Human Impact on the Environment

Question 1

Pollution

Answer 1

Any harmful/dangerous substance that is released into the environment

Question 2

Conservation

Answer 2

Using resources at a minimum so that they can last longer

Question 3

Sustainability

Answer 3

The ability to reuse materials so they don’t run out

Question 4

Examples of our limiting factors

Answer 4

Food, water, space, oxygen

Question 5

Direct Harvesting

Answer 5

Organisms are removed from the environment and NOT replaced

Question 6

Deforestation

Answer 6

Decreases biodiversity by habitat destruction

Question 7

Overpopulation

Answer 7

Created by improved health care and hygiene

Question 8

Carrying capacity

Answer 8

Amount of organisms that can be supported by the habitat

Question 9

Limiting Factors

Answer 9

Are factors in the environment that limit the size of populations

Question 10

What are some of the detrimental effects of overpopulation

Answer 10

Technology, Waste Disposal, Over Consumption, Overcrowding, Habitat Destruction, Industrialization

Question 11

Other names for Imported Species

Answer 11

Non-native or Invasive species

Question 12

Imported species

Answer 12

Animal and vegetation species that are introduced into environments.
They become pests & disrupt the ecosystem by reducing biodiversity

Question 13

How do ecologists solve the pest problems?

Answer 13

Diseases created specifically for the pest, use of pesticides or insecticides or Biological Control

Question 14

Biological Control

Answer 14

The release of natural predators of a pest species

Question 15

Water Pollution

Answer 15

Introduction of harmful chemicals into lakes, rivers, oceans

Question 16

Examples of what pollutes the water

Answer 16

Sewage, wastes from homes & factories, animal wastes from farm, fertilizers

Question 17

Toxic Wastes

Answer 17

Can cause environmental problems. When they are disposed the cells of the organisms that live there can collect it

Question 18

Biological Magnification

Answer 18

The increase in the concentration of toxic substances as they move through the food chain

Question 19

Thermal contamination

Answer 19

Power plants and industries use water to cool down their machines and then release it to a river or lake. The warm water cannot hold much oxygen and some species may suffocate.

Question 20

Contaminant

Answer 20

Any dangerous/hazardous substance that is contaminating a certain space

Question 21

Air Pollution

Answer 21

The release of harmful substances into the air

Question 22

Example of what pollutes the air

Answer 22

Fossil Fuels

Question 23

Acid Rain

Answer 23

Caused mainly by S02 (Sulfur) and N02 (Nitrogen). Lowers pH of lakes, kills plants animals

Question 24

Carbon Dioxide

Answer 24

Greenhouse gas that I produced from burning fossil fuels and a product of cellular respiration

Question 25

Greenhouse gases

Answer 25

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

Question 26

Examples of greenhouse gases

Answer 26

CO2, methane, water vapor

Question 27

How does deforestation cause an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Answer 27

Less trees = less photosynthesis = more CO2 and less O2

Question 28

Global warming

Answer 28

The increase in earth's temperature because of the increased levels of greenhouse gases. CO2 from burning

Question 29

Detrimental effects of Global Warming

Answer 29

Melting of the polar ice caps, rising in sea level, flooding in many coastal areas

Question 30

Ozone Layer

Answer 30

Protects us from UV radiation

Question 31

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)

Answer 31

Chemicals that destroy the ozone layer

Question 32

Examples of CFC's

Answer 32

Aerosol cans, refrigerator emissions, air conditioner emissions

Question 33

Problem with CFC's

Answer 33

They create holes in the ozone layer around the earth. Lets UV radiation enter the earth

Question 34

Effects of UV in living things

Answer 34

Mutations that lead to cancer

Question 35

Nonrenewable resources

Answer 35

Finite = limited Once we use them, they're gone FOREVER

Question 36

Examples of nonrenewable resources

Answer 36

Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, natural gas

Question 37

Renewable resources

Answer 37

Replaceable They will keep coming as long as we treat them properly

Question 38

Alternative Energy Sources

Answer 38

Hydroelectricity, wind power, solar energy, nuclear energy

Question 39

Hydroelectricity

Answer 39

Dammed water is sent through a turbine & generates electricity

Question 40

Advantages of hydroelectricity

Answer 40

-Little or no pollution -Doesn't depend on fossil fuels

Question 41

Disadvantages of hydroelectricity

Answer 41

-Destroys the surrounding aquatic ecosystems

Question 42

Wind Power

Answer 42

Wind spins turbine blades to produce electricity

Question 43

Advantages of wind power

Answer 43

-Little or no pollution -Don't use water

Question 44

Disadvantages of wind power

Answer 44

-Depends if the day is windy or not -Need a lot of turbines to generate as much energy as one fossil fuel power plant

Question 45

Solar Energy

Answer 45

The use of the sun's energy to generate electricity

Question 46

Advantages of solar energy

Answer 46

-Relatively pollution free -Is affordable

Question 47

Disadvantages of solar energy

Answer 47

-Not available at night -Reduced during cloud cover

Question 48

Nuclear energy

Answer 48

Energy produced from splitting of atoms

Question 49

Advantages of nuclear energy

Answer 49

-The only emission is water vapor -Low fuel costs (uranium)

Question 50

Disadvantages of nuclear energy

Answer 50

-Waste is radioactive -High maintenance costs

Question 51

Ecological Succession

Answer 51

The process by which an ecosystem changes over time

Question 52

Trade off

Answer 52

Decisions by you weighing the pros and cons our actions will have in the environment