Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Env Studies AS > AS Unit1 definitions > Flashcards

AS Unit1 definitions Flashcards

0
Q

Specific heat capacity

A

A measure of the amount of heat energy needed to heat a particular mass of material through a temperature rise. Eg. Water heats up slowly as it has a high specific heat capacity.

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

Physiological function

A

Any substance that is involved in chemical reactions in a living organism. E.g. Water in cells

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

Thermophillic

A

Heat-loving. Eg. Bacteria at edge of volcanoes. ( don’t denature)

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

Ambient gases

A

The surrounding gases available to organisms. (For life need CO2 for photosynthesis and Nitrogen for protein synthesis).

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

Atmosphere

A

The gases surrounding Earth, characterised by their temperature, density, turbulence and composition.

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

Photolysis

A

The splitting of molecules by light, including water molecules in the early atmosphere, producing oxygen

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

Greenhouse gas

A

A gas that absorbs infrared radiation and causes atmospheric heating. Eg CO2

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

Transpiration

A

Loss of water by evaporation from the stomata of leaves

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

Biosphere

A

All living organisms on earth

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

Hydrosphere

A

All the water on earth found in solid, liquid or gas form (eg oceans, ice caps, rivers, lakes, soil, groundwater, living organisms)

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

Lithosphere

A

The relatively hard outer layer of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper layer of the mantle

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

Biomimetics

A

The study of living organisms so the knowledge can aid engineering and technological developments. Eg shark skin grooves reduce friction in water & design is being used for swimsuits and boat riblets.

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

Teratology

A

The study of the causes of birth defects. Eg. Sea urchins produce half a million eggs and can be used to test the effect of drugs on embryos.

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

Indigenous species

A

Species native to the area.

Usually better adapted to climate, pests and soil conditions.

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

Gene pool

A

The total variety of different genes in all the members of the population.

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

Vavilov centre

A

An area of the world identified by the Russian Vavilov, where crop plants were first domesticated and wild varieties are still found. Eg of drought resistant maize in wild gene pool.

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

CITIES

A

Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species (of wild fauna and flora). E.g. yellow headed parrot poaching for pets; African Blackwood tree used to make clarinets.

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

Niche

A

The role the species plays in its habitat eg how it uses its resources and responds to other species

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

Endemic

A

An endemic species is indigenous to a particular area and is not normally found elsewhere. Eg ground nesting birds such as honey creepers in Hawaii.

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

SSSIs

A

Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (designed to protect habitats)
Eg Studland bay on Isle of Portland, Dorset.

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

NNR

A

national nature reserve

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

Wildlife and countryside act

A

A uk act of parliament in 1981 and 1984 that provides protection for many wildlife species and designated protected areas such as SSSIs, NNRs, SPAs, SACs and Ramsar sites.

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

SPA

A

Special protection area
Designated by national England under the EU birds directive to protect and manage areas importance for rare and vulnerable birds. Eg the Severn estuary.

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

SAC

A

Special areas of conservation designated under the EU habitats directive protecting habitats for rare and vulnerable animals, plants and habitats eg Dartmoor.

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

MNR

A

marine nature reserve

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

Ramsar site

A

A wetland site designated to protect its biodiversity.

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

International whaling commission (IWC)

A

An international organisation that aims to control (not ban) whaling to ensure sustainable exploitation at whales. Eg. Limits on numbers; protected species; protects suckling mothers.

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

Inbreeding

A

Breeding between closely related individuals, which increases the risk of recessive genes producing disadvantaged characteristics in offspring.

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

EU common fisheries policy

A

EU agreement to manage fishing and aquaculture. Aims to sustainably exploit stocks in line with the needs of member states. (Not successful in setting and monitoring quotas or stopping undersized fishing)

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

Cryopreservation

A

Preserving by freezing, such as semen for artificial insemination (preventing transport of animal itself)

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

Artificial insemination

A

Form of selective breeding where semen is collected from a chosen male and inserted artificially into the female to obtain a pregnancy.

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

Embryo transfer

A

The transfer of fertilised eggs or embryos from a female of a rare species into one closely related more common female which acts as a surrogate.

