Question 1

Earth's axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees.What would be the most likely effect on polar climates if the axis were tilted by just 10 degrees?

Accepted Answer

A)  The poles would not be affected. 
B)  Neither pole would have seasonal changes. 
C)  Both poles would have less-pronounced seasonal changes. 
D)  Both poles would have more-pronounced seasonal changes. 
E)  Both poles would have warmer-than-average annual temperatures. 
A)  The poles would not be affected. 
B)  Neither pole would have seasonal changes. 
C)  Both poles would have less-pronounced seasonal changes. 
D)  Both poles would have more-pronounced seasonal changes. 
E)  Both poles would have warmer-than-average annual temperatures. C

Question 2

Which factor is most likely responsible for the fact that the Northern Hemisphere is approximately 2°C warmer than the Southern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Northern Hemisphere has less land. 
B)  The Northern Hemisphere has more land. 
C)  The Northern Hemisphere has longer summers. 
D)  The Southern Hemisphere receives more intense sunlight. 
E)  The Southern Hemisphere has stronger wind currents. 
A)  The Northern Hemisphere has less land. 
B)  The Northern Hemisphere has more land. 
C)  The Northern Hemisphere has longer summers. 
D)  The Southern Hemisphere receives more intense sunlight. 
E)  The Southern Hemisphere has stronger wind currents. B

Question 3

Refer to the figure, showing Earth's biogeographic regions.(Red arrows show time, in millions of years, since land masses came together.Black arrows show time since two land masses separated.)   Some regions, including the Palearctic and Ethiopian, and the Palearctic and Oriental, have been moving toward each other.Based on the information given, what would be the expected response of species as these regions come back together?

Accepted Answer

A)  Speciation rates will increase because species will compete more. 
B)  Speciation rates will decrease because the regions are closer together. 
C)  Speciation will occur separately in each region because of barriers to dispersal. 
D)  Species will mix in the two regions, but rates of speciation cannot be determined. 
E)  Species will mix in the two regions, but rates of speciation will be too gradual to be measured. 
A)  Speciation rates will increase because species will compete more. 
B)  Speciation rates will decrease because the regions are closer together. 
C)  Speciation will occur separately in each region because of barriers to dispersal. 
D)  Species will mix in the two regions, but rates of speciation cannot be determined. 
E)  Species will mix in the two regions, but rates of speciation will be too gradual to be measured. A

Question 4

Refer to the diagram below.   The inversion layer over a city has what effect on the city's climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  It cools the city by increasing air circulation. 
B)  It cools the city by adding cold air to the rising warm air. 
C)  It prevents cooling air outside the city from entering. 
D)  It forms a heat island by holding rising warm air inside the city. 
E)  It forms heat islands outside the city by pushing warm air outward. 
A)  It cools the city by increasing air circulation. 
B)  It cools the city by adding cold air to the rising warm air. 
C)  It prevents cooling air outside the city from entering. 
D)  It forms a heat island by holding rising warm air inside the city. 
E)  It forms heat islands outside the city by pushing warm air outward.

Question 5

The headwaters of a river are high up a mountain.Water flowing down the mountain will be

Accepted Answer

A)  slow-flowing and cool. 
B)  slow-flowing and warm. 
C)  fast-flowing and high in oxygen. 
D)  fast-flowing and low in oxygen. 
E)  slow-flowing and high in sediment. 
A)  slow-flowing and cool. 
B)  slow-flowing and warm. 
C)  fast-flowing and high in oxygen. 
D)  fast-flowing and low in oxygen. 
E)  slow-flowing and high in sediment.

Question 6

On a single continent, patterns of species diversity are connected at scales that become increasingly larger, beginning with local, transitioning to landscape, and finally encompassing _______ scales.

Accepted Answer

The answer of On a single continent, patterns of species...

Question 7

The continent of Europe is much warmer on average than similar latitudes in North America.This warmth is primarily a result of

Accepted Answer

A)  a gyre in the North Pacific Ocean. 
B)  the shape of the European continent. 
C)  warm tropical water carried by the Gulf Stream. 
D)  deflection of the prevailing westerlies by the Coriolis effect. 
E)  warm tropical winds directed toward the Eastern Hemisphere. 
A)  a gyre in the North Pacific Ocean. 
B)  the shape of the European continent. 
C)  warm tropical water carried by the Gulf Stream. 
D)  deflection of the prevailing westerlies by the Coriolis effect. 
E)  warm tropical winds directed toward the Eastern Hemisphere.

