Impact of Human Activities on Earth's Ecosystems

The illustration provided shows a river and four cities on that river. When the water from the river was sampled at location X, it was determined to be polluted with various chemicals. What would be the most likely source for this pollution?

• City 1 and City 2
• City 2 and City 3

• City 3 and City 4

• City 1 and City 4

Answer explanation

City 1 and City 2 are likely sources of pollution as they are upstream from location X. Pollutants from these cities can flow into the river, affecting water quality at the sampling point.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

• It moves carbon from the air through photosynthesis

• It releases carbon from living things into the air and water

• It converts abiotic matter into biotic matter

• It decomposes dead matter into carbon

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

The graph below shows CO2 emissions and temperatures from 1984 to 2009. What conclusion is best supported by the graph?

• There is no relationship between carbon dioxide concentrations and temperatures

• As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures increase

• As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures decrease

Answer explanation

The graph shows a clear trend where increases in carbon dioxide concentrations correspond with rising temperatures, supporting the conclusion that as CO2 levels rise, temperatures also increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Which of the following is a potential effect of rising global temperatures?

• More frequent and severe weather events

• Increased snowfall in polar regions

• Stabilization of global climate patterns

• Decreased sea levels

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Why is the increase of Greenhouse gasses a big issue?

• It causes an increase in the global average temperatures which leads to climate change.

• It's not. People are overreacting.

• It kills millions of people every year.

Answer explanation

The increase of greenhouse gases is a major issue because it leads to higher global average temperatures, resulting in climate change. This affects weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems, posing significant risks to life on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Which of the following is a consequence of ocean acidification?

• Increased fish populations

• Increased oxygen levels

• Coral bleaching

• Decreased water temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Cutting down trees increases global warming because

• trees soak up CO2.

• trees provide shade.

• trees absorbs the sun's heat.

Answer explanation

Cutting down trees increases global warming because trees absorb CO₂, a major greenhouse gas. When trees are cut down, less CO₂ is absorbed, leading to higher concentrations of CO₂ in the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be made from this graph?

• atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been decreasing since 1960

• Hawaii has a lot of carbon dioxide

• humans have been working hard to decrease carbon dioxide levels

• atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased steadily since 1960

Answer explanation

The graph shows a clear upward trend in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since 1960, indicating that they have increased steadily over this period. The other options do not accurately reflect this trend.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Which of the following is a consequence of melting polar ice caps?

• Decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide

• Decrease in sea levels

• Increase in sea levels

• Increase in biodiversity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Marine scientists monitor atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide. As atmospheric levels rise, more of the gas dissolves in the oceans. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) dissolves as more carbon dioxide enters the oceans. Marine organisms such as clams need CaCO3 to build their exoskeletons.

Based on this information, the change most likely to be a direct result of these increasing levels of oceanic carbon dioxide is ​ ______.

• There will be an overpopulation of animals that make shells

• shelled animals can't make shells decreasing the population

Answer explanation

As carbon dioxide levels rise, more dissolves in oceans, leading to lower calcium carbonate availability. This weakens marine organisms like clams, making it difficult for them to produce and maintain their shells.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4