Question 1

Which one of the following statements about the human impact on Earth's ecology is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

All of these statements are correct. Agriculture has both positive and negative effects on biodiversity, humans use a significant portion of the planet's photosynthetic production, humans have doubled the annual rate of nitrogen fixation since the Industrial Revolution, and human activities are the primary cause of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Question 2

If humans never existed on Earth, which of the following organisms would likely still be found?

Accepted Answer

Cockroaches, rats, and wheat are all highly adaptable organisms that have thrived in a variety of environments, including those without humans. Passenger pigeons, on the other hand, were heavily dependent on humans for food and habitat, and their populations declined rapidly after humans began to settle in North America.

Question 3

Humans have a negative impact on all species with which they interact.

Accepted Answer

While humans can have a negative impact on many species through activities like habitat destruction, pollution, and overhunting, they can also have positive impacts through conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and species protection programs.

Question 4

With humans making up such a small percentage of life on Earth, which of the following represents the rationale behind spending a disproportionate amount of scientific research studying humans?

Accepted Answer

All of the given options are valid reasons why a disproportionate amount of scientific research is dedicated to studying humans. Humans are interested in understanding their own bodies, our role in the ecosystem is crucial to plan for the future, finding cures and treatments for diseases is important, and understanding our origins helps us understand who we are as a species.

Question 5

Human activities have endangered-or caused the extinction of-which of the following organisms?

Accepted Answer

All of these choices are correct as human activities have contributed to the endangerment or extinction of all of these species. Dodos were hunted for food by humans and introduced predators, leading to their extinction. White rhinoceros are endangered due to poaching for their horns, which are prized in traditional medicine markets. Passenger pigeons were driven to extinction by commercial hunting and habitat destruction. Bali tigers were hunted for their fur and also suffered habitat loss due to human activity.

Question 6

Human activities have likely aided in the dispersal-and success-of which of the following organisms?

Accepted Answer

Wheat, corn, and chickens are all domesticated organisms that have been intentionally bred and spread by humans for food production. Bed bugs, while not intentionally spread, have likely benefitted from increased human travel and urbanization. Therefore, all of these choices have likely been aided in their dispersal and success by human activities.

Question 7

Humans have affected different organismal populations in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

All of the choices listed have been known to significantly impact different organismal populations. Habitat destruction can lead to the loss of entire ecosystems, as well as the extinction of many species. Poaching can drive species to the brink of extinction and disrupt food webs. Agriculture can lead to the destruction of habitats and the loss of biodiversity due to monoculture practices and the use of pesticides. Overfishing can lead to the decline of fish populations and disrupt marine ecosystems.

Question 8

If the duration of life on Earth was on a scale of 20,000 days, for how many of those days would the human species be present?

Accepted Answer

If the entire history of Earth is condensed into 20,000 days, humans (Homo sapiens) have been around for about 200,000 years, which is a very small fraction of Earth's 4.5 billion-year history. This roughly translates to the last day or even less on such a scale, making option A (1 day) the correct answer.

Question 9

If humans never existed on Earth, which of the following animals would likely NOT be found?

Accepted Answer

German shepherd dogs, Siamese cats, and Clydesdale horses are all domesticated animals bred and maintained by humans. Therefore, if humans never existed on Earth, these animals would not be found in their current form.

Question 10

A researcher notices that the migration patterns of butterflies have changed over the last several decades, with butterflies migrating earlier in the season and over shorter distances. What are possible explanations for this observation?

Accepted Answer

All the options provided are plausible explanations for the observed changes in butterfly migration patterns. Agricultural practices can alter the geographic range of both food sources and predators, potentially affecting migration. Human activities have also increased Earth's temperature, which can alter the timing of flowering for many plants, impacting butterfly food availability. Additionally, introducing new food sources through agriculture can change migration behaviors by providing resources in different locations or at different times.

Question 11

Recall that humans have drastically increased the amount of ammonia (NH₃) that is generated from nitrogen gas (N₂), and NH₃ can be utilized by organisms to build organic compounds. What may be a result of excess human-produced NH₃?

Accepted Answer

All three options are potential results of excess human-produced NH₃. Excess NH₃-based fertilizers can increase crop yields, but if not used appropriately, they can also accumulate in bodies of water and cause eutrophication (an overgrowth of plants and algae that depletes oxygen and harms aquatic life). Therefore, all of the options presented are correct.

Question 12

Which one of the following organisms has been MOST damaged by the influence of humans?

Accepted Answer

White rhinos have been heavily poached for their horns, leading to a severe decline in population and threat of extinction. The other options listed have not suffered the same degree of damage from human influence.

Question 13

Human activities have had a dramatic effect on Earth's climate and landscape for the majority of Earth's history.

Accepted Answer

Human activities, such as agriculture and industrialization, have only had a significant impact on Earth's climate and landscape in the last few centuries. Prior to this, natural climate variability and geologic processes were the main drivers of changes in Earth's environment.

Question 14

Which of the following could have prevented the bubonic plague in Europe?

Accepted Answer

The bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which can be treated and prevented with antibiotics. Increased crop yields, antimalarial drugs, and the use of fertilizer would not have directly prevented the spread of the bubonic plague.

Question 15

Scientists have been able to improve human health by studying which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Scientists have been able to improve human health by studying all of the choices listed. They have discovered important medications from the chemicals in tree bark, molds, and bacteria. For example, penicillin is a commonly used antibiotic that was derived from a mold. Antivenom for snake bites is also created by studying the venom of snakes. Therefore, all of the choices listed have contributed to advancements in human health.

