AZSCI Stability and Change

Question 1

The human body sweats when it gets too hot and shivers when it gets too cold. These responses are examples of the body trying to maintain a stable internal temperature. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

Homeostasis

Answer

Metabolism

Answer

Evolution

Answer

Respiration

Question 2

A forest ecosystem can remain relatively unchanged for hundreds of years. Which of the following would most likely disrupt the stability of this ecosystem and cause significant change?

Accepted Answer

The introduction of an invasive insect species

Answer

Seasonal changes in temperature and rainfall

Answer

The natural life and death cycles of its native trees

Answer

A slight increase in the native deer population

Question 3

In a reversible chemical reaction, equilibrium is reached when...

Accepted Answer

the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction.

Answer

all of the reactants have been converted to products.

Answer

the concentration of reactants equals the concentration of products.

Answer

the temperature of the system stops changing.

Question 4

The rock cycle describes how rocks are continuously formed, broken down, and reformed into different types (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic). This cycle is best described as a system in...

Accepted Answer

a state of dynamic equilibrium over geologic time.

Answer

a state of rapid, unpredictable change.

Answer

a state of static, unchanging stability.

Answer

a process that is quickly coming to an end.

Question 5

The melting of Arctic sea ice exposes darker ocean water. This darker water absorbs more sunlight than the reflective ice, causing further warming and more ice to melt. This is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

positive feedback loop.

Answer

stabilizing system.

Answer

negative feedback loop.

Answer

state of equilibrium.

Question 6

Newton's First Law of Motion states that an object at rest will stay at rest and an object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. This law describes a condition of:

Accepted Answer

stability or inertia.

Answer

constant acceleration.

Answer

gravitational change.

Answer

chemical reaction.

Question 7

Over millions of years, the process of natural selection can lead to the evolution of new species. This represents a:

Accepted Answer

gradual change in a system over a long timescale.

Answer

rapid change within a stable system.

Answer

short-term cycle of stability.

Answer

system that resists all forms of change.