AP Biology : Biomes

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Biomes

Which of the following is not true regarding temperate forest biomes?

Possible Answers:

They have a distinct winter season

There are temperate forests in eastern North America

There is little ground vegetation

Soil is nutrient-rich

Correct answer:

There is little ground vegetation

Explanation:

Temperature forest biomes can be found in eastern North America and western and central Europe. Temperate forests have a distinguishable winter season. The canopy present in these forests allows light penetration and ground vegetal growth, which makes the soil nutrient-rich.

Example Question #1 : Biomes

Which of the following best explains how marine biomes are distinct from freshwater biomes?

Possible Answers:

Marine biomes have high salt concentration while freshwater biomes have low salt concentration

Freshwater biomes have high salt concentration while marine biomes have low salt concentration

Freshwater biomes are greater oxygen sinks than marine biomes

Freshwater biomes contain algae that supplies most of the Earth’s oxygen, while marine biomes do not

Correct answer:

Marine biomes have high salt concentration while freshwater biomes have low salt concentration

Explanation:

Marine biomes are aquatic ecosystems that possess a high concentration of salts. Examples of marine biomes include oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. Marine biomes contain large quantities of algae that supply most of the Earth’s oxygen content.

Example Question #3 : Biomes

Which of the following types of aquatic ecosystems are exemplary of freshwater biomes?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Wetlands

Streams and rivers

Ponds and lakes

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Freshwater biomes are a type of aquatic ecosystem characterized by a low salt concentration and are home to animals specifically adapted to survive in these conditions. Types of freshwater biomes include ponds and lakes, wetlands, and many streams and rivers.

Example Question #4 : Biomes

Which of the following best characterize desert biomes?

Possible Answers:

Low rainfall and animal adaptations to a water-poor environment

Animals are adapted to a water-poor environment

Low rainfall

Neither low rainfall nor animal adaptations to a water-poor environment

Correct answer:

Low rainfall and animal adaptations to a water-poor environment

Explanation:

Low rainfalls as well as the organisms that are specifically adapted to inhabit these conditions characterize desert biomes. Desert biomes can be further characterized based on seasons.

Example Question #5 : Biomes

Which of the following is not a true characteristic of tundra?

Possible Answers:

Short growing seasons

Lack of dead organic material

Low biodiversity

Cold climate

Correct answer:

Lack of dead organic material

Explanation:

The tundra is a type of biome that has an extremely cold climate. Other characteristics of the tundra include a short growth season, low biodiversity, and nutrients found only in the form of dead organic tissue. The tundra is also characterized by the presence of a permafrost layer—a layer of frozen soil.

Example Question #6 : Biomes

Which of the following types of seasons best characterize chaparral biomes?

Possible Answers:

Hot dry summers

Hot dry summers and mild wet winters

Extremely cold winters with low precipitation

Hot dry summers and very cold winters with low precipitation

Correct answer:

Hot dry summers and mild wet winters

Explanation:

Chaparral biomes are primarily observed to exist in California. The seasons in chaparral areas include hot dry summers and mild wet winters.

Example Question #7 : Biomes

Which of the following characteristics are exemplary of savanna biomes?

Possible Answers:

Seasonal fires

All of these

Rainy season and dry season

Can be found in Africa and Australia

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

The savanna is a type of biome found in Africa, Australia, South America, and India. The savanna is described as type of grassland ecosystem that has scattered trees and low shrubbery. Savannas have rainy seasons and dry seasons characterized by fires. 

Example Question #8 : Biomes

Which of the following best describes the primary difference between the savanna and temperate grassland biomes?

Possible Answers:

Seasonal fires are important to temperate grassland biodiversity but they are not in the savanna

Seasonal fires are important to savanna biodiversity but they are not in temperate grasslands

The savanna is dominated by grasses while the temperate grassland has scattered trees

The savanna can be further categorized into prairies and steppes while the temperate grassland cannot

Correct answer:

Seasonal fires are important to savanna biodiversity but they are not in temperate grasslands

Explanation:

The key difference between the savanna and temperate grassland biomes is that seasonal fires are very important to savanna biodiversity but not for the temperate grassland’s ecology.

Example Question #9 : Biomes

Which of the following represent the key factors that distinguish biomes from one another?

Possible Answers:

Climate

All of these

Habitat type

Patterns of ecological succession

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Biomes are characterized by a number of factors including climate, patterns of ecological succession, and habitat type. It is important to note that biomes are not distinguished by genetic or taxonomic patterns of organisms.

Example Question #10 : Biomes

Which of the following is a characteristic that is not used to characterize biomes?

Possible Answers:

Patterns of ecological succession

Taxonomy and genetic similarities of organisms

Habitat type

Climate

Correct answer:

Taxonomy and genetic similarities of organisms

Explanation:

Biomes are characterized by a number of factors including climate, patterns of ecological succession, and habitat type. It is important to note that biomes are not distinguished by genetic or taxonomic patterns of organisms.

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