McKnight's Physical Geography, 12e (Hess)

Chapter 10 Cycles and Patterns in the Biosphere

1) The geographic study of living organisms is ________.

A) geomorphology
B) biology
C) phytology
D) biogeography
E) limnology
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.1 Explain the approach biogeographers use to study the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

2) Animals or plants living on the sea bottom are ________.

A) fish
B) benthos
C) nekton
D) xerophytes
E) part of the lithosphere
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.4 Differentiate among plankton, nekton, and benthos.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

3) Although scientists think the actual number is considerably higher, there are at least ________
known species of plants and animals on Earth.
A) 1,500
B) 15,000
C) 15,000,000
D) 1,500,000
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.3 Differentiate among biota, flora, and fauna.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

1
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4) Which of the following does NOT belong with the others?
A) Plankton
B) Nekton
C) Terrestrial biota
D) Benthos
E) Oceanic biota
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.4 Differentiate among plankton, nekton, and benthos.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

5) Compared to the others, which of the following has the boundaries the "hardest to pin down"?
A) Atmosphere
B) Biosphere
C) Lithosphere
D) Hydrosphere
E) Magnetosphere
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.4 Differentiate among plankton, nekton, and benthos.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

6) Which of the following terms is the LEAST specific?

A) Species
B) Flora
C) Fauna
D) Benthos
E) Biota
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.3 Differentiate among biota, flora, and fauna.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

2
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7) Concerning the biosphere, the geographic viewpoint is most often concerned with ________.
A) taxonomy
B) specific plants
C) specific animals
D) distributions and relationships
E) agriculture
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.1 Explain the approach biogeographers use to study the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

8) ________ are floating plants or animals.

A) Benthos
B) Nekton
C) Flora
D) Terrestrial life
E) Plankton
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.4 Differentiate among plankton, nekton, and benthos.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

9) The present binomial system of biological classification was devised by ________.

A) Darwin
B) Wallace
C) Huxley
D) Linnaeus
E) Aristotle
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.5 Explain the classification of organisms by Linnaeus.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

3
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10) The Linnaean classification system is based mainly on ________.
A) flower type
B) anatomical similarities
C) root depth
D) edaphic factors
E) speed of growth
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.5 Explain the classification of organisms by Linnaeus.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

11) Which of the following does NOT describe the Linnaean biological taxonomy?
A) Formulated in the 1700s
B) Hierarchical
C) Comprehensive
D) Losing acceptance
E) Binomial
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.5 Explain the classification of organisms by Linnaeus.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

12) Geographers supplement the Linnaean system with other ways of classifying plants and
animals because the system is ________.
A) too simple
B) not in English
C) not logical
D) not based on distributions
E) too difficult
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.5 Explain the classification of organisms by Linnaeus.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

4
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13) The Linnaean system of classification is composed of a scientific name for each organism. In
order of use, the scientific names give the ________ and the ________ of organisms.
A) popular name, species
B) species, genus
C) genus, species
D) species, biodiversity class
E) species, habitat type
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.5 Explain the classification of organisms by Linnaeus.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

14) At the global scale, geographers recognize broad groupings of plants and animals called
________.
A) biomes
B) niches
C) ecosystems
D) flora
E) habitats
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.6 Define ecosystem and biome, and compare the two.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

15) The biodiversity in an area is ________.

A) generally unimportant to biogeography
B) the number of different kinds of organisms present
C) a measure of how inbred are the genes of any species
D) usually unrelated to the overall health of the natural environment
E) impossible to measure
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.2 Define biogeography and biodiversity.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

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16) Which of the following is cycled in minor amounts compared to the other substances on the
list?
A) Water
B) Phosphorous
C) Nitrogen
D) Oxygen
E) Carbon dioxide
Answer: B
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.15 Identify critical minerals that form significant biogeochemical cycles.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

17) Of the main nutrients in the biosphere, the one that is fixed inside nodules in certain plant
roots is ________.
A) carbon
B) nitrogen
C) oxygen
D) hydrogen
E) calcium
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

18) In most organisms, ________ is the most plentiful substance making up their mass.
A) nitrogen
B) water
C) carbon dioxide
D) oxygen
E) solid material
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.11 Explain the interrelationship between the biosphere and the
hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

6
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19) If the biosphere is to function properly, its components must be ________.
A) replaced from space
B) replaced from the ocean
C) recycled
D) fully used up within biogeochemical cycles
E) arranged so that they don't become "fixed"
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.7 Define biogeochemical cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

20) For about the last ________ years, Earth has had about the same balance of chemical
components that now persists.
A) 10,000
B) 100,000
C) 1 million
D) 500 million
E) 1 billion
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.7 Define biogeochemical cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

21) In nutrient cycles in general, minerals tend to be dispersed through ________.

A) plant action
B) surface and subsurface runoff
C) evaporation
D) assimilation
E) conduction
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.7 Define biogeochemical cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

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22) Which of the following does NOT correctly describe water in plants?
A) Water dissolves nutrients.
B) Chemical reactions take place in water.
C) Water carries away waste products.
D) Water carries nutrients to all parts of plants.
E) Water is created through the process of photosynthesis.
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.11 Explain the interrelationship between the biosphere and the
hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

23) The availability of moisture to plants is largely determined by ________.

A) precipitation
B) evaporation
C) precipitation versus evaporation
D) light
E) chlorofluorocarbons
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.11 Explain the interrelationship between the biosphere and the
hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

24) Planetwide, a balance of chemicals is maintained by ________.

A) negative feedbacks
B) cycles
C) seasonal patterns
D) solar radiation
E) decomposition
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.7 Define biogeochemical cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

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25) The conversion of recyclable components within the biosphere takes place in all but the
following ways:
A) Using energy
B) Continually
C) Sometimes over hundreds of millions of years
D) Sometimes in less than a decade
E) Equally over Earth's surface
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.7 Define biogeochemical cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

26) The response of an organism to the amount of light it receives in a day is termed ________.
A) ecotone
B) photoperiodism
C) edaphic
D) photosynthesis
E) denitrification
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

27) Net primary productivity is measured in ________ per year.

A) watts
B) watts per square meters
C) kilograms per square meter
D) kilograms
E) centimeters
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

9
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28)

This figure shows the world pattern of ________.

A) plant life on land
B) net primary productivity
C) temperature
D) nutrient exchange
E) oxygen emitted by plants during photosynthesis
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.10 Explain net primary productivity biomass, and describe their global
patterns.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

10
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
29)

What sort of energy does the predator mountain lion obtain by eating deer meat?
A) None
B) Electromagnetic
C) Solar
D) Chemical
E) Non-changeable
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

11
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
30)

What sort of energy is input for bacteria decomposing life that has died?
A) None
B) Electromagnetic
C) Solar
D) Chemical
E) Non-changeable
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

12
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
31) Over the last century and a half, the main source of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide
has been ________.
A) volcanoes
B) photosynthesis
C) photoperiodism
D) rock decomposition
E) burning of fossil fuels
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.12 Explain the carbon cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS14
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

32) Amongst the biogeochemical cycles, which one can be said to operate rapidly?
A) Nitrogen
B) Carbon dioxide
C) Oxygen
D) Helium
E) Rock
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.12 Explain the carbon cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

33) Of the biogeochemical cycles, which have been interfered with by the actions of humans,
which is thought to be likely to have the most far-reaching effects on the biosphere?
A) Oxygen
B) Nitrogen
C) Carbon
D) Water
E) Copper
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.12 Explain the carbon cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

13
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34) Carbon is fixed in the biosphere through ________ into carbohydrate compounds.
A) bacteria
B) biomes
C) photosynthesis
D) dentrification
E) transit
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.12 Explain the carbon cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

35) Which cycle has been significantly altered by humans and is of great concern because of its
implications for global warming?
A) Argon
B) Oxygen
C) Nutrient
D) Nitrogen
E) Carbon
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.12 Explain the carbon cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS14
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

36) The following does NOT have a sedimentary cycle.

A) Zinc
B) Copper
C) Phosphorus
D) Sulfur
E) Oxygen
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.14 Explain the oxygen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

14
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37) Which biogeochemical cycle exists largely because of the work of bacteria?
A) Oxygen
B) Hydrologic
C) Nitrogen
D) Carbon
E) Energy
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

38) Considering all major biogeochemical cycles, the human input is ________.
A) making major alternations in most cycles
B) insignificant
C) limited to the carbon cycle
D) never likely to be important
E) several times larger than the natural fluxes of mass and energy
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.7 Define biogeochemical cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

39) In terms of biogeochemical cycles, calcium has a(n) ________.

