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Aerosol

Tiny particles in the atmosphere that reflect or absorb solar radiation

Albedo

The percentage of incoming radiation reflected back into space

High albedo effect

More reflection leads to cooling

Active sensing

Sends out radiation and detects the return signal; requires more energy

Passive sensing

Detects natural radiation; requires less energy

Composite image

Multiple satellite images combined into one

Blackbody

Object that absorbs and emits 100% of radiation

Graybody

Object that absorbs/emits only part of radiation

Radiative forcing

Change in Earth's energy balance measured in W/m²

Ocean acidification

CO2 dissolves into ocean forming carbonic acid and lowering pH

Atmospheric composition

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, ~1% other gases

Atmosphere

Layers of gases surrounding Earth that absorb, emit, and transmit radiation

Troposphere

Weather occurs; temperature decreases with altitude

Stratosphere

Contains ozone layer; temperature increases with altitude

Mesosphere

Meteors burn; temperature decreases with altitude

Thermosphere

Very high temperatures, low density; auroras occur

Exosphere

Outermost layer, transitions to space

High pressure system

Sinking air, dry weather

Low pressure system

Rising air, clouds and precipitation

Stationary front

Two air masses meet but do not move

Occluded front

Cold front overtakes warm front

Dry line

Boundary between moist and dry air

Virga

Precipitation that evaporates before reaching ground

Thunderstorm formation

Warm moist air rises, cools, and condenses

Hurricane energy source

Warm ocean water

Hurricane rotation (Northern Hemisphere)

Counterclockwise

Hurricane rotation (Southern Hemisphere)

Clockwise

Coriolis effect

Deflection of moving air due to Earth's rotation

Mid-latitude cyclone

Large rotating low-pressure system in mid-latitudes

Atmospheric river

Narrow band of concentrated water vapor transport

Gyre

Large circular ocean current system

Gyre direction Northern Hemisphere

Clockwise

Gyre direction Southern Hemisphere

Counterclockwise

Upwelling

Cold nutrient-rich water rises to surface

El Nino

Warm water shifts east, causing rain in South America

La Nina

Stronger trade winds increase upwelling and cooling

Prokaryotic cells

No nucleus or organelles

Eukaryotic cells

Have nucleus and organelles

Nucleus

Stores DNA and controls cell activity

Ribosome

Synthesizes proteins

Mitochondria

Produces ATP energy

Golgi apparatus

Modifies and packages proteins

Lysosome

Breaks down waste and old organelles

Cell membrane

Controls entry and exit of substances

Lipids

Long-term energy storage and membrane structure

ATP

Main energy molecule in cells

ADP

Lower-energy form of ATP

NADH

High-energy electron carrier

FADH2

Electron carrier with less energy than NADH

Enzymes

Lower activation energy to speed reactions(catalysts)

G1 phase

Cell grows and prepares

S phase

DNA replication occurs

G2 phase

Cell prepares for division

Mitosis

Produces 2 identical diploid cells

Meiosis

Produces 4 non-identical haploid cells

Crossing over

Exchange of DNA in Prophase I of meiosis

Photosynthesis

CO2 + water + sunlight produce glucose and oxygen

Chloroplast

Organelle where photosynthesis occurs

Xylem

Transports water upward

Phloem

Transports sugars throughout plant

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from leaves

Calvin cycle

Uses CO2, ATP, and NADPH to produce glucose

Genotype

Genetic makeup (AA, Aa, aa)

Phenotype

Physical expression of traits

Homozygous

Two identical alleles

Heterozygous

Two different alleles

Punnett square

Predicts genetic outcomes

Newton's First Law

Object stays at rest or in motion unless acted on

Newton's Second Law

F = ma

Newton's Third Law

Equal and opposite reaction

Velocity

Vector quantity with direction and magnitude

Speed

Scalar quantity with magnitude only

Kinematics equation

d = vt + 1/2at^2

Divergent boundary

Plates move apart forming ridges

Convergent boundary

Plates collide forming mountains or trenches

Spring tide

Strong tides when sun and moon align

Neap tide

Weak tides when sun and moon are perpendicular