Environemental Science 3.1 and 3.2

Matter

all material in the universe that has mass and occupies space

Atom

basic units of matter

Element

chemical substance with a given set of properties that cannot be broken down into substances with other properties

Nucleus

central core containing particles called protons and neutrons

Molecule

combination of two or more atoms of the same type or of different types joined by covalent bonds

Compound

a substance composed of atoms of two or more different elements

Hydrocarbon

an organic compound that contains only hydrogen and carbon

Solution

a mixture in which all the ingredients are evenly distributed

Macromolecule

large organic compounds that are essential to life

Protein

polymers that serve many functions in organisms. they are organic compounds made up carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,nitrogen, sometimes sulfur

serve many functions like develop bone and repair muscle; include enzymes; are polymers that consist of amino acids

Nucleic acid

macromolecules that direct protein production

direct protein production; include DNA, RNA

Carbohydrate

polymers that consist of atoms carbon, hydrogen, oxygen

provides energy and structure; include sugar, starch, and cellulose

Lipid

a chemically diverse group of macromolecules that are classified together because they do not dissolve in water

not soluble in water; many functions; include fats, waxes, and hormones

pH

the acidity or alkalinity of a solution

Proton

have a positive charge and are in the nucleus. they determine the elemental identity of the atom

Neutrons

have no charge and are in the nucleus. They determine, with protons, the mass of the atoms.

Electrons

are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus. they determine what chemical bonds the atom will form with other atoms.

Ion

an atom loses or gains an electron and becomes charged (+ or -)

Organic Compound

consists of covalently bonded atoms and often include other elements, espeically hydrogen (OC include natural gas, petroleum, coal, gasoline)

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds, such as petroleum that contain only hydrogen and carbon

Inorganic Compound

lack carbon to carbon bonds

covalent bonds

elements are shared

Ionic Bonds

a positive ion attracts a negative ion

Molecule

two or more atoms joined by covalent bonds

Compound

substance composed of atoms of two or more different elements

mixture

a combination of elements, molecules or compounds that are not bonded chemically

Solutions

mixtures in which all ingredients are equally distributed

(solids, liquids, gases, blood, sea water, plant sap, and metal alloys (brass))

Macromolecules

large organic compounds that are essential to life

Cohesion

Water sticks to itself

Resistance to temperature

change (high specific heat)

Water is ______ when frozen

less dense

Water has _______ many other molecules

ability to dissolve

Hydrogen Bond is

polar

Polar

a molecule with uneven distribution of charge

Adhesion

attraction to other molecules than itself

Solvent

a substance that dissolves a solute

Surface tension

when liquids act as if the surface is a skin or membrane

Thermal Capacity

a physical property of matter that determines how much energy needs to be supplied to a substance to raise its temperature

pH of 7

neutral

equal concentrations of H+ and OH-

pH below 7

acidic

relatively high concentration of H+

pH above 7

basic

relatively high concentration of OH

System

a network of relationships among parts

Feedback Loop

a circular process in which a system’s output serves as input to that same system

Positive Feedback Loop

result in a system moving to an extreme

increase the direct effects of the original process

rare in nature, but common when altered by humans

amplifies change

Negative Feedback Loop

have beneficial results

result in stabilization of a system

input and output neutralize one another

common in nature

reduces change/stabilizes/keep the same

spheres of the earth

atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere

Atmosphere

air

layer of gases surrounded the earth

main gases are oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon 

(clouds, weather, ozone layer) 

abiotic

Biosphere

all living things

living systems that include life on land, oceans+rivers, and microscopic life

(deserts, forests, coastal wetlands)

biotic

Hydrosphere

water

all water on earth in solid and liquid states 

(glaciers, snow, oceans, lakes, rivers)

Geosphere (lithosphere)

earth/soil

crust of earth including 5 layers

living things grow in the top layer called humus 

(rocks, mountains, volcanoes, soil)

abiotic

Events

changes that take place within an ecosystem. can occur naturally (earthquake or humane)

can be caused by humans (oil spill/pollution)

Interaction

Cause and effect relationship in an event and a sphere

Abiotic

non living

Biotic

living

Cryosphere

collective term for all the frozen water on Earth, including snow, sea ice, glaciers, ice sheets, and permafrost

predator prey relationships are an example of an

negative feedback loop

matter

all the material in the universe that has mass and occupies space

The elements that define the makeup of an organic compound

carbon and hydrogen

In a Kool-aid solution, the kool-aid powder is the _____ while the water is the ______

solute, solvent

Hydrocarbons are examples of organic compound

true

Proteins

polymers that consist of amino acids

Sometimes an output of a system is also an input for the same system

true

Warmer water is less dense than cooler water

true

The ratio of solar radiation reflected by an object to the solar radiation shining upon it

albedo

Capillary Action

the movement of water in porous and small spaces due to surface tension, adhesion

Predator-prey interactions is an example of

negative feedback loop

Energy from the sun is stored in plants (____)

biosphere

The loss of some or all of a soil’s ability to support plant growth

erosion

Because water molecules are polar, they tend to repel one another

false

Water molecules are composed of

1 oxygen and 2 hydrogen atoms

Solute

the substance that is dissolved