Question 8

Earth's hot deserts are characterized by extremely low precipitation.Their locations at latitudes approximately 30° north and 30° south of the equator result from

Accepted Answer

A)  the tilt of Earth's axis and the direction of Earth's rotation. 
B)  sunlight striking Earth at the steepest angle at the 30°N and 30°S latitudes. 
C)  warm equatorial air losing moisture as it rises, then descending due to high pressure at these latitudes. 
D)  air at these latitudes retaining its moisture in the atmosphere rather than allowing it to fall to Earth as precipitation. 
E)  equatorial air continuing to warm as it reaches the stratosphere, then releasing its moisture into the stratosphere before descending. 
A)  the tilt of Earth's axis and the direction of Earth's rotation. 
B)  sunlight striking Earth at the steepest angle at the 30°N and 30°S latitudes. 
C)  warm equatorial air losing moisture as it rises, then descending due to high pressure at these latitudes. 
D)  air at these latitudes retaining its moisture in the atmosphere rather than allowing it to fall to Earth as precipitation. 
E)  equatorial air continuing to warm as it reaches the stratosphere, then releasing its moisture into the stratosphere before descending.

Question 9

A large city shows a heat-island effect.At what spatial scale would this be expected to cause temperature changes in the surrounding climate?

Accepted Answer

A)  On a landscape scale, encompassing various ecosystems surrounding the city 
B)  Locally, including the city and surrounding countryside 
C)  Regionally, encompassing several hundred square miles 
D)  Regionally, following the path of the prevailing winds 
E)  Globally; even local changes eventually affect the entire biosphere. 
A)  On a landscape scale, encompassing various ecosystems surrounding the city 
B)  Locally, including the city and surrounding countryside 
C)  Regionally, encompassing several hundred square miles 
D)  Regionally, following the path of the prevailing winds 
E)  Globally; even local changes eventually affect the entire biosphere.

Question 10

In the winter of 2011-2012, parts of Europe had more than double their normal snowfall.What conclusion can be drawn from this information?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both the weather and the climate changed. 
B)  Neither the weather nor the climate changed. 
C)  The climate changed, but it was most likely temporary. 
D)  The weather changed, but no conclusion can be drawn about climate. 
E)  The climate changed, but no conclusion can be drawn about weather. 
A)  Both the weather and the climate changed. 
B)  Neither the weather nor the climate changed. 
C)  The climate changed, but it was most likely temporary. 
D)  The weather changed, but no conclusion can be drawn about climate. 
E)  The climate changed, but no conclusion can be drawn about weather.

Question 11

A major environmental problem in the twenty-first century is the concentration of plastic trash in the worlds' oceans, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.Explain how these masses of pollution concentrate and remain in the central regions of oceans.

Accepted Answer

The masses of plastic are carried from c

Question 12

If the tilt of Earth's axis were 33.5° instead of 23.5°, how might seasons be different than they are now?

Accepted Answer

A)  They would be less pronounced in both hemispheres. 
B)  They would be more pronounced in both hemispheres. 
C)  They would be longer in the Northern Hemisphere and shorter in the Southern Hemisphere. 
D)  They would be shorter in the Northern Hemisphere and longer in the Southern Hemisphere. 
E)  There would be no change; seasons are not related to the tilt of Earth's axis. 
A)  They would be less pronounced in both hemispheres. 
B)  They would be more pronounced in both hemispheres. 
C)  They would be longer in the Northern Hemisphere and shorter in the Southern Hemisphere. 
D)  They would be shorter in the Northern Hemisphere and longer in the Southern Hemisphere. 
E)  There would be no change; seasons are not related to the tilt of Earth's axis.

Question 13

Refer to the figure below, showing heat radiation in Earth's atmosphere.   Based on the diagram, which statement about heat in Earth's atmosphere is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Most heat is released from the atmosphere back into space. 
B)  Most outgoing radiation is emitted by clouds. 
C)  Much of Earth's heat moves between Earth and the atmosphere. 
D)  Much of Earth's heat comes from Earth, rather than from the sun. 
E)  Most heat is emitted by the atmosphere and clouds, rather than by Earth's surface. 
A)  Most heat is released from the atmosphere back into space. 
B)  Most outgoing radiation is emitted by clouds. 
C)  Much of Earth's heat moves between Earth and the atmosphere. 
D)  Much of Earth's heat comes from Earth, rather than from the sun. 
E)  Most heat is emitted by the atmosphere and clouds, rather than by Earth's surface.

