AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Environmental Science Review Flashcards

Terms from APES for the exam

Terms : Hide Images
9866196069First Law of ThermodynamicsEnergy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another.0
9866196070Second Law of ThermodynamicsWhen energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat).1
9866196071Ionizing radiationRadiation w/enough energy to free electrons from atoms forming ions, may cause cancer (ex. gamma, X-rays, UV).2
9866196197High Quality Energyenergy that is organized & concentrated, can perform useful work (ex. fossil fuels & nuclear)3
9866196072Low Quality Energyenergy that is disorganized, dispersed (ex. heat in ocean or air/wind, solar).4
9866196073Natural radioactive decaysubstances whose unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha & beta particles (ex. Radon).5
9866196074Half-lifethe time it takes for 1⁄2 of the mass of a radioisotope to decay. A radioactive isotope must be stored for approximately 10 half-lives until it decays to a safe level.6
9866196075Nuclear Fissionprocess in which nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons.7
9866196076Nuclear Fusionprocess in which 2 isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus. Happens in the Sun, very difficult to accomplish on Earth, prohibitively expensive.8
9866196077Orea rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine.9
9866196198Mineral Reserveidentified deposits currently profitable to extract.10
9866196078Surface miningmethod of extraction that is cheaper, can remove more minerals, less hazardous to workers.11
9866196079Humusportion of the soil that is organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms.12
9866196080Leachingprocess of removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards through soil.13
9866196081Loamclassification of soil type that is perfect agricultural soil with equal portions of sand, silt, and clay.14
9866196082Soil Conservation Methodsagricultural methods include conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, organic fertilizers.15
9866196083Soil Salinizationoften occurs when irrigating crops in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind. (ex. Fertile crescent, southwestern US)16
9866196199Water Loggingoccurs when water completely saturates soil, starves plant roots of oxygen, rots roots17
9866196084Hydrologic Cycle Componentssteps include evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.18
9866196200WatershedIncludes all of the land that drains into a river or other body of water19
9866196085AquiferTerm describes any water-bearing layer in the ground accessible to drilling.20
9866196086Cone of DepressionPhenomena that causes the lowering of the water table around a pumping well.21
9866196087Salt Water Intrusionoften occurs near the coast, result of overpumping of groundwater that causes saline water to move into the aquifer.22
9866196088ENSOaka: El Nino Southern Oscillation, trade winds weaken & warm surface water moves toward South America. Diminished fisheries off South America, drought in western Pacific, increased precipitation in southwestern North America, fewer Atlantic hurricanes.23
9866196089La Nina"Normal" year, easterly trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West coast of South America.24
9866196090Nitrogen Fixationreaction in which atmospheric N is converted into ammonia by bacteria. This is necessary because N cannot be used directly by plants, and animals must consume through the food chain.25
9866196201Ammonificationprocess in which decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia.26
9866196091Nitrificationprocess in which ammonia is converted to nitrate ions (NO -).27
9866196092Assimilationprocess in which inorganic N is converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids & proteins.28
9866196093DenitrificationProcess in which bacteria convert ammonia back into N.29
9866196094PhosphorusThis element does not exist as a gas; released by weathering of rocks, it is a major limiting factor for plant growth. This cycle is slow, and not atmospheric.30
9866196257Soil Profile31
9866196095Photosynthesisprocess by which plants convert CO2 (atmospheric C) into complex carbohydrates (glucose C6H12O6). using sunlight energy.32
9866196096Aerobic Respirationoxygen consuming producers, consumers & decomposers break down complex organic compounds & convert C back into CO2.33
9866196097BioticAny living components of an ecosystem.34
9866196202AbioticAny nonliving components of an ecosystem35
9866196098Producer/Autotrophorganisms that make their own food—photosynthetic life. Form the base of the food web or energy pyramid. (2 terms)36
