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 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.






2. Organisms which eat other organisms.






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






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






5. An extinct hominid species believed to have the same brain capacity as modern man and use many different weapons.






6. An extinct hominid species believed to have long - ape-like arms; have a brain capacity half that of modern men; and use primitive tools.






7. Any living thing on earth.






8. Consumers which eat only other animals.






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






10. An international convention which created the framework for protecting the ozone layer.






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






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






13. All members of a species which live in the same area.






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






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






16. 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.






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






18. 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.






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






20. 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.






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






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






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






24. The spraying of pesticides to keep produce from any injuries or damage.






25. A UN conference that addressed the growing population problem.






26. 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






27. 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.






28. 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.






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






30. Growing only one crop at a time.






31. 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.






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






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






34. The place of an organism in an ecosystem - such as what it eats and how it interacts with other organisms.






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






36. The crust and upper mantle of the earth.






37. 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.






38. The loss of water vapor from leaves.






39. 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.






40. The flow of water in the water table.






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






42. Plants taking in nitrates from the soil.






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






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






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






46. Consumers which eat decomposing organic material.






47. The rate at which producers create organic material.






48. The southern-most continent - of which 98% is ice. This continent includes 70% of the world's fresh water - and 90% of the world's ice. Although the average temperature is -49






49. 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.






50. The spraying of pesticides to prevent a pest problem before it happens.