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AP envi
Match definitions to words
Question | Answer |
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Radioactive Decay | is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting ionizing particles or radiation |
Half-Life | The time it takes for one-half of the atoms of an unstable element or nuclide to decay radioactively into another element or nuclide |
Entropy | is the measure of the disorder or randomness of energy and matter in a system. |
Organism | An individual form of life that is capable of growing, metabolizing nutrients, and usually reproducing |
Population | A group of individuals of the same species occupying a particular geographic area. |
Community | A group of organisms or populations living and interacting with one another in a particular environment. |
Ecosystem | An ecosystem is a system where populations of species group together into communities and interact with each other and the abiotic environment. |
Decomposer | an organism, usually a bacterium or fungus, that breaks down the cells of dead plants and animals into simpler substances. |
Adaptation | the ability of a species to survive in a particular ecological niche, esp. because of alterations of form or behavior brought about through natural selection. |
Mutation | A change of the DNA sequence within a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not found in the parental type. |
Gene | A segment of DNA, occupying a specific place on a chromosome, that is the basic unit of heredity. |
Trait | Any observable feature, or trait, of an organism, whether acquired or inherited. |
Chromosome | Organic structure that carries an organism's genetic code (DNA). |
Gene Pool | Sum total of all the genes found in the individuals of the population of a particular species. |
Natural Selection | The process by which organisms that are better suited to their environment than others produce more offspring |
Biodiversity | The number, variety, and genetic variation of different organisms found within a specified geographic region. |
Extinction | Disappearance of a species from all or part of their geographic range |
Plate Tectonics | Theory suggesting that the Earth's surface is composed of a number of oceanic and continental plates. |
Weathering | Physical, chemical or biological breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller sized particles |
Climate Change | any long-term significant change in the weather patterns of an area; also used figuratively |
Organic vs. Inorganic | Organic: (1) Relating to an organism. (2) Derived from an organism. Inorganic: Non-living thing. Usually refers to the physical and chemical components of an organism's environment. Some times called abiotic. |
Natural vs. Synthetic | Natural : Not produced or changed artificially; not conditioned Synthetic: Produced artificially, especially in a laboratory or other man-made environment. |
Law of Conservation of Matter | During an ordinary chemical change, there is no detectable increase or decrease in the quantity of matter |
1st law of thermodynamics | an expression of the principle of conservation of energy, states that energy can be transformed (changed from one form to another), but cannot be created or destroyed |
2nd law of thermodynamics | is an expression of the universal principle of decay observable in nature. |
Producers/ Autotrophs | Autotrophs make their own food by performing photosynthesis. |
Consumers/ Heterotrophs | get their food by living off and on other organisms. |
Photosynthesis (reactants and products) | The reactants of photosynthesis are sun light, carbon dioxide, and water. The products of photosynthesis are carbohydrates, ATP, and sugars. |
Aerobic vs. Anaerobic | Presence of molecular oxygen. Occurring only in the presence of molecular oxygen. Growing in the presence of molecular oxygen. Anaerobic: Opposite |
Rocks Vs. Minerals | Rocks: A compact and consolidated mass of mineral matter. Three types of rock are recognized: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Minerals: Component of rocks. |
Climate Vs. Weather | Climate: General pattern of weather conditions for a region over a long period time (at least 30 years). Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place. |
CO2 | Carbon Dioxide |
CO | Carbon monoxide |
C6H1206 | Glucose |
CH4 | Methane |
H2 | Hyrdrogen |
H2O | Water |
N2 | Nitrogen |
NOx | Mono-Nitrogen |
NO3- | Nitrate ion |
NH3 | Ammonia |
O2 | Oxygen |
O3 | Ozone |
P | Phosphorus |
PO4-3 | Phosphate |
S | Sulfur |
SO2 | Sulfur Dioxide |
Cl | Chlorine |
K | Pottasium |
NaCl | Sodium Chloride |
Pb | Lead |
Hg | Mercury |
Rn | Radon |
U | Uranium |
Cellular Respiration | The process of cell catabolism in which cells turn food into usable energy in the form of ATP. |
Kinetic vs. Potential energy | Kinetic: The energy possessed by a system or object as a result of its motion. Potential: The energy possessed by a body as a result of its position or condition rather than its motion |