Goschke Bio 111 Exam 6- Ecology and Environmental Sciences
alternative energy
energy source that does not require fossil fuels like oil or natural gas, clean energy, not as widespread as fossil fuels
factors contributing to carbon footprint
energy usage and amount consumed, food choices, where food is from, transportation, waste disposal, recycling
carbon dioxide removal technologies CDR
focus on lowering current level of carbon dioxide in atmosphere through geoenginnering (technology directly impacts environment) and genetic engineering plants and animals. Includes reforestation efforts and attempts to create carbon sinks in soil and oceans.
climate change and invasive species
native species evolved to succeed under specific temperature and precipitation ranges but an invasive species may be more tolerant to change and outcompete.
ozone
natural processes and the interaction of solar energy with pollutants in the lower atmosphere
population
organisms of the same species living in a particular area
biosphere
the sum of the regions of the Earth (water, surface, atmosphere) where living organisms are found
Temperatures on earth's surface and the lower atmosphere are affected most by the greenhouse effect because
water vapor is usually found close to the surface. carbon dioxide is usually found close to the surface.
Mesophyll cells
Conduct the majority of photosynthesis
Winter Solstice
Northern Hemisphere tilts away from sun, December
Summer Solstice
Northern Hemisphere tilts toward sun, June
Carbon
An element that cant be broken down and is central in forming molecules responsible for life. 6 electrons in orbit around nucleus, 6 protons, 6 neutrons, prefers 4 chemical bonds at a time. Its ability to form bonds with 4 other elements means it can make long chains (hydrocarbons). All life based on organic molecules.
Temperature increase
Average temperatures have increased between 1.2 and 1.8 degrees F over the past 50 years, with majority occurring since 21st century.
evidence of climate change from oceans
Carbon dioxide dissolves into water and makes carbonic acid which increases hydrogen ion concentration and reduces acidity or pH of aquatic environment. Increased acidity decreases carbonate amount which plays role in formation of shells, so organisms have harder time forming shells and they are part of food chain. Surface temperatures rising because water absorbs heat as heat sink and can change climate of surrounding land.
NADPH
Carrier of high-energy electrons. Similar to NADH.
Drought
Changes in precipitation patterns in western US amplified instances and severity of droughts. This disrupts agriculture production, more people die from heat waves, affect poor and elderly.
Habitat loss
Climate change occurring at such rapid pace species not able to adapt to changes fast enough. ex. Bramble Cay melomys were native to Australia reef islands went extinct from climate change cuz increase sea level and weather changed vegetation.
tropical coral reefs
Dual threat from invasive species and global warming, coral bleaching. Coral symbiotic with algae which are photosynthetic and provide coral food for place to live when coral is stressed by high temperature it expels algae and coral will die without it. Almost half coral has been lost
Calvin Cycle Reactions
Form the carbohydrate molecules from CO2 and energy captured by the light reactions. CO2 taken up by molecule at start of cycle (carbon fixation that represents method by which atmospheric carbon taken up by parts). ATP and NADPH from light reactions used to form more complex organic structures from initial CO2 molecule, once energy used resulting ADP and NADP+ returned to light dependent reactions. Molecule G3P created and forms CH2O and carbohydrates. Pathway recycles starting materials and prepares for next input of CO2.
fossil fuels
Fuel source that has formed within the Earth from plant and animal remains. Energy from oil, coal, natural gas, shale now account for 80% energy needs. All involve submerging organic material over long periods of time and subjecting them to heat and pressure of Earths crust. When burned release carbon dioxide into atmosphere. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels increasing since 1995 one of biggest contributors.
genetic engineering
Genetically engineering trees and other plants to increase consumption of carbon dioxide to remove it from atmosphere.Modifying plants or animals to require less water and be able to withstand temperature extremes.
climate change
More encompassing term that global warming cuz many changes on planet associated with precipitation as well.Climate of our planet is changing and the changes are largely due to effects of global warming.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
One of most important greenhouse gases cuz it can absorb infrared energy. Increase from human activity like using fossil fuels, changes in agricultural practices, deforestation. Direct relationship between CO2 concentration and increase in temp.
Gas exchange for humans
Organelle called mitochondrion undergoes cellular respiration to release energy from carbohydrates and in process Co2 is produced and released into atmosphere.
Formation of coal
Organic material dies, buried underwater, millions of years heat and pressure convert organic material to coal. Over time movement of earths crust pushes formations up. Oil and gas from microscopic plants and animals in oceans.
Light Reactions/ light dependent reactions
Purpose to capture energy from sun and transfer it to high-energy molecules needed for formation of carbohydrates within Calvin Cycle. Reactions occur in thylakoid of chloroplast and use photosynthetic pigments. Chlorophyll molecules absorb energy from the sun. This energizes electrons forming high energy particles. Water broken down, releasing electrons, hydrogen ions, and oxygen. Oxygen is waste product released into atmosphere. Some high energy electrons used to produce ATP from ADP + P. NADP+ accepts some high energy electrons to produce NADPH.
evidence of climate change from extreme weather events
Severity of drought, heat waves, extreme precipitation, wildfires, due to increase in global temperature.
Climate change impacts disease
Spread of vectors of disease. Life cycle of ticks and mosquitos involves reproduction in warm areas and access to warm blood of hosts. As they move between hosts they have ability to spread disease between individuals and species. As climate warmed and winters became less severe range of species expanded. (Aedes mosquitos expanded across US due to milder winters and increased average annual temps). ex. Aedes spreads dengue fever, west nile, chikungunya, Zika and Anopeles parasite associated with malaria. Not only changes distribution of insects but also of pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio that live in warm waters and have cholera or intestinal diseases.
Autumnal Equinox
Sun aims directly at equator, September
How heat reflects earth
When solar energy strikes surface some is reflected back into space, majority strikes oceans and dark areas and is initially absorbed and then gradually released back into atmosphere as heat (infrared) energy. Water and CO2 traps some energy and then re-releases it slowly back into atmosphere.
carbon footprint
a calculation of