Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

General Biology

53. Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology

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1:07 minutes

Problem 2

Textbook Question

The main cause of the increase in the amount of CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years is
a. Increased worldwide primary production
b. Increased worldwide standing crop
c. An increase in the amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the atmosphere
d. The burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the context of the problem: The question is asking about the primary cause of the increase in CO₂ levels in Earth's atmosphere over the past 150 years. This requires knowledge of human activities and their impact on the carbon cycle.

Review the carbon cycle: CO₂ is naturally cycled through processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition. However, human activities can disrupt this balance, leading to an increase in atmospheric CO₂ levels.

Analyze the options provided: Option (a) refers to increased primary production, which is the process by which plants convert CO₂ into organic matter through photosynthesis. This would decrease CO₂ levels, not increase them. Option (b) refers to standing crop, which is the biomass of plants at a given time. This also does not directly increase CO₂ levels. Option (c) mentions infrared radiation absorption, which is a consequence of increased CO₂ but not the cause.

Focus on option (d): The burning of wood and fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere as CO₂. Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas contain carbon that has been sequestered underground for millions of years. When burned, this carbon is released, significantly increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels.

Conclude the reasoning: Based on the analysis, the primary cause of the increase in CO₂ levels over the past 150 years is the burning of larger amounts of wood and fossil fuels, as this directly adds CO₂ to the atmosphere.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions primarily result from human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and biomass. These emissions contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming. Understanding the sources and impacts of CO₂ is crucial for addressing climate change.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, are carbon-rich energy sources formed from ancient organic matter. Their combustion for energy releases large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere, making them a major contributor to increased atmospheric CO₂ levels. The reliance on fossil fuels for energy is a key factor in climate change.

Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm enough to support life. However, human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have intensified this effect by increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases like CO₂, leading to global warming and climate change.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

One characteristic that distinguishes a population in an extinction vortex from most other populations is that

a. It is a rare, top-level predator

b. Its effective population size is lower than its total population size

c. Its genetic diversity is very low

d. It is not well adapted to edge conditions

Complete the following map, which organizes some of the key concepts of conservation biology.

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Textbook Question

What does species richness refer to? Select True or False for each statement.

T/Fthe number of species in an area

T/Fthe evenness of species in an area

T/Fthe functional diversity of a species in an area

T/Fthe phylogenetic diversity of species in an area

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Textbook Question

Carbon dioxide functions as a greenhouse gas by ________.

a. Interfering with water's ability to absorb heat.

b. Increasing the random molecular motions of oxygen.

c. Allowing radiation from the sun to reach Earth and absorbing the re-radiated heat.

d. Splitting into carbon and oxygen and increasing the rate of cellular respiration.

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Textbook Question

Which of these statements best describes what conservation biologists mean by 'the rapid loss of biodiversity'?

a. Introduced species, such as starlings and zebra mussels, have rapidly expanded their ranges.

b. Harvests of marine fishes, such as cod and bluefin tuna, are declining.

c. The current species extinction rate is as much as 100 times greater than at any time in the past 100,000 years.

d. Many potential medicines are being lost as plant species become extinct.

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Textbook Question

What community property does the red arrow in the model represent?

a. Low resilience

b. High resilience

c. Low resistance

d. High resistance

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Textbook Question

A mass extinction

a. Is global in scale

b. Affects many different groups of organisms

c. Is caused only by human activity

d. A and B are correct

e. A, B, and C are correct

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Textbook Question

An ecological footprint

a. Is the position an individual holds in the ecological food chain

b. Estimates the total land area required to support a particular person or human population

c. Is equal to the size of a human population

d. Helps determine the most appropriate wastewater treatment plan for a community

e. Is often smaller than the actual land footprint of residences in a city

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