Download Chapter 3 Extra Questions

AP Environmental Science
Chapter 3: Ecosystems
Miller, 16th ed.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS. Reminder:
NOTE: It is necessary to review some textbook supplements in the back of the book for
mastery of this chapter:(DNA, Amino Acids, ATP, Calvin Cycle, Photosynthesis)
1. Draw a flow chart to represent the organizational relationships between
the following terms: ecosystem, population, species, community, and
biosphere.
2. Define entropy and briefly explain how it relates to the continual
energy needs of organisms.
3. Compare and contrast the processes of cellular respiration and
photosynthesis. Be sure to include balanced chemical equations as part of
your answer.
4. Explain how the first and second laws of thermodynamics are applicable
to the study of ecosystems and energy.
5. Define and briefly explain the value or application of an energy flow
pyramid (a/k/a ecological pyramid). Draw sketches of two ecological
pyramids and briefly explain how they are different. Use quantitative
units to support your answer.
6. Compare and contrast decomposer and detritivore and provide two
examples. Which category do these organisms belong in based on their means
of obtaining nourishment?
7. Discuss the contributions of saprotrophs, detritivores, and autotrophs
to a balanced ecosystem. Identify three representatives of each group in
your discussion.
8. Compare and contrast the following terms: food chain and food web.
9. Briefly explain the meaning of the following: “fishing (eating) down
the food chain provides the most energy.”
13. What are the FIVE major steps of the Nitrogen cycle? You must include
the names of major compounds and chemical formulas involved in each step.
14. List and briefly explain three ways in which human activities are
impacting the carbon cycle.
15. Identify the biotic components of each of the following nutrient
cycles: carbon,phosphorous, sulfur.
16. What is meant by the term nutrient sink? Name two sinks for carbon and two
sinks for nitrogen.
17. Bacteria are key participants in the carbon and nitrogen
biogeochemical cycles. Briefly describe the role of bacteria in each.
18. Briefly explain how the production of dimethyl sulfide can support the
Gaia Hypothesis (Hint: For every reaction that affects Earth in one way,
there is an opposite reaction in another).
19. How do humans fix nitrogen for commercial fertilizers (name the
process and reactants/products)? Explain with at least four sentences the
process in which legumes aid in fixing nitrogen.
20. Legumes ultimately aid in nitrogen fixation on land. How is nitrogen
fixed in aquatic ecosystems?
SAMPLE FREE RESPONSE QUESTION FROM THE AUTHORS AT THE AP ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE DIVISION
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IN LOS ANGLELES:
21. The Crop Production Services Company creates a fertilizer that
contains 10% (w/v) of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
(a) Choose either nitrogen or carbon and clearly explain the
biogeochemical cycle of that nutrient. Include all the important steps in
the cycle and indicate the movement from the atmosphere, water, and soil
where necessary.
(b) Agricultural runoff from over application of fertilizers is a major
source of water pollution. Choose either nitrogen or phosphorous and fill
explain the cause and effect of this excess on the aquatic ecosystem.
(c) Rather than rely on the application of fertilizers, current
agricultural research is encouraging the practice of more conservationminded farming. Name and explain one such environmental practice that can
decrease dependence on human-applied nutrients without causing a
significant decrease in crop yield.