PBIO 1000 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
biosphere - Answers - The sum total of all earth's ecosystems
biome - Answers - one of many distinctive types of ecosystems determined by climate
and identified by the predominant vegetation and organisms that have adapted to live
there
Ecosystem - Answers - all of the organisms in a given area plus the physical
environment in which and with which they interact
Community - Answers - All the populations (plants, animals, and other species.) living
and interacting in an area.
Population - Answers - All the individuals of a species that live in the same geographic
area and are able to interact/interbreed
Distinguish between habit and niche. - Answers - Habitat is just the physical
environment that individuals of certain species live and niche is the role a species plays
in its community
Photosynthesis - Answers - photo trophs use suns light energy to convert carbon
dioxide/water into complex chemical bonds forming simple carbohydrates such as
glucose and fructose
Phytoplankton - Answers - microscopic floating plants/algae function as major
producers
climate - Answers - refers to average weather conditions like temperature, humidity,
wind speed, cloud cover, and rainfall
Define biofuel and describe how it differs from a fossil fuel - Answers - any fuel whose
energy was obtained through biological carbon fixation. the difference between them is
the time period in which the fixation occurs and biofuel is renewable.
Explain how agave or certain grasses may be a preferred biofuel over corn - Answers -
agave is very water use efficient and attracts denser populations of local animals.
switchgrass can sustain itself without fertilizer but benefits from its addition.
Describe the long-term effects of tropical deforestation on biodiversity in the biosphere. -
Answers - Once the forest is slashed and burned the nutrient reservoir is lost,
flooding/erosion rates are high and soil becomes unable to support crops.
, Evaluate the relative contributions of natural and planted forests. - Answers - natural
forests contribute to conserving genetic constitutions of organisms and maintain
composition of natural tree species while providing vital habitats to endangered animal
species. planted contribute by producing and leaving off pressure from natural forests
Describe the connection of biodiversity to ecosystem - Answers - the processes/daily
functions of services benefit all living things and habitats.
Name at least three ecosystem services provided by forests. - Answers - Natural
medicines, timber, wood fuel.
Evaluate the importance of carbon markets in mitigating climate change. Explain your
argument using stats on carbon sequestration and effects of deforestation. - Answers -
Carbon markets are helping ecosystems by reducing ghg emissions and sequester
more carbon. also deforestation accounts for 20% of ghg emissions
Distinguish between the movement of energy and matter in ecosystems - Answers -
Matter cycles but energy flows in a one-way trip
Biodiversity - Answers - the genetic diversity of a region within its species, variety of
species, and variety of ecosystems
3 levels of biodiversity - Answers - Terrestrial, marine, and freshwater
Producers - Answers - self-nourishing organisms that when given water, nutrients, and
source energy they can produce compounds necessary for survival
Consumers - Answers - Eat by engulfing and predigesting fluids, cells, tissues, or waste
products of other organisms
Decomposer - Answers - Reduce complex molecules to simple molecules and return
them to the physical environment for reuse by producers
greenhouse gases - Answers - Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere
carbon dioxide - Answers - A GHG that is released into the atmosphere during the
actions of burning fossil fuels, solid waste, trees, and wood products
methane - Answers - A GHG that releases when the production and transport of coal,
natural gas, and oil. Also from livestock and other agricultural practices
Nitrous Oxide - Answers - A GHG that releases during agricultural and industrial
activities and during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste
ANSWERS
biosphere - Answers - The sum total of all earth's ecosystems
biome - Answers - one of many distinctive types of ecosystems determined by climate
and identified by the predominant vegetation and organisms that have adapted to live
there
Ecosystem - Answers - all of the organisms in a given area plus the physical
environment in which and with which they interact
Community - Answers - All the populations (plants, animals, and other species.) living
and interacting in an area.
Population - Answers - All the individuals of a species that live in the same geographic
area and are able to interact/interbreed
Distinguish between habit and niche. - Answers - Habitat is just the physical
environment that individuals of certain species live and niche is the role a species plays
in its community
Photosynthesis - Answers - photo trophs use suns light energy to convert carbon
dioxide/water into complex chemical bonds forming simple carbohydrates such as
glucose and fructose
Phytoplankton - Answers - microscopic floating plants/algae function as major
producers
climate - Answers - refers to average weather conditions like temperature, humidity,
wind speed, cloud cover, and rainfall
Define biofuel and describe how it differs from a fossil fuel - Answers - any fuel whose
energy was obtained through biological carbon fixation. the difference between them is
the time period in which the fixation occurs and biofuel is renewable.
Explain how agave or certain grasses may be a preferred biofuel over corn - Answers -
agave is very water use efficient and attracts denser populations of local animals.
switchgrass can sustain itself without fertilizer but benefits from its addition.
Describe the long-term effects of tropical deforestation on biodiversity in the biosphere. -
Answers - Once the forest is slashed and burned the nutrient reservoir is lost,
flooding/erosion rates are high and soil becomes unable to support crops.
, Evaluate the relative contributions of natural and planted forests. - Answers - natural
forests contribute to conserving genetic constitutions of organisms and maintain
composition of natural tree species while providing vital habitats to endangered animal
species. planted contribute by producing and leaving off pressure from natural forests
Describe the connection of biodiversity to ecosystem - Answers - the processes/daily
functions of services benefit all living things and habitats.
Name at least three ecosystem services provided by forests. - Answers - Natural
medicines, timber, wood fuel.
Evaluate the importance of carbon markets in mitigating climate change. Explain your
argument using stats on carbon sequestration and effects of deforestation. - Answers -
Carbon markets are helping ecosystems by reducing ghg emissions and sequester
more carbon. also deforestation accounts for 20% of ghg emissions
Distinguish between the movement of energy and matter in ecosystems - Answers -
Matter cycles but energy flows in a one-way trip
Biodiversity - Answers - the genetic diversity of a region within its species, variety of
species, and variety of ecosystems
3 levels of biodiversity - Answers - Terrestrial, marine, and freshwater
Producers - Answers - self-nourishing organisms that when given water, nutrients, and
source energy they can produce compounds necessary for survival
Consumers - Answers - Eat by engulfing and predigesting fluids, cells, tissues, or waste
products of other organisms
Decomposer - Answers - Reduce complex molecules to simple molecules and return
them to the physical environment for reuse by producers
greenhouse gases - Answers - Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere
carbon dioxide - Answers - A GHG that is released into the atmosphere during the
actions of burning fossil fuels, solid waste, trees, and wood products
methane - Answers - A GHG that releases when the production and transport of coal,
natural gas, and oil. Also from livestock and other agricultural practices
Nitrous Oxide - Answers - A GHG that releases during agricultural and industrial
activities and during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste
