BIO-220 Environmental Science Exam 1 Study
Guide with Complete Solutions- GCU
Environmental Science - ANS-the systematic study of our environment and our
proper place in it
Interdisciplinary Enviromental Science - ANS-Natural Sciences, Social Sciences,
Humanities
Scientific Method - ANS-identify question, form hypothesis, collect date to test
hypothesis, interpret results, report for peer review, publish findings
ecological footprint - ANS-the impact of a person or community on the
environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of
natural resources.
carbon footprint - ANS-the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds
emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.
Three Pillars of Sustainability - ANS-environment, economy, society
abiotic factors - ANS-Nonliving components of environment.
biotic factors - ANS-All the living organisms that inhabit an environment
levels of organization for life - ANS-1. life is organized
2. a living organism can adapt to changes in the environment
3. it can regulate the metabolism and maintain homeostasis
4. it can grow
5. it is capable of reproducing
Species - ANS-individuals that can breed with one another and produce fertile
offspring
Population - ANS-all of the individuals of a species that live in the same area
geographic distribution - ANS-the area inhabited by a population
Density - ANS-the number of individuals of the same species that live in a given
unit of area
population growth 3 factors - ANS-number of births, number of deaths, and
, individuals that enter (immigration) or leave (emigration) a population
Community - ANS-All the different populations that live together in an area
Ecosystem - ANS-A community of organisms and their abiotic environment
carrying capacity - ANS-Largest number of individuals of a population that a
environment can support
limiting factors - ANS-A factor that causes population growth to decrease
density dependent factors - ANS-limiting factor that depends on population size
(effects large populations)
density independent factors - ANS-limiting factor that affects all populations in
similar ways, regardless of population size (ex: natural disaster)
competition - ANS-crowded organisms compete with one another for food, water,
space, sunlight, & other essentials
Predation - ANS-An interaction in which one organism kills another for food.
parasitism and disease - ANS-symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives in
or on another organism (the host) and consequently harms it (often causing
disease or death)
habitat - ANS-the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other
organism.
ecological niche - ANS-A specific role of a species within an ecosystem, including its
use of resources, and relationships with other species.
generalist species - ANS-Species with a broad ecological niche. They can live in
many different places, eat a variety of foods, and tolerate a wide range of
environmental conditions. Examples are flies, cockroaches, mice, rats, and human
beings. Compare specialist species.
specialist species - ANS-Species with a narrow ecological niche. They may be able
to live in only one type of habitat, tolerate only a narrow range of climatic and
other environmental conditions, or use only one type or a few types of food.
Biomes - ANS-large area that has a particular climate, and particular species of
plants and animals that live there
tundra biome - ANS-extremely cold and dry biome; known for its permafrost,
mosses, lichens, caribou, and snowy owl
Estuary - ANS-A habitat in which the fresh water of a river meets the salt water of
Guide with Complete Solutions- GCU
Environmental Science - ANS-the systematic study of our environment and our
proper place in it
Interdisciplinary Enviromental Science - ANS-Natural Sciences, Social Sciences,
Humanities
Scientific Method - ANS-identify question, form hypothesis, collect date to test
hypothesis, interpret results, report for peer review, publish findings
ecological footprint - ANS-the impact of a person or community on the
environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of
natural resources.
carbon footprint - ANS-the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds
emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.
Three Pillars of Sustainability - ANS-environment, economy, society
abiotic factors - ANS-Nonliving components of environment.
biotic factors - ANS-All the living organisms that inhabit an environment
levels of organization for life - ANS-1. life is organized
2. a living organism can adapt to changes in the environment
3. it can regulate the metabolism and maintain homeostasis
4. it can grow
5. it is capable of reproducing
Species - ANS-individuals that can breed with one another and produce fertile
offspring
Population - ANS-all of the individuals of a species that live in the same area
geographic distribution - ANS-the area inhabited by a population
Density - ANS-the number of individuals of the same species that live in a given
unit of area
population growth 3 factors - ANS-number of births, number of deaths, and
, individuals that enter (immigration) or leave (emigration) a population
Community - ANS-All the different populations that live together in an area
Ecosystem - ANS-A community of organisms and their abiotic environment
carrying capacity - ANS-Largest number of individuals of a population that a
environment can support
limiting factors - ANS-A factor that causes population growth to decrease
density dependent factors - ANS-limiting factor that depends on population size
(effects large populations)
density independent factors - ANS-limiting factor that affects all populations in
similar ways, regardless of population size (ex: natural disaster)
competition - ANS-crowded organisms compete with one another for food, water,
space, sunlight, & other essentials
Predation - ANS-An interaction in which one organism kills another for food.
parasitism and disease - ANS-symbiotic relationship in which one organism lives in
or on another organism (the host) and consequently harms it (often causing
disease or death)
habitat - ANS-the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other
organism.
ecological niche - ANS-A specific role of a species within an ecosystem, including its
use of resources, and relationships with other species.
generalist species - ANS-Species with a broad ecological niche. They can live in
many different places, eat a variety of foods, and tolerate a wide range of
environmental conditions. Examples are flies, cockroaches, mice, rats, and human
beings. Compare specialist species.
specialist species - ANS-Species with a narrow ecological niche. They may be able
to live in only one type of habitat, tolerate only a narrow range of climatic and
other environmental conditions, or use only one type or a few types of food.
Biomes - ANS-large area that has a particular climate, and particular species of
plants and animals that live there
tundra biome - ANS-extremely cold and dry biome; known for its permafrost,
mosses, lichens, caribou, and snowy owl
Estuary - ANS-A habitat in which the fresh water of a river meets the salt water of
