Biology for the Citizen final exam study guide 1

Ecology

the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment

biosphere

the region of Earth where life exists, encompassing all living organisms and the parts of the planet (land, water, and atmosphere) where they thrive

biotic factors

living

abiotic factors

non-living

weather

Short term atmospheric conditions in a given area

Climate

the prevailing weather of a specific region over a given period of time

convection cells

a self contained convective zone in a fluid in which upward motion of warmer fluid in the center is balanced by downward motion of cooler fluid at the periphery.

Climate Change

A long scale altercation in Earth’s climate

Greenhouse Gases

Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, Metamane, Nitrous Oxide.

greenhouse effect

the process by which gasses allow heat and sunlight to be trapped in the atmosphere

global warming

A significant increase in the average temperature of the surface of Earth

Carbon Source

A natural or artificial reserve that releases more carbon than it absorbs.

Carbon Sink

A natural or artificial absorbs that releases more carbon than it releases.

hydrologic cycle

the movement of water as it goes from the clouds to the ground to the clouds again.

carbon cycle

the movement of carbon within biotic communities.