Environmental Biology- Master Flashcards

System

A network of interdependent components and process with materials and energy flowing from one component of the system to another

Eutrophication

excessive enrichment of a water body with nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus

Ecosystem

Complex assemblages of animals, plants, and their environment, through which materials and energy move

Open Systems

Are those that receive inputs from their surroundings and produce outputs that leave the system

Closed System

Exchanges no energy or matter with its surroundings

Throughput

Is the flow of energy and matter into, through, and out of a system

Threshold

Tipping points where rapid change suddenly occurs if you pass a certain limit

Equilibrium

In balance

Positive Feedback

Increase in x Increases a process or component

Negative Feedback

Increase in x Diminishes a process or component

Matter

Anything that takes up space and has mass

Three states of matter

-Solid

-Liquid

-Gas

Conservation of Matter

Matter is neither created nor destroyed

Elements

Substance that cannot be broken into simpler units by chemical means

In chemistry, these have distinct chemical characteristics

3 elements of fertilizers

N- Nitrogen

P- Phosphorus

K- Postassium

Purpose of fertilizers

Essential components of proteins, cells, other biological compounds; cruical fertilizers for plants

3 Elements of organic compounds

C- Carbon

H- Hydrogen

O- Oxygen

Purpose of organic compounds

Form the basic structure of cells and other components of living things, in combination with many other elements

3 elements of Metals

Fe- Iron

Au- Gold

Al - aluminum

Purpose of metals

Generally malleable; most (not all) react readily with other elements

3 elements of toxic elements

Pb- Lead

Hg- Mercury

As- Arsenic

Purpose of toxic elements

Many are metals that can interfere with process in nervous systems

Atoms

Smallest particles that exhibit the characteristics of an element

Atomic Number

The characteristic number of protons per atom of an element

Atomic Mass

Sum of protons and neutrons in each nucleus which can vary

How to add or subtract with protons, electrons, and neutrons

• Proton- positive which add +1

• Electron- Negative which subtract -1

• Neutron- neutral which add +1

Isotopes

 Forms of a single element that differ in atomic mass due to a different number of neutrons in the nucleus

Different kinds of isotopes

Unstable- Radioactive isotopes 

Stable- Those that do not change mass by losing neutrons

Ions, Anions, and Cations

Charged atoms that have gained or lost electrons, Negatively charged ions, Positively Charged ions respectively

Compounds

Substances composed of different kinds of atoms

Molecules

Combinations of two or more atoms

Ionic Bonds

The electrical attraction holding Atoms together

Covalent Bonds

the interatomic linkage that results from the sharing of an electron pair between two atoms

Oxidized vs Reduced

Oxidized- When an atom gives up one or more electrons

Reduced- When an atom gains electrons

Water and its unique properties

1. Water molecules are polar- that is, they have a slight positive charge on one side and a slight negative charge on the other side. Therefore, water readily dissolves polar or ionic substances, including sugars and nutrients, and carries materials to and from cells

2. Water is the only inorganic liquid that occurs in nature under normal conditions at temperatures suitable for life. Organism is synthesize organic compounds, such as oils and alcohols, that remain liquid at ambient temperatures and that are therefore extremely valuable to life, but the predominant liquid in nature is water

3. Water molecules are cohesive, tending to stick together. Water has the highest surface tension of any common, natural liquid. Water also adheres to surfaces. As a result, water is subject to capillary action: it can be drawn into small channels. Without this property, the movement of water and nutrients through living organisms might not be possible

4. Water is unique in that it expands when it crystallizes. Most substances shrink as they change from liquids to solid. Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water. When temperatures fall below freezing, the surface layers of lakes, rivers, and oceans cool faster than and freeze before deeper water. 

5. Water has a high heat of vaporization, using a great deal of heat to convert from liquids to vapor. Consequently, evaporating water is an effective way for organisms to shed excess heat. 

6. Water also has a high specific heat; that is, water absorbs a great deal of heat before it changes temperature. Water slow response to temperature change helps moderate global temperatures, keeping the environment warm in winter and cool in summer

Acids

Substances that readily give up hydrogen ions

Bases or Alkaline substances

Substances that readily bond

what is pH

A value that indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0-14, based on the proportion of H+ ions present

What do the different pH levels mean

pH<7	acids
pH>7	Bases
pH=7	Neutral

What does pH being logarithmic means

pH 6 represents ten times more hydrogen ions in solution than pH 7

Purpose of Organic Compounds

The material of which biomolecules, and therefore living organisms are made

Four major categories of organic compounds

Lipids, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Nucleic Acids

Lipids

Including fats and oils, store energy for cells, and they provide the core of cell membranes and other structures. Many hormones are are this, they do not readily dissolve in water

Proteins

Composed of chains of subunits called amino acids. Foled into complex three dimensional shapes. Provide structure to cells and are used for countless cell functions. Enzymes, such as those that release energy. Make muscles move, transport oxygen, and regulate cell activity

Carbohydrates

Including sugars, starches, and cellulose also stores energy and provide structure to cells. 

Nucleic Acid

Complex molecules made of five- carbon sugar. One or more phosphate groups, and an organic nitrogen containing base; Expression and storage of genetic information

RNA

Ribonucleic acid

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid; essential for storing and expressing genetic information; has 4 nucleotides. Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, thymine; G always to C, and A always to T

Key principles of energy in an ecosystem

1. Energy is transformed, but not created or destroyed

2. In every energy exchange, some energy is degraded to less useful forms

3. Primary Producers capture energy

Energy is

is the ability to do work, such as moving matter over a distance or causing a heat transfer between two objects at different temperatures; energy can be many forms such as heat, light, electricity, and chemical energy; energy is measured in heat (calories) or work (joules)

Kinetic Energy

Energy contained in moving objects

Potential Energy

Stored energy that is available for use

Chemical Energy

potential energy stored in chemical bonds of molecules

Heat

describes which that can be transferred between objects of different temperatures

First two laws of thermodynamics and what is it about

Deals with how energy is transferred in natural processes. Deals with the rates of flow and the transformation of energy from one form or quality to another. 

• First law of thermodynamics

  • States that energy is conserved; that is, it is neither created nor destroyed under normal conditions. Energy may be transformed.

• Second law of thermodynamics

  • States that with each successive energy transfer or transformation in a system, less energy is available to do work. That is, as energy is used, it is degraded to lower-quality forms, or it dissipated and is lost. 

Entropy

 tends to increase in all natural systems; it is a measure of disorder and usefulness of energy in a system; loss of energy as a byproduct of waste

Primary Producers

they create carbohydrates and other compounds using just sunlight, air, and water. Such as green plants

Chemosynthesis

 the extraction of energy from inorganic chemical compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide

Solar Energy

is essential to life for two main reasons, 1^st sun provides warmth. 2^nd nearly all organisms on earths surface depend on solar radiation for life-sustaining energy. 

Photosynthesis

converts radiant energy into useful, high quality chemical energy in the bonds that hold together organic molecules

percentages of Solar Radiation is uv, visible, or infrared

about 10% is ultraviolet, 45% is visible, and 45% is Infrared

How does photosynthesis work

Occurs in tiny organelles called chloroplasts that reside within the plant cells. Chlorophyll is the most important key as it can absorb light energy and use it to create high-energy chemical bonds in compounds.

It is stored in the chemical bonds in sugars and carbohydrates

Light-> Chlorophyll -> Oxygen

Photosynthesis Equation

6H2O+6CO2+ solar energy -chlorophyll-> C6H12O6 (Sugar) +6O2

Glucose

is an energy rich compound that serves as the central, primary fuel for all metabolic processes of cells.

Cellular respiration

Process of releasing chemical energy. The process in which a cell breaks down sugar or tother organic compounds to release energy used for cellular work; may be anaerobic or aerobic, depending on the availability of oxygen

Species

 refers to all organisms of the same kind that are genetically similar enough to breed in nature and produce live, fertile offspring

Population

consists of all member of a species living in a given area at the same time. 

Biological Community

populations of plants, animals, and microorganisms living and interacting in a certain area at a given time

Ecosystems

a specific biological community and its physical environment interacting in an exchange of matter and energy

Productivity

The amount of biomass produced in a given area during a given period of time

Biomass

biological material

Food web

a complex, interlocking series of individual food chains in an ecosystems

Trophic Level

An organisms feeding status in an ecosystem

Consumers

organisms that obtain energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms or their remains

Producers

Organisms that produce organic material by photosynthesis

What are Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores, Scavengers, Detritivores, and Decomposers

Herbivores- Plant eaters

Carnivores- Flesh eaters

Omnivores- Both plant and flesh eaters

Scavengers- Eat dead carcasses

Detritivores- Consumer litter, debris, and dung

Decomposer- Final breakdown and recycling of organic materials

Biogeochemical Cycling

 movement of elements and compounds that sustain us are cycled endlessly through living things and through the environment

Hydrologic Cycle

Path of water through our environment basically the water cycle; includes Evaporation, Runoff, infiltration to groundwater, atmospheric circulation, transpiration

1. Evaporation

2. Condensation

3. Precipitation

4. Runoff

Carbon Cycle

 Does two things: 1) - it is a structural component of organic molecules and 2) Chemical bonds in carbon compounds provide metabolic energy

Begins when plants and other photosynthetic organisms take up carbon dioxide. 

Carbon is the element that makes up the skeleton of organic compounds

Includes photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion

Mainly stored in the atmosphere

1. Photosynthesis: Plants, algae, and some bacteria absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose (sugars) using sunlight. This process is the main way carbon enters the biosphere from the atmosphere. 

2. Respiration: Living organisms, including plants, use glucose for energy. This process releases CO2 back into the atmosphere as a byproduct. 

3. Decomposition: When plants and animals die, their bodies decompose, and the carbon in their tissues is released back into the atmosphere or soil by bacteria and fungi. 

4. Ocean Absorption: The oceans absorb a significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere, which can then be stored for long periods in deep ocean sediments. 

