Untitled Flashcards Set

What is a theory in science?

A well-tested explanation of the natural world.

What is Uniformitarianism?

The idea that all scientific principles work the same everywhere, every time.

What does Catastrophism refer to?

The idea that sometimes rapid events can cause significant changes, such as meteor impacts.

What is a hypothesis?

A guess that can be tested with the intention of becoming a theory, and must be falsifiable.

What is 'Deep Time'?

The concept that the Earth is very old and the Universe is older.

How do we determine the age of the Earth using radiometric dating?

By measuring the ratio of parent product to daughter product.

What defines a half-life?

The time it takes for one half of a material to decay into its daughter material.

What is the Doppler Effect?

The shift of frequency of a wave in relation to an observer due to the relative motion of the source.

What are the five spheres of Earth's systems?

Atmosphere, Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Cryosphere.

What do Milankovitch Cycles refer to?

Periodic changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit around the Sun.

What is Positive Feedback in environmental science?

A self-sustaining or run-away process that amplifies changes.

What is Negative Feedback?

A self-limiting or stable process that reduces changes.

What is a tipping point in environmental feedbacks?

When one type of feedback becomes another, often leading to runaway effects.

What does Plate Tectonics explain?

The shifting of continents due to the movement of crust plates.

What is the core idea behind Darwin's Theory of Evolution?

Change over time; modern organisms have descended from ancient ones.

What is Natural Selection?

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

What is the Fossil Record?

Layers of fossils in sediment that show changes within and between species over time.

What is Geographic Isolation?

When species occur in different areas separated by barriers.

What is the difference between Homologous and Analogous Structures?

Homologous structures share a common ancestor but serve different functions; Analogous structures serve similar functions but do not share a common ancestor.

What are Vestigial Organs?

Organs that serve no modern useful function but did perform a function in the past.

What is Speciation?

The process by which new species appear, often due to isolation.

What is Sexual Selection?

Traits that may be attractive to individuals and increase reproduction despite not having other advantages.