Fundamentals & Concepts
What is environmental science primarily concerned with?
The relationship between living organisms and their environment
Which of the following best defines biodiversity according to the document?
The variety of life forms, genetic diversity, and ecosystems on Earth
Which of the following is NOT a major component of the carbon cycle from the provided list?
Nuclear fusion
What term describes the total mass of living organisms in a given area or ecosystem?
Biomass
Which toxic substance listed is known for bioaccumulation in fish and health risks to humans?
Mercury
Define the principle of conservation of matter as given in the review content.
Matter cannot be created or destroyed in chemical reactions
What is a keystone species? Give the definition offered in the review text.
A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance
Write the chemical equation for photosynthesis as given in the notes.
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Which biome is characterized by permafrost and extremely low temperatures?
Tundra
What does DALYs measure according to the document?
The overall disease burden expressed as years lost due to illness, disability, or early death
Which of the following best describes sustainability according to the review text?
Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs
Which human activity has the greatest impact on biodiversity loss, as listed in the content?
Habitat destruction
Which process is described as converting sunlight into chemical energy in ecosystems?
Producers
What distribution pattern occurs when organisms are clustered together in groups?
Clumped Distribution
What is "body burden" as defined in the supplied text?
The total amount of toxic chemicals stored in a person's body
What does scientific consensus on climate change mean, per the extracted content?
The majority of climate scientists agree on the fundamental causes and existence of climate change
How does biodiversity relate to ecosystem stability according to the material?
Higher biodiversity generally leads to more stable ecosystems
Explain the greenhouse effect as described in the review content.
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that has been enhanced by human activities
Which population growth model accounts for limiting factors and approaches carrying capacity?
What are endocrine disruptors and how do they affect organisms, per the review content?
Interfere with the body's hormone system
Explain the difference between a controlled study and a double-blind experiment as described in the document.
Controlled study: C — Involves manipulating variables while keeping other factors constant; Double-blind: D — Both researchers and subjects are unaware who receives the treatment
Provide an example from the text that illustrates the "tragedy of the commons" concept and explain why it fits.
Overuse of a communal fishery leading to collapse — fits because individual users acting in self-interest deplete shared resource (Tragedy of the commons = A)
Describe a positive feedback loop in climate change using the example from the text.
When increased temperatures lead to more water vapor in the atmosphere, which further increases temperatures
In logistic growth, at what point is the growth rate highest? Explain why using principles from the review material.
At half the carrying capacity (growth rate highest at intermediate population where resources abundant and competition low)
Explain the primary concern regarding GMOs in agriculture given in the document.
Their potential ecological impacts and safety for consumption