AICE Environmental Science Midterm (Ch. 1–4.2) – Quizlet Import

Environment

The surroundings in which organisms live and interact

Species

A group of organisms that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size an environment can sustain

LIC

Low Income Country

MIC

Middle Income Country

HIC

High Income Country

Sustainability

Meeting present needs without compromising future generations

Ecosystem

A system of living organisms interacting with their physical environment

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or energy into the environment

Biodiversity

The variety of life in an area

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water through evaporation condensation and precipitation

Open System

A system that exchanges energy and matter with surroundings

Closed System

A system that exchanges energy but not matter

Evaporation

The change of liquid water to water vapor

Transpiration

The release of water vapor from plant leaves

Condensation

The change of water vapor to liquid

Humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air

Interception

Precipitation caught by vegetation

Through-fall

Water that falls through vegetation to the ground

Stem-flow

Water that runs down plant stems

Runoff

Water flowing over land into rivers

Aquifer

An underground store of water

Infiltration

Water soaking into the ground

Through-flow

Water moving laterally through soil

Groundwater

Water stored underground

Groundwater Flow

Movement of groundwater through rock

Abstraction

Removal of water from a source

Impermeable Rock

Rock that does not allow water to pass through

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth

Variable Gases

Gases that vary in concentration such as water vapor and CO2

Troposphere

Lowest atmospheric layer where weather occurs

Stratosphere

Layer containing the ozone layer

Ozone Layer

Layer that absorbs harmful UV radiation

Mesosphere

Layer above stratosphere where meteors burn

Phytoplankton

Microscopic photosynthetic organisms in water

Methane

A potent greenhouse gas

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Warming caused by naturally occurring greenhouse gases

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

CFCs

Man-made gases that damage the ozone layer

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Increased warming due to human activities

Biosphere

All living organisms on Earth

Hydrosphere

All Earth's water

Lithosphere

Earth's crust and upper mantle

Biomes

Large ecological regions with similar climate and organisms

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem

Abiotic

Non-living components of an ecosystem

Population

All members of a species in an area

Habitat

The place where an organism lives

Competition

The struggle for limited resources

Ecological Niche

The role of an organism in an ecosystem

Intra-specific Competition

Competition within the same species

Inter-specific Competition

Competition between different species

Food Chain

A linear sequence of energy transfer

Trophic Level

The feeding position in a food chain

Ecological Pyramid

A diagram showing energy biomass or numbers

Primary Producer

An organism that makes its own food

Consumer

An organism that eats others

Herbivore

A plant-eating consumer

Omnivore

Eats plants and animals

Carnivore

Eats animals

Decomposer

Breaks down dead organic matter

Limiting Factor

A factor that restricts population growth

Food Web

Interconnected food chains

Biomass

Total mass of living material

Photosynthesis

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Aerobic Respiration

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

Chlorophyll

Green pigment used in photosynthesis

Carbon Cycle

Movement of carbon through living and nonliving systems

Combustion

Burning of fossil fuels releasing CO2

Carbon Stores

Places where carbon is held long-term

Carbon Sinks

Processes that absorb more carbon than they release

Fossilization

Formation of fossil fuels from organic matter

Scientific Method

A systematic way to investigate questions

Hypothesis

A testable prediction

Data

Information collected during research

Observation

Noticing and recording information

Qualitative Data

Descriptive non-numerical data

Quantitative Data

Numerical data

Prediction

Expected outcome

Bias

Influence that skews results

Variable

A factor that can change

Independent Variable

Factor deliberately changed

Dependent Variable

Factor measured

Control Group

Group used for comparison

Limitations

Weaknesses in a method

Reliable Data

Consistent repeatable data

Scientific Theory

A well-tested explanation

Climate Change

Long-term changes in climate

Climate Model

Computer simulation of climate systems

Primary Data

Data collected firsthand

Secondary Data

Data collected by others

Random Sampling

Each sample has equal chance

Systematic Sampling

Samples taken at regular intervals

Quadrat

Square frame for sampling plants

Sedentary

Organisms that do not move

Frequency

How often a species occurs

Turbidity

Cloudiness of water

Point Quadrat

Frame with pins for plant sampling

Pitfall Trap

Container used to catch ground insects

Sweep Nets

Nets used to catch insects