Unit One Test Review

Question 1

Open System

Answer 1

Exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings.

Question 2

Transfers in an Open System

Answer 2

Energy or matter flows and changes location but does not change its state

Question 3

Transformations in an Open System

Answer 3

Energy or matter flows and changes its state, a chemical change, change in state, or a change in energy

Question 4

Closed System

Answer 4

Exchanges energy but not matter with its environment. Extremely rare

Question 5

Isolated System

Answer 5

Exchanges neither matter nor energy with its environment. Do not exist naturally, entire universe could be an isolated system.

Question 6

Strengths of Models

Answer 6

Easier to work with than complex reality
Can be used to predict the effect of a change
Can be applied to other similar situations
Helps us see patterns
Can be used to visualize really small and large things

Question 7

Weaknesses of Models

Answer 7

Accuracy is lost because the model is simplified
Our assumptions could be wrong, so the model could then be wrong
Predictions may be inaccurate

Question 8

Equilibrium

Answer 8

Tendency of a system to return to its original state following a disturbance. At equilibrium, everything is balanced in components of an ecosystem

Question 9

Steady-State Equilibrium

Answer 9

Continuous inputs and outputs of energy, but the system as a whole remains in a constant state

Question 10

Static Equilibrium

Answer 10

No change over time, when disturbed it adopts a new equilibrium as a result

Question 11

Stable Equilibrium

Answer 11

The system returns to the same equilibrium after a disturbance

Question 12

Unstable Equilibrium

Answer 12

The system returns to a new equilibrium after a disturbance

Question 13

First Law of Thermodynamics

Answer 13

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, total energy in a system is constant

Question 14

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Answer 14

Energy is transformed through energy transfers and is lost as it goes up the food chain

Question 15

Entropy

Answer 15

Measure of the amount of disorder in a system

Question 15

Positive Feedback Loop

Answer 15

Amplify changes and drive the system toward a new equilibrium

Question 15

Negative Feedback Loop

Answer 15

Returns to its original state after changes, stabilizes as it reduces change

Question 16

Tipping Point

Answer 16

An ecosystem experiences a shift to a new state where there are big changes to its biodiversity and the services it provides

Question 17

Sustainability

Answer 17

Use and management of resources that allows for full natural replacement of the resources used and full recovery to the ecosystem effected

Question 18

Sustainable Development

Answer 18

Development that meets needs without compromising the future’s needs

Question 19

Natural Capital

Answer 19

Goods and services the environment provides humans with to in order to provide income

Question 20

Natural Income

Answer 20

Product/profit from natural capital

Question 21

Ecological Footprint

Answer 21

Area of land or water required to sustainably provide all resources at the rate they are being consumed by a given population

Question 22

Provisioning

Answer 22

Maintaining the supply of natural products; food, fuel, water

Question 23

Ecosystem Services

Answer 23

The value we receive from the systems which sustain us

Question 24

Regulating

Answer 24

Keeping different elements of the natural world running smoothly

Question 25

Supporting

Answer 25

Maintain the provisioning and regulating services; photosynthesis, provision of habitat

Question 26

Cultural

Answer 26

Intangible benefits obtained from contact with nature; rafting, hiking, camping

Question 27

Ecological Overshoot

Answer 27

Using more of Earth’s resources than what we have, dipping into future generation’s resources

Question 28

Point Source Pollution

Answer 28

Released from a single identifiable source

Question 29

Non-Point Source Pollution

Answer 29

Pollutants coming from multiple sources

Question 30

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Answer 30

Toxic chemicals that affect humans and the environment transported by wind or water and do not break down easily

Question 31

Biodegradable Pollutants

Answer 31

Break down quickly in the environment by decomposers

Question 32

Acute Pollution

Answer 32

Large amounts of a pollutant released at one time, results in a lot of harm to humans and environment

Question 33

Chronic Pollution

Answer 33

Long term release of small amounts of pollutant, difficult to clean up and often goes undetected

Question 34

Level 1 of Pollution Management

Answer 34

Prevent the pollution before it happens, change human activity that creates pollution (legislation, education, economic incentives)

Question 35

Level 2 of Pollution Management

Answer 35

Control release of a pollutant, regulate and legislate, develop tech for extracting pollutant

Question 36

Level 3 of Pollution Management

Answer 36

Clean up and restoration, its a last resort and can be difficult, removing a pollutant from an ecosystem