Quiz about Into Ecology, Biogeochemical Cycle, Population Ecology, Human Impact, Succession and Relationships

Question 1

Humans are disrupting the carbon cycle in ways that have resulted in increased levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Which of the following human activities are most directly responsible for this increase?

Accepted Answer

I, II and III

Answer

I. Deforestation and the clearing of plants that absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Answer

II. The addition of larger amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas).

Answer

III. The production of cement.

Answer

I and III only

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT true regarding oxygen?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen gas is the largest component of the atmosphere.

Answer

Oxygen gas is a natural occurring gas in the atmosphere.

Answer

Oxygen gas is a byproduct of photosynthesis.

Answer

Oxygen gas is a reactant in cellular respiration.

Answer

Oxygen gas is a highly reactive molecule

Question 3

The release of this element into the atmosphere is due, in large part, to fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.

Accepted Answer

Carbon

Answer

Sulfur

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Phosphorus

Answer

All of the above cycles.

Question 4

Which of the following has shifted the storage of carbon from sediment to the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Combustion of fossil fuels

Answer

Mining of coal

Answer

Increased occurrence of acid precipitation

Answer

Extraction of crude oil

Answer

Industrial smog

Question 5

One way in which scientists study climate change is through the analysis of gases in ice core samples. What information does this tell us about the climate?

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse gas concentrations, atmospheric composition, and trends in atmospheric temperature.

Answer

The impact of changing sea levels on the climate.

Answer

The frequency of thermal inversions in the atmosphere.

Answer

The rate of solidification of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Answer

Nothing. This not a way to study climate change.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the process of photosynthesis?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide, water, and solar energy are used to produce oxygen and sugar.

Answer

Oxygen, water, and solar energy are used to produce carbon dioxide and sugar.

Answer

Oxygen, sugar, and solar energy are used to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Answer

Carbon dioxide and oxygen combine to from water and sugar.

Answer

Carbon dioxide and water are used to produce oxygen, sugar and more carbon dioxide.

Question 7

Which of the following greenhouse gases are most abundant in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane

Answer

Carbon monoxide and methane.

Answer

Methane, water vapor, and sulfur dioxide.

Answer

Sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide.

Answer

Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

Question 8

The main global contributing factors to greenhouse gas emissions are

Accepted Answer

Electricity production and transportation

Answer

Industrial processes

Answer

Agricultural processes

Answer

Agriculture and transporation

Answer

None of the above

Question 9

Which of the following is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmopshere?

Accepted Answer

Water vapor

Answer

Methane

Answer

Nitrogen dioxide

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Sulfur dioxide

Question 10

Which of the following is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Argon

Answer

Hydrogen

Answer

Helium

Question 11

In the oceans, upwellings occur when large volumes of water from great depths come up to the surface bringing nutrients with it. Upwelling, therefore, generate

Accepted Answer

High primary productivity of marine algae

Answer

High biotic potential

Answer

Low primary productivity of marine algae

Answer

Nutrient poor waters

Answer

Strong currents

Question 12

Anthropogenic (human) sources of methane (CH4) include

Accepted Answer

Landfills

Answer

Methane hydrates

Answer

Wetlands

Answer

Termites

Answer

Wildfires

Question 13

Which element is consumed during decomposition in and aquatic environment, potentially leading to a hypoxic (low oxygen) situation?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Phosphorus

Answer

Calcium

Answer

Carbon

Question 14

Using the graph, which of the following is the most likely cause of the recent trend noted for all three gases?

Accepted Answer

Increased combustion of fossil fuels

Answer

Increased burning of wood and biomass for fuel

Answer

Increasing number of livestock being raised

Answer

Global climate change

Answer

More materials being disposed of in landfills

Question 15

Using the graph, what are the repercussions of this trend on the environment?

Accepted Answer

Overall changes in climate patterns around the world, including more severe weather events.

Answer

Decreased sedimentation in benthic zones

Answer

Increased growth of vegetation on a global scale.

Answer

Growth of ice coverage over most of the Earth

Answer

Global cooling

Question 16

What is one way in which carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced?

Accepted Answer

Use alternative, renewable sources of energy.

Answer

Sequester carbon in the lithosphere.

Answer

Reduce the number of livestock globally

Answer

Keep ocean temperatures more constant.

Answer

Reduce fertilizer use.

Question 17

If there are an estimated 84 billion barrels of oil left in a country's reserves, and the rate of production is 4 billion barrels per year, what is the reserves-to-production ratio of oil for this country?

Accepted Answer

21 years

Answer

49 years

Answer

33 years

Answer

336 years

Answer

500 years

Question 18

During the Industrial Revolution, much advancement was made in agriculture, which, in turn, produced increased yields and food security. Which of the following is considered a negative effect of the Industrial Revolution in relation to agriculture?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Increased use of fossil fuels

Answer

Decrease in biodiversity

Answer

Increased in monoculture

Answer

None of the above

Question 19

Burning fossil fuels coupled with deforestation increases the amount of ___________________ in the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Nitrogen oxides

Answer

Sulfur dioxide

Answer

Ozone

Answer

All of the above is/are correct

Question 20

Which of the following statements about the role of carbon dioxide in the carbon cycle is TRUE?

I. Carbon dioxide is produced during photosynthesis.

II. Carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere decreases when trees are cut down and the trees decay.

III. The primary non-anthropogenic source of carbon dioxde is outgassing from the Earth's interior.

Accepted Answer

III only

Answer

I only

Answer

II only

Answer

II and III only

Answer

I, II and III only

Question 21

In 1900, the amount of carbon dioxide gas released into the atmosphere by human activity was estimated to be 250 million metric tons per year. By the year 2000, the amount had increased to just over 350 million metric tons per year. What is the approximate percent increase in carbon dioxide concentrations from 1900 to 2000?

Percent Increase Formula:

(Final - Initial) / (Initial) x 100

Accepted Answer

40%

Answer

20%

Answer

80%

Answer

120%

Answer

150%

Question 22

Place the following events in sequential order.

I. Atmospheric carbon dioxide increases

II. Warmer ocean

III. Warmer Atmosphere

IV. Less carbon dioxide uptake by the oceans.

Hint: Warmer water holds less carbon dioxide.

Accepted Answer

II to IV to I to III

Answer

I to II to III to IV

Answer

IV to II to I to III

Answer

II to III to I to IV

Answer

III to II to I to IV

Question 23

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels

Accepted Answer

are about 30% higher than they were at the time of the Industrial Revolution (and the highest they've been in the past 800,000 years).

Answer

are about 10% higher than they were at the time of the Industrial Revolution (and the highest they've been in the past 800,000 years).

Answer

are about the same as they were at the time of the Industrial Revolution

Answer

are slightly lower than they were eat the time of the Industrial Revolution.

Answer

Are significantly lower than they were at the time of the Industrial revolution.

Question 24

The greatest sink for carbon dioxide is found in

Accepted Answer

marine sediments

Answer

atmospheric gases

Answer

seawater

Answer

plants

Answer

animals

Question 25

Cars, trucks and buses account for _____________ of U.S. greenhouse gases.

Accepted Answer

between 20% and 33%

Answer

less than 5%

Answer

between 10% and 20%

Answer

between 35% and 75%

Answer

more than 75%

Question 26

Humans are made up of organic compounds and receive these compounds from the foods we eat. Organic compounds can be generally defined as those compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. Which of the following molecules are NOT a type of organic biological molecule?

Accepted Answer

Salts

Answer

Carbohydrates

Answer

Lipids

Answer

Nucleic Acids

Answer

Proteins

Question 27

CHNOPS are the most important elements to living things. Earth's biogeochemical cycles ensure these elements are available to all living things.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 28

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

Accepted Answer

Carbon transfer from photosynthesis is in a steady state with respiration and decomposition.

Answer

The majority of dead biomass is accumulated in sedimentation.

Answer

Combustion of carbon is equivalent in mass to sedimentation.

Answer

Most of the carbon entering the oceans is from terrestrial ecosystems.

Answer

Carbon exchange between the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems is primarily an abiotic process.

Question 29

How does the burning of fossil fuels contribute to the net increase in atmospheric carbon?

Accepted Answer

Carbon that has been sequestered underground is added to the carbon cycling between the atmosphere and the biosphere.

Answer

Photosynthesis is reduced by virtue of increased smoke and haze.

Answer

Carbon released by the burning is not in a form that can be readily absorbed by plants, leaving residual carbon in the atmosphere.

Answer

Carbon released by the burning is more easily absorbed in the atmosphere than that produced by natural means.

