S4.4.1 Glossary

Question 1

abiotic

Answer 1

An environmental factor which is not living

Question 2

absorb

Answer 2

To take in

Question 3

aerobic biological treatment

Answer 3

The use of bacteria to break down waste using oxygen

Question 4

algae

Answer 4

Single celled organisms which live in water and can photosynthesise

Question 5

ammonia

Answer 5

A compound released during volcanic eruptions

Question 6

anaerobic digestion

Answer 6

The breaking down of waste without oxygen

Question 7

anthropogenic

Answer 7

Changes which are caused by humans

Question 8

atmosphere

Answer 8

The layer of gases which surround a planet

Question 9

average temperature

Answer 9

The mean temperature, calculated using readings from around the world

Question 10

biomass

Answer 10

The mass of an organism when all of the water is taken away

Question 11

biotic

Answer 11

An environmental factor which is living

Question 12

carbon dioxide

Answer 12

A greenhouse gas released during volcanic eruptions

Question 13

carbon cycle

Answer 13

How carbon is recycled for use by organisms in the environment

Question 14

carbon monoxide

Answer 14

A poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion

Question 15

climate change

Answer 15

Changes in weather patterns, global temperatures, seasons, etc.

Question 16

combustion

Answer 16

Burning

Question 17

concentration

Answer 17

The amount of something, e.g. in a liquid or in an area

Question 18

condensation

Answer 18

The change of state when a gas cools to form a liquid

Question 19

consequences

Answer 19

The result of something happening

Question 20

desalination

Answer 20

The removal of salt from saltwater

Question 21

distribution

Answer 21

Where in an environment an organism is found

Question 22

ecosystem

Answer 22

The living and non-living parts of an environment

Question 23

enhanced

Answer 23

Increased in some way

Question 24

evaporation

Answer 24

The change of state when a liquid forms a gas

Question 25

evolve

Answer 25

A change over time

Question 26

fossil fuels

Answer 26

Fuels which are made from living organisms that have been buried for millions of years

Question 27

freezing

Answer 27

The change of state when a liquid cools to form a solid

Question 28

greenhouse effect

Answer 28

The trapping of infrared radiation by the Earth's atmosphere

Question 29

greenhouse gas

Answer 29

A gas which absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere, e.g. carbon dioxide

Question 30

habitats

Answer 30

Where an organism lives

Question 31

human activities

Answer 31

Things that humans do

Question 32

melting

Answer 32

The change of state when a solid heats up to form a liquid

Question 33

methane

Answer 33

A greenhouse gas released during volcanic eruptions, by cattle and rice

Question 34

microorganisms

Answer 34

Microscopic organisms, usually single celled

Question 35

mineral ions

Answer 35

Ions found in soil which are absorbed by plants

Question 36

mitigation

Answer 36

Trying to reduce the effects of something

Question 37

nitrogen

Answer 37

A gaseous element produced during volcanic eruptions

Question 38

nitrogen oxides

Answer 38

A compound of nitrogen and different numbers of oxygen

Question 39

oxygen

Answer 39

A product of photosynthesis and a reactant of aerobic respiration

Question 40

oxygen rich

Answer 40

Something which contains lots of oxygen

Question 41

particulates

Answer 41

Tiny particles of carbon which are produced by incomplete combustion

Question 42

photosynthetic

Answer 42

Describes something which can carry out photosynthesis

Question 43

pollutants

Answer 43

Substances which have negative effects on something, e.g. air or water

Question 44

potable water

Answer 44

Water which is safe to drink

Question 45

precipitation

Answer 45

How water is released from clouds - rain, snow, sleet or hail

Question 46

producers

Answer 46

Organisms which can make their own food

Question 47

purification

Answer 47

A process which removes impurities to make a pure substance

Question 48

radiation

Answer 48

Transfer of energy by waves

Question 49

reflect

Answer 49

To bounce off something

Question 50

respiration

Answer 50

Process which releases energy in cells

Question 51

reverse osmosis

Answer 51

Water is forced through a partially permeable membrane out of a concentrated solution

Question 52

screening

Answer 52

The removal of solid substances, similar to filtering

Question 53

sedimentary rocks

Answer 53

Rocks formed of layers which have been compacted and cemented together

Question 54

sedimentation

Answer 54

The process of sediments being laid down in layers over time

Question 55

sewage treatment

Answer 55

How sewage is removed or made less harmful in water

Question 56

sterilisation

Answer 56

The process of destroying pathogens/bacteria

Question 57

sulphur dioxide

Answer 57

A pollutant which causes acid rain

Question 58

transmit

Answer 58

To produce a wave or allow a wave to pass through

Question 59

water cycle

Answer 59

The process of water being recycled through the environment

Question 60

water vapour

Answer 60

The gaseous form of water

Question 61

volcanic activity

Answer 61

Volcanic eruptions