APES Review Packet 1: Unit 1/Unit 2
For each part of this course, we are going to take a chunk and review. You will take notes on the chapters contained in the particular
part of the course we are reviewing. You can use your notes from class, your book, or an exam study guide (this may be your best
option—Barron’s is one of the better ones and can be obtained at Barnes and Noble’s for about $17). You will be given multiple
choice questions to go along with the particular section and a few free response questions to go along with the particular section. You
will be given a small amount of class time to complete these, but some outside work will be necessary. You will have a test on each
review section. The test will consist of some of the multiple choice questions and at least one of the free response given in the review.
Chapters 1-5
Take notes on the main topics of these 2 units. This will be for you to study for the AP exam. Some (not all) of the main ideas in this
section are listed below:
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Overview of topics in Environmental Science
Causes and Sustainability
Environmental History
Scientific Method
Experimental Design/Analysis (chi-square test/p-test)
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Review of basic Chemistry
Energy (Laws of Thermodynamics)
Ecology Basics
Energy flow in ecosystems
Populations/communities
Food chains/food webs
Ecological pyramids/productivity
Biogeochemical Cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water )
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Micro/macro-evolution
Origin of life
Theories of evolution
Niches
Genetic Engineering
Multiple Choice Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Which of the following best shows the process of evolution?
a. A lizard’s color becomes brown as it sits on a log
b. A bear goes into hibernation
c. A plant loses its leaves in a drought
d. A population of mosquitoes develops resistance to a pesticide
e. A population of foxes increases as more prey becomes available
Which of the following best describes soils in many tropical rain forests?
a. They lack horizons
b. They are quickly depleted of nutrients when the forest is removed
c. They are similar to soils in grasslands
d. They are well suited for growing a wide variety of crops
e. They are deep and well drained
The ultimate source of energy for terrestrial ecosystems is
a. nutrients in the soil
b. nutrients in vegetation
c. primary consumers
d. producers
e. the Sun
All of the following gases have been implicated in contributing to the increase in global temperatures via the greenhouse EXCEPT
a. O2
b. CH4
c. N2O
d. CO2
e. CFC’s
The most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere is
6.
7.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
a. nitrogen
b. oxygen
c. water vapor
d. carbon dioxide
e. hydrogen
Which of the following correctly identifies the major reservoirs of nitrogen and sulfur in the biosphere?
Nitrogen
Sulfur
a.Rocks
Rocks
b.Rocks
Vegetation
c. Rocks
Atmosphere
d. Atmosphere
Rocks
e. Atmosphere
Atmosphere
Elements that cycle in the environment and that also have a gaseous phase at some point in their cycle include which of the following?
i. Carbon
ii. Phosphorous
iii. Sulfur
I only
III only
I and II only
I and III only
I, II, III
8.
The two major processes involved in the carbon cycle are
a. weathering and erosion
b. photosynthesis and respiration
c. evaporation and transpiration
d. erosion and deposition
e. fixation and denitrification
Questions 9-12 refer to the following processes:
1. Nitrification
2. Denitrification
3. Assimilation
4. Ammonification
5. Nitrogen fixation
9. Ammonia is converted to nitrite, and then to nitrate
10. Plant roots absorb ammonium ions and nitrate ions for use in making molecules such as DNA, amino acids and proteins
11. Nitrate ions and nitrite ions are converted to nitrous oxide gas and nitrogen gas (N 2)
12. Nitrogen gas is converted to ammonia by bacteria in the soil
13. Which of the following statements about genetic diversity is true?
a. Genetic uniformity of a crop increases the crop’s overall resistance to pests and disease
b. Genetic resistance to pests and disease can be increased by crossing a crop plant with ancestral varieties
c. Genetic engineering technology is used to increase genetic diversity by creating new species with synthetic genes
d. Genetic diversity within a population of common crop species such as corn is typically high
e. Genetic diversity is usually high in endangered species
14. Ozone in the stratosphere is most important to life on Earth’s surface because it absorbs
a. gamma rays
b. microwaves
c. ultraviolet light
d. visible light
e. x-rays
15. Which of the following is a process that indirectly removes carbon from Earth’s atmosphere?
a. Formation of carbonate deposits
b. Outgassing by volcanoes
c. Respiration by mammals
d. Respiration by anaerobic bacteria
e. Photodissociation by ultraviolet light
16. Which of the following best illustrates the tragedy of the commons?
a. Destruction of landscape by surface mining on private land
b. Selective harvesting of trees by a timber company in a national forest
c. Legislation of catch limits to avoid depletion of fish stocks in a shared lake
17.
18.
19.
