Question 1

Which type of scientist best matches the area they would study?

Accepted Answer

A)  botanist-various ecosystems within a tundra biome 
B)  ecologist-individual animals or plants 
C)  zoologist-plant community in a tropical rainforest 
D)  ecologist-ecosystems and the interactions between organisms and their surroundings 
E)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  botanist-various ecosystems within a tundra biome 
B)  ecologist-individual animals or plants 
C)  zoologist-plant community in a tropical rainforest 
D)  ecologist-ecosystems and the interactions between organisms and their surroundings 
E)  All of the above are correct.

Question 2

In the carbon cycle, plants remove carbon from the atmosphere through the process of _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  photosynthesis 
B)  cellular respiration 
C)  oxidation 
D)  transpiration 
E)  evaporation 
A)  photosynthesis 
B)  cellular respiration 
C)  oxidation 
D)  transpiration 
E)  evaporation

Question 3

If no new matter enters the system, how can Earth continue to exist?

Accepted Answer

Since Earth is a closed system for matte

Question 4

The specific role a species plays in its community is its ___________.

Accepted Answer

A)  habitat 
B)  community 
C)  niche 
D)  physical environment 
E)  address 
A)  habitat 
B)  community 
C)  niche 
D)  physical environment 
E)  address

Question 5

The biome that contains the least amount of moisture is a __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  savanna 
B)  temperate grassland 
C)  mountain 
D)  temperate forest 
E)  tropical scrub 
A)  savanna 
B)  temperate grassland 
C)  mountain 
D)  temperate forest 
E)  tropical scrub

Question 6

A coral reef community may include all of the following EXCEPT _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  water 
B)  fish 
C)  aquatic plants 
D)  phytoplankton 
E)  All of the above could be part of a coral reef community 
A)  water 
B)  fish 
C)  aquatic plants 
D)  phytoplankton 
E)  All of the above could be part of a coral reef community

Question 7

Which of the following could be considered a limiting factor for a species?

Accepted Answer

A)  pH of the soil 
B)  temperature 
C)  level of humidity 
D)  dissolved oxygen levels in water 
E)  All of the choices listed above could be a limiting factor for a species. 
A)  pH of the soil 
B)  temperature 
C)  level of humidity 
D)  dissolved oxygen levels in water 
E)  All of the choices listed above could be a limiting factor for a species.

Question 8

Populations that have a _______ range of tolerance and are _______ genetically diverse have a greater chance of surviving a change to their environment.

Accepted Answer

A)  narrow; more 
B)  narrow; less 
C)  broad; more 
D)  broad; less 
E)  small; less 
A)  narrow; more 
B)  narrow; less 
C)  broad; more 
D)  broad; less 
E)  small; less

Question 9

When an oak tree undergoes photosynthesis, it is essentially __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere 
B)  removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere 
C)  adding nitrogen to the atmosphere 
D)  removing nitrogen from the atmosphere 
E)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere 
B)  removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere 
C)  adding nitrogen to the atmosphere 
D)  removing nitrogen from the atmosphere 
E)  All of the above are correct.

Question 10

Which of the following choices includes all of the others?

Accepted Answer

A)  community 
B)  biome 
C)  biosphere 
D)  ecosystem 
E)  population 
A)  community 
B)  biome 
C)  biosphere 
D)  ecosystem 
E)  population

Question 11

Several years ago, you planted a pine tree at the base of a mountain and another on the summit of the mountain. On a recent hike, you photographed each tree. Do you expect to see any differences in their appearance? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Yes. The two pine trees would have exper

Question 12

In the carbon cycle, plants release carbon back to the environment through the process of _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  photosynthesis 
B)  cellular respiration 
C)  oxidation 
D)  transpiration 
E)  evaporation 
A)  photosynthesis 
B)  cellular respiration 
C)  oxidation 
D)  transpiration 
E)  evaporation

Question 13

In the design of Biosphere 2, which environmental variables could be carefully controlled and precisely measured?

Accepted Answer

A)  the temperature 
B)  water availability 
C)  the proportion of oxygen in the air 
D)  the proportion of carbon dioxide in the air 
E)  all of the above 
A)  the temperature 
B)  water availability 
C)  the proportion of oxygen in the air 
D)  the proportion of carbon dioxide in the air 
E)  all of the above

Question 14

An organism's habitat can be considered its _________, while its niche can be viewed as its ___________.

Accepted Answer

A)  address; profession 
B)  profession; address 
C)  place where it reproduces; place where it lives 
D)  life requirements; physical environment 
E)  role in a community; energy source 
A)  address; profession 
B)  profession; address 
C)  place where it reproduces; place where it lives 
D)  life requirements; physical environment 
E)  role in a community; energy source

Question 15

Nutrient cycles, or biogeochemical cycles, refer to ______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  energy passed from one organism to another 
B)  plants and organic matter entering and leaving the biosphere 
C)  the movement of life's essential chemicals or nutrients through an ecosystem 
D)  the sharing of nutrients between a parasite and a host 
E)  None of the above refer to nutrient cycles. 
A)  energy passed from one organism to another 
B)  plants and organic matter entering and leaving the biosphere 
C)  the movement of life's essential chemicals or nutrients through an ecosystem 
D)  the sharing of nutrients between a parasite and a host 
E)  None of the above refer to nutrient cycles.

Question 16

Biosphere 2 helped scientists realize ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the complexities of the carbon cycle 
B)  they wasted their money 
C)  humans cannot function without technology 
D)  ecosystems are simpler than originally thought 
E)  all of the above 
A)  the complexities of the carbon cycle 
B)  they wasted their money 
C)  humans cannot function without technology 
D)  ecosystems are simpler than originally thought 
E)  all of the above

Question 17

A plant harnessing solar energy from the sun is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  nutrient cycling 
B)  community interactions 
C)  energy flow 
D)  biomass 
E)  terrestrial radiation 
A)  nutrient cycling 
B)  community interactions 
C)  energy flow 
D)  biomass 
E)  terrestrial radiation

Question 18

Which of the following does NOT characterize a particular biome?

Accepted Answer

A)  distinct climate 
B)  dominant vegetation 
C)  temperature 
D)  precipitation 
E)  size 
A)  distinct climate 
B)  dominant vegetation 
C)  temperature 
D)  precipitation 
E)  size

Question 19

Which is NOT an example of a terrestrial biome?

Accepted Answer

A)  a temperate forest 
B)  an open ocean 
C)  a Mediterranean scrub 
D)  a savanna 
E)  a desert 
A)  a temperate forest 
B)  an open ocean 
C)  a Mediterranean scrub 
D)  a savanna 
E)  a desert

Question 20

Why is it difficult or impossible for ecologists to study the biosphere as a whole? Why is it useful to break down the biosphere into sections such as ecosystems, communities, and populations?

Accepted Answer

The biosphere, or Earth, is made up of m

Exam 8: Ecosystems and Nutrient Cycling- Engineering Earth: an Ambitious Attempt to Replicate Earths Life Support Systems Goes Awry

Which type of scientist best matches the area they would study?

In the carbon cycle, plants remove carbon from the atmosphere through the process of _______.

If no new matter enters the system, how can Earth continue to exist?

The specific role a species plays in its community is its ___________.

The biome that contains the least amount of moisture is a __________.

A coral reef community may include all of the following EXCEPT _______.

Which of the following could be considered a limiting factor for a species?

Populations that have a _______ range of tolerance and are _______ genetically diverse have a greater chance of surviving a change to their environment.

When an oak tree undergoes photosynthesis, it is essentially __________.

Which of the following choices includes all of the others?

Several years ago, you planted a pine tree at the base of a mountain and another on the summit of the mountain. On a recent hike, you photographed each tree. Do you expect to see any differences in their appearance? Explain.

