Environmental Impacts on Human Health

Vocabulary flashcards related to environmental impacts on human health, environmental toxins, and pollution based on lecture notes.

Biological Magnification

The increase in concentration of contaminated substances in organisms as you move up the food chain.

Environmental Toxin

Poisonous chemical substance or by-product in the environment that negatively affects human health.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Chemical substances that have low water solubility, high lipid solubility, bioaccumulate in fatty tissues.

Heavy Metal Poisoning

Exposure to these can lower energy levels, damage organs and cause long-term neurological issues.

Pollution

Introduction of harmful substances into the environment.

Thermal Inversion

Atmospheric conditions that trap smog and prevent its dispersal.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Substances formed in the atmosphere because of chemical reactions between pollutants that can lead to irregular heartbeat and respiratory issues.

Water Pollution

When harmful substances contaminate a body of water, degrading its quality and making it toxic.

Euglenophyta

Single-celled eukaryotic organisms that are flagellated, green in color, and found in organic matter-rich freshwater.

Bacillariophyta

Also known as diatoms, unicellular algae with thick silica cell walls, found in oceans, freshwater, and wet soils.

Dinophyta

Algae characterized by flagellar insertion, thick cell walls, and the ability to cause red tide in hot and acidic environments.

Chlorophyta

Green algae containing chlorophyll-a and -b as photosynthetic pigments, found in freshwater, saltwater, and land.

Cyanophyta

Prokaryotic organisms lacking a nucleus, blue-green in nature, and can cause harmful algal blooms in various environments.