Environmental Studies

Question 1

Ecology

Answer 1

The study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment.

Question 2

Biosphere

Answer 2

The part of the Earth where humans and other organisms are able to live.

Question 3

Hydrosphere

Answer 3

All the water on the surface of the Earth.

Question 4

Lithosphere

Answer 4

The rocky outer part of the Earth.

Question 5

Atmosphere

Answer 5

The layer of air that surrounds the Earth and consists of a mixture of various gases.

Question 6

Ecosystem

Answer 6

A group of living things that interact with the physical environment.

Question 7

Disturbance

Answer 7

The interruption of a settled and peaceful condition.

Question 8

Deforestation

Answer 8

The action of clearing a wide area of trees.

Question 9

Soil Erosion

Answer 9

The displacement of the upper layer of soil.

Question 10

Carbon Dioxide

Answer 10

A colourless gas that humans breathe out, essential for photosynthesis and respiration.

Question 11

-sphere

Answer 11

Biosphere. Atmosphere. Lithosphere. Hydrosphere.

Question 12

Biome

Answer 12

A large area of life with a specific climate and plant life.

Question 13

Climate

Answer 13

The long-term average of weather.

Question 14

Geography and Average Rainfall

Answer 14

The key things that result in a particular climate.

Question 15

Community

Answer 15

Group of living organisms.

Question 16

Micro-organisms

Answer 16

A microscopic organism

Question 17

Aquatic

Answer 17

Relating to water.

Question 18

Terrestrial

Answer 18

Relating to the Earth.

Question 19

Altitude

Answer 19

Height above sea level.

Question 20

Latitude

Answer 20

The measurement of distance north or south of the Equator.

Question 21

Seaweeds

Answer 21

Algae that live in the sea

Question 22

Decomposers

Answer 22

Organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms.

Question 23

Scavengers

Answer 23

Animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation.

Question 24

Diversity

Answer 24

A variety of species.

Question 25

Tides

Answer 25

The alternate rising and falling of the sea, due to the attraction of the moon and sun.

Question 26

Symbiotic

Answer 26

Involving interaction between two different organisms living in a close physical association.

Question 27

Filter Feeders

Answer 27

A sub-group of suspension-feeding animals that feed by straining suspended matter and food particles from water.

Question 28

Intertidal

Answer 28

Being the part of the littoral zone above the low-tide mark.

Question 29

Coral Reef

Answer 29

A ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of coral.

Question 30

Photosynthesis

Answer 30

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.

Question 31

Algae

Answer 31

An informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms.

Question 32

Plankton

Answer 32

The diverse collection of organisms found in water that are unable to propel themselves against a current.

Question 33

Estuary

Answer 33

Where fresh water meets salty water.

Question 34

Wetland

Answer 34

A distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally.

Question 35

Nutrients

Answer 35

A substance used by an organism to survive, grow and reproduce.

Question 36

Proteas

Answer 36

Fynbos plant, sometimes also called sugarbushes.

Question 37

Restios

Answer 37

Reed-like fynbos plant.

Question 38

Ericas

Answer 38

Fynbos plant with small, needle-like leaves.

Question 39

Geophytes

Answer 39

Fynbos bulb plants.

Question 40

Aromatic

Answer 40

Having a pleasant and distinctive smell.

Question 41

Adaptations

Answer 41

The adjustment of organisms to their environment in order to improve their chances at survival in that environment.

Question 42

Myrmecochory

Answer 42

Seed dispersal by ants.

Question 43

Serotiny

Answer 43

Remaining on a tree after maturity and opening to release seeds only after exposure to certain conditions, especially heat from a fire.

Question 44

Germination

Answer 44

The process by which an organism grows from a seed or similar structure.

Question 45

Photoperiodism

Answer 45

A behavior of plants where they respond to the length of daylight.

Question 46

Light intensity

Answer 46

The quantity of visible light that is emitted in unit time per unit solid angle (How much we experience sunshine)

Question 47

Nocturnal

Answer 47

Active at night.

Question 48

Diurnal

Answer 48

Of or during the day.

Question 49

Hibernation

Answer 49

A way animals conserve energy to survive adverse weather conditions or lack of food.

Question 50

Eutrophication

Answer 50

The process of increasing nutrient levels in an environment that results in an overgrowth of aquatic producer - algal bloom