Bio 121 Miami University (Final Exam, Ortman) Questions with Correct Answers

Global Climate Change Correct Answer Modificaations in Earth's climate, changes globally in temperature, precipitation, sorm frequenct, etc. Climate Correct Answer And area's long-term atmospheric conditions over large geographic regions (years, decades, centuries) Weather Correct Answer Short trem atmospheric conditions (hours, days) within small geographic areas Global Warming Correct Answer Refers specifically to increase in Earth's average surface temperature. Not to be confused with global climate change, which includes not only change in temperature, but precipitation and the frequency and intensity of storms. Factors that influence global climate change Correct Answer The sun (supplies most of Earth's energy), the atmosphere (protective buffering layer of gasses), the oceans (shape climate by storing and transporting heat and moisture). Greenhouse Gasses Correct Answer Water vapor, ozone, co2, nitros oxide, halocarbons, methane. Greenhouse effect Correct Answer Certain gases (greenhouse gasses) in the atmosphere absorb radiation emitted from the surface and re-emit infrared radiation. THe re-emitted energy that travels downward warms the atmosphere (specifically the troposphere) and the planet's surface. Global warming potential Correct Answer A measure of the ability of a gas to trap thermal energy in the atmosphere over a specified time. The ability to contribute to warming; expressed in relation to carbon dioxide (potential=1) Nirous oxide is 298 time as potent as co2. Anthropogenic influence on sources and trends of concentrations of different gases Correct Answer Concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased exponentially due to human activity (burning fossil fuels, deforestation). Methane concentrations- fossil fuels, livestock, landfills nitrous oxide- feedlots, chemical manufacturing plants, auto emissions, and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Ozone-photochemical smog. Montreal Protocol. Water vapor- most abundant greenhouse gas, contributes most to the natural greenhouse effect, but concentrations have not changed.