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Biology > 2. Humans And The Environment > Flashcards

2. Humans And The Environment Flashcards

1
Q

Distribution

A

Refers to where an organism is found and depends on many environmental factors.

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2
Q

What are some environmental factors that affect distribution?

A

Humidity
Oxygen availability
Temperature
Light

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3
Q

What 4 ways humans maximise harvesting organisms?

A

Intensely over farming certain species.
Adding artificial fertilisers with extra compounds into crops.
Keeping animals in cages.
Use of chemicals e.g pesticides,fungicides,herbicides,insecticides

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4
Q

Why do humans introduce new species to areas?

A

As part of ‘biological control,’ using a predator to get rid of a pest or invasive species.
For economical benefit through tourism and recreational activities.
To establish and increase food supplies in a given area.

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5
Q

Why do living organisms need Nitrogen?

A

To be able to make amino acids and therefore proteins. These are needed for growth and repair of the organisms.

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6
Q

Why cant plants and animals use the nitrogen gas in the air?

A

Because Nitrogen gas is unreactive and is not easily converted into other compounds. (Most plants can only take up nitrogen in the form of ammonia or nitrates.)

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7
Q

What is deamination?

A

The breakdown of amino acids into UREA.

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8
Q

How does lightning fix nitrates?

A

Lightning provides energy for nitrogen to react in the air to form oxides, which are carried(fixed) into soils by rain water. This then gets converted to nitrates.

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9
Q

List examples of human dramatically alters the global nitrogen cycle.

A

Respiration- produces excess CO2 as does,
Burning/ combustion of things like fossil fuels
Deforestation
Eating meat
Global warming
Intensive farming and over use of fertilisers.

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10
Q

What affects the rate of population growth of an organism?

A

Food availability
Climate change
Predation
Disease

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11
Q

Carrying capacity

A

The maximum population size that can be maintained over a period of time in a particular habitat.

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12
Q

Limiting factor?

A

The factor which is limiting rate of the whole process. Often it is the factor in shortest supply.

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13
Q

Population growth?

A

= (Birth Rate + immigration)-(death rate + emigration)

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14
Q

Factors that contribute to famine?

A

Unequal distribution of food
Drought and flooding
Poverty
An increasing population

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15
Q

Food mile

A

A mile over which a food item is transported during the journey from producer to consumer, as a unit of measurement of the fuel used to transport it.

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16
Q

Monoculture

A

The continuos production of one type of crop that is often genetically uniform.

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17
Q

Genetically modified (GM) crops

A

Organisms in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating. (And/or natural recombination) Altering genetic set up of organisms.

18
Q

Endangered species

A

A low population of a species which could be at risk of extinction.

19
Q

Critically endangered

A

An un-sustainable population at extremely high risk of extinction. Will go extinct without intervention.

20
Q

Extinct

A

A species that has completely died out, so they no longer exist.

21
Q

Why are species becoming endangered or extinct?

A 
Destruction of habitat
Pollution
Hunting
Exotic species introduce new diseases
Natural disasters
Climate change
Competition between species
22
Q

How do we help protect endangered animals?

A 
Restruction of habitat
National parks
Charity organisations
Seed banks 
Legal protection- SSI's- protected sites of scientific interest
Conservation programmes
23
Q

Sustainable development

A

Development providing for the needs of an increasing human population without harming the environment.

24
Q

Sustainable resource

A

A resource produced as rapidly as it is removed from the environment so it does not run out.

25
Q

Non-renewable resource.

A

In limited supply of that needs to be conserved e.g fossil fuels

26
Q

Biodiversity

A

Diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat, needs to be maintained to stabilise ecosystems, ensure genetic diversity and because they act as a source of medicine.

27
Q

Over use food…

A

Prices rise
Interrupt food webs
Food shortage…lead to famine
Perhaps-war and competition.

28
Q

How may human action result in habitat destruction?

A 
Increase area used for food crop growth
Livestock production
Housing
For the extraction of natural resources.
As a result of marine pollution.
29
Q

What could the example of habitat destruction…deforestation lead to?

A

Extinction of species
Loss of soil
Flooding
Increase CO2

30
Q

What can be done e.g overfishing

A

Properly maintained fisheries e.g renewable to ensure endless supply of protein- restocking and educating people on importance.
‘No-take zones’ need to be legally enforced to protect areas.
Internationally agreed quotas- based on estimates of stock size/correct mesh size should be used in all nets to ensure right age , and to prevent accidental catches of other fish.

31
Q

Sustainable development needs to be able…

A

…to manage any conflicting demands

…involve planning and co-operation at local, national and international level.

32
Q

Main sources of pollution of land and water:

A 
Nitrate fertiliser
Insecticide 
Herbicide
Discarded rubbish
Chemical waste
Nuclear waste
Female contraceptive hormone
Untreated sewage
33
Q

Cause of eutrophication…

A

Extremely high levels of nutrients from:
Leaching of nitrate fertiliser
Raw sewage
Liquid manure washed out of farmlands

34
Q

Effect of eutrophication:

A

Decreased oxygen levels in water, death of aquatic organisms.

35
Q

Eutrophication

A

The process in which nutrients leach into waterways, causing a reduction in oxygen levels and the death of aquatic organisms.

36
Q

Decay

A

Decompose or rotting of organic material through the action of bacteria and fungi.

37
Q

Decomposer

A

Organism which breaks down dead or decaying organisms.

38
Q

Detritus

A

Dead, decaying organic material

39
Q

What are the important conditions that microorganism need for the decaying process?

A

Warm temperature
Moisture
Oxygen

40
Q

Sanitation

A

The hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of waste. Also the removal of faecel material.

41
Q

How might microorganisms take place in the treatment of sewage by biological treatment?

A

This could be done by microorganisms in a vessel called an aerobic digester. Microorganisms respire aerobically, breaking down the sewage. They use the oxygen, and end up releasing CO2 as a by-product.

42
Q

How are solid components of sewage filtered out?

A

In sedimentation tanks to remove large pieces of debris. Also any remaining water is exposed to U.V radiation to kill the bacteria.

Biology (11 decks)

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