Question 1

A "rain shadow" describes

Accepted Answer

A)  shadows cast by the mist and clouds that hover above the crest of a mountain range. 
B)  forested conditions of mountain ranges. 
C)  mountainous areas where dry descending air absorbs moisture and there is little precipitation. 
D)  dark-colored chaparral vegetation that grows on the mountain ranges. 
A)  shadows cast by the mist and clouds that hover above the crest of a mountain range. 
B)  forested conditions of mountain ranges. 
C)  mountainous areas where dry descending air absorbs moisture and there is little precipitation. 
D)  dark-colored chaparral vegetation that grows on the mountain ranges.

Question 2

The area where fresh water and seawater mix is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  estuary. 
B)  benthic realm. 
C)  aphotic zone. 
D)  continental shelf. 
A)  estuary. 
B)  benthic realm. 
C)  aphotic zone. 
D)  continental shelf.

Question 3

Scientists from The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science conducted a 6-year study on the effects of ocean temperature change on abundance of dominant intertidal species (barnacles and mussels). These organisms can outcompete other intertidal organisms for space (and therefore distribution and abundance). Suppose the scientists collected the following data on average intertidal zone temperatures (C°) and densities of mussel clumps and barnacle colonies (per square meter):
 $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | } 
\hline  { \text { Year } } & \text { Avg. Annual Intertidal Zone } & & \
 & \text { Temperature } \left( \mathrm { C } ^ { \circ } \right) & \text { \# Clumps Mussels/sq m } & \text { \# Colonies Barnacles/sq m } \
\hline 2004 & 6 ^ { \circ } & 6 & 22 \
\hline 2005 & 6.7 ^ { \circ } & 5.5 & 19 \
\hline 2006 & 7.3 ^ { \circ } & 5 & 17 \
\hline 2007 & 7.8 ^ { \circ } & 4.75 & 16.5 \
\hline 2008 & 8.2 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline 2009 & 8.5 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline 2010 & 8.7 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline
\end{array}$$
-What can the scientists conclude from the data?

Accepted Answer

A)  An increase of 2.2°C from 2004 to 2008 reduces the density of barnacles and mussels by approximately 25%. 
B)  An increase of 6°C is needed before the number of clumps of mussels decreases. 
C)  Increasing annual ocean temperatures do not affect abundance of mussels or barnacles. 
D)  If annual ocean temperatures were recorded for another three years, scientists would likely observe steady temperatures. 
A)  An increase of 2.2°C from 2004 to 2008 reduces the density of barnacles and mussels by approximately 25%. 
B)  An increase of 6°C is needed before the number of clumps of mussels decreases. 
C)  Increasing annual ocean temperatures do not affect abundance of mussels or barnacles. 
D)  If annual ocean temperatures were recorded for another three years, scientists would likely observe steady temperatures.

Question 4

Which statement about biomes, the major terrestrial ecosystems covering the Earth, is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Each of the ten major biomes is restricted to just one or two continents. 
B)  The major factors affecting the distribution of biomes are wind and sunlight. 
C)  Most natural biomes are unaffected by human activity. 
D)  Fire is important in some biomes because it creates openings. 
A)  Each of the ten major biomes is restricted to just one or two continents. 
B)  The major factors affecting the distribution of biomes are wind and sunlight. 
C)  Most natural biomes are unaffected by human activity. 
D)  Fire is important in some biomes because it creates openings.

Question 5

Which statement about coniferous forests is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Coniferous forests are the smallest terrestrial biome. 
B)  Coniferous forests are characterized by long, mild winters and short, dry summers. 
C)  Coniferous forests usually have nutrient-rich soils. 
D)  Coniferous forests experience precipitation that is mainly in the form of snow. 
A)  Coniferous forests are the smallest terrestrial biome. 
B)  Coniferous forests are characterized by long, mild winters and short, dry summers. 
C)  Coniferous forests usually have nutrient-rich soils. 
D)  Coniferous forests experience precipitation that is mainly in the form of snow.

Question 6

A photograph of a Victorian trophy room shows the heads of 15 species of hoofed mammals, all shot within a day's walk of a single hunting camp in Africa. This camp was probably located in

Accepted Answer

A)  tropical rain forest. 
B)  chaparral. 
C)  savanna. 
D)  desert. 
A)  tropical rain forest. 
B)  chaparral. 
C)  savanna. 
D)  desert.

