Environmental Science Basics

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What is the definition of a biome?

A group of organisms so similar that they can breed and produce fertile offspring.

A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. (correct)

A series of organisms in which each feeds on the one at the next lower level.

A collection of all organisms that live in a particular place together with their nonliving environment.

What do decomposers primarily obtain energy from?

The remains of dead organisms and the wastes of living things. (correct)

The atmosphere

Plants and sunlight

Other living organisms

What is the primary purpose of decomposers in an ecosystem?

To recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem (correct)

To produce energy for other organisms

To consume other organisms for energy

To regulate the population of other organisms

What is a characteristic of a food chain?

It shows only one path for the flow of energy (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where can carbon be found?

In all living organisms, the atmosphere, gasoline, and many rocks (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of an ecosystem?

A structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy harnesses the kinetic energy of moving air?

Wind energy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What process releases nitrogen gas from nitrates and other compounds in the soil?

Denitrification (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy is generated from the movement of water from higher to lower elevations?

Hydropower (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the process where liquid changes to gas?

Evaporation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of fuel is developed from organic materials?

Biomass (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the continuous movement of water between Earth’s surface and its atmosphere?

Water cycle (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is biodiversity?

The number of different species present in one specific ecosystem (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the Tragedy of the Commons?

The depletion of a resource due to individual exploitation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of developing countries?

Lower incomes and rapid population growth (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does an ecological footprint measure?

The amount of space needed to support each person in a nation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is natural gas primarily composed of?

Methane (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is coal formed from?

Fossilized swamps (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which water vapor in the air changes to a liquid?

Condensation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for water that is located below the Earth's surface?

Groundwater (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major environmental problem caused by the use of nonrenewable resources?

Resource Depletion (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for pollution that can break down naturally over time?

Biodegradable pollution (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated number of species on Earth?

Tens of millions (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for crude oil that is used to produce gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles?

Liquid fuel (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of environmental science?

To understand how humans interact with the environment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for organisms that produce their own food?

Autotrophs (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the environment?

Social factors (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of the relationships between living organisms and their physical environment?

Ecology (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the sphere of all living things on Earth?

Biosphere (D) Signup and view all the answers

At which level does ecology consider organisms?

Individual, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere level (D) Signup and view all the answers