All AP Environmental Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #4 : Human Impact On Ecological Change
Which of the following terms is not a major threat to global biodiversity?
Invasive species
Habitat fragmentation
Agricultural expansion
Habitat degradation
Habitat connectivity
Habitat connectivity
"Habitat connectivity" is the only term that describes something positive that increases the quality of biodiversity. It is defined as the degree to which landscape facilitates movement and ecological flows important for the survival of other species. Every other term describes things that decrease habitat and negatively impact biodiversity.
Example Question #112 : Ecosystems And Biology
Humans can greatly alter ecosystem functions and processes. Excessive nitrogen pollution from humans has transformed many aquatic ecosystems from nutrient poor to nutrient rich environments. This is an example of which of the following processes?
All of these?
Eutrophication
Bioaccumulation
Fragmentation
Biomagnification
Eutrophication
The correct response is "eutrophication." It is the only term that is specific to aquatic systems and the input of excess nutrients by way of pollution. The terms "bioaccumulation" and "biomagnification" describe how substances such as toxins accumulate within organisms and trophic levels—not an aquatic ecosystem. Last, "fragmentation" has nothing to do with the question because it refers to when habitats are parceled apart due to human activities.
Example Question #6 : Human Impact On Ecological Change
Disturbances are normal processes that help maintain biodiversity and healthy ecosystem because they create which of the following?
Uniform landscapes
Divergent landscapoes
Artificial landscapes
Heterogeneous landscapes
Homogeneous landscapes
Heterogeneous landscapes
The correct response is “heterogeneous landscapes.” This is the only answer choice that describes landscapes with different types of habitats. Different types of habitat are necessary to maintain biodiversity. "Uniform" and "Homogeneous" describe landscapes that are very similar. "Artificial Landscape" does not arise from a natural process.
Example Question #4 : Human Impact On Ecological Change
Which following field(s) of study is/are related to environmental science?
Earth sciences
All of these
Biology
Political science
Economics
All of these
Environmental science integrates information from several fields. These fields include the natural and physical sciences such as biology, chemistry, and geology; but social science and humanity fields are important to the study of the environment. These fields include political science, economics, and ethics. Environmental science studies organisms, including humans, and their environment as well as their affect on the environment.
Example Question #1 : Energy And Biochemical Cycles
Which of the following most closely approximates the percent of solar energy entering earth available for photosynthetic activity in plants?
5%
1%
10%
25%
50%
1%
Much of the solar energy that enters earth is absorbed by atmospheric molecules or reflected off of surfaces, and a large portion of the energy is unsuitable for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is powered by light energy that has wavelengths ranging from 400 to 700 nanometers (nm), while sunlight has a wavelength range from 250 to 2500 nm. As a result, only about 1% of available solar energy is used for photosynthetic activity.
Example Question #2 : Energy And Biochemical Cycles
Which of the following aspects of the photosynthetic process accounts for why the leaves on trees are typically green?
Charged electrons, a vital component of the transport of energy in photosynthesis, emit light in the green spectrum when excited by energy.
Chlorophyll absorbs light wavelengths in the purple, blue, and orange spectrums and reflects wavelengths in the green spectrum.
Along with sugars, photosynthesis produces chlorophyll, which is naturally green.
The oxidation-reduction reactions present in photosynthesis produce a chemical byproduct that is green in color.
Chlorophyll reflects light wavelengths in the purple, blue, and orange spectrums and absorbs wavelengths in the green spectrum.
Chlorophyll absorbs light wavelengths in the purple, blue, and orange spectrums and reflects wavelengths in the green spectrum.
Chlorophyll a and b absorb visible light wavelengths in the purple, blue, and red ranges of the visible spectrum of light and reflect visible light in the green range. The green color of leaves is a result of the green visible light being reflected back and isolated from the other visible colors in the spectrum that were absorbed.
Example Question #2 : Energy And Biochemical Cycles
Photosynthesis involves each of the following as reactants or products except __________.
Photosynthesis involves all of the other answer choices as reactants or products.
water (H2O)
glucose (C6H12O6)
phosphorus (P)
oxygen (O2)
phosphorus (P)
During photosynthesis, plants and algae use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen. Phosphorus is not involved in the photosynthesis chemical reaction as a reactant or product.
Example Question #1 : Energy And Biochemical Cycles
Photosynthesis is the reverse reaction of what cellular process?
Neutralization
Chemosynthesis
Respiration
Combustion
Respiration
Cellular respiration is the opposite reaction of photosynthesis:
Photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide, water, and solar energy to sugar and oxygen. Respiration uses oxygen and sugars to provide a cell with energy. Water and carbon dioxide are produced as byproducts. Note that the form of energy used in photosynthesis is sunlight, while the form of energy produced during respiration is chemical energy.
Example Question #2 : Energy And Biochemical Cycles
In deep sea vents, certain types of bacteria can produce glucose in a different way than photosynthesis. This process is called __________.
chemosynthesis
photosynthesis
nucleosynthesis
chemiosmosis
chemosynthesis
Using energy from the bonds in, for example, hydrogen sulfide or methane, and carbon dioxide, deep sea bacteria can produce sugars identical to those produced in plants via photosynthesis. This is incredibly important for life in deep water where there is no light.
Example Question #1 : Energy Dynamics
Which of these describes an individual that converts sun energy into food?
Consumer
Detritivore
Producer
Decomposer
Herbivore
Producer
The correct response is producer. A producer converts sunlight into food using photosynthesis. This includes plants, algae, and some fungi. They are sometimes refereed to as primary producers or autotrophs. The big take-home point: producers make their own food.
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