Revision Question

What is air pollution?

The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, including gases, particles, and biological molecules that can harm human health, ecosystems, and climate.

What are primary pollutants?

Pollutants that are emitted directly from sources (e.g., carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide).

What are secondary pollutants?

Pollutants that are formed in the atmosphere through chemical reactions (e.g., ozone, smog).

What are greenhouse gases?

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons.

What are the effects of air pollution on human health?

Air pollution can cause respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, neurological damage, and increase mortality rates.

How can water pollution be prevented?

By reducing chemical use, treating wastewater, proper disposal of hazardous materials, and protecting natural water bodies.

What are producers in ecosystems?

Organisms that create their own food through photosynthesis, such as plants.

What are consumers in ecosystems?

Organisms that obtain energy by eating producers or other consumers, such as animals.

What are decomposers in ecosystems?

Organisms that break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the soil, such as fungi and bacteria.

What is climate change?

Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, primarily caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities.

What are the main sources of water pollution?

Sources include industrial discharge, agricultural runoff (pesticides, fertilizers), sewage, and chemical waste.

What happens to municipal solid waste?

It is often landfilled or incinerated.

What is renewable energy?

Energy that is naturally replenished, such as solar power and wind energy.

What is non-renewable energy?

Energy that comes from finite resources, such as coal and natural gas.

Why is biodiversity important?

It maintains ecosystem stability, supports food webs, enables ecosystem services like pollination and water purification, and increases resilience to environmental changes.

What are the environmental impacts of greenhouse gases?

They trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events.

What are the effects of high population growth?

Increased demand for resources, habitat destruction, pollution, and strain on infrastructure.

What are the effects of low population growth?

Slowed economic development and reduced workforce availability.

How can we live sustainably?

By reducing waste, conserving energy, using renewable energy sources, practicing sustainable agriculture, and protecting natural ecosystems.

What causes air pollution?

Caused by emissions from vehicles, industrial processes, burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and chemical use.

What types of solid waste exist?

Municipal solid waste (household and community waste) and industrial solid waste (waste from manufacturing and industrial processes).

How can we reduce waste production?

Through sanitary landfills, composting organic waste, recycling materials, and reducing consumption.

Why are waste reduction methods important?

They minimize environmental pollution, conserve natural resources, reduce landfill use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.