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Environmental Science > EXAM 1 > Flashcards

EXAM 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is environmental science?

A

How we and other species interact with one another and with the nonliving environment.

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2
Q

What are the two major issues in environmental science?

A

Population Growth

and

Climate Change/ Global Warming

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3
Q

Why is population growth a major issue?

A

With population growth comes:

  • more poverty
  • more hunger
  • more disease
  • more urbanization
  • more freshwater stress
  • more pollution
  • more resource consumption
  • more degradation regarding human conditions
  • less food production
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4
Q

Why is **global warming **a major issue?

A

With global warming comes:

  • increased average temperatures
  • increased average rainfall
  • more severe storms
  • increased tidal range
  • increased sea level
  • more drought and desertification
  • more disease
  • more hunger
  • more malnutrition
  • more extinctions
  • more pests
  • decreased ice sheets
  • less glaciers and snow covers
  • less fresh water supplies
  • less biodiversity
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5
Q

What are environmental ethics?

A

The moral relationship of human beings to, as well as the value and moral status of, the environment and its nonhuman contents.

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6
Q

What are the main philosophical views on environmental ethics?

A
  1. Anthropocentrism
  2. Deep Ecology
  3. Eco-Feminism
  4. Social Ecology
  5. Gaia Philosophy
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7
Q

What does the environmental ethics philosophical view of Anthropocentrism believe?

A

Humans are the center of everything and something is “good” if it benefits humans or human communities. The dignity of humans must be respected and lesser beings do not share this dignity.

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8
Q

What does the environmental ethics philosophical view of Deep Ecology believe?

A

The well-being and flourishing of human and nonhuman life on Earth have value in themselves. These values are dependent of the usefulness of the nonhuman world for human purposes. Focus on interdepdence between humans and life on Earth.

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9
Q

What does the environmental ethics philosophical view of Eco-Feminism believe?

A

The immediate cause of present-day woes and future threats is the patriarchal system. Global population growth and exhaustion of resources are the the principal factors in the expansion of patriarchy.

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10
Q

What does the environmental ethics philosophical view of Social Ecology believe?

A

Humans are a part of nature, but we have a unique social awareness. Power structures damage humans at least as much as they damage the environment. Society should be based off of ecological principles.

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11
Q

What does the environmental ethics philosophical view of Gaia Philosophy believe?

A

Living organisms on a planet affect the nature of their environment to make it more suitable for life. We are all interelated and we are all but a cog in the system.

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12
Q

What is Environmental Justice?

A

Fair treatment for people of all races, cultures, and incomes, regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

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13
Q

What is a major issue that the Environmental Justice Movement is concerned with?

A

The idea that the environmental consequences of our use of natural resources fall disproportionately on certain disadvantaged racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

Poor people don’t have the money to fight for the enviroment and elitists can pay to be in better areas.

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14
Q

What is the universe made of?

A

Matter and Energy

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15
Q

What is The Law of Conservation of Mass?

A

Mass cannot be created or destroyed, but can change its form. The total quantity of matter available in the universe is a fixed amount and never any more or less.

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16
Q

What is The Law of Conservation of Energy?

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can change its form. The total quantity of energy available in the universe is a fixed amount and never any more or less

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17
Q

What is all matter on Earth constructed from?

A

Elements

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18
Q

What are elements made up of?

A

Molecules

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19
Q

What are molecules made up of?

A

Atoms

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20
Q

What is an atom?

A

The smallest particle that exhibits the unique chemical characteristics of an element.

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21
Q

What is an atom made up of?

A

Protons, neutrons, and electrons

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22
Q

What is a proton?

A

A subatomic particle that has significant mass and contributes a single positive electrical charge to an atom.

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23
Q

What is a neutron?

A

A subatomic particle that has significant mass, but does not have an electrical charge.

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24
Q

What is an electron?

A

A subatomic particle that is extremely light and contributes a single negetive electrical charge to the atom.

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25
Q

What are ions?

