Earth & Space Spring Final

What does the scientific field of Ecology study?

• A) the impact of overpopulation and resource limitations
• B) the relationships between different species
• C) the interactions of living things and their environment
• D) the relationships among and between living things and their environment

The ecosystem consists of …

• A) only the abiotic factors
• B) only the biotic factors
• C) both the abiotic and biotic factors

The biodiversity of an ecosystem can be seen through the …

• A) amount of individuals
• B) the density of a population
• C) the number of different species
• D) Both A and C

Which of the following best describes the influence the environmental carrying capacity has on the size of a population?

• A) the carrying capacity limits the size of the population
• B) the carrying capacity allows the population size to increase exponentially
• C) the carrying capacity causes a population to become extinct
• D) the carrying capacity increases the size of the population

Why is an understanding of the three biogeochemical cycles important?

• A) To understand how the elements of life used by organisms
• B) To understand how human behaviors can affect nature
• C) To understand how the elements of life are cycled throughout our planet
• D) All of the above

How can human actions interfere with the natural cycling of water on Earth?

• A) Humans can take water out of the cycle by using it to irrigate crops
• B) Humans can contaminate water sources with pollutant chemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers
• C) Humans cannot interfere with the water cycle
• D) Both A and B

Coal, oil, and natural gas …

• A) are formed from decomposed organisms
• B) are all examples of fossil fuels
• C) release carbon dioxide when burned
• D) All of the above

Carbon Dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by which process?

• A) Consumption
• B) Decomposition
• C) Photosynthesis
• D) Cellular Respiration

How is the Carbon Cycle and Climate Change related?

• D) All of the above
• A) Human manufacturing and combustion increases the amount of Carbon Dioxide released into the
• atmosphere, strengthening the Greenhouse Effect
• B) The large size of the human population increases the amount of Carbon Dioxide released into the
• atmosphere through cellular respiration, thereby increasing the amount of greenhouse gases

Surface tension allows the insects (such as this spider) to “walk on water.” What property of water allows this? How is this possible?

• A) adhesion - strong hydrogen bonds at the water’s surface
• B) adhesion - weak hydrogen bonds at the water’s surface
• C) cohesion - strong hydrogen bonds at the water’s surface
• D) cohesion - weak hydrogen bonds at the water’s surface