big giant envs study guide (1)

Question 1

What is the definition of biotic?

Answer 1

Living, natural, part of the environment (ex. Toads, trees)

Biotic components are essential for ecosystems and include all living organisms.

Question 2

What does abiotic refer to?

Answer 2

Anything in the environment that is not living (ex. Wind, temperature)

Abiotic factors influence the living conditions of organisms.

Question 3

List the components of the climate system.

Answer 3

• Atmosphere (ex. air)
• Hydrosphere (ex. Oceans)
• Lithosphere (ex. rocks)
• Biosphere (ex. Ecosystems)
• Cryosphere (ex. Mountain glaciers)

Each component plays a crucial role in climate regulation.

Question 4

What are the three principles of sustainability?

Answer 4

• Rely on solar energy
• Biodiversity
• Chemical cycling

These principles are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Question 5

Define natural resource.

Answer 5

Anything we can obtain from the environment

Natural resources are vital for human survival and economic activities.

Question 6

What is natural capital?

Answer 6

Natural resources

Natural capital is a term often used in environmental economics.

Question 7

What are natural goods?

Answer 7

Materials that provide economic value to humans

Examples include timber, water, and minerals.

Question 8

What are natural services?

Answer 8

Processes nature performs (ex. Photosynthesis)

Natural services are critical for ecosystem functioning.

Question 9

What is economic growth?

Answer 9

Increase in capacity to provide people with goods and services

Economic growth is often measured by GDP.

Question 10

Define economic development.

Answer 10

Improvement of living standards by economic growth

Economic development focuses on improving quality of life.

Question 11

What are point pollution sources?

Answer 11

Come from single, identifiable sources (ex. Exhaust pipe of a car)

Point sources are easier to regulate compared to nonpoint sources.

Question 12

What are nonpoint pollution sources?

Answer 12

Pollutants come from dispersed sources (ex. Pesticides sprayed into the air)

Nonpoint sources are a major challenge in pollution control.

Question 13

What does the IPAT equation represent?

Answer 13

Impact = population x affluence x technology

IPAT is useful in determining the environmental impact of human activities.

Question 14

Define ecological footprint.

Answer 14

Measure of biologically available land and water needed to provide an area with renewable resources and to absorb waste

It helps assess sustainability and resource consumption.

Question 15

List the five major causes of environmental problems.

Answer 15

• Human population rapidly increasing
• Affluence
• Poverty
• Economics
• Viewpoints

These factors interplay to exacerbate environmental issues.

Question 16

What is energy quality?

Answer 16

Measure of capacity of a type of energy to do work

High-quality energy is concentrated and useful for work.

Question 17

Differentiate between high-quality and low-quality energy.

Answer 17

• High-quality energy: great capacity to do useful work
• Low-quality energy: dispersed and not useful for work

Energy quality affects efficiency in energy use.

Question 18

What is a system in ecological terms?

Answer 18

A set of components that function and interact in some regular way

Systems can be natural or artificial.

Question 19

Write the equation for photosynthesis.

Answer 19

Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen

This is a fundamental process for life on Earth.

Question 20

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Answer 20

• Identify a problem
• Research
• Hypothesis
• Methods (data collection)
• Conclusion

The scientific method is essential for conducting experiments and research.

Question 21

What is an element?

Answer 21

One atom, cannot be broken down

Elements are the building blocks of matter.

Question 22

Define compound.

Answer 22

Two or more elements combined

Compounds have different properties than the elements that compose them.

Question 23

What is an atom?

Answer 23

The smallest unit of matter an element can be divided and retain characteristics

Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Question 24

Define molecule.

Answer 24

A combo of two or more atoms of the same or different elements held together by chemical bonds

Molecules can be simple or complex.

Question 25

What are protons?

Answer 25

Particles that have a positive charge ## Footnote Protons are found in the nucleus of an atom.

Question 26

What are neutrons?

Answer 26

Particles that have no charge ## Footnote Neutrons also reside in the nucleus and contribute to atomic mass.