A

Elements with net positive or negative charge (have a surplus or shortage of electrons).

Positive and negative ions are electrically attracted to each other.

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26
Q

How do atoms form matter structures that are larger than a single atom?

A

Through the ionic bonding of atoms.

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27
Q

How are molecules constructed?

A

Molecules are constructed when similar atoms bond together.

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28
Q

How are compounds constructed?

A

Compounds are constructed when different atoms bond together.

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29
Q

What are the three types of chemical bonding?

A
  1. Ionic Bonding
  2. Covalent Bonding
  3. Metallic Bonding
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30
Q

What is Ionic Bonding?

A

When atoms gain or lose one or more . They transfer electrons from one element to another and this keeps the ions together.

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31
Q

What is Covalent Bonding?

A

When atoms share one or more electrons.

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32
Q

What is Metallic Bonding?

A

When atoms share all of their electrons with each other.

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33
Q

Compounds and molecules constructed in living tissues are usually called _______.

A

Organic

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34
Q

Molecules and compounds not formed by living things are termed _________.

A

Inorganic

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35
Q

What are autotrophs?

A

Organisms that usually create organic matter by consuming inorganic molecules and compounds from the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

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36
Q

What are heterotrophs?

A

Organisms that consume and assimilate other living things to create their organic matter.

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37
Q

What are the four general categories of organic compounds?

A
  1. Lipids
  2. Carbohydrates
  3. Proteins
  4. Nucleic Acids
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38
Q

From what do most processes on Earth derive their energy from?

A

Electromagnetic waves from the sun.

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39
Q

What kind of electromagnetic waves does the sun release?

A

Most short, high-energy wavelengths of ultraviolet.

Some energy from the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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40
Q

Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum can we see?

A

The visible spectrum

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41
Q

Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum do we feel as heat?

A

Infrared

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42
Q

What can ionizing radiation do?

A

Ionizing radiation has sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms which causes the formation of ions.

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43
Q

What are the types of non-ionizing radiation and how do they affect us?

A
  • Visible Light - we can see this. Excessive visible radiation can damage eyes and skin.
  • Infrared Radiation - we absorb this through our eyes and skin as heat. (Examples: furnaces, heat lamps)
  • Ultraviolet Light - high photon energy range with no immediate symptoms to excessive eposure, making them particularly hazardous. (Examples: black lights, sunlight)
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44
Q

What are the three ways that energy can be transfered from one place to another?

A

Conduction, convection, and radiation

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45
Q

How does conduction work?

A

Energy is transferred directly from one atom to another. Molecules have to touch.

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46
Q

How does convection work?

A

A bunch of molecules move as one and must be in contact as a mass. Heat is transferred through the motion of molecules.

47
Q

How does radiation work?

A

Energy is trasferred through space and does not need a container. Major source of energy on Earth.

48
Q

What two processes do living beings use to capture and use energy?

A

Photosynthesis and Respiration

49
Q

How does Photosynthesis Work?

A

Plants capture electromagnetic energy from the sun.

There is carbon dioxide and water in sunlight yielding sugar and oxygen.

The products of photosynthesis are oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere, and glucose, a sugar.

Carbon Dioxide + Water = Sugar + Oxygen

50
Q

How does respiration work?

A

Respiration is the oxidation of sugar by organisms.

It occurs in animals and some plants.

One of the products of respiration is energy, which is released via the chemical decomposition of glucose.

Opposite of photosynthesis.

Sugar + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water

51
Q

What are the different levels in the organization of life?

A
  • Species
  • Population
  • Community
  • Ecosystem
52
Q

What is a species?

A

A group of organisms that are able to breed with each other and produce viable offspring.

They do not ordinarily breed with members of other groups, otherwise it would no longer be a distinctive kind of organism.

53
Q

What is a population?

A

A group of organisms belonging to the same species in the same place at the same time.

54
Q

What is a community?

A

Different populations of different species in a specific area at a specific time.

This may involve many different types of interactions among species.

55
Q

What is an ecosystem?

