Environmental Science Quiz

The sum of all living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors that affect an organism or ecological system.

Any living component of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and bacteria.

Any non-living component of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, temperature, and water.

The interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the environment.

A social movement aimed at protecting the natural world.

Responsible management and care for the environment.

A worldview that values all living organisms and considers their well-being.

A worldview that values entire ecosystems, including both living and non-living components.

A controlled experiment involves setting up two groups: a control group and an experimental group. The control group receives no treatment or standard treatment, while the experimental group receives the specific treatment or manipulation being tested. This design allows researchers to compare the effects of the treatment by isolating the variable of interest.

A baseline or standard used for comparison in an experiment. This group does not receive the experimental treatment.

Natural experiments occur when researchers observe naturally occurring events without actively manipulating variables. They provide valuable insights into real-world phenomena but lack the controlled environment of a lab experiment.

Experiments conducted in a controlled environment like a laboratory. This allows researchers to manipulate variables precisely while minimizing external influences.

Experiments conducted in natural settings. This approach offers greater realism but may be harder to control for variables.

A blind experiment involves keeping participants unaware of their group assignment (control or experimental). This helps prevent bias from participants knowing if they are receiving the real treatment or a placebo.

Both researchers and participants are unaware of group assignments. This double-blinding reduces bias from both sides, resulting in a more objective study.

Experimental bias happens when researchers' expectations or preconceived notions influence the outcome of an experiment. This can happen consciously or unconsciously.

The sum of all living organisms in a particular area, interacting as a system. It includes all the populations of different species living and interacting in that area.

The use of organisms to clean up pollutants in the environment. For example, bacteria can be used to break down oil spills.

A natural system consisting of a community of organisms and their abiotic environment, interacting as a unit.

The ability to do work or produce change. It can be in various forms, including kinetic, potential, chemical, and thermal energy.

The application of force over a distance. It is the result of energy being used to move an object.

Energy possessed by an object due to its motion. The faster the motion, the higher the kinetic energy.

Energy stored due to an object's position or state. A stretched rubber band or a book on a shelf have potential energy.

Energy stored in chemical bonds. When these bonds are broken, energy is released, as in the combustion of fuels.

The study of how living organisms interact with their environment.

A process where substances change into new substances with different properties.

Molecules containing carbon and hydrogen, often associated with living things.

The total of all chemical reactions occurring within living organisms to maintain life.

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area.

Keeping ecosystems untouched, like wilderness areas.

Sustainable use of resources, like forestry practices.

A term that describes the overuse of shared resources, leading to depletion.

The solid, rocky outer layer of Earth, including the crust and the upper mantle, that acts as a rigid shell.

The movement of hot, semi-solid rock within the mantle, creating circular currents that drive plate tectonics.

Large, rigid sections of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact at their boundaries.

Boundaries where tectonic plates move apart, causing new crust to form and resulting in mid-ocean ridges.

Boundaries where tectonic plates collide, leading to mountain formation, volcanic arcs, or subduction.

Boundaries where tectonic plates slide horizontally past one another, causing earthquakes.

Molten rock found beneath Earth's surface, which can erupt as lava.

The process where one tectonic plate sinks beneath another at a convergent boundary.

The lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending up to about 10 km, where weather occurs and temperature decreases with altitude.

The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere, characterized by a halt in the temperature decrease.

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, held in place by gravity. It provides oxygen, regulates temperature, and protects life from harmful solar radiation.

Above the troposphere, from about 10-50 km, containing the ozone layer. Temperature increases with altitude due to ozone absorption of UV radiation.

The average weather patterns over a long period in a specific area.

The short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific area, such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation.

The force exerted by air molecules on Earth's surface, decreasing with altitude.

The percentage of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature.