Ch. 1 Key Terms

Question 1

environmental science

Answer 1

The study of the air, water, and land surrounding an organism or a community, which ranges from a small area to Earth’s entire biosphere; it includes the study of the impact of humans on the environment.

Question 2

ecology

Answer 2

The study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with their environment.

Question 3

agriculture

Answer 3

The raising of crops and livestock for food or for products that are useful to humans.

Question 4

natural resource

Answer 4

Any natural material that is used by humans, such as water, petroleum, minerals, forests, and animals.

Question 5

pollution

Answer 5

An undesirable change in the natural environment that is caused by introduction of substances that are harmful to living organisms or by excessive wastes, heat, noise, or radiation.

Question 6

biodiversity

Answer 6

The variety of organism in a given area, the genetic variation within a population, the variety of species in a community, or the variety of communities in an ecosystem.

Question 7

law of supply and demand

Answer 7

A law of economics that states that as the demand for goods or service increases, the value of the good service also increases.

Question 8

ecological footprint

Answer 8

A calculation that shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country.

Question 9

sustainability

Answer 9

The condition in which humans needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefintely.