Question 1

Freshwater biomes include a photic and aphotic zone.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

Fossils in amber are important for studying evolutionary history. Why are the amber fossils from Hispaniola so important to our understanding of evolution in tropical rainforests?

Accepted Answer

A) Rainforest fossils are rare; amber fossils have preserved organisms that otherwise researchers would not have known were present. 
B) Fossils in amber are preserved intact. 
C) Fossils in amber are able to provide information on organism and ecology. 
D) All of the other statements indicate the importance of amber fossils. 
A) Rainforest fossils are rare; amber fossils have preserved organisms that otherwise researchers would not have known were present. 
B) Fossils in amber are preserved intact. 
C) Fossils in amber are able to provide information on organism and ecology. 
D) All of the other statements indicate the importance of amber fossils. D

Question 3

Why are most deserts found at 30 degrees latitude?

Accepted Answer

A) This is where warm dry air falls from cells originating at the equator. 
B) This is where winds coming off the oceans pull water from the air, drying out the surface. 
C) This is where sunlight strikes the earth at the most direct angle, so all water evaporates. 
D) These areas are not close to any ocean, so water levels in the air are extremely low. 
A) This is where warm dry air falls from cells originating at the equator. 
B) This is where winds coming off the oceans pull water from the air, drying out the surface. 
C) This is where sunlight strikes the earth at the most direct angle, so all water evaporates. 
D) These areas are not close to any ocean, so water levels in the air are extremely low. A

Question 4

Tropical rainforests occur primarily at the equator. Explain how each of the following contributes to tropical rainforest biomes being found at the equator.
1. high levels of solar radiation
2. high evapotranspiration rates
3. differences in density of warm and cool air
4. moisture differences in warm and cool air

Accepted Answer

High levels of radiation allow for high

Question 5

Productivity in coastal ecosystems is higher than in other areas of the ocean. How would the removal of viruses from coastal waters affect this productivity?

Accepted Answer

A) Productivity would increase because fewer organisms would be dying. 
B) Productivity would increase because there would be more space for organisms to grow. 
C) Productivity would decrease because the turnover of nutrients would be slower. 
D) Productivity would decrease because fewer inorganic molecules would be available. 
E) Productivity would remain the same. 
A) Productivity would increase because fewer organisms would be dying. 
B) Productivity would increase because there would be more space for organisms to grow. 
C) Productivity would decrease because the turnover of nutrients would be slower. 
D) Productivity would decrease because fewer inorganic molecules would be available. 
E) Productivity would remain the same.

Question 6

Which latitude typically receives more rainfall than any other latitude?

Accepted Answer

A) 0 degrees 
B) 30 degrees 
C) 60 degrees 
D) 90 degrees 
A) 0 degrees 
B) 30 degrees 
C) 60 degrees 
D) 90 degrees

Question 7

Turbulent, cool-water rivers generally have higher oxygen concentrations than warm-water rivers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

This biome is the coldest, with the lowest biodiversity and a permanent layer of ice beneath the soil.

Accepted Answer

A) alpine 
B) savanna 
C) taiga 
D) tundra 
E) temperate coniferous forest 
A) alpine 
B) savanna 
C) taiga 
D) tundra 
E) temperate coniferous forest

Question 9

Most of Earth's primary production comes from tropical rainforests.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

What physical properties of the Earth BEST explain why there are different seasons?

Accepted Answer

A) One side of the Earth does not face the sun for half of each day. 
B) The Earth rotates at a slight angle on its axis. 
C) The elliptical orbit of the Earth causes seasons. 
D) Seasons are caused by the dominant primary producers in any given area. 
A) One side of the Earth does not face the sun for half of each day. 
B) The Earth rotates at a slight angle on its axis. 
C) The elliptical orbit of the Earth causes seasons. 
D) Seasons are caused by the dominant primary producers in any given area.

Question 11

At the equator, warm air rises and absorbs atmospheric water. The water comes out of the air as it falls at 30 degrees latitude.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

In which of the following regions would you expect to find river biomes with HIGH levels of oxygen in the water?

Accepted Answer

A) slow-moving, muddy rivers in the Amazon 
B) fast-moving, muddy rivers in the Amazon 
C) slow-moving, clear-water rivers in the Rockies 
D) fast-moving, clear-water rivers in the Rockies 
A) slow-moving, muddy rivers in the Amazon 
B) fast-moving, muddy rivers in the Amazon 
C) slow-moving, clear-water rivers in the Rockies 
D) fast-moving, clear-water rivers in the Rockies

Question 13

Consider the figure below (Figure 48.1).   If the Earth spun on an axis that was perfectly perpendicular to the equator, how might this affect latitudinal differences in incoming solar radiation?

Accepted Answer

A) There would be no latitudinal difference because the axis of the Earth would be perpendicular to the sun. 
B) There would be no latitudinal differences because all points on the Earth would be equidistant from the sun. 
C) There would still be latitudinal differences because latitude is not determined by the Earth's position on its axis 
D) There would still be latitudinal differences because incoming solar radiation would be spread across a greater area at the poles than at the equator. 
A) There would be no latitudinal difference because the axis of the Earth would be perpendicular to the sun. 
B) There would be no latitudinal differences because all points on the Earth would be equidistant from the sun. 
C) There would still be latitudinal differences because latitude is not determined by the Earth's position on its axis 
D) There would still be latitudinal differences because incoming solar radiation would be spread across a greater area at the poles than at the equator.

Question 14

If Earth had no oceans, would temperatures at the equator be hotter or colder than they are now?

Accepted Answer

A) Temperatures would be hotter. 
B) Temperatures would be colder. 
C) Temperatures would remain the same. 
D) This question can't be answered without additional information. 
A) Temperatures would be hotter. 
B) Temperatures would be colder. 
C) Temperatures would remain the same. 
D) This question can't be answered without additional information.

Question 15

High biomass of primary producers in surface waters is important:

Accepted Answer

A) because it forms the basis for many aquatic food webs and supports primary consumers. 
B) to decrease global warming. 
C) because there are so many viruses that they need high numbers in order for the different species to survive. 
A) because it forms the basis for many aquatic food webs and supports primary consumers. 
B) to decrease global warming. 
C) because there are so many viruses that they need high numbers in order for the different species to survive.

Question 16

Certain regions on the deep sea floor can achieve constant and high species density near:

Accepted Answer

A) fallen whale carcasses. 
B) hydrothermal vents. 
C) pockets of warm water to support enzymatic reactions of metabolism. 
D) communities of bioluminescent organisms that generate enough light for photosynthesis. 
A) fallen whale carcasses. 
B) hydrothermal vents. 
C) pockets of warm water to support enzymatic reactions of metabolism. 
D) communities of bioluminescent organisms that generate enough light for photosynthesis.

Question 17

The latitudinal diversity gradient refers to what pattern of species diversity?

Accepted Answer

A) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest near the equator and lowest near the poles. 
B) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest near the poles and lowest near the equator. 
C) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest at low elevation and lowest at high elevation. 
D) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest at high elevation and lowest at low elevation. 
E) Plants are most diverse near the equator, while animals are most diverse toward the poles. 
A) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest near the equator and lowest near the poles. 
B) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest near the poles and lowest near the equator. 
C) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest at low elevation and lowest at high elevation. 
D) For many kinds of organisms, species diversity is greatest at high elevation and lowest at low elevation. 
E) Plants are most diverse near the equator, while animals are most diverse toward the poles.

Question 18

Why are microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and archaeons so important to the carbon cycle?

Accepted Answer

A) These microorganisms generate the oxygen necessary for aerobic organisms. 
B) Many of these microorganisms generate carbon dioxide, making it available for primary producers. 
C) These microorganisms form their own portion of the carbon cycle in case other areas of the carbon cycle fail. 
D) These microorganisms bridge the carbon cycle between terrestrial and marine environments. 
A) These microorganisms generate the oxygen necessary for aerobic organisms. 
B) Many of these microorganisms generate carbon dioxide, making it available for primary producers. 
C) These microorganisms form their own portion of the carbon cycle in case other areas of the carbon cycle fail. 
D) These microorganisms bridge the carbon cycle between terrestrial and marine environments.

Question 19

The high specific heat of water means that land masses near the equator are:

Accepted Answer

A) warmer than predicted because of all the heat in the water being released into the air. 
B) cooler than predicted because of all the heat carried by ocean waters from low to high latitudes. 
C) the same temperature regardless of the presence of water because it is only the amount of solar radiation on the land mass that affects temperature. 
A) warmer than predicted because of all the heat in the water being released into the air. 
B) cooler than predicted because of all the heat carried by ocean waters from low to high latitudes. 
C) the same temperature regardless of the presence of water because it is only the amount of solar radiation on the land mass that affects temperature.