9866196099Trophic LevelsAny of the hierarchal layers of an energy pyramid such as producers → primary consumer → secondary consumer → tertiary consumer.37
9866196100Energy Flow through Food WebsReflects only 10% of the usable energy is transferred to the next trophic level. Reason: 90% of usable energy lost as heat (2nd law), not all biomass is digested & absorbed, predators expend energy to catch prey.38
9866196101Primary successionThe development of ecological communities in a lifeless area not previously inhabited by life (ex. following lava flow).39
9866196203Secondary successionThe development of ecological communities in which life progresses where soil remains (ex. clear-cut forest, old farm).40
9866196102MutualismA type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit (e.g. clownfish and anemone)41
9866196103CommensalismA type of symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits & the other is unaffected (e.g. epiphytic plants, such as many orchids, that grow on trees)42
9866196104ParasitismA type of symbiotic relationship in which one organism obtains nutrients at the expense of the host (e.g. mosquitoes and humans)43
9866196105Carrying CapacityWithin an ecosystem, this reflects the number of individuals that can be sustained in an area.44
9866196106r-strategistreproductive strategy in which organisms reproduce early, bear many small, unprotected offspring with little parental care(ex. insects, mice). Often seen in prey species.45
9866196107K-strategistreproductive strategy in which organisms reproduce late, bear few, exert a lot of energy into care for offspring (ex. humans, elephants). Often seen in predator species.46
9866196108Natural SelectionProcess that drives evolution in which organisms that possess favorable adaptations (through mutations) pass them onto the next generation.47
9866196109Thomas MalthusStated that the human population is kept in check by war, famine & disease. Did not foresee technological advancements like medicine.48
9866196110Doubling Time(rule of 70) this population prediction formula equals 70 divided by average growth rate. (ex. a population growing at 5% annually will reach this milestone in 70 ÷ 5 = 14 years)49
9866196111Replacement Level Fertilitythe number of children a couple must bear to replace themselves (2.1 developed, 2.7 developing).50
9866196112World Populationcurrently over 7.3 billion.51
9866196204Demographic Transition ModelGraphic representation of the development of nations that includes preindustrial, transitional, industrial, and postindustrial stages52
9866196113Preindustrial stageStage of nation development in which birth & death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high.53
9866196114Transitional stageStage of nation development in which Aid from other countries and increase in industrialization lowers death rates (infant mortality). Birth rates high (from of the amount of people in the reproductive stage).54
9866196205Industrial stageStage of nation development that reflects a decline in birth rate, population growth slows.55
9866196115Postindustrial stageStage of nation development that reflects a low birth & death rates.56
9866196206Demographic TrapSometimes occurs in the transitional stage. Birth rates stay high, death rates low. Population grows faster than ever before.57
9866196116Age Structure DiagramsGraphic model that visually represents the population distribution of a country. Example: broad base → rapid growth; narrow base → negative growth (NPG); uniform shape → zero growth (ZPG)58
9866196207Most populous nationsThe top 4 are 1)China 2)India 3)US 4)Indonesia59
9866196117Low Status of WomenMost important factor in keeping population growth rates high, can be combatted with education.60
9866196118Methods to Decrease Birth RatesFamily planning, contraception, economic rewards & penalties, educate women.61
9866196119Composition of Water on Earth97.5% seawater, 2.5% freshwater. 0.023% readily available freshwater for use.62
9866196208Aquaculturea method of farming aquatic species, commonly salmon, shrimp, tilapia, oysters.63
9866196120Point SourcePollution emitted from specific location such as pipe or smokestack64
9866196121Non-Point SourcePollution emitted from over a large area such as agricultural (farm) runoff, traffic.65
9866196209Primary Sewage Treatmentfirst step of treatment; eliminates most particulate material (large solid waste, MSW, sediment) from raw using grates, screens, and settling tanks.66
9866196210Secondary Sewage Treatmentsecond step of treatment; bacteria breakdown organic waste, aeration accelerates the process. Chlorine, ozone, or UV radiation removes pathogens and viruses.67
9866196122BOD, Biological Oxygen DemandReflects the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials.68
