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AP env sci > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

90% of energy is lost when going through energy transfers. Only 10% transfers
- feces, urine and used in respiration and lost as heat is where the remaining 90% goes.

A

10% Rule

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2
Q

non-living
Ex: sunlight, water, wind, soil

A

Abiotic

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3
Q

It dissolves in water to give a strongly alkaline solution; an inorganic compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH₃

A

Ammonia

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4
Q

The elements and compounds that make up nutrients move continually through the air, water, soil, rock, and living organisms in ecosystems and in the biosphere in cycles

A

Biogeochemical Cycle

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5
Q

The most important factors that determine a biome are temperature and precipitation.

A

Biome

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6
Q

Living/once-living
Ex: tree, rabbit, bacteria, worm

A

Biotic

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7
Q

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water; organisms use oxygen to break down food molecules to get chemical energy for cell functions

A

Cellular Respiration

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8
Q

a symbiosis where one species benefits and the other is neutral in the relationship; Ex: shark and remora

A

Commensalism

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9
Q

Many individuals of different species

A

Community

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10
Q

Two or more animals competing for the same resources

A

Competition

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11
Q

organic material breaks down which returns organic carbon to the soil.

A

Decomposition

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12
Q

The study of the connection in nature between biotic and abiotic components

A

Ecology

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13
Q

Both the biotic and abiotic components in a habitat

A

Ecosystem

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14
Q

A succession of organisms in an ecological community that constitutes a continuation of food energy from one organism to another as each consumes a lower member and, in turn, is preyed upon by a higher member

A

Food Chain

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15
Q

all the food chains in a single ecosystem

A

Food Web

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16
Q

gross primary productivity; TOTAL amount of production of biomass

A

GPP

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17
Q

precipitation infiltrates the ground and is stored in soil and rock

A

Groundwater

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18
Q

energy can’t be created or destroyed; can be changed from one form to another

A

First Law of Thermodynamics

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19
Q

increase of entropy; energy quality decreases; when energy changes form it always degrades to a more dispersed form. when energy is transferred or transformed, more energy is wasted

A

Second Law of Thermodynamics

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20
Q

a symbiosis where two species benefit from the relationship; Ex: fungus and algae

A

Mutualism

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21
Q

taking nitrogen in air and changing it to nitrite or ammonia

A

Nitrogen Fixation

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22
Q

net primary productivity; rate of production of biomass potentially available to consumers (herbivores)
NPP = GPP - R

A

NPP

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23
Q

A chemical compound (such as protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin, or mineral) contained in foods. These compounds are used by the body to function and grow.

A

Nutrient

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24
Q

a symbiosis where one species benefits and the other is harmed in the relationship; Ex: dog and flea

A

Parasitism

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25
Q

The biological process in which light energy from the sun is captured and transformed into the chemical energy of carbohydrate molecules. Converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen

A

Photosynthesis

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26
Q

Many individuals of the same species

A

Population

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27
Q

rate at which autotrophs synthesize new biomass
- it is answering: how fast producers are photosynthesizing and how much glucose is being produced
Factors that affect it:
1. solar radiation
2. temperature (warmer = higher productivity but can denature enzymes), high productivity in cold ocean waters due to upwelling of nutrients
3. CO2
4. H2O
5. nutrients - any food, chemical element or compound required by an organism to live, grow and reproduce
6. herbivory - grazing by herbivores can lower productivity

Most productive ecosystems have high temperatures, lots of water, light and nutrients
Ex: most productive = swamps and marshes, tropical rainforest, estuaries; least productive = extreme desert, tundra, open ocean
formula: NPP = GPP-R

A

Primary Productivity

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28
Q

The water body created by a damming a river or stream.

A

Reservoir

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29
Q

species avoid competition by dividing the use of resources; occurs more in the tropical rainforests than the desert because there are more resources and species in the rainforest which means more opportunities to divide resources among the species.

A

Resource Partitioning

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30
Q

amount of various salts dissolved in a given amount of water.

