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Environmental Science > Quiz 1 > Flashcards

Quiz 1 Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is the ecosystem approach to science?

A
  • Focuses on the relatinships between living organisms and their surroundings as a whole system.
  • Instead of on specific species or factors
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2
Q

How have humans responded to enviormnetal constraints?

A

Adaptation and mitigation

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3
Q

What are the two conflicting roles of the environmental scientist?

A

Protecting natural resources and assisting human progress

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4
Q

Arithmetic growth vs. exponential growth

A
  • Arithmetic: growth at a constant rate.
  • Exponential: grows faster and faster, multiplying over time (ie. Bacteria)
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5
Q

What is Malthusian growth

A

-Population explosions followed by population crashes (Irruptive).

-Grow until they exhaust their resources and then crash.

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6
Q

Biotic potential vs carrying capacity

A

Biotic: maximum reproductive rate of an organism.

Carrying: maximum number of individuals that can be supported in a given area.

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7
Q

Natality

A

Production of new individuals

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8
Q

Fecundity

A

Physical ability to reproduce

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9
Q

Fertility

A

Measure of actual number of offspring produced

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10
Q

Mortality

A

Death rate

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11
Q

Surviorship

A

Percentage surviving to a certain age

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12
Q

Life expectancy

A

Probable number of years of survival for an individual of a given age

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13
Q

Life span

A

Longest period of life reached by a given type of organism

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14
Q

Explain Demographic transition, draw a diagram

A

The transformation of a population from high birth and death rates to one in which people tend to live longer lives and raise smaller families

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15
Q

Three examples of anthropogenic environmental stressors

A
  • Air pollution
  • Water pollution
  • Deforestation
  • Habitat destruction
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16
Q

What is an ecological foot print

A

The amount of land, water, and resources required to sustain a person, or populations consumption levels.

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17
Q

Sustaiable devlopment vs ecologically sustainable development

A

Sustainable: uses natural resources in ways that do not deplete them or compromise them for future generations.

Ecologically: ensures that anthropogenic influence do not cause other species or natural ecosystems to become extinct or endangered.

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18
Q

Malthusian growth predicts exponential growth with available resources. why does this not hold true for human populations in developing and developed countries?

A

Factors such as
- access to contraception
- Education
- economic development
- culture
Don’t change the amount of resources available.
- developed countries have low birth rates and available birth rates.

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19
Q

Intrinsic value

A

Has worth or value simply because it exists (Ex. Humans, Natural capital value)

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20
Q

Instrumental value

A

has worth or value only because they are valued by someone who matters (Ex. Tools)

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21
Q

Fact

A

an event or thing that is know to have happened or to have existed, and to be true

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22
Q

Hypothesis

A

a proposed explanation of an observed phenomenon and its cause

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23
Q

Theory

A

a widely accepted, well tested explanation of something that has been validated by research.

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24
Q

Paradigm

A
  • When a widely accepted theory has contradictions arise
  • new generations create new hypothesis, “paradigm shifts”)
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25
Q

Treatment group

A

subjected to the varible we want to test.

26
Q

Control group

A

is not exposed to the varible

27
Q

What are 4 philosophical perspectives on the environment

A
  • Anthropocentric- Humam centered
  • Stewardship- thoughtful use of resources
  • Biocentric- all living things have intrinsic vales and rights.
  • Ecocentric- values all living things, importance of nature.
28
Q

What is the difference between inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning, give an example.

A

Inductive reasoning- general principles are inferred, comes from evidence.

Ex. (observation: plants given equal amounts of water, oil, nutrients will grow better in sunlight.

Induction: Plants require sunlight to grow.)

Deductive reasoning- starts with a general principle/idea and proceeds to a specific case

Ex. (Statement 1: based on previous research we know that chlorinated organic chemicals are likely to have adverse effects on organisms.

Statement 2: We know that DDT is a chlorinated organic chemical.

Deduction: DDT is likely to have adverse effects on an organism.)

29
Q

What is Occam’s razor? What are some other Razors?

A

Occam’s razor: simplest answer is the better answer.

Einstein’s razor: “make things as simple as possible, but no simpler.”

Sagan standard: Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Popper’s falsifiability principle: theory must be falsifiable.

Alder’s razor: must be settleable by experiment or observation to be worthy of debate.

Hanlon’s razor: Never worry about criticism that comes from stupidity.

30
Q

What are some indicators of good science?

A
  • Scientific methods is used
  • Good experimental design, ie.
    Quality assurance: how the experiment is done.
    Quality control: inspection of quality
  • Use control groups
  • Appropriate and current analysis methods.
31
Q

What is accuracy as compared to precision? give examples of measures of accuracy and precision.