9866196211Oxygen Sag Curvedemonstrates how pollution affects the oxygen demand within an aquatic ecosystem69
9866196123EutrophicationPhenomena that results in rapid algal growth caused by an excess of nitrogen & phosphorus, followed by decomposition and depletion of oxygen70
9866196124Hypoxiawhen aquatic plants die, the BOD rises as aerobic decomposers break down the plants, the DO drops & the water cannot support life. Often results from eutrophication71
9866196212CAFE standardsCorporate Average Fuel Economy standards enacted into law in 1975, established fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The fuel economy ratings for a manufacturer's entire line of passenger cars must currently average at least 27.5 mpg for the manufacturer to comply with the standard.72
9866196125Primary Air Pollutantspollutants that are directly produced by humans & nature (CO, CO2, SO2, NO, hydrocarbons, particulates).73
9866196126Secondary Air PollutantsExamples are SO3, HNO3, O3, H2SO4; formed by reaction of primary pollutants and sunlight74
9866196127Particulate Mattertiny bits of airborne solid matter; sources include burning fossil fuels and car exhaust. Effects include reduced visibility, respiratory irritation. Methods of reduction include filtering, electrostatic precipitators, alternative energy.75
9866196128Nitrogen Oxides(NOx) Major source is auto exhaust. Primary and secondary effects include acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone. Reduced using catalytic converters.76
9866196129Equation for acid formation for Nitrogen OxidesNO + O2 → NO2 + H2O → HNO3.77
9866196130OzoneSecondary pollutant in troposphere that Causes respiratory irritation and plant damage. Reduced by reducing NO emissions and VOCs. In stratosphere, forms a protective barrier and absorbs UVc rays. Depleted by release of CFCs.78
9866196131Sulfur Oxides(SOx) Primary source is coal burning. Primary and secondary effects include acid deposition, respiratory irritation, plant damage. Reduction methods include: scrubbers, burn low sulfur fuel.79
9866196132Equation for acid formation for Sulfur OxidesSO2 + O2 → SO3 + H2O → H2SO480
9866196133Carbon Dioxide(CO2) Sources include the combustion of fossil fuels. Effects: greenhouse gas-contributes to global warming. Reduction accomplished by increased fuel efficiency (gas mileage), mass transit (reduction).81
9866196213Carbon Monoxide(CO) Sources include incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Effects: binds to hemoglobin reducing blood's ability to carry O2. Reduction accomplished by catalytic converters, oxygenated fuel, mass transit (reduction).82
9866196134Photochemical Smogformed by chemical reactions involving sunlight (NO, VOC, O)83
9866196135Acid Depositioncaused by sulfuric and nitric acids resulting in lowered pH of surface waters84
9866196136Greenhouse GasesMost significant: H2O, CO2, O3, methane (CH4), CFCs. Trap outgoing infrared energy (heat) causing earth to warm in the troposphere.85
9866196137Greenhouse Effecta vital process, required for life to exist on Earth. If accelerated, can lead to global warming and climate change.86
9866196138Effects of Global Warmingrising sea level (due to thermal expansion not melting ice), extreme weather, droughts (famine), and extinctions.87
9866196139Ozone Depletioncaused by CFCs, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, halon, methyl bromide all of which attack stratospheric ozone. Negative effects include increased UV, skin cancer, cataracts, and decreased plant growth.88
9866196140Municipal Solid Wastegarbage produced each year by a population, is mostly paper and mostly put into landfills.89
9866196141Sanitary LandfillModern method of construction for waste disposal, problems include leachate, which is solved using a liner with a collection system; methane gas, which may be collected and burned and the volume of garbage, which may be compacted and/or reduced.90
9866196142IncinerationMethod of disposal by burning waste, Advantages-volume of waste reduced by 90% and waste heat can be used. Disadvantages-toxic emissions (polyvinyl chloride, dioxin), scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators needed, ash disposal.91
9866196143Best Solution for Waste Problemreduce the amount of waste at the source.92
9866196214Brownfieldabandoned industrial sites characterized by lack of vegetation.93
9866196144Keystone Speciesspecies whose role in an ecosystem is important for the ecosystem to sustain itself (manatee, alligator, sea otter, etc)94
9866196145Indicator Speciesspecies that serve as early warnings that an ecosystem is being damaged (amphibians).95
9866196146Natural Ecosystems Pest Control50-90% of pest species are kept under control by: predators, diseases, parasites.96
