Test your basic knowledge |

DSST Environment And Humanity

Subjects : dsst, science
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A community of similar living organisms largely affected by the area's climate.






2. A type of farming where the farmer will grow just enough crops to satisfy his family's needs for the next year.






3. The process of planting different plant species right next to each other to maximize one's yield.






4. An act created to protect endangered and threatened species.






5. The rapid increase of harmful algae in a body of water.






6. Animals which eat leaves and shoots.






7. Organisms which thrive in low nutrient environments and usually have slow growth rates.






8. Political organizations not affiliated with the government which try to bring about social change.






9. A type of symbiosis where one species benefit at the expense of the other.






10. Growing only one crop at a time.






11. The process of surface water entering the soil. This ensures that plants have adequate access to water.






12. Populations characterized by small size - short lifespan - and lots of offspring.






13. A shubland found primarily in the South-Western United States and Mexico. Fire plays a predominant role in the life-cycle of the plants in this area - the seeds of which will sprout only after a fire.






14. The biggest atmospheric layer. Without ozone - UV radiation causes ionization and the auroras in this layer.






15. A bloom of phytoplankton in a body of water caused by an abnormal increase in nutrients. This process depletes the water's oxygen level - killing off other aquatic organisms.






16. An international protocol designed to stabilize global warming.






17. An act requiring federal agencies to detail the impact of proposed environmental policies.






18. The area between the troposphere and the stratosphere. Here the temperature reverses from decreasing to increasing with altitude.






19. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






20. Different species living in close contact with each other.






21. A forest characterized by clearly differentiated seasons - such as the trees loosing leaves in the fall and heavy snowfall in the winter.






22. Areas with only enough rainfall for grasses to grow. As a result - most animals are grazers - such as buffalo.






23. Species which serve key roles in an ecosystem. The absence of these important organisms is detrimental to the surrounding area.






24. Also called that water cycle - this process describes the cycling of water throughout the environment. The stages of this cycle are evaporation - condensation - transportation - precipitation - infiltration and percolation - and run off.






25. Exceptionally acidic (low pH) rain. This phenomenon is caused mainly by emissions of carbon dioxide - sulfur dioxide - and nitrogen oxide which react with water particles in the air.






26. Modern man.






27. The first atmospheric layer. Most weather and pollution occurs here - and the temperature decreases with altitude.






28. An extinct hominid species believed to be the last common ancestor between man and apes.






29. Evolution in one organism due to change in a related organism.






30. A greenhouse gas. Although it is a natural part of the carbon cycle - the atmospheric concentration of this gas has increased due to the burning of fossil fuels.






31. An agency created to establish regulations concerning pollutants to protect humans and the environment.






32. The amount of pests needed before spraying pesticides is economical.






33. The process by which the sun's energy converts liquid water to water vapor in the atmosphere.






34. All of the ecosystems on earth.






35. An extinct hominid species with near the same brain capacity as modern man believed to use fire and stone tools - live a hunter/gatherer lifestyle - and speak a language.






36. The position of an organism on the food chain.






37. An act which established and enforced acceptable levels of air pollution.






38. The rate at which producers create organic material.






39. The infiltration of harmful chemicals - particles - or biological matter into the atmosphere which endanger living organisms. Pollutants include sulfur and nitrogen oxides - ammonia - and chlorofluorocarbons. Although there are natural sources for th






40. An especially potent greenhouse gas emitted during production and transportation of fossil fuels - decomposition of organic matter - and herds of livestock.






41. A variety of species living together.






42. The oxification of ammonia by certain bacterium into nitrite and later into nitrates - which can then be used by plants.






43. The loss of water vapor from leaves.






44. Organisms which eat other organisms.






45. A partially enclosed part of the ocean with rivers or streams flowing into it.






46. Precipitation which does not reach the soil but is instead collected by plants.






47. The decomposition of organic nitrogen into inorganic ammonium. This process is also called mineralization.






48. Organisms which thrive in high nutrient environments - especially those with plenty of carbon.






49. A type of symbiosis where one species will benefit while the other will be neither benefit or be harmed.






50. Organisms which produce their own food.