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Carbon Cycle and Human Impact

Total questions: 67

Worksheet time: 43mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Which human activity would preserve nonrenewable resources?
a)

Deforestation

b)

Removing carnivores from a forest 

c)

Recycling

d)

Heating homes with fossil fuels  

2.
Which human activity would most likely deplete nonrenewable resources?
a)
use of natural enemies to eliminate insect pests
b)
development of wildlife refuges 
c)
governmental restriction of industrial pollution 
d)
increased use of fossil fuels
3.

Approximately 75 percent of the Earth's surface is covered in water, but most of it is found in our oceans. Why is freshwater water considered such a precious resource?

a)
The greenhouse effect is causing most of the world's freshwater to be trapped in the atmosphere
b)

Only a small fraction of the Earth's water is freshwater available for drinking and irrigation.

c)
Each year, more freshwater is being trapped in icecaps located at the North and South Poles
d)
Global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions will likely cause Earth's oceans to evaporate
4.
Many common products, such as wooden furniture, paper, and books, are made from trees. Which of the following is a likely consequence of humans cutting down a forest in order to make use of the natural resources there? 
a)
the decrease of chemical runoff into the oceans
b)
increased acid rain
c)
the increase of light pollution in cities
d)
the destruction of habitats
5.
Which of the following historical events most likely triggered the largest increase in the human population? 
a)
the Black Death plague, which occurred in the mid-1300s
b)
the domestication of wheat crops, which began around 8000 B.C
c)
the fall of the Roman Empire, which occurred around A.D. 800
d)
the Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 1700s
6.
What causes smog?
a)
The burning of particulates
b)
The formation of ozone
c)
Acid Rain
d)

The interaction of sunlight with pollutants produced by fossil fuels

7.
Global warming has been linked to a decrease in 
a)
the size of the polar ice caps 
b)
the temperature of Earth 
c)
the rate of species extinction 
d)
the rate of carbon dioxide production
8.

What affect does logging (deforestation) have on the forest ecosystem?

a)
It increases soil erosion and water runoff.
b)
It decreases soil erosion and water runoff.
c)
It increases soil erosion and decreases water runoff.
9.

When certain chemicals such as CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) react with Ozone (O3), ozone breaks down to O2 (oxygen gas). Why would this have a negative impact on the climate?

a)

More oxygen causes more storms

b)

More oxygen in the atmosphere increases plant growth

c)

Ozone is part of what protects us from harmful UV radiation.

d)

More oxygen leads to increased human overpopulation and desertification

10.

The ozone hole is actually an area of depleted ozone in Earth’s atmosphere. Which of the following human activities has the greatest contribution to the development of the ozone hole?

a)

The use of oil in automobile engines

b)

The use of airplanes in the atmosphere

c)

The increase in factory emissions

d)

The use of chlorofluorocarbons (cfc’s) in refrigeration

11.

In the 1800s rabbits were introduced for the first time into Australia. Here they had no natural predators and a plentiful food supply. What happened several years after the rabbit was introduced into Australia?

a)

The rabbits began to overpopulate greatly.

b)

Populations of animals competing with rabbits grew.

c)

The rabbit population declined sharply.

d)

New rabbit predators evolved.

12.

The design of air conditioners and aerosol cans that release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere have been changed in the last few years in an attempt to reverse which ecological problem?

a)

deforestation

b)

freshwater pollution

c)

hole in the ozone layer

d)

acid rain

13.

Poisons such as DDT build up in lakes and streams due to runoff. Then they enter the food chain. Once in living organisms, the poisons are not broken down and their concentrations increase as they are passed along the food chain.

Which term best describes this ecological phenomenon?

a)

global warming

b)

loss of biodiversity

c)

biological magnification

d)

loss of genetic diversity

14.

The burning of coal releases sulfur dioxide gas. How might the burning of coal lead to damaged plant life?

a)

Sulfur dioxide can combine with drops of water to form acid rain.

b)

Sulfur dioxide causes the remains of animals to decompose at a faster rate.

c)

Sulfur dioxide gives off heat that raises the temperature of bodies of water.

d)

Sulfur dioxide is a radioactive material that is dangerous for many years.

15.
Which human activity contributes the MOST carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
a)
Fishing
b)
Breathing
c)
Burning Fossil Fuels
d)
Farming
16.

How are greenhouse gasses harming our environment?

a)

They aren't

b)

Less heat is able to escape causing the Earth to cool down

c)

Less heat is able to escape causing the Earth to warm up

d)

More heat is able to escape

17.

