Question 1: Define global warming and explain its primary cause.

Answer: Global warming is the increase in Earth's average surface temperature caused primarily by the buildup of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

Question 2: Describe two ways in which global warming can affect biodiversity.

Answer: Global warming can lead to habitat loss and altered migration patterns, which threaten the survival of various species.

Question 3: Which greenhouse gas is most commonly associated with human activities causing global warming?

Answer: Carbon Dioxide

Question 4: Fill in the blank: The main source of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the burning of ________ and ________.

Answer: fossil fuels, wood

Question 5: Explain how increased levels of methane contribute to global warming.

Answer: Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere more effectively than carbon dioxide, thereby enhancing the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming.

Question 6: Calculate the increase in global temperature if the current greenhouse effect results in a 1.2°C rise and greenhouse gas emissions cause an additional 0.5°C increase. Show your working.

Answer: Total increase = 1.2°C + 0.5°C = 1.7°C

Question 7: Identify two human activities that significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Answer: Burning fossil fuels and deforestation

Question 8: Describe a simple experimental setup to study the effect of increased greenhouse gases on plant growth.

Answer: An experiment could involve growing identical plants in two controlled environments, one with normal air and the other with increased levels of carbon dioxide. Variables include CO2 concentration (independent variable), plant height and health (dependent variables). Safety precautions include ensuring proper ventilation and avoiding inhalation of concentrated gases.

Question 9: Interpret the following scenario: In a study, increased global temperatures led to earlier flowering times in certain plant species. What could be the ecological consequences of this change?

Answer: Earlier flowering may disrupt pollination timing, affect food availability for animals, and lead to mismatched ecological interactions, potentially threatening species survival.

Question 10: Explain how melting polar ice caps are linked to global warming and its impact on biodiversity.

Answer: Melting polar ice caps result from increased global temperatures caused by greenhouse gases. This leads to rising sea levels, loss of habitat for polar species like seals and polar bears, and changes in ocean currents, which can disrupt marine ecosystems and global climate patterns.