AP Environmental Science : AP Environmental Sciences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Environmental Science

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Human Impact On Ecological Change

Which of the following terms is not a major threat to global biodiversity?

Possible Answers:

Invasive species

Habitat fragmentation

Agricultural expansion

Habitat degradation

Habitat connectivity

Correct answer:

Habitat connectivity

Explanation:

"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?

Possible Answers:

All of these?

Eutrophication

Bioaccumulation

Fragmentation

Biomagnification

Correct answer:

Eutrophication

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Uniform landscapes

Divergent landscapoes

Artificial landscapes

Heterogeneous landscapes

Homogeneous landscapes

Correct answer:

Heterogeneous landscapes

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Earth sciences

All of these

Biology

Political science

Economics

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

5%

1%

10%

25%

50%

Correct answer:

1%

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

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.

Correct answer:

Chlorophyll absorbs light wavelengths in the purple, blue, and orange spectrums and reflects wavelengths in the green spectrum.

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

Photosynthesis involves all of the other answer choices as reactants or products.

water (H2O)

glucose (C6H12O6)

phosphorus (P)

oxygen (O2)

Correct answer:

phosphorus (P)

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Neutralization

Chemosynthesis

Respiration

Combustion

Correct answer:

Respiration

Explanation:

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 __________.

Possible Answers:

chemosynthesis

photosynthesis

nucleosynthesis

chemiosmosis

Correct answer:

chemosynthesis

Explanation:

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?

Possible Answers:

Consumer

Detritivore

Producer

Decomposer

Herbivore

Correct answer:

Producer

Explanation:

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. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors