SECTION 4

Questions 31 – 40

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 31……………..

Research on effects of mercury on birds

●   Claire Varian-Ramos is investigating

     –  the effects on birds’ 32……………… or mental processes, e.g. memory

     –  the effects on bird song (usually learned from a bird’s 33………………. )

●   Findings:

     –  songs learned by birds exposed to mercury are less 34……………….

     –  this may have a negative effect on birds’ 35……………..

●   Lab-based studies

     –  allow more 36……………… for the experimenter

Implications for humans

●   Migrating birds such as 37………………. containing mercury may be eaten by humans

●   Mercury also causes problems in learning 38………………

●   Mercury in a mother’s body from 39……………… may affect the unborn child

●   New regulations for mercury emissions will affect everyone’s energy 40………………