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 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.






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






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






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






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






6. A philosophy that extends ethics to non-humans. Under this system - animals - plants - and other aspects of the environment are seen as being deserving of justice and consideration.






7. The uppermost atmospheric layer. Here satellites orbit the earth.






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






9. The cloudiness of a liquid due to small suspended particles.






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






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






12. Animals which eat grass and roots.






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






14. A theory that our current ecological problems are a product of deeper social problems.






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






16. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






17. An act which set standards for the amount of pollution in water.






18. A principle that states that two species competing for a single resource cannot coexist. One species will inevitably gain an advantage over the other - causing the looser either to migrate or to become extinct.






19. 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.






20. Growing more than one crop at a time.






21. 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.






22. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.






23. Organisms which consume autotrophs for food.






24. An unstable form of oxygen which protects the earth from UV radiation. Although naturally occurring in the stratosphere (upper atmosphere) - in the lower atmosphere this gas acts as a pollutant.






25. Surface run-off caused by melted snow.






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






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






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






29. A community of similar living organisms largely affected by the area's climate.






30. An act which required the EPA to set standards for drinking water.






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






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






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






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






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






36. Integrating rows of trees alongside crops to provide mulch and shade - retain water in the soil - and promote sustainable land use.






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






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






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






40. A UN conference held in Rio de Janeiro. The conference decided to protect biodiversity - reduce pollution emissions and greenhouse gasses - and promote sustainable development.






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






42. 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.






43. 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.






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






45. Organisms which eat other organisms.






46. A type of farming where the farmer will fell and burn down trees to grow crops. After a few years - he will move on and continue the process.






47. A layer of gasses surrounding the earth.






48. 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.






49. A type of farming where the farmer will grow crops both to fulfill his family's needs for the next year and to sell on the market.






50. An act which protects certain lands as national parks.