Hydraulic fracturing (Fracking) is a process utilized to obtain natural gas from the ground. Operators drill deep down into fragile shale rock and pump a specialized mixture of chemical fluids into the well. The fluids increase the pressure inside the well and cause the shale to fracture. As the shale rocks fracture, fissures of natural gas are released from pockets within the earth. After the fluid has been pushed into the system, the natural gas is released through the drilled well and collected at the rig site on ground level. This fairly new and innovative process has yielded promising results and has created great controversy. Two scientists express their views on the hydraulic fracturing industry.

Study 1

     A study was completed in order to measure the amount of methane released at an individual fracking rig. The scientist places an apparatus on the rig that measures the amount of methane released into the atmosphere in a 16-month period. The data is located in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Study 2

     A researcher studies gaseous emissions in relation to global climate change. Global warming potential is the amount of energy that a gas absorbs over a 100-year period when compared to carbon dioxide. Through numerous studies, the researcher determines that methane has a global warming potential of 21 meaning that it will cause 21 times more warming over a 100-year period than an equivalent mass of carbon dioxide.

Why are fluids added to the well during the hydraulic fracturing process?

     Hydraulic fracturing (Fracking) is a process utilized to obtain natural gas from the ground. Operators drill deep down into fragile shale rock and pump a specialized mixture of chemical fluids into the well. The fluids increase the pressure inside the well and cause the shale to fracture. As the shale rocks fracture, fissures of natural gas are released from pockets within the earth. After the fluid has been pushed into the system, the natural gas is released through the drilled well and collected at the rig site on ground level. This fairly new and innovative process has yielded promising results and has created great controversy. Two scientists express their views on the hydraulic fracturing industry.

Study 1

     A study was completed in order to measure the amount of methane released at an individual fracking rig. The scientist places an apparatus on the rig that measures the amount of methane released into the atmosphere in a 16-month period. The data is located in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Study 2

     A researcher studies gaseous emissions in relation to global climate change. Global warming potential is the amount of energy that a gas absorbs over a 100-year period when compared to carbon dioxide. Through numerous studies, the researcher determines that methane has a global warming potential of 21 meaning that it will cause 21 times more warming over a 100-year period than an equivalent mass of carbon dioxide.

The researchers of Study 2 investigate the results of Study 1. Which of the following statements would best represent their conclusions?

Mimicry is an important long-term evolutionary survival adaptation. In nature, there are four main types of mimicry used by species to enhance their survival. Batesian mimicry occurs when a palatable species closely resembles an unpalatable one. Müllerian mimicry exists when several unpalatable species resemble one another. Mertensian mimicry occurs when a deadly predator mimics a less dangerous one. Last, crypsis is the result of camouflage that enables a species to closely resemble its environment.

Certain scientific studies have revealed that the toxic coral snake mimics the milk snake. This evidence suggests that the coral snake exhibits which type of mimicry?

Mimicry is an important long-term evolutionary survival adaptation. In nature, there are four main types of mimicry used by species to enhance their survival. Batesian mimicry occurs when a palatable species closely resembles an unpalatable one. Müllerian mimicry exists when several unpalatable species resemble one another. Mertensian mimicry occurs when a deadly predator mimics a less dangerous one. Last, crypsis is the result of camouflage that enables a species to closely resemble its environment.

Two relatively harmless species of toads share the same physical structure and coloration pattern. These toads best exhibit which type of mimicry?

Mimicry is an important long-term evolutionary survival adaptation. In nature, there are four main types of mimicry used by species to enhance their survival. Batesian mimicry occurs when a palatable species closely resembles an unpalatable one. Müllerian mimicry exists when several unpalatable species resemble one another. Mertensian mimicry occurs when a deadly predator mimics a less dangerous one. Last, crypsis is the result of camouflage that enables a species to closely resemble its environment.

A certain fly shares striking similarities in physical structure and coloration to a deadly hornet species. This fly exhibits what type of mimicry?

Mimicry is an important long-term evolutionary survival adaptation. In nature, there are four main types of mimicry used by species to enhance their survival. Batesian mimicry occurs when a palatable species closely resembles an unpalatable one. Müllerian mimicry exists when several unpalatable species resemble one another. Mertensian mimicry occurs when a deadly predator mimics a less dangerous one. Last, crypsis is the result of camouflage that enables a species to closely resemble its environment.

Members of the phasmatodea family of insects resemble small branches of local foliage in their environments. This is an example of which type of mimicry?

Mimicry is an important long-term evolutionary survival adaptation. In nature, there are four main types of mimicry used by species to enhance their survival. Batesian mimicry occurs when a palatable species closely resembles an unpalatable one. Müllerian mimicry exists when several unpalatable species resemble one another. Mertensian mimicry occurs when a deadly predator mimics a less dangerous one. Last, crypsis is the result of camouflage that enables a species to closely resemble its environment.

Current studies have indicated that the visually similar viceroy and monarch butterflies are equally poisonous to predators. This is an example of which type of mimicry?

     Species competition is driven by a variety of factors. Resources such as water, food, sunlight, and suitable habitat are among the top contributors that influence interspecific and intraspecific competition. Interspecific is competition between different species and intraspecific competition is between members of the same species.

     One interesting example of interspecific completion is that of two barnacle species that inhabit intertidal zones. Balanus balanoides inhabits the lower intertidal zone and Chthamalus stellatus inhabits the lower intertidal zone. A researcher attempts to study this phenomenon.

     The researcher removes the Balanus species from the lower intertidal zone and observes that the Chthamalus species expands its range to inhabit the lower intertidal zone and the upper intertidal zone. The researcher then removes the Chthamalus species from the upper tidal zone of a different area and observes that the Balanus species does not extend its range. The researcher concludes that competition has allowed each species to exist simultaneously by forming specialized niches that promotes survivorship for each species.

A researcher suggests that the barnacles behave in this manner because of the presence of a keystone species. A keystone species is a species that promotes species diversity by way of actions or behaviors. Which of the following could be a keystone species in the barnacles' environment?

     Species competition is driven by a variety of factors. Resources such as water, food, sunlight, and suitable habitat are among the top contributors that influence interspecific and intraspecific competition. Interspecific is competition between different species and intraspecific competition is between members of the same species.

     One interesting example of interspecific completion is that of two barnacle species that inhabit intertidal zones. Balanus balanoides inhabits the lower intertidal zone and Chthamalus stellatus inhabits the lower intertidal zone. A researcher attempts to study this phenomenon.

     The researcher removes the Balanus species from the lower intertidal zone and observes that the Chthamalus species expands its range to inhabit the lower intertidal zone and the upper intertidal zone. The researcher then removes the Chthamalus species from the upper tidal zone of a different area and observes that the Balanus species does not extend its range. The researcher concludes that competition has allowed each species to exist simultaneously by forming specialized niches that promotes survivorship for each species.

Ecologists have found that the lower intertidal zones possess far greater levels of carbon dioxide than the upper regions. What does this evidence suggest?

Symbiosis is defined as a state in which two species intimately live together. This indicates that they are in close contact with one another and can affect each other. Symbiosis has been documented in three dominant forms: commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. Commensalism exists when one organism benefits and one, presumably the host, is affected neither negatively or positively. Mutualism is described as two organisms that both benefit from their interactions. Last, parasitism is described as an interaction that benefits an organism at the expense of the host organism.

Barnacles adhere to the bodies of whales in the ocean. The barnacle is granted transportation, possible food sources, and shelter. The relationship does not seem to enhance or negatively impact the whale's survival. This is an example of which type of symbiosis?