A) mysterious cycle
B) non-repeatable cycle
C) asynchronous cycle
D) cycle very similar to that of nitrogen
E) sedimentary cycle
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.15 Identify critical minerals that form significant biogeochemical cycles.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

15
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40) The driver behind all life cycles in the entire biosphere is ________.
A) the Sun
B) water
C) nitrogen
D) hydrogen
E) oxygen
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

41) Which components are necessary for photosynthesis to occur?

A) Carbon dioxide and light
B) Carbon dioxide, light, and water
C) Water, oxygen, and light
D) Oxygen and light
E) Water and light
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.9 Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and plant respiration,
and describe their contributions to the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

42) The end product(s) of photosynthesis is(are) ________.

A) carbon dioxide
B) water
C) carbohydrates
D) light
E) unknown
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.9 Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and plant respiration,
and describe their contributions to the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

16
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
43) The conversion of nitrates into free nitrogen ________.
A) does not happen in nature
B) is called freeing of nitrogen
C) is accomplished by bacteria
D) happens in the process of photosynthesis
E) is little impacted by humans
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

44) Most atmospheric free nitrogen is cycled to Earth by means of ________.

A) assimilation
B) weathering
C) rain
D) mining
E) bacteria
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

45) Photosynthesis is a main means of fixing ________ in the ecosystem.

A) benthos
B) oxygen
C) carbon dioxide
D) nekton
E) nitrogen
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.12 Explain the carbon cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

17
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46) In oceans, net primary productivity is ________.
A) where nutrients are greatest
B) in the tropics
C) in the middle latitudes
D) in the polar latitudes
E) where nutrients are least
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.10 Explain net primary productivity biomass, and describe their global
patterns.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

47) On land, net primary productivity is greatest ________.

A) where nutrients are greatest
B) in the tropics
C) in the middle latitudes
D) in the polar latitudes
E) where nutrients are least
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.10 Explain net primary productivity biomass, and describe their global
patterns.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

48) Animal wastes on the ground form a part of the ________ cycle.
A) oxygen
B) carbon
C) phosphorous
D) nitrogen
E) copper
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

18
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49) ________ is the term for the physical amount of plant material at a location.
A) Biomass
B) Intraspecific composition
C) Biota
D) Biome
E) Biology
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.11 Explain the interrelationship between the biosphere and the
hydrologic cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

50) Carbon dioxide and water and light combined to create carbohydrates is a vital portion of
which cycle?
A) Oxygen
B) Hydrologic
C) Nitrogen
D) Carbon
E) Energy
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

51) Of the total solar energy reaching the Earth, ________ percent is fixed by photosynthesis.
A) 80
B) 40
C) 20
D) 10
E) less than 1
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

19
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52) A problem with the use of biofuels is ________.
A) it has never been successfully produced
B) the United States has outlawed them
C) there is a food versus fuel debate
D) it has emitted more carbon dioxide than fossil fuels
E) it has never been successfully used in trucks
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS14
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

53) Which of the following is made by chemical processing of animal fat or vegetable oil?
A) Gasoline
B) Alcohol
C) Sugar cane gas
D) Biodiesel
E) Ethanol
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.8 Explain the flow of energy through the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS14
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

54) Which of the following is NOT a source of atmospheric oxygen in the oxygen cycle?
A) The weathering of rocks
B) The burning of fossil fuels
C) Water from plant transpiration
D) Decomposition of water during photosynthesis
E) Decomposition of nitrogen by solar energy
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

20
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
55) Of the main nutrients in the biosphere, the one that is fixed inside nodules in certain plant
roots is ________.
A) carbon
B) nitrogen
C) oxygen
D) hydrogen
E) calcium
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

56) A(n) ________ is another way in which a food chain can be conceptualized.
A) sedimentary cycle
B) open system
C) food pyramid
D) final link at the apex
E) way of gaining energy at every step
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.16 Define food chain, and propose an example of a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

57) In the concept of the food chain, the fundamental unit consists of ________.
A) bacteria
B) plants
C) humans
D) secondary consumers
E) predators
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.16 Define food chain, and propose an example of a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

21
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58) In the language of the food chain, herbivorous animals are called ________.
A) the apex
B) primary consumers
C) tertiary consumers
D) secondary consumers
E) dominant
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.18 Identify and give an example of each of the fundamental units in a
food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

59) Animals which eat plants are also known as ________.

