Question 1

The nitrogen cycle is one of the most important and complex of the biogeochemical cycles. It is important because nitrogen:

Accepted Answer

A)   is stored in sedimentary rock
B)   is an essential part of biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids (DN
A)  
C)   is the most toxic element to living organisms
D)   dilutes the oxygen in the atmosphere causing respiratory problems
E)   is a crucial part of the process of photosynthesis B

Question 2

List four ways in which solar radiation makes life on Earth possible.

Accepted Answer

The sun supports life on Earth because it warms the planet to habitable temperatures. Without the sun's energy, the temperature on Earth would approach absolute zero making all water freeze, including the ocean. The sun also powers the hydrologic cycle, carbon cycle, and is the primary determinant of climate. Plants capture the sun's energy through the process of photosynthesis, in which water and carbon dioxide are converted to carbohydrates, which fuel nearly all forms of life. Most of the fossil fuels, oil, coal, and natural gas represent solar energy captured by photosynthetic organisms.

Question 3

The scale typically used by most seismologists to measure the magnitude of an earthquake is the:

Accepted Answer

A)   Richter scale.
B)   subduction scale.
C)   earthquake scale.
D)   moment magnitude scale.
E)   seismologist's earth movement indicator scale. D

Question 4

In the carbon cycle, carbon can be found in:

Accepted Answer

A)   Limestone, animals, and plants
B)   Biocarbonate and sugar
C)   Carbon dioxide and coal
D)   The atmosphere
E)   All of these choices are correct

Question 5

The ocean conveyor belt affects:

Accepted Answer

A)   The nitrogen cycle
B)   Albedo
C)   The greenhouse effect
D)   Regional and possibly global climate
E)   Surface water currents

Question 6

Briefly discuss the role of the Earth's rotation and inclination on its axis on seasonal temperature variations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly discuss the role of the Earth's...

Question 7

What is the function of the TAO/TRITON array?

Accepted Answer

A)   To assist in the prediction of ENSO weather events
B)   To monitor global atmospheric CO2 concentrations
C)   To help map location of the Gulf Stream
D)   To monitor seismic activity on the seafloor
E)   To measure daily temperature variation

Question 8

Many plants have evolved mutualistic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria because:

Accepted Answer

A)   The bacteria transform nitrogen into useful forms for the plants; the plants provide carbohydrates
B)   The bacteria protect the plant from harmful effects of nitrogen compounds such as ammonia; the plants provide carbohydrates for the bacteria
C)   The bacteria utilize nitrogen to produce energy for the plants; the plants provide the source of the nitrogen for the bacteria
D)   The bacteria provide natural immunities to the plants; the plants shelter the bacteria from predators
E)   There is not a mutualistic relationship between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and plants

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the sulfur cycle is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   Bacteria play little or no role in the sulfur cycle.
B)   Most of the planet's sulfur is found in the atmosphere.
C)   Plants are unable to assimilate sulfate (SO42-) 
D)   Sea spray, forest fires, and dust storms release sulfates (SO42-)  into the air.
E)   Sedimentary rocks and erosion do not contribute to the sulfur cycle.

Question 10

The Coriolis effect is due to:

Accepted Answer

A)   variations in the amount of solar radiation reaching different locations.
B)   seasonal changes in the levels of solar radiation at a given location.
C)   The density of the oceans.
D)   the Earth's orbit.
E)   the Earth's rotation.

Question 11

Steps I and VII come together to complete the carbon-silicate cycle. However, two consecutive steps of this cycle are OUT OF ORDER - which two?
I. In weathering, atmospheric CO2 dissolves in rainwater to form carbonic acid
(H2C03)
II. Carbonic acid dissociates to form hydrogen ions (H+) as rainwater moves through soil
III. Hydrogen ions enter silicate-rich minerals such as feldspar, releasing calcium ions (Ca2+)
IV. Microscopic marine organisms incorporate (Ca2+) and HC03-) into their shells
V. Calcium and bicarbonate ions wash into surface waters and eventually reach the ocean
VI. Shells are incorporated into sedimentary rock
VII. Geological uplift exposes limestone, which is eroded by weathering returning C02 to the atmosphere and water.

Accepted Answer

A)   II and III
B)   III and IV
C)   IV and V
D)   V and VI
E)   none, all the steps are in the correct order

Question 12

After the 2004 tsunami, the death tolls in 2 coastal Sri Lankan cities were examined. The village with intact mangrove vegetation recorded _________ deaths, whereas the other settlement had almost ________ deaths.

Accepted Answer

A)   2;6000
B)   20;6000
C)   6;2000
D)   60; 2000
E)   100;1000

Question 13

The reduction of nitrate (NO3-) to gaseous nitrogen (N2) is called:

Accepted Answer

A)   Nitrification
B)   Ammonification
C)   Assimilation
D)   Dentrification
E)   Nitrogen fixation

Question 14

Which of the following does not affect ocean currents?

Accepted Answer

A)   Position of the continents
B)   Marine organisms
C)   Atmospheric temperatures
D)   Prevailing winds
E)   Varying density of seawater

Question 15

The Earth's atmosphere is important because:

Accepted Answer

A)   it is primarily composed of oxygen, essential for our survival.
B)   it is composed of approximately twenty different layers.
C)   it protects us from UV radiation and X-rays.
D)   it is a stable and unchanging part of our global environment.
E)   the densest outer layer shields the Earth's surface from dangerous forms of energy.

Question 16

El Niño and La Niña are similar in that both events

Accepted Answer

A)   originate in the Atlantic Ocean
B)   affect weather patterns
C)   are predictable every year
D)   cause global cooling
E)   are associated with Christmas

Question 17

Which biogeochemical cycle(s) contribute(s) to eutrophication?

Accepted Answer

A)   The P cycle
B)   The C cycle
C)   The N cycle
D)   The P cycle and the N Cycle
E)   All of these choices are correct

Question 18

List and briefly explain three ways in which human activities are impacting the biogeochemical cycles.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List and briefly explain three ways in...

Question 19

Cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons are distinguished from one another by:

Accepted Answer

A)   size
B)   speed
C)   direction of spin
D)   location
E)   destructive potential

Question 20

What part of the nitrogen cycle deals with the conversion of nitrogen in waste products (urea in urine) into ammonia?

Accepted Answer