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Environmental Science > Chapter 2- Environmental Systems > Flashcards

Chapter 2- Environmental Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What happened to the Mono Lake Ecosystem?

A

Mono lake a terminal lake which means that water does not flow out of it. Salt and other minerals are deposited and left in the lake. During early 1900s Los Angeles drew water away from the lake, which killed the lakes algae because of its increased salinity. This led to a whole chain of events that hurt the ecosystem at the lake. However, Los angeles eventually put water back into the lake which allowed the ecosystems to thrive again.

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2
Q

Because systems tend be connected with or a part of larger systems….

A

Change in any one factor can have other, often, unexpected effects.

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3
Q

Define matter.

A

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

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4
Q

Define mass.

A

The amount of matter an object contains.

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5
Q

Define atom.

A

The smallest particle that can contain chemical properties of an element.

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6
Q

Define element.

A

A substance composed of atoms that cannot be broken down into smaller, simpler components.

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7
Q

What does the periodic table display?

A

It lists all of the elements currently known.

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8
Q

Define molecules.

A

Particles containing more than one atom.

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9
Q

Define compounds.

A

Molecules that contain more than one element.

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10
Q

Define nucleus.

A

The core of every atom; contains protons and neutron.

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11
Q

Define atomic number.

A

The number of protons in the nucleus of a particular element.

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12
Q

Electrons exist in ___ which are____

A

Orbitals.

Electron clouds that extend different distances from the nucleus.

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13
Q

Define mass number.

A

The total number of protons and neutrons in an element.

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14
Q

Define isotopes.

A

Atoms of the same element that ah s different numbers of neutrons.

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15
Q

Define radioactive decay.

A

The spontaneous release d material from the nucleus.

Original atom is called the parent and resulting decay is called the daughter.

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16
Q

Define half life.

A

The time it takes for one half of the original radioactive parent atoms to decay.

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17
Q

What is carbon dating?

A

A technique in which researchers can determine how many years ago an organism died.

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18
Q

Define covalent bonds.

A

Holds together elements that share electrons.

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19
Q

Define ionic bonds.

A

The attraction between oppositely charged ions, in which electrons are transferred or donated.

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20
Q

Define ions.

A

Charged atoms.

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21
Q

Define hydrogen bonds.

A

A chemical bond that forms when hydrogen atoms that are covalently bonded to one atom are attracted to another atom or another molecule.

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22
Q

What is a polar molecule?

A

In an atom, one side is more positive and one side is more negative.

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23
Q

What is cohesion?

A

Molecules that stick strongly to one another.

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24
Q

What is adhesion?

A

Molecules sticking strongly to other substances.

25
Q

Define surface tension and capillary action. How do these traits describe water?

A

Surface tension: cohesion of water molecules at The surface of a body of water.
Capillary action: adhesion of water molecules to a surface is stronger than cohesion between the molecules.
Water has high surface tension (water bugs) and good capillary action (water climbs up tree trunk vessels).

26
Q

What is unique about water’s boiling and freezing points?

A

Celsius is based on water boiling and freezing points.
Water can be a solid, gas, or liquid at earths surface temperatures.
Takes on a larger volume in solid form than liquid.

27
Q

What does likes dissolve likes mean?

A

Molecules of similar polarity can dissolve one another. Water can dissolve other polar substances.

28
Q

Define acid.

A

A substance that contributes hydrogen ions to a solution.

29
Q

Define base.

A

A substance that contributes hydroxide ions to a solution.

30
Q

What does the ph scale do?

A

Indicate the strengths of acids and bases. It is logarithmic- there is a factor of 10 difference between each number.

31
Q

When does a chemical reaction occur?

A

When atoms separate from molecules they are a part of or recombine with other molecules.

32
Q

What does the law of conservation of matter say?

A

Matter cannot be created or destroyed. It can only change form.

33
Q

What are inorganic and organic compounds?

A

Inorganic- do not contain carbon or do contain carbon but do not bond to hydrogens
Organic- contain carbons that bond with carbons and/or hydrogens.

34
Q

Define carbohydrates.

A

Compounds composed of carbons, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms

35
Q

Four types of organic compounds

A

Carbohydrates, proteins, nuclei acids, and lipids.

36
Q

Define proteins.

A

Long chains of nitrogen containing organic molecules called amino acids. Play roles in structural support, energy storage, internal transport and defense against foreign substances.

37
Q

Define enzymes.

A

Proteins that help control the rates of chemical reactions.

38
Q

Define nucleic acids.

A

Organic compounds found in all living cells. Long chains of this form
DNA (generic material) and RNA (translates DNA and allows synthesis of protein).

39
Q

Define lipids.

A

Smaller biological molecules that do no mix with water. Form a major part of membranes that surround cells.

40
Q

Define cell.

A

The smallest structural and functional component of organisms. It is a highly organized living entity that consists of a membrane, and other organelles.

41
Q

Define energy.

A

Energy is the ability to do work or transfer heat.

42
Q

Some forms of electromagnetic radiation.

A

Visible light, ultraviolet light, and undated energy.

43
Q

Define photon.

A

Massless packets of energy that travel at the speed of light and can move even through the vacuum of space.

44
Q

Define joule.

A

The amount of energy used when a 1 watt light bulb is turned in for 1 second.

45
Q

Define power.

A

The rate at which work is done.

46
Q

Define potential energy.

A

Energy that is stores but has not been released yet.

47
Q

Define kinetic energy.

A

The energy of motion.

48
Q

Define chemical energy.

A

Potential energy stores in bonds.

49
Q

Define temperature.

A

The measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance.

50
Q

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

A

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.

51
Q

What is the second lawn of thermodynamics?

A

Energy is transformed but the ability to do work diminishes.

52
Q

Define energy efficiency.

A

The ratio of the amount of work that is done to the total amount of energy that is introduced into the system in the first place.

53
Q

Define energy quality.

A

The ease with which an energy source can be used for work.

54
Q

Define entropy.

A

Randomness. Chaos. Is always increasing in a system unless energy from the outside is added in.

55
Q

Define open and closed systems.

A

Open: exchanges of matter of energy occur across system boundaries.
Closed: matter and energy exchanges do not occur.

56
Q

What are inputs and outputs? And how do they relate to system analysis?

A

Inputs are additions to a system.
Outputs are posses from a system.
System analysis: studying systems through determining inputs, outputs, and changes in the system under various conditions.

57
Q

Define steady state.

A

Inputs=outputs.

58
Q

What does feedback mean? Two types of feedback?

A

The results of a process feed back into the system to change the rate of that process.
Negative= returns to original state.
Positive= new equilibrium.

59
Q

Define adaptive management plan.

A

A strategy that provides flexibility so that managers can modify it as future changes occur.

Environmental Science (7 decks)

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