BIO 111

Environmental Science

Unit 1 Study Guide

1. Define science and describe the steps of the scientific method. Compare science with other methods for gaining knowledge and discuss the limitations of science in comparison to these other methods. Terms: inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, hypothesis, control, theory, law, principle, independent variable, dependent variable, if...then statement, experiment. 

2. Describe the use and be able to use the scientific method on a sample problem. Identify all components listed above plus independent and dependent variables, examples of experimental controls, and the results expected if the hypothesis is correct or if it is incorrect.

3. Identify the importance of the following to the validity of science: repeatability, predictability, objectivity.

4. Explain the origin of the word ecology and compare the definition and scope of ecology as it has developed over time to the present.

5. Differentiate between an ecologist and an environmentalist as to their approach to environmental problems, methodology and goals. Compare the use of the scientific method with "environmental problem solving" as described by the author of Biosphere 2000.

6. Describe and define the components of the organizational hierarchy of biological systems and of ecology. Explain the meaning and significance to ecological study of the following: species, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere. Term: habitat.

7. Compare biotic and abiotic factors and explain their interrelationships. Explain the importance of biota and abiota to the biosphere and its components.

8. Explain the concept of homeostasis and its importance to the biosphere and its components. Terms: feedback, response to stress, Gaia.

9. Explain the trophic structure of an ecosystem and give functional definitions for each trophic level. Describe examples of organisms at each trophic level typical of various habitats. Terms: autotroph, heterotroph, producers, consumers (primary, secondary, tertiary or ultimate), scavengers, decomposers, photosynthesis, metabolism (respiration), herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores.

10. Compare the chemical processes represented by photosynthesis and metabolism and describe the relationship between the processes in terms of homeostasis of ecosystems in the biosphere. Be able to write the chemical equation which represents this relationship. Terms: carbon dioxide(CO₂), organic foods, oxygen (O₂), water (H₂O).

11. Compare the detritus system and its dependent community with the grazer system and its community. Describe the importance and function of each in natural ecosystems and the importance and relationship to man. 

12. Explain and compare the meaning of the terms food chain, food cycle, food web.

13. Explain the importance of diversity in the food web and compare the advantages and disadvantages of a natural diverse community with the monoculture favored by man.

14. Explain what is meant by biodiversity and describe the importance of genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat (ecosystem) diversity to the biosphere and to man. Terms: genetic resources, heirloom plants.  

15. Define and explain the importance of the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics. Describe how these laws apply to our energy use and to the passage of energy through ecosystems and the biosphere. Terms: calorie, kilocalorie, entropy, heat.   

16. Explain how the laws of thermodynamics result in a biological pyramid for energy, biomass, and numbers of organisms. Terms: gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP), secondary production, 10 percent rule. 

17. Explain how the biological pyramid for biomass causes biological magnification. Describe the effect of biological magnification on certain pollutants and organisms which ingest those pollutants using specific examples.

18. Define the Law of Conservation of Matter and explain its application to the food cycle and to the biosphere. Describe benefits and drawbacks of this law to man. Explain what is meant by "There is no away". 

19. Explain what is meant by the biogeochemical cycles and compare gaseous with sedimentary cycles giving examples of each. Be able to diagram the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and phosphorus cycle showing the form the element takes in each component of the ecosystem or biosphere and the pathways of each element through the biosphere. Indicate for each cycle gains and losses to the cycle and the ways man impacts the cycle. Terms: weathering, erosion, ashfall, combustion, nitrogen fixing bacteria, greenhouse effect, global warming, nitrogen budget. 

20. Explain what is meant by stewardship and compare with the concept of sustainability. Discuss the ethical vs. the ecological nature of the concepts and their applicability to solving environmental problems.

21. Describe the three major tenets of the World Conservation Strategy. Discuss the relationship of these tenets to the ecological principles studied.  

22. Be able to recognize and/or describe examples of each of the ecological principles studied, e.g. homeostasis, cycles & pathways of ecosystems and the biosphere, trophic structure, thermodynamics, conservation of matter, etc.