BIOS 255 UNIT 4 MIDTERM EXAM REVIEW AND
SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ Temperature. Answer: The most important factor influencing
species distributions because it affects biological processes.
◉ Wind. Answer: Air movement that intensifies ocean waves,
increases heat loss, and influences plant growth.
◉ Water availability. Answer: Determines plant distribution and
influences animal abundance.
◉ Light. Answer: Essential for photosynthesis; decreases with water
depth, limiting plant growth.
◉ Salinity. Answer: Affects water balance in organisms; freshwater
and marine species require different osmotic adaptations.
◉ pH. Answer: Influences decomposition, nutrient availability, and
survival of aquatic and terrestrial species.
◉ Climate. Answer: Long-term average weather patterns in a region.
,◉ Weather. Answer: Short-term atmospheric conditions.
◉ Solar radiation variation. Answer: Causes latitudinal differences in
climate; sunlight is more concentrated near the equator.
◉ Hadley cell. Answer: Pattern of atmospheric circulation where
warm equatorial air rises and cools, producing rain and trade winds.
◉ Adiabatic cooling. Answer: Cooling of rising air as pressure
decreases (≈10°C per 1000 m increase).
◉ Rain shadow effect. Answer: Mountains block moist air, creating
dry conditions on the leeward side.
◉ Biome. Answer: Large ecological region with characteristic
climate, flora, and fauna.
◉ Tundra. Answer: Cold, low precipitation biome with permafrost.
◉ Taiga (Boreal forest). Answer: Coniferous forest biome with long
winters and short summers.
◉ Temperate deciduous forest. Answer: Biome with moderate
climate and leaf-shedding trees.
, ◉ Temperate grassland. Answer: Biome with rich soil and seasonal
drought; dominated by grasses.
◉ Hot desert. Answer: Very low precipitation and high
temperatures; sparse vegetation.
◉ Cold desert. Answer: Low precipitation and cold temperatures;
sparse plant life.
◉ Tropical rain forest. Answer: Warm, wet biome with the highest
species diversity.
◉ Tropical deciduous forest. Answer: Seasonal rainfall; trees shed
leaves during the dry season.
◉ Temperate rainforest. Answer: Cool coastal biome with high
rainfall and large evergreens.
◉ Mountain zones. Answer: Elevational gradient creates distinct
climates and biomes.
◉ Intertidal zone. Answer: Area between high and low tide;
organisms face desiccation and wave forces.
SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ Temperature. Answer: The most important factor influencing
species distributions because it affects biological processes.
◉ Wind. Answer: Air movement that intensifies ocean waves,
increases heat loss, and influences plant growth.
◉ Water availability. Answer: Determines plant distribution and
influences animal abundance.
◉ Light. Answer: Essential for photosynthesis; decreases with water
depth, limiting plant growth.
◉ Salinity. Answer: Affects water balance in organisms; freshwater
and marine species require different osmotic adaptations.
◉ pH. Answer: Influences decomposition, nutrient availability, and
survival of aquatic and terrestrial species.
◉ Climate. Answer: Long-term average weather patterns in a region.
,◉ Weather. Answer: Short-term atmospheric conditions.
◉ Solar radiation variation. Answer: Causes latitudinal differences in
climate; sunlight is more concentrated near the equator.
◉ Hadley cell. Answer: Pattern of atmospheric circulation where
warm equatorial air rises and cools, producing rain and trade winds.
◉ Adiabatic cooling. Answer: Cooling of rising air as pressure
decreases (≈10°C per 1000 m increase).
◉ Rain shadow effect. Answer: Mountains block moist air, creating
dry conditions on the leeward side.
◉ Biome. Answer: Large ecological region with characteristic
climate, flora, and fauna.
◉ Tundra. Answer: Cold, low precipitation biome with permafrost.
◉ Taiga (Boreal forest). Answer: Coniferous forest biome with long
winters and short summers.
◉ Temperate deciduous forest. Answer: Biome with moderate
climate and leaf-shedding trees.
, ◉ Temperate grassland. Answer: Biome with rich soil and seasonal
drought; dominated by grasses.
◉ Hot desert. Answer: Very low precipitation and high
temperatures; sparse vegetation.
◉ Cold desert. Answer: Low precipitation and cold temperatures;
sparse plant life.
◉ Tropical rain forest. Answer: Warm, wet biome with the highest
species diversity.
◉ Tropical deciduous forest. Answer: Seasonal rainfall; trees shed
leaves during the dry season.
◉ Temperate rainforest. Answer: Cool coastal biome with high
rainfall and large evergreens.
◉ Mountain zones. Answer: Elevational gradient creates distinct
climates and biomes.
◉ Intertidal zone. Answer: Area between high and low tide;
organisms face desiccation and wave forces.