Question 7

Scientists from The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science conducted a 6-year study on the effects of ocean temperature change on abundance of dominant intertidal species (barnacles and mussels). These organisms can outcompete other intertidal organisms for space (and therefore distribution and abundance). Suppose the scientists collected the following data on average intertidal zone temperatures (C°) and densities of mussel clumps and barnacle colonies (per square meter):
 $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | } 
\hline  { \text { Year } } & \text { Avg. Annual Intertidal Zone } & & \
 & \text { Temperature } \left( \mathrm { C } ^ { \circ } \right) & \text { \# Clumps Mussels/sq m } & \text { \# Colonies Barnacles/sq m } \
\hline 2004 & 6 ^ { \circ } & 6 & 22 \
\hline 2005 & 6.7 ^ { \circ } & 5.5 & 19 \
\hline 2006 & 7.3 ^ { \circ } & 5 & 17 \
\hline 2007 & 7.8 ^ { \circ } & 4.75 & 16.5 \
\hline 2008 & 8.2 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline 2009 & 8.5 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline 2010 & 8.7 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline
\end{array}$$
-How would information gleaned from this project enable additional studies of organismal biodiversity and climate change?

Accepted Answer

A)  Scientists could use their data analysis to predict future changes in biodiversity of nondominant (more rare) intertidal marine organisms as they respond to variation in climate change. 
B)  Scientists could use their data analysis to predict changes in biodiversity of terrestrial organisms in temperate forests as they respond to variation in climate change. 
C)  Scientists could use their data analysis to predict the impact of average rainfall on biodiversity of intertidal marine organisms. 
A)  Scientists could use their data analysis to predict future changes in biodiversity of nondominant (more rare) intertidal marine organisms as they respond to variation in climate change. 
B)  Scientists could use their data analysis to predict changes in biodiversity of terrestrial organisms in temperate forests as they respond to variation in climate change. 
C)  Scientists could use their data analysis to predict the impact of average rainfall on biodiversity of intertidal marine organisms.

Question 8

In which of the zones shown in this depiction of an aquatic biome does photosynthesis occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  zone G 
B)  zone B 
C)  zone E 
D)  zone D 
A)  zone G 
B)  zone B 
C)  zone E 
D)  zone D

Question 9

-Forest destruction reduces the magnitude of impacts at which arrow?

Accepted Answer

A)  arrow A 
B)  arrow B 
C)  arrow C 
D)  arrow D 
A)  arrow A 
B)  arrow B 
C)  arrow C 
D)  arrow D

Question 10

The adaptations of pronghorns

Accepted Answer

A)  to open country could be a disadvantage in a densely forested environment. 
B)  include a reflective coat, an ability to find small pools of water, and chemical defenses against most predators. 
C)  to the open plains and shrub deserts of North America have helped them spread to nearly every continent. 
D)  demonstrate that meeting the demands of local environmental conditions helps organisms extend their ranges to other types of environments. 
A)  to open country could be a disadvantage in a densely forested environment. 
B)  include a reflective coat, an ability to find small pools of water, and chemical defenses against most predators. 
C)  to the open plains and shrub deserts of North America have helped them spread to nearly every continent. 
D)  demonstrate that meeting the demands of local environmental conditions helps organisms extend their ranges to other types of environments.

Question 11

In many dense forests, plants living near the ground level engage in intense competition for

Accepted Answer

A)  oxygen. 
B)  water. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  sunlight. 
A)  oxygen. 
B)  water. 
C)  carbon dioxide. 
D)  sunlight.

Question 12

California condors, large, predatory birds that were previously on the edge of extinction, have benefited from a program that raises birds in captivity and then releases them into the wild. The reintroduction program, however, is having variable success.
-Which information provides the best evidence to help develop a hypothesis about what is causing the difficulties faced by a coastal condor population?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sea lions, food for condors along the coast, live near an old dumping ground for a chemical manufacturing plant and have a significant amount of DDT in their blubber. 
B)  Air currents along the coast are stronger, allowing coastal condors to cover more area in their search for prey. 
C)  California bans ammunition containing lead (Pb) to prevent lead ingestion by condors feeding on carcasses of animals shot by hunters but not retrieved. 
D)  Hatching success in birds farther from the coast was greater than that in birds along the coast. 
A)  Sea lions, food for condors along the coast, live near an old dumping ground for a chemical manufacturing plant and have a significant amount of DDT in their blubber. 
B)  Air currents along the coast are stronger, allowing coastal condors to cover more area in their search for prey. 
C)  California bans ammunition containing lead (Pb) to prevent lead ingestion by condors feeding on carcasses of animals shot by hunters but not retrieved. 
D)  Hatching success in birds farther from the coast was greater than that in birds along the coast.

