Unit 1

Question 0

What is Environmental Science? Why study it? How is it different from other sciences?

Answer 0

Environmental Science is a range of all science (bio, chem, economics, etc.) Studying interaction between human and natural systems.

Question 1

What caused the fish kill on the Neuse River? Explain, giving details about the role of Pfisteria and reasons why initial conclusipns about Pfisteria were controversial.

Answer 1

Pfisteria had a sudden growth and killed the fish in the Neuse River. Depending on environmental conditions, pfisteria can change. In this case, it evolved into a carnivorous life stage that released toxins and killed the fish. Initial conclusions about pfisteria were controversial because there wasnt enough knowledge about them.

Question 2

What are natural systems and how do humans alter them?

Answer 2

System of interacting parts; cell to single organ to ecosystem; not man-made. Human behaivor can influence it by natural human activity.

Question 3

What is an environmental indicator?

Answer 3

Describes current state/health of a natural system.

Question 4

Biodiversity

Answer 4

Occurs at 3 different levels: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Question 5

Genetic diversity

Answer 5

Genetic variation in a population among the same species. More genetic diversity = better off.

Question 6

Species diversity

Answer 6

Number of species in a given area

Question 7

Ecosystem diversity

Answer 7

Number of different ecosystems or habitats in a given area.

Question 8

Food production

Answer 8

Agriculture is one of the main ways we alter natural systems. We depend on agriculture.

Question 9

Average global surface temperature and co2 concentrations

Answer 9

Climate change is happening; anthropogenic (made by human activity)

Question 10

Human population

Answer 10

Growing but showing signs that it is slowing down

Question 11

Resource

Answer 11

Anything we use for our own benefit and population grows, resources deminish

Question 12

What is sustainability and can it be achieved?

Answer 12

Use of resources that will not lead to resource depletion. Level of resource consumption that can be sustained indefinetely.

Question 13

The ecological footprint

Answer 13

Measure of research consumption, in terms of total land area, needed to sustain a certain lifestyle.

Question 14

Earth is a:

Answer 14

Single interconnected system

Question 15

Matter

Answer 15

Anything that takes up/occupy space and made of atoms.

Question 16

Compounds of molecules

Answer 16

Elements, mass too different elements

Question 17

Covalent bonds

Answer 17

Shape an element

Question 18

Ionic bonds

Answer 18

Transfer electrons. Charges hold together. Easier to break.

Question 19

Hydrogen bonds

Answer 19

Water is polar because there is a partial positive and negative charge.

Question 20

Properties of water

Answer 20

Maximum density is 4°C

Adhesive (sticks) and cohesive (sticks to others)

Question 21

Acid

Answer 21

Any substance that releases hydrogen ions when put in water

Question 22

Most reactive ion

Answer 22

Hydrogen ion

Question 23

Bases

Answer 23

When in water, OH-

Question 24

pH

Answer 24

0-14

Question 25

What is a chemical reaction?

Answer 25

Rearrangement of particles

Question 26

Law of conservation of matter

Answer 26

Matter is neither created or destroyed

Question 27

Inorganic and organic compounds…whats the difference?

Answer 27

Inorganic: no carbon
Organic: carbon

Question 28

Carbohydrate

Answer 28

Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Always ratio 1:2:1

Question 29

Proteins

Answer 29

Polymers of amino acids. Structurally important inside cells

Question 30

Lipids

Answer 30

FATS. Store energy, stabalize cell membrane

Question 31

Nucleic acid

Answer 31

DNA and RNA

Question 32

Cells

Answer 32

Smallest form of life

Question 33

How do we define energy?

Answer 33

Ability to do work

Question 34

How do we measure energy?

Answer 34

Joule

Question 35

Whats the difference between energy and power?

Answer 35

Energy=power • time

Power= energy/time

Question 36

Types of energy

Answer 36

Kinetic-movement
Potential- stored energy
Chemical- energy stored in bonds b/w atoms

Question 37

First law of thermodynamics

Answer 37

Everytime energy transforms, the quality becomes less

Question 38

Energy efficiency

Answer 38

More effienct, more you’ll get back

Question 39

Energy quality

Answer 39

Measurement of how easy it is when used to do work

Question 40

Entropy

Answer 40

Measurement of disordet

Question 41

How do energy conversions influence ecological processes?

Answer 41

Both amount of energy and types of energy available. All life is energy dependent.

Question 42

Open system

Answer 42

Matter and energy exchanged outside the system.

Question 43

Closed system

Answer 43

Movement of energy or matter into/out of the system.

Question 44

Inputs/outputs

Answer 44

Things going into or out of the system.

Question 45

Steady state

Answer 45

Way to describe a system.

Question 46

Feedback

Answer 46

Adjustments to input/output that can cause change in our system

Question 47

Negative feedback loop

Answer 47

Change in system will revert back

Question 48

Positive feedback loop

Answer 48

One change will make more change.