Environmental Science Overview
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Environmental Science Overview

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Questions and Answers

What term describes the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain over time?

  • Carrying capacity (correct)
  • Afforestation
  • Adaptation
  • Biomagnification

    • Which of the following is a factor that influences climate and ecosystems?

  • Photosynthesis
  • Soil composition
  • Animal grazing
  • Abiotic factors (correct)

    • What is the process called that involves planting trees in an area that was not previously forested?

  • Reforestation
  • Deforestation
  • Afforestation (correct)
  • Urbanization

    • Which plant hormone plays a critical role in stress responses such as drought?

    <p>Abscisic acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the toxic increase of substances such as mercury up the food chain?

    <p>Biomagnification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group of organisms is characterized as warm-blooded vertebrates that lay hard-shelled eggs?

    <p>Birds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis?

    <p>Autotrophs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do we call the presence of harmful substances in the air?

    <p>Air pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of granivorous organisms?

    <p>They feed on seeds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does hydroelectric power generate electricity?

    <p>Using the energy of flowing or falling water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What defines habitat destruction?

    <p>Human activities that make habitats uninhabitable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of limiting factors in an ecosystem?

    <p>To restrict the growth or distribution of organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes invasive species?

    <p>Non-native species that disrupt local ecosystems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does hydrotropism refer to in plants?

    <p>Growth orientation towards moisture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of nitrogen in the atmosphere?

    <p>It makes up about 78% of the atmosphere and is essential for amino acid synthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes organisms that grow towards sunlight?

    <p>Heliotropism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes consumers in an ecosystem?

    <p>Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of coral bleaching?

    <p>Elevated water temperatures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process describes the breakdown of organic matter and recycling of nutrients?

    <p>Decomposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to species at risk of extinction?

    <p>Endangered species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'demography' encompass?

    <p>The study of populations and their changes over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does desertification typically result from?

    <p>Deforestation and inappropriate agriculture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to the movement of individuals out of a population?

    <p>Emigration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of fungi in an ecosystem?

    <p>To decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems?

    <p>They serve as a primary food source.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered a consequence of overfishing?

    <p>Depletion of fish stocks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines parasitism?

    <p>A relationship where one organism is harmed while the other benefits.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do producers play in an ecosystem?

    <p>They produce their own food through photosynthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does pollution generally affect ecosystems?

    <p>It introduces harmful substances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main impact of oil spills on the environment?

    <p>Accidental release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes non-native species?

    <p>Species that are introduced to an area where they do not naturally occur.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of reforestation?

    <p>It is the process of planting trees in areas where forests have been depleted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is soil fertility primarily concerned with?

    <p>The essential nutrients the soil can provide for plant growth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is primarily responsible for the process of urbanization?

    <p>Conversion of natural areas into developed infrastructure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does thigmotropism refer to in plants?

    <p>Growth or movement in response to touch or physical contact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does salinity measure in water bodies?

    <p>The concentration of dissolved salts, especially sodium chloride</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which plant type is characterized by usually having triangular stems and typically grows in wet areas?

    <p>Sedge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do sea grasses play in marine ecosystems?

    <p>They provide important habitats for marine life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about volcanic eruptions is true?

    <p>They involve the release of gas and ash from the Earth's surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term territory refer to in animal behavior?

    <p>An area defended by an animal or group for resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Abiotic Factors

    • Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, water, and soil.
    • These factors play a crucial role in shaping the types of organisms that can survive and thrive in a particular environment.

    Adaptation

    • An inherited trait or behavior that increases an organism's chances of survival and reproduction in its environment.
    • Adaptations arise through natural selection over generations, allowing organisms to become better suited to their specific ecological niches.

    Agricultural Runoff

    • Water that flows off agricultural lands, often carrying fertilizers, pesticides, and sediments into nearby water bodies.
    • Can lead to pollution of water sources, harming aquatic life and human health.