A

-Accuracy is how close measurements are to what they should be

Ex. If you take the measurement of the mass of a body of 20 kg and you get 17.4,17,17.3 and 17.1, your weighing scale is precise but not very accurate

-Precision is how close measurements of the same item are to each other (replication)

Ex. If your scale gives you values of 19.8, 20.5, 21.0, and 19.6, it is more accurate than the first balance but not very precise.

32
Q

Convert 0.01mg/L to ng/ml

A

1 mg/L = 1,000 ng/mL

So, to convert 0.01 mg/L to ng/mL:

0.01 mg/L=0.01×1,000 ng/mL=10 ng/mL

Thus, 0.01 mg/L is equal to 10 ng/mL.

33
Q

Describe the major features in the geological
structure of earth.

A
  1. Crust: brittle, low density crust (Where we live)
  2. Mantle: harder, rocky (Lithosphere)
  3. Outer core: less dense mantle with semi molten minerals (asthenosphere)
  4. Inner core: molten outer core and solid inner core (mostly iron)
34
Q

Describe the process of plate tectonics and structures formed by this process

A

The upper level of the mantal contains connection currents that break apart crust into tectonic plates.

35
Q

Describe the main layers of a typical soil profile.

A
  • O Horizon (Organic material) fallen leaves and partially decomposed organic debris.
  • A Horizon (Topsoil) Organic matter, living organisms, inorganic materials.
  • E Horizon (Leached) depleted of soluble nutrients.
  • B Horizonn (Subsoil) accumulation of iron, aluminium, humid compounds and clay leached drown from A and E Horizons.
  • C Horizon (Parent Material) Heater rock fragments with little organic materials.
  • R Horizon (Regolith) Bedrock.
36
Q

What is Micorrhizal symbiosis and why is it an advantage for trees?

A

Partnership between fungi and tree roots that benefit both.

Advantages for trees:

  • Fungi helps trees absorb more nutrients
  • Fungi extend the root system allowing trees to absorb more water
  • Helps protect trees from harmful soil organisms and diseases
  • Trees become better at handling tree from drought or poor soil conditions.
37
Q

Why are glaciers inportant to the environment?

A
  • Fresh water supply
  • Climate regulation: reflecting sunlight, keeping[ing earth cool.
  • Sea level control
  • Glaciers help for the terrain we currently like in.
38
Q

Common features formed by glaciers?

A
  • Moraines - (long mounded hills) mixed rocky debris (till)
  • Drumlins - (teardrop-shaped hills) mixed rocky materials.
  • Eskers - (serpentine mounds) rivers running beneath a glacier.
  • Erratics – (scattered rounded boulders)
  • Fiords - (long oceanic inlets) carved by glacial flow.
39
Q

Explain the 3 rock classifications

A
  • Igneous- most common type of rock in the earths crust, solidified from magma
  • Sedimentary rock- deposited materials that are in a place long enough or are covered with enough materials for compaction and become rock again. (Ex. Sandstone)
  • Metamorphic rock- pre-existing rocks that are modified by heat, pressure, and chemical agents. (Ex. Marble, quartzite, and slate)
40
Q

Difference between climate and weather?

A

Climate- refers to the long-term average
conditions of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed and direction, fog, and cloud cover for a place or region.

Weather- refers to shorter-term conditions, over hours or days, of these same environmental factors.

41
Q

What are the main compartments and
components of the hydrosphere?

A
  1. Oceans– The largest part, holding about 97% of Earth’s water.
  2. Freshwater– Found in lakes, rivers, glaciers, ice caps, and underground.
  3. Atmosphere– Water vapor and clouds that lead to rain and snow.
  4. Cryosphere– Frozen water like glaciers, sea ice, and snow.
  5. Biosphere– Water inside living things like plants and animals.
  6. Soil moisture– Water in the soil that helps plants grow.
42
Q

Draw a diagram of the temperature
profile of the atmosphere and its divisions.
Why is the Troposphere particularly
important in Env. Science?

A

The troposphere has great variations in the
distribution of heat (responsible for weather patterns).

43
Q

What factors affect temperature distribution
on Earth ?

A
  1. The sun.
  2. Atmospheric reflectivity (e.g., clouds, fine particulates, water vapour and other greenhouse gases).
  3. Night & day, and season of the year.
  4. Latitudinal position (Where you are on earth).
  5. Altitude
44
Q

Define Energy

A

the ability
to do “work

45
Q

Define Work

A

a force being applied over a distance.

46
Q

Define Primary productivity

A

the rate at which energy is converted to chemical energy (like sugars) by photosynthetic producers.

47
Q

What are the states in which energy may exist?

A
  1. Kinetic
  2. Electric
  3. Potential
  4. Chemical
  5. Radiant
  6. Sound
48
Q

What are the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics?

