Science Module 4 Exam Review

A large area on Earth classified by the plants and animals that live there.

A community of living organisms (biotic) interacting with their non-living environment (abiotic).

All living organisms in an ecosystem.

All non-living parts of an ecosystem (e.g., air, water, soil).

Organisms that make their own food (e.g., plants).

Organisms that consume other organisms for food (e.g., animals).

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.

Organisms that eat other organisms.

An organism that eats producers (plants) for energy.

An organism that eats primary consumers.

An organism that eats secondary consumers.

An organism that eats tertiary consumers; usually at the top of the food chain.

Organisms (fungi, bacteria) that break down dead organisms.

The ways an ecosystem works, including nutrient cycling, energy flow, and regulation of ecological processes.

Rate of biomass production in an ecosystem.

The movement of energy within an ecosystem.

The breakdown of dead organic matter.

The process where nutrients are used and reused in an ecosystem.

An ecosystem where different habitats (e.g., water and land) intersect.

Ecosystem shaped by humans.

Land-based ecosystem.

A hot, dry land ecosystem.

Ecosystem dominated by trees.

A biome characterized by large, open plains dominated by grasses and supporting various wildlife. Examples include the North American prairies and African Savannah.

A biome characterized by cold temperatures, low precipitation, and permafrost, supporting specialized plants and animals adapted to harsh conditions. Found in the Arctic region.

An ecosystem found in and around bodies of water, encompassing freshwater and saltwater environments. It includes diverse life forms interacting with the aquatic environment.

A type of aquatic ecosystem characterized by waterlogged soil for most of the year. Examples include swamps and marshes.

An aquatic ecosystem found in stagnant or very slowly flowing waters like lakes, ponds, and bogs. Characterized by relatively low oxygen content.

An aquatic ecosystem found in flowing freshwater like rivers and streams. Characterized by relatively high oxygen content, supporting a diversity of plant and animal species.

A vast aquatic ecosystem encompassing both saltwater and freshwater habitats, characterized by high salinity and a complex web of life.

A type of marine ecosystem encompassing everything from shallow coral reefs to deep sea areas. Characterized by a diverse range of life forms and a significant role in oxygen production.

A type of ocean ecosystem known as the 'rainforests of the sea'. They are colorful, diverse, and found in shallow waters.

The vast, deep part of an ocean ecosystem known as the 'pelagic zone'. It supports large marine animals.

The dark, high-pressure part of an ocean ecosystem known as the 'abyssal zone'. It is home to unique life forms adapted to these extreme conditions.

A type of ocean ecosystem found in coastal areas. Characterized by towering seaweeds and abundant marine life.

Unique coastal ecosystems where rivers meet the sea. They provide a nursery for many species. Mangroves are known for their salt tolerance.

A type of aquatic ecosystem where the water is not salty like the ocean. It supports a variety of plants, fish, and wildlife.

Flowing water ecosystems characterized by diverse fish, plants, and currents.

Still water ecosystems with varying depths, supporting diverse aquatic life.

Marshes and swamps, rich in biodiversity, filtering water and supporting unique habitats.

Where freshwater meets saltwater, creating a unique, nutrient-rich environment and diverse habitats.

Benefits humans receive from healthy ecosystems, such as clean air, water, and food.

Human activities that negatively affect ecosystem health, like pollution, deforestation, and invasive species.

Long-term shifts in weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities, impacting ecosystems.

A wide variety of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials made of organic polymers.

Large organic molecules composed of repeating units called monomers.

Plastics that can be repeatedly melted and reshaped when heated.

Plastics that cannot be melted or reshaped after heating and hardening.

Plastics that have both viscosity and elasticity, allowing them to stretch and return to their original shape.

Plastics made from renewable resources, such as plants, that are biodegradable and have potential environmental benefits.

Nanoplastics intentionally manufactured for specific purposes, such as medical devices or electronics.

Nanoplastics formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles.

Plastics that break down into natural substances like water and carbon dioxide under specific conditions, such as exposure to sunlight, bacteria, or moisture.

Plastics that do not readily break down in the environment and can persist for hundreds of years.

A system used to categorize plastics for recycling, using a number and a symbol.

Commonly used plastics manufactured in large quantities due to their affordability and wide range of applications, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

Plastics with desirable structural properties like strength, transparency, and heat resistance, used in applications requiring high performance.

Plastics with unique and specific properties, such as extreme transparency or heat resistance.

Thermoplastic materials with excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength for high-temperature applications.

A chemical process in plastic synthesis where polymer chains are joined together to create a more rigid and durable structure.

A chemical process where monomers (small molecules) join together to form a polymer, releasing a small molecule as a byproduct.

A chemical process where monomers combine to form a polymer without releasing any byproducts.

Microplastics intentionally manufactured for various purposes, such as personal care products, cosmetics, and cleaning agents.

Microplastics formed from the breakdown of larger plastic debris due to environmental factors like UV radiation, mechanical abrasion, or chemical degradation.

Microplastics present in the air, impacting weather and climate through their influence on cloud formation and solar radiation reflection.

Microplastics act as ice nucleating particles, influencing cloud structure and precipitation patterns. They can affect the amount of solar radiation reflected back into space or trapped in the atmosphere.

Microplastics can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion (eating or drinking), and absorption through the skin.

Smaller microplastics pose greater threats due to their ability to cross biological barriers. They can accumulate in the body and potentially affect health.

Microplastics can enter the lungs based on their size. Smaller ones with smaller aerodynamic diameters can reach the lower respiratory tract where they can cause potential harm.

Microplastics in the environment come from various human activities, such as car tire wear, paint runoff, and industrial pollution.

The gradual build-up of substances like pesticides or chemicals within an organism over time.

The increasing concentration of a toxin as it moves up a food chain.

A banned insecticide that is fat-soluble, persistent, and biomagnifies in food chains.

Microplastics are found in various environments, including air, water, soil, and even food.

Microplastics can pose risks to marine life, accumulate in food chains, and may be harmful to human health.

Tiny plastic beads found in some personal care products, which contribute to microplastic pollution.

Microplastics have been detected in various foods, including seafood, drinking water, and table salt.

The potential health risks of microplastics to humans are still being studied, but they may include chemical leaching and pathogen accumulation.

Microplastics have been found in the guts of many marine organisms, demonstrating their widespread presence in the ocean.

Industrial pollution, resuspension of particles, and human activities like traffic and construction contribute to microplastic contamination of the air.

Microplastic particles can move between different environments, such as air, water, and soil.

Tiny plastic particles from the atmosphere can settle onto land and water, contributing to environmental pollution.

Microplastics are a significant environmental concern due to their impact on marine life and food chains.