A) predators
B) carnivores
C) secondary consumers
D) herbivores
E) final consumers
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.18 Identify and give an example of each of the fundamental units in a
food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

60) In the food chain, a(n) ________ is another term for a consumer.
A) autotroph
B) heterotroph
C) bryophyte
D) photosynthetic plant
E) producer
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.16 Define food chain, and propose an example of a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

22
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61) In food chains, ________ eat plants.
A) herbivores
B) the most plentiful animals in the food chain
C) carnivores
D) secondary consumers
E) primary producers
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.16 Define food chain, and propose an example of a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

62) Biomagnification is most closely associated with ________.

A) elephants
B) ozone
C) carbon dioxide
D) DDT
E) loud birds
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.20 Explain how biomagnification can occur in a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

63) According to the food chain concept, it takes ________ kilograms of plankton to make one
kilogram of weight gain for a human.
A) 1
B) 10
C) 100
D) 1,000
E) 1,000,000
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.16 Define food chain, and propose an example of a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

23
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64) Humans fit into the food pyramid as ________.
A) primary consumers
B) primary producers
C) secondary producers
D) herbivores
E) the apex of the pyramid
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.19 Explain food pyramids.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS15
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

24
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
65)

This concentration of toxins within the food change is known as ________.

A) selective toxicity
B) biomagnification
C) bioconcentration
D) autotrophism
E) top dog poisoning
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.20 Explain how biomagnification can occur in a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS15
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

25
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66) The Deepwater Horizon event was ________.
A) a volcanic eruption
B) an explosion on an offshore drilling platform
C) an underwater earthquake
D) a large wildfire in Montana
E) eventually shown not to have serious ecological consequences
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.20 Explain how biomagnification can occur in a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS14
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

67) What was learned about the environment from the Deepwater Horizon event?
A) Never drill in the Arctic Ocean again.
B) Keep tourists from touching the controls.
C) The most long-lasting effects will be in pollution of the food chain.
D) The environmental effects were actually negligible.
E) Whole new technologies of offshore drilling were developed.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.3 Food Chains
Learning Outcome: 10.20 Explain how biomagnification can occur in a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS14
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

68) The coconut palm is now widely dispersed in the world because of ________.
A) the ability of its coconut to float long distances
B) its ability to survive in the Tundra
C) rapid evolution
D) humans who have transplanted it
E) continental drift
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.24 Explain the role of reproductive success in natural distributions of
organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

26
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69) Major natural extinctions are thought to have happened ________ in Earth history.
A) never
B) once
C) twice
D) three times
E) innumerable times
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.25 Differentiate between population die-off and extinction, and explain
their role in natural distributions of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

70) The genus eucalyptus is native only to ________.

A) North America
B) Antarctica
C) South America
D) Australia
E) Africa
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.22 Explain the natural distribution of endemic species.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

71) Stable associations of plant communities are called ________.

A) climax vegetation
B) seral stages
C) trees
D) benthos
E) secondary successions
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.16 Define food chain, and propose an example of a food chain.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

27
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72) A pioneer community of plants is essentially a single ________.
A) plant
B) seral stage
C) climax forest
D) localized extinction
E) migration path
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.28 Explain the development of climax vegetation.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

73) Evolutionary development comes as a result of ________.

A) geographic location
B) extinction
C) DNA mutations
D) unknown processes
E) species migration
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.21 Explain natural selection.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

28
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
74)

What kind of organism was being observed?

A) The honey bee
B) The coconut palm
C) The cattle egret
D) Bison bison
E) The Varroa mite
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.23 Explain the roles of migration and dispersal in natural distributions of
organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

29
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
75)

The dispersal of which organism is shown in the figure?

A) The honey bee
B) The coconut palm
C) The cattle egret
D) Bison bison
E) The Varroa mite
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.23 Explain the roles of migration and dispersal in natural distributions of
organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

30
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
76)

This process is known as ________.

A) dispersal
B) migration
C) succession
D) extinction
E) biomagnification
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.26 Explain plant succession.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

31
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77) Of the climatic factors, ________ is usually the most limited in its impact on biotic
distributions.
A) light
B) moisture
C) temperature
D) photoperiodism
E) wind
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.30 Explain the influence of light on the survival and distribution pattern
of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

78) Of the sum total of environmental relationships affecting plant distributions, ________ is the
least predictable.
A) topography
B) temperature
C) wildfire
D) edaphic influences
E) succession
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.36 Explain the influence of wildfires on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

79) Which of the following does NOT belong with the others?
A) Topographic influences
B) Light
C) Edaphic influences
D) Oxygen cycle
E) Wind
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.30 Explain the influence of light on the survival and distribution pattern
of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

32
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80) In relation to wildfire, the California redwood and the southern yellow pine are ________.
A) fireproof
B) in biomes where fire is not common
C) plants that need fire to open their cones
D) heavily damaged by the least amount of fire
E) susceptible to starting wildfires by bursting into flame
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.36 Explain the influence of wildfires on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

81) Wildfire can be said to ________.

