Environmental Factors Essential for Life (Lecture Page 2)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to temperature, water, and atmospheric protection from the lecture notes.

Low Temperature

A condition in which molecules move slowly because of reduced thermal energy.

High Temperature

A condition in which molecules move rapidly due to increased thermal energy.

Water

A substance essential for the sustainability, development, and very existence of life on Earth.

Atmosphere

The gaseous layer surrounding Earth that provides insulation, shields against solar radiation, and protects from small-to-medium meteorite impacts.

Greenhouse Gases

Atmospheric gases that trap heat, preventing Earth’s surface from freezing and maintaining a habitable climate.

Ozone

A molecule in the stratosphere that absorbs and blocks harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching Earth’s surface.

Ultraviolet (UV) Rays

High-energy radiation from the sun that can damage living tissues if not filtered by atmospheric ozone.