Top Hat Questions Flashcards
Which ethical perspective ascribes value to nature only to the extent that it benefits humans?
Anthropocentrism
Which statement accurately describes the atomic structure?
The electron orbits the dense center of the atom, which consists of protons and neutrons.
An example of a positive feedback loop ________.
is melting arctic snow exposing dark surfaces that heat up and cause further melting
Electrically charged atoms or combinations of atoms are called ________.
ions
DNA is composed of units called ________.
nucleotides
Heavy rains and mudslides cause a river to change course, isolating two groups of lizards of the same species from one another. Over a long period of time, ________.
the groups will probably diverge genetically, and speciation may occur
One example of artificial selection is ________.
broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts bred from Brassica oleracea
What is the ecological phenomenon called when the loss of top predators leads to primary consumers overconsuming producers and changing the ecosystem?
Trophic cascade
The pyramid energy pattern illustrates why eating at the _____ trophic levels—being vegan or vegetarian, for instance—decreases a person’s ecological footprint.
lowest
Gross domestic product (GDP) is ________.
the total monetary value of goods and services produced by a country
Considering the historical context of early U.S. environmental policy, which statement best reflects the transformation of environmental policy over time?
Environmental policy initially facilitated westward expansion and resource extraction before gradually incorporating conservation measures.
Published in the 1960s, Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring ________.
focused on chemical pollutants, including industrial chemicals
A law prohibiting the destruction of habitat for an endangered species would be an example of
a command-and-control policy.
A cap-and-trade system for SO2 would be an example of
an economic policy tool.
Which component constitutes the highest proportion of soil content according to the described composition?
Mineral matter
What percentage of grain produced in the United States is used for human consumption?
41%
Which soil horizon is most crucial for agriculture due to its high nutritive value for plants?
A horizon
What is the term used to describe an organism that integrates DNA from another species?
Transgenic organism
What percentage of processed foods contain at least one GMO ingredient?
70%
The greatest species diversity is found in which of the following groups?
insects
Removal of which of the following species will result in the greatest changes in an ecological system?
a keystone species
Contrary to popular belief, the Endangered Species Act allows ________.
landowners to harm a protected species in one area if they improve habitat for it elsewhere
The greatest cause of the worldwide loss of species is ________.
habitat destruction
What does the ‘take’ mean under Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act?
Harassing or harming the species
Hunting, shooting, or wounding
Capturing or collecting the species
All of the above