Chapter 1 Biosphere

Front

open system

Back

A system in which both energy and matter are exchanged with the surroundings.

Front

biosphere

Back

All the parts of the planet that are inhabited by living things; sum of all Earth's ecosystems.

Front

closed system

Back

A system in which energy, but not matter, is exchanged with its surroundings.

Front

dynamic equilibrium

Back

A condition in which several processes act simultaneously to maintain a system in an overall state that does not change with time.

Front

lithosphere

Back

Earth's solid, rocky outer layer.

Front

atmosphere

Back

A mixture of gases that surrounds Earth.

Front

hydrosphere

Back

All the water at and near the surface of the earth, 97% of which is in oceans.

Front

biotic

Back

An environmental factor related to or produced by living organisms.

Front

abiotic

Back

Include all the non-living things in an ecosystem (example: light, temperature, and soil composition).

Front

population

Back

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.