Question 13

The dominant herbivores in savannas are

Accepted Answer

A)  gophers. 
B)  insects. 
C)  antelope. 
D)  giraffes. 
A)  gophers. 
B)  insects. 
C)  antelope. 
D)  giraffes.

Question 14

The primary source of energy for hydrothermal vent communities is from

Accepted Answer

A)  the heat of the water emerging from the vents. 
B)  oxidation of photosynthetic bacteria in the vent water. 
C)  sulfur bacteria. 
D)  reduction of carbon dioxide in the vent water. 
A)  the heat of the water emerging from the vents. 
B)  oxidation of photosynthetic bacteria in the vent water. 
C)  sulfur bacteria. 
D)  reduction of carbon dioxide in the vent water.

Question 15

The greatest annual input and least seasonal variation in solar radiation occurs in the

Accepted Answer

A)  Southern Hemisphere. 
B)  temperate zones. 
C)  tropics. 
D)  polar regions. 
A)  Southern Hemisphere. 
B)  temperate zones. 
C)  tropics. 
D)  polar regions.

Question 16

Why is the runoff from fertilized agricultural fields, even if free of pesticides, often harmful to the ecosystems of temperate lakes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fertilizer compounds create large hydrothermal vent communities that kill lake organisms. 
B)  The runoff causes heavy growth of algae, which eventually die and decompose, causing oxygen depletion. 
C)  Runoff water pools at the lake's bottom, where the fertilizer compounds react with materials in the sediment to form toxic substances. 
D)  The runoff is acid, and acidification kills key lake organisms. 
A)  Fertilizer compounds create large hydrothermal vent communities that kill lake organisms. 
B)  The runoff causes heavy growth of algae, which eventually die and decompose, causing oxygen depletion. 
C)  Runoff water pools at the lake's bottom, where the fertilizer compounds react with materials in the sediment to form toxic substances. 
D)  The runoff is acid, and acidification kills key lake organisms.

Question 17

Scientists from The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science conducted a 6-year study on the effects of ocean temperature change on abundance of dominant intertidal species (barnacles and mussels). These organisms can outcompete other intertidal organisms for space (and therefore distribution and abundance). Suppose the scientists collected the following data on average intertidal zone temperatures (C°) and densities of mussel clumps and barnacle colonies (per square meter):
 $$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | } 
\hline  { \text { Year } } & \text { Avg. Annual Intertidal Zone } & & \
 & \text { Temperature } \left( \mathrm { C } ^ { \circ } \right) & \text { \# Clumps Mussels/sq m } & \text { \# Colonies Barnacles/sq m } \
\hline 2004 & 6 ^ { \circ } & 6 & 22 \
\hline 2005 & 6.7 ^ { \circ } & 5.5 & 19 \
\hline 2006 & 7.3 ^ { \circ } & 5 & 17 \
\hline 2007 & 7.8 ^ { \circ } & 4.75 & 16.5 \
\hline 2008 & 8.2 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline 2009 & 8.5 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline 2010 & 8.7 ^ { \circ } & 4.5 & 16 \
\hline
\end{array}$$
-Which is a correct interpretation of the data?

Accepted Answer

A)  As average annual intertidal zone temperatures increased between 2004 and 2005, the number of colonies of barnacles also increased. 
B)  As average annual intertidal zone temperatures increased between 2007 and 2010, the number of mussel clumps proportionally decreased. 
C)  The greatest change in average annual intertidal zones temperatures occurred between 2004 and 2005. 
D)  Between 2004 and 2010, the number of colonies of barnacles increased proportionally with the number of mussel clumps. 
A)  As average annual intertidal zone temperatures increased between 2004 and 2005, the number of colonies of barnacles also increased. 
B)  As average annual intertidal zone temperatures increased between 2007 and 2010, the number of mussel clumps proportionally decreased. 
C)  The greatest change in average annual intertidal zones temperatures occurred between 2004 and 2005. 
D)  Between 2004 and 2010, the number of colonies of barnacles increased proportionally with the number of mussel clumps.

Question 18

Which statement logically predicts how natural selection, when acting on genetic variation, may subsequently result in evolutionary adaptation?