5. Fossil Fuels Formation: Over millions of years, some organic matter is buried and transformed into fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). 

6. Combustion and Release: When fossil fuels are burned, the stored carbon is released as CO2 back into the atmosphere. 

7. Volcanic Activity: Volcanic eruptions release carbon dioxide and other gases from the Earth's interior back into the atmosphere. 

8. Erosion and Weathering: Rocks and sediments undergo weathering and erosion, releasing carbon stored in them into the atmosphere, soil, and water. 

Nitrogen Cycle

The circulation and reutilization of nitrogen in both inorganic and organic phases; is not readily usable by most organisms

1. Nitrogen fixation- Bacteria produce ammonia or ammonium

2. Nitrification Nitrifying bacteria oxidize ammonia or nitrate ions

3. Assimilation Plants absorb NH3, NH4, or NO3, to make organic compounds

4. Ammonification- where decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down organic nitrogen compounds, such as proteins in dead organisms and waste, into ammonia (NH3)

5. Denitrification- Denitrifying bacteria produces N2

Sulfur Cycle

Describes the movement of sulfur through the atmosphere, mineral forms, and through living things; Sulfur plays a strong role in controlling the :acidity, acid, or pH of rain surface water and soil; Is essential nutrient for many organisms, but is also involved in many pollution problems such as acid rain

1. . Release from Geological Sources:

   Sulfur is released from geological sources like rocks and sediments through weathering and erosion. 

2. 2. Oxidation to Sulfate:

   When sulfur is exposed to air, it combines with oxygen to form sulfate (SO4). 

3. 3. Uptake by Plants and Microbes:

   Plants and microbes absorb sulfate from the soil and convert it into organic sulfur compounds like amino acids and proteins. 

4. 4. Conversion to Organic Forms:

   Sulfur is incorporated into living tissues, forming part of proteins and other organic molecules. 

5. 5. Decomposition and Release:

   When organisms die and decompose, sulfur is released back into the environment as inorganic forms like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or sulfate. 

6. 6. Microbial Transformations:

   Various bacteria, including Thiobacillus, play a crucial role in transforming inorganic sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide and elemental sulfur into sulfate under different environmental conditions. 

7. 7. Sulfur's Journey:

   Sulfur can also enter the ocean through runoff and deposition, where it can be used as a biological energy source by marine organisms or become part of ocean sediments. 

Nitrogen and Phosphorus are

key nutrients that are limiting elements because they are essential for plant and animal growth

Components of a eukaryotic cell

1. Mitochondria

2. Membrane

3. Nucleus

1. Membrane: This outer boundary regulates what enters and exits the cell, separating the internal environment from the external environment. 

2. Cytoplasm: The gel-like substance within the cell, excluding the nucleus, where organelles are suspended. 

3. Nucleus: The control center of the cell, containing the genetic material (DNA) enclosed within a nuclear membrane. 

4. Organelles: These specialized structures within the cytoplasm perform specific functions, including: 

• Mitochondria: Powerhouses of the cell, generating energy through cellular respiration. 

• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): A network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis. 

• Golgi Apparatus: Processes and packages proteins and lipids, often forming vesicles for transport. 

• Lysosomes: Contain enzymes to break down cellular waste and debris. 

• Ribosomes: Responsible for protein synthesis.

• Cytoskeleton: A network of fibers providing structure, support, and movement within the cell. 

5. Cell Wall (Optional): Found in plant, fungal, and some protist cells, providing additional support and protection. 

C6H12O6

Glucose

Three particles of an atom

Protons, Electrons, Neutrons

Charges and weight of Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons

Protons- Positive Charge +1 weight

Neutrons- No charge +1 weight

Electrons- Negative charge -1 weight

Avogadro’s Number

6.023 × 10²³ ; It is the number of molecules of any gas present

The number of protons in one atom’s _____ and the number of electrons determines the _______ of the element

Identity, Chemical Properties

The atomic number tells you the number of ______ in one atom of an element. It also tells you the number of _____in a neutral atom of that element. The atomic number gives the identity of an element as well as its location on the periodic table. No two different elements will have the _____ atomic number

Protons, Electrons, Same

The _____ of an element is the average mass of an elements naturally occurring atom, or isotopes, taking into account the ____ of each isotope

Atomic Mass, Natural abundance

The _____ of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons in the ____ of the atom

Atomic mass #, Nucleus

The mass number is used to calculate the number of _____ in one atom of an element. In order to calculate the number of neutrons you must subtract the ______ from the _______

Neutrons, Atomic #, Atomic Mass #

Anatomy of an atom on the periodic table

79 is the atomic # or the # of protons

196/197 is the atomic mass or how much it weighs

What is the number of protons

79(p)

What is the number of electrons

79(e)

What is the number of neutrons

117

How to find amount of neutrons

Atomic Mass - Atomic Number

What is Atomic mass

Protons + Neutrons

Isotopes

Forms of a single element that differ in their atomic mass

Compounds

Atoms of elements join together or substances composed of different kinds of atoms