A

Salinity

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31
Q

a storage place of an element

A

Sink

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32
Q

a process that releases an element

A

Source

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33
Q

Any intimate relationship or association between members of two or more species; includes mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

A

Symbiosis

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34
Q

An organism’s position in a food web. It is based on food and or feeding

A

Trophic Level

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35
Q

Muddiness created by stirring up sediment or having foreign particles suspended

A

Turbidity

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36
Q

an act or instance of absorbing or incorporating something especially into a living organism, tissue, or cell In muscle and adipose tissue, insulin stimulates the uptake, storage, and use of glucose.

A

Uptake

37
Q

One living being

A

Organism

38
Q

All portions of earth where life exists

A

Biosphere

39
Q

a species’ role in its environment;
fundamental niche: possible niche
realized niche: ACTUAL niche with competition

A

niche

40
Q

if competition is present, species will be excluded from niches they might otherwise be able to inhabit

A

Competition Exclusion Principle

41
Q

Location: equator
Biomes of the World: Brazil, S and C America, C Africa, Madagascar, Indonesia
Biota: broadleaf trees, ferns, vines, flowers, primates, cats, snakes, birds, and insects
Climate: hot/wet
Relative Productivity: very high
Harmful Human Activity: mining, logging, ranching, agriculture, oil/gas extraction

A

Tropical Rainforest

42
Q

Location: coastal, mid-lats
Biomes of the World: Appalachian areas, Chile, S Australia, S Africa
Biota: redwoods, ferns, mosses, raccoon, crow, black bear, wolf, deer
Climate: warm/wet
Relative Productivity: medium/high
Harmful Human Activity: farming, mining, hunting, logging, urbanization

A

Temperate Rainforest

43
Q

Location: eastern sides of
continents, 30-40 degrees
Biomes of the World: E coast of US, W Eurasia, NE Asia
Biota: deciduous trees, shrubs, flowers, deer, squirrels, songbirds
Climate: warm/moderate
Relative Productivity: high
Harmful Human Activity: farming, mining, hunting, logging, urbanization

A

Temperate Seasonal Forest

44
Q

Location: 50-60 degrees N
Biomes of the World: subarctic regions, Canada, Russia
Biota: perennials, conifer (needle) trees, wolves, moose, beavers
Climate: cold/wet
Relative Productivity: medium
Harmful Human Activity: deforestation, logging, and clear-cutting

A

Taiga/Boreal Forest

45
Q

Location: 30 degrees N and S
Biomes of the World: N Africa, W Asia, C Australia, S US
Biota: cacti, other succulents, insects, scorpions, reptiles
Climate: hot/dry
Relative Productivity: lowest
Harmful Human Activity: firewood gathering and grazing of animals, desertification

A

Desert

46
Q

Location: transition from desert to forest
Biomes of the World: Africa, S America, E Australia, India
Biota: grasses, scattered trees, hoofed animals
Climate: warm, wet/dry seasons
Relative Productivity: medium
Harmful Human Activity: logging, development, conversion to agriculture, overgrazing by livestock

A

Savanna

47
Q

Location: Argentina, California, Mediterranean (coastal)
Biomes of the World: W coast US, S Europe
Biota: small shrubs, reptiles, deer, rabbits, squirrels
Climate: hot/dry summers, mild/rainy winters
Relative Productivity: low
Harmful Human Activity: alterations caused by buildings and roads = irreversible; development

A

Shrubland/Chaparral

48
Q

Location: 30-40 degrees N; mid-continents
Biomes of the World: C US, lowlands of Canada, Mongolia, C Russia
Biota: grasses, scattered trees, hoofed animals
Climate: warm/moderate
Relative Productivity: medium
Harmful Human Activity: unsustainable agriculture practices, overgrazing, and crop clearing

A

Temperate Grassland/Prairie

49
Q

Location: N of 60 degrees
Biomes of the World: N Russia, N Canada, Alaska
Biota: lichens, mosses, short grasses, ox, caribou, shorebirds
Climate: cold/dry
Relative Productivity: low
Harmful Human Activity: oil, gas, mining industries, drilling wells

A

Tundra

50
Q

Salinity/Flow: zero/fast
Biota: very small fish, pollution-intolerant macroinvertebrate, indicator species
Depth Zones: N/A
Relative Productivity: high
Harmful Human Activity: agriculture, deforestation, construction

