Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

APES > 140 APES > Flashcards

140 APES Flashcards

1
Q

Ionizing Radiation

A

enough energy to dislodge electrons from atoms, forming ions; capable of causing cancer (gamma, X-rays, UV)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

High Quality Energy

A

organized and concentrated; can perform useful work (fossil fuel and nuclear)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Low Quality Energy

A

disorganized, dispersed (heat in ocean or air wind, solar)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

First Law of Thermodynamics

A

energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another ( Law of Conservation of Energy)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Natural radioactive decay

A

unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Half-life

A

the time it takes for 1/2 the mass of a radioisotope to decay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe level

A

approximately 10 half-lives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Nuclear Fission

A

nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Nuclear Fusion

A

two isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures until they fuse to form a heavier nucleus (He). Process is expensive; break-even point not reached yet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Ore

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Organic fertilizer

A

slow-acting and long-lasting because the organic remains need time to be decomposed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Best solutions to energy shortage

A

conservation, increase efficiency, explore alternative energy options

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Surface mining

A

cheaper and can remove more minerals; less hazardous to workers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Humus

A

organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms. Essential to soil’s fertility. Formed by animal litter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Leaching

A

removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards. Process in which various chemicals in upper layers of soil are dissolved and carried to lower layers and, in some cases, to groundwater. Occurs in E horizon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Illuviation

A

deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (Horizon B).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Loam

A

perfect agricultural soil with equal portions of sand, silt, clay (40%, 40%, 20%)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Conservation

A

allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Preservation

A

setting aside areas and protecting them from human activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Parts of the hydrologic cycle

A

evaporation, transpiration - water passes through plants and eavaporates into atmosphere, runoff - water percipitates and then runsoff into the earth, condensation, precipitation, infiltration - movement of water through soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Aquifer

A

any water-bearing layer in the ground

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Cone of depression

A

lowering of the water table around a pumping well

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Salt water intrusion

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

ENSO

A

El Nino Southern Oscillation, see-sawing of air pressure over the South Pacific

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

During an El Nino Year

A

trade winds weaken and warm water sloshes back to South Atlantic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

During a non El Nino year

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Effects of El Nino

A

upwelling decreases, disrupting food chains; North U.S. has mild winters, Southwest U.S. has increased rainfall, less Atlantic hurricanes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Nitrogen fixing

A

because atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used directly by plants it must first be converted into ammonia (NH3) by bacteria (rhizobium)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Ammonification

A

decomposers convert organic waste into ammonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Nitrification

A

ammonia (NH3) is converted to nitrate ions (NO3-)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Assimilation

A

inorganic nitrogen is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids and proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Phosphorous does not circulate as easily as nitrogen because

A

it does not exist as a gas, but is released by weathering of phosphate (PO4)3- rocks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Sustainability

A

the ability to meet the current needs of humanity without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

How excess phosphorous is added to aquatic ecosystems

A

runoff of animal wastes, fertilizer, discharge of sewage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Photosynthesis

A

plants convert atmospheric carbon (CO2) into complex carbohydrates (C6H1206)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Aerobic respiration

A

O2-consuming producers, consumers and decomposers break down complex organic compounds and convert C back into CO2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Largest reservoirs of carbon

A

1) carbonate rocks. 2) oceans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Biotic and abiotic

A

living and nonliving components of an ecosystem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Producer/Autotroph

A

photosynthetic or chemosynthetic life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Fecal coliform/Enterococcus bacteria

A

indicater of sewage contamination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

Energy flow in food webs

A

only 10% of the usable energy is transferred because usable energy is lost as heat (second law of thermodynamics); not all biomass is digested and absorbed; predators expend energy to catch prey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Good chlorine

A

disinfects water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

Bad chlorine

A

forms trihalomethanes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

Primary succession

A

development of communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life, or those in which the soil profile is totally destroyed (lava flows); begins with lichen action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

Secondary succession

A

life progresses where soil remains (clear-cut forests, fire)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

Cogeneration

A

using waste heat to make electricity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

Mutualism

A

symbiotic relationship where both partners benefit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

