Physics Exam 2

Question 1

As much as 2/3 of all plant and insect species are thought to be contained in which terrestrial biome?

Answer 1

Tropical Rainforest

Question 2

Which of the following types of forest lie primarily within 23.5–66.5º N latitude or 23.5–66.5º S latitude?

Answer 2

Temperate Coniferous Forest
Temperate Deciduous Forest

Question 3

Which of the following biomes is/are threatened by human activities?

Answer 3

Tundra
Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Seasonal Forest
Boreal Forest
Temperate Grassland

Question 4

Which of the following biomes would most likely have the lowest nutrient content

Answer 4

Tropical rainforest

Question 5

You are driving along the “Avenue of the Giants” in northern California, surrounded by enormous Sequoia trees (see the image). There is plenty of rain throughout the year – as much as 250 cm/year. Which type of forest best describes this locale?

Answer 5

Temperate Coniferous Forest

Question 6

This productive and diverse marine community is often referred to as “the rainforest of the ocean.” It is extremely sensitive to conditions such as temperature, salinity, acidity, and oxygen levels. Sudden changes in any of these conditions may trigger a bleaching event.

Answer 6

Coral Reef

Question 7

Coastal development/urbanization threatens this type of marine community, which is characterized by salt-tolerant trees that help to stabilize the coastline.

Answer 7

Mangrove Forest

Question 8

Most soil fauna can typically be found in which soil layer?

Answer 8

The top organic layer (O Horizon)

Question 9

This soil layer tends to be enriched in clays that have been leached out of the A horizon. Therefore, this soil is a bit more cohesive than soil in the A horizon.

Answer 9

The subsoil layer (B horizon)

Question 10

Frequent and intense efforts to acquire large quantities of this input have resulted in significant land subsidence.

Answer 10

Irrigation Water

Question 11

This agricultural input has been shown to bioaccumulate in food webs, meaning that dangerously high concentrations are found in apex predators (such as peregrine falcons, according to a famous historical case).

Answer 11

Pesticides

Question 12

The main chemical ingredients in this agricultural input include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Answer 12

Synthetic Fertilizer

Question 13

According to the USDA, the term “sustainable agriculture” refers to a set of practices that will

Answer 13

-Generate profits more rapidly than industrial-style agriculture
-Integrate natural biological cycles
-Enhance the natural resource base
-Satisfy the food demand

Question 14

In order to mitigate soil erosion, farmers can create furrows along lines of constant elevation in a process known as .

Answer 14

Contour plowing

Question 15

What is the most widely produced crop in the US

Answer 15

Corn

Question 16

This sustainable farming technique involves planting alternating rows of crops (such as corn and hay) which are harvested at different times of the year.

Answer 16

Strip Farming

Question 17

Most genetically modified crops that are grown in the US are primarily designed to .

Answer 17

Tolerate harsh doses of pesticides and/or herbicides

Question 18

According to the supplementary reading article “Flower Power: Genetic Modification Could Amply Boost Plants’ Carbon-Capture and Bioenergy Capacity”, which type of plant would probably be most effective at storing carbon in underground root systems?

Answer 18

Perennial Plants

Question 19

The GMO crop known as is designed to produce β-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. This crop is therefore useful in parts of the world where vitamin A deficiency is common

Answer 19

Golden Rice

Question 20

One potential worry associated with GMO-based agriculture is that genetically modified seeds (of an alfalfa crop, for instance) could take root in a nearby patch of organic farmland, which would .

Answer 20

Contaminate the organic farmland

Question 21

Genes from the bacterium are commonly inserted into corn, cotton, and soybean crops in the US (along with other crops)

Answer 21

Bacillus Thuringiensis