A

Streams

51
Q

Salinity/Flow: zero/medium
Biota: trout, salmon (high O2), catfish (low O2)
Depth Zones: fast = high O2; slower = low O2
Relative Productivity: medium
Harmful Human Activity: littering, waste from livestock, pet waste

A

Rivers

52
Q

Salinity/Flow: zero/still
Biota: variable freshwater fish and plants, turtles, frogs, algae
Depth Zones: littoral = shallow, emergent plants; limnetic = open water; benthic = bottom; profundal = below limnetic, no light
Relative Productivity: low = oligotrophic; high = eutrophic
Harmful Human Activity: construction of hydroelectric dams or irrigation projects

A

Ponds/FW Lakes (salt lakes are rare)

53
Q

Salinity/Flow: zero to very low/still
Biota: baby fish, birds, insects, emergent plants and trees
Depth Zones: N/A
Relative Productivity: very high; filtration, flood/erosion, prevention/nurseries
Harmful Human Activity: drilling, mining, dredging or aggregates, destructive anchoring, removal of corals, and land “reclamation”

A

Wetland (swamp, marsh, bog)

54
Q

Salinity/Flow: 35 ppt/currents and gyres (variable)
Biota: phytoplankton, large fish, mammals
Depth Zones: photic (light), aphotic (no light), benthic (seafloor)
Relative Productivity: low
Harmful Human Activity: filling, grading, removal of vegetation, building construction, changes in water levels, drainage patterns

A

Open Ocean

55
Q

Salinity/Flow: brackish water (between 0.5-35 ppt)
Biota: mangrove trees, seagrasses, mollusks, crustaceans, baby fish, birds
Depth Zones: N/A
Relative Productivity: very high; nurseries, filtration, erosion control
Harmful Human Activity: excess nutrients - eutrophication; pollution from factories

A

Salt Marsh/Estuary

56
Q

Salinity/Flow: 35 ppt - current and wave action
Biomes of the World: Indo - W Pacific Ocean, W and E Atlantic Ocean, E Pacific Ocean
Biota: highest biodiversity in the ocean; 1 million species of inverts, fish, reptiles, and birds; corals = mutualistic relationship with zooxanthellae algae
Depth Zones: commonly in more oligotrophic waters (nutrient-poor) because zooxanthellae are photosynthesizing to produce food
Relative Productivity: very high
Harmful Human Activity: pollution, overfishing, destructive fishing practices, mining, warming climate

A

Coral Reef

57
Q

Processes/Flows: photosynthesis, cellular respiration, decomposition/decay, fossil fuel combustion
Stocks/Storages Reservoirs: short turnover time = biota, atmosphere, surface ocean; long turnover time = sediments, rocks, deep ocean (largest)
Human Impacts: burning fossil fuels, changing land use, using limestone to make concrete

  • For life to continue, carbon must be recycled
  • in the abiotic environment: in the atmosphere, dissolved in water, in rocks, deposits of coal, petroleum, and natural gas from fossilized organisms, dead organic matter
  • enters the biotic world through photosynthesis and chemosynthesis
  • returns to the atmosphere and water by cellular respiration, burning, decay
A

Carbon Cycle

58
Q

Processes/Flows: fixation - ammonia; nitrification - nitrates and nitrites; assimilation - proteins; ammonification - ammonia; denitrification - nitrogen gas
Stocks/Storages Reservoirs: atmosphere (largest), soil, groundwater, biota (dead and living), ocean water, sediments/rocks
Human Impacts: burning fossil fuels, nitrogen-based fertilizers

A

Nitrogen Cycle

59
Q

Processes/Flows: leaching, mining, weathering, runoff, geological uplift, decomposition, organism assimilation
Stocks/Storages Reservoirs: biota (dead or living), marine sediments, rocks (largest), ocean, freshwater
Human Impacts: cutting down forests, the release of mined phosphates

