UNIT 1: Systems 1.2 Flashcards
System
Interconnected parts working together to function as a whole.
Stable Equilibrium
When a system returns to its previous state after a disturbance.
Open system
Requires material/energy input
Flows
Pathways within the system in which the energy and material can be transferred or transformed
Closed system
Only input is it’s energy and is self sustaining
Feedback Loop
A cycle where information triggers a reaction that leads to further reactions.
Positive Feedback Loop
A disturbance amplifies changes, moving the system away from equilibrium.
Negative Feedback Loop
A process where outputs reduce changes, stabilizing the system.
Tipping Point
The minimum change that shifts a system to a new state of equilibrium.
Albedo
The measure of how much a surface reflects, with higher values indicating more reflection. Low albedo meaning more absorption
Keystone Species
Species with a large influence on ecosystems, whose loss significantly alters the environment.
Input
Import material + energy across the system boundary
Output
Export material + energy across the system boundary
Reductionism
The approach of breaking down complex systems into simpler, smaller parts to understand them better.
Model
A simplified representation or simulation of a system, used to understand, explain, or predict its behavior.
Transfer
it can refer to the movement of energy, information, or materials between systems.
Transformation
The process of changing or converting something into a different form or state. In science, it often refers to a significant alteration in structure, function, or appearance within a system.
Isolate system
A system that does not exchange matter or energy with its surroundings. It is completely closed off from external influences, allowing only internal processes to occur.
Gaia Theory
The Gaia Theory suggests Earth and its living systems function as a self-regulating, interconnected organism that maintains conditions suitable for life.
Daisy Chain
A series of interconnected interactions in an ecosystem where each part influences and regulates the others, maintaining balance in the system.