Which of the following is a finite (non-renewable) resource?  

a)
solar energy 
b)
wind energy
c)
trees
d)
fossil fuels 
18.

Increased industrialization (human developments) will most likely:

a)
decrease available habitats 
b)
increase environmental carrying capacity 
c)
increase the stability of ecosystems 
d)
decrease global warming
19.
Pollution can cause harm to the ___________.  
a)
air
b)
land
c)
water
d)
all of the above
20.

Conservation is the act of conserving, or protecting the environment, plants, and animals. What are some simple things you can do to help conserve our environment? 

a)
leave water on, leave TV on, run dishwasher with 1 plate
b)
run the washing machine with 1 shirt
c)
leave the refrigerator door open
d)
turn off water, turn off lights, turn off TV
21.

What evidence is there to support that Global Warming is occurring?

a)

Decreasing ocean temperatures

b)

More arctic sea glacers

c)

Sea levels rising

d)

Decrease in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

22.

Which organism shown in the food chain has the highest concentration of pollutants?

a)

plankton

b)

small fish

c)

large fish

d)

shore bird

23.

What is a disadvantage of wind turbines?

a)

They pollute the air.

b)

They do not pollute

c)

They produce noise and may harm some animals

d)

They are "green" energy

24.

Biomass can be converted into fuel such as biodiesel and bioethanol

a)

True

b)

False

25.

a species that is not native to a particular region and has no natural predators and little competition

a)

consumer species

b)

producer species

c)

invasive species

d)

adapted species

26.
A small marine area has phytoplankton as its only producer.  Should the marine biologist be concerned about this ecosystem?
a)
No the fish do not need the phytoplanton. Since there are so many fish, there is high biodiversity.
b)
Yes, this ecosystem has low biodiversity.  Without a producer the herbivores will die out leaving no food.
c)
Yes, this system has high biodiversity; however the fish can adapt and get food from another source.
d)
Yes, the fish will overate to get all of the phytoplankton that is left, then they will die.
27.
How do biodiversity and sustainability work together?
a)
The lower the biodiversity the greater the sustainability.
b)
The higher the biodiversity, the less sustainable the ecosystem
c)
The higher the biodiversity, the greater the sustainability.
d)
Biodiversity has nothing to do with sustainability.
28.

Forest clearing, farming, and road building are all examples of

a)

Biodiversity

b)

Population distribution

c)

Habitat loss

d)

Climate Change

29.

The greatest cause of biodiversity loss today is

a)

Pollution

b)

Habitat loss and change

c)

Climate Change

d)

Invasive species

30.

The ability of an organism to remain unaffected by a harmful agent in the environment

a)

chronic toxicity

b)

acute toxicity

c)

resistance

d)

monoculture

31.
Kudzu has overgrown many parts of southern Missouri and native ground plants have disappeared from the area. This is an example of:
a)
Parasitism between kudzu and the native plants
b)
A predator prey relationship between ground plants and kudzu
c)
Competition occurring between the native and invasive species
d)
Commesalism occurring between the kudzo and native plants
32.

What makes a species invasive?

a)
Moving to a new ecosystem and taking resources from natives 
b)

Finding a new niche in the ecosystem

c)
Species that can't adapt
d)

Organisms that take up too much space

33.
Invasive species have a negative impact on...
a)
the ecosystem
b)
the economy
c)
Both the ecosystem and the economy
d)
None of these
34.
The ozone layer protects us from
a)

UV rays (sunlight)

b)
CFCs
c)
Increased atmospheric heat
d)
Decreased atmospheric heat
35.
The ozone layer is damaged by
a)

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

b)
Increase in greenhouse gases
c)
Increased global temperatures
d)
Sulfuric and nitric acids
36.

How can we help to reduce plastic pollution?

a)

We should use paper/cloth bags.

b)

We should use less plastic.

c)

We should refill our drinking bottles not buy new ones.

d)

We should avoid (unikać) plastic or styrofoam containers.

e)

All answers are correct.

37.
Acid rain can damage
a)
Drinking water sources
b)
Aquatic life
c)
Architecture/buildings
d)
All options are correct
38.
Global warming is due to 
a)
Greenhouse gases
b)
Nitric and sulfuric acids
c)
CFCs
d)
Ozone depletion
39.
What does this diagram illustrate?
a)
Ozone Layer
b)
The Greenhouse Effect
c)
Ultraviolet Radiation
d)
Layers of the atmosphere
40.

When humans burn fossil fuels, most of the carbon quickly enters the _______ as carbon dioxide.

a)

Water

b)

Atmosphere

c)

Sun

d)

Air

41.

Which one of these does not add CO2 to the atmosphere?

a)

Cooking with gas

b)

Planting trees

c)

Burning wood

d)

Riding in a bus

42.

Which of the following does not produce carbon dioxide?

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Burning of fossil fuels

c)

Animal respiration

d)

Decay of plants

43.

How do living organisms return carbon to the atmosphere in the carbon cycle?

a)

Respiration and photosynthesis

b)

Decomposition and respiration

44.

In the carbon cycle, which gas do producers take in?

a)

Carbon dioxide

b)

Oxygen

c)

Nitrogen

d)

Carbon monoxide

45.

All of the carbon in existence is continually recycled in the carbon cycle.

a)

True

b)

False

46.
Which of the following removes carbon from the atmosphere?
a)
Combustion
b)
Respiration
c)
Photosynthesis
d)
Death
47.

What can organisms become when they do not decompose and are buried?

a)

Water

b)

Nutrients

c)

Air

d)

Fossil fuels

48.

If the plant population decreased, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere would _________.

a)

Stay the same

b)

Increase

c)

Decrease

49.

Which of the following contributes to the addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

a)

Volcanoes

b)

Combustion of fossil fuels

c)

Animal and plant respiration

d)

All of these

50.

The average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by approximately 1°C in the past century. Which reason best explains this increase in temperature?

a)

Lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere

b)

Lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere

c)

Higher levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

d)

Higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere

51.

With the help of the Sun, plants use the process of photosynthesis to pull carbon dioxide from the air to make ________

a)

leaves

b)

food

c)

roots

d)

nutrients

52.

Where can carbon be found?

a)

In the atmosphere

b)

In the soil

c)

In fossil fuels

d)

All of the above

53.
Combustion is another word for __________.
a)
Transportation
b)
Respiration
c)
Fossil Fuels
d)
Burning
54.
Which of the following is an example of a decomposer?
a)
Owl
b)
Fish
c)
Tree
d)
Mushroom
55.

The circulation of the element Carbon among Earth's atmosphere, land, oceans, and organisms is called what?

a)

The Carbon Cycle

b)

The Oxygen Cycle

c)

The Carbon Dioxide Cycle

d)

The Water Cycle

56.

What is CO2?

a)

Carbon Monoxide

b)

Carbon Trioxide

c)

Carbon Dioxide

d)

Oxygen

57.

Which of the following are fossil fuels?

a)

Coal, water, oil

b)

Oxygen, coal, oil

c)

Coal, Oil, Natural Gas

d)

None of the above

58.

Why does an excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere cause climate change?

a)

It cools our planet

b)

It blocks out UV rays

c)

It traps heat and warms the planet

d)

It allows light to escape

59.

How does deforestation contribute to greenhouse gases?

a)

By causing the loss of trees that would otherwise remove carbon dioxide from the air

b)

By releasing carbon dioxide when trees are cut

c)

By increasing the amount of oxygen in the air

60.

What is the mixture of gases surrounding the Earth called?

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Carbon

c)

Concentration

d)

Emissions

61.

What process returns the carbon of dead organisms back into the atmosphere?

a)

Respiration

b)

Decomposition

c)

Combustion

d)

Erosion

62.

What are natural resources, such as fossil fuels, that will eventually be used up and can never be replaced called?

a)

Renewable resource

b)

Biofuels

c)

Hydroelectric energy

d)

Nonrenewable resources

63.

This sphere is made up of all the rocks on Earth.

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

64.
Rivers, oceans, and streams are all part of the...
a)
Atmosphere
b)
Biosphere
c)
Geosphere
d)
Hydrosphere
65.
Why is the Greenhouse Effect important?
a)
It keeps our planet at a temperature that sustains life.
b)
It keeps our planet cool.
c)
It helps plants grow in winter.
66.

Why is the ocean important to the carbon cycle?

a)

It is a carbon sink that keeps sediment containing carbon underwater for millions of years.

b)

The ocean releases more carbon than it absorbs (increases global warming).

c)

The ocean isn't important to the carbon cycle since it isn’t a carbon sink.

67.

Predict what would happen to the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the air if all forests were destroyed.

a)

There would be more oxygen and less carbon dioxide in the air.

b)

There would be more carbon dioxide and less oxygen in the air.

c)

The levels would stay the same.

d)

The levels of both oxygen and carbon dioxide in the air would increase.