GE MST N 1ST QUIZ

the French word of environment

ENVIRON

Meaning of the word Environ

SURROUNDING

Environment

complex of many variables that surrounds humans and other living organisms.

Two major components of the environment

Biotic and Abiotic

Biotic factors

humans, plants, animals, microbes

Abiotic factors

air, water, soil, light

Environment as a system

Environment is an inseparable whole system

Elements that constitute the environment (5)

Physical, chemical, biological, social, and cultural elements

Relationship among environmental components

interrelationships among water, air, land, and human beings

Why is environment considered complex?

Because it consists of many interlinked variables affecting living organisms

True or False: Environment includes only living organisms

FALSE – it includes both living and non-living components

True or False: Environmental elements work independently

FALSE – they are interlinked individually and collectively

Natural environment consists of how many systems?

Four interlinking systems

Four interlinking systems of the natural environment

Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Includes all water bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and oceans

Function of the hydrosphere

Functions in a cyclic nature

Water cycle is also called

Hydrological cycle

Lithosphere

The mantle of rocks constituting the Earth’s crust

Main components of the lithosphere

Soil, earth rocks, mountains

Earth as a planet

A cold, spherical, solid planet that spins on its axis and revolves around the sun

3 Layers of the lithosphere

Crust, Mantle, Core (outer and inner)

Atmosphere

A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth

Gases found in the atmosphere

Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases

Main function of the atmosphere

Protects Earth and humans from harmful solar radiation

Number of atmospheric layers

Five layers

Five layers of the atmosphere

Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere

Atmospheric layers are differentiated based on

Temperature

Definition of Environment

Environment refers to everything that surrounds living organisms and influences their growth, survival, and development.

Two main types of environmental components

Natural components and human-made components

Biotic factors

Living organisms such as plants, animals, microorganisms, and humans

Examples of biotic factors

Plants, animals, microorganisms, humans

Abiotic factors

Non-living elements of the environment

Examples of abiotic factors

Air, water, soil, sunlight, temperature, minerals

Difference between biotic and abiotic factors

Biotic = living | Abiotic = non-living

Interaction between biotic and abiotic components results in

Ecological balance

Environmental Science

An interdisciplinary field that studies interactions between humans and the natural environment.

Environmental Science focuses on

Scientific analysis and natural processes

Environmental Studies

A field that emphasizes social, cultural, political, and ethical aspects of the environment

Which field is more science-based?

Environmental Science

Which field focuses on human values and ethics?

Environmental Studies