Question 27

What is an ion?

Answer 27

Charged particles ## Footnote Ions can be positively or negatively charged.

Question 28

Define isotope.

Answer 28

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons ## Footnote Isotopes are used in dating techniques.

Question 29

What is the ionosphere?

Answer 29

Ionized part of the atmosphere, ions created from sun rays ## Footnote The ionosphere plays a role in radio communication.

Question 30

What does the hydrosphere include?

Answer 30

Distribution of Earth’s water, 3% fresh and 97% saline ## Footnote The hydrosphere is crucial for all forms of life.

Question 31

Describe the energy flow in a food chain.

Answer 31

Sun > plants > herbivores > carnivores > detritus ## Footnote Energy decreases at each trophic level, mainly lost as heat.

Question 32

What is cellular respiration?

Answer 32

Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water + energy ## Footnote This process releases energy stored in glucose.

Question 33

What are biogeochemical cycles?

Answer 33

Life-earth-chemical cycles of nutrients ## Footnote Major cycles include water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

Question 34

Define residence time.

Answer 34

Average amount of time that a particle spends in a reservoir ## Footnote Residence time can indicate the stability of a reservoir.

Question 35

What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

Answer 35

No energy is created or destroyed ## Footnote This principle highlights the conservation of energy.

Question 36

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

Answer 36

When energy is changed from one form to another, it always goes from a more useful to less useful form ## Footnote This law explains the concept of entropy.

Question 37

What is a feedback loop?

Answer 37

Output of matter/energy/info is fed back into the system as an input ## Footnote Feedback loops can be positive or negative.

Question 38

What is a positive feedback loop?

Answer 38

Change in the system causes effects that amplify that change ## Footnote An example is global warming leading to ice melt.

Question 39

What is a negative feedback loop?

Answer 39

Process that reduces changes in a system, maintaining stability ## Footnote An example is increased carbon dioxide leading to more plant growth.

Question 40

List the major greenhouse gases.

Answer 40

* Carbon dioxide * Nitrous oxide * Methane * Ozone ## Footnote These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Question 41

What are hydrogen bonds?

Answer 41

Forces that influence orientation of water molecules ## Footnote Hydrogen bonds are crucial for water's unique properties.

Question 42

Define latent heat.

Answer 42

The heat required for a phase change ## Footnote Latent heat is important in weather processes.

Question 43

What is an organic compound?

Answer 43

Chemical substance that contains carbon and is found in living organisms or derived from them ## Footnote Organic compounds are fundamental to life's chemistry.

Question 44

What is an inorganic compound?

Answer 44

Chemical substance with no carbon-hydrogen bonds, typically derived from non-living sources ## Footnote Inorganic compounds include minerals and metals.

Question 45

List the ecosystem levels.

Answer 45

* Organism * Species * Population * Community * Ecosystem * Biome ## Footnote Each level represents a different scope of ecological study.

Question 46

Define biodiversity.

Answer 46

Variety of all organisms on Earth ## Footnote Biodiversity is crucial for ecosystem resilience.

Question 47

What are trophic levels?

Answer 47

* Producers * Primary consumers * Secondary consumers * Tertiary consumers * Quaternary consumers * Consumers ## Footnote Trophic levels indicate the flow of energy through an ecosystem.

Question 48

Name three ways organisms can obtain energy.

Answer 48

* Photosynthesis (ex. algae) * Chemical energy from inorganic compounds (ex. Deep sea bacteria) * Chemoheterotrophs obtaining energy from consuming organic material (ex. Humans) ## Footnote These processes are essential for energy flow in ecosystems.

Question 49

What is the formula for net primary production (NPP)?

Answer 49

NPP = GPP - R ## Footnote Where GPP is gross primary production and R is respiration.

Question 50

What is nitrogen fixation?

Answer 50

Helps turn nitrogen into organic matter for photosynthesis ## Footnote Nitrogen fixation is crucial for plant growth.

