Nutrients
What are the four most common elements in the human body?
Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
What is a pesticide?
A chemical used to kill or deter pests like insects or invasive plants.
What causes acid precipitation?
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel combustion.
$100::What does PPM stand for?
Parts Per Million
$100::What is a biotic limiting factor?
A living influence like predation or competition that affects population size.
Name one organic and one inorganic nutrient.
Organic: Carbohydrates; Inorganic: Potassium
What is the difference between persistent and non-persistent pollutants?
Persistent do not break down naturally; non-persistent do.
$200::What is the pH range of an acid?
Less than 7 on the pH scale.
$200::What is acute toxicity?
Severe symptoms appear after a single exposure to a chemical.
$200::What do high nitrate or phosphate levels in water indicate?
Pollution; risk of algae blooms and low water quality.
What are enzymes and what do they do?
They are protein molecules that help regulate chemical reactions in the body.
What is bioaccumulation?
When toxins build up in an organism over time.
$300::What is liming and why is it used?
Adding calcium carbonate to acidic lakes to neutralize pH.
$300::What is LD50?
The dose that kills 50% of a test population; lower LD50 = more toxic
$300::What is a bioindicator?
An organism used to assess the health of an ecosystem.
What do the three numbers on a fertilizer bag represent?
Percentage of Nitrogen (leaves), Phosphorous (roots/flowers), and Potassium (early growth/disease resistance)
What is biomagnification?
When toxins increase in concentration as they move up the food chain.
$400::How do catalytic converters help reduce acid rain?
They promote complete combustion in vehicles, reducing harmful emissions.
$400::Name two factors that affect how toxic a chemical is to a person.
Body weight, method of exposure, genetics, or tolerance
$400::Why is dissolved oxygen important in water?
High oxygen = healthy aquatic ecosystem; low oxygen = stressed or polluted system.
Why can’t we just eat soil to get minerals?
Low concentrations of elements + harmful bacteria; plants extract nutrients better through roots
When toxins increase in concentration as they move up the food chain.
They consume many organisms with toxins, leading to high concentration in their bodies.
$500::How does acid rain affect forests?
Damages plant tissues, harms growth, and reduces productivity.
$500::What happened with the drug thalidomide?
Caused birth defects despite passing safety tests; different effects in humans vs lab animals
$500::Give one abiotic limiting factor in aquatic ecosystems.
Examples: light, oxygen, temperature, or nutrient availability