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. Different species living in close contact with each other.






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






3. Species which react quickly to an environmental change and therefore can be used to diagnose a particular ecosystem.






4. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






10. 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.






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






12. 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.






13. 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.






14. An act which called for the careful examination of new chemicals to ensure they are safe for their intended uses.






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






16. 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






17. 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.






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






19. The combination of evaporation from the ocean - lakes - and other bodies of water and transpiration - the loss of water from plants.






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






21. A transitional area between two different ecosystems.






22. Organisms with a nucleus.






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






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






25. Modern man.






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






27. 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.






28. Single-celled organisms which lack a nucleus.






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






30. A forest near the equator with heavy rainfall and a great diversity of plant and animal life. Although a mere 2% of the earth is covered with these forests - they contain 50-80% of earth's land species.






31. A layer of gasses surrounding the earth.






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






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






34. Consumers which eat only other animals.






35. The UN's first major conference on environmental issues.






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






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






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






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






40. Growing only one crop at a time.






41. A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding.






42. The rate at which producers create organic material.






43. Animals which eat leaves and shoots.






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






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






46. Growing more than one crop at a time.






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






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






49. The process of a gas transforming into a liquid.






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