Question 1

Why are many of the world's deserts found at 23-30 degrees latitude?

Accepted Answer

A) Rising air at these latitudes wicks moisture away from the Earth. 
B) Descending air masses cool as they go, absorbing more water vapor. 
C) Descending air masses warm as they go, absorbing more water vapor. 
D) The latitudinal belt is where solar energy input per square meter is highest, causing aridity. 
A) Rising air at these latitudes wicks moisture away from the Earth. 
B) Descending air masses cool as they go, absorbing more water vapor. 
C) Descending air masses warm as they go, absorbing more water vapor. 
D) The latitudinal belt is where solar energy input per square meter is highest, causing aridity.

Question 2

Why are savanna biomes found MOSTLY at subtropical latitudes?

Accepted Answer

A) Temperatures are warm, causing high rates of evaporation and transpiration. 
B) Rainfall is low because of descending air masses. 
C) Fires in dry grasslands inhibit the expansion of tree and shrub populations. 
D) All of these choices are correct. 
A) Temperatures are warm, causing high rates of evaporation and transpiration. 
B) Rainfall is low because of descending air masses. 
C) Fires in dry grasslands inhibit the expansion of tree and shrub populations. 
D) All of these choices are correct.

Question 3

Carbon is returned to the atmosphere through:

Accepted Answer

A) photosynthesis in plants. 
B) decomposition of detritus by fungi. 
C) storage of carbohydrates in animals. 
D) photosynthesis in marine algae. 
A) photosynthesis in plants. 
B) decomposition of detritus by fungi. 
C) storage of carbohydrates in animals. 
D) photosynthesis in marine algae.

Question 4

The carbon and nitrogen cycles are related to one another because:

Accepted Answer

A) microorganisms have important roles in the cycling of each. 
B) both are liberated into the environment when organisms decompose. 
C) both are required to make the primary biological molecules (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and sugars). 
D) All of these choices are correct. 
A) microorganisms have important roles in the cycling of each. 
B) both are liberated into the environment when organisms decompose. 
C) both are required to make the primary biological molecules (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and sugars). 
D) All of these choices are correct.

Question 5

Seasons are caused by the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

In what biome would you expect to find the greatest diversity of insects?

Accepted Answer

A) desert 
B) deciduous forest 
C) savanna 
D) tropical rain forest 
E) tundra 
A) desert 
B) deciduous forest 
C) savanna 
D) tropical rain forest 
E) tundra

Question 7

Most phosphorus on the planet is found in living organisms.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Many coastal regions show very high levels of productivity. Which of the following is NOT a reason for this high productivity?

Accepted Answer

A) upwelling from deeper nutrient waters 
B) warmer water temperature 
C) high levels of sunlight 
D) These are all factors that contribute to high productivity in coastal waters. 
A) upwelling from deeper nutrient waters 
B) warmer water temperature 
C) high levels of sunlight 
D) These are all factors that contribute to high productivity in coastal waters.

Question 9

Which of these biomes has a plant composition that is MOST similar to the temperate coniferous forest?

Accepted Answer

A) alpine 
B) taiga 
C) deciduous forest 
D) rain forest 
E) chaparral 
A) alpine 
B) taiga 
C) deciduous forest 
D) rain forest 
E) chaparral

Question 10

The hypothesis that species diversity is greater at lower latitudes than higher latitudes because low-latitude habitats are older would be supported if speciation rates were:

Accepted Answer

A) the same at high and low latitudes. 
B) higher at low latitude than at high latitude. 
C) higher at high latitude than at low latitude. 
D) more variable at high latitude than at low latitude. 
E) more variable at low latitude than at high latitude. 
A) the same at high and low latitudes. 
B) higher at low latitude than at high latitude. 
C) higher at high latitude than at low latitude. 
D) more variable at high latitude than at low latitude. 
E) more variable at low latitude than at high latitude.

Question 11

The hypothesis that species diversity is greater at lower latitudes than higher latitudes because low-latitude habitats are older would be supported if speciation rates were:

Accepted Answer

A) the same at high and low latitudes. 
B) higher at low latitude than at high latitude. 
C) higher at high latitude than at low latitude. 
D) more variable at high latitude than at low latitude. 
E) more variable at low latitude than at high latitude. 
A) the same at high and low latitudes. 
B) higher at low latitude than at high latitude. 
C) higher at high latitude than at low latitude. 
D) more variable at high latitude than at low latitude. 
E) more variable at low latitude than at high latitude.

Question 12

In marine ecosystems phosphorus is added to the ecosystem primarily from:

Accepted Answer

A) erosion of rocks on land. 
B) dead organisms that fall to the bottom of the ocean. 
C) fixation of atmospheric phosphorus. 
D) glacial ice melt. 
A) erosion of rocks on land. 
B) dead organisms that fall to the bottom of the ocean. 
C) fixation of atmospheric phosphorus. 
D) glacial ice melt.

