Download Introduction/Scientific Method/Decision-Making - Hatboro

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HONORS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Final Exam Review Sheet
Final Exam Information:
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Your final will be given on __________________________________________.
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Report to room ____________.
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Items to bring with you: _________________________________________________________
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Format: The exam consists of _________ multiple choice questions.
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The essay portion will be given in class on ________________________________
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Introduction/Scientific Method/Decision-Making Model
1. List and explain the steps of the scientific method. Understand the purpose/significance of each step and of the
overall sequence.
2. Differentiate between the 3 types of variables- independent, dependent and control. If given an example, be
able to identify each. (There are several pages of examples in the unit packet.)
3. What are the steps of the decision-making model? What is the purpose of the DMM process? Why are
importance bars used in this process?
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Biosphere: Ecosystems/Biodiversity/Populations
4. How does the movement of energy and molecules (=carbon/nitrogen/phosphorus) in an ecosystem differ?
5. Explain bioaccumulation using a specific example.
6. Differentiate between biotic and abiotic factors. Provide 5 examples of each.
7. Arrange the levels of ecological organization from smallest to largest grouping. Be able to define each term and
apply it to examples. (Terms: Community/Ecosystem/Organism/Population)
8. What role do decomposers play in the nutrient cycles? Explain.
9. Be able to draw a trophic pyramid and label the producers/primary consumers/secondary consumers/tertiary
consumers. Label where the highest level of pollution is present. Label where the highest number of organisms
is present. What happens to energy as you move from the bottom to the top of the pyramid? WHY?
10. Be able to analyze a food web. Identify the producers/primary consumers/secondary consumers/tertiary
consumers.
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11. Be familiar with the types of energy. Which energy conversion occurs during photosynthesis? Which energy
conversion occurs when consumers ingest food?
12. Explain the purpose of nitrogen fixation. Where does it occur?
13. What is the ultimate source of energy for ecosystems? Source of nitrogen? Source of phosphorus? Source of
carbon? Does the source differ for producers and consumers?
14. Write out the reactions for photosynthesis and cell respiration. In what organisms do these processes occur?
15. What is the impact of deforestation on the carbon cycle? Impact of fossil fuel usage?
16. Be able to read a predator-prey graph. How could you determine which is the predator and which is the prey
based on the graph? What patterns of population growth are usually seen?
17. What occurs during the general process of succession? How does primary succession and secondary succession
differ?
18. State the definition of biodiversity. Explain the relationship between diversity and ecosystem
stability/ecosystem health?
19. Differentiate between a habitat and a niche. Provide an example of each for a given organism.
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20. Explain the difference between species diversity and genetic diversity.
21. Which characteristics increase a species’ chance of endangerment/extinction? Explain why.
22. Define and provide examples for the types of adaptations- structural, physiological, behavioral reflexive,
behavioral instinctive. What type is mimicry? Warning coloration?
23. Explain the steps of the natural selection process. Apply the steps to an example of how a species may change
over time.
24. What is an invasive/exotic species? Explain the impact of these species on an ecosystem once they are
introduced.
25. Draw a J curve and an S curve. Which shows exponential growth? Explain.
26. What is carrying capacity? What determines the carrying capacity for a population? Label the carrying capacity
on the S curve from #25.
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27. How are density-dependent and density-independent limiting factors different? Provide examples of each.
28. Define the major species relationships and be able to categorize examples of each- commensalism, mutualism,
parasitism, predation, competition.
29. What is the difference between r-selection and k-selection? Provide an example of each.
Hydrosphere- Properties of Water/ Streams
30. Describe and provide examples of each of the properties of water listed: adhesion/cohesion/surface tension.
31. What makes water a polar molecule? Explain. How does its polarity affect its interactions with other polar
substances? Nonpolar substances?
32. Explain the distribution of water worldwide (salt vs. fresh/distribution of freshwater).
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33. Draw the pH scale. Label the location of acids, bases and neutral.
