Unit 1 Flashcards
Name the Continents
Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe,
North America, South America and Oceania/Australia
Name the Major Oceans
Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean
What does GNI stand for?
Gross National Income
What are Low Income Countries (LICs)?
Low Income Countries (LIC) are countries with a GNI/capita of less than $1,086.
What are Middle Income Countries (MICs)?
Medium Income Countries (MIC) are countries with a GNI/capita between $1,086 and $13,205.
What are High Income Countries (HICs)?
High Income Countries (HIC) are countries with a GNI/capita of greater than $13,205.
Define Sustainability
The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Why is there a need for the sustainable management of resources?
Sustainable use of natural resources helps to preserve the environment and reduce pollution, protecting both human health and ecosystems. It also helps to conserve resources for future generations, ensuring that our descendants will have access to the same materials we do today.
Describe the water cycle
The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of Earth. Locally it is an open system, but it is a closed system globally.
Name the components of the water cycle
- condensation
- precipitation
- interception
- infiltration
- surface run-off
- through-flow
- ground water flow
- transpiration
- evaporation
State the major components of the Earth’s atmosphere
- nitrogen
- oxygen
- carbon dioxide
- argon
- water vapour
Describe the structure of the Earth’s atmosphere as divided into four primary layers
- troposphere
- stratosphere
- mesosphere
- thermosphere
State where the ozone layer is located
The stratosphere
Describe the ozone layer and outline its role in absorbing ultraviolet radiation
A layer of the stratosphere rich in ozone molecules, which absorb much of the incoming ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Ozone molecules absorb ultraviolet radiation (Shortwave Radiation)
Causes the air to heat up in this zone. (This is why temperature increases from -50 to -10 Celcius) Bacterial Life survives in this zone. Some Birds can fly in this altitude. These conditions make Ozone apart of the Biosphere. Ozone helps to protect by absorbing most UV radiation. Plants and Phytoplankton can’t live w/ high levels of UV radiation. Deconstruction of Plants and Phytoplankton would topple food sources.
Protects humans and animals from skin cancers, cataracts and immune system damages.
Outline the natural greenhouse effect that maintains the Earth’s ambient temperature
- ultraviolet radiation (shortwave radiation) passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and is absorbed by the Earth’s surface
- some energy is re-emitted back into the atmosphere as infrared radiation (longwave radiation)
- greenhouse gases absorb some of this infrared radiation and prevent it from leaving the atmosphere
Define biome
Large-scale ecological zone characterized by its soil, climate vegetation, and wildlife.
Define ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
Define population
A community of animals, plants, or humans among whose members interbreeding occurs.
Define community
A group of interdependent organisms of different species growing or living together in a specified habitat.
Define habitat
The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism.
Define niche
A position or role taken by a particular kind of organism within its community.
Define biotic
Relating to or resulting from living things, especially in their ecological relations.
Define abiotic
Not associated with or derived from living organisms.
State the biotic and abiotic components of an
ecosystem
- biotic components:
– producers, consumers (primary, secondary and tertiary) and decomposers - abiotic components:
– temperature, humidity, water, oxygen, salinity, light, pH
State examples of biotic interactions
- competition (inter-specific and intra-specific)
- grazing
- predation
Define Photosynthesis
The process by which plants synthesise glucose using carbon dioxide, water and energy from sunlight
State the word and chemical equations for photosynthesis
- carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
- 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
What does chlorophyll do?
Chlorophyll captures light energy for photosynthesis
What are the limiting factors in the rate of photosynthesis?
The availability of water, concentration of carbon dioxide and the availability of light are limiting factors in the rate of photosynthesis
What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis on land and in
the oceans is a vital part of the carbon cycle and has an important effect on carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere by forming carbon stores
Define Producer
Organisms that photosynthesize their own food.
Define primary consumer
Herbivores that primarily eat primary producers
Define secondary consumer
Omnivores that feed on the first two trophic levels
Define tertiary consumer
Carnivores that consume secondary and primary consumers
Define decomposer
Organisms that breaks down organic material. “Recyclers.” They consume dead organic matter, convert into nutrients, then released back into the soil for plant growth.
Define trophic levels
feeding levels within
food chains
Is energy transferred in a food chain?
energy is transferred between
organisms in a food chain, starting with a
producer
What are the reasons that energy is lost in food chains?
They are lost by respiration and waste products
define aerobic respiration
the chemical reactions in cells that break down glucose molecules and release energy, carbon dioxide and water
state the word and chemical equation for aerobic respiration
- glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
- C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
What are the stages of the carbon cycle?
- photosynthesis
- respiration
- feeding
- decomposition
- fossilisation
- combustion
Define reliable
The reliability of a method of measurement refers to how consistently it measures.
Bias
A prejudiced representation or a systematic error.
