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Environmental Science > Semester Exam > Flashcards

Semester Exam Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Steps of the Scientific Method

A
  1. Observation
  2. Question
  3. Hypothesis
  4. Experiment
  5. Analyze
  6. Draw Conclusions
  7. Submit for peer review and Communicate results
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2
Q

Observation

A

Seeing, hearing smelling, tasting, feeling, be skeptical of new report until confirmed

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3
Q

Question

A
  • clear and measurable

- can be tested

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4
Q

Hypothesis

A

An educated guess about the cause of an observation. Is tested through observation and experimentation

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5
Q

Experiment

A

A systematic test of a hypothesis. Factors are tested one at a time

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6
Q

Analyze

A

Apply the appropriate statistical tests to ensure the validity of the results

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7
Q

Draw Conclusions (Conclusions must be:)

A
  1. Must be objective
  2. Lack bias
  3. Accept or reject hypothesis
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8
Q

Submit for peer review and Communicate results

A

Rigorous peer review roots out junk science

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9
Q

Sustainability

A

the goal we should be working toward in our relationship with the natural world

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10
Q

Stewardship

A

Managing natural resources and human well-being for the common good

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11
Q

Sound science

A
  • understanding how the world works and how humans interact with it
  • uses the scientific method
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12
Q

Junk science

A
  • doesn’t conform to the rigorous methods and practices of legitimate science
  • information presented as scientifically valid, but does not conform to the rigors of true science
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13
Q

Environmental racism

A

waste sites and other industries occur in poor, nonwhite areas

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14
Q

Control

A

the set-up that is the norm that you compare to the experimental results (doesn’t have the variable)

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15
Q

Variable

A

Independent: variable that’s manipulated
Dependent: variable depends on independent

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16
Q

Biodiversity

A

variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they are part

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17
Q

Importance of biodiversity

A

it helps maintain the stability of natural systems (enabling them to recover after a disturbance)

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18
Q

Causes of biodiversity loss

A
  1. COnversion of natural lands to crops and cities (habitat loss/fragmentation)
  2. Pollution and global warming
  3. Expoliation for commercial value (overharvesting)
  4. Species hunted, killed, and marketed illegally
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19
Q

Environmental science is a multidisciplinary academic field field that integrates…

A

physical, biological, and information sciences

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20
Q

Environmental science

A

the study of the environment and the solution to environmental problems

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21
Q

Environmental science provides an…

A

integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems

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22
Q

Silent Spring

A

successful because of the meticulous documentation of thorough reseach

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23
Q

Rachel Carson

A

initiated environmental awareness that led to the modern environmental movement

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24
Q

3 Most Important Sectors for Jobs

A

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

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25
Q

Global warming trends and causes

A

carbon dioxide in atmosphere contributes to global warming by absorbing infrared radiation (greenhouse effect) -leads to loss of biodiversity

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26
Q

Global population size

A

There are more than 7.2 billion people growing at a rate of 1.2%/year
- 80 million people are added each year

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27
Q

Population

A

individuals in the same area that make up an interbreeding, reproducing group

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28
Q

Landscape

A

a cluster of interacting ecosystems

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29
Q

Ecosystem

A

an interactive complex of communities and the abiotic factors affecting them

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30
Q

Ecotone

A

a transitional region between ecosystems that shares species and characteristics of both

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31
Q

Habitat

A

the place where a species is adapted to live

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32
Q

Niche

A

the sum of all conditions and resources under which a species can live

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33
Q

Zones of stress

A

Between the optimal range and high or low limit of tolerance

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34
Q

Biome

A

A large area with the same climate and vegetation
Two determining factors:
1. rainfall
2. temperature

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35
Q

Limiting factor

A

any factor that limits growth

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36
Q

All levels of classification

A 
Kingdom
Phylum
Class 
Order
Family
Genus
Species
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37
Q

Scientific names

A

Genus is capitalized, both genus and species are italicized

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38
Q

Photosynthesis

A

turning carbon dioxide, water, and light energy into sugar (glucose)
6 CO2 + 6 H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6 O2

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39
Q

Cellular respiration

A

Organic molecules are broked down inside each cell (reverse of photosynthesis)

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40
Q

Biosphere

A

All living things (interacts with and depends on other three spheres)

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41
Q

Hydrosphere

A
  • all water on earth
  • source of hydrogen
  • essential for living things (liquid form)
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42
Q

Lithosphere

A

Minerals (naturally occuring solids) and rocks (made of minerals)

43
Q

Atmosphere

A

the thin layer of gases separating Earth from outer space

44
Q

Sublimation

A

water goes from solid directly into the air

45
Q

Organic Compounds

A

chemical compounds making up tissues of living organisms (CARBON, hydrogen, and oxygen)

46
Q

Inorganic Compounds

A

molecules or compounds with neither carbon-carbon nor carbon-hydrogen bonds

47
Q

Elements making up organic compounds

A

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur

48
Q

Community

A

Populations of different species living together in an area

49
Q

Exponential growth

A

growth at a constant rate of increase (increases at an increasing rate), J-curve

50
Q

Logistic growth

A

some process (limited resources, mates, disease, etc) slows growth so it levels off near carrying capacity, S-curve

51
Q

Biotic potential

A

the number of offspring (births, eggs, seeds, spores) produced under ideal conditions
- measured by the rate at which organisms reproduce

52
Q

Environmental resistance

A

the biotic and abiotic factors that limit a population’s increase

53
Q

R strategists

A

produce lots of young, but leave their survival to nature

  1. low recruitment, high reproductive potential
  2. rapid reproduction, rapid movement, short life span
54
Q

K strategists (equilibrial species)

A

lower biotic potential

  1. care for and protect young
  2. stable environment
  3. larger, longer lived, well-adapted to normal fluctuations
  4. luctuate around carrying capacity
55
Q

Critical number

A

The minimum population base allowing the survival and recovery of a population (extincion is almost inevitable)

56
Q

Threatened

A

populations are declining rapidly

57
Q

Endangered

A

populations are near the critical number

58
Q

Interspecific competition

A

between different species

59
Q

Intraspecific competition

A

between the same species

60
Q

Resource partitioning

A

the division of a resource and specialization in different parts of it

61
Q

Character dislacement

A

competition can lead to changes in traits so a species uses only a part of its potential niche

62
Q

Biological evolution

A

modification of the gene pool of a species by natural selection over generations (supported by genetic evidence)

63
Q

Reproductive isolation

A

the original populations separate into two populations

64
Q

Competitive exclusion

A

species cannot survive if they comete directly in many respects

65
Q

Food chains

A

describes where energy and nutrients go as they move from one organism to another

66
Q

Food webs

A

Interconnection of food chains to form complex feeding relationships

67
Q

Heterotroph

A

must consume organic material to obtain energy (consumers and decomposers)

68
Q

Autotroph

A

produce organic material from inorganic matter by using an external energy source (producers)

69
Q

Producer

A

Autotroph

70
Q

Decomposer

A

feed on detritus

71
Q

Facilitation

A

Either both species benefit or one benefits and the other isn’t harmed

72
Q

Resilience mechanism

A 
includes the processes of :
1. replenishment of nutrients
2. dispersion by plants and animals
3. regrowth of plants and succession
(helps maintain the stability of ecosystems)
73
Q

Tipping point

A

a situation or disturbance that can move an ecosystem in one direction or another

74
Q

Ecosystems can be restored if:

A
  1. Abiotic factors remain unchanged
  2. Viable populations of previous species inhabiting ecosystem still exist
  3. Alien species have not been introduced that will preclude the survival of the natives reintroduced
75
Q

Primary consumers

A

eat producers

76
Q

Secondary consumers

A

feed on rimary consumers

77
Q

Carnivores

A

secondary or higher-order meat eaters

78
Q

Omnivores

A

feed on both plants and animals

79
Q

Primary succession

A

the process of initial invasion and progression from one community to another, lacks soil

80
Q

Secondary succession

A

occurs in an area cleared by a disturbance, starts with pre-existing soil, happens faster

81
Q

have broad-leaved evergreens that cannot tolerate freezing, heavy rainfall, year-round, >95”, soils thin and poor in nutrients, 28 degrees celcius, dense canopy, vines

A

Tropical rain forests

82
Q

< 10” rain per year, dry, hot days, cold nights, thin soils, scattered shrubs, cacti, rodents, lizards, raptors

A

Desert

83
Q

seasonal rainfall, 10-60”, frequent fires, rich deep soils, center of continents, grass species dominant, large grazing mammals, insects, rodents hawks

A

Grasslands and prairies

84
Q

Temps below freexing in winter, summers warm and humid, well developed soils, broad-leafed deciduous trees, some conifers, undergrowth, many mammals, birds and amphibians

A

Temperate forest

85
Q

Long, cold winters, precip. light in winter, conifers, large herbivores, mice, hares, lynx, bird nesting area

A

Coniferous forest

86
Q

short growing season, small plant life, low precipitation, thin soils, ermafrost, shrubs, lichens, mosses, grasses, lemmings, hares, arctic foxes, caribou, insect life, migrant shorebirds

A

Tundra

87
Q

Ecosystem management

A

aims to conserve ecological services and restore natural resources as well as meeting the needs of current and future generations

88
Q

Ecosystem capital

A

all goods and services provided to humans by natural systems

89
Q

Biological wealth

A
  • Biota plus their ecosystems
  • = biodiversity
  • represents a major part of a country’s total wealth
  • sustains human life and economic activity
90
Q

Instrumental value

A

a species’ or organism’s existence or use benefits some other entity (anthropocentric)

91
Q

Intrinsic value

A

something has value for its own sake

92
Q

Endemic species

A

are found only in one habitat

93
Q

Fragmentation

A

support only small numbers and populations of species, increases edge habitats

94
Q

Causes of decline in biodiversity

A 
Habitat destruction
Invasive species
Pollution
Population
Overexploitation
95
Q

Taxonomy

A

the cataloging and naming of species

96
Q

Lacey Act

A

forbids interstate commerce in illegally killed wildlife

97
Q

CITES

A

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
- banned trade on ivory, some aly to CITES to resume ivory sales, each time a sale is permitted, poaching resumes

98
Q

Endangered Species Act

A

protects endangered species in danger of becoming extinct if not protected

99
Q

How are species listed for protection (ESA)

A

Listing
Critical habitat
Recovery plans

100
Q

Invasive species

A

thrive, spread, and may eliminate native species by predation or competition

101
Q

Bioprospecting

A

using plant and animal species for medicinal drugs and other commercially valuable compounds

102
Q

Ethnobotany

A

the scientific study of traditional knowledge and customs of a people concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other uses

103
Q

Biodiversity is declining because of:

A
  1. Endemic species
  2. Habitat change
  3. Fragmentation
  4. Simplification of habitats
  5. Intrusion of humans
  6. Invasive species
  7. Pollution
  8. Overexploitation

Environmental Science (14 decks)

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