Human Population and Pollution - Test #1 Flashcards
True/False:
Humans need to interact with many different forms of life and non-living environment for survival
True
How do human interactions affect other organisms?
- Some organisms depend on human interactions
- The way we change our physical environment will determine the survival of all living things
Is the population growth stable or unstable?
The population growth is unstable
What has advanced medical education and knowledge allowed for?
It has allowed for the death rate from disease to decrease
What is the result of ecosystems not being able to produce enough food?
Starvation results
How have some ecosystems increased food production?
Some ecosystems have increased food production by increased science discoveries and technologies
What is a pollutant?
A pollutant is something put into the water or soil making it unfit for living conditions
How do many substances become pollutants?
Many substances become pollutants when natural systems can not break them down
What is a carcinogen?
A substance that causes cancer
Water Pollution…
Interferes with our ability to obtain pure water for things like drinking, washing, etc.
Water Pollution:
Pollutants?
- Thermal pollutant (heat)
- Pesticides
- Sewage
- Heavy metals (washing detergents and PBCs)
Why are phosphates in the water bad?
Because phosphates are eaten by algae, increasing the algae population, algae die, algae decompose, algae pull O2 from H2O and then suffocate aquatic animals
Air Pollution…
- Interferes with our ability to obtain clean air (for breathing)
- Produces residues that are destructive to buildings and machinery
Air Pollution:
Pollutants?
- Smoke
- Ash
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Organic vapour
- Soot
What does to much Carbon dioxide cause?
To much Carbon dioxide causes warming greenhouse effect
What creates acid rain?
Acid rain forms when Sulfur, Nitrogen oxides and water vapour combine. Acid rain is harmful to organisms
How does smog form?
Smog forms when smoke, gas, and fog is warmed by sunlight
Why are CFCs bad?
CFCs bind to the ozone, ozone depletes. Depletion of the ozone leads to things like cancer, decreased immunity, etc.
Soil Pollution…
Interferes with our ability to obtain water from wells, reduce recreation areas, and may kill soil decomposers
Soil Pollution:
Pollutants?
- Organic and inorganic chemicals
- Solid waste and pesticides
What are some results of negative human impacts?
- Some human activity has led to the extinction and endangerment for many plant and species
What is the difference between an endangered species and an extinct species?
Endangered - a species that may soon disappear w/o human protection
Extinct - a species that has already disappeared entirely
Overhunting and Exploitation…
- Unrelated hunting, fishing and trapping have resulted in extinction
- The exploitation of wild plants and animals for products have disrupted ecosystems and endangered populations