Commensalism

A

symbiotic relationship where one partner benefits and the other is unaffected

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

Parasitism

A

relationship in which one partner obtains nutrients at the expense of the host

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Biome

A

large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants and animals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

Carrying capacity

A

the number of individuals that can be sustained in an area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

R strategist

A

reproduce early in life; many small unprotected offspring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

K strategist

A

reproduce late in life; few offspring; care for offspring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

Positive feedback

A

when a change in some condition triggers a response that intensifies the changing condition (warmer Earth - snow melts - less sunlight is reflected and more is absorbed, therefore warmer earth)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

Negative feedback

A

when a change in some condition triggers a response that counteracts the changed condition (warmer earth - more ocean evaporation - more stratus clouds - less sunlight reaches the ground - therefore cooler earth)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

Malthus

A

said human population continue to increase exponentially; consequences will be war, famine, and disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

Doubling time

A

rule of 70; 70 divided by the percent growth rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

Replacement level fertility

A

the number of children a couple must have to replace themselves (2.1 in developed countries)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

World Population (U.S. Population)

A

~6.7 billion (~305 million)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

Preindustrial stage

A

(demographic transition) birth and death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

Transitional stage

A

(demographic transition) death rate lower, better health care, population grows quickly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

Industrial stage

A

(demographic transition) decline in birth rate, population growth slows

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

Post-industrial stage

A

(demographic transition) low birth and death rates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

Age structure diagrams

A

broad base = rapid growth; narrow base = negative growth; uniform shape = zero growth

66
Q

First, second, and third most populated countries

A

China, India, U.S.

67
Q

Most important thing affecting population growth

A

low status of women

68
Q

Ways to decrease birth rate

A

family planning, contraception, economic rewards and penalties

69
Q

Percent water on earth by type

A

97.5% seawater, 2.5% freshwater

70
Q

Salinization of soil

A

in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind

71
Q

Ways to conserve water

A

agriculture = drip/trickle irrigation; industry = recycling; home = use gray water, repair leaks, low flow fixtures

72
Q

Point vs. non-point sources

A

Point = from specific location, such as a pipe. Non-point = from over an area, such as runoff

73
Q

BOD

A

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

74
Q

Eutrophication

A

rapid algal growth caused by an excess of nitrates (NO3)- and phosphates (PO4)3- in the water

75
Q

Hypoxia

A

when aquatic plants die, the BOD reises as aerobic decomposers break down the plants, the dissolved oxygen levels drop and the water cannot support life

76
Q

Minamata disease

A

1932-1968, Japan; mental impairments caused by methylmercury poisoning

77
Q

Primary air pollutants

A

produced by humans and nature (CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, hydrocarbons, particulates)

78
Q

Natural selection

A

organisms that possess favorable adaptations that are passed on to the next generation

79
Q

Particulate matter

A

Source: burning fossil fuels and diesel exhaust; Effect: reduces visibility and respiratory irritation; Reduction: filtering, electrostatic precipitators, alternative energy

80
Q

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

A

Source: auto exhaust; Effects: acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, smog and ozone; Equation for acid formation: NO+O2 = NO2 + H2O = HNO3; Reduction: catalytic converter

81
Q

Sulfur oxides (SOx)

A

Source: coal burning; Effects: acid deposition, respiratory irritation, damages plants; Equation for acid formation: SO2 + O2 = SO3 + H2O = H2SO4; Reduction: scrubbers, burn low sulfur fuel

82
Q

Carbon oxides (CO and CO2)

A

Source: auto exhaust, incomplete combustion; Effects: CO binds to hemoglobin, reducing blood’s ability to carry O2; CO2 contributes to global warming; Reduction: catalytic converter, emission testing, oxygenated fuel, mass transit

83
Q

Ozone (O3)

A

Formation: secondary pollutant, NO2 + UV = NO + O* O* + O2 = O3, with volatile organic compounds; Effects: respiratory damage, plant damage; Reduction reduce NO and VOC emissions

84
Q

Radon (Rn)

A

naturally occurring colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, found in some types of soil and rock, can seep into homes and buildings, formed from the decay of uranium (U), causes lung cancer

85
Q

Photochemical smog

A

formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC, O*)

