Chemistry Chapter on Atomic Theory

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Questions and Answers

What distinction is made between organic and inorganic compounds?

Organic compounds must contain at least one nitrogen atom.

Inorganic compounds consist solely of minerals.

Organic compounds require at least two carbon atoms and can include other elements. (correct)

Inorganic compounds are only metals.

Which statement accurately represents the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Energy changes always result in a more useful form of energy.

Energy is transformed without any loss of effectiveness.

Energy can be created as it shifts forms.

Energy changes results in a less useful form of energy over time. (correct)

What is a positive feedback loop?

A change that results in a reinforcing effect, pushing a system further in the same direction. (correct)

A process that stabilizes a system by dampening changes.

A delay in response due to the accumulation of input stimuli.

A feedback mechanism that results in immediate contradiction of input.

What does the Law of Conservation of Matter state?

During physical and chemical changes, no atoms are created or destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tipping point in the context of systems?

A moment when a system's behavior undergoes a significant change. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT part of Earth's life support system?

Chromosphere Signup and view all the answers

What are the three factors necessary to sustain life on Earth?

One-way flow of high-quality energy, cycling of nutrients, and gravity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a food web?

A complex network of interconnected food chains Signup and view all the answers

In the context of ecosystems, what role do decomposers play?

They feed on waste and dead bodies to recycle nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Pyramid of Energy Flow?

It demonstrates the loss of usable chemical energy available at each trophic level Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP)?

NPP accounts for energy loss during respiration, while GPP does not. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly defines biological evolution?

The gradual change in the characteristics of populations over successive generations. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of biodiversity is represented by the number of different species present in an ecosystem?

Species Richness Signup and view all the answers

What process describes when an existing species divides into two or more distinct species?

Speciation Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of endemic species?

They are exclusively found in a single geographic area. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of extinction occurs when a species ceases to exist globally?

Biological Extinction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes ecological niche?

The role a species plays in its environment, including all interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the comparative number of individuals of each species present in an ecosystem?

Species Evenness Signup and view all the answers

What defines a generalist species?

Can adapt to a variety of environments and diet Signup and view all the answers

Which type of species serves as an early warning system for ecosystem damage?

Indicator Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the carrying capacity of an environment?

The maximum population a habitat can sustain indefinitely. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered a limiting factor in population growth?

Population density Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes secondary ecological succession?

Is the gradual change in biotic communities after a disturbance in areas with soil. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during exponential growth?

The population grows rapidly due to unlimited resources. Signup and view all the answers

A keystone species is best defined as:

A species that greatly influences the types and abundance of other species. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about ecological succession is true?

Ecological succession can lead to a stable community over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is inertia in the context of living systems?

The persistence of a system to survive moderate disturbances. Signup and view all the answers

What does resilience in living systems refer to?

The ability to be restored through secondary succession. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the size of the human population?

Net migration rate. Signup and view all the answers

What is one suggested method to slow human population growth?

Promote family planning and reproductive health care. Signup and view all the answers

What was the world population growth rate reported in 2018?

1.20% Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Atomic Theory

All elements are made up of atoms
Atoms combine to form molecules, held together by chemical bonds
Ions are atoms or groups of atoms with a net positive or negative charge
Organic Compounds - at least two carbon atoms plus atoms of one or more elements
Inorganic Compounds - all other compounds with one exception, methane (CH4)

Organic Compounds:

Examples of simple organic compounds include hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and simple carbohydrates.
Complex organic compounds include complex carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids

Matter and Energy

Matter undergoes physical, chemical, and nuclear changes.
Law of Conservation of Matter: Matter cannot be created or destroyed - only transformed.
Energy comes in various forms, including kinetic and potential energy.
Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Second Law of Thermodynamics: When energy changes form, it moves from a more useful to a less useful form.

Systems and Feedback Loops

Systems have inputs, flows, and outputs.
Feedback loops occur when an output is fed back into the system as an input, leading to changes.
Positive Feedback Loop : Causes a system to change further in the same direction.
Negative Feedback Loop: Causes a system to change in the opposite direction.
Time Delay: A period between an input stimulus and a system's response.
Tipping Point: A point where a system's behavior fundamentally shifts.

Earth's Life Support System

Components: Atmosphere (Troposphere & Stratosphere), Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere
Three Factors for Sustaining Life:
- One-way flow of high-quality energy
- Cycling of nutrients
- Gravity

Ecology

Ecology studies how organisms interact with each other and their non-living environment.
Organisms: Individual living beings
Population: Group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area
Communities: Interactions between populations of different species within a given area
Ecosystems: Interactions between a community and their non-living environment
Biosphere: Parts of the Earth's air, water, and soil that support life

Roles of Organisms

Producers: Use photosynthesis to create nutrients from environmental components
Consumers: Obtain nutrients by feeding on other organisms
Decomposers: Break down organic detritus into simpler inorganic compounds
Detritivores: Feed on waste or dead bodies

Types of Respiration:

Aerobic Respiration
Anaerobic Respiration

Food Chains and Webs

Food Chain: A linear sequence of organisms, each serving as a source of food for the next.
Food Web: A complex network of interconnected food chains.
Biomass: The dry weight of all living organisms in an ecosystem.
Pyramid of Energy Flow : Shows the decrease of usable energy at each trophic level (approximately 90% loss with each transfer).

Productivity

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): Rate at which producers convert solar energy to chemical energy.
Net Primary Productivity (NPP): GPP minus the energy producers use through respiration.

Water and Nutrient Cycles

Water Cycle: The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface.
Nutrient Cycles: Circular pathways of key elements (Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur) through the environment.

Studying Ecosystems

Field Research, Remote Sensing Devices, Geographic Information Systems, Laboratory Research, and Computer Simulations

Biodiversity

Biological Diversity: Variety of Earth's species, their genes, ecosystems, and ecological processes.
Major Components:
- Species Diversity
- Ecological Diversity
- Genetic Diversity
- Functional Diversity

Evolution

Biological Evolution: Changes in the genetic makeup of populations over time.
Natural Selection: Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Speciation: One species splits into two or more distinct species (Geographic isolation followed by Reproductive isolation).
- Extinction: The complete disappearance of a species.
Local Extinction: A species disappears from a region but not globally.
Endemic Species - species found exclusively in one area, prone to extinction.
- Background Extinction: Gradual extinction rates over time.
Mass Extinction: Widespread and rapid extinction of a large number of species.

Species Diversity

Species Richness: Number of different species present.
Species Evenness: Relative abundance of individuals for each species.

Ecological Niche

Species' way of life within an ecosystem, including factors like food, shelter, and reproduction.

Generalist & Specialist Species

Generalist: Wide range of tolerances, adapts to various environments and foods.
Specialist: Narrow range of tolerances, thrives in specific habitats and food sources.

Roles of Species

Native: Naturally occur and thrive in an ecosystem.
Non-native (Introduced): Species introduced to an ecosystem, can threaten native species.
Indicator: Early warning signs of damage to a community or ecosystem.
Keystone: Significant impact on the types and abundance of other species in an ecosystem.
Foundation: Shape their communities by creating habitats beneficial to other species.

Species Interactions

Interspecific Competition: Competition between different species for resources (food, space, etc.).
Predation: One species (predator) hunting and consuming another (prey).
Parasitism: One organism (parasite) lives in or on another (host), benefiting at the host's expense.
Mutualism: Both species mutually benefit from the interaction.
Commensalism: One species benefits, while the other is neither harmed nor benefited.

Population Control

Limiting Factor Principle: Too much or too little of any factor can limit population growth.
Environmental Resistance: Factors that limit population growth (e.g., disease, competition, predation).
Carrying Capacity: Maximum population size a habitat can sustain indefinitely.

Population Growth

Exponential Growth: Unrestricted growth in favorable conditions, resulting in a J-shaped curve.
Dieback (Population Crash): Occurs when a population exceeds carrying capacity and resources become depleted.

Ecological Succession

Gradual change in species composition over time:
- Primary Succession : Establishment of biotic communities in lifeless areas without soil or sediment.
- Secondary Succession: Re-establishment of a community in areas with existing soil or sediment after a disturbance.

Stability of Living Systems

Inertia (Persistence): Ability of a system to withstand moderate disturbances.
Resilience: Ability of a system to recover from a severe disturbance through secondary succession.

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Description

Explore key concepts in atomic theory, including the composition of matter and the distinctions between organic and inorganic compounds. Delve into the laws of conservation of matter and energy, and understand the transformations that occur in physical and chemical changes.