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 Earths 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 other products that are useful to humans.

Question 4

Natural Resources

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Pollution

Answer 5

An undesirable change in the natural environment that is caused by the 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 organisms 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 a good or service increases, the value of the good or service also increases.

Question 8

Ecological Foot-Print

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 human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely.