BIO110: Final Exam Practice

Define the biosphere and explain the role that humans play in it.

• The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists, and humans play a role by maintaining ecological balance.

• The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists, and humans play a role by altering ecosystems through activities such as deforestation and pollution.

• The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists, and humans play a role by only conserving wildlife.

• The biosphere is the part of Earth where life exists, and humans play a role by only increasing biodiversity.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that the biosphere is where life exists and emphasizes the significant impact of human activities, like deforestation and pollution, which alter ecosystems, rather than just focusing on conservation or biodiversity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Differentiate between a biotic factor and an abiotic factor in the study of ecology.

• Biotic factors are non-living components, while abiotic factors are living components of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors are living components, while abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem.

• Biotic factors include sunlight and temperature, while abiotic factors include plants and animals.

• Biotic factors include soil and water, while abiotic factors include bacteria and fungi.

Answer explanation

Biotic factors are indeed the living components of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals, while abiotic factors are the non-living components, like sunlight and temperature. This distinction is crucial in ecology.

Distinguish between climate and weather.

• Climate refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while weather refers to long-term patterns.

• Climate refers to long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation, while weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions.

• Climate and weather both refer to short-term atmospheric conditions.

• Climate and weather both refer to long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation.

Answer explanation

The correct choice distinguishes climate as long-term patterns of temperature and precipitation, while weather is defined as short-term atmospheric conditions. This distinction is crucial for understanding meteorological concepts.

Describe the greenhouse effect and identify the gas most responsible for it.

• The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere, with methane being the most responsible gas.

• The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere, with carbon dioxide being the most responsible gas.

• The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere, with oxygen being the most responsible gas.

• The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere, with nitrogen being the most responsible gas.

Answer explanation

The greenhouse effect is the trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the most responsible gas due to its significant role in climate change, unlike methane, oxygen, or nitrogen.

Compare and contrast the hydrologic cycle and the carbon cycle.

• Both cycles involve the movement of water, but the hydrologic cycle is faster than the carbon cycle.

• Both cycles involve the movement of carbon, but the carbon cycle is faster than the hydrologic cycle.

• The hydrologic cycle involves the movement of water, while the carbon cycle involves the movement of carbon through the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

• The hydrologic cycle involves the movement of carbon, while the carbon cycle involves the movement of water through the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that the hydrologic cycle focuses on the movement of water, while the carbon cycle pertains to the movement of carbon through various Earth systems, including the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Explain how global warming contributes to climate change.

• Global warming leads to a decrease in global temperatures, which contributes to climate change.

• Global warming leads to an increase in global temperatures, which contributes to climate change by altering weather patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.

• Global warming leads to stable global temperatures, which contributes to climate change.

• Global warming has no effect on climate change.

Answer explanation

Global warming causes an increase in global temperatures, which disrupts weather patterns and leads to more frequent extreme weather events, thus significantly contributing to climate change.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

List at least five consequences of climate change, and describe one consequence in detail.

• Rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, ocean acidification, and melting glaciers. Rising sea levels can lead to the displacement of coastal communities and loss of habitat for marine life.

• Decreased sea levels, decreased frequency of extreme weather events, increased biodiversity, ocean alkalization, and growing glaciers. Decreased sea levels can lead to the expansion of coastal areas.

• Rising sea levels, decreased frequency of extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, ocean alkalization, and melting glaciers. Rising sea levels can lead to the expansion of coastal areas.

• Rising sea levels, increased frequency of extreme weather events, increased biodiversity, ocean acidification, and growing glaciers. Rising sea levels can lead to the expansion of coastal areas.

Answer explanation

The correct choice lists five significant consequences of climate change, including rising sea levels, which can displace coastal communities and harm marine habitats, highlighting the severe impact of climate change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Articulate the need for a measure such as an ecological footprint, and describe your own ecological footprint.

• An ecological footprint measures the amount of land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes. My ecological footprint is minimal because I use public transportation and recycle regularly.

• An ecological footprint measures the amount of land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes. My ecological footprint is large because I drive a car and rarely recycle.

• An ecological footprint measures the amount of land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes. My ecological footprint is average because I balance between using public transportation and driving a car.

• An ecological footprint measures the amount of land and water area a human population requires to produce the resources it consumes and to absorb its wastes. My ecological footprint is non-existent because I do not consume any resources.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights the importance of an ecological footprint in measuring resource consumption and waste absorption. It accurately reflects a minimal footprint due to the use of public transportation and regular recycling.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which of the following is a biotic factor in an ecosystem?

• Temperature

• Water

• Plants

• Soil

Answer explanation

Plants are biotic factors as they are living organisms that interact with other living and non-living components in an ecosystem. In contrast, temperature, water, and soil are abiotic factors.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which gas is most responsible for the greenhouse effect?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Methane

Answer explanation

Carbon Dioxide is the most significant greenhouse gas, as it traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. While methane is also a potent greenhouse gas, CO2 is more abundant and has a longer-lasting impact.