A

Phosphorus Cycle

60
Q

Processes/Flows: volcanic eruption, plant uptake, erosion, leaching, consumption
Stocks/Storages Reservoirs: biota, rocks (largest), atmosphere, water
Human Impacts: burning fossil fuels, acid rain

A

Sulfur Cycle

61
Q
  • vital for all life
  • moderates climate
  • sculpts land
  • removes and dilutes waste and pollutants
  • moves continually through the hydrologic cycle
    Transfer Processes: infiltration, runoff, plant uptake, transpiration, seepage, precipitation, consumption, percolation
    Transformation Processes: snowmelt, evaporation, sublimation, freezing, condensation, fog drip
    Stocks/Storages/Reservoirs: ocean (largest), lakes, rivers, snow, clouds, atmosphere, biota, groundwater
    Climate Change Effects: precipitation, drought, flooding, sea level rise, loss of ice habitats/freshwater sources (glaciers), groundwater depletion
    Human Effects: pollution, chemical, toxic metals, endocrine disruptors, eutrophication (excess nutrients), thermal pollution
A

Hydrologic Cycle

62
Q

TOTAL Global Water: oceans = 96.5%; saline lakes = 0.07%; saline groundwater = 0.93%; freshwater = 2.5%
Freshwater: glaciers and icecaps = 68.6%; groundwater = 30.1%; surface water and other freshwater = 1.3%
Surface Water and Other Freshwater: ice and snow = 73.1%; lakes = 20.1%; soil moisture = 3.52%; swamps and marshes = 2.5%; rivers = 0.46%; biological water = 0.22%; atmospheric water = 0.22%
- only 0.02% of the earth’s water supply is available to us as liquid freshwater

A

Available Water in the Earth

63
Q

water that does not sink into the ground or evaporate into the air runs off into bodies of water

A

surface runoff

64
Q

the land area that delivers runoff, sediment, and any dissolved substances to a stream

A

watershed (drainage basin)

65
Q

underground caverns and porous layers of sand, gravel, or bedrock through which groundwater flows

A

aquifer

66
Q

has a permeable water table

A

unconfined aquifer

67
Q

bounded above and below by less permeable beds of rock where the water is confined under pressure

A

confined aquifer

68
Q

pressure from the confined aquifer pushes water up at a location without a pump

A

artesian well

69
Q

the level below which the ground is saturated with water

A

water table

70
Q

for any closed system, the mass must remain constant over time; we’re not “consuming” resources, we’re just borrowing them and transforming them

A

law of conservation of mass

71
Q

organisms that can produce their own energy through photosynthesis (99%) or chemosynthesis (<1%; deep-sea vents)

A

producers/autotrophs

72
Q

organisms that can only obtain energy by eating other organisms

A

consumer/heterotroph

73
Q

the second level in a food chain; only eats producers

A

primary consumer

74
Q

the third level in a food chain

A

secondary consumer

75
Q

may eat plants or animals

A

omnivore

76
Q

only eats animals; must be at least a secondary consumer

A

carnivore

77
Q

only eats animals that it has killed

A

predator

78
Q

breaks down organic matter to inorganic compounds; only bacteria and fungi belong to this group

A

decomposer

79
Q

these organisms break down dead organisms and feces to smaller organic molecules; includes earthworms, seastars, pillbugs, flies, etc.

A

detrivore

80
Q

graphical models of the quantitative differences between trophic levels of a single ecosystem
1. energy pyramid (trophic pyramids)
2. biomass pyramid
3. pyramid of numbers

A

ecological pyramids

81
Q

ratio of net production at one level to that of the next

A

conversion efficiency

82
Q

total mass of organisms

A

biomass

83
Q

medium levels of salinity; often occurs in wetlands where salt and freshwater mix

A

brackish

84
Q

take nitrite and turn it into nitrate

A

nitrification

85
Q

organisms use nitrate and ammonium to make DNA and amino acids

A

assimilation

86
Q

taking NH3 and turning it into NH4+

A

ammonification

87
Q

taking nitrate and ammonium and turning it back into nitrogen

A

denitrification

88
Q

competition between two different species

A

interspecific competition

89
Q

competition between the same species

A

intraspecific competition

AP env sci (4 decks)

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