Question 16

Which one of the following species is endangered by human activity, but not yet extinct?

Accepted Answer

The African white rhinoceros is currently endangered due to hunting and habitat loss, but there are still small populations of this species remaining. The dodo, dusky seaside sparrow, carrier pigeon, and Bali tiger are all extinct.

Question 17

Humans have affected life on Earth in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

Humans have affected life on Earth in all of the mentioned ways. We have driven many species to extinction either directly or indirectly through habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. However, some species have also benefited from human activities such as urbanization and agriculture. Additionally, humans have altered or destroyed the habitat of many species through activities such as deforestation and urbanization. Finally, our activities are contributing to the carbon, nitrogen, and other biogeochemical cycles, which have impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Question 18

The figure below shows projected changes in distributions of beech trees and chinquapin oak trees in Japan if human activities continue to cause global temperatures to rise.

Data from: Dr. Masahiro Amano, unpublished paper. Which of the following statements accurately reflects these predictions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The figure below shows projected changes in...

Question 19

Biology is more completely understood using an integrated approach as opposed to a compartmentalized approach.

Accepted Answer

Biology is complex and interconnected, and studying it through different branches and disciplines (such as genetics, ecology, physiology, and evolution) in isolation can limit our understanding of how it all fits together. An integrated approach helps to connect different concepts and levels of organization, and appreciate the complexity and diversity of life.

Question 20

Scientists can FULLY understand how viruses infect humans by studying the interactions between nonhuman cells and viruses.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientists can FULLY understand how viruses infect...

Quiz 1: Life: Chemical, Cellular, and Evolutionary Foundations

Which one of the following statements about the human impact on Earth's ecology is CORRECT?

If humans never existed on Earth, which of the following organisms would likely still be found?

Humans have a negative impact on all species with which they interact.

With humans making up such a small percentage of life on Earth, which of the following represents the rationale behind spending a disproportionate amount of scientific research studying humans?

Human activities have endangered-or caused the extinction of-which of the following organisms?

Human activities have likely aided in the dispersal-and success-of which of the following organisms?

Humans have affected different organismal populations in which of the following ways?

If the duration of life on Earth was on a scale of 20,000 days, for how many of those days would the human species be present?

If humans never existed on Earth, which of the following animals would likely NOT be found?

A researcher notices that the migration patterns of butterflies have changed over the last several decades, with butterflies migrating earlier in the season and over shorter distances. What are possible explanations for this observation?

Recall that humans have drastically increased the amount of ammonia (NH₃) that is generated from nitrogen gas (N₂) , and NH₃ can be utilized by organisms to build organic compounds. What may be a result of excess human-produced NH₃?

Which one of the following organisms has been MOST damaged by the influence of humans?

Human activities have had a dramatic effect on Earth's climate and landscape for the majority of Earth's history.

Which of the following could have prevented the bubonic plague in Europe?

Scientists have been able to improve human health by studying which of the following?

Which one of the following species is endangered by human activity, but not yet extinct?

Humans have affected life on Earth in which of the following ways?

The figure below shows projected changes in distributions of beech trees and chinquapin oak trees in Japan if human activities continue to cause global temperatures to rise. Data from: Dr. Masahiro Amano, unpublished paper. Which of the following statements accurately reflects these predictions?

Biology is more completely understood using an integrated approach as opposed to a compartmentalized approach.

Scientists can FULLY understand how viruses infect humans by studying the interactions between nonhuman cells and viruses.

Quiz 1: Life: Chemical, Cellular, and Evolutionary Foundations

Which one of the following statements about the human impact on Earth's ecology is CORRECT?

If humans never existed on Earth, which of the following organisms would likely still be found?

Humans have a negative impact on all species with which they interact.

With humans making up such a small percentage of life on Earth, which of the following represents the rationale behind spending a disproportionate amount of scientific research studying humans?

Human activities have endangered-or caused the extinction of-which of the following organisms?

Human activities have likely aided in the dispersal-and success-of which of the following organisms?

Humans have affected different organismal populations in which of the following ways?

If the duration of life on Earth was on a scale of 20,000 days, for how many of those days would the human species be present?

If humans never existed on Earth, which of the following animals would likely NOT be found?

A researcher notices that the migration patterns of butterflies have changed over the last several decades, with butterflies migrating earlier in the season and over shorter distances. What are possible explanations for this observation?

Recall that humans have drastically increased the amount of ammonia (NH3) that is generated from nitrogen gas (N2) , and NH3 can be utilized by organisms to build organic compounds. What may be a result of excess human-produced NH3?

Which one of the following organisms has been MOST damaged by the influence of humans?

Human activities have had a dramatic effect on Earth's climate and landscape for the majority of Earth's history.

Which of the following could have prevented the bubonic plague in Europe?

Scientists have been able to improve human health by studying which of the following?

Which one of the following species is endangered by human activity, but not yet extinct?

Humans have affected life on Earth in which of the following ways?

The figure below shows projected changes in distributions of beech trees and chinquapin oak trees in Japan if human activities continue to cause global temperatures to rise. Data from: Dr. Masahiro Amano, unpublished paper. Which of the following statements accurately reflects these predictions?

Biology is more completely understood using an integrated approach as opposed to a compartmentalized approach.

Scientists can FULLY understand how viruses infect humans by studying the interactions between nonhuman cells and viruses.

Recall that humans have drastically increased the amount of ammonia (NH₃) that is generated from nitrogen gas (N₂) , and NH₃ can be utilized by organisms to build organic compounds. What may be a result of excess human-produced NH₃?