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Environmental Science > Chapter 1 & 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 & 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

Science

A

Knowledge, through scientific method. The study of nature and behavior of natural things.

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2
Q

Environmental Science

A

The study of interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological components of nature.

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3
Q

What is the importance of natural resources and ecosystem services?

A

Natural resources are substances and energy sources we take from the environment and need to survive. Ecosystem services are processes that occur naturally, that we cannot live without.

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4
Q

Population growth, resource consumption, and their consequences.

A

Our numbers are putting unprecedented stress on the availability of resources. We are consuming more resources than are being replenished by 68%. If we cannot forge sustainable solutions, society could collapse, globally.

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5
Q

Compare and contrast ecocentrism, biocentrism, and anthropocentrism.

A

Anthropocentrism - Anything that benefits human society.
Biocentrism - Human life, and nonhuman life both have ethical standing.
Ecocentrism - Values the well-being of entire species, communities, or ecosystems over the welfare of an individual.

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6
Q

Scientific Method

A

Is a technique for testing ideas with observations, a.k.a. hypothesis-driven science.

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7
Q

Discuss sustainable solutions being pursued on campuses.

A

Discouraging the use of fossil fuels, recycling, and collecting electronic waste.

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8
Q

Independent Variable

A

A variable that is manipulated

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9
Q

Dependent Variable

A

A variable that a scientist does not manipulate.

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10
Q

Controlled Experiment

A

Is a test that is manipulated, in order to test a single variable.

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11
Q

Hypothesis

A

A statement that explains a phenomenon or answers a scientific question.

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12
Q

Qualitative Data

A

Is data that can be observed and recorded.

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13
Q

Quantitative Data

A

Is data in the form of numbers.

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14
Q

Matter

A

Is anything that takes up space and has mass.

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15
Q

What makes up matter?

A

Atoms, protons, neutrons, and electrons.

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16
Q

Element

A

Substances that cannot be broken down.

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17
Q

Top 4 Elements in the Human Body

A

Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen.

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18
Q

What are the basic molecules of living systems?

A

Proteins, carbs, lipids, and nucleic acids.

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19
Q

How do atoms and molecules interact?

A

Atoms can bond together to form molecules.

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20
Q

Theory

A

A generalization based on observations and experiments.

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21
Q

Fact

A

A particular truth of the world.

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22
Q

Principal

A

Is a universal statement that we accept.

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23
Q

Atom

A

Basic unit of matter.

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24
Q

Isotope

A

Two or more forms of the same element that contain different numbers of neutrons.

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25
Nucleus of the atom
Contains protons and neutrons.
26
Subatomic particles
Protons, neutrons, and electrons.
27
Electron shells
Is the outside part of the atomic nucleus.
28
How many electrons are in each energy level?
The first level can contain up to 2 electrons, 2(1x1) = 2, the second up to 8 electrons, 2(2x2) = 8, the third up to 18, 2(3x3) = 18; and so on.
29
Atomic number
The number of protons and the number of the element.
30
Atomic mass
Total number of protons and neutrons.
31
Valence electrons
Located in the outermost shell of the atom and are used to form bonds with other atoms.
32
Covalent bond
A bond that involves sharing of electron pairs.
33
Ionic bond
The transfer between valence electrons. It creates two oppositely charged ions.
34
Hydrogen bond
A hydrogen atom attracted to an electromagnetic atom.
35
Molecule
A group of atoms bonded together.
36
Diatomic molecule
Molecules composed of only two atoms, of the same or different elements.
37
Water properties and states
Liquid, solid, gas, and steam.
38
How do compound water properties and states relate to energy?
It takes energy for water to change properties.
39
Special characteristics of water
Polarity, solvent, high heat capacity, vapor, cohesive, adhesive, less dense as solid.
40
PH
The measure of how acidic/basic water is.
41
What does the PH scale measure?
The amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions.
42
What is an acid?
A hydrogen-containing substance that is capable of donating a proton.
43
What is an ecological footprint?
It shows the total area of productive land and water used by a person or population.
44
Sustainable development
Meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.
45
3 important things that play a part in reaching sustainable solutions
Ecologically viable, economically feasible, and socially desirable.
46
Energy
The capacity to change the position, physical composition, or temperature of matter.
47
1st law of thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed.
48
2nd law of thermodynamics
Processes that involve the transfer or conversion of heat energy are irreversible.
49
kinetic energy
The energy of motion.
50
potential energy
The energy of position.
51
The basic molecules that go into photosynthesis
ATP, NADPH, Carbon dioxide, oxygen, sugar, phosphate, & glucose.
52
What comes out of photosynthesis?
Glucose, and oxygen.
53
What is the energy source for photosynthesis reactions?
Light energy.
54
Secondary succession
Plants and animals reclaim an area after a major disturbance.
55
Primary succession
Is an ecological succession in which plants and animals first colonize a barren, lifeless habitat
56
Cellular respiration
The metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose and produces ATP
57
Chemosynthesis
Is basically photosynthesis that uses energy from reactions of inorganic chemicals in the absence of light.
58
Landscape ecology
The study of patterns and interactions between ecosystems
59
Ecological modeling
An abstract, mathematical representation of an ecological system which is studied to better understand the real system.
60
How do carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle through the environment?
They are conserved and recycled in the atmosphere, on land, in water or beneath the earth's surface.
61
Subatomic particles with a negative charge
Electrons
62
Polar molecule
A molecule where one side is slightly negative and one side is slightly positive
63
PH scale
1 is acidic, 14 is basic.
64
True or false, When one atom accepts additional electrons it then has an overall negative charge.
True
65
One of the most important aspects of the scientific method is
Statistics
66
What is the correct sequence of activities when applying the scientific method?
Observations, questions, hypothesis, predictions, test, results.
67
True or false, published scientific information and conclusions is based upon the subjective opinions of scientists
False
68
The case study of Easter Island demonstrates that
All of these are true
69
True or false, if everyone had an ecological footprint of 2 planets, resources would be sustainably used
True
70
True or false, sustainable solutions need to be ecologically viable as well as economically sound and socially acceptable to last long term
True
71
True or false, in a molecule of water, two hydrogen atoms are bonded to a oxygen atom by hydrogen bonds
False. The bonds between atoms in a water molecule are covalent bonds.
72
True or false, a molecule with an unequal sharing of electrons between atoms can be referred to as a polar molecule
True
73
True or false, carbon 14 has 7 protons
False
74
True or false, a crystal of table salt (NaCl) is held together by ionic bonds between the positively charged sodium ions
True
75
Hydrocarbons
Hydrogen and carbon atoms bonded together.

Environmental Science (11 decks)

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