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

Micro propagation

A

A tissue culture method where large numbers of plants are produced from a tissue sample from the original plant without the need for seeds. genetically identical cells are raised on agar.

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

Plagioclimax

A

A community of species that does not fully develop to a climax, but is maintained by external influences. Eg grazing or ploughing reducing wild flowers.

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

Eco tourism

A

Tourism intended to have a low environmental impact, usually involving seeing wildlife.

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

NGO

A

Non governmental organisations

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

Natural England

A

The UK government organisation with responsibility for wildlife and the landscape.
Do ecological research; provide advice and info; provide grants; designate protected areas

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

RSPB

A

Royal society for the protection of birds is an independent charity aiming to:

  • raise public awareness
  • lobby government
  • educate eg through schools
  • provide research grants
  • purchase and manage bird reserves to protect habitats
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

ESS environmental stewardship scheme

A

An agri-environmental scheme where farmers receive payments for farm practices that benefit wildlife and the environment. Organic farms receive high payments.

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

LNRs

A

Local nature reserves

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

National parks and access to the countryside act 1949

A

UK law which established national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and public rights of way

41
Q

Natura 2000

A

A network of protected sites in the EU. It combines SPAs and SACs.

42
Q

Species recovery programme

A

Programme to help increase the numbers of endangered species in the UK. Run by national England. Eg dormouse, red squirrel.

43
Q

DEFRA

A

Department for environment, food, and rural affairs. Aims include:

  • concern for climate change and energy
  • sustainable consumption and production ( eg farming)
  • protecting the countryside and natural resources
44
Q

Biodiversity

A

A measure of the variety and abundance of wildlife

45
Q

BAP

A

Biodiversity action plan. Co-ordinated by
DEFRA and established at the Rio summit.
Three main plans:
1. Species action plans for those under threat
2. Habitat action plans to conserve habitats
3. Local action plans for each country

46
Q

Forestry commission

A

UK government forestry organisation:

  • manages timber production
  • research and leisure in forests
  • wildlife conservation
47
Q

WWF

A

World wildlife fund for nature is an environmental campaigning and pressure group set up as a charity. Eg lobby’s governments on climate change, food miles and endangered species.

48
Q

National trust

A

UK charity that conserves important buildings and landscapes.

49
Q

FoE and Greenpeace

A

Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace are environmental pressure groups.

50
Q

Species

A

A group of organisms that resemble each other more than other organisms and naturally interbreed to produce offspring.

51
Q

Abiotic factors

A

Physical factors such as light, water and temperature.

52
Q

Biotic factors

A

Biological factors such as food and disease.

53
Q

Nutrient

A

Ant chemical that is essential to an organism for growth or metabolism

54
Q

Micro climate

A

A small area with a climate that is different from the surrounding area

55
Q

Biomass

A

The total mass of living or recently living material in an area

56
Q

Carbon sequestration

A

Any process that is used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Eg. Underground storage or afforestation

57
Q

LEDC

A

Less economically developed countries

Tend to use unsustainable wood for fuel & building

58
Q

Slash and burn farming

A

Subsistence farming in a forest where a clearing is created by burning. After a few years nutrient depletion and weeds cause it to be abandoned.

59
Q

Plankton

A

Organisms that drift in the surface layers of the sea

60
Q

Symbiosis

A

A relationship between organisms of different species where one species benefits from the other and the other may benefit, be unaffected or die.

61
Q

No take zone

A

An area where the catching or removal of species is banned. Eg fishing close to coast.

62
Q

Upwelling

A

Where deep ocean water comes to the surface often carrying nutrients and causing rich algal blooms.

63
Q

Albedo

A

A measure of the reflectivity of a surface. More reflective = higher albedos = eg ice which reduces heating of the atmosphere by sunlight

64
Q

UV light

A

Short wavelength radiation emitted by the sun. It can cause chemical reactions such as sunburn, DNA damage and ozone depletion.

65
Q

British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

A

UK research organisation that operates four stations in Antarctica. Looks at climate change, geology, biodiversity and sustainability of ecosystem

66
Q

Habitat. With ONE B!

