Studied by 10 people
Technology
The Application of Scientific Knowledge for Practical Purposes
Engineering Design Process
An iterative method used to develop or improve technology
Criteria (singular Criterion)
Standards that a solution can be based
Constraints
The limitations that a solution must stay within
Tradeoff
An exchange for one thing in return for another
Decision Matrix
A chart used to evaluate solutions against criteria
Prototype
The first build of a design, not always to scale or with the same materials.
Cost-Benefit analysis
A type of analysis used to evaluate the costs, or weaknesses, and benefits, or strengths, of a design
Disturbance
Refers to anything that causes change to the environment
Physical Agent
A physical disturbance, such as a natural disaster
Chemical Agent
A chemical disturbance, such as oil spillage
Biological Agent
A biological disturbance, such as the introduction of a new species
Natural Disturbance
A disturbance caused by nature
Human-Caused Disturbance
A disturbance caused by human activities
Ecosystem Stability
An ecosystem’s ability to sustain and maintain itself after a normal disturbance. Both resilient and resistant
Ecosystem Resilience
An ecosystem’s ability to recover from a disturbance
Ecosystem Resistance
An ecosystem’s ability to resist disturbances
Ecological Succession
A series of biotic changes that occur on bare land to create a community
Primary Succession
When an ecosystem is created from bare rock
Secondary Succession
When an ecosystem is developed on bare soil
Primary Pioneer Species
The first species to grow in ecological succession, such as lichens and moss.
Secondary Pioneer Species
The second species to grow in ecological succession, such as grass and small flowers.
Intermediate Species
The third species to grow in ecological succession, such as shrubs and small trees
Climax Community
The fourth and last species to grow in ecological succession, such as mature trees in a mixed-conifer forest.
Ecology
A measure of the distribution and abundance of organisms
Survey
A sample of a larger population
Density
how much matter is in a given space
Population Density
How many individuals are living in a given space
Population Density Formula
Number of Individuals/Area Units
Population Dispersion
How organisms separate themselves in a population
Clumped Population Dispersal
When organisms are spread into clumps due to uneven resources.
Uniform Population Dispersal
When organisms are spread evenly due to competition and limited resources.
Random Population Dispersal
When organisms are spread randomly
Population Growth Rate
The rate at which a population of organisms grows
Immigration
The amount of individuals entering a population from outside
Emigration
The amount of individuals leaving the population
Birth Rate
The rate at which individuals are born
Death Rate
The rate at which individuals die.
Exponential Growth
The pattern of population growth where the population rapidly grows.
Logistic Growth
The patter of population growth where the population once rapidly grew, but is now stagnant.
Carrying Capacity
The maximum number of individuals an environment can sustain and support
Limiting factors
Factors that can change an area’s carrying capacity
Density-Dependent Limiting Factors
Limiting factors that are caused by a population’s density, such as competition or disease
Density-Independent Limiting Factors
Limiting factors that are not caused by a population’s density, such as weather or human activity.
System
A set of interacting components
Inputs
What goes into a system
Outputs
What comes out of a system
Open System
A system where inputs and outputs of both energy and matter can flow freely
Closed System
A system where one of the inputs or outputs is limited. (Ex. Only energy can flow)
Isolated System
A system where no inputs or outputs flow through
The three inputs and outputs
Energy, Matter, and Information
Controls
Components of systems that monitor and manage its inputs and outputs (Ex. sensors and buttons)
The three types of controls
Manual, Automatic, Both
Feedback Loop
A cycle in which one of the outputs of a system becomes one of its inputs
Emergent Property`
A property that a system has, but its components do not
Geosphere
The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s geology, such as land
Hydrosphere
The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s water, such as oceans
Biosphere
The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s life, such as animals
Atmosphere
The sphere of the Earth system containing Earth’s air
Anthrosphere
The sphere of the Earth system built or modified by humans
Biotic Factors
The living or once living components of an ecosystem
Abiotic Factors
The non-living components of an ecosystem
Terrestrial Ecosystem
A land based ecosystem
Aquatic Ecosystem
A water based ecosystem
Marine Ecosystem
An ocean based ecosystem
Freshwater Ecosystem
An ecosystem based in freshwater, such as rivers and lakes
The Characteristics of Living Things
Made of one or more cells
Grows
Reproduces
Evolves
Responds to Environmental Changes
Maintains homeostasis
The five spheres of the Earth system
Geosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Anthrosphere
The levels of ecosystems from small to large
Organism
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biome
Biosphere
Habitat
Where the organism lives
Ecological Niche
an environment that includes everything the organism needs to survive and reproduce; how the organism lives
Niche Factor: Food Sources
types of food available
how organisms compete for food
where the food is in the food web
Niche Factor: Behavior
the time of day the species of active
when and where it feeds
when and where it reproduces
Predation
A relationship in which one organism consumes the other
Competition
A relationship in which organisms compete for limited resources
Symbiosis
Relationships between organisms other than competition and predation
Mutualism
A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit
Commensalism
A symbiotic relationship where one organism is benefited and the other is neither benefited nor harmed.
Parasitism
A symbiotic relationship where one organism is benefited and the other is harmed
Biodiversity
The number of different species found in an area
Biodiversity Hotspot
An area with unusually high levels of biodiversity, usually with unique organisms.
Keystone Species
A species that are vital to an ecosystem and, if removed, can collapse an ecosystem
Genetic Diversity
The amount of variation in a species’ DNA
Note 
Flashcard (66)