20.
d. Inadvertent destruction of beneficial species while attempting to control pests
e. Depletion of an aquifer by regional farmers
One solution for reducing the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide would be to
a. increase oceanic temperatures to enhance carbon dioxide uptake
b. increase the rate of removal of tropical rain forests
c. decrease the total are of rice paddies
d. decrease the use of fossil fuels
e. decrease the production of CFC’s
Photosynthesis is the major source of which of the following gases in Earth’s atmosphere?
a. CO2
b. H2O
c. O2
d. H2
e. N2
Traveling southward from the Arctic regions of Canada to the tropics of Panama, one passes through several biomes---tundra, coniferous
forest, temperate deciduous forest, and tropical rain forest. This pattern of change in vegetation is primarily the result of
a. primary and secondary succession
b. the invasion of exotic species
c. an increase in the mean annual temperature and a decrease in the mean annual precipitation
d. an increase in mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation
e. an increase in the total annual hours of sunlight
The setting aside of natural areas just to allow them to exist (i.e. without future human use in mind) is known as…
a.
Conservation
d.
Preservation
b.
Restoration
e.
Ecofeminism
c.
Planetary Management
21.
Which of the following best illustrates a modern day “tragedy of the commons?”
a.
Cultivation of trees by a timber company in a national forest
b.
Second-hand smoke in a public restaurant
c.
Destruction of mountain scenery by surface mining on private land
d.
Establishing catch limits to protect reproducing adults in an ocean fishery
e.
Selling fishing licenses to prevent the depletion of an ocean fishery
22.
Which of the following is the EARLIEST event?
a.
Industrial Revolution
b.
Information Technology Revolution
c.
Agricultural Revolution
23.
In the “P x A x T = I” model of environmental impact, the P stands for…
a.
Population
b.
Preservation
c.
Personal Consumption
d.
e.
Pollution
Primary Transportation Method
d.
e.
Green Revolution
Disco Revolution
Which of the following is the best example of a sustainable system?
a.
Fishing in a pond without any regulations
b.
Cutting down all the trees in a forest, then planting trees and adding chemical fertilizers
c.
Cutting down all the trees in a forest for paper production
d.
Planting corn in a field and adding chemical fertilizers and pesticides every season
e.
Picking berries in a forest, but leaving some berries behind to grow new plants
24.
The ultimate source of energy for terrestrial ecosystems is
a.
Nutrients in soil
b.
Producers
c.
Primary consumers
d.
e.
Nutrients in vegetation
The Sun
25.
Fill-in: Increasing NPP would __ energy efficiency (expressed as percent) in trophic transfers between herbivores and carnivores.
a.
Increase
b.
Decrease
c.
Have no effect on
d.
Inhibit
26.
Photosynthetic rates influence global warming, because photosynthesis “locks-up” this greenhouse gas in biomass.
a.
CO2
d.
N2
b.
O2
e.
N2O
c.
H2
27.
a.
b.
c.
28.
Of the following organisms, which occupies the lowest trophic level?
Spider
Cow
Lion
d.
e.
Tiger
Oak tree
This type of pyramid will always be the same general shape, no matter where you are.
a.
Pyramid of Energy
c.
Pyramid of Numbers
b.
Pyramid of Biomass
d.
Pyramid of NPP
29.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Which of the following results in the long-term removal of carbon dioxide from earth’s atmosphere?
Photosynthesis by marine mammals
Photosynthesis by phytoplankton that fall to the bottom of the ocean
Respiration by marine mammals
Respiration by phytoplankton, especially under conditions of high temperature
Respiration by oceanic primary producers when enough iron is present in ocean water
30. .
You place a species of algae in a set of light and dark bottles. The average increase in biomass in the light bottles is 3g/mL/week.
The average decrease in biomass in the dark bottle is 2 g/mL/week. What is the rate of respiration?
a.
1 g/mL/week
b.
2 g/mL/week
c.
d.
3 g/mL/week
5 g/mL/week
For questions 32-34 match the descriptions provided to the given species interactions terms.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
31.
Commensalism
Parasitism
Mutualism
Predation
Amensalism
Competition
Choose the BEST answer.
Herds of antelope trampling down grasses.
32. . Hookworms feeding on a human.
33. Wasps fertilizing a specific orchid that attracts them.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For questions 35-37 use the following possible answers:
a.
R-selected species
b.
K-selected species
34.
This type of species would make a better indicator species.
35.
Show up during the late stages of succession.
36.
Best suited to a frequently disturbed ecosystem.
For questions 38-41, match the following ecosystem terms to the descriptions provided.
a.
Biome
b.
Population
c.
Community
d.
Fundamental
37.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Realized
Carnivore
Producer
Herbivore
This is an interacting group of organisms of different species that occupy the same place.
38. . Fill-in: You label a species a generalist because it has a wide __ niche when observed in its natural habitat.
39.
This is the type of niche that exists in the presence of competitors.
40. The total energy stored in this organism’s trophic level is lowest due to the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
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For questions 42-44, match the following succession terms and classifications to the descriptions provided:
a.
Facilitation
d.
Primary Succession
b.
Inhibition
e.
Secondary Succession
c.
Tolerance
41.
This type of succession would occur when a submerged volcano reaches the ocean surface, creating a new island.
