Weather Concepts and Atmospheric Science

The movement of nutrients through different parts of an ecosystem, including organisms, soil, and the atmosphere.

The process of excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, entering a water body and leading to excessive algal growth, oxygen depletion, and potential harm to aquatic life.

The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization or activity, measured over a specific period.

A species that has been eradicated from a specific region or country but still exists in other parts of the world.

The number of different species in a specific area or ecosystem, reflecting the variety of life present.

The study of how populations grow, shrink, and change over time.

A relationship between two species where one benefits and the other is unharmed.

The maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support over a long period.

The process by which a substance, like DDT, becomes more concentrated in organisms at higher trophic levels of a food chain.

An organism that is introduced to a new ecosystem and outcompetes native species for resources. It can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.

A community of living organisms interacting with non-living elements like air, water, and soil.

A population includes all members of one species in a particular area.

A community includes all populations of different species living in the same area.

Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, and soil.

Acid rain, caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, damages ecosystems by making soil and water too acidic. This harms plant growth, aquatic life, and overall biodiversity.

Eliminating wolves disrupts the food chain, leading to overpopulation of prey species like deer. This results in overgrazing, which destroys vegetation and reduces food for other herbivores, ultimately harming biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis, converting it into glucose and oxygen. Conversely, decomposition of plants and animals releases carbon back into the atmosphere, either through combustion of fossil fuels or natural breakdown.

Carbon from dead plants and animals is stored in soil as organic matter or fossil fuels. Over time, these carbon stores can be released back into the atmosphere through burning or decomposition.

Deforestation removes trees that absorb carbon dioxide, increasing greenhouse gases and contributing to climate change. It also destroys habitats, harming biodiversity and food chains.

Overfishing removes too many fish from an ecosystem, disrupting the food web. This can lead to imbalances where predator or prey species overpopulate or decline, harming overall ecosystem health.

Biomagnification is the process where toxins, like DDT, increase in concentration as they move up the food chain. This happens because each predator consumes multiple prey, accumulating the toxin in their bodies.

DDT, a pesticide, can build up in organisms' bodies as it moves up the food chain. This process, called biomagnification, can make the toxin more concentrated at higher trophic levels, harming top predators.

The process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.

The process by which organisms break down glucose (sugar) in the presence of oxygen to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

The process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment, such as temperature and pH.

The process by which a substance changes its chemical composition, forming new substances.

A change that alters the physical form of a substance without changing its chemical composition.

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Negatively charged particles found in electron clouds surrounding the nucleus of an atom. They participate in chemical bonding.

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus, determining the element's identity.

A substance made up of only one type of atom or molecule, like pure water or gold.

A combination of two or more substances that aren't chemically bonded, like air or salad.

The horizontal rows in the periodic table, indicating the number of electron shells in an atom.

The vertical columns in the periodic table, grouping elements with similar chemical properties.

Elements that readily conduct heat and electricity, often shiny and malleable, like iron.

Atoms that share electrons to form a bond, like water (H₂O).

A chemical equation where the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation is equal.

A chemical equation that uses chemical formulas to represent the reactants and products of a reaction.

A reaction where two reactants combine to form a single product.

A reaction where two compounds react to form two new compounds by exchanging elements.

A reaction where one element displaces another in a compound.

A reaction where a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler products.

A reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen to produce heat and light.

A type of chemical reaction between an acid and a base that produces salt and water.