Environmental Science and the Scientific Method Flashcards

Zoonotic Disease

An infectious disease caused by germs, such as viruses or bacteria, that jump from wild animals to humans across the species barrier when close interaction occurs.

Biotic Factors

The living components of an ecosystem, such as animals (including deer, bobcats, and bears) and plants.

Abiotic Factors

The non-living physical and chemical components of an ecosystem, such as air, water, land, and soil.

Environmental Science

An interdisciplinary field integrating biology, chemistry, economics, and policy to study how human actions alter natural systems, track biotic and abiotic impacts, and solve complex global problems.

First Law of Thermodynamics

A principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only change forms.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

A principle stating that as energy flows through an ecosystem, it degrades into lower-quality heat, which limits the amount of energy available to biotic organisms at higher levels.