Itty bitty science test on acids and bases and environmental stuff.

Environmental Chemistry Study Guide                                                                               Name_______________________

 Environmental Chemistry Vocabulary

Organic Compounds: Molecules primarily made of carbon atoms, which can also contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Examples include carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Inorganic Compounds: Compounds that lack carbon-hydrogen bonds, such as minerals, metals, and water. They play essential roles in various biological processes.

Nutrients (Macronutrients & Micronutrients): Substances that organisms need for growth and survival. Macronutrients (like carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) are required in larger amounts, while micronutrients (like vitamins and minerals) are needed in smaller quantities.

• Carbohydrates: Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as a major energy source and playing roles in cellular structure.

• Lipids: Fats and oils that store energy, insulate body heat, and form cell membranes. Examples include saturated and unsaturated fats.

• Proteins: Large molecules made from amino acids that perform a variety of functions, including enzyme catalysis, transportation, and structural roles.

• Nucleic Acids: Biomolecules responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information (DNA & RNA).

• Vitamins: Organic compounds that are crucial in small amounts for metabolism and cellular function, often acting as coenzymes.

• Minerals: Inorganic nutrients that come from the environment, necessary for various bodily functions such as bone structure and enzyme activity.

Saturated Fat: A type of fat where all carbon atoms are fully bonded to hydrogen atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fat: A type of fat with one or more double bonds in its fatty acid chains, typically liquid at room temperature.

Trans fat: An unhealthy fat created through hydrogenation, which extends shelf life and alters food texture.

Diffusion: The process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration until evenly distributed.

Osmosis: A specific type of diffusion focused on water molecules passing through a semi-permeable membrane.

Absorption: The process by which substances take in nutrients or chemicals from their surroundings.

Ingestion: The process of taking in food or nutrients into the body, typically through the mouth.

Biomagnification: The increasing concentration of toxic substances within the tissues of organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Bioaccumulation: The gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, in an organism over time.

Dissolved Nitrates and Phosphates: Nutrients that can contribute to algal blooms in water systems when present in excessive amounts, affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Toxicity: The degree to which a substance can harm organisms, often assessed through the concentration of that substance.

PPM (Parts Per Million): A unit of measurement used to describe very dilute concentrations of substances.

PPB (Parts Per Billion): A smaller unit than PPM, also used to measure concentration, particularly of pollutants.

PPT (Parts Per Trillion): An even smaller unit than PPB for measuring extremely low concentrations.

LD50: The lethal dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population, a common measure of acute toxicity.

Pesticide: Chemicals used to kill pests, including insects, weeds, and fungi, that can pose risks to human health and the environment.

Remediation: The process of cleaning or restoring contaminated environmental systems, often involving technologies to reduce pollution.

Biodegradation: The breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, leading to natural recycling of nutrients in ecosystems.

Dispersion: The process of spreading or scattering particles or chemicals throughout a medium, such as air or water.

Effluent: Wastewater or other liquid waste that is discharged into a natural water body.

Groundwater: Water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers, serving as an important source of drinking water.

Leach: The process by which soluble substances are washed out from the soil or other surfaces as water moves through them.

Biological Indicators: Organisms that are used to assess the health of an ecosystem, such as certain species of insects or plants.

Acid: A substance that donates protons (H+) in a solution, typically having a pH less than 7.

Base: A substance that accepts protons or donates hydroxide ions in a solution, typically having a pH greater than 7.

pH (pH scale): A scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution; ranges from 0 (strongly acidic) to 14 (strongly basic).

Neutralization: The chemical reaction between an acid and a base to produce a salt and water, typically resulting in a solution that is closer to pH 7.

Pollution: The introduction of harmful substances or pollutants into the environment, adversely impacting air, water, or soil quality.

Pollutant: A substance that causes pollution, potentially harmful to health and the environment.

Dissolved Oxygen: The amount of oxygen available in water, critical for the survival of aquatic organisms.

Turbidity: A measure of how clear water is, affected by the presence of particles and organisms; high turbidity can harm aquatic life.

Dilution: The process of reducing the concentration of a substance in a solution by adding more solvent.

Eutrophication: The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients (usually nitrogen and phosphorus) leading to excessive growth of algae, which can deplete oxygen in the water.

Universal Indicator: A pH indicator made from a combination of substances that exhibits different colors at different pH levels, used to determine acidity or alkalinity.

Litmus Paper: A pH indicator paper that turns red in acidic solutions and blue in basic solutions.

Acid Rain: Precipitation that contains acidic components, which can harm ecosystems and buildings when it falls.

ð       I have reviewed the vocabulary in some form (Write them out, Talk them Out, Flashcards)

ð       I have reviewed my notes.

ð       I have reviewed the Bow River Case Study Part 1 and 2

        I can identify common organic and inorganic substances needed for the health and growth of living things.

        I know the forms of organic matter, their functions, and examples including carbohydrates, lipids, ad proteins.

        I can describe how the chemicals can be introduced into the environment and how their concentrations can be changed (dilution, biomagnification)

        I can identify the use of biological monitoring to help determine environmental quality.

        I can identify chemical factors in an environment that might affect the health and distribution of living things in the environment.

        I can apply and interpret measures of chemical concentrations in parts per million, billion or trillion.

        I can identify acids, bases, and neutral substances based on their pH.

        I can identify the effects of acids and bases on each other.

        I can describe the effects of acids and bases on living things.

        I can describe mechanisms for the transfer of materials through air, water, and soil (dispersion, leaching)

        I can describe mechanisms for biodegradation and interpret information on the biodegradability of different materials.

        I can interpret LD50 data and other information on toxicity.

        I can identify concerns with the disposal of domestic wastes.

        I can describe and evaluate methods used to transport, store and dispose of hazardous household chemicals.

        I can investigate and evaluate potential risks resulting from consumer practices and industrial processes. I can identify processes used in providing information and setting standards to manage those risks.