Question 20

Recent studies indicate that the addition of iron to areas of the ocean could increase productivity. Increased productivity could be beneficial for many reasons. What may be one of the LARGEST negative impacts that could occur with "fertilizing the oceans with iron"?

Accepted Answer

A) Increased productivity would provide more biomass for subsequent levels on the trophic pyramid. 
B) Increased productivity could result in higher respiration rates and regions of depleted oxygen in the ocean. 
C) Increased productivity would be matched by increased detritus falling to the ocean floor, burying many deep-sea organisms. 
D) Increased productivity could result in depletion of nitrogen available in ocean waters. 
A) Increased productivity would provide more biomass for subsequent levels on the trophic pyramid. 
B) Increased productivity could result in higher respiration rates and regions of depleted oxygen in the ocean. 
C) Increased productivity would be matched by increased detritus falling to the ocean floor, burying many deep-sea organisms. 
D) Increased productivity could result in depletion of nitrogen available in ocean waters.

Exam 48: Biomes and Global Ecology

Freshwater biomes include a photic and aphotic zone.

Fossils in amber are important for studying evolutionary history. Why are the amber fossils from Hispaniola so important to our understanding of evolution in tropical rainforests?

Why are most deserts found at 30 degrees latitude?

Productivity in coastal ecosystems is higher than in other areas of the ocean. How would the removal of viruses from coastal waters affect this productivity?

Which latitude typically receives more rainfall than any other latitude?

Turbulent, cool-water rivers generally have higher oxygen concentrations than warm-water rivers.

This biome is the coldest, with the lowest biodiversity and a permanent layer of ice beneath the soil.

Most of Earth's primary production comes from tropical rainforests.

What physical properties of the Earth BEST explain why there are different seasons?

At the equator, warm air rises and absorbs atmospheric water. The water comes out of the air as it falls at 30 degrees latitude.

In which of the following regions would you expect to find river biomes with HIGH levels of oxygen in the water?

Consider the figure below (Figure 48.1). If the Earth spun on an axis that was perfectly perpendicular to the equator, how might this affect latitudinal differences in incoming solar radiation?

If Earth had no oceans, would temperatures at the equator be hotter or colder than they are now?

High biomass of primary producers in surface waters is important:

Certain regions on the deep sea floor can achieve constant and high species density near:

The latitudinal diversity gradient refers to what pattern of species diversity?

Why are microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and archaeons so important to the carbon cycle?

The high specific heat of water means that land masses near the equator are:

Recent studies indicate that the addition of iron to areas of the ocean could increase productivity. Increased productivity could be beneficial for many reasons. What may be one of the LARGEST negative impacts that could occur with "fertilizing the oceans with iron"?

Life: Chemical, Cellular, and Evolutionary Foundations

The Molecules of Life

Nucleic Acids and Transcription

Translation and Protein Structure

Organizing Principles: Lipids, Membranes, and Cell Compartments

Making Life Work: Capturing and Using Energy

Cellular Respiration: Harvesting Energy From Carbohydrates and Other Fuel Molecules

Photosynthesis: Using Sunlight to Build Carbohydrates

Cell Signaling

Cell and Tissue Architecture: Cytoskeleton, Cell Junctions, and Extracellular Matrix

Cell Division: Variations, Regulation, and Cancer

Dna Replication and Manipulation

Genomes

Mutation and Dna Repair

Genetic Variation

Mendelian Inheritance

Inheritance of Sex Chromosomes, Linked Genes, and Organelles

The Genetic and Environmental Basis of Complex Traits

Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation

Genes and Development

Evolution: How Genotypes and Phenotypes Change Over Time

Species and Speciation

Evolutionary Patterns: Phylogeny and Fossils

Human Origins and Evolution

Cycling Carbon

Bacteria and Archaea

Eukaryotic Cells: Origins and Diversity

Being Multicellular

Plant Structure and Function: Moving Photosynthesis Onto Land

Plant Reproduction: Finding Mates and Dispersing Young

Plant Growth and Development

Plant Defense: Keeping the World Green

Plant Diversity

Fungi: Structure, Function, and Diversity

Animal Nervous Systems

Animal Sensory Systems and Brain Function

Animal Movement: Muscles and Skeletons

Animal Endocrine Systems

Animal Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Animal Metabolism, Nutrition, and Digestion

Animal Renal Systems: Water and Waste

Animal Reproduction and Development

Animal Immune Systems

Animal Diversity

Animal Behavior

Population Ecology

Species Interactions, Communities, and Ecosystems

The Anthropocene: Humans As a Planetary Force

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