Exam 55: Ecosystems and the Biosphere

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

A decomposer is also called a(n) saprotroph . ____________________

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

Bacterial decomposition of organic nitrogen results in the production of:

Trophic levels form the basis of food chains and food webs. Thoroughly discuss and give examples of the four trophic levels plus decomposers. Use a specific ecosystem (such as the desert, forest, etc.) to show the relationships between the various levels. Make sure you use real plants and animals as examples.

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

El Niño-Southern Oscillation has resulted in:

Dissolved phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems may return to the land via:

Which process is not involved in the hydrologic cycle?

Which statement about biomass is FALSE?

Explain how and why temperature changes with respect to latitude and with respect to season.

Which nutrient cycle does not have a gaseous phase?

Which issue is least likely to have been the result of human impact on the nitrogen cycle?

Pyramids of numbers are of limited usefulness because they:

A primary source of carbon for photosynthetic organisms is:

Fixation of carbon is accomplished by:

Which pair best represents photosynthetic organisms?

When toxic chemicals enter the environment, there is a good chance that they will fid their way into food chains and food webs. Such was the case with DDT, a chemical that was used to control mosquitoes before it was banned in 1972. The processes that proved DDT to be so dangerous could be manifested in other substances like heavy metals, other pesticides and radioactive isotopes. Use the example of DDT to explain why these chemicals can have such far-reaching effects, making sure you use the terms bioaccumulation, persistence, and biological magnification.

The atmosphere performs several essential ecological functions. One of these is to:

What did Stephen Carter and his team from University of Madison-Wisconsin study?