Question 14

One person is standing on the North Pole, another on the South Pole.The Northern Hemisphere is tilted at its maximum point toward the sun.What day is it?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the summer solstice at both the North and South Poles. 
B)  It is the spring equinox at the North Pole and the fall equinox at the South Pole. 
C)  It is the spring equinox at the South Pole and the fall equinox at the North Pole. 
D)  It is the summer solstice at the North Pole and the winter solstice at the South Pole. 
E)  It is the summer solstice at the South Pole and the winter solstice at the North Pole. 
A)  It is the summer solstice at both the North and South Poles. 
B)  It is the spring equinox at the North Pole and the fall equinox at the South Pole. 
C)  It is the spring equinox at the South Pole and the fall equinox at the North Pole. 
D)  It is the summer solstice at the North Pole and the winter solstice at the South Pole. 
E)  It is the summer solstice at the South Pole and the winter solstice at the North Pole.

Question 15

In his book The Geographical Distribution of Animals, which began the field of biogeography, Alfred Russel Wallace discussed factors known at that time to influence animal distributions.Which factor did Wallace not include?

Accepted Answer

A)  Land bridges 
B)  Past glaciation 
C)  Mountain ranges 
D)  Continental drift 
E)  Deep ocean channels 
A)  Land bridges 
B)  Past glaciation 
C)  Mountain ranges 
D)  Continental drift 
E)  Deep ocean channels

Question 16

A Walter climate diagram illustrates the major characteristics of a biome by providing information on the biome's

Accepted Answer

A)  geographic location. 
B)  latitude and longitude. 
C)  predominant plant life. 
D)  major plants and animals. 
E)  temperature and precipitation. 
A)  geographic location. 
B)  latitude and longitude. 
C)  predominant plant life. 
D)  major plants and animals. 
E)  temperature and precipitation.

Question 17

The Amazon rainforest continues to be cut down.What change in Earth's albedo results from this deforestation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Albedo increases, lowering the absorption of solar radiation and warming Earth. 
B)  Albedo increases, increasing the absorption of solar radiation and warming Earth. 
C)  Albedo decreases, lowering the absorption of solar radiation and cooling Earth. 
D)  Albedo decreases, increasing the absorption of solar radiation and warming Earth. 
E)  Albedo may increase or decrease and thus may either warm or cool Earth. 
A)  Albedo increases, lowering the absorption of solar radiation and warming Earth. 
B)  Albedo increases, increasing the absorption of solar radiation and warming Earth. 
C)  Albedo decreases, lowering the absorption of solar radiation and cooling Earth. 
D)  Albedo decreases, increasing the absorption of solar radiation and warming Earth. 
E)  Albedo may increase or decrease and thus may either warm or cool Earth.

Question 18

Refer to the map below.   About four million years ago, a land bridge (now Central America) formed between North America and South America.This land bridge most likely had what effect on animal species on the two continents?

Accepted Answer

A)  Vicariance prevented species on the two continents from mixing. 
B)  Continental drift prevented species on the two continents from mixing. 
C)  Dispersal occurred, with species moving in both directions between continents. 
D)  Species were free to move between continents but did not because of climatic differences. 
E)  Species moved freely between continents but were unable to interact due to behavioral differences. 
A)  Vicariance prevented species on the two continents from mixing. 
B)  Continental drift prevented species on the two continents from mixing. 
C)  Dispersal occurred, with species moving in both directions between continents. 
D)  Species were free to move between continents but did not because of climatic differences. 
E)  Species moved freely between continents but were unable to interact due to behavioral differences.

Question 19

The number of species on an island has remained stable over the past 200 years.This suggests that

Accepted Answer

A)  extinction is not occurring. 
B)  immigration is not occurring. 
C)  immigration is constantly adding species to the island. 
D)  emigration is constantly removing species from the island. 
E)  the processes of extinction and immigration are balanced. 
A)  extinction is not occurring. 
B)  immigration is not occurring. 
C)  immigration is constantly adding species to the island. 
D)  emigration is constantly removing species from the island. 
E)  the processes of extinction and immigration are balanced.

