Questions 1-10
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
The effects of environmental change on birds
Mercury (Hg)
• Highly toxic
• Released into the atmosphere from coal
• In water it may be consumed by fish
• It has also recently been found to affect birds which feed on 1
Research on effects of mercury or binds
• Claire Varian-Ramos is investigating
– the effects on birds’ 2 or mental processes, e.g. memory
– the effects on bird song (usually learned from a bird’s 3 )
• Findings:
– songs learned by birds exposed to mercury are less 4
– this may have a negative effect on birds’ 5
• Lab-based studies:
– allow more 6 for the experimenter
Implications for humans
• Migrating birds such as 7 containing mercury may be eaten by humans
• Mercury also causes problems in learning 8
• Mercury in a mother’s body from 9 may affect the unborn child
• New regulations for mercury emissions will affect everyone’s energy 10