A

The place where an organism, species or population lives.

67
Q

Exoskeleton

A

A skeleton on the outside of an organism eg some insects

68
Q

Turbulence

A

The roughness of the environment caused by chaotic air or water flow

69
Q

Heterotrophs

A

An organism that gains its organic compounds for energy and growth from other organisms

70
Q

Cellulase

A

An enzyme that digests cellulose produced by bacteria, fungi and protozoans

71
Q

Mycorrhizal fungi

A

A symbiotic fungi that aids the uptake of nutrients such as phosphates and water in the soil
eg ladies slipper orchid seeds are too small to grow independently and the seeds combine with the fungi to grow, then after 2 years produce leaves, start to photosynthesise and give sugar back to the fungi.

72
Q

Pollination

A

The transfer of male plant gamete onto the female part of the flower, resulting in fertilisation.

73
Q

Community

A

The population living in a particular area

74
Q

Taxonomy

A

The study of organisms to assess how they should be classified/grouped.

75
Q

Genus

A

A group of closely related species

Eg ash tree = species Deciduous Trees = genus

76
Q

Taxon

A

A group of organisms based on their biological similarities.

77
Q

Ecosystem

A

The community of organisms living in an area, their inter-relationships and interactions with their abiotic environment. Eg a woodland or coral reef

78
Q

Biome

A

A large geographical region with particular climatic features, in which a characteristic unique community of species lives. Eg desert or mangrove swamp

79
Q

Biosphere

A

The part of the planet inhabited by living organisms - land, soil, water, atmosphere

80
Q

Ecological succession

A

The sequence of changes in a community as an area is colonised and develops until a climax community is eventually produced. Eg new garden pond

81
Q

Hydrosere

A

Ecological succession that starts in water

Eg lake may have seed dropped in by bird

82
Q

Lithosere

A

Ecological succession on bare rock

Eg volcanic eruption first collonised by algae and litchens (autotrophs).

83
Q

Secondary succession

A

Changes that occur in an area that has reached its climax state. Eg forest fire…starts again but more rapid than primary succession as seeds/animals exist around it.

84
Q

Edaphic

A

A factor related to soil, particularly as it affects living things.

85
Q

Density dependent factor

A

An environmental factor affected by the density of the population. Eg food supply, disease

86
Q

Density independent factor

A

An environmental factor not influenced by the population density of the species eg. Drought, volcanic eruption, flood

87
Q

Carrying capacity

A

The greatest population that can be supported sustainably in an area

88
Q

Sigmoidal population growth curve

A

Plots the growth pattern of the population over time and has three stages:

  • lag phase
  • log phase
  • stable fluctuating phase
89
Q

NPA. national parks authority

A

The organisation that runs the national park (designated areas for informal public recreation, wildlife conservation and maintenance of the rural economy). Eg Lake District, Dartmoor.

90
Q

AONB

A

Area of outstanding natural beauty. Designated by natural england. Eg Scilly Isles

91
Q

Heritage coast

A

A coastline protected from development for its scenic or environmental value. Eg South Devon

92
Q

National trails

A

Long distance routes for cycling, walking or horse riding eg North downs way, South Downs way

93
Q

Country park

A

An area of the countryside managed for public enjoyment.

94
Q

Urban park

A

An area of semi-natural land in an urban area used for public recreation.

95
Q

Neptune coastland campaign

A

National trust campaign to buy and protect important coastline.

96
Q

Green belt

A

A designated area around an urban area to restrict urban expansion.

97
Q

Time zoning

A

A method of avoiding land use conflicts by allowing different uses at different times. Eg golf course closed for several months to allow grass grazing for migrating geese.

98
Q

Leopold matrix

A

A grid used to assess and compare the environmental impacts of proposed developments.

99
Q

EIA

A

Environmental impact assessment which:

  • describes proposal
  • describes environment that may be affected
  • describes the impacts using a Leopold matrix
  • provides modifications and alternatives
  • clear summary for public use
100
Q

CBA

A

Cost benefit analysis.

Env Studies AS (5 decks)

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