9866196147Major Insecticide Groupschlorinated hydrocarbons—ex. DDT; organophosphates—ex. malathion; carbamates—ex. aldicarb97
9866196148Pesticide Prossaves lives from insect transmitted disease, increases food supply, and increases profits for farmers.98
9866196149Pesticide Consgenetic resistance, ecosystem imbalance, pesticide treadmill, persistence, bioaccumulation, and biological magnification.99
9866196150Natural Pest Controlbetter agricultural practices, genetically resistant plants, natural predators, and biopesticides, sex attractants.100
9866196215Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)new organisms created by altering the genetic material (DNA) of existing organisms; usually in an attempt to remove undesirable or create desirable characteristics in the new organism.101
9866196216Electricity Generationsteam, from water boiled by fossils fuels or nuclear energy, or falling water is used to turn a turbine and generate a generator.102
9866196217Petroleum (Crude Oil) Formationmicroscopic aquatic organisms in sediments converted by heat & pressure into a mixture of hydrocarbons.103
9866196218Petroleum Proscheap, easily transported, high-quality energy.104
9866196151Petroleum Consreserves depleted soon, pollution during drilling, transport and refining, burning makes CO2.105
9866196219Coal Formationprehistoric plants buried undecomposed in oxygen-depleted water of swamps/bogs converted by heat and pressure.106
9866196220Ranks of CoalMost moisture and least carbon, to least moisture and pure carbon: peat, lignite, bituminous coal, anthracite coal.107
9866196152Nuclear Reactorconsists of a core, control rods, moderator, steam generator, turbine, containment building.108
9866196221Alternate Energy Sourceswind, solar, waves, biomass, geothermal, fuel cells109
9866196222Remediationreturn a contaminated area to its original state110
9866196153LD-50 (Lethal Dose)the amount of a chemical that kills 50% of the animals in a test population111
9866196223Tropospherefirst layer of atmosphere 0-10 miles above the Earth's surface. Contains weather, greenhouse gases (bad ozone)112
9866196224Stratospheresecond layer of atmosphere 10-30 miles above the Earth's surface. Contains protective ozone layer (good ozone)113
9866196225Temperature Inversiona warm layer of air above a cooler layer traps pollutants close to the Earth's surface.114
9866196226Mutagena chemical substance that alters DNA, causes hereditary changes.115
9866196154Teratogena chemical substance that causes fetus deformities.116
9866196155Carcinogena chemical substance that causes cancer.117
9866196227Dioxinone of the most toxic human-made chemicals. Stable, long-lived, by-product of herbicide production enters environment as fallout from the incineration of municipal and medical waste and persists for many years118
9866196228PCBsstable, persistent, carcinogenic chlorinated hydrocarbons. Produced by the electronics industry119
9866196156Multiple Use Public LandsNational Forest & National Resource lands120
9866196157Moderately Restricted Use Public LandsNational Wildlife Refuges121
9866196158Restricted Use Public LandsNational Parks, National Wilderness Preservation System122
9866196229Divergent plate boundariestectonic plates spreading apart, new crust being formed (Mid Ocean Ridge)123
9866196230Convergent plate boundariestectonic plates with the oldest crustal material on Earth moving together, one moving under another. Mineral deposits and volcanoes are most abundant at convergent plate boundaries (Volcanic arc like Japan)124
9866196231Transform Faulttectonic plates sliding past one another (San Andreas Fault Line)125
9866196232Most Endangered specieshave a small range, require large territory, have long generations, have very specialized niche, or live on an island126
9866196159Biomelarge distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants & animals.127
9866196160Tropical Rain Forestscharacterized by the greatest diversity of species, believed to include many undiscovered species. Occur near the equator. Soils tend to be low in nutrients. Distinct seasonality: winter is absent, and only two seasons are present (rainy and dry).128
9866196161Temperate Forestsoccur in eastern North America, Japan, northeastern Asia, and western and central Europe. Dominated by tall deciduous trees. Well-defined seasons include a distinct winter. Logged extensively, only scattered remnants of original temperate forests remain.129
9866196162Boreal Forests or Taigarepresent the largest terrestrial biome. Dominated by needleleaf, coniferous trees. Found in the cold climates of Eurasia and North America: two-thirds in Siberia with the rest in Scandinavia, Alaska, and Canada. Seasons are divided into short, moist, and moderately warm summers and long, cold, and dry winters. Extensive logging may soon cause their disappearance.130
