Enviro Quiz #1 Flashcards
Kinetic vs potential energy
Kinetic energy is the energy during motion while potential energy is stored energy.
Radioactive decay
The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.
Half-life
The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay; calculated using the formula
t1/2 = 0.693/X
Radiation
Energy that is emitted through waves or particles ex. sun energy, microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays.
1st Law of Thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
In any energy transfer, the total entropy of a closed system will always increase.
Entropy
A measure of disorder and randomness in a system.
Organism
A living entity that can act independently and carry out life processes.
Cellular respiration
The process of converting glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water, represented by the equation
C6H12O6+6O2= 6CO2 + 6H2O+ energy
Aerobic vs Anaerobic
Aerobic respiration occurs with oxygen and releases more energy but more slowly. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen and releases less energy but more quickly.
Ozone
Ozone is represented by the chemical formula
O3
Sulfur dioxide
SO2
Mutation
A change in the DNA sequence caused by errors in DNA replication or from the damaging effects of mutagens, such as chemicals and radiation
Mutation
A change in the DNA sequence caused by errors in DNA replication or from the damaging effects of mutagens, such as chemicals and radiation
Chromosome
A structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries genetic information.
Gene pool
A total set of genetic information in one population
Biodiversity
The variety of life in a particular ecosystem or on Earth as a whole.
Plate tectonics
The theory explaining the movement of Earth’s lithospheric plates and their impact on geological processes.
Weathering
The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller particles due to environmental factors.
Rocks vs minerals
Rocks are solid aggregates of one or more minerals, while minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances with a defined chemical composition.
Climate vs weather
Climate refers to long-term atmospheric conditions in a region, while weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions.
Biomagnification
The process by which the concentration of toxins increases in organisms at higher trophic levels.
Bioaccumulation
The buildup of substances, like pesticides or heavy metals, in the tissues of living organisms over time.
Food chains
Linear sequences showing how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem from producers to consumers.
Food webs
Complex networks of interconnected food chains illustrating how different organisms are related through feeding relationships.
Combustion
A chemical reaction that typically involves the rapid combination of a substance with oxygen, producing heat and light.
Validity
The degree to which a test or measurement accurately measures what it is intended to.
Accuracy vs precision
Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements.