A
  1. Energy can only be transformed, it can not be created or destroyed.
  2. Entropy, or the amount of dissorder within the system alwasy increases when energy is transformed or transfered.
49
Q

Does photosyntheis contradict the 2nd law? explain

A
  • The second law says that in any energy process, the overall entropy of the system must increase.
  • because the sun provides energy, and the total system (plants + environment) has an overall increase in disorder. Some energy is lost as heat, so the process still follows the rule.
50
Q

What is DOM? Name 3 of its key chareteristics

A

(Dissolved organic matter)

  1. Is made of a variety of organic molecules (Ex. proteins, carbohydrates, and humic substances).
  2. Serves as a food source for microorganisms, fueling the microbial food web in aquatic systems.
  3. Effects water chemstry: affects the color, pH, and transparency of water.
51
Q

What are the main factors affecting the Earth’s incoming energy budget?

A
  1. Solar radiation
  2. The earths refelctivity (Albedo)
  3. Atmospheric composition (CO2, etc.)
  4. Clouds and water vapour
  5. Surface and ocean heat storage
  6. Dust, volcanic ash, and other aresols
52
Q

Why is the trophic structure of ecological productivity pyramid shaped? Explain.

A

Energy decreases as you go up the pyramid, so fewer organisms can exist at the top.

53
Q

Define nutrients

A

chemicals that are required for the proper functioning of organisms

54
Q

Describe the main components of the N, C, S, P cycles.

A
  1. Nitrogen cycle
  • Fixation: Bacteria change nitrogen into amonium
  • Nitrification: Bactiria turns it into nitrates.
  • Assimilation: Plants absorb nitrates from the soil and are used by plants.
  • Amonification: Plant dies, decomposers turn nitrogen back into amoniu (Back into cycle)
  • Denitrification: Extra nitrogen in the soil gets released by organisms.

2.Carbon Cycle

  • Photosynthesis: Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air to make food.
  • Respiration: Animals and plants release CO₂ when they breathe.
  • Decomposition: When living things die, carbon goes back into the soil or air.
  • Burning: Burning fossil fuels adds more CO₂ to the air.

3.Sulfur Cycle

  • From Rocks: Sulfur comes from rocks and enters the soil and water.
  • Plants and Animals: Plants take up sulfur, and animals get it by eating plants.
  • Volcanoes: Volcanic eruptions release sulfur into the air.

4.Phosphorus Cycle

  • From Rocks: Phosphorus comes from rocks and goes into soil and water.
  • Plants and Animals: Plants absorb phosphorus, and animals get it by eating plants.
  • Decomposition: plants and animals dies and phosphorus goes back into the environment.
  • Sedimentation: Phosphorus can settle in water and eventually form rocks again.
55
Q

Why is the C cycle important in environmental science?

A
  1. Climate Balance (CO2 in atmosphere)
  2. Photosyntheis (Plants absorb CO₂ to make food through photosynthesis).
  3. Ocean Health (Oceans absorb a lot of CO₂,, too much makes oceans acidic).
  4. Soil Quality (Carbon in soil helps plants grow by providing nutrients and keeping soil healthy).
  5. Human impact to cabon cycle and climate change.
56
Q

What is the largest reservoir of carbon

A

Sedimentary rocks are the largest long-term mostly “stable” reservoir for Carbon.

57
Q

Do natural or anthropogenic sources have larger carbon fluxes?

A

Natural sources move much more carbon overall than human activities.

58
Q

Why is inorganic nitrogen important to ecosystems?

A

Plants use inorganic nitrogen from the
environment to build protein molecules
which are later eaten by consumers.

59
Q

How does the phosphorus cycle differ from C and N cycles?

A

it doesn’t involve the atmosphere and moves more slowly through ecosystems (from rocks to soil to organisms).

60
Q

What are the benefits and problems associated with the green revolution in agriculture?

A

Benefits:
1. More food through high crop production, less food insecurity.
2. Made farming more productive and efficent (pestiscides).
3. Economic growth for farmers.

Problems:
1. Environmental harm
2. Water shortages (increased irrigation).
3. Inequality between farmers.
4. Pesticides made soil less fertile over time.

61
Q

Explain how the research at ELA was important to the phosphorous debate of the 1970s.

A
  1. Understanding Eutrophication:
    - Experiments that showed how phosphorus leads to eutrophication (excess nutrients cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water).
  2. Phosphorus as a Key Nutrient:
    - Research established that phosphorus was often the main culprit for algal blooms in many lakes.
  3. Influencing Policy Changes:
    - Environmental regulations to control phosphorus pollution.
    - Banning phosphorus in household detergents.
    - Improving wastewater treatment processes to reduce phosphorus runoff.
  4. Building Scientific Consensus:
    - general agreement among scientists about the harmful effects of phosphorus on water quality.

Environmental Science (2 decks)

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