APES Test Review for Topics 4.6 - 4.9 and 5.1-5.3, 8.1, 8.5, 8.7, and 8.8

Independent variable

The factor that the experimenter manipulates in an experiment.

Dependent variable

The factor that the experimenter measures in an experiment.

Control group

A group that does not receive the treatment or manipulation in an experiment.

Experimental group

One or more groups that receive the treatment or manipulation in an experiment.

Constants (controlled variables)

Variables that remain the same across both the control group and experimental group(s) to prevent influencing the results.

Dimensional analysis

A method for converting units by using conversion factors.

Percent change formula

(Final value - Initial value) / Initial value x 100.

Watershed

Land area that drains into a body of water.

El Nino

A climate pattern that occurs every 3-7 years, characterized by warm sea surface waters in the Pacific Ocean.

La Nina

A climate phenomenon characterized by cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific, stronger trade winds, and increased upwelling.

Tragedy of the Commons

The overuse of a shared, common resource that leads to depletion.

Clearcutting

The removal of all trees in a specific location, with various negative impacts on the environment.

Green Revolution

A movement towards large-scale, mechanized farming aimed at increasing crop production.

Nonpoint sources of pollution

Pollution that cannot be traced back to a single point, often accumulating from multiple sources over a wide area.

Eutrophication

The excessive growth of aquatic vegetation due to nutrient runoff leading to decreased oxygen levels in water.

Bioaccumulation

The build-up of toxins within a single organism over time.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxins as they move up through the food chain.