Environmental Science - ANSWER The systematic study of our environment and our place
in it.
Scientific Methods - ANSWER 1: Identify question
2: Form testable hypothesis
3: Collect data to test hypothesis
4: Interpret Results
5: Report for peer review
6: Publish findings
Ecological footprint - ANSWER The environmental impact of a
person or population
Stewardship - ANSWER Taking care of the resources we are given.
Closed System - ANSWER self contained, exchanges no matter or energy with the outside
Open System - ANSWER exchanges matter and energy with surroundings
Components of Photosynthesis - ANSWER 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy + chlorophyll ------
> C6H12O6 + 6O2
carbon dioxide + water + light energy + chlorophyll ------> sugars + oxygen
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, Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER Energy must be supplied (from the sun) to keep bio-
logical processes running, because as it flows through the various biological processes, it be-
comes dissipated
First Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER Energy is neither created nor destroyed (it is
conserved).
Second Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER With each successive energy transfer, less us-
able energy is available to perform work.
Negative Feedback Loop - ANSWER Suppresses change within a system, helps to maintain
stability in systems.
ex: Lynx controls population of hare by predation, if low population for hare, lynx population
drops.
Positive Feedback Loop - ANSWER Self perpetuating process, as an increase in a state var-
iable leads to further increases in it.
ex: Increasing amounts of pesticides as new generations become resistant to lower levels.
Sustainability - ANSWER Living within our planet's means:
- The Earth can sustain humans AND other organisms for the future
- Leaving our descendants with a rich, full world
- Developing solutions that work in the long term
- Requires keeping fully functioning ecological systems
Anthropocentric - ANSWER The belief the humans hold a
special place in nature, decisions are based around human needs and interests.
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in it.
Scientific Methods - ANSWER 1: Identify question
2: Form testable hypothesis
3: Collect data to test hypothesis
4: Interpret Results
5: Report for peer review
6: Publish findings
Ecological footprint - ANSWER The environmental impact of a
person or population
Stewardship - ANSWER Taking care of the resources we are given.
Closed System - ANSWER self contained, exchanges no matter or energy with the outside
Open System - ANSWER exchanges matter and energy with surroundings
Components of Photosynthesis - ANSWER 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy + chlorophyll ------
> C6H12O6 + 6O2
carbon dioxide + water + light energy + chlorophyll ------> sugars + oxygen
1
, Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER Energy must be supplied (from the sun) to keep bio-
logical processes running, because as it flows through the various biological processes, it be-
comes dissipated
First Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER Energy is neither created nor destroyed (it is
conserved).
Second Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER With each successive energy transfer, less us-
able energy is available to perform work.
Negative Feedback Loop - ANSWER Suppresses change within a system, helps to maintain
stability in systems.
ex: Lynx controls population of hare by predation, if low population for hare, lynx population
drops.
Positive Feedback Loop - ANSWER Self perpetuating process, as an increase in a state var-
iable leads to further increases in it.
ex: Increasing amounts of pesticides as new generations become resistant to lower levels.
Sustainability - ANSWER Living within our planet's means:
- The Earth can sustain humans AND other organisms for the future
- Leaving our descendants with a rich, full world
- Developing solutions that work in the long term
- Requires keeping fully functioning ecological systems
Anthropocentric - ANSWER The belief the humans hold a
special place in nature, decisions are based around human needs and interests.
2
