AP Environmental Science Exam Review
Flashcards Exam Questions and Answers
Graded A+
Anthropocentric - Correct answer-regarding humans as most significant species;
human-centered
Tragedy of the Commons - Correct answer-the depletion of shared resources by
people acting in individual interest
Triple Bottom Line - Correct answer-approach to sustainability that meets
environmental, economic, and social goals (business)
Inorganic Compounds - Correct answer-compounds that lack carbon and hydrogen
atoms
Organic Compounds - Correct answer-compounds that contain carbon-based
molecules
Positive Feedback Loop - Correct answer-when the response to a stimulus
increases the original stimulus
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,Negative Feedback Loop - Correct answer-when the response to a stimulus
decreases the effect of the original stimulus
Overshoot - Correct answer-when a population exceeds the long term carrying
capacity for an environment
Open System - Correct answer-a system in which matter can enter from or escape
to the surroundings
Closed System - Correct answer-a system that allows the exchange of energy (not
matter)between the system and its surroundings
Holistic - Correct answer-emphasizing the functional relationship between parts
and the whole
Hectare - Correct answer-a unit of surface area equal to 100 ares
Ecological Footprint - Correct answer-a way of measuring how much of an impact
a person or community has on the earth
Sustainable Development - Correct answer-development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations
Environmental Justice - Correct answer-recognition that access to a clean, healthy
environment is a fundamental right
Biodiversity - Correct answer-the variety of species living within an ecosystem
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, In situ - Correct answer-in the original or natural place or site
Ex situ - Correct answer-off-site conservation; outside location
Inbreeding Depression - Correct answer-the negative consequences in a population
when genetically similar parents reproduce weak offspring
Intrinsic Value - Correct answer-worth independent of any human benefit; inherent
worth
Invasive Species - Correct answer-species that enter new ecosystems and harm
native species and their habitats
Endangered Species Act - Correct answer-identifies/protects threatened and
endangered species
Lacey Act - Correct answer-prohibits interstate transport of wild animals without
federal permit
Species Diversity - Correct answer-the number and relative amount of species in a
biological community
Island Biogeography - Correct answer-the study of rates of colonization and
extinction of species on islands (size, shape, and distance)
Genetic Diversity - Correct answer-the amount of variation in the genetic material
within all members of a population
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Flashcards Exam Questions and Answers
Graded A+
Anthropocentric - Correct answer-regarding humans as most significant species;
human-centered
Tragedy of the Commons - Correct answer-the depletion of shared resources by
people acting in individual interest
Triple Bottom Line - Correct answer-approach to sustainability that meets
environmental, economic, and social goals (business)
Inorganic Compounds - Correct answer-compounds that lack carbon and hydrogen
atoms
Organic Compounds - Correct answer-compounds that contain carbon-based
molecules
Positive Feedback Loop - Correct answer-when the response to a stimulus
increases the original stimulus
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Negative Feedback Loop - Correct answer-when the response to a stimulus
decreases the effect of the original stimulus
Overshoot - Correct answer-when a population exceeds the long term carrying
capacity for an environment
Open System - Correct answer-a system in which matter can enter from or escape
to the surroundings
Closed System - Correct answer-a system that allows the exchange of energy (not
matter)between the system and its surroundings
Holistic - Correct answer-emphasizing the functional relationship between parts
and the whole
Hectare - Correct answer-a unit of surface area equal to 100 ares
Ecological Footprint - Correct answer-a way of measuring how much of an impact
a person or community has on the earth
Sustainable Development - Correct answer-development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations
Environmental Justice - Correct answer-recognition that access to a clean, healthy
environment is a fundamental right
Biodiversity - Correct answer-the variety of species living within an ecosystem
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, In situ - Correct answer-in the original or natural place or site
Ex situ - Correct answer-off-site conservation; outside location
Inbreeding Depression - Correct answer-the negative consequences in a population
when genetically similar parents reproduce weak offspring
Intrinsic Value - Correct answer-worth independent of any human benefit; inherent
worth
Invasive Species - Correct answer-species that enter new ecosystems and harm
native species and their habitats
Endangered Species Act - Correct answer-identifies/protects threatened and
endangered species
Lacey Act - Correct answer-prohibits interstate transport of wild animals without
federal permit
Species Diversity - Correct answer-the number and relative amount of species in a
biological community
Island Biogeography - Correct answer-the study of rates of colonization and
extinction of species on islands (size, shape, and distance)
Genetic Diversity - Correct answer-the amount of variation in the genetic material
within all members of a population
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