86
Q

Acid deposition

A

caused by sulfuric and nitric acids (H2SO4, HNO3), resulting in lowered pH of surface waters

87
Q

Greenhouse gases

A

Examples: H2O, CO2, O3, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), methane (CH4); Effect: trap outgoing infrared (heat) energy, causing Earth to warm

88
Q

Effects of global warming

A

rising sea levels (thermal expansion), extreme weather, drought, famine, extinctions

89
Q

Causes of ozone depletion

A

CFCs, methyl chloroform or trichloromethane (CHCl3), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), halon (haloalkanes), methyl bromide (CH3Br) - all of which attack stratospheric ozone

90
Q

Effects of ozone depletion

A

increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, decreased plant growth

91
Q

Love Canal, NY

A

(1950s+) chemicals buried in old canal; school and homes built over it; caused birth defects and cancer

92
Q

Main component of municipal solid waste (MSW)

A

paper; most is landfilled

93
Q

True cost / External costs

A

harmful environmental side effects that are not reflected in a product’s price

94
Q

Sanitary landfill problems and solutions (leachate)

A

solution = liner with collection system

95
Q

Sanitary landfill problems and solutions (methane gas)

A

solution = collect gas and burn it

96
Q

Sanitary landfill problems and solutions (volume of garbage)

A

solution = compact and reduce

97
Q

Incineration advantages

A

volume of waste reduced by 90%, and waste heat can be used

98
Q

Incineration disadvantages

A

toxic emissions (polyvinyl chloride, dioxins), scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators needed, ash disposal (contains heavy metals)

99
Q

Best way to solve waste problem

A

reduce the amounts of waste at the source

100
Q

Keystone species

A

species whose role in an ecosystem in an ecosystem is more important than others, such as a sea otter, sea stars, grizzly bear, prairie dogs

101
Q

Indicator species

A

species that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged; example: trout

102
Q

Characteristics of endangered species

A

small range, large territory, or live on an island

103
Q

In natural ecosystems, methods which control 50-90% of pests

A

predators, diseases, parasites

104
Q

Major insecticide groups (and examples)

A

chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT); organophosphates (malathion); carbamates (aldicarb)

105
Q

Pesticide pros

A

saves lives from insect-transmitted diseases, increases food supply, increases profits for farmers

106
Q

Pesticide cons

A

genetic resistance, ecosystem imbalance, pesticide treadmill, persistence, bioaccumulation, biological magnification

107
Q

Natural pest control

A

better agricultural practices, genetically resistant plants, natural enemies, biopesticides, sex attractants

108
Q

Electricity generation methods

A

using steam from water boiled by fossil fuels or nuclear reactions; falling water to turn a turbine to power a generator

109
Q

Petroleum formation

A

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

110
Q

Pros of petroleum

A

relatively cheap, easily transported, high-quality energy

111
Q

Cons of petroleum

A

reserves will be depleted soon; pollution during drilling, transport, and refining; burning makes CO2

112
Q

Steps in coal formation

A

peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite

113
Q

Major parts of a nuclear reactor

A

core, control rods, steam generator, turbine, containment building

114
Q

Two most serious nuclear accidents

A

Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986) and Three Mile Island, PA (1979)

115
Q

Alternate energy sources

A

wind, solar, waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells

116
Q

LD50 (LD-50)

A

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

117
Q

Mutagen

A

causes hereditary changes through mutations

118
Q

Teratogen

A

causes fetus deformities

119
Q

Carcinogen

A

causes cancer

120
Q

Endangered species

A

a group of organisms in danger of becoming extinct if the situation is not improved; population numbers have dropped below the critical number of organisms; North spotted owl, Arctic polar bear, and many others

121
Q

Invasive/Alien/Exotic species

A

non-native species to an area; often thrive and disrupt the ecosystem balance; examples: kudzu vine, purple loosestrife, African honeybee “killer bee”, water hyacinth, fire ant, zebra mussel

122
Q

The Tragedy of the Commons

A

(1968) paper by ecologist Garret Hardin) global commons such as atmosphere and oceans are used by all and owned by none

