Environmental Science Midterm

Front

What is meant by 'our environment'?

Back

The sum of all the conditions surrounding us that influence life.

Front

How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?

Back

It increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Front

What is an abiotic factor? Give an example.

Back

An abiotic factor is a non-living component of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, water, or pH. Bacteria is not an abiotic factor.

Front

What is the difference between potential and kinetic energy?

Back

Potential energy has not yet been released, while kinetic energy is energy in motion.

Front

How old is the Earth?

Back

The Earth is about 4.6 billion years old.

Front

Define abiotic factors in an ecosystem.

Back

Abiotic factors are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms.

Front

What role do plants play in the carbon cycle?

Back

Plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Front

What is the significance of biodiversity in an ecosystem?

Back

Biodiversity contributes to ecosystem resilience, productivity, and stability.

Front

Explain the concept of ecological succession.

Back

Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance.

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The greenhouse effect is the warming of the Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.