Earth Science: Open Systems and Energy

A system where both energy and matter can move freely in and out of the system.

A system where matter is contained within the system, but energy can move freely in and out.

The part of Earth where life exists, encompassing all ecosystems.

The amount of solar energy reflected by surfaces like clouds, water, and land.

The process where the melting arctic ice reveals darker ocean water, absorbing more heat, leading to further ice melt and warming the Earth.

A community of interacting species and their physical environment.

A group of different species living together in the same area and time.

All members of a single species living in the same area and time.

A group of organisms that can naturally breed to create fertile offspring.

A single member of a species.

Groups of organs that work together to perform a specific function.

A group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function.

A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.

The smallest functional unit of life.

Organisms that obtain energy from non-organic sources like light or chemical compounds.

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).

The buildup of toxins in the tissues of an organism over time.

The increase in toxin concentration as you move up a food chain.

The process by which water cycles through the environment.

Harmful, poisonous, or unpleasant substances.

Precipitation with a pH lower than 5.5, caused by the dissolution of acidic pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in rainwater.

A chemical process where gaseous atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria and lightning.

The process where decomposers break down organic matter containing nitrogen into ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+).

A two-step process carried out by nitrifying bacteria, converting ammonium ions (NH4+) into nitrites (NO2-) and then into nitrates (NO3-).

The process where denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates (NO3-) back into nitrogen gas (N2), returning it to the atmosphere.

The continuous movement of carbon atoms through the Earth's living and non-living systems.

The process that breaks down glucose to release energy, consuming oxygen and producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

A nonrenewable energy source formed from the remains of ancient organisms compressed over millions of years.

The natural process where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat energy from the sun, warming the Earth.

Any gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing and trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

The process by which some living organisms, like shellfish, use calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to build their shells and exoskeletons.

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives inside the other, like nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legume root nodules.

A natural or artificial substance containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, used to promote plant growth.

The order of classification from least to most specific: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

The three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya

Cells that lack a nucleus and do not use mitosis for reproduction. Examples include bacteria and archaea.

Eukaryotic cells that are not classified as animals, plants, or fungi. Often single-celled organisms.

Animals characterized by possessing a spinal cord. This includes a wide range of organisms including humans.

A family of primates that includes all "Great Apes" such as humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans.

A transition area between two distinct ecosystems, often showing higher biodiversity due to organisms from each ecosystem mingling. Example - a marshland between land and water.

An organism's role in its ecosystem, including its habitat, breeding area, and place in the food web. Helps reduce competition between species.

Species introduced to a new region, often outcompeting native species and causing negative effects on the ecosystem.

Factors that limit population growth in an environment, like food, water, or disease.

Factors that affect population growth independent of the population density, like natural disasters and climate change.

The maximum amount of offspring a species could produce under ideal conditions with unlimited resources.

The maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustainably support.

The principle that the availability of the least abundant essential nutrient limits growth.

The principle that organisms can only survive within a specific range of an abiotic factor.

The primary pigment in photosynthesis, responsible for absorbing light energy, particularly red and blue wavelengths.

Pigments that assist chlorophyll a in capturing light energy, absorbing different wavelengths of light to maximize photosynthesis.

The clear, gel-like substance that fills the cell, where many cellular processes occur.

Organelles responsible for protein synthesis, essential for building and maintaining cells.

The outermost layer of an animal cell, regulating what enters and exits the cell.

A rigid outer layer found in plant cells providing structural support and protection.

A type of organelle found in plant cells that contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis.

The breakdown of glucose into pyruvate, a key step in cellular respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm of cells.

The cessation of muscle function after death due to the depletion of ATP, resulting in a stiffening of the body.

The continuous flow of blood throughout the body, responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products.

The part of the circulatory system that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and back, picking up oxygen for the body.

The part of the circulatory system that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and back, delivering oxygen and nutrients.

The heart's tissue that separates the right and left sides, preventing oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from mixing.

Valves located between the atria and ventricles of the heart, controlling blood flow.

Valves located between the ventricles and arteries, controlling blood flow out of the heart.

The major veins that carry deoxygenated blood from the upper and lower body to the heart.

The main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

The upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the body and lungs.

The lower chambers of the heart that pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.

The vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and oxygenated blood back to the heart.

The sound produced by the closing of the heart valves, creating the 'lub-dub' rhythm.

The electrical impulses that control the heart's contractions, starting in the sinoatrial node and spreading to the ventricles.

The smallest blood vessels, only one cell thick, allowing for the exchange of gases and nutrients between blood and tissues.

A weak spot in the stomach lining that allows stomach acid to leak into the esophagus, causing discomfort and pain.

Open sores in the stomach lining caused by bacteria, medication, or excessive alcohol consumption.

Fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps break down fats into smaller droplets for easier digestion.

Microorganisms residing in the intestines that aid in digestion, produce vitamins, and protect against harmful bacteria.

A small pouch attached to the large intestine that plays a role in storing beneficial bacteria for digestion.

The process of filtering waste products from the blood, regulating salt and water levels, and maintaining fluid balance.

The functional units of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

The process where water, salts, glucose, amino acids, and urea are filtered from the blood through the glomerulus into Bowman's capsule within the nephron.

The process of reabsorbing essential nutrients and water back into the bloodstream from the filtrate within the nephron.

Proteins found on the surface of pathogens that help them evade the immune system.

Proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and bind to antigens.

The process by which a white blood cell engulfs and destroys a pathogen.

A substance that introduces a deactivated pathogen into the body to trigger an immune response without causing illness.

A weakened version of a pathogen that cannot cause disease but contains antigens that stimulate antibody production.

A virus that attacks and destroys T-cells, weakening the immune system and making the body susceptible to other infections.

A condition caused by HIV where the immune system is severely weakened, making the body vulnerable to various infections.

A blood type where the red blood cells have A antigens and the plasma contains anti-B antibodies.

A blood type where the red blood cells have B antigens and the plasma contains anti-A antibodies.

A blood type where the red blood cells have both A and B antigens and the plasma has no antibodies.

A blood type where the red blood cells have no antigens and the plasma contains anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

The clumping of red blood cells that occurs when incompatible blood types are mixed.

A condition that occurs when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus, potentially causing the mother's immune system to attack the fetus's red blood cells in subsequent pregnancies.

The passageway through which air travels from the nasal cavity to the trachea.

The small, flap-like structure that covers the glottis during swallowing, preventing food from entering the trachea.

The part of the brain responsible for controlling breathing, containing chemoreceptors that sense CO2 levels and send signals to the diaphragm to adjust breathing rate.

A state of low oxygen in the body, triggering an increase in breathing rate to compensate.

The maximum volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after a deep breath.

The additional air that can be inhaled after a normal breath.

The additional air that can be exhaled after a normal breath.

The volume of air inhaled and exhaled during a normal breath.

The volume of air remaining in the lungs after a normal exhale.

The volume of air that remains in the lungs even after a forceful exhale.

A condition where the alveoli become inflamed and lose elasticity, leading to difficulty breathing and potential ruptures.

Carbohydrates with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements.

A type of lipid that forms the cell membrane, having a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail.

The process of joining monomers to create polymers by removing a water molecule.

A lipid that is solid at room temperature due to its single bonds, easily packing together.

A lipid that is liquid at room temperature due to its double bonds, making it harder to pack tightly.

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.