AP Environmental Science

Study Guide

Ecology

Relations of organisms to their surroundings.

Law of Conservation of Matter

No matter is created or destroyed, only changed.

Matter

Anything that takes up space. Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma.

Element

Substances that cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical reactions.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element.

Proton

Nucleus of the atom. Positive. 

Neutron

Nucleus of the atom. Neutral.

Electron

Cloud around the nucleus. Negative.

Atomic Mass

Protons & neutrons in the nucleus. 

Atomic Number

Number of electrons in the cloud around the nucleus.

Why is an elements atomic mass not a whole number?

Average of all the isotopes & percentage that they are found in.

Ionic

Gaining or losing.

Covalent

Sharing.

Oxidation Reaction

Gives up electrons. 

Reduction Reaction

Gains electrons. 

How are they important to organisms?

Allow organisms to get energy from food that we eat.

pH

Hydrogen ion content in a substance.

Ion

Atom that has gained or lost an electron. 

Anion

Negative.

Cation

Positive.

Acids

Hydrogen ions. 

Bases

Hydroxyl ions.

Acids & Bases

Form bonds with each other. 

All organic compounds must contain the element

Carbon.

Lipids

Building blocks of the structure. Fats, oils.

Carbohydrates 

Consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Sugars, starches. 

Proteins

Consisting of chains of amino acids. Tendons, bone.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides linked in a long chain. DNA & RNA.

Cell

Carries out the processes of life. 

Energy

Ability to do work.

Kinetic Energy

Motion.

Potential Energy

Rest.

Chemical Energy

Energy in substances and fossil fuels.

Where does all energy come from?

The sun.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, just changed. 

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Energy transfer, less usable energy.

Photosynthesis

Producers use the sun.

Chemosynthesis

Producers produce food. 

Species

All organisms of the same kind that are genetically similar enough to breed.

Food Chain

Linked feeding series. 

Food Web

Interconnected food chains.

Trophic Level

Feeding status. Producers, Consumers, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary.

Rule associated with energy flow through an ecosystem 

10% of the energy is passed. 

Carbon Sinks

Remove carbon.

How do organisms use atmospheric nitrogen?

Nitrogen fixation, associated with legumes.

How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?

Opposite reactions. 

Photosyntheis

6CO2+6H2O—>6O2+C6H12O6

Cellular Repsiration

6O2+C6H12O6—>6CO2+6H2O+38ATP

3 elements found in commercial fertilizers 

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, & Potassium.

How have humans altered the Nitrogen Cycle?

Added fertilizers, planted legumes, mined & used fossil fuels.