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Bio Honors > Unit 1: Earth Systems > Flashcards

Unit 1: Earth Systems Flashcards

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1
Q

1.1: Systems

A
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2
Q

Systems*

A
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3
Q

System (definition)

A

set on interacting components considered to be a distinct entity for the purpose of study or understanding

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4
Q

Characteristics of systems

A
  • can exist on all scales
  • can be living/nonliving
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5
Q

Boundaries (definition)

A

defines the space of the system, to separate that system from the rest of the universe

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6
Q

Components (definition)

A

all the parts of the system that interact to help the system carry out specific functions

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7
Q

3 main types of inputs/outputs

A

energy, matter, information

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8
Q

How are outputs generated

A

when the inputs are processed in some way

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9
Q

How is a system categorized

A

according to the flow of inputs/outputs

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10
Q

Open system (definition)

A

inputs/outputs flow into/out of the system

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11
Q

Closed system (definition)

A

flow of one or more inputs/outputs is limited in some way

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12
Q

Isolated system (definition)

A

ALL the inputs/outputs are contained within the system

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13
Q

Is a control an example of a component

A

yes

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14
Q

Controls (definition)

A

help keep the system working properly by monitoring/managing inputs/outputs

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15
Q

3 types of controls

A

automatic, manually set, combination of both

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16
Q

Is feedback a system control

A

yes

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17
Q

Feedback (definition)

A

information from one step of a cycle that acts to change the behavior of a previous step of a cycle

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18
Q

Feedback loop (definition)

A

formed when an output returns to become an input in the same system that generated the output

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19
Q

Negative feedback (definition)

A

reduces effect of output

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20
Q

Positive feedback (definition)

A

increases effect of output

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21
Q

System organization*

A
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22
Q

What does a complex system have that a smaller system doesn’t

A

more levels of organizations

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23
Q

2 ways systems interact

A
  1. larger systems made up of smaller systems
  2. two organisms interact
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24
Q

How can two systems influence each other

A

the output of one becomes the input for the other

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25
Q

System models*

A
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26
Q

Model (definition)

A

pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure or workings of an object, system, or concept

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27
Q

4 types of models

A
  1. physical model
  2. conceptual model
  3. mathematical model
  4. simulation
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28
Q

Physical model

A

smaller/larger copy of an object

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29
Q

Conceptual model

A

diagram/flowchart showing how parts of a system are related / how a process works

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30
Q

Mathematical model

A

equation / set of equations that generates data related to how a system/process works

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31
Q

Simulation

A

usually a computer model that tests variables and observes outcomes

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32
Q

Systems biology*

A
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33
Q

Systems biology (definition)

A

studies biological systems as integrated whole

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34
Q

What does this approach allow scientists to consider (2)

A
  1. scale of biological processes
  2. how components of systems interact
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35
Q

Emergent property (definition)

A

a property that a system has, but that its component parts do not have

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36
Q

Earth system*

A
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37
Q

What does the Earth system include

A

solids, liquids, gases; all non/living objects; and all different forms of energy within Earth’s BOUNDARY

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38
Q

Biosphere (definition)

A

where all living things exist and interact

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39
Q

Does matter stay within the Earth system

A

yes

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40
Q

Does energy stay within the Earth system

A

no
- enters: sunlight
converted –> different energy forms
- exits: heat

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41
Q

5 spheres in the Earth system

A
  1. geosphere
  2. hydrosphere
  3. biosphere
  4. atmosphere
  5. anthrosphere
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42
Q

Geosphere

A

solid features of Earth’s surface (including sea floor) and everything below

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43
Q

Hydrosphere

A

all of Earth’s water (including in the form of liquid water, ice, and water vapor)

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44
Q

Biosphere

A

area of Earth where life exists

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45
Q

Atmosphere

A

all the air that evelops Earth’s solid/liquid surface

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46
Q

Anthrosphere

A

portion of Earth’s environment that has been constructed/modified by humans

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47
Q

Biosphere organization*

A
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48
Q

Organization of biosphere systems

A

organism –> population –> community –> ecosystem –> biome –> biosphere

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49
Q

Ecosystem (definition)

A

biotic + abiotic components of a given area

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50
Q

Biotic factors (definition)

A

living components in an ecosystem

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51
Q

Abiotic factors (definition)

A

nonliving components of ecosystems

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52
Q

Population (definition)

A

group of the same species that live in the same area

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53
Q

Community

A

multiple populations of different species

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54
Q

What can ecosystems be (besides terrestrial/land-based)

A

aquatic

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55
Q

2 main categories of aquatic ecosystems

A
  1. salt water
  2. fresh water
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56
Q

Biome (definition)

A

major regional/global distribution of organisms characterized by specific climate conditions & plant communities

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57
Q

5 characteristics of living things

A
  1. made of cells
  2. require energy
  3. grow/change
  4. reproduce
  5. maintain homeostasis
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58
Q

Homeostasis (definition)

A

maintenance of constant internal conditions

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59
Q

What is life an emergent property of

A

a collection of certain nonliving things

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60
Q

Habitat and Niche*

A
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61
Q

Habitat (definition)

A

includes all of the a/biotic factors in the environment where an organism lives

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62
Q

Ecological niche (definition)

A

all the physical, chemical, and biological factors that a species needs to surve/reproduce

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63
Q

3 main parts of a species niche

A
  1. food sources
  2. abiotic conditions
  3. behavior
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64
Q

Predation & Competition*

A
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65
Q

Predation

A

process by which one organism (predator) captures and feeds upon another organism (prey)

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66
Q

Is predation limited to carnivores

A

no

67
Q

When does competition occur

A

when two organisms compete for the same limited resource

68
Q

Is competition always between the same species

A

no

69
Q

Symbiosis*

A
70
Q

Symbiosis (definition)

A

close ecological relationship between two or more organisms of different species that live in direct contact with one another

71
Q

3 major types of symbiosis

A
  1. mutualism
  2. commensalism
  3. parasitism
72
Q

When does mutualism occur

A

When both species benefit from the relationship

73
Q

When does commensalism occur

A

between two organisms in which one organism receives an ecological benefit and the other neither benefits nor is harmed

74
Q

When does parasitism occur

A

when one of the organisms benefit while the other one is harrmed

75
Q

Biodiversity*

A
76
Q

What does the diversity of an ecosystem indicate

A

it is more likely to stay stable over time due to quick recovery

77
Q

Biodiversity (definition)

A

measure of the number of different species found within a specific area

78
Q

What does an area with a high level of biodiversity have

A

a large assortment of species living near one another

79
Q

Keystone species*

A
80
Q

Keystone species (definition)

A

single species that has an especially strong effect on an entire ecosystem

81
Q

What does anything that affects a keystone species also affect

A

all the other species in that ecosystem

82
Q

2 main factors that decrease biodiversity

A
  1. human activities (pollution, etc)
  2. introduction of new plants/animals
    - prey on native species
    - outcompete them
83
Q

1.2: Analyzing Populations

A
84
Q

Population density (definition)

A

number of individuals living in a defined space

85
Q

Population density equation

A

= # of individuals / area (un^2)

86
Q

3 main patterns of population dispersion

A
  1. clumped
  2. uniform
  3. random
87
Q

When does clumped dispersion occur

A

when resources are spread unevenly within an ecosystem –> gathering in groups where resources are available

88
Q

2 benefits of clumped dispersion

A
  1. protects individuals from predators
  2. makes finding a mate easier
89
Q

When does uniform dispersion occur

A

when individuals of the same species must compete for limited resources and territory

90
Q

Which is the least common dispersion pattern

A

random dispersion

91
Q

When does random dispersion occur

A

when individuals are spread randomly within an area or volume

92
Q

Example of random dispersion

A

seeds being scattered by wind/water

93
Q

Why is population growth rate not the same in every place it is found for a species

A

since one ecosystem might experience exposure to different changes than another

94
Q

2 types of sampling techniques to estimate population size

A
  1. mark-recapture technique (used for animals)
  2. quadrant sampling (used for plants)
95
Q

What is the main cause of changes in population size/gdensity

A

changes in resources available

96
Q

4 factors used to track population over time

A

immigration, emigration, births, and deaths

97
Q

Immigrate (definition)

A

move into a new population

98
Q

Emigrate (definition)

A

move out of the population

99
Q

Growth rate formula

A

r = (b+i) - (d+e)

100
Q

2 types of growth patterns

A
  1. exponential growth
  2. logistic growth
101
Q

When does exponential growth occur

A

when a population size increases dramatically over a relatively short amount of time (ideal conditions of resources)

102
Q

What shape is the graph of exponential growth

A

J-shaped curve

103
Q

When does logistic growth occur

A

when a population begins with a period of slow growth followed by a period of exponential growth before leveling off to a stable size

104
Q

What shape is the graph of logistic growht

A

S-shaped curve

105
Q

Carrying capacity (definition)

A

maximum population size of a species that a particular environment can normally and consistently support in terms of resources

106
Q

What happens when the population hits this limit

A

certain factors keep it from continued growth (ex: resource availability)

107
Q

What could happen to a population if it drastically reduces carrying capacity

A

there will be a crash in the population

108
Q

When can carrying capacity change

A

at any time

109
Q

Limiting factor (definition)

A

factor that has the greatest effect in keeping down the size of a population

110
Q

2 categories of limiting factors

A
  1. density-dependent factors
  2. density-independent factors
111
Q

Density-dependent factors (definition)

A

factors that are affected by the number of individuals in an area

112
Q

Which population has a greater effect: a large or small population

A

large population

113
Q

3 types of density-dependent limiting factors

A
  1. competition
  2. predation
  3. parasitism and disease
114
Q

Density-independent factors (definition)

