• Home
  • Textbooks
  • Biology Now
  • General Principles of Ecology

Biology Now

Anne Houtman; Megan Scudellari; Cindy Malone

Chapter 18

General Principles of Ecology - all with Video Answers

Educators

Chapter Questions

02:43

Problem 1

The biosphere is
(a) all organisms on Earth, together with their physical environments.
(b) crucial to human survival and well-being.
(c) a source of food and raw materials for human society.
(d) a web of interconnected ecosystems.
(e) all of the above

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
01:17

Problem 2

Greenhouse gases function by
(a) blocking sunlight but letting out heat from Earth to outer space.
(b) absorbing heat that radiates from Earth that would otherwise escape to outer space.
(c) absorbing heat that radiates from the sun toward Earth.
(d) releasing heat that radiates from Earth into outer space.

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
01:25

Problem 3

Which of the following is an abiotic component of the biosphere?
(a) algae
(b) insects
(c) lichen
(d) water
(e) none of the above

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
02:45

Problem 4

Place the following components of the hydrologic cycle in the correct order by numbering them from 1 to 5 , beginning with precipitation.
________a. precipitation
_________b. uptake by plants
________c. transpiration
_______d. water percolation into soil
_______e. condensation

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
03:25

Problem 5

Select the correct terms:
(Climate / Weather) is the short-term atmospheric conditions in an area, while (climate / weather) is the average atmospheric conditions in a given area over a long period of time. [Climate change / Global warming) consists of the long-term and largescale changes in atmospheric conditions, which have been brought about by (climate change / global warming), an increase in the average global temperature.

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
01:38

Problem 6

The carbon cycle and the water (hydrologic] cycle are similar in that
(a) both cycle molecules between abiotic and biotic components of the environment.
(b) photosynthesis is a critical process in both.
(c) both are involved in global warming and climate change.
(d) all of the above
(e) none of the above

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
11:21

Problem 7

An ecologist is studying an area of forested land that experiences a forest fire every 5 years. In the years between forest fires, the area of study absorbs 300 million tons of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$. If a forest fire releases 200 million tons of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ in this area, does this forested area act as a carbon sink or a carbon source? Why?

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
02:22

Problem 8

Place the following events in the correct order of their onset by numbering them from 1 to 5 , beginning with the earliest.
_______a. Climate change, including more extreme weather
_______b. Increase in human population and activities
_______c. Increase in release of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
______d. Increase in calls to control the production and release of greenhouse gases
_______e. Global warming

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
01:51

Problem 9

Which of the following behaviors could decrease the production of greenhouse gases, and thus perhaps curb global warming?
(a) using ethanol or biodiesel rather than fossil fuels to power autos
(b) using coal rather than gas to warm homes
(c) using solar or wind power rather than fossil fuels to produce electricity
(d) all of the above
(e) none of the above

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
03:24

Problem 10

Reviewing Figure 18.13 , identify the type of environment at your latitude, and explain how it is influenced by Earth's convection cells.

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
03:30

Problem 11

Discuss briefly (in one to two sentences) how the more extreme weather caused by global warming may affect where you live.

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
08:23

Problem 12

Looking at data Review Figures 18.8 and 18.9 . Describe the change in atmospheric $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ levels from 1880 to the present, and the change in average global temperature for the same time period. What were the $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ level and the average temperature in $1880 ?$ in $1960 ?$ in $2016 ?$ Is there a relationship between the two variables? How would you explain the pattern you see here?

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
02:57

Problem 13

Life choices You can estimate your impact on the planet by using one of the many "footprint calculators" on the Internet. Take three online quizzes available from organizations such as the Global Footprint Network, the Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Each site calculates your ecological footprint a little differently. Compare and contrast the different sites you used. Which one do you think is the most accurate? Why? Which one do you think is the most superficial? Why? Write a list of ways you can decrease your ecological footprint, and try to adhere to your new lifestyle!

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator
06:52

Problem 14

Write Now biology: climate denial Watch the documentary Frontline's Climate of Doubt (2012), produced by PBS. Write an essay reflecting on what you learned from the film and from this chapter about global warming. Use your knowledge of your ecological footprint to reflect on how important it is for all citizens to be aware of this global crisis.

Sana Riaz
Sana Riaz
Numerade Educator