8.11B Environmental Changes

(8.11C) Some scientists studying aquatic plants notice that flooding often leads to a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis among aquatic plants. Flooding causes more sediment to be suspended in the water. The increased sediment concentration decreases the amount of light that reaches the plants. Why does a decreased rate of photosynthesis lead to a decrease in a plant population?

• Less water is available for absorption.
• Less tissue is available for plant growth.
• Less energy is available for reproduction.
• Less soil is available for leave development.

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(7.11C) When Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Island in the 1800s, he observed many types of organisms that were similar but lived on different islands. The four species of mockingbirds found on the Gapapagos Island are shown below. Each species lives on a different island.
These species are very similar, but the Hood mockingbird has a longer beak than the other three species. Which of the following best explains this difference?

• The hood mockingbird needs a longer beak for defense against predators.
• The Hood mockingbird originated from a different type of bird than the other species.
• The Hood mockingbird's longer beak is an adaptation to the food available in the bird's habitat.
• The Hood mockingbird's beak stretched to reach its food, and the longer beak was passed down to its offspring.

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(8.11C) Before the Industrial Revolution in England, the peppered moth was commonly found on tree trunks that had light-colored lichen on the bark. Most of the peppered moths were a light grey-brown color similar to that of the lichen. A few of the moths had a mutation that made them a dark grey-brown color.
During the Industrial Revolution, coal-burning factories produced black soot that covered the tress and killed the lichen in and near cities. In these areas the number of dark peppered moths increased, while the number of light peppered moths decreased. What contributed to this change?

• The soot-covered trees camouflaged the dark moths.
• The dark moths preyed on the light moths.
• Bird populations increased in the areas near the factories.
• The dark moths laid fewer eggs than the light moths. 

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Copper compounds are used to control the growth of algae and other aquatic plants. Copper interferes with photosynthesis in these organisms. What would be the most likely result of an accidental spill of these compounds in an aquatic environment?

• Fish would grow larger than usual
• Zooplankton would increase
• Plants would increase in size and decrease in number
• The plant populations would be reduced

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Some animals are born with a gene that causes hairlessness.  Which of the following would be an example of how this is a beneficial mutation

• Higher rates of skin cancer in hairless animals.
• Animals that are hairless have better tolerance for heat
• Animals with no hair have more skin infections than those with hair
• animals with less hair are less able get food because they can't forage in cold weather

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In Sewage treatment facility, contaminants are removed from wastewater and sewage system. If a sewage treatment plant is not functioning properly, what will it most likely cause?

• A water shortage
• Groundwater contamination
• Acid rain
• Rising water levels in the lakes

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Some organisms have colorful appearances to warn their predators (animals that would try to eat them) that they are harmful or do not taste good. If other species, that are not harmful, mimic these colors how would that help them reproduce?

• The bright colors would help them attract more mates and allow them to reproduce
• Because they have similar colors they can mate with the harmful species to create hybrids
  
• Bright colors help them be more visible in the dark and most mating occurs after dark
• The similar markings and colors will increase their chance of predators avoiding them and allow them to survive to reproduce

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Many animals that live in the ocean. They are often dark blue colored above and white below. Why would this color pattern be a helpful inherited trait for the ocean environment?

• This color allows them to blend in and avoid being seen by prey so they get food and they can reproduce
• This color pattern has no effect on reproduction it is only for variation during the seasons
• Their white underbelly helps them absorb more light and heat from the sun helping them grow and reproduce
• White reflects sunlight allowing the organisms to see better in the ocean
  

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1.  Why did the population of peppered moths in England change from light to dark after the Industrial Revolution?

• Light moths were killed by soot.
• Dark moths were produces by industrial processes.
• The birds that ate the dark moths were killed by the soot.
• Light moths were more obvious against the soot-stained trees.

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A group of herbivores are separated from their population.  In the new environment, the only edible vegetation grows at the top of tall trees.  Which of the following is a likely physical adaptation that may develop?

• striped fur
• a tendency to mate during the summer
• the ability to swim
• a long neck

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