Question 13

Species adapted for higher latitudes tend to have larger ranges than those adapted to the tropics.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

A tundra ecosystem would include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) all of the bryophytes inhabiting the tundra 
B) all of the mammals inhabiting the tundra 
C) the rainfall patterns the tundra experiences 
D) the amount/duration of sunlight the tundra receives 
E) All of these choices are correct. 
A) all of the bryophytes inhabiting the tundra 
B) all of the mammals inhabiting the tundra 
C) the rainfall patterns the tundra experiences 
D) the amount/duration of sunlight the tundra receives 
E) All of these choices are correct.

Question 15

A general trend in global biodiversity is a gradient of:

Accepted Answer

A) increasing diversity moving from the equator toward the poles. 
B) decreasing diversity moving from the equator toward the poles. 
C) increasing diversity moving out from continental margins to the interior. 
D) decreasing diversity moving from continental margins to the interior. 
A) increasing diversity moving from the equator toward the poles. 
B) decreasing diversity moving from the equator toward the poles. 
C) increasing diversity moving out from continental margins to the interior. 
D) decreasing diversity moving from continental margins to the interior.

Question 16

Consider the characteristics of terrestrial biomes. Would you expect more biomass in a trophic pyramid from the tropical rainforest compared to one from the taiga?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because there is higher productivity at the equator than at the poles. 
B) Yes, because there is higher fungal diversity cycling carbon at the equator than at the poles. 
C) Yes, because there are higher numbers of predators at the equator than at the poles. 
D) No, because there are photosynthetic organisms in both biomes that support the trophic pyramids. 
E) No, because there are other producers at the poles that don't require sunlight to make up the difference in biomass that would be there if only sunlight were used as an energy source. 
A) Yes, because there is higher productivity at the equator than at the poles. 
B) Yes, because there is higher fungal diversity cycling carbon at the equator than at the poles. 
C) Yes, because there are higher numbers of predators at the equator than at the poles. 
D) No, because there are photosynthetic organisms in both biomes that support the trophic pyramids. 
E) No, because there are other producers at the poles that don't require sunlight to make up the difference in biomass that would be there if only sunlight were used as an energy source.

Question 17

Which of these biomes receives the least amount of rainfall, and therefore has low primary production, nutrient-poor soil, and plant species that are adapted for water-storage?

Accepted Answer

A) tundra 
B) alpine 
C) chaparral 
D) desert 
E) savannah 
A) tundra 
B) alpine 
C) chaparral 
D) desert 
E) savannah

Question 18

Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but do not contribute carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which of the following groups of biomes is listed in order of least to greatest in terms of species diversity?

Accepted Answer

A) rain forest, savannah, taiga 
B) savannah, taiga, rain forest 
C) taiga, rain forest, savannah 
D) savannah, rain forest, taiga 
E) taiga, savannah, rain forest 
A) rain forest, savannah, taiga 
B) savannah, taiga, rain forest 
C) taiga, rain forest, savannah 
D) savannah, rain forest, taiga 
E) taiga, savannah, rain forest

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a hypothesis that can adequately explain global patterns in species' diversity?

Accepted Answer

A) Biomes in the tropics have been established for a longer time, so there has been more time for speciation to occur. 
B) The number of tree species limits the number of animal species in an area. 
C) Temperate species are fewer because it is difficult to adapt to local conditions. 
D) The tropics cover more land than temperate regions. 
A) Biomes in the tropics have been established for a longer time, so there has been more time for speciation to occur. 
B) The number of tree species limits the number of animal species in an area. 
C) Temperate species are fewer because it is difficult to adapt to local conditions. 
D) The tropics cover more land than temperate regions.

Exam 48: Biomes and Global Ecology

Why are many of the world's deserts found at 23-30 degrees latitude?

Why are savanna biomes found MOSTLY at subtropical latitudes?

Carbon is returned to the atmosphere through:

The carbon and nitrogen cycles are related to one another because:

Seasons are caused by the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

In what biome would you expect to find the greatest diversity of insects?

Most phosphorus on the planet is found in living organisms.

Many coastal regions show very high levels of productivity. Which of the following is NOT a reason for this high productivity?

Which of these biomes has a plant composition that is MOST similar to the temperate coniferous forest?

The hypothesis that species diversity is greater at lower latitudes than higher latitudes because low-latitude habitats are older would be supported if speciation rates were:

The hypothesis that species diversity is greater at lower latitudes than higher latitudes because low-latitude habitats are older would be supported if speciation rates were:

In marine ecosystems phosphorus is added to the ecosystem primarily from:

Species adapted for higher latitudes tend to have larger ranges than those adapted to the tropics.

A tundra ecosystem would include which of the following?

A general trend in global biodiversity is a gradient of:

Consider the characteristics of terrestrial biomes. Would you expect more biomass in a trophic pyramid from the tropical rainforest compared to one from the taiga?

Which of these biomes receives the least amount of rainfall, and therefore has low primary production, nutrient-poor soil, and plant species that are adapted for water-storage?

Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but do not contribute carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Which of the following groups of biomes is listed in order of least to greatest in terms of species diversity?

Which of the following is NOT a hypothesis that can adequately explain global patterns in species' diversity?

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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