A) be a small effect worldwide
B) be mainly limited to desert climates
C) occur only in climax communities
D) be necessary for some plant communities to thrive
E) cause most of the plant diversity in an area
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.36 Explain the influence of wildfires on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

82) The effects of wildfire ________.

A) are always negative for plant life
B) seldom change the composition of the biota
C) are usually temporary
D) are to permanently prohibit the existence of biota
E) are relatively rare on Earth
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.36 Explain the influence of wildfires on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

33
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
83) The effect of winds on life is ________.
A) almost always negative
B) almost always positive
C) mostly negative
D) mostly positive
E) a mix of positive and negative
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.33 Explain the influence of wind on the survival and distribution pattern
of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

84) The effects of soil on flora and fauna are called ________.
A) topographic
B) ecotonal
C) edaphic
D) biotic
E) transitory
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.34 Explain edaphic factors and their influence on the survival and
distribution pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

85) Seasonal behavior in plants and animals is stimulated by ________.

A) photoperiodism
B) photosynthesis
C) topographic influences
D) edaphic influences
E) wildfire
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.30 Explain the influence of light on the survival and distribution pattern
of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

34
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86) Which of the following is NOT an example of climatic influence on the biosphere?
A) Moisture
B) Edaphic conditions
C) Temperature
D) Wind
E) Light
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.34 Explain edaphic factors and their influence on the survival and
distribution pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

87) At almost any scale, the most prominent environmental constraints on biota are exerted by
various ________ factors.
A) edaphic
B) soil
C) topographic
D) air pollution
E) climatic
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.31 Explain the influence of moisture on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

88) The mountain pine beetle has been responsible for all but ________.
A) more crown fires in trees
B) the deaths of large amounts of trees
C) increased runoff and flash floods
D) increased numbers of trees falling onto roads
E) increased nitrogen fixation in soil
Answer: E
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.36 Explain the influence of wildfires on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

35
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89) After Yellowstone's devastating fire season of 1988, which of the following will be a long-
term benefit to Yellowstone's ecosystem?
A) Stand replacement of lodgepole pines
B) Lesser runoff from rainfall
C) Lowering of tourist visits
D) The change in local climate
E) Lessening of hydrothermal activity
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.36 Explain the influence of wildfires on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

90) Fires are necessary to recycle ________.

A) water
B) oxygen
C) rocks
D) energy
E) nutrients
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.36 Explain the influence of wildfires on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

91) Which of the following is NOT an important edaphic influence on plants?

A) Soil texture
B) Relative abundance of soil organisms
C) Nutrient supply
D) Moisture supply
E) Supply of light
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.34 Explain edaphic factors and their influence on the survival and
distribution pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

36
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
92)

This map shows the distribution of ________.

A) the snowy owl
B) highland plant areas
C) lands with much photoperiodism effects
D) the tropical rainforest
E) the distribution of honey bees
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.6 Environmental Correlations
Learning Outcome: 10.37 Describe how the tropical rainforest (selva) is uniquely and closely
adjusted to its environment.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

93) In the selva, the vegetation is ________.

A) resistant to long droughts
B) dominated by broadleaf evergreen trees
C) seemingly unrelated to the environmental spheres
D) short tundra grasses
E) usually damaged by nasty monkeys
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.6 Environmental Correlations
Learning Outcome: 10.37 Describe how the tropical rainforest (selva) is uniquely and closely
adjusted to its environment.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
37
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
94) Which of the following is another term for a tropical rainforest?
A) Flora
B) Steppe
C) Fauna
D) Savanna
E) Selva
Answer: E
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.6 Environmental Correlations
Learning Outcome: 10.37 Describe how the tropical rainforest (selva) is uniquely and closely
adjusted to its environment.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

95) ________ is(are) a common feature of the hydrology of very flat stretches of tropical
rainforests.
A) Swamps
B) Lakes
C) Streams running part of the year
D) Few streams
E) More water in plant life rather than in streams
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.6 Environmental Correlations
Learning Outcome: 10.37 Describe how the tropical rainforest (selva) is uniquely and closely
adjusted to its environment.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

96) In terms of broad distribution patterns, ________ and ________ have a particularly close
correlation.
A) soil, climate
B) soil, vegetation
C) climate, vegetation
D) wildfire, soil
E) fur-bearing animals, climate
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic/Section: 10.6 Environmental Correlations
Learning Outcome: 10.37 Describe how the tropical rainforest (selva) is uniquely and closely
adjusted to its environment.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

38
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97) Atmospheric nitrogen which can be assimilated by plants is ________ nitrogen.
Answer: fixed
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

98) The Linnaean system of classification is ________.

Answer: binomial (has two-word names)
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.5 Explain the classification of organisms by Linnaeus.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

99) Briefly differentiate between biota, flora, and fauna.

Answer: The definitions should be offered with the fact that flora and fauna are subdivisions of
biota.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.3 Differentiate among biota, flora, and fauna.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating

100) What is biodiversity and why is it used to measure the health of a natural environment?
Answer: Biodiversity is the number of species present. High biodiversity means lots of species
are present. Various biodiversities are naturally present by climate type. When biodiversity
begins to decline in an area, it means that one of the environmental factors has changed, to the
detriment of the species involved.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.2 Define biogeography and biodiversity.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating

39
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101) Explain how a geographer's approach to the study of organisms differs from a biologists
study of organisms.
Answer: Geographers pay their largest attention to plants which are usually the most
conspicuous part of the landscape. However, geographers are frequently interested in explaining
the reasons for very large expressions of organisms such as regions, continents, or the globe.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 10.1 The Geographic Approach to the Study of Organisms
Learning Outcome: 10.2 Define biogeography and biodiversity.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating

102) Imagine a small ecosystem of 100 by 100 meters in extent. Invent and describe a situation
in which the environmental factors of moisture, wind, topography, and fire interact.
Answer: This question could go one of many directions. It is designed to exhibit the student's
creativity.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 10.5 Environmental Factors
Learning Outcome: 10.31 Explain the influence of moisture on the survival and distribution
pattern of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS3
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Evaluating/Creating

103) Why is the biological concept of natural selection so important to geography?

Answer: Natural selection favors individuals and species best suited to living in the
environmental conditions of a particular area. Because this goes on consistently, species might to
adapt to environment changes or migrate to more favorable conditions. Some species will not
adapt and become extinct. This profoundly affects what animals and plants live in which
locations and, thus, their geographic distributions.
Diff: 3
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.21 Explain natural selection.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS8
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

104) Show how the cases of cattle egrets and coconut palms illustrate the dispersal of species.
Answer: Answer based on p. 293 in the text
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.23 Explain the roles of migration and dispersal in natural distributions of
organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

40
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
105) Show how extinction and plant succession are sometimes related.
Answer: For instance, the natural infilling of a pond causes the extinction of water plants and
pioneering of land plants.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.25 Differentiate between population die-off and extinction, and explain
their role in natural distributions of organisms.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

106) When a plant or animal is found in one place and nowhere else it is termed ________.
Answer: endemic
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.4 Biological Factors and Natural Distributions
Learning Outcome: 10.22 Explain the natural distribution of endemic species.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS4
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

107) ________ is the dominant soil process found in the tropical rainforest and it leaves deep,
infertile subsoil.
Answer: Laterization
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.6 Environmental Correlations
Learning Outcome: 10.37 Describe how the tropical rainforest (selva) is uniquely and closely
adjusted to its environment.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing

108) Explain photosynthesis.

Answer: It is the basic process by which life exists on Earth. Plant cells are able to capture solar
energy and fix it into chemical form to be used by the plant or an animal eating the plant at a
later time. Chemical energy is, thus, passed along the food chain.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.9 Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and plant respiration,
and describe their contributions to the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

41
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.
109) Explain net primary productivity.
Answer: It is the amount of biomass added in an area (usually measured per square meter per
year). It is the result of subtracting the materials necessary to keep plants alive from the total
production due to photosynthesis. This amount varies substantially around the Earth, with
tropical rainforests having the highest values.
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.9 Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and plant respiration,
and describe their contributions to the biosphere.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

110) The oxygen in the atmosphere is primarily derived from ________.

Answer: plant respiration
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.14 Explain the oxygen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

111) Denitrification converts nitrates into ________.

Answer: free atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen
Diff: 2
Topic/Section: 10.2 Biogeochemical Cycles
Learning Outcome: 10.13 Explain the nitrogen cycle.
Natl. Geog Stds: GS7
Global Sci Stds: G2
Bloom's Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding

42
Copyright © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc.