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. The cycling and reusing of elements and molecules (such as water - nitrogen - and phosphorus) that are essential to life.






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






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






4. The process by which a new species is created. This process generally requires geographic isolation to prevent interbreeding between the newly emerging species and the parent species.






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






6. Biomes far north in North America - Europe - and Asia which - due to very low temperatures - cannot support tree growth.






7. An international protocol designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of CFCs and other harmful chemicals.






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






9. An international organization designed to promote free trade between countries.






10. A rainforest in the temperate zone which receives heavy rainfall.






11. 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.






12. The flow of water in the water table.






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






14. A variety of species living together.






15. Organisms which create their own food out of inorganic (abiotic) substances.






16. A situation where a layer of warmer air traps lower - cooler air - causing pollution to collect near the ground.






17. Biomes with less than 10 inches of rain a year. Foliage is scarce in these areas - and remaining plants and animals work hard to conserve the little water they receive.






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






19. The loss of water vapor from leaves.






20. Growing more than one crop at a time.






21. A type of symbiosis where each species will benefit from interacting with the other.






22. Growing only one crop at a time.






23. The coexistence of two species using the same resource where the two will use the resource in different ways.






24. The middle atmospheric layer. Meteors burn up after entering this layer.






25. All of the water found on earth.






26. A layer of gasses surrounding the earth.






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






28. The process by which certain kinds of bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia - a form accessible to living creatures.






29. Any living thing on earth.






30. 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






31. Excess water which cannot be infiltrated into the soil and instead flows along the ground.






32. Forests found in the northern regions of North America - Europe - and Asia characterized by freezing winters and warmer summers. These forests lie just below the tree line.






33. Average expected birth rate for 1 -000 women.






34. A community of species interacting with their nonliving (abiotic) environment.






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






36. Water found in estuaries. This water is a mixture of saltine ocean water and fresh water - usually from a river or stream.






37. Animals which eat grass and roots.






38. Consumers which eat both plants and animals.






39. Grasslands with short - widely spaced trees and no canopy - allowing for an unbroken layer of grasses beneath.






40. Consumers which eat decomposing organic material.






41. A law designed to locate toxic waste sites - gauge their pollution level - and ensure these sites are taken care of properly.






42. The amount of variation among organisms living in a particular ecosystem. The loss of this key characteristic leads to a reduction in ecosystem efficiency and the ability of species to adapt to new situations.






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






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






45. A greenhouse gas which also plays a key role in regulating ozone levels.






46. 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.






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






48. A forest found in temperate regions with warm summers - cool winters - and plenty of rainfall. These kinds of forests are characterized by evergreens and deciduous trees.






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






50. Populations characterized by large size - long lifespan - and few offspring.