Key Terms in Environmental Science

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a control group in an experiment?

To manipulate variables for experimental effects

To provide a baseline for comparison (correct)

To introduce additional variables for broader results

To ensure participants are unaware of their group

Which statement best describes a double-blind experiment?

Only participants are unaware of group assignments

Both researchers and participants are unaware of group assignments (correct)

All participants receive the same treatment

Both participants and researchers are informed of group assignments

What characterizes a natural experiment?

Researchers manipulate variables to derive conclusions

Participants are unaware of their role in an observation

Natural events are observed without manipulation (correct)

Elements are controlled tightly in a lab setting

What key factor distinguishes environmental science from environmentalism?

Environmental science focuses on understanding interactions through empirical data. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an abiotic factor?

Tree Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of conducting peer reviews in scientific research?

To evaluate the scientific work by other experts Signup and view all the answers

In the scientific method, what is the dependent variable in a study testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth?

Plant height Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary method used during the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill?

Chemical dispersants Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the lithosphere?

It includes the crust and upper mantle. Signup and view all the answers

Which process explains the movement of tectonic plates?

Convection currents Signup and view all the answers

What is formed as a result of divergent plate boundaries?

New crust or ridges Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of Earth is primarily responsible for generating earthquakes?

Crust Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of igneous rocks?

They are formed from cooling magma or lava. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during subduction at convergent boundaries?

One plate slides beneath the other. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method of physical weathering?

Freeze-thaw cycles breaking rocks Signup and view all the answers

What defines the core of Earth?

Made up of mainly iron and nickel Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a convection cell?

It represents a pattern of air movement with warm air rising and cool air sinking. Signup and view all the answers

Which convection cell is associated with temperate climates?

Ferrel Cell Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs in the Doldrums?

Low-pressure zones with minimal wind. Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of Earth’s atmosphere?

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other gases. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the atmosphere is where weather occurs?

Troposphere Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes all non-living components of an ecosystem?

Abiotic Factor Signup and view all the answers

What does stewardship refer to in environmental science?

Responsible management and care for the environment Signup and view all the answers

Which worldview emphasizes the value of all living organisms?

Biocentric Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'renewable resource'?

A resource replenished naturally over short periods Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines environmental ethics?

The moral principles guiding human interaction with the environment Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ecological footprint' measure?

Human demand on Earth's ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

In an experiment, which variable is manipulated by the researcher?

Independent Variable Signup and view all the answers

What process marks the shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming?

Agricultural Revolution Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of bioremediation?

To utilize bacteria for cleaning up environmental pollutants. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Energy transformations increase entropy. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of energy conversion, what is the primary difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?

Photosynthesis produces oxygen whereas respiration consumes it. Signup and view all the answers

What is entropy a measure of?

The amount of disorder or randomness in a system. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following compounds are considered organic?

Proteins and carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'specific heat' refer to?

The heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. Signup and view all the answers

What is the law of conservation of matter principally about?

Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. Signup and view all the answers

Which process uses hydrogen sulfide instead of sunlight for energy production?

Chemosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between preservation and conservation?

Preservation focuses on leaving ecosystems untouched, while conservation involves sustainable use. Signup and view all the answers

Which analogy is associated with the Tragedy of the Commons?

Overgrazing on a shared pasture leading to depletion. Signup and view all the answers

What significant event did the Easter Island case study highlight?

The impacts of resource overuse on societal collapse. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately defines science in contrast to pseudoscience?

Science is testable and peer-reviewed, whereas pseudoscience lacks scientific rigor. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Law of Conservation of Matter state?

Matter can only be transformed, not created or destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily distinguishes the Agricultural Revolution from the Industrial Revolution?

The increase in food production and establishment of societies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an exothermic reaction?

It releases energy, often in the form of heat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the x-axis typically used for when graphing experimental data?

Independent variable. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms and Definitions

Environment: All biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors that affect an organism or system
Biotic Factor: A living component of an ecosystem (e.g., plants, animals, bacteria)
Abiotic Factor: A non-living component of an ecosystem (e.g., sunlight, temperature, water)
Environmental Science: The study of how humans interact with the environment
Environmentalism: A social movement aimed at protecting the natural world
Culture: Collective beliefs, values, and practices that influence human behavior and interaction with the environment
Stewardship: Responsible management and care for the environment
Anthropocentric: A worldview that considers humans as the central and most important element of existence
Biocentric: A worldview that values all living organisms and considers their well-being
Ecocentric: A worldview that values entire ecosystems, including both living and non-living components
Utilitarian: Emphasizes the practical and economic benefits of resources
Preservation: Protecting the environment from human interference
Conservation: Managing natural resources to ensure their long-term sustainability
Environmental Ethics: Moral principles guiding human interaction with the environment
Renewable Resource: A resource naturally replenished over short periods (e.g., sunlight, wind)
Nonrenewable Resource: A resource that forms slowly and is finite (e.g., fossil fuels, minerals)
Nomadic Lifestyle: A way of life characterized by frequent movement in search of resources
Agricultural Revolution: The shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming, increasing resource use
Industrial Revolution: A period of industrialization with a significant increase in energy use and resource demand
Consumption: The use of goods and resources by individuals or societies
Ecological Footprint: A measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems
Independent Variable: The variable manipulated in an experiment
Dependent Variable: The variable measured in an experiment
Qualitative Data: Non-numerical data describing qualities or characteristics
Quantitative Data: Numerical data describing quantities or measurements
Manipulative Experiment: An experiment where the researcher actively changes the independent variable
Controlled Experiment: An experiment with a control group and experimental group(s) to isolate variable effects
Control: A baseline in an experiment used for comparison
Natural Experiment: Observation of natural events without manipulation by researchers
Laboratory Experiment: Experiments conducted in a controlled indoor environment
Field Experiment: Experiments conducted in natural settings
Blind Experiment: Participants do not know which group they are in to avoid bias
Double-Blind Experiment: Both researchers and participants are unaware of group assignments to eliminate bias
Experimental Bias: When researchers' expectations influence results
Correlation: A relationship between two variables that does not imply causation
Model: A simplified representation of a system or phenomenon
Peer Review: Evaluation of scientific work by other experts in the field
Skepticism: Questioning and critically evaluating scientific claims
Environmental Justice: The fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens

Additional Concepts

Biotic and abiotic factors in a forest
Goals of environmental science vs. environmentalism
Interdisciplinary nature of environmental science
Requirements for life
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
Scientific method
Variables in experiments
Control and experiment types
Culture and worldview
Preservation vs. conservation
Tragedy of the commons
Easter Island case study
Revolutions and resource use
Graphing experimental data
Science vs. pseudoscience
Chemistry, Biology, Ecology
Law of Conservation of Matter
Chemical Reaction
Organic Compounds
Hydrocarbon
Combustion Reaction
Endothermic
Exothermic
Metabolism
Population
Community
Bioremediation
Ecosystem
Energy
Work
Kinetic Energy
Potential Energy
Chemical Energy
First Law of Thermodynamics
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Entropy
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Heat of Combustion
Specific Heat
Joule
Calorie
Molar Mass
Law of Conservation of Matter
Chemical Reactions
Water Properties
Organic Compounds
Combustion Reactions
Bioremediation
Energy Storage and Release
Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration
Geothermal/Tidal Energy
Experimental Calculations - Heat of combustion from experimental data
Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere, Biosphere

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers essential definitions and concepts in environmental science, including biotic and abiotic factors, environmentalism, and different worldviews such as anthropocentric and ecocentric. Test your understanding of how these elements interact and influence human behavior in relation to the environment.