Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Pentathlon > Penta Science 1 > Flashcards

Penta Science 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is environmental science?

A

The study of the impacts of human activities on environmental systems

This includes large-scale actions like agriculture and mining, as well as everyday individual actions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the environment encompass?

A

The sum total of all conditions and living and nonliving factors surrounding an organism

This includes other organisms, food sources, predators, weather, and landscape.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Define a local environment.

A

The area immediately surrounding an organism or person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a system in environmental science?

A

A set of living and/or nonliving components connected in such a way that changes in one part affect other parts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are environmental indicators?

A

Measures that reflect the environmental health of a system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

List the six categories of environmental indicators.

A
  • Biological diversity
  • Human population growth
  • Food production
  • Resource consumption
  • Global temperature and atmospheric greenhouse gas levels
  • Pollution levels
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does biological diversity describe?

A

The diversity of genes, species, habitats, and ecosystems on Earth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a species?

A

A group of organisms that is distinct from other groups in morphology, physiology, or biochemical properties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the estimated number of identified species on Earth?

A

Approximately 1.8 million

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the ‘background’ extinction rate for mammals?

A

Two mammal extinctions per 10,000 species per one hundred years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How much have human activities accelerated species extinction rates?

A

Up to a hundred times higher than background rates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the current global human population as of November 2022?

A

Eight billion people

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is food production an indicator of?

A

The quality of soils, climatic conditions, land area under cultivation, human labor, energy, and water used in growing food

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the term ‘intensity’ refer to in agriculture?

A

How much food is grown per hectare or acre of land

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define sustainable use of resources.

A

Present-day consumption of resources allows an adequate supply to remain for future generations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the significance of global temperatures and greenhouse gases?

A

They regulate the Earth’s temperature and are influenced by both natural processes and human activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are greenhouse gases?

A

Gases that trap heat around the Earth, warming the atmosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions?

A

The combustion of fossil fuels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is lead’s chemical symbol?

A

Pb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

True or False: The production of lead has decreased over the last five thousand years.

A

False

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What major legislative change occurred in 1975 regarding lead?

A

Clean air legislation required new cars to use unleaded gasoline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is a significant source of lead contamination in homes built before 1960?

A

Lead-based paint

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a major ingredient in paint that poses health risks?

A

Lead

Houses built before 1960 often have high lead concentrations in paint.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the primary source of lead contamination in the U.S. today?

A

Drinking water from lead pipes and plumbing materials

Lead pipes are particularly prevalent in lower-income communities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the scientific method?
An objective way to explore the natural world, draw inferences, and predict outcomes.
26
What are the major steps in the scientific method?
* Observe * Generate a hypothesis * Test the hypothesis * Accept, revise, or reject the hypothesis * Report findings * Replicate the experiment
27
What is a hypothesis?
A testable and falsifiable statement about organisms or processes under observation.
28
What is an observational experiment?
An experiment conducted by observing phenomena without interference.
29
What is a manipulation experiment?
An experiment where an aspect of the environment is changed to test predictions.
30
What are the two groups in a manipulation experiment?
* Experimental group * Control group
31
Why is a large sample size important in experiments?
To ensure that the data gathered are representative of the entire population.
32
What happens if findings differ from the hypothesis?
The hypothesis is modified and retested.
33
Why is reporting findings to others essential in the scientific method?
To inform the scientific community and contribute to the body of knowledge.
34
What occurs when a hypothesis is widely accepted?
It may become a theory.
35
What is a universal law in science?
A widely accepted theory that applies universally without exceptions.
36
What is an example of a universal law?
The First Law of Thermodynamics.
37
What does it mean when scientific findings are repeated by different investigators?
We can begin to trust that the observed phenomenon is real and significant.
38
What is system dynamics?
The interactions of systems and components within systems.
39
What are the two types of systems in environmental science?
* Open systems * Closed systems
40
What is an open system?
A system where the exchange of matter or energy with other systems occurs.
41
What is a closed system?
A system where no exchange of matter occurs.
42
What is the Earth system with respect to energy and matter?
Open with respect to energy and closed with respect to matter.
43
What are some important areas related to human influence in environmental systems?
* Economics * Social structures * Law * Policy * Environmental advocacy
44
What is system analysis?
Determining inputs, outputs, and changes within a given system.
45
What is an example of a system analysis in everyday life?
Analyzing a personal checking account to learn financial status.
46
What do systems analysts call the balance of money in a checking account?
Pool ## Footnote The term 'pool' refers to the total amount of money available in the account.
47
What are the two types of transactions that affect your checking account balance?
Inputs and Outputs ## Footnote Inputs refer to deposits, while outputs refer to checks and withdrawals.
48
What is the term for the change in the pool of money in a checking account?
Flux ## Footnote Flux indicates the change in balance due to inputs and outputs.
49
What is a flux rate?
Flow per unit of time ## Footnote It quantifies income in terms of dollars per month.
50
What is mass balance analysis?
An accounting of inputs and outputs to determine fluxes in a given system ## Footnote It can be applied to various materials, including money, water, and pollutants.
51
What formula represents net flux?
Net Flux = Inputs – Outputs ## Footnote This formula is used in mass, energy, or monetary balance analysis.
52
What does it mean if a system is in steady state?
Input equals output and the size of the pool does not change over time ## Footnote Steady state indicates balance within the system.
53
Give an example of a system that is in steady state.
Water in the atmosphere ## Footnote The amount entering from evaporation equals the amount leaving as precipitation.
54
What is accumulation in the context of environmental systems?
The rate at which a system is gaining material ## Footnote It can be determined by analyzing inputs and outputs.
55
What is depletion in environmental systems?
The rate at which a system is losing material ## Footnote Similar to accumulation but focuses on loss.
56
What are feedbacks in environmental systems?
Adjustments made by a system in response to behavior or events ## Footnote Feedbacks can be negative or positive.
57
What is a negative feedback loop?
A process that brings the system variable back to a starting point ## Footnote Balancing a checkbook is an example.
58
What is a positive feedback loop?
A process that moves the system variable away from the stable point ## Footnote An example is a gambler increasing bets after losses.
59
What is the significance of the Earth’s heating system feedback loop?
It illustrates how warmer temperatures lead to further warming due to increased evaporation ## Footnote This can create a cycle of increasing temperatures.
60
What is overshoot in system dynamics?
Exceeding the stable set point of a system ## Footnote It can occur due to delays in response to signals.
61
What controls the size of a population?
Inputs (births and immigration) and outputs (deaths and emigration) ## Footnote These factors determine net population change.
62
What is the formula for net population change?
Net Population Change = Input (Births + Immigration) – Output (Deaths + Emigration) ## Footnote This formula helps in understanding population dynamics.
63
What can regulate population size in environmental systems?
Abiotic components and populations of other organisms ## Footnote For example, food availability and predation can influence population dynamics.
64
What is the current estimated human population on Earth?
Approximately 8 billion ## Footnote The population continues to grow, though the growth rate is decreasing.
65
What is the background rate of extinction?
Two mammal species per 10,000 species per one hundred years ## Footnote Human activities have increased extinction rates significantly.
66
How have atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases changed?
They are steadily increasing due to human activity ## Footnote This is contributing to global temperature rise and climate change.
67
What is sustainability?
Consumption of resources in the present that allows an adequate supply for future generations ## Footnote It is crucial for maintaining environmental health.
68
What are the two main types of systems in environmental science?
Open systems and closed systems ## Footnote Open systems exchange matter and energy, while closed systems do not.
69
What does a system analysis determine?
What goes in, what comes out, and what has changed within a given system ## Footnote Mass balance analysis is a key tool in this process.
70
What happens when a system experiences overshoot?
It may exceed the carrying capacity ## Footnote This can lead to population crashes due to disease or starvation.

Pentathlon (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions