Quarter 1 Test Review Flashcards
Ecological Organization Order
Organism
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Predation
One organism kills and eats another organism
Competition
Two or more organisms of the same or different species attempt to use the same limited resource
Parasitism
Organisms that live in or on another organism and feed on it without immediately killing it
Mutualism
Cooperative partnership between two species in which both species benefit
Commensalism
A relationship in which one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped
Turbine
A machine that plays a key role in transforming fluid or air energy into usable work or electricity
Niche
An organism’s way of life; Offspring, reproduction, shelter, environment, interactions
Habitat
Place organism lives; “address”
Environmental Science
The study of how humans interact with the environment
Greenhouse Gas
The gasses in the atmosphere that trap and radiate heat
Examples: Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide
People are worried that it contributes to global warming
Renewable Energy Examples
Solar energy
Wind energy
Geothermal Energy
Hydropower
Nonrenewable Energy Examples
Coal
Natural gas
Oil
Nuclear Energy
Renewable versus Nonrenewable Energy
Renewable Energy: can be continually produced
Nonrenewable Energy: have a limited amount
Sustainable World
A world in which human populations can continue to exist indefinitely with a high standard of living and health. Habits would be preserved, resources used sparingly, and waste turned into harmless substances
Population Crisis
The human population is growing too quickly for the region to support. Most severe in developing countries, like Thailand, Mexico, India.
Consumption Crisis
Resources are being depleted quicker than they can be renewed. Most severe in developed countries, like America, Canada, Japan.
Applied Science
Uses the information provided by pure science to solve problems
Environmental science is considered applied science because it uses all kinds of sciences to solve problems having to do with the environment
Pure Science
Seeks to answer questions about how the natural world works
Statistics
Used to analyze scientific data
Extreme Ecosystem imbalance
When a natural or human-caused disturbance disrupts the natural balance of an ecosystem
Example: Mongoose/rat issue
Natural Gas to Electricity Conversion
Natural gas > Heat > Kinetic > Mechanical > Electromagnetic > Electricity
Raw Energy Sources
Used to produce ELECTRICITY as the highest percentage end-product in the United States
Environmental Problems
Pollution
Resource Depletion
Extinction
Hydropower
Advantages: Renewable, Base load power, Pairs with other renewables, Large supply
Disadvantages: Displaced people due to flooding, Needs specific infrastructure, Greenhouse gases, Expensive up front
Coal
Advantages: Affordable, Infrastructure, Experience, High energy density
Disadvantages: Nonrenewable, Global warming, Ash/Sludge waste, Health problems
Fossil Future Summary Chapter 1
Ignoring Benefits: Researchers/experts support the rapid elimination of fossil fuels and ignore their massive benefits. Fossil fuels are cost-effective, which is essential to human flourishing, and billions are dying because of the lack of cost-effective energy
Fossil Future Summary Chapter 2
Catastrophizing Side-Effects: Researchers/Experts are catastrophizing the negative effects of fossil fuels. It is important to recognize the experts track record and to use that to decide whether or not they are reliable. Experts have been wrong before, and sometimes they completely change their opinions. Be careful of Irrational Methods of Observation.
Types of graphs
Line Graph: Shows points plotted on a graph and connected by a line. Used to show trends or changes over time.
Bar Graph: Shows rectangular bars where the length of the bar is proportional to the quantity of data. Effective at showing several comparisons at once
Pie Chart: Shows percentages, with the whole circle representing 100%. Relative percentages of different factors.
