Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Biology > 2. Humans And The Environment > Flashcards

2. Humans And The Environment Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Distribution

A

Refers to where an organism is found and depends on many environmental factors.

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

What are some environmental factors that affect distribution?

A

Humidity
Oxygen availability
Temperature
Light

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

What 4 ways humans maximise harvesting organisms?

A

Intensely over farming certain species.
Adding artificial fertilisers with extra compounds into crops.
Keeping animals in cages.
Use of chemicals e.g pesticides,fungicides,herbicides,insecticides

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

Why do humans introduce new species to areas?

A

As part of ‘biological control,’ using a predator to get rid of a pest or invasive species.
For economical benefit through tourism and recreational activities.
To establish and increase food supplies in a given area.

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

Why do living organisms need Nitrogen?

A

To be able to make amino acids and therefore proteins. These are needed for growth and repair of the organisms.

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

Why cant plants and animals use the nitrogen gas in the air?

A

Because Nitrogen gas is unreactive and is not easily converted into other compounds. (Most plants can only take up nitrogen in the form of ammonia or nitrates.)

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

What is deamination?

A

The breakdown of amino acids into UREA.

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

How does lightning fix nitrates?

A

Lightning provides energy for nitrogen to react in the air to form oxides, which are carried(fixed) into soils by rain water. This then gets converted to nitrates.

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

List examples of human dramatically alters the global nitrogen cycle.

A

Respiration- produces excess CO2 as does,
Burning/ combustion of things like fossil fuels
Deforestation
Eating meat
Global warming
Intensive farming and over use of fertilisers.

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

What affects the rate of population growth of an organism?

A

Food availability
Climate change
Predation
Disease

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

Carrying capacity

A

The maximum population size that can be maintained over a period of time in a particular habitat.

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

Limiting factor?

A

The factor which is limiting rate of the whole process. Often it is the factor in shortest supply.

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

Population growth?

A

= (Birth Rate + immigration)-(death rate + emigration)

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

Factors that contribute to famine?

A

Unequal distribution of food
Drought and flooding
Poverty
An increasing population

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

Food mile

A

A mile over which a food item is transported during the journey from producer to consumer, as a unit of measurement of the fuel used to transport it.

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

Monoculture

A

The continuos production of one type of crop that is often genetically uniform.

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

Genetically modified (GM) crops

A

Organisms in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating. (And/or natural recombination) Altering genetic set up of organisms.

18
Q

Endangered species

A

A low population of a species which could be at risk of extinction.

19
Q

Critically endangered

A

An un-sustainable population at extremely high risk of extinction. Will go extinct without intervention.

20
Q

Extinct

A

A species that has completely died out, so they no longer exist.

21
Q

Why are species becoming endangered or extinct?

A 
Destruction of habitat
Pollution
Hunting
Exotic species introduce new diseases
Natural disasters
Climate change
Competition between species
22
Q

How do we help protect endangered animals?

A 
Restruction of habitat
National parks
Charity organisations
Seed banks 
Legal protection- SSI's- protected sites of scientific interest
Conservation programmes
23
Q

Sustainable development

A

Development providing for the needs of an increasing human population without harming the environment.

24
Q

Sustainable resource

A

A resource produced as rapidly as it is removed from the environment so it does not run out.

25
Q

Non-renewable resource.

A

In limited supply of that needs to be conserved e.g fossil fuels

26
Q

Biodiversity

A

Diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat, needs to be maintained to stabilise ecosystems, ensure genetic diversity and because they act as a source of medicine.

27
Q

Over use food…

A

Prices rise
Interrupt food webs
Food shortage…lead to famine
Perhaps-war and competition.

28
Q

How may human action result in habitat destruction?

A 
Increase area used for food crop growth
Livestock production
Housing
For the extraction of natural resources.
As a result of marine pollution.
29
Q

What could the example of habitat destruction…deforestation lead to?

A

Extinction of species
Loss of soil
Flooding
Increase CO2

30
Q

What can be done e.g overfishing

A

Properly maintained fisheries e.g renewable to ensure endless supply of protein- restocking and educating people on importance.
‘No-take zones’ need to be legally enforced to protect areas.
Internationally agreed quotas- based on estimates of stock size/correct mesh size should be used in all nets to ensure right age , and to prevent accidental catches of other fish.

31
Q

Sustainable development needs to be able…

A

…to manage any conflicting demands

…involve planning and co-operation at local, national and international level.

32
Q

Main sources of pollution of land and water:

A 
Nitrate fertiliser
Insecticide 
Herbicide
Discarded rubbish
Chemical waste
Nuclear waste
Female contraceptive hormone
Untreated sewage
33
Q

Cause of eutrophication…

A

Extremely high levels of nutrients from:
Leaching of nitrate fertiliser
Raw sewage
Liquid manure washed out of farmlands

34
Q

Effect of eutrophication:

A

Decreased oxygen levels in water, death of aquatic organisms.

35
Q

Eutrophication

A

The process in which nutrients leach into waterways, causing a reduction in oxygen levels and the death of aquatic organisms.

36
Q

Decay

A

Decompose or rotting of organic material through the action of bacteria and fungi.

37
Q

Decomposer

A

Organism which breaks down dead or decaying organisms.

38
Q

Detritus

A

Dead, decaying organic material

39
Q

What are the important conditions that microorganism need for the decaying process?

A

Warm temperature
Moisture
Oxygen

40
Q

Sanitation

A

The hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of waste. Also the removal of faecel material.

41
Q

How might microorganisms take place in the treatment of sewage by biological treatment?

A

This could be done by microorganisms in a vessel called an aerobic digester. Microorganisms respire aerobically, breaking down the sewage. They use the oxygen, and end up releasing CO2 as a by-product.

42
Q

How are solid components of sewage filtered out?

A

In sedimentation tanks to remove large pieces of debris. Also any remaining water is exposed to U.V radiation to kill the bacteria.

Biology (11 decks)

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