Question 51

Define genetic diversity.

Answer 51

Variety of genes within a species, allowing populations to adapt to changing environments ## Footnote Genetic diversity is vital for resilience against diseases.

Question 52

What is species diversity?

Answer 52

Variety and abundance of different species in a given ecosystem ## Footnote Species diversity contributes to ecosystem stability.

Question 53

What is a niche?

Answer 53

Role and position of a species in its environment ## Footnote Niche differentiation reduces competition among species.

Question 54

Define generalist species.

Answer 54

Organism that can thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions and eat a variety of food sources ## Footnote Generalists can adapt to changing environments.

Question 55

What are specialists in an ecosystem?

Answer 55

Organisms with a narrow ecological niche, adapted to specific environmental conditions or food sources ## Footnote Specialists are more vulnerable to changes in their environment.

Question 56

List the five roles species can have in an ecosystem.

Answer 56

* Native * Nonnative/invasive * Foundation * Keystone * Indicator species ## Footnote These roles indicate the ecological functions and importance of species.

Question 57

What is symbiosis?

Answer 57

Living together ## Footnote Symbiosis includes various types of relationships among species.

Question 58

What are the three types of symbiotic relationships?

Answer 58

* Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed * Mutualism: both benefit * Commensalism: one benefits, one is not affected ## Footnote These relationships illustrate the interdependence of species.

Question 59

Define ecological succession.

Answer 59

Normal gradual change in species composition in a given area ## Footnote Succession can be primary or secondary.

Question 60

What is primary succession?

Answer 60

Establishment of biota in lifeless area (takes a long time) ## Footnote Primary succession occurs in areas like lava flows.

Question 61

Describe secondary succession.

Answer 61

Establishment where solid/sediment is present (weeks to months) ## Footnote Secondary succession can occur after events like forest fires.

Question 62

List the major biomes.

Answer 62

* Deserts * Grasslands * Rainforests * Forests * Elevation/mountains ## Footnote Each biome has unique climate and ecological characteristics.

Question 63

What characterizes tropical deserts?

Answer 63

Hot and dry most of the time, few plants ## Footnote The Sahara Desert is a prime example.

Question 64

What are temperate grasslands?

Answer 64

More precipitation than tropical, sparse vegetation (cacti), more consumers ## Footnote Temperate grasslands are essential for agriculture.

Question 65

What defines a rainforest?

Answer 65

High biodiversity and efficient nutrient cycling ## Footnote Rainforests are critical for global climate regulation.

Question 66

What are the characteristics of the northern forests?

Answer 66

Ample rainfall/moisture ## Footnote Northern forests are vital for carbon storage.

Question 67

Differentiate between marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Answer 67

* Marine: saltwater environments * Freshwater: standing (lentic) and flowing (lotic) bodies of water ## Footnote Both ecosystems have distinct biodiversity and ecological processes.

Question 68

What is the coastal zone?

Answer 68

Warm, nutrient-rich, shallow water systems ## Footnote Coastal zones support a high diversity of marine life.

Question 69

What are estuaries?

Answer 69

Partially enclosed, brackish water environments ## Footnote Estuaries are critical for many marine species' life cycles.

Question 70

Describe the euphotic zone.

Answer 70

Photic zone with lots of sunlight and photosynthesis ## Footnote The euphotic zone supports the majority of oceanic life.

Question 71

What is oligotrophic water?

Answer 71

Low nutrients, deep water, low photosynthesis ## Footnote Oligotrophic lakes are clear and support less biological activity.

Question 72

What is the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 72

* Nitrogen gas * Nitrogen fixation * Organic nitrogen * Ammonification * Aerobic nitrification * Denitrification ## Footnote The nitrogen cycle is essential for soil fertility and plant growth.

Question 73

What is resource partitioning?

Answer 73

Process by which species divide and utilize resources in different ways or at different times to reduce competition ## Footnote Resource partitioning allows multiple species to coexist in the same habitat.