What is the environmental system? Name examples.
A set of interacting components connected in such a way that a change in one part of the system affects one or more other parts of the system. Ex: The Mono Lake
How do large systems vary in scale? How does a large system include a smaller system?
The larger the system the more of us there will be ex: animals
What are the largest systems in the Mono lake ecosystem? what are some examples of smaller systems within the system?
Birds and shrimp and algae
three types of chemical bonds
Ionic
covalent
Hydrogen
What are the unique properties of H20? In what ways do those properties make life possible on earth?
Surface tension
capillary action
high boiling point
ability to dissolve many different substances.
They are all essential to physiological functioning
4 types of biological molecules - how do they differ from one another?
Carbohydrates - composed of carbon, hydrogen, & oxygen atoms
Proteins - made up of long chains of nitrogen containing organic molecules called amino acids
Nucleic acids - are organic compounds found in living cells
Lipids - are smaller biological molecule
Difference between power & energy? why is it important to know difference?
Power is the rate at which work is done.
Energy is the ability to work or transfer of heat.
They are different things. Energy = power X time
while power = energy/time
How do potential energy and kinetic energy differ? what is chemical energy?
Potential energy - energy that is stored but not yet released
Kinetic energy - the energy of motion
Chemical energy - potential energy stored in chemical bonds
what are the first & second laws of thermodynamics?
first law - matter can neither be created or destroyed but energy is neither created not destroyed
second law - when energy is transformed the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes
Provide an example of how organisms convert energy from one into another
example: deer grazing on tree leaves but then a mountain lion eats the deer
How does energy determine the suitability of an environment for growing food?
food is low entropy energy source
What is an open system? what is a closed system?
Open system - a system that exchanges of matter or energy occur across system boundaries
Closed system - a system in which matter & energy exchanges across system boundaries do not ocur
Why is it important to look at the whole system rather than only at its part?
You have to understand how the whole system works
What is a steady state? What are feedback loops and why are they important?
Steady state - when inputs equal outputs
feedback loops - adjustments in input or output rates caused by changes in the system there are 2 types negative and positive feedback loops
They are important because the health of many environmental systems depen
What are examples of environmental conditions that might vary among natural resources?
variations in temperature, precipitation, or soil composition across a landscape leads to vastly different types of organisms.
Why is it important to study variations in natural systems over space and time?
It can help scientists learn more about what to expect from the alterations humans are making in the world today.