chapter 39: biomes

Question 1

biome

Answer 1

a major type of ecosystem that is characterized by a particular climate and species composition

Question 2

[blank] use an energy source (usually sunlight) to build organic molecules

Answer 2

primary producers

Question 3

[blank] produce the food that supports all the other organisms in the biome

Answer 3

primary producers

Question 4

abiotic factors that are important in ecosystems

Answer 4

light, moisture, temperature, nutrient availability, oxygen availability, salinity, and fire

Question 5

prevailing long-term weather patterns

Answer 5

climate

Question 6

differences in [blank] across earth results in a variety of ecosystems

Answer 6

climate

Question 7

what causes the seasons

Answer 7

the earth’s tilt

Question 8

the sun is always close to overhead at the [blank], explaining why days are long and temperatures are warm year-round

Answer 8

equator

Question 9

The sun is always farthest from the [blank] and therefore days are short and temperatures are cold year-round

Answer 9

poles

Question 10

a hemisphere experiences [blank] when it tilts toward the sun. Days are long and temperatures are warm

Answer 10

summer

Question 11

a hemisphere experiences [blank] when it tilts away from the sun. Days are short and temperatures are cool

Answer 11

winter

Question 12

[blank] explains why some areas of Earth are moist and others are dry

Answer 12

air circulation

Question 13

Warm water evaporates near the [blank] and rises, forming [blank]. The water cools and is released as [blank] over the tropical latitudes

Answer 13

equator
clouds
rain

Question 14

After releasing all of its water over the tropical rain forests, [blank] air moves away from the [blank]

Answer 14

dry

equator

Question 15

cool, dry air descends around [blank] latitude, absorbing moisture form the land

Answer 15

30 degree

Question 16

where are most deserts located?

Answer 16

at the 30 degree latitude

Question 17

at about the 60 degree latitude, the air mass has [blank] and absorbed enough moisture from the land to [blank] and cause [blank] to be released over the midlatitudes. This leaves [blank, blank] air that descends over the blank

Answer 17

warmed
rise
precipitation
cold, dry
polar biomes

Question 18

midlatitudes

Answer 18

where the temperate biomes are located

Question 19

what do earth’s winds cause?

Answer 19

ocean currents

Question 20

warm and cool ocean currents influence which climates

Answer 20

coastal

Question 21

the two ways that mountain ranges influence climate

Answer 21

its higher elevation (the top being cooler than the bottom)
mountains block wind and clouds on their upwind side resulting in the upwind side having a moist climate while the other side has a much drier one.

Question 22

rain shadow

Answer 22

the dry side of a mountain

Question 23

different influences on climate

Answer 23

seasons, air circulation patterns, ocean currents, and mountains

Question 24

factors that determine the dominant plants in terrestrial biomes

Answer 24

temperature and moisture

Question 25

what forms the base of the food web?

Answer 25

vegetation

Question 26

warm and wet. High species diversity

Answer 26

tropical rain forest

Question 27

world-wide [blank] destruction threatens indigenous people and global water and carbon cycles

Answer 27

tropical rain forest

Question 28

warm summers, cool winters, consistent rainfall. Trees and migratory animals are common.
Occupies large areas between 30 and 60 degree north latitude

Answer 28

temperate forest

Question 29

dominated by trees that shed their foliage in autumn

Answer 29

temperate deciduous forests

Question 30

contain mostly evergreen conifers that lose only a few leaves at a time

Answer 30

temperate coniferous forests

Question 31

cold and relatively dry. The long, harsh winter can last more than six months, so the growing season is short.
Moisture can be scarce in winter, when water may remain frozen for months.
characterized by evergreen trees. Only some mammals and birds stay year-round.

Answer 31

taiga (boreal forest)

Question 32

warm year-round with wet and dry seasons. Few trees or shrubs. Perennial grasses dominate along with patches of drought-and fire-resistant trees and shrubs, such as palms and acacias. Herds of grazing animals are characteristic of this biome

Answer 32

tropical savanna

Question 33

the climate is moderately moist with hot summers and cold winters. These ecosystems have few if any trees due to insufficient rainfall, grazing, and fire. Wind-pollinated grasses dominate this biome along with large grazing herbivores

Answer 33

temperate grassland

Question 34

dry, receiving less than 20 cm of precipitation per year. They are found primarily at 30 degree north and south latitudes and in the rain shadows of tall mountains. sparse life means soils are low in organic matter. Plants are adapted to store water. Most animals are nocturnal

Answer 34

desert

Question 35

hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. This biome is susceptible to fire in the summer due to low moisture. Plants are resistant to fire and are drought tolerant. Jack rabbits, mule deer, and coyote, are among the animals commonly found in this biome

Answer 35

Mediterranean shrubland (chaparral)

Question 36

very cold temperatures and very little moisture. The permafrost (which is frozen year-round) under the topsoil limits the biome to small plants. Because of the cold temperatures, animals such as caribou and fox have very thick fur

Answer 36

tundra

Question 37

this biome is extremely cold, dry, and windy year-round.
Interact extensively with water and therefore share characteristics of both terrestrial and aquatic biomes.
Phytoplankton are the primary producers

Answer 37

polar ice

Question 38

the [blank] ice cap is a relatively thin ice layer that covers the arctic ocean

Answer 38

northern

Question 39

[blank] is a landmass covered with a thick layer of ice

Answer 39

Antarctica

Question 40

types of terrestrial biomes

Answer 40

tropical rain forest, temperate forests, Taiga, tropical savanna, temperate grassland, desert, Mediterranean shrubland, tundra, and polar ice