Flashcards on Topic Test Science
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What is likely to happen to the ecosystem pictured below after a period of time?
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The ecosystem will undergo primary succession followed by secondary succession.
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Succession is always caused by natural events.
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False
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Which of the following is not a characteristic of a climax community?
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experiences no change
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Which of the following could be both a natural and a human cause of succession?
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fire
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How are primary and secondary succession similar?
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Both primary and secondary succession involve ecosystems recovering from a disruptive event.
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Succession is affected by _______.
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all of the above
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Human impact on ecosystems would most likely lead to secondary succession over primary succession.
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True
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Which of the following is an example of a pioneer species?
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fungus
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How could climate change affect the ecosystems of the island nation of Samoa?
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a and b
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Pollution is the only way that humans can cause changes to ecosystems.
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False
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Fish populations and other aquatic resources are likely to be affected by changes in what aquatic factors?
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all of the above
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Which of the following could cause a habitat change?
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all of the above
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What effect can fertilizer runoff have on an aquatic ecosystem?
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increased plant growth leading to a decrease in fish populations
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Ecosystems have trouble adjusting to short-term changes.
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False
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Succession occurs when environmental factors affecting an ecosystem change.
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True
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Climate warming trends allow plant and insect species to inhabit larger ranges.
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True
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Why are there different theories about the effects of global warming?
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Global climate is complex, so changes in global climate are hard to predict.
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Changes to the global climate could include _______.
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all of the above
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Local environmental changes have no effect on the global climate.
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False
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Scientists disagree about the possible effects of global warming.
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True
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Some scientists believe that global warming will lead to an increase in disease and starvation.
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True
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Which of the following is not a current theory regarding global climate change?
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Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will have no effect.
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The scientific explanation for global warming is very dependent on the _______ atom.
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carbon
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It is not possible for global warming to have any positive side effects.
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False
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\"In a 2009 study, presented by the National Academy of Science, 97% of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing global warming.\" Which of the following statements is best supported by this study?
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Most climate scientists believe that there is evidence that explains global warming.
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Global warming is a theory accepted by a majority of scientists.
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True
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Which of the following is not a manmade cause of global warming?
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respiration
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In which major weather events of the 20th century did climate play a significant role?
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Dust Bowl
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Human activities _______.
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exacerbate the natural greenhouse effect
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Greenhouse gases are best described as _______.
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gases that trap energy from the sun in Earth's atmosphere
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Which of the following best describes the impact of glaciers upon the surface of the earth?
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Glaciers scraped across the surface and altered landscapes and the course of rivers.
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Which of the following best explains why air pollution that was once blamed for global cooling is now considered responsible for global warming?
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Scientists mistakenly thought pollution reflected sunlight and heat rather than absorbed it.
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Africa was covered by glaciers during the Pleistocene ice age.
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False
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Which of the following is not a theory supporting global warming?
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Carbon dioxide is an insignificant greenhouse gas.
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Which of the following does not lead to an increase in phytoplankton reproduction?
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increased oxygen levels
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Which of the following is a negative effect of algal blooms on the environment?
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consumption of water's oxygen
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Which of the following is not a way in which humans directly impact algal bloom production?
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fishing
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How does climate change lead to an increase in algal blooms?
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Increased levels of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, leads to increased phytoplankton growth.
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Which of the following theories concerning global climate change is the most widely accepted?
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Global climate is changing due to burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.
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Which of the following would not cause habitat change?
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none of the above
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Succession occurs because _______.
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organisms gradually change the environment
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Which of the following statements about secondary succession is true?
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Secondary succession affects ecosystems that are already established.
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Which of the following predictions about global climate change is directly related to an increase in the burning of fossil fuels?
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global warming
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Which of the following is not a consequence of the onset of early spring events?
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acidic ocean water
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Rising sea levels are a possible global consequence to a change in local environments.
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True
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Succession allows ecosystems to _______.
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all of the above
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Manmade global warming is caused by _______.
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pollution
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Natural disasters can have positive effects on an ecosystem.
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True
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Primary succession ________.
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occurs in areas without soil
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Which of the following is an example of a long-term change to ecosystems?
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evolution