9866196163Temperate Shrub Landsoccurs along the coast of Southern California and the Mediterranean region. Characterized by areas of Chaparral-miniature woodlands dominated by dense stands of shrubs.131
9866196164Savannasgrassland with scattered individual trees. Cover almost half the surface of Africa and large areas of Australia, South America, and India. Warm or hot climates where the annual rainfall is 20-50 inches per year. The rainfall is concentrated in six or eight months of the year, followed by a long period of drought when fires can occur.132
9866196165Temperate Grasslandsdominated by grasses, trees and large shrubs are absent. Temperatures vary more from summer to winter, and the amount of rainfall is less than in savannas. Temperate grasslands have hot summers and cold winters. Occur in South Africa, Hungary, Argentina, the steppes of the former Soviet Union, and the plains and prairies of central North America.133
9866196166Desertscovers about one fifth of the Earth's surface and occur where rainfall is less than 50 cm/year. Most deserts occur at low latitudes, have a considerable amount of specialized vegetation, as well as specialized animals. Soils have abundant nutrients, need only water to become productive, and have little or no organic matter. Common disturbances include occasional fires or cold weather, and sudden, infrequent, but intense rains that cause flooding.134
9866196167Tundratreeless plains that are the coldest of all the biomes. Occur in the arctic and Antarctica. Dominated by lichens, mosses, sedges, and dwarfed shrubs Characterized by extremely cold climate, permanently frozen ground (permafrost) low biotic diversity, simple vegetation structure, limitation of drainage, short season of growth and reproduction.135
9866196168Wetlandsareas of standing water that support aquatic plants including marshes, swamps, and bogs. Reduce flooding. Species diversity is very high.136
9866196169Fresh Waterdefined as having a low salt concentration (less than 1%). Plants and animals are adjusted to the low salt content and would not be able to survive in areas of high salt concentration (i.e., ocean). There are different types of freshwater regions: ponds and lakes, streams and rivers, and estuaries.137
9866196170Oceansthe largest of all the ecosystems. The ocean regions are separated into separate zones: intertidal, pelagic, abyssal, and benthic. All four zones have a great diversity of species.138
9866196171Chernobyl, UkraineApril 26, 1986, unauthorized safety test (irony), leads to fire and explosion at nuclear power plant—millions exposed to unsafe levels of radiation.139
9866196172Three-Mile Island, PennsylvaniaMarch 29, 1979, nuclear power plant loses cooling water 50% of core melts, radioactive materials escape into atmosphere, near meltdown (disaster).140
9866196173Yucca Mountain, Nevadacontroversial as proposed site for permanent storage of high-level nuclear waste, 70-miles northwest of Las Vegas, near volcano and earthquake faults.141
9866196233Aral Sea, Uzbekistan/Kazakhstanlarge inland sea is drying up as a result of water diversion142
9866196174Love Canal, NYchemicals buried in old canal, school and homes built over it led to birth defects and cancers.143
9866196175Aswan High Dam, EgyptThe silt that made the Nile region fertile fills the reservoir. Lack of irrigation controls causes waterlogging and salinization. The parasitic disease schistosomiasis thrives in the stagnant water of the reservoir.144
9866196234Three Gorges Dam, Chinaworld's largest dam on Yangtze River drowned ecosystems, cities, archeological sites, fragmented habitats, and displaced 2 million people145
9866196235Ogallala Aquiferworld's largest aquifer; under parts of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas (Midwest). Holds enough water to cover the U.S with 1.5 feet of water. Being depleted for agricultural and urban use.146
9866196176Minamata, JapanMental impairments, birth defects, and deaths caused by mercury dumped in Minamata Bay by a factory. Mercury entered humans through their diet (fish).147
9866196177Bhopal, IndiaDecember 2,1984, methyl isocyanate released accidentally by Union Carbide pesticide plant kills over 5,000.148
9866196236Exxon ValdezMarch 24,1989, tanker hits submerged rocks in Alaska's Prince William Sound-worst oil spill in US waters.149
9866196178Safe Drinking Water Actset maximum contaminant levels for pollutants that may have adverse effects on human health.150
9866196179Ocean Dumping Ban Actbans ocean dumping of sewage sludge & industrial waste.151