Accepted Answer

A)  As global warming continues, many species found near the tropics will migrate either northward or southward toward the poles. 
B)  During years of drought, tree rings will be narrower. 
C)  As the African environment becomes drier and the grasslands more prevalent, arched feet and non-opposable toes, both more effective for walking upright, became more common in hominins. 
D)  Insect diversity in temperate broadleaf forests will vary from year to year based on the amount of precipitation. 
A)  As global warming continues, many species found near the tropics will migrate either northward or southward toward the poles. 
B)  During years of drought, tree rings will be narrower. 
C)  As the African environment becomes drier and the grasslands more prevalent, arched feet and non-opposable toes, both more effective for walking upright, became more common in hominins. 
D)  Insect diversity in temperate broadleaf forests will vary from year to year based on the amount of precipitation.

Question 19

Pronghorn antelopes are well adapted for dry conditions with extremes of temperature, especially cold. As global climate change causes the region where the pronghorns live to change, in temperature as well as plant, predator, and prey diversity and abundance, what is likely to happen to the pronghorns?

Accepted Answer

A)  They will learn to eat whatever plants exist in their area and escape from any new predators that arrive. 
B)  If the pronghorn population includes genetic variation that allows survival and reproduction in the new conditions, they will adapt. 
C)  If climate change is not too rapid, the pronghorn can produce new traits needed to survive and reproduce in the changed conditions. 
D)  Because pronghorns will need to be cooler, their fur will become thinner. 
A)  They will learn to eat whatever plants exist in their area and escape from any new predators that arrive. 
B)  If the pronghorn population includes genetic variation that allows survival and reproduction in the new conditions, they will adapt. 
C)  If climate change is not too rapid, the pronghorn can produce new traits needed to survive and reproduce in the changed conditions. 
D)  Because pronghorns will need to be cooler, their fur will become thinner.

Question 20

Which statement about deserts and the organisms that live there is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Air temperatures in cold deserts, such as those west of the Rocky Mountains, may never fall below 30°C. 
B)  Growth and reproduction occur year-round in deserts. 
C)  Desert plants typically produce very few seeds. 
D)  Many desert animals are nocturnal. 
A)  Air temperatures in cold deserts, such as those west of the Rocky Mountains, may never fall below 30°C. 
B)  Growth and reproduction occur year-round in deserts. 
C)  Desert plants typically produce very few seeds. 
D)  Many desert animals are nocturnal.

Exam 34: The Biosphere: an Introduction to Earths Diverse Environments

A "rain shadow" describes

The area where fresh water and seawater mix is called a(n)

Which statement about biomes, the major terrestrial ecosystems covering the Earth, is true?

Which statement about coniferous forests is true?

A photograph of a Victorian trophy room shows the heads of 15 species of hoofed mammals, all shot within a day's walk of a single hunting camp in Africa. This camp was probably located in

In which of the zones shown in this depiction of an aquatic biome does photosynthesis occur?

-Forest destruction reduces the magnitude of impacts at which arrow?

The adaptations of pronghorns

In many dense forests, plants living near the ground level engage in intense competition for

The dominant herbivores in savannas are

The primary source of energy for hydrothermal vent communities is from

The greatest annual input and least seasonal variation in solar radiation occurs in the

Why is the runoff from fertilized agricultural fields, even if free of pesticides, often harmful to the ecosystems of temperate lakes?

Which statement logically predicts how natural selection, when acting on genetic variation, may subsequently result in evolutionary adaptation?

Which statement about deserts and the organisms that live there is true?

Biology: Exploring Life

The Chemical Basis of Life

The Molecules of Cells

A Tour of the Cell

The Working Cell

How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy

Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food

The Cellular Basis of Reproduction and Inheritance

Patterns of Inheritance

Molecular Biology of the Gene

How Genes Are Controlled

DNA Technology and Genomics

How Populations Evolve

The Origin of Species

Tracing Evolutionary History

Microbial Life: Prokaryotes and Protists

The Evolution of Plant and Fungal Diversity

The Evolution of Invertebrate Diversity

The Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity

Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function

Nutrition and Digestion

Gas Exchange

Circulation

The Immune System

Control of Body Temperature and Water Balance

Hormones and the Endocrine System

Reproduction and Embryonic Development

Nervous Systems

The Senses

How Animals Move

Plant Structure, Growth, and Reproduction

Plant Nutrition and Transport

Control Systems in Plants

Behavioral Adaptations to the Environment

Population Ecology

Communities and Ecosystems

Conservation Biology

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