Introduction to Environmental Science Exam Topics

Environmental Science

Study of natural and built environments.

Abiotic Factors

Nonliving components of ecosystems.

Biotic Factors

Living components of ecosystems.

Provisioning Services

Products obtained from ecosystems like food and water.

Inherent Value

Value based on existence, not utility.

Instrumental Value

Value based on usefulness to humans.

Stewardship

Care for the environment through sustainable practices.

Environmental Justice

Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.

Rachel Carson

Author of Silent Spring, raised pesticide awareness.

Van Jones

Activist for social justice and green jobs.

Wangari Maathai

Founded Green Belt Movement, Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Greta Thunberg

Youth climate activist, started Fridays for Future.

Preservationists

Advocate for leaving wilderness untouched.

Conservationists

Support wise use of land for resources.

John Muir

Founder of Sierra Club, national parks advocate.

Gifford Pinchot

First chief of the U.S. Forest Service.

Teddy Roosevelt

Supported U.S. wilderness society funding.

Aldo Leopold

Promoted human role in protecting nature.

Sustainable Development

Meeting present needs without harming future generations.

Tragedy of the Commons

Overuse of resources due to shared ownership.

Hardin's Solutions

Privatization, regulation, agreements to manage resources.

Ostrom's Contributions

Ideas for managing common resources sustainably.

Scientific Method

Systematic approach to understanding natural phenomena.

Hypothesis

Proposed explanation for a phenomenon, testable.

Hypothesis

Testable explanation for an observation.

Observation

Noted increase of deer in New York.

Data

Information collected for analysis.

Sample size

Number of observations in a study.

Sum

Total of all measurements collected.

Mean

Average value of a data set.

Standard deviation

Measurement of data variability from mean.

Confidence limits

Likelihood that sample represents population.

95% confidence level

Statistical measure indicating high reliability.

Scientific theory

Explanation supported by extensive evidence.

Peer review process

Evaluation of claims by independent experts.

Reliable science

Claims verified by multiple trustworthy sources.

Matter

Anything with mass that occupies space.

Element

Substance that cannot be chemically broken down.

Atomic number

Total number of protons in an atom.

Mass number

Total of protons and neutrons in nucleus.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different neutrons.

Molecules

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Organic molecules

Carbon-based molecules with two or more carbons.

Ions

Charged atoms or molecules from electron loss/gain.

Carbohydrates

Sugars serving as primary energy source.

Lipids

Hydrophobic molecules storing long-term energy.

Proteins

Cell structures regulating various cellular functions.

Nucleic acids

Molecules storing genetic information.

Energy

Ability to perform work.

Kinetic energy

Energy of motion.

Potential energy

Stored energy available for use.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created or destroyed.

Energy efficiency

Work output per energy input.

Photosynthesis

Process capturing energy from sunlight.

Cellular respiration

Process releasing energy from food.

Trophic levels

Hierarchical levels in an ecosystem's food chain.

Evolution

Genetic change in species over time.

Natural selection

Survival of individuals with advantageous traits.

Charles Darwin

Proposed natural selection as evolution mechanism.

Population

Group of same species individuals in a specific area.

Gene Pool

Collection of alleles in a population at one time.

Allele

A specific form of a gene.

Genotype

The genetic code of an organism.

Phenotype

Physical characteristics expressed by an organism.

Genetic Variation

Diversity in gene frequencies within a population.

Mutation

Change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Sexual Reproduction

Combination of genetic material from two parents.

Adaptation

Traits that enhance survival in a specific environment.

Phylogenetic Tree

Diagram showing evolutionary relationships among species.

Bilateral Symmetry

Divisible into symmetrical halves along one plane.

Amniotes

Organisms whose embryos develop in an amnion.

Directional Selection

Selection favoring one extreme trait over others.

Stabilizing Selection

Selection favoring moderate traits over extremes.

Disruptive Selection

Selection favoring both extreme traits over moderate.

Natural Selection

Process favoring traits beneficial for survival.

Ecological Niche

Role of a species in its habitat.

Endemic Species

Species found only in a specific geographic area.

Resource Partitioning

Species dividing resources to reduce competition.

Indicator Species

Organisms reflecting environmental health conditions.

Weather

Current atmospheric conditions at a specific time.

Climate

Average weather conditions over a long period.

Hadley Cells

Large-scale atmospheric circulation between equator and 30° latitude.

Precipitation

Water released from clouds as rain or snow.

Tropical Savannas

Warm regions with distinct wet and dry seasons.

Deserts

Extremely dry areas with minimal rainfall.

Temperate Forests

Forests with distinct seasons and moderate rainfall.

Deciduous Forests

Forests with trees shedding leaves in fall.

Coniferous forests

Dominated by evergreen trees; cold winters, mild summers.

Arctic tundra

Cold, treeless biome with permafrost and low vegetation.

Alpine tundra

Higher mountains; cold, more precipitation, stunted trees.

Primary productivity

Rate of biomass production via photosynthesis.

Estuaries

Nutrient-rich areas where freshwater meets saltwater.

Tropical rainforests

High rainfall and temperatures, year-round growth.

Coral reefs

Warm, shallow waters with high biodiversity and productivity.

Swamps and marshes

Wetlands with standing water and rich nutrients.

Deserts

Low water availability limits plant growth significantly.

Open ocean

Low productivity due to nutrient scarcity in deep waters.

Amazon rainforest tipping point

Climate change threatens rainforest stability and biodiversity.

Ecosystem

Includes living organisms and their environment.

Community

Only living organisms in a specific area.