A

factors that can change a population regardless of its density

115
Q

3 types of density-independent limiting factors

A
  1. weather
  2. natural disasters
  3. human activity
116
Q

1.3: Changes in Ecosystems

A
117
Q

Disturbance (definition)

A

a change brought about by a physical, chemical, or biological agent

118
Q

Natural disturbance (definition)

A

the damage or destruction to ecosystems caused by nature

119
Q

2 major ways humans cause disturbances

A
  1. habitat fragmentation
  2. urbanization
    *decrease biodiversity
120
Q

Habitat fragmentation (definition)

A

when a large continuous habitat is broken up into many smaller habitats

121
Q

Urbanization (definition)

A

process by which human developments are established and develop as more people begin living in central areas

122
Q

What can a stable ecosystem do

A

bounce back from normal disruptions

123
Q

Ecosystem resilience (definition)

A

ability of an ecosystem to recover after it has undergone a disturbance

124
Q

hat is resilience determined by (2)

A
  1. biodiversity
  2. genetic diversity
125
Q

What type of ecosystem is more resilient

A

a complex ecosystem with many populations of species that perform the same function

126
Q

Genetic diversity (definition)

A

refers to the amount of genetic variability within a species –> allows for different traits to be present in a species

127
Q

Ecosystem resistance (definition)

A

ability to resist change from a disturbance

128
Q

How can an resistant ecosystem be severely impacted

A

when the disturbance becomes too intense –> not able to recover as easily

129
Q

Small-scale ecosystems (definition)

A

cover a relatively small region ofEarth

130
Q

What do forests depend on occasional wildfires for (2)

A

to maintain ecosystem balance by:
1. removing harmful invasive species
2. recycling nutrients

131
Q

What has human settlement caused regarding wildfires

A

for them to become too frequent

132
Q

Ecological succession (definition)

A

sequence of biotic changes that creates a community in a previously uninhabited area or restores a damaged community

133
Q

2 types of ecological successsion

A
  1. primary succession
  2. secondary succession
134
Q

Primary succession (definition)

A

the establishment and development of an ecosystem in an area that was previously uninhabited, usually a bare rock surface

135
Q

Glacial retreat (definition)

A

melting glaciers due to human activity raising global temperatures

136
Q

What does glacial retreat allow for

A

us to get a firsthand look at primary succession

137
Q

Secondary succession (definition)

A

reestablishment of an ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact, such as after a fire or flood

138
Q

Does secondary succession reach climax community before primary succession

A

yes

139
Q

How does biodiversity increase as succession progresses

A

plant population grows –> return of animals –> bring in seeds –> establish new plants

140
Q

Why is succession an ongoing process

A

even after the climax community is reestablished, changes (like small disturbances) continue to occur

141
Q

1.4: Environmental Engineering

A
142
Q

Technology (definition)

A

application of scientific knowledge for practical pruposes

143
Q

3 aspects of that are weighed in technology

A
  1. benefits
  2. risks
  3. costs
144
Q

What do scientists do when they modify technology

A

increase benefits, decrease risks + costs

145
Q

Research and development process

A

back-and-forth between engineers and scientists developing technology

146
Q

Relationship between technology and society

A

influence each other

147
Q

Engineering design process (definition)

A

method used to develop or improve technology

148
Q

Iterative (definition)

A

uses repeating steps

149
Q

Are all the steps of the engineering design process always followed in the same order

A

no

150
Q

What occurs when defining the problem

A

engineers ask questions to help them understand the criteria for the design

151
Q

Criteria (definition)

A

set a standard on which a solution can be based: “wants”

152
Q

What occurs when delimiting a problem

A

the process of defining constraints of the problem

153
Q

Constraints (definition)

A

limitations that a design/solution must stay within

154
Q

If a solution doesn’t meet the constraints, is it considered

A

no

155
Q

Tradeoff (definition)

A

an exchange for one thing in return for another

156
Q

What is a decision matrix (Pugh chart) used for

A

to evaluate each solution against the criteria of the problem

157
Q

Understand how to solve a decision a matrix*

A
158
Q

What occurs once a number of solutions have been proposed

A

evaluated against criteria/constraints –> 1-2 selected to enter optimization phase of design process

159
Q

Prototype (definition)

A

first build of a design and may not be built to scale or with the final materials

160
Q

Testing part of the engineering design process

A

important part that lets engineers get feedback on the design

161
Q

What is an important part of the optimization process

A

considering tradeoffs

162
Q

What does a life cycle analysis do

A

evaluate the real cost of a new technology or design by taking into account materials/energy used to manufacture/transport/use/dispose of a product

163
Q

What does cost-benefit analysis do

A

it is a method of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a design

164
Q

What do engineers do after testing and choosing a final design

A

communicate their results!

Bio Honors (4 decks)

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