    Air Pollution

    • The contamination of the atmosphere with harmful substances, including gases, particulates, and chemicals.
    • Major sources include burning fossil fuels, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust.
    • Air pollution has significant impacts on human health, ecosystems, and climate.

    Biomagnification

    • The increasing concentration of substances, particularly toxins like mercury or pesticides, as they move up the food chain.
    • This process can lead to harmful effects on organisms at higher trophic levels, due to the accumulation of contaminants in their bodies.

    Carrying Capacity

    • The maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain over time without environmental degradation.
    • Factors such as food availability, water resources, and habitat space can limit carrying capacity.

    Climate Change

    • Long-term shifts in temperature, weather patterns, and other environmental conditions, often driven by human activity.
    • This includes increasing average global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events.

    Coral Bleaching

    • The loss of color in corals due to stress, often from elevated water temperatures, causing them to expel symbiotic algae.
    • This phenomenon threatens the survival of coral reefs, essential ecosystems for marine biodiversity.

    Deforestation

    • Large-scale removal of forests, often for agricultural or urban development, leading to loss of biodiversity and habitat.
    • Deforestation contributes to climate change, soil erosion, and reduced water quality.

    Ecosystem

    • A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, functioning as a unit.
    • Examples include forests, oceans, and grasslands.

    Endangered Species

    • Species that are at risk of extinction due to factors like habitat loss, poaching, or environmental changes.
    • Conservation efforts aim to protect and recover endangered species to prevent their extinction.

    Evolution

    • The process by which species change over time through variations in traits, genetic mutations, and natural selection.
    • Evolutionary processes lead to adaptation, diversity, and the origin of new species.

    Food Chain

    • A linear sequence of organisms where each is consumed by the next higher trophic level, representing the flow of energy.
    • Producers (plants) form the base, followed by consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores), and ultimately decomposers.

    Habitat Destruction

    • The process that makes a habitat unable to support its native species, often due to human activities.
    • Causes include deforestation, urbanization, and pollution.

    Invasive Species

    • Non-native species that spread rapidly and disrupt local ecosystems.
    • Invasive species can outcompete native species, altering the balance of the ecosystem.

    Natural Disaster

    • A catastrophic event caused by natural processes of the Earth, such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes.
    • Natural disasters can have significant impacts on ecosystems, human populations, and infrastructure.

    Overfishing

    • The depletion of fish stocks due to catching fish at a rate faster than they can reproduce.
    • Overfishing can lead to the collapse of fish populations, harming ecosystems and livelihoods.

    Photosynthesis

    • The process by which green plants and some organisms convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using carbon dioxide and water.
    • Photosynthesis is essential for the production of food and oxygen for all living organisms.

    Pollution

    • The introduction of harmful substances or contaminants into the environment, adversely affecting ecosystems and human health.
    • Major sources of pollution include industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and vehicle emissions.

    Population

    • A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area at the same time.
    • Population dynamics involves understanding factors that influence population size, growth, and distribution.

    Predation

    • The biological interaction where one organism (the predator) hunts and eats another organism (the prey).
    • Predation plays a critical role in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem stability.

    Succession

    • The gradual process of change in the composition of an ecosystem over time, especially after a disturbance.
    • Succession can involve the replacement of one community of organisms by another, eventually leading to a climax community.

    Urbanization

    • The process by which cities and towns are formed and grow, often involving the conversion of natural areas into developed infrastructure.
    • Urbanization has significant impacts on ecosystems, human health, and resource consumption.

    Volcanic Eruptions

    • The explosive or effusive release of magma, gas, and ash from a volcano to the Earth's surface.
    • Volcanic eruptions can impact ecosystems by releasing gases, ash, and lava that can alter the environment.

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    Description

    This quiz covers key concepts in environmental science, including abiotic factors, adaptations, agricultural runoff, and air pollution. Understand how these elements interact within ecosystems and their impact on both wildlife and human health.

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