Question 30

The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide increased from 278 ppm in 1790 to 383 ppm in 2007. What is the approximate percent increase in carbon dioxide concentration from 1790 to 2007?

Accepted Answer

38%

Answer

505

Answer

92%

Answer

105%

Answer

138%

Question 31

Carbon sequestration, the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 32

The largest carbon pool is found in

Accepted Answer

sedimentary rock

Answer

oceans

Answer

the atmosphere

Answer

living organisms

Answer

fossil fuels

Question 33

Ocean acidification represents a key component of the

Accepted Answer

carbon cycle

Answer

nitrogen cycle

Answer

hydrologic cycle

Answer

phosphorus cycle

Answer

sulfur cycle

Question 34

The nitrogen cycle is unique in that atmospheric nitrogen cannot be converted directly by organisms into usable nitrogen. What is necessary in order for atmospheric nitrogen to be converted to a usable form of nitrogen by organisms?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Denitrifying bacteria

Answer

Nitrifying bacteria

Answer

Decomposition

Question 35

Cultural eutrophication is a result of

Accepted Answer

excess nutrients entering aquatic environments from sources such as sewage and fertilizers

Answer

a mixing of multiple cultures in one area

Answer

Excess nutrients entering aquatic environments from weathering rocks

Answer

Genetic pollution

Answer

Increasing vehicle traffic

Question 36

Nitrogen fixation is a necessary part of the nitrogen cycle because

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used directly by organisms

Answer

There is not enough nitrogen in the atmosphere

Answer

Nitrogen needs to be combined with phosphorus

Answer

Bacteria needs to be created to help with plant growth

Answer

Nitrogen in the soil needs to be fixed to go back to the atmosphere

Question 37

Which of the following elements is most likely to limit primary production in marine environments?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Phosphorus

Answer

Calcium

Answer

Iron

Answer

Cobalt

Question 38

What is the most abundant greenhouse (heat-trapping) gas in the atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Water vapor

Answer

Methane

Answer

Nitrogen gas

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Sulfur dioxide

Question 39

Which of the following is the most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Argon

Answer

Hydrogen

Answer

Helium

Question 40

Which molecule is consumed during decomposition in an aquatic environment, potentially leading to a hypoxic (low-oxygen) situation?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen

Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Phosphorus

Answer

Calcium

Answer

Carbon

Question 41

Nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas by soil bacteria.

Accepted Answer

Dentrification

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Assimilation

Question 42

NH4+ (ammonia) is converted into NO2- (nitrites) and then into NO3- (nitrates).

Accepted Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrogen Fixation

Answer

Assimilation

Question 43

Plants take up and incorporate nitrogen compounds into proteins, DNA and RNA.

Accepted Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Nitrogen Fixation

Question 44

Nitrogen gas is combined with hydrogen gas to form NH3 (ammonia)

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Assimilation

Question 45

The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in the Midwestern United States is a major contributing factor to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico

Answer

Spread of the West Nile virus

Answer

Water shortages in communities near the Great Lakes

Answer

Soil erosion in Texas

Answer

The increase in severe storms in the Southeastern United States

Question 46

A field is abandoned, and an invasive plant that can live in

nutrient-poor soil moves into the field. If the land is later

cleared of this invasive species and it is discovered that the

soil has an abundance of nitrogen compounds, what

conclusion can best be made?

Accepted Answer

Bacteria in soil and in root nodules converted free nitrogen into nitrogen compounds.

Answer

The plants used up all of the phosphorus and potassium and left the nitrogen behind.

Answer

Primary succession always produces an abundance of nitrogen.

Answer

The plants were able to produce nitrogen in their leaves.

Answer

More rock was weathered and broken down to release nitrogen compounds.

Question 47

In the nitrogen fixation cycle, cyanobacteria in the soil and water and Rhizobium bacteria in root systems are responsible for converting

Accepted Answer

nitrogen gas to ammonia

Answer

organic material to ammonia and ammonium ions

Answer

ammonia, ammonium ions, and nitrate ions to DNA, amino acids, and proteins

Answer

ammonia and nitrite ions to nitrate ions

Answer

nitrogen and hydrogen gas to ammonia

Question 48

Which of the following is a macronutrient essential for the formation of amino acids and proteins?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Sulfur

Answer

Iron

Answer

Cobalt

Answer

Molybdenum

Question 49

All of the following have an impact on the nitrogen cycle EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

weathering of rock

Answer

the planting of legume plants

Answer

slashing and burning of tropical areas

Answer

the discharge of municipal waste into waterways

Answer

the production of fertilizers using the Haber-Bosch process

Question 50

Which of the following bacteria are able to convert soil nitrites to nitrates

Accepted Answer

Nitrobacter

Answer

Nitrosomonas

Answer

Rhizobium

Answer

Penicillium

Answer

Clostridium

Question 51

Ammonium ions (NH4+) are converted to nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite ions (NO2-) through which process?