42. Sphagnum, known to non-moss-people as “peat moss,” releases chemicals into bogs that prevent other plants’ growth
43.
Pine litter protects acorns from drying out.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Questions 45-46: Match the energy concept to the statements below.
a. Heat flow
b. Kinetic Energy
c. Potential Energy
d. First law of thermodynamics
e. Second law of thermodynamics.
44. . Vegetarians can access greater quantities of energy than omnivores.
45.
Energy is not created or destroyed, only converted.
46. The law which tells us that carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and water must cycle is best stated in which of the following ways?
a.
In energy transactions, you can’t break even—conversion always involves a loss of higher-quality energy to lower-quality
energy
b.
You cannot change matter in any fashion—molecules never chemically change.
c.
Energy flows cannot be prevented. Energy is never really contained, just used and passed on.
d.
Materials on earth may change form and location, but their atomic composition will remain stable
e.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted in form and quality as it passes through earth
47.
Elements that cycle in the environment and that also have a gaseous phase at some point in their cycle include which of the
following?
I.
Phosphorus
II.
Sulfur
III.
Carbon
a.
I only
b.
III only
c.
I and II only
d.
e.
f.
I and III only
II and III only
I, II, and II
48.
Which of the following is the SLOWEST path for a carbon atom in the carbon cycle?
a.
Carbon stored as wood after photosynthesis, then released to atmosphere in a forest fire two years later.
b.
Carbon stored as sugar in a tree, then used for respiration
c. Carbon incorporated into a CaCO3 shell that falls to the bottom of the ocean as sediment, then forms rock
d.
Carbon stored as peat, then removed from the bog for use in gardening five years after deposition.
Next nine questions: Match the description to the BEST possible cycle that it describes
A. Water
D. Phosphorus
B. Carbon
E. Sulfur
C. Nitrogen
49.
In addition to nitrogen, this nutrient plays an important role in eutrophication of lakes and ponds.
50.
This cycle drives other cycles (i.e., Processes in this cycle play a role in transport processes of other cycles).
51.
This nutrient is needed to produce cell membranes, ATP, and DNA
52.
This cycle would be most disrupted by a virus infecting the soil bacteria Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter
53.
Chemical reactions in the atmosphere have the smallest effect on this cycle
54.
The increase of a gaseous component of this cycle has been monitored at the Mauna Loa observatory.
55.
GPP relates most directly to this cycle.
56.
This nutrient is needed to produce DNA, proteins, and enzymes
57.
The processes of photosynthesis and respiration are the driving processes for this cycle.
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Next three questions: Match the chemical descriptions below to the nitrogen cycle process
A. Ammonification
B. Assimilation
C. Denitrification
D. Nitrification
E. Nitrogen Fixation
58. . N2 converted to NH3 or NH4+
59.
NO3- converted to N2
60.
R—C—C—C—N—H converted to NH4+
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H
Free Response Questions:
APES Test 1 Free Response Question
I.
Read the following and answer the following questions.
To determine if elevated levels of nitrate (a nitrogen compound found in
wastewater) led to higher incidence of deformities in amphibians, researchers
raised eggs of wood frog (Rana sylvatica) in experimental solutions of varying
nitrate levels. Five sets of 15 eggs were exposed to solutions of 0 ppm (parts per
million) of nitrate, and an additional five sets were exposed to solutions of 25
ppm of nitrate. The tadpoles were examined under a microscope after hatching,
and the proportion of tadpoles with deformities was determined.
Nitrate (ppm)
0
0
0
0
0
25
25
25
25
25
Proportion of deformities
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.20
0.14
0.27
0.60
0.50
0.27
0.27
a. In this experiment identify:
Dependent variable
Independent variable
Null hypothesis
Control group
Experimental group
b. Calculate the mean, median, and mode for both the control group and the
experimental group.
c. This data was put into a calculator and the p value was found to be 0.0068.
Using this data, would you reject or accept the null hypothesis?
d. Make a statement about the results of this experiment.
e. Suppose you wanted to know the lowest concentration of nitrate that would
have a significant effect on amphibians. Design an experiment to test this.
APES Unit 2 Free Response B
Nutrients are constantly cycled in the environment. Nitrogen, carbon, water, phosphorus,
and sulfur are the most important biogeochemical cycles.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Describe in detail the carbon cycle including all steps.
What is the law that describes the reasoning behind the cycling of matter?
How would you describe the carbon cycle? (sedimentary, atmospheric, etc.)
Humans contribute vast quantities of CO to our atmosphere, mostly as a result of
automobile emissions. Carbon monoxide is the most abundant, by mass, pollutant
gas. The ambient air quality of CO is 9 ppm. Convert this to a percent.
e. Carbon tetrachloride is a chemical used by some manufacturing companies. High
exposure to carbon tetrachloride can cause liver, kidney, and central nervous
system damage. Care must be taken in the disposal of this chemical. Suppose
you work in a lab and have a 4000 ppm 1 L sample, how much water would need
to be added to dilute this to 5 ppm?