Environmental Science Fundamentals

12 Questions

What is the origin of the term 'environment'?

From the French word 'environ'

What is the focus of environmental engineering?

Applying principles to protect and enhance environmental quality and public health

What is the scope of environmental science?

Creating awareness and sensitivity towards the environment, motivating active participation in environmental protection, and more

What is the biosphere?

The region of the Earth where all living organisms exist, interact with their environment, and all that is capable of supporting life

What is environmental studies also known as?

Environmental education

What are the four components of the Earth's life support system?

Atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere

What is an ecosystem composed of?

Biotic and abiotic components

Who coined the term 'ecosystem'?

A.J. Tansley

What is the role of producers in an ecosystem?

Preparing food using sunlight or chemical reactions

What is the function of decomposers in an ecosystem?

Breaking down complex organic molecules into simple ones

What is an example of a secondary consumer?

A hawk eating a rabbit

What is the term for the process of one species replacing another in an ecosystem over time?

Ecological succession

Study Notes

Environment is defined as the social, cultural, and physical conditions that surround, affect, and influence the survival, growth, and development of people, animals, and plants.
The term "environment" originated from the French word "environ," meaning "encircle" or "surrounding."
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the living and non-living parts of the environment.
Environmental science is the study of the environment, its biotic and abiotic components, and the relationships between them.
Environmental engineering is the application of environmental engineering principles to protect and enhance the quality of the environment and public health and welfare.
Environmental studies, also known as environmental education, is the process of educating people to preserve the quality of the environment.
The scope of environmental science includes creating awareness and sensitivity towards the environment, motivating active participation in environmental protection, understanding environmental problems, developing skills to identify and solve environmental issues, conserving natural resources, and promoting international cooperation.
The four components of the Earth's life support system are the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
The biosphere contains all living organisms, their interactions with their environment, and all that is capable of supporting life.
An ecosystem is a natural unit consisting of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components that interact with each other, forming a stable system.
The term "ecosystem" was first coined by A.J. Tansley in 1935.
Ecosystems possess basic properties, including the flow of energy, which is continuous and maintains a dynamic equilibrium.
The structure of an ecosystem consists of abiotic components (physical and chemical factors) and biotic components (producers, consumers, and decomposers).
Producers prepare food using sunlight (photoautotrophs) or chemical reactions (chemoautotrophs).
Consumers are classified as primary (herbivores), secondary (feed on primary consumers), and tertiary (feed on primary and secondary consumers).
Decomposers break down complex organic molecules into simple organic molecules, feeding on dead plants and animals.
The functions of an ecosystem include energy flow, primary and secondary production, food chains, food webs, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological successions.