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APES > Definitions > Flashcards

Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

First Law of Thermodynamics

A

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another

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2
Q

Second Law of Thermodynamics

A

When energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat)

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3
Q

Ionizing radiation

A

Radiation w/ enough energy to free electrons from atoms forming ions, may cause cancer (ex gamma, x-rays, UV)

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4
Q

High quality energy

A

Organized and concentrated, can perform useful work (ex fossil fuels and nuclear)

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5
Q

Low Quality Energy

A

Disorganized, dispersed (ex heat in ocean air/wind, solar

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6
Q

Natural Radioactive Decay

A

Unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha and beta particles (ex Radon)

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7
Q

Half-life

A

The time it takes for 1/2 mass of a radioisotope to decay. A radioactive isotope must be stored for approximately 10 half-lives until it decays to a safe lever

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8
Q

Nuclear fission

A

Nuclei of isotopes split apart when stuck by neutrons

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9
Q

Nuclear Fusion

A

2 isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus. Happens in the Sun, very difficult to accomplish on Earth, prohibitively expensive.

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10
Q

Ore

A

A rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine

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11
Q

Mineral Reserve

A

Identified deposits currently profitable to extract

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12
Q

Surface Mining

A

Cheaper, can remove more minerals, less hazardous to workers

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13
Q

Humus

A

Organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms

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14
Q

Leaching

A

Removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards through soil

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15
Q

Loam

A

Perfect agricultural soul w/ equal portions of sand, silt, and clay

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16
Q

Soil conservation methods

A

Conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, organic fertilizers

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17
Q

Soil Salinization

A

In arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind (ex Fertile crescent, southwestern US)

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18
Q

Water Logging

A

Water completely saturates soil starves plant roots of oxygen, rots roots

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19
Q

Hydrologic Cycle Components

A

Evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration

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20
Q

Watershed

A

All of the land that drains into a body of water

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21
Q

Aquifer

A

Underground layers of porous rock allow water to move slowly

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22
Q

Cone of Depression

A

Lowering of the water table around a pumping well

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23
Q

Salt Water Intrusion

A

Near the coast, over pumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer

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24
Q

ENSO

A

El Niño Oscillation, trade winds weaken and warm surface water moves toward Souther America. Diminished fisheries off South America, drought in western Pacific, increase precipitation in Southwestern North America, fewer Atlantic hurricanes

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25
Q

La Niña

A

“Normal” year, easterly trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West Coast of South America

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26
Q

Nitrogen Fixation

A

Because atmospheric N cannot be used directly by plants, it must first be covered into ammonia by bacteria

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27
Q

Ammonification

A

Decomposers convert organic waste into ammonia

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28
Q

Nitrification

A

Ammonia is covered in nitrate ions (NO3)

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29
Q

Assimilation

A

Inorganic N is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids & proteins

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30
Q

Denitrification

A

Bacteria convert ammonia back into N

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31
Q

Phosphorus

A

Does not exist as a gas; released by weathering of phosphate rocks, it is a major limiting factor for plant growth. Phosphorus cycle is slow, and not atmospheric

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32
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Plants convert CO2 (atmospheric carbon) into complex carbohydrates (C6H12O6)

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33
Q

Aerobic Respiration

A

Oxygen consuming producers, consumers and decomposers break down complex organic compounds and convert C back into CO2

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34
Q

Biotic

A

The living components of an ecosystem

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35
Q

Abiotic

A

The nonliving components of an ecosystem

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36
Q

Producer/ Autograph

A

Organisms that that make their own food- photosynthetic life (plants)

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37
Q

Trophic Levels

A

Producers~~> primary consumer~~>secondary consumer~~> tertiary consumer

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38
Q

Energy Flow Through Food Webs

A

10% of the usable energy is transferred to the next trophic level. Reason: usable energy lost as heat (2nd Law Thermodynamics), not all biomass is digested and absorbed, predators expend energy to catch prey.