Question 20

Why are islands and island-like habitats considered appropriate models for illustrating the species-area relationship?

Accepted Answer

A)  Islands provide a defined and isolated area that can more easily be studied. 
B)  Species diversity on islands tends to be high due to increased concentrations in smaller spaces. 
C)  The isolated nature of island geography contributes to higher incidences of extinction than mainland areas do. 
D)  Islands can be colonized only by immigration, which is the most important factor in the species-area relationship. 
E)  The species-area relationship holds true only in habitats that are completely isolated from other areas. 
A)  Islands provide a defined and isolated area that can more easily be studied. 
B)  Species diversity on islands tends to be high due to increased concentrations in smaller spaces. 
C)  The isolated nature of island geography contributes to higher incidences of extinction than mainland areas do. 
D)  Islands can be colonized only by immigration, which is the most important factor in the species-area relationship. 
E)  The species-area relationship holds true only in habitats that are completely isolated from other areas.

Exam 53: The Physical Environment and Biogeography of Life

Earth's axis is tilted by 23.5 degrees.What would be the most likely effect on polar climates if the axis were tilted by just 10 degrees?

Which factor is most likely responsible for the fact that the Northern Hemisphere is approximately 2°C warmer than the Southern Hemisphere?

Refer to the diagram below. The inversion layer over a city has what effect on the city's climate?

The headwaters of a river are high up a mountain.Water flowing down the mountain will be

On a single continent, patterns of species diversity are connected at scales that become increasingly larger, beginning with local, transitioning to landscape, and finally encompassing _______ scales.

The continent of Europe is much warmer on average than similar latitudes in North America.This warmth is primarily a result of

Earth's hot deserts are characterized by extremely low precipitation.Their locations at latitudes approximately 30° north and 30° south of the equator result from

A large city shows a heat-island effect.At what spatial scale would this be expected to cause temperature changes in the surrounding climate?

In the winter of 2011-2012, parts of Europe had more than double their normal snowfall.What conclusion can be drawn from this information?

A major environmental problem in the twenty-first century is the concentration of plastic trash in the worlds' oceans, including the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.Explain how these masses of pollution concentrate and remain in the central regions of oceans.

If the tilt of Earth's axis were 33.5° instead of 23.5°, how might seasons be different than they are now?

Refer to the figure below, showing heat radiation in Earth's atmosphere. Based on the diagram, which statement about heat in Earth's atmosphere is most accurate?

One person is standing on the North Pole, another on the South Pole.The Northern Hemisphere is tilted at its maximum point toward the sun.What day is it?

In his book The Geographical Distribution of Animals, which began the field of biogeography, Alfred Russel Wallace discussed factors known at that time to influence animal distributions.Which factor did Wallace not include?

A Walter climate diagram illustrates the major characteristics of a biome by providing information on the biome's

The Amazon rainforest continues to be cut down.What change in Earth's albedo results from this deforestation?

Refer to the map below. About four million years ago, a land bridge (now Central America) formed between North America and South America.This land bridge most likely had what effect on animal species on the two continents?

The number of species on an island has remained stable over the past 200 years.This suggests that

Why are islands and island-like habitats considered appropriate models for illustrating the species-area relationship?

Studying Life

Small Molecules and the Chemistry of Life

Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Lipids

Nucleic Acids and the Origin of Life

Cells: the Working Units of Life

Cell Membranes

Cell Communication and Multicellularity

Energy, Enzymes, and Metabolism

Pathways That Harvest Chemical Energy

Photosynthesis: Energy From Sunlight

The Cell Cycle and Cell Division

Inheritance, Genes, and Chromosomes

Dna and Its Role in Heredity

From Dna to Protein: Gene Expression

Gene Mutation and Molecular Medicine

Regulation of Gene Expression

Genomes

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Mechanisms of Evolution

Reconstructing and Using Phylogenies

Speciation

Evolution of Genes and Genomes

The History of Life on Earth

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The Origin and Diversification of Eukaryotes

Plants Without Seeds: From Water to Land

The Evolution of Seed Plants

The Evolution and Diversity of Fungi

Animal Origins and the Evolution of Body Plans

Protostome Animals

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The Plant Body

Transport in Plants

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Regulation of Plant Growth

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Physiology, Homeostasis, and Temperature Regulation

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Animal Reproduction

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Musculoskeletal Systems

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Salt and Water Balance and Nitrogen Excretion

Animal Behavior

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