Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Which type of feedback loop is most common to nature, and which more commonly results from human action? For either type of feedback loop, can you think of an example that was not mentioned in the text.
|
The positive feedback loop is most common to human actions whereas the negative feedback loop is more common to nature. An example of positive feedback loop could be global warming. An example of a negative feedback loop could be hormonal regulation.
|
|
|
Describe how hypoxic conditions can develop in coastal marine ecosystems such as the northern Gulf of Mexico.
|
Runoff from fertilizers in crops and sewage spill into rivers which flow into larger body's of water such as the Gulf of Mexico.
|
|
|
Differentiate an ion from an isotope.
|
An ion is an electrically charged atom(s) whereas an isotope an atom with differing numbers of neutrons.
|
|
|
Describe the two major forms of energy, and give examples of each.
Compare and contrast the first law of thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics. |
The two major forms of energy are Potential energy and Kinetic energy. An example of potential energy and kinetic energy could be river water behind a dam. It builds energy until it is released and becomes kinetic energy.
The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can change from one form to another but cannot be created or lost. The total energy in the universe remains constant and is said to be conserved. The second law of thermodynamics states that the nature of energy tends to change from a more-ordered state to a less-ordered state; that is, entropy forest. |
|
|
What substances are produced by photosynthesis? By cellular respiration?
|
Photosynthesis uses solar energy to initiate a series of light reactions. In these reactions , water molecules split and react to form hydrogen ions and molecular oxygen, thus creating the air we breathe. Cells use cellular respiration to convert glucose back into water and carbon dioxide.
|
|
|
Describe the typical movement of energy through an ecosystem. Describe the typical movement of matter through an ecosystem.
|
Light energy from the sun drives photosynthesis in producers, which begins the transfer of chemical energy among other organisms and non living organic matter. Energy exits the system through respiration in the form of heat.
|
|
|
What is meant by the term mosaic in landscape ecology? Name at least one reason that many ecologists, conservation biologists, and others see landscape ecology as an increasingly important pursuit.
|
a
|
|
|
What role does each of the following play in the carbon cycle?
-Cars -Photosynthesis -The oceans -Earth's crust |
a
|
|
|
Distinguish the function performed by nitrogen-fixing bacteria from that performed by denitrifying bacteria.
|
a
|
|
|
How has human activity altered the carbon cycle? The phosphorus cycle? The nitrogen cycle? The hydro logic cycle? To what environmental problems have the changes given rise.
|
We effect the carbon cycle by burning fossil fuels and burning trees. We effect the phosphorus cycle by mining. We effect the nitrogen cycle by fertilizers & burning forests & fossil fuels. We effect the hydro logic cycle by fertilizers, pesticides and damming rivers.
|