A

The community of different species, soil, atmosphere, solar radiation, and water in a certain area and how they all react with one another.

56
Q

What are the different kinds of living organisms that may live in an ecosystem?

A
  • Producers
  • Consumers
  • Decomposers
57
Q

What are producers?

A

Organisms that are self-feeding.

They create their own energy and nutrients.

58
Q

What are the primary consumers?

A

Primary consumers are herbivores. They gain energy and nutrients by consuming producers.

59
Q

What are secondary consumers?

A

Secondary consumers are carnivores. They gain energy and nutrients by indirectly consuming producers through primary consumers (herbivores).

60
Q

What are tertiary consumers?

A

Tertiary consumers gain energy and nutrients by consuming primary and secondary consumers.

61
Q

What are decomposers?

A

Organisms that gain nutrients and energy through eating organic matter in soil that comes from plants and animals dying or shedding tissue.

62
Q

More _________ are born than can possibly survive.

A

Organisms

More organisms are born than can possibly survive.

63
Q

Offspring are similar, but not identical to their ______.

A

Parents

Offspring are similar, but not identical to their parents.

64
Q

Every batch of offspring contains a natural range of _________________.

A

Genetic Variation

Every batch of offspring contains a natural range of genetic variation.

65
Q

________________, most of the time, are either harmful to an organism or neutral to it.

A

Genetic Mutations

Genetic mutations, most of the time, are either harmful to an organism or neutral to it.

66
Q

There are instances of genetic mutation that can be __________ to the survival of an organism.

A

Benefical.

There are instances of genetic mutation that can be beneficial to the survival of an organism.

67
Q

What is natural selection?

A

The better adapted members of a species are able to survive environmental pressures and pass on their successful genetic mutations to the next generation, allowing for a shift in the gene pool as the mutation becomes the norm in the species.

Less adapted creatures will die out.

68
Q

What is a breed?

A

A grouping of animals within a species, developed by humans.

69
Q

What is a chromosone?

A

Chromosones are inside the nucleus of a cell and consist of long strands of DNA.

70
Q

What is a gene?

A

Genes are the part of the DNA molecule responsible for passing on inheritable traits.

71
Q

What does DNA do?

A

Carries chemically coded information from generation to
generation, providing instructions for growth, development, and
functioning.

72
Q

How can **DNA **be altered?

A
  1. Sexual reproduction creates new combinations of chromosones.
  2. Genetic mutations create alterations in genes and DNA.
73
Q

_________ is the raw material for natural selection.

A

Variability

Variability is the raw material for natural selection.

74
Q

What is evolution?

A

Descent with modification from a common ancestor.

Only occurs when there is a change in gene frequency within a population over time.

Long term change of a species.

75
Q

What is microevolution?

A

Evolution at or below the species level.

  • Examples:*
  • Bacteria evolving resistance to antibiotics
  • Cockroaches evolving resistance to pesticides
  • Plants developing resistance to herbicides
  • *Selective breeding (plant hybrid species; breeds of dogs and
    cats) *
76
Q

What is macroevolution?

A

Evolution at or beyond the species level.

77
Q

What are specialists?

A

Species that are only able to live in one type of habitat.

78
Q

What is a generalist?

A

Species that are able to live in several different types of habitats.

Speciation occurs because one population may adapt to the
particular habitat better than the other

79
Q

________ may give the species a competitive advantage
over other users of the natural resources

A

Adaption

Adaptation may give the species a competitive advantage
over other users of the natural resources

80
Q

What is a disturbance?

A

An event that damages a biological community. A dominant feature in most communities.

Examples:

  • fires
  • storms
  • freezing
  • floods
  • desertification
  • human impacts
81
Q

What are the three main type of community species interaction?

A
  1. Competition
  2. Predation
  3. Symbiosis
82
Q

What is competition?

A

A kind of community species interaction that occurs when a shared resource in limited and the species are unable to share so they compete for the same resource.

83
Q

What is predation?

A

A community species interaction where one species eats another.

Consumer is called predator.

Food is called prey.

Parasitism is a form of predation.

84
Q

_________ _________ is often proceeded by a “crash” since the growing population eventually outstrips its available resources.

A

Population stability

Population stability is often proceeded by a “crash” since the growing population eventually outstrips its available resources.

85
Q

_________ _____ occurs when available resources exceed the number of individuals able to exploit them.

A

Population growth

Population growth occurs when available resources exceed the number of individuals able to exploit them.

86
Q

What happens when population growth occurs?

A

Reproduction rates are rapid and death rates are low.

87
Q

What are the two major patterns of population growth?

A
  1. Exponential growth model
  2. Geometric growth model
88
Q

In which population growth model are individuals are added to the population continuously?

A

The Exponential Growth Model

89
Q

In which population growth model individuals are added to the population at discrete intervals?

A

The Geometric Growth Model

90
Q

Describe continuous breeding patterns.

A

Organisms reproduce through their lifetime, which invests energy in future survival of the species.

91
Q

Describe discrete breeding patterns.

A

Organisms reproduce once and cease to grow as adults; they expend energy in reproduction and die.

92
Q

What are the two modes of population growth?

A
  1. The Exponential Growth Curve
  2. The Logistic Growth Curve
93
Q

When does the J-Curve in population growth occur?

A

In the population growth mode exponential curve, when there is no limit to population size.

94
Q

When does the S-Curve in population growth occur?

A

In the population growth mode of logistic curve, shows the effect of a limiting factor.

95
Q

During exponential growth, when there is maximum population growth under ideal circumstances, with unlimited resources and no hinderances, what has happened?

A

A population has reached it’s biotic potential.

96
Q

____________ _________ results in the population at the carrying capacity of the environment.

A

Environmental resistance

Environmental resistance results in the population at the carrying capacity of the environment.

97
Q

What are a few examples of population growth limits?

A
  • Limited food supplies
  • Limited space
  • Complex interactions
  • Other species
98
Q

What is the carrying capacity of a population?

A

The point where the population size levels off.

99
Q

What is the ultimate cause of population stabilization?

A

The environment

100
Q

What are examples of physical environmental factors that cause population stabilization?

A
  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Water Supply
  • Space Availability
  • Soil
  • Light

*Even one could severely limit population size. *

101
Q

What are the two life history patterns in the logistic population model?

A
  1. R-Selection
  2. K-Selection
102
Q

What are the traits of r-selected species?

A
  • small
  • short life span
  • don’t care for offspring
  • colonizers
  • mature fast
  • opprotunistic
  • have lots of offspring
  • infants don’t need a lot of care
103
Q

What are the traits of k-selected species?

A
  • large
  • long life span
  • take care of offspring
  • slow to mature
  • population is constant
  • have few offspring
  • keep equilibrium
  • don’t adapt to change easily
104
Q

What does the term life history mean?

A

Life history refers to the ages in which different milestones occur in an organisms life. Such as age of sexual maturity, age of death, etc.

105
Q

What is an age structure?

A

The relative proportion of individuals in each age group of a population.

106
Q

This is an example of what age distribution structure?

A

Pyramid-Shaped.

Increasing population.

107
Q

This is an example of what age distribution structure?

A

Cone-Shaped

Stable Population

108
Q

This is an example of what age distribution structure?

A

Bell-Shaped

Decreasing Population

109
Q

The chance of _________ increases exponentially with decreasing population size.

A

Extinction

The chance of extinction increases exponentially with decreasing population size.

110
Q

When does species extinction occur?

A

When all members of a species and its component populations go extinct.

111
Q

What is the ultimate cause of population decline and extinction?

A

Environmental Change

112
Q

What is an endangered species?

A

A species that has so few individual survivors that the species could soon become extinct over all or most or its natural range.

113
Q

What is a threatened species?

A

A species that is still abundant in its natural range but is declining in numbers and is likely to become endangered.

Environmental Science (2 decks)

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