123
Q

Volcano and Earthquake occurrence

A

at plate boundaries (divergent = spreading, mid-ocean ranges; convergent = trenches; transform = sliding, San Andreas fault)

124
Q

Sources of mercury

A

burning coal, compact fluorescent bulbs

125
Q

Major source of sulfur

A

burning coal

126
Q

Threshold dose

A

the maximum dose that has no measurable effect

127
Q

Temperature inversion

A

layer of dense, cool air trapped under a layer of warm dense air, pollution in trapped layer may build to harmful levels; frequent in Los Angeles, CA and Mexico City, Mexico

128
Q

Transpiration

A

process where water is absorbed by plant roots, moves up through plants, passes through pores (stomata) in leaves or other parts, evaporates into atmosphere as water vapor

129
Q

Monoculture

A

cultivation of a single crop, usually in a large area

130
Q

Food

A

wheat, rice, and corn provide more than 1/2 of the calories in the food consumed by the world’s people

131
Q

Surface Forest Fire

A

usually burn only under growth and leaf litter on forest floor

132
Q

Crown Forest Fire

A

hot fires, may start on ground but eventually leap from treetop to treetop

133
Q

Ground Forest Fire

A

go underground, may smolder for days or weeks, difficult to detect and extinguish (peat bogs)

134
Q

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

A

1977; requires coal strip mines to reclaim the land

135
Q

Madrid Protocol

A

1991; Suspension of mineral exploration (mining) for 50 years in Antarctica

136
Q

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

A

1974; set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water tha may have adverse effects on human health

137
Q

Clean Water Act (CWA)

A

1972; set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmable and fishable

138
Q

Ocean Dumping Ban Act

A

1988; bans ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste in the ocean

139
Q

Clean Air Act (CAA)

A

1970; set emission standards for cars and limits release of air pollutants

140
Q

Kyoto Protocol

A

2005; controlling global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries

141
Q

Montreal Protocol

A

1987; phase-out of ozone depleting substances

142
Q

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

A

1976; controls hazardous waste with a cradle to grave system

143
Q

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

A

1980; “superfund,” designed to identify and clean up abandoned hazardous waste dump sites

144
Q

Nuclear Waste Policy Act

A

1982; U.S. government must develop a high level nuclear waste site (Yucca Mountain)

145
Q

Endangered Species Act

A

1973; identifies threatened and endangered species in the U.S. and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations

146
Q

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

A

1973; lists species that cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or wildlife products

147
Q

Magnuson-Stevens Act

A

1976; management of marine fisheries

148
Q

Food Quality Protection Act

A

1996; set pesticide limits in food, and all active and inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects

149
Q

National Environmental Policy Act

A

1969; Environmental Impact Statements must be done before any project affecting federal lands can be started

150
Q

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

A

2004; Seeks to protect human health from the 12 most toxic chemicals (includes 8 chlorinated hydrocarbons pesticides / DDT can be used for malaria control)

151
Q

Each layer of soil is termed a

A

Horizon

152
Q

Soil Profile

A

A vertical graph showing the succesion of horizons

153
Q

O Horizon

A

Organic top layer. Surface plant and animal litter form humus. Able to retain water and nutrients. Has an organic composition of 20% to 30%

154
Q

A Horizon

A

Top soil layer under the O Horizon and above the E Horizon that contains hummus from dead plants and animals. Also contains inorganic material such as clay, silt, and sand. Very fertile and produces high crop yield.

155
Q

E Horizon

A

Below the A Horizon and above the B Horizon . This layer is light in color, meaning not too dark. Composed of silt. Fine (small) particles are removed through eluviation

156
Q

Eluviation

A

the process by which material is removed from soil by sinking to another horizon

157
Q

B Horizon

A

Below the E Horizon and above the C Horizon. Called the subsoil. Contains clay washed down through eluviation from the A horizon.

158
Q

Parent Material

A

The basic rock from which soil is made through weathering.

159
Q

C Horizon

A

Lies below the B Horizon and above the R Horizon. This layer is the base that lies on top of unweathered parent material

160
Q

R Horizon

A

Bottom most Horizon that is pure parent material

APES (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions