Matter of Fact
What is an element? Provide an example.
An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. Example: Oxygen (O).
Name one characteristic of bacteria.
One characteristic of bacteria is that they are single-celled organisms.
What are biotic factors? Give two examples.
Biotic factors are living components of an ecosystem. Examples: plants and animals.
What are index fossils, and why are they important?
Index fossils are fossils of widely distributed organisms that lived during a short time period and are used to date rock layers.
What is potability in terms of water?
Potability refers to the suitability of water for drinking, meaning it is safe and healthy for human consumption.
What distinguishes a compound from a mixture?
A compound is a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together, while a mixture is a combination of two or more substances where each retains its properties.
How do viruses reproduce?
Viruses reproduce by infecting a host cell and hijacking the cell's machinery to produce more viruses.
How does food availability impact animal populations in an ecosystem?
Food availability impacts animal populations by determining how many individuals can survive and reproduce in an ecosystem.
How can rock layers help determine the relative age of fossils?
Rock layers help determine the relative age of fossils by showing the sequence in which different organisms appeared over geological time.
Name two physical factors that can affect water quality.
Two physical factors that can affect water quality are temperature and turbidity.
Describe how the arrangement of atoms in a substance can determine if it is a solid, liquid, or gas.
The arrangement of atoms determines the state of matter; for example, closely packed atoms form solids, while loosely arranged atoms form gases.
What are two ways to prevent the spread of fungi-related diseases?
Two ways to prevent the spread of fungi-related diseases are maintaining good hygiene and avoiding contact with infected individuals.
Describe the effect of shelter on population dynamics.
Shelter provides protection from predators and harsh environmental conditions, affecting the survival and reproduction of species.
Explain the significance of the Law of Superposition in geology.
The Law of Superposition states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.
How does pH impact aquatic life?
pH impacts aquatic life by affecting the solubility of nutrients and toxins in water; most aquatic organisms thrive in a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5.
Explain how you would classify salt water. Is it a mixture, compound, or element? Why?
Salt water is a mixture because it contains both salt (a compound) and water (another compound) that can be separated physically.
Compare the treatment options for bacterial infections versus viral infections.
Bacterial infections are often treated with antibiotics, while viral infections may be treated with antiviral medications or managed through supportive care.
What happens to a population if water supply decreases?
If water supply decreases, populations may decline due to increased competition for limited resources, leading to starvation or migration.
What can the order of rock layers tell us about Earth’s history?
The order of rock layers can indicate the chronological sequence of events in Earth's history, including mass extinctions and environmental changes.
Discuss the relationship between turbidity and dissolved oxygen levels in water.
Turbidity can reduce dissolved oxygen levels because suspended particles can block sunlight and affect photosynthesis in aquatic plants.
Compare and contrast the atomic structure of an element and a compound.
An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together.
Explain how parasites can affect their hosts and the ecosystem.
Parasites can weaken their hosts, causing health issues, and can also disrupt local ecosystems by affecting population dynamics of the host species.
Discuss how space limitations can lead to competition among species.
Space limitations can lead to competition among species, decreasing the population size and diversity of those competing for the same resources.
Discuss how scientists can use index fossils to correlate the ages of different rock formations.
Scientists can use index fossils to correlate the ages of different rock formations by identifying the same fossils in separate locations.
Analyze how bio-indicators can be used to assess the health of water supplies.
Bio-indicators, such as certain species of fish or insects, can be used to assess water quality because their presence or absence indicates the health of the ecosystem.