34. How does the concentration of H+ ion and OH- compare in acids and bases? Neutral?
35. Describe the major steps of the water cycle.
36. Be able to read a water quality report. What is the MCL? How is a violation determined?
37. What is the source and impact of thermal pollution?
38. What does it mean to be soluble? Insoluble? How are soluble and insoluble water pollutants removed from
drinking water?
39. Identify the solute and solvent in a mixture.
40. What is the formula to calculate density? How do the densities of substances compare to one another? How
does the density of ice compare to the density of liquid water?
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41. Compare the turbidity, speed, discharge, temperature, concentration of pollution and total amount of pollution
in low, medium and high order streams.
42. What is the formula for discharge? What conditions may affect this measurement?
43. What is a tributary? What effect do tributaries have on the discharge of a river as it flows from head to mouth?
44. What is a watershed? How are watersheds divided?
45. Differentiate between point-source and non-point source pollutants. Categorize examples. Which type is
harder to control and why?
46. What functions do wetlands serve?
47. Identify the major drainage patterns.
48. What causes algal blooms? What impact do they have on aquatic ecosystems?
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49. Describe the group of organisms known as benthic macroinvertebrates. Why are they used as indicators of
water quality?
50. What is desalination? How is it accomplished?
51. Be able to identify phase changes/# of liquids present/when pure liquids are collected when given graphs.
52. What is fractional distillation? Describe the purpose and phase changes involved.
53. Compare the characteristics of solids, liquids and gases.
Lithosphere- Agriculture/Resources
54. Why do plants need nitrogen? Phosphorus? Potassium? Do certain types of plants need more of these
minerals? Explain. What can be done to increase the amount of minerals present?
55. What causes soil erosion? Why is this such a severe problem? How can it be minimized?
56. How does pesticide resistance develop? Explain the steps.
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57. Compare factory farms and organic farms in terms of antibiotic use, hormone use, conditions for animals,
pesticide use, fertilizer use.
58. Why are hormones and antibiotics given to animals?
59. Describe the process of transgenic manipulation in the creation of a GMO.
60. Compare selective breeding and transgenic manipulation.
61. What is crop yield? What can increase crop yields?
62. Compare the 3 fossil fuels in terms of their formation, uses and supply.
63. Describe the environmental impacts of mining. What is reclamation of a mine?
64. Compare renewable and nonrenewable resources. Provide examples of each.
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65. What is the fuel source for nuclear power? What type of reaction takes place? What are the pros and cons of
this type of energy?
66. How is solar power used? What type of energy transformation occurs in a PV cell?
67. How is hydroelectric power generated and used? What equipment is needed? What are the pros and cons?
68. How is geothermal generated and used? What equipment is needed? What are the pros and cons?
69. How is wind power generated and used? What equipment is needed? What are the pros and cons?
70. How is tidal and wave power generated and used? What equipment is needed? What are the pros and cons?
71. How is biomass power generated and used? What equipment is needed? What are the pros and cons?
72. What is sustainability? What changes could occur to create a sustainable usage of energy in the US?
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73. How is electricity generated at a power plant? Describe its efficiency. Is it exothermic or endothermic? What
types of energy transformations occur?
74. Describe the Tragedy of the Commons and apply it to an example.
75. What is source reduction? Explain and provide several examples.
76. What are the possible destinations of our municipal solid waste?
77. What is leachate?
Atmosphere
78. What is the composition of the atmosphere? What functions does it provide?
79. Differentiate between primary and secondary air pollutants. Categorize pollutants as either primary or
secondary.
80. Predict ozone levels based on weather data.
81. Provide examples of particulate pollution. What are its sources? Health impacts?
82. What is the air quality index? How is it useful?
83. Compare stratospheric ozone (=ozone layer) and tropospheric ozone (=surface-level).
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84. What is a temperature inversion? How does it form? What is its impact on air quality?
85. How does acid rain differ from normal rain? Identify the pH of each and explain why.
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