Lesson 1 - INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Question 1

Describes living and nonliving surroundings relevant to organisms. It incorporates physical, chemical and biological factors and processes that
determine the growth and survival of organisms, populations, and communities.

Answer 1

Environment

Question 2

Studies all aspects of the environment in an interdisciplinary way. This means that it requires the knowledge of various other
subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, microbiology, biochemistry, geology, economics, law, sociology, etc.

Answer 2

Environmental science

Question 3

_______ is one of the fastest growing and most complex disciplines of engineering. ________ solve problems and design systems using knowledge of environmental concepts and ecology, thereby providing solutions to various environmental problems.

Answer 3

1. Environmental engineering
2. Environmental engineers

Question 4

CONSTITUENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Answer 4

1. Physical elements
2. Biological elements
3. Cultural elements

Question 5

PHYSICAL ELEMENTS

Answer 5

landforms,
water-bodies,
climate,
soils, rocks, and minerals.

Question 6

BIOLOGICAL
ELEMENTS

Answer 6

plants, animals, micro-organisms,
and man.

Question 7

CULTURAL ELEMENTS

Answer 7

economic, social and political
conditions which are largely man-
made features

Question 8

Components of the Environment

Answer 8

1. Atmosphere
2. Hydrosphere
3. Lithosphere
4. Biosphere

Question 9

Atmosphere

Answer 9

Gas portion

Layers:
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere

Question 10

Hydrosphere

Answer 10

Water portion

Consists of 71% of the Earth

Water moves through the __
In a cycle

Question 11

Lithosphere

Answer 11

solid portion

The rigid outer part of the earth,
consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Question 12

relatively thin life-supporting
stratum of Earth’s surface, extending from a few kilometers into the
atmosphere to the deep-sea vents of the ocean.

Answer 12

Biosphere

Question 13

The biosphere is a global
ecosystem composed of

Answer 13

living organisms (biota) and the abiotic (nonliving) factors from which they derive energy and nutrients.

Question 14

Basic Components of the Environment

Answer 14

1. Biotic - living
2. Abiotic - non-living

Question 15

Importance of Environmental Studies

Answer 15

1. To clarify modern environmental concepts like how to conserve biodiversity.
2. To know the more sustainable way of living.
3. To use natural resources more efficiently.
4. To know the behavior of an organism under natural conditions.
5. To know the interrelationship between organisms in populations and communities.
6. To be aware and educate people regarding environmental issues and problems at local, national and international levels.

Question 16

Types of environment

Answer 16

1. Geographical environment
2. Man-made environment

Question 17

It is a social environment and it exists as long as a particular society exists. It pertains to the regulations, traditions, organizations and institutions. It involves customs and folkways which exist in every human group. It is addressed with
names such as non-material culture, social heritage etc.

Answer 17

The inner environment

Question 18

is as a result of these modifications which includes modern infrastructure in cities, our
homes and their associated amenities, our modes of communication and transport, our
resorts to conveniences and luxury, different kinds of industry manufacturing luxurious commodities, electrical appliances and so on which ultimately aims at civilization and urbanization

Answer 18

The outer environment