrate. 
C)  decompose organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia. 
D)  fix nitrogen into ammonia. 
E)  convert nitrate into atmospheric nitrogen. 
A)  make nitrogen available for assimilation. 
B)  decompose organic nitrogen compounds into nitrate. 
C)  decompose organic nitrogen compounds into ammonia. 
D)  fix nitrogen into ammonia. 
E)  convert nitrate into atmospheric nitrogen.

Question 17

Match between columns
                        Premises: Rhizobium carries out this process

Accepted Answer

The Answer of Assimilation and Nitrification and Denitrification and Nitrogen is...

Question 18

Which step of the nitrogen cycle is not performed by most bacteria?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ammonification 
B)  Denitrification 
C)  Assimilation 
D)  Nitrogen fixation 
E)  Nitrification 
A)  Ammonification 
B)  Denitrification 
C)  Assimilation 
D)  Nitrogen fixation 
E)  Nitrification

Question 19

Which statement about food chains is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Owl consumption of mice benefits grasses. 
B)  Mice consumption of grasses is harmful to the grass population. 
C)  Owl consumption of mice harms grasses. 
D)  Owls are acting as secondary consumers when they eat mice. 
E)  Mice are herbivores. 
A)  Owl consumption of mice benefits grasses. 
B)  Mice consumption of grasses is harmful to the grass population. 
C)  Owl consumption of mice harms grasses. 
D)  Owls are acting as secondary consumers when they eat mice. 
E)  Mice are herbivores.

Question 20

In large measure, differences in ____ that are due to variations in the amount of _____ at different locations on Earth drive the circulation of the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A)  temperature; rotation 
B)  rainfall; solar energy 
C)  temperature; radiation 
D)  temperature; rainfall 
E)  Temperature; evaporation 
A)  temperature; rotation 
B)  rainfall; solar energy 
C)  temperature; radiation 
D)  temperature; rainfall 
E)  Temperature; evaporation

Exam 55: Ecosystems and the Biosphere

What is the least likely effect of fires on organisms?

In an ecosystem, which measure of energy is the largest in amount or rate?

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which gaseous nitrogen is converted to nitrate.

During the cycling of phosphorus, which biological process is critical in cycling dissolved phosphorus?

Drier climates tend to prevail

Arrange the following from the ecosystem with the smallest average NPP to the ecosystems with the largest NPP. (1) Lake (2) Savannah (3) Estuary (4) Tropical rain forest (5) Open ocean

Which nutrient cycle does not have a gaseous phase?

Dissolved phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems may return to the land via

Define an ENSO event and describe the conditions contribute to its occurrence. What effect does an ENSO event have on the global environment, and how does it manage to have such far-reaching impacts?

The 'sun's energy is produced by

Which statement reflects a key concept about ecosystems?

The main steps of the nitrogen cycle are

Nitrogen is a critical requirement for living organisms because it is a component of

How does temperature changes with respect to latitude and season?

Denitrifying bacteria

Which step of the nitrogen cycle is not performed by most bacteria?

Which statement about food chains is FALSE?

In large measure, differences in ____ that are due to variations in the amount of _____ at different locations on Earth drive the circulation of the atmosphere.

A View of Life

Atoms and Molecules: the Chemical Basis of Life

The Chemistry of Life: Organic Compounds

Organization of the Cell

Biological Membranes

Cell Communication

Energy and Metabolism

How Cells Make Atp: Energy-Releasing Pathways

Photosynthesis: Capturing Light Energy

Chromosomes, Mitosis, and Meiosis

The Basic Principles of Heredity

DNA: The Carrier of Genetic Information

Gene Expression

Gene Regulation

DNA Technology and Genomics

Human Genetics and the Human Genome

Developmental Genetics

Introduction to Darwinian Evolution

Evolutionary Change in Populations

Speciation and Macroevolution

The Origin and Evolutionary History of Life

The Evolution of Primates

Understanding Diversity: Systematics

Viruses and Subviral Agents

Bacteria and Archaea

Protists

Seedless Plants

Seed Plants

The Fungi

An Introduction to Animal Diversity

Sponges, Cnidarians, Ctenophores, and Protostomes

The Deuterostomes

Plant Structure, Growth, and Development

Leaf Structure and Function

Stem Structure and Transport

Roots and Mineral Nutrition

Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Plant Developmental Responses to External and Internal Signals

Animal Structure and Function: an Introduction

Protection, Support, and Movement

Neural Signaling

Neural Regulation

Sensory Systems

Internal Transport

The Immune System: Internal Defense

Gas Exchange

Processing Food and Nutrition

Osmoregulation and Disposal of Metabolic Wastes

Endocrine Regulation

Reproduction

Animal Development

Animal Behavior

Introduction to Ecology: Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Ecology and the Geography of Life

Biological Diversity and Conservation Biology

Filters

In large measure, differences in that are due to variations in the amount of _ at different locations on Earth drive the circulation of the atmosphere.