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Environmental Science Midterm Practice

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which subatomic particle has a negative charge and is found in the electron cloud?

a)

Proton

b)

Neutron

c)

Electron

d)

Nucleus

2.

The primary function of neutrons in an atom is to:

a)

Carry a positive charge

b)

Provide stability to the nucleus

c)

Conduct electricity

d)

Create chemical bonds

3.

Which best describes potential energy?

a)

Energy of motion

b)

Stored energy

c)

Lost energy

d)

Nuclear energy

4.

During photosynthesis, plants convert:

a)

Chemical energy to light energy

b)

Light energy to chemical energy

c)

Heat energy to chemical energy

d)

Chemical energy to heat energy

5.

Which wavelength of light is most important for photosynthesis?

a)

Ultraviolet

b)

Infrared

c)

Visible light

d)

Radio waves

6.

The formula 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ represents:

a)

Cellular respiration

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Decomposition

d)

Fermentation

7.

In a food chain, energy transfer between trophic levels is approximately:

a)

90%

b)

50%

c)

10%

d)

1%

8.

Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of:

a)

Oxygen

b)

Carbon dioxide

c)

Nitrogen

d)

Water vapor

9.

Which is a product of cellular respiration?

a)

Glucose

b)

Oxygen

c)

Carbon dioxide

d)

Chlorophyll

10.

Net primary productivity equals:

a)

Gross primary productivity plus respiration

b)

Gross primary productivity minus respiration

c)

Total biomass production

d)

Total energy input

11.

In the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by:

a)

Burning fossil fuels

b)

Volcanic eruptions

c)

Photosynthesis

d)

Respiration

12.

The phosphorus cycle differs from other biogeochemical cycles because it:

a)

Has no gaseous phase

b)

Involves only animals

c)

Occurs only in water

d)

Requires sunlight

13.

Which best describes a decomposer's role?

a)

Produces its own food

b)

Eats other organisms

c)

Breaks down dead matter

d)

Creates oxygen

14.

Kinetic energy is:

a)

Stored energy

b)

Energy of motion

c)

Nuclear energy

d)

Chemical energy

15.

The relationship between mass and energy is described by:

a)

Newton's Laws

b)

Einstein's E=mc²

c)

Darwin's Theory

d)

Mendel's Laws

16.

Natural selection directly acts on:

a)

DNA

b)

Phenotypes

c)

Genes

d)

Species

17.

The bottleneck effect results in:

a)

Increased genetic diversity

b)

Decreased genetic diversity

c)

Speciation

d)

Mutation

18.

Convergent evolution produces:

a)

Different functions from same structure

b)

Same function from different structures

c)

Only beneficial traits

d)

Only harmful traits

19.

Which is an example of artificial selection?

a)

Antibiotic resistance

b)

Selective breeding of crops

c)

Camouflage in moths

d)

Bacterial mutation

20.

The most specific taxonomic category is:

a)

Genus

b)

Family

c)

Species

d)

Order

21.

Resource partitioning in an ecosystem results in:

a)

Increased competition

b)

Decreased biodiversity

c)

Reduced niche overlap

d)

Extinction

22.

In a parasitic relationship:

a)

Both species benefit

b)

One species benefits, one is harmed

c)

Neither species benefits

d)

Both species are harmed

23.

R-selected species typically:

a)

Have few offspring

b)

Have long lifespans

c)

Have many offspring

d)

Provide extensive parental care

24.

Interspecific competition occurs between:

a)

Members of same species

b)

Different species

c)

Predator and prey only

d)

Plants only

25.

The founder effect occurs when:

a)

A population becomes extinct

b)

A small group starts a new population

c)

Two species compete

d)

A species adapts to new conditions

26.

Which type of selection favors extreme traits?

a)

Stabilizing

b)

Directional

c)

Disruptive

d)

Artificial

27.

Homologous structures:

a)

Have different origins but same function

b)

Have same origin but different functions

c)

Have different origins and functions

d)

Have same origin and function

28.

A population's carrying capacity is determined by:

a)

Predator population

b)

Limiting factors

c)

Birth rate only

d)

Death rate only

29.

Which represents a density-dependent factor?

a)

Temperature

b)

Natural disasters

c)

Disease

d)

Rainfall

30.

Symbiosis where both species benefit is called:

a)

Parasitism

b)

Commensalism

c)

Mutualism

d)

Competition

31.

The process of ecological succession begins with:

a)

Climax community

b)

Pioneer species

c)

Mature forest

d)

Complex ecosystem

32.

A species' niche includes:

a)

Only its habitat

b)

Only its diet

c)

All its ecological requirements

d)

Only its predators

33.

Genetic drift is most likely to affect:

a)

Large populations

b)

Small populations

c)

All populations equally

d)

Only plant populations

34.

A keystone species:

a)

Has little effect on community

b)

Has large effect relative to abundance

c)

Is always a top predator

d)

Is always a producer

35.

Scientific names are used because they:

a)

Are shorter than common names

b)

Are easier to pronounce

c)

Are universally recognized

d)

Change frequently

36.

A species is considered endangered when:

a)

It has no predators

b)

It faces extinction risk

c)

It lives in captivity

d)

It has limited range

37.

The main cause of modern species endangerment is:

a)

Natural selection

b)

Human activity

c)

Climate cycles

d)

Predation

38.

Recovery plans typically focus on:

a)

Captive breeding only

b)

Habitat protection

c)

Predator removal

d)

Species relocation

39.

The Endangered Species Act:

a)

Only protects mammals

b)

Protects species and habitats

c)

Only applies to U.S. species

d)

Focuses on plants only

40.

Habitat fragmentation:

a)

Increases biodiversity

b)

Reduces gene flow

c)

Improves survival

d)

Increases population size

41.

Which is an abiotic factor?

a)

Bacteria

b)

Plants

c)

Temperature

d)

Animals

42.

The rain shadow effect creates:

a)

Rainforests

b)

Deserts

c)

Wetlands

d)

Grasslands

43.

El Niño affects:

a)

Only South America

b)

Global weather patterns

c)

Only ocean temperatures

d)

Only air pressure

44.

Biodiversity hotspots are characterized by:

a)

Low species diversity

b)

High human population

c)

High endemism

d)

Low precipitation

45.

Primary succession begins on:

a)

Bare rock

b)

Existing soil

c)

Forest floor

d)

Dead organisms

46.

A climax community is:

a)

Constantly changing

b)

Relatively stable

c)

Short-lived

d)

Species-poor

47.

The tundra biome features:

a)

Tall trees

b)

Year-round warm weather

c)

Permafrost

d)

High biodiversity

48.

Mediterranean forests experience:

a)

Year-round rainfall

b)

Hot, dry summers

c)

Tropical conditions

d)

Constant snow cover

49.

Island biogeography theory predicts that:

a)

All islands have same biodiversity

b)

Larger islands have more species

c)

Smaller islands have more species

d)

Distance doesn't affect biodiversity

50.

Urban heat islands:

a)

Decrease temperature

b)

Increase biodiversity

c)

Increase temperature

d)

Have no effect on climate