Accepted Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Ammonification

Question 52

Which form of nitrogen is most usable by plants?

Accepted Answer

Nitrate

Answer

Nitrite

Answer

Nitrogen gas

Answer

Ammonia

Answer

Atomic nitrogen

Question 53

In which stage of the nitrogen cycle do soil bacteria convert ammonium ions (NH4+) into nitrate ions (NO3-); a form of nitrogen that can be used by plants?

Accepted Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Denitrification

Question 54

Which statement correctly describes the role of bacteria/fungi?

Accepted Answer

The bacteria/fungi are decomposers, restoring inorganic material to the environment so elements are made available to other organisms.

Answer

The bacteria/fungi convert radiant energy into chemical energy.

Answer

The bacteria/fungi directly provide a source of nutrition for animals.

Answer

The bacteria/fungi convert atmospheric nitrogen into minerals and are found in the nodules of cacti.

Answer

The bacteria/fungi consume live plants and animals.

Question 55

The process in which ammonia is oxidized to nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-), the forms most usable by plants, through the action of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria is known as

Accepted Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Denitrification

Question 56

Which one of the following is fixed from the atmosphere by bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen

Answer

Magnesium

Answer

Phosphorus

Answer

Sulfur

Answer

Potassium

Question 57

Which of the following processes is known as ammonification (organic nitrogen to ammonia)?

Accepted Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Nitrogen Fixation

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Assimilation

Answer

Denitrification

Question 58

Denitrification is a natural soil microbial process where nitrate (NO3 - ) is converted to nitrogen (N) gases (atmospheric nitrogen and nitrous oxide) that are lost to the atmosphere.

Denitrification occurs when soil bacteria use nitrate for their cellular respiration in the place of oxygen in the air. This process occurs most rapidly in warm, wet soils with an abundance of nitrate.

Where is denitrification NOT likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Topsoil of freshly tilled croplands

Answer

Sediments of a deep lake

Answer

Well-fertilized croplands

Answer

Compacted, wet soils under cattle farms

Answer

Recently flooded cropland

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT true of phosphorus and the phosphorus cycle?

Accepted Answer

Living organisms do not need phosphorus.

Answer

Phosphorus is mined from phosphorus rich rock, which is processed and then added to commercial inorganic fertilizers as well as detergents.

Answer

Phosphorus tends to be more localized compared with other biogeochemical cycles that can move more freely in the global system.

Answer

Phosphorus is generally found in rocks, sediments, and soil.

Answer

Phosphorus does not exist in the atmosphere as a gas.

Question 60

Phosphorus is mainly found (stored) in the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 61

Both Phosphorus and Nitrogen are limiting nutrients in aquatic environments. Nitrogen tends to be limiting in marine environments while Phosphorus tends to be limiting in freshwater environments. When added to aquatic ecosystems, nitrogen and phosphorus can result in a hypoxic environment. This process is called:

Accepted Answer

Cultural Eutrophication

Answer

Biomagnification

Answer

Bioaccumulation

Answer

Upwelling

Answer

Sedimentation

Question 62

Which of the following is NOT a primary reservoir or sink for the element or molecule listed?

Accepted Answer

Water -- Lakes and Rivers

Answer

Carbon -- Coal

Answer

Nitrogen -- Atmosphere

Answer

Phosphorus -- Sediments and Rock

Answer

Sulfur - Deep Ocean Deposits

Question 63

Phosphorus is being added to the environment by all of the following activities EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

burning of coal and fossil fuels

Answer

runoff from feedlots and waste lagoons

Answer

clear-cutting tropical habits for agriculture, thereby decreasing the amount of available phosphorus contained in vegetation.

Answer

discharge from municipal sewage plants

Answer

mining of phosphorus to produce inorganic fertilizers and detergents

Question 64

The major sink for phosphorus is

Accepted Answer

sedimentary rock

Answer

atmospheric gases

Answer

seawater

Answer

plants

Answer

animals

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