(02.06 MC) In the carbon cycle, decomposition is the breakdown of a substance into simpler substances. What is the name for the process of the nitrogen cycle that produces ammonia? (3 points)

(03.05 LC) A student is measuring plant growth in an experiment. Using the same species of plant, he places one plant in the dark and one in artificial light. He hypothesizes that, over time, the plant in the artificial light will grow to a greater extent than that in the dark. What is the independent variable in this experiment? (3 points)

(03.03 LC) Why does the ocean appear blue in color? (3 points)

(02.05 LC) What evidence suggests that global climate change is causing the oceans to get warmer? (3 points)

(02.06 LC) Which of the following best describes the nitrogen cycle? (3 points)

(02.01 HC) A scientist measured the distance between fixed points on two different plates over the course of a decade and found that the distance did not change. Does this result support the theory of plate tectonics? Why or why not? (3 points)

(03.05 LC) Sarah decides to monitor the tides at her local beach. She reads tide charts and creates the graph below. What type of tide occurs at the local beach? (3 points) © 2016 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

(01.03 HC) Based on your knowledge of ocean chemistry, predict the feeding mode and size of organisms found in the deep layers of the ocean, and select the best explanation. (3 points)

(03.05 MC) The moon and sun both have an effect on the ocean’s tides. Which type of tide would most affect the abundance of aquatic organisms in a marine ecosystem and why? (3 points)

(02.03 LC) What type of severe weather would most likely decrease coral reef biodiversity by damaging coral skeletons and polyps? (3 points)