9866196237National Wild and Scenic Rivers Actprotects rivers due to aesthetic, recreational, wildlife, historical, or cultural reasons152
9866196180Clean Water ActAim: to make all US waterways safe for fishing and swimming. set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways. Require the repairment of damaged wetlands.153
9866196181Surface Mining Control & Reclamation Act(SMCRA) requires coal strip mines to reclaim the land.154
9866196182National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)Environmental Impact Statements must be done before any project affecting federal lands can be started.155
9866196183Clean Air ActNAAQ set air quality standards. Set emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants.156
9866196184Kyoto ProtocolInternational treaty to control global warming by setting greenhouse gas emissions targets for developed countries.157
9866196185Montreal ProtocolInternational treaty to phase out ozone depleting substances such as CFCs.158
9866196186Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)controls hazardous waste with a cradle to grave system.159
9866196187Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA)Superfund, designed to identify and clean up abandoned hazardous waste dumpsites.160
9866196188Endangered Species Actidentifies threatened and endangered species in the US, and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations.161
9866196189Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) lists species that cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or wildlife products.162
9866196190Lacey Actprohibits interstate transport of wild animals dead or alive without federal permit.163
9866196238US Marine Mammal Protection Actprohibits taking marine mammals in U.S. waters by U.S. citizens; prohibits the importing marine mammals and marine mammal products into the U.S.164
9866196191Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)Legislation that regulates the use and effectiveness of pesticides165
9866196192Food Quality Protection ActLegislation that set pesticide limits in food, & all active and inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic/endocrine effects.166
9866196193Low-Level Radioactive Policy ActLegislation that requires that all states must have facilities to handle low-level radioactive wastes.167
9866196194Nuclear Waste Policy ActUS government must develop a high level nuclear waste site by 2015 (see Yucca Mountain).168
9866196239Rachel Carsonauthor who published "Silent Spring" in 1962; documented the environmental damage done by DDT and other pesticides. Which heightened public awareness at the start of the modern environmental movement169
9866196240John Muirfounded the Sierra Club in 1892; fought unsuccessfully to prevent the damming of the Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park170
9866196241Gifford Pinchotfirst chief of the US Forest Service; advocated managing resources for multiple use using principles of sustainable yield.171
9866196242Garrett Hardinpublished "The Tragedy of the Commons" in the journal Science in 1968; argued that rational people will exploit shared resources (commons)172
9866196243Aldo Leopoldwrote "A Sand County Almanac" published a year after his death in 1948; promoted a "Land Ethic" in which humans are ethically responsible for serving as the protectors of nature173
9866196244Rowland and MolinaScientific researchers, in 1974, determined that CFCs destroy stratospheric (good) ozone174
9866196245Herbicidea toxic chemical that kills plants175
9866196246Insecticidea toxic chemical that kills insects176
9866196247Rodenticidea toxic chemical that kills rodents177
9866196248Fungicidea toxic chemical that kills fungi178
9866196249Superpestspests resistant to pesticides179
9866196250Nicheorganism's job in the ecosystem of which it lives180
9866196251Invasive Speciesintroduced into an ecosystem and out-compete native species181
9866196252Active Solar Heatingsilicon photo-voltaic cells: light absorbing semi-conductor which uses the photons from the sun to disrupt unstable compounds, freeing electrons to generate electricity182
9866196253Passive Solar Heatingabsorbs and stores heat from the sun directly within a structure without the need for pumps to distribute the heat183
9866196254Cap and Trade Programgovernment limits air pollutant emissions and countries sell their excess emissions184
9866196255Photosynthesisprocess by which plants convert CO2 (atmospheric C) into complex carbohydrates (glucose C6H12O6). using sunlight energy.185
9866196256Producer/Autotrophorganisms that make their own food—photosynthetic life. Form the base of the food web or energy pyramid. (2 terms)186

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!