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39
Q

Primary succession

A

Development of communities in a lifeless area nor recently inhabited by life (ex lava flow, retreating glacier)

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39
Q

Secondary succession

A

Life progresses where soil remains (ex clear cut/burned forrest, old farm, vacant lot)

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40
Q

Mutualism

A

Symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit

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41
Q

Commensalism

A

Symbiotic relationship where one benefits and the other is unaffected

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42
Q

Parasitism

A

Relationship in which one organism (the parasite) obtains nutrients at the expense of the host

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43
Q

Carrying capacity

A

The number of individuals that can be sustained in an area

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44
Q

r-strategist

A

Reproductive strategy in which organisms reproduce early, bear many small, unprotected offspring (ex insects , mice )

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45
Q

K-strategist

A

Reproductive strategy in which organisms produce late, bear few, cared for offspring (ex humans, elephants)

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46
Q

Natural selection

A

Organisms that process favorable adaptations pass them onto the next generation

47
Q

Thomas Malthus

A

“Human population cannot continue to increase. Consequences will be war, famine, and pestilence (disease)”

48
Q

Doubling Time

A

(Rule of 70) doubling time equals 70 divided by percent growth rate (ex a pop of 5%annually doubles in 70/5=14years)

49
Q

Replacement Level Fertility

A

The number of children a couple must have to replace themselves (avgs 2.1 in more developed nations, 2.7 in less developed nations)

50
Q

World Population

A

A little over 6billion

51
Q

Demographic Transition Model

A

Ok

52
Q

Preindustrial Stage

A

Birth and death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high

53
Q

Transitional Stage

A

Death rate (infant mortality) lower, birth rates remain high, better health care, population grows fast.

54
Q

Industrial Stage

A

Decline in birth rate, population growth slows

55
Q

Postindustrial Stage

A

Low birth rates, and death rates

56
Q

Age Structure Diagrams

A

Broad base~> rapid growth; narrow base~> negative growth; uniform shape~> zero growth

57
Q

Most Populous Nations

A

1 China
2 India
3 Us
4 Indonesia

58
Q

Low Status of Women

A

Most important factor keeping population growth rates high

59
Q

Method to Decrease Birth Rates

A

Family planning, contraception, economic rewards, and penalties

60
Q

Composition of Water on Earth

A

97.5% seawater 2.5% freshwater

61
Q

Aquaculture

A

Farming aquatic species, commonly salmon, shrimp, tilapia, oysters

62
Q

Point Source

A

Source from specific location such as pipe or smokestack

63
Q

Non-PointSource

A

(Area/Dispersed source): source spread over an area such as agricultural/feedlot runoff, urban runoff, traffic

64
Q

Primary Sewage Treatment

A

First step of sewage treatment; eliminates most particulate material material from raw sewage using grates, screens, and gravity (settling)

65
Q

Secondary Sewage Treatment

A

Second step of sewage treatment, bacteria breakdown organic waste, aeration accelerates the progress.

66
Q

BOD

A

Biological Oxygen Demand, amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials

67
Q

Eutrophication

A

Rapid algal growth (algal bloom) caused by an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus, blocks sunlight, causing the death/decomposition of aquatic plants, decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO), suffocating fish

68
Q

Hypoxia

A

Water with very low dissolved oxygen levels, the end result of eutrophication, for example

69
Q

CAFE standards

A

Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards enacted inti law in 1975, established fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The fuel economy rating a manufacturer’s entire line of passenger cars must currently average at least 27.5 mpg for the manufacturer to comply with the standard

70
Q

Primary Air Pollutants

A

Produced by humans and nature (CO, CO2, SO2, NO, hydrocarbons, particulates)

71
Q

Secondary Air Pollutants

A

Formed by reaction of primary pollutants

72
Q

Particulate Matter

A

Sources include burning fossil fuels and car exhaust. Effects include reduced visibility, respiratory irritation. (Methods of reduction include filtering, electrostatic precipitators, alternative energy)

73
Q

Nitrogen Oxides

A

(NOx) Major source is auto exhaust. Primary and secondary effects include acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone. Reduced using catalytic converters.

74
Q

Ozone

A

Secondary pollutant, NO2 +UV~>NO+O; O2~> O3, with VOC’s. Causes respiratory irritation and plant damage. Reduced by reducing NO emissions and VOC’s

75
Q

Sulfur oxides

A

(SOx) primary source coal burning. Primary n secondary effects include acid deposition, respiratory irritation, plant damage. Reduction methods include: scrubbers, burn low sulfur fuel

76
Q

Carbon Dioxide

A

(CO2) sources include the combustion of fossil fuels. Effects: greenhouse gas-contributes to global warming. Reduction accomplished by increAsed fuel efficiency (gas mileage) mass transit (reduction)

77
Q

Photochemical Smog

A

Formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC, O2)

78
Q

Acid deposition

A

Causes by sulfuric and nitric acids resulting resulting in lowered pH of surface waters

79
Q

Greenhouse Gases

A

Most significant H2O CO2 methane (CH4) CFC’s. trap outgoing infrared energy (heat)causing earth to warn

80
Q

Greenhouse effect

A

A vital process, required for life to exist on Earth. If accelerated, bad, leads to global warming.

81
Q

Effects of Global warming

A

Rising sea level (due to thermal expansion not melting ice) extreme weather, droughts (famine) and extinctions

82
Q

Ozone Depletion

A

Caused by CFC’s, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, halon, methyl bromide all of which attack stratospheric ozone. Negative effects of ozone depletion include increased UV, skin cancer cataracts, and decreased plant growth

83
Q

Municipal Solid Waste

A

is mostly paper and mostly put into landfills

84
Q

Sanitary Landfill

A

problems include: leachate, which is solved usinfg liner with a colection system; methane gas, which may be collected and burned; and volume of garbage, which may be compacted and are/or reduced

85
Q

incineration

A

advantages-volume waste reduced by 90% and waste heat can be used. Disadvantages-tpxic emissions (polyviny chloride, dioxin), scrubber and electrostatic precipitators needed. ash disposal.

86
Q

Best soulution for waste problem

A

reduce amount of waste at the source

87
Q

Brownfield

A

abandoned industrial sites

88
Q

Keystone Species

A

species who role an ecosystem is more important than others.

89
Q

Indictaor Species

A

species that serve as early warnings than an ecosysten is being damanged.

90
Q

In Natural Ecosystem

A

50-90% of pest species are kept under control by: predators, diseases, parasites.

91
Q

Major Insecticide Groups

A

clorinated hydrocarbons—- ex DDT; organophosphates— ex malathion; carbamates– ex aldicarb

92
Q

Pesticide Pros

A

saves lives from insecttransmitted diseases. increases food supply, and increases prohits for farmers. Cons: genetic resistance, ecosystem imbalance, pesticide treamill, persistence, bioaccumilation and biological magnification.

93
Q

Natural Pest Control

A

better agricultural practices, genetically resisitant plants, natural enemies, and biopesticides, sex attractants

94
Q

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s)

A

new organisms created by altering the genetic material (DNA) of existing organisms; usually in an attempt to remove undesireable or create desireable characteristics in the new organism.

95
Q

Electricity Generation

A

steam, from water boiled fossil fuels or nuclear energy, or falling water is used to turn a generation.

96
Q

Petroleum (Crude Oil) Formation

A

microscopic aquatic organisms in sendiments converted by heat and pressure into a mixture of hydrocarbons

97
Q

Petroleum Pros

A

cheap easily transported, high quality energy. Cons: reserves depleted soon, pollution during drilling, transport, and refining land substences, burning oil produces CO2

98
Q

Coal Formation

A

prehistoric plants buried un-decomposed in oxygen-depleted water of swamps/bogs converted by heat and pressure

99
Q

Ranks of Coal

A

peat, lignite, bituminous coal, anthracite coal

100
Q

Nuclear Reactor

A

consists of a core, control rods, moderator, steam generator, turnbine, containment building.

101
Q

Alternate Energy Sources

A

Wind, solar, waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells.

102
Q

Remediation

A

return a cintaminated area into it’s original state.

103
Q

LD-50

A

the amount of chemical that kills 50% of the animals in the test population

104
Q

Troposphere

A

first layer of atmosphere 0-10 miles above the Earth’s surface, Contains weather, greenhouse gases (bad ozone)

105
Q

Stratosphere

A

second layer of atmosphere 10-30 miles above Earth’s surface. Contains protective ozone layer (good layer)

106
Q

Inversion Layer (Temperate Inversion)

A

a warm layer of air above a cooler layer of traps pollutants close to the Earth’s surface

107
Q

Mutagen

A

substances that causes changes in DNA; may result in herediatry changes

108
Q

Teratogen

A

substances that cause fetus deformities (birth defects)

109
Q

Carcinogen

A

substances that cause cancer

110
Q

Dioxin

A

one of the most toxic human-made chemicals. Stable, long-lived, by product of herbicide production enters environment as fallout from the incineration of municipal and medical waste and persists for years

111
Q

PCB’s (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

A

Sable, lon-lived, carcinogenic chlorinated hydrocarbons. Produced by the electronics industry.

112
Q

Multible Use Public Lands

A

National Forest and National Resource lands

113
Q

Moderately Restricted Use Public Lands

A

National Wildlife Refuges

114
Q

Divergent Plate Boundaries

A

tectonic plates spreading apart, new crust being formed (ex mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys)

115
Q

Convergent Plate Boundaries

A

tectonic plates with the oldest crustal material on Earth moving together, one moving under another (ex mid-ocean trenches) Mineral deposits and volcanoes are most abundant at convergant plate boundaries.

116
Q

Transform Fault

A

tectonic plates sliding past one another (ex San Andreas fault)

APES (8 decks)

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