In the carbon cycle, plants release carbon back to the environment through the process of _________.

In the design of Biosphere 2, which environmental variables could be carefully controlled and precisely measured?

An organism's habitat can be considered its _________, while its niche can be viewed as its ___________.

Nutrient cycles, or biogeochemical cycles, refer to ______________.

Biosphere 2 helped scientists realize ____________.

A plant harnessing solar energy from the sun is an example of which of the following?

Which of the following does NOT characterize a particular biome?

Which is NOT an example of a terrestrial biome?

Why is it difficult or impossible for ecologists to study the biosphere as a whole? Why is it useful to break down the biosphere into sections such as ecosystems, communities, and populations?

Environmental Literacy and the Goal of Sustainability - on the Road to Collapse: What Lessons Can We Learn From a Vanished Viking Society

Science Literacy and the Process of Science- Science and the Sky: Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ozone

Information Literacy:toxic Bottles on the Trail of Chemicals in Our Everyday Lives- Human Populations and Environmental Health

Human Populations- One Child China Grows Up: a Country Faces the Outcomes of Radical Population Control

Environmental Health- Eradicating a Parasitic Nightmare: Human Health Is Intricately Linked to the Environment- Consumption and the Environmental Footprint

Ecological Economics and Consumption- Wall to Wall, Cradle to Cradle: a Leading Carpet Company Takes a Chance on Going Green

Managing Solid Waste- a Plastic Surf: Are the Oceans Teeming With Trash- Ecology

Population Ecology- the Wolf Watchers: Endangered Gray Wolves Return to the American West

Community Ecology- What the Stork Says: a Bird Species in the Everglades Reveals the Intricacies of a Threatened Ecosystem- Biodiversity and Evolution

Evolution- a Tropical Murder Mystery: Finding the Missing Birds of Guam

Biodiversity- Palm Planet: Production of a Common Household Ingredient Is Wreaking Havoc on Wildlife Across the Globe

Reserving Biodiversity- a Forest Without Elephants: Can We Save One of Earths Iconic Species- Water Resources

Freshwater Resources- Toilet to Tap: a California County Is Employing a Controversial Method to - Supply Drinking Water

Water Pollution- Into the Gulf: the Makings of a Dead Zone, Far Upstream- Food Resources

Feeding the World - a Gene Revolution: Can Genetically Engineered Food Help End Hunger

Agriculture- Farming Like an Ecosystem: Creative Solutions to Feeding the World- Conventional Energy: Fossil Fuels

Coal- Bringing Down the Mountain: in the Rubble, the True Costs of Coal

Oil and Natural Gas- the Bakken Oil Boom: Is Our Next Big Fuel Source Our Dirtiest- Air Pollution: Consequences of Using Fossil Fuels

Air Pollution- the Youngest Scientists: Kids on the Frontlines of Asthma Research

Climate Change- When the Trees Leave: Scientists Grapple With a Shifting Climate- Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

Nuclear Power - the Future of Fukushima: Can Nuclear Energy Overcome Its Bad Rep

Sustainable Energy for Stationary Sources- Fueled by the Sun: a Small Island Makes Big Strides in Renewable Energy- Sustainable Living in Community

Urbanization- the Ghetto Goes Green: in the Bronx, Building a Better Backyard

Environmental Policy

Counterfeit Cooling: in the Global Effort to Thwart Climate Change, Some Lessons Are

Learned After the Fact

Optional Chapters Available in Launchpad

Mineral Resources and Mining

Rare Earth Elements: a Bevy of Unfamiliar Minerals Are Crucial for Our Everyday

Technologies-But They Come With a Slew of Problems- Soil and Grassland Resources

Restoring the Range: the Key to Recovering the Worlds Grasslands May Be a Surprising One

Filters

Populations that have a _ range of tolerance and are _ genetically diverse have a greater chance of surviving a change to their environment.

An organism's habitat can be considered its _, while its niche can be viewed as its ___.