Chapter 1: Introduction to Environmental Sciences (Part 1)

The most abundant living elements in living organisms

Carbon

Hydrogen

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Sulfur

Phosphorus

Matter

Any sort of substance that uses up space and has mass

Elements

Unique forms of matter with very specific properties (chemical and physical)

5 elements common to living organisms

Oxygen

Carbon

Hydrogen

Nitrogen

Phosphorus

Atoms

Smallest unit of matter that retains all the chemical properties found of an element

Nucleus

the center of the atom and which contains the protons and neutrons

Outermost

holds its elections in orbit around the nucleus

Ions

when atoms gain or lose electrons

molecules

are formed when two or more atoms join together through chemical bonds to form a unit of matter

Isotopes

are different forms of an element that have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons

Hydrocarbons

are organic molecules that consist entirely of carbon and hydrogen

Biological molecules

Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates

One type of macromolecule

Lipids

a diverse group of compounds such as fats, oil, waxes, phospholipids and steroids (nonpolar in nature)

Nonpolar molecules

are “water-fearing” (hydrophobic) or insoluble in water

Proteins

most abundant organic molecules in living systems

Enzymes

Produced by living cells, speed up biochemical reactions

Nucleic acids

most important macromolecules for continuing life

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Genetic material found in all living organisms

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Mostly involved in protein synthesis

Population

All individuals of a species living within one specific area

Community

The sum of populations inhabiting the same area

Ecosystem

Consists of all living things in a particular area together with abiotic, non-living parts of that environment

Biosphere

Collection of all ecosystems and represents the zones of life on earth