Environment & Ecology MCQs - 2026-04-03

Polar bears rely heavily on sea ice as a platform for hunting seals, their primary food source. The shrinking ice cover makes hunting more difficult and threatens their survival.

The loss of sea ice can alter atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to more unpredictable and extreme weather events in other parts of the world. It also severely impacts Arctic wildlife dependent on ice.

The continued decline in sea ice is a direct consequence of global warming, with the Arctic experiencing amplified warming due to feedback loops, particularly the loss of reflective ice.

Arctic amplification is the observed phenomenon where the Arctic region is warming at a rate significantly faster than the rest of the planet, largely due to feedback mechanisms like the loss of sea ice.

The albedo effect refers to the reflectivity of a surface. Bright, white surfaces like sea ice reflect a large portion of incoming solar radiation, helping to keep the planet cool. Darker surfaces, like open ocean, absorb more heat.

The primary goal of developing and using biodegradable polymers is to reduce the persistent accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, thereby mitigating plastic pollution and the formation of microplastics.

Biodegradable polymers are particularly well-suited for applications where the material is used for a short period and then discarded, such as food packaging, disposable cutlery, and agricultural films.

Biodegradable materials are capable of decomposing naturally through the action of biological agents (like bacteria and fungi) into elements found in nature.

These advanced polymers are typically made from sustainable, renewable sources such as plant-based materials (starches, cellulose) and algae, making them more environmentally friendly.

Conventional plastics are made from fossil fuels and do not readily decompose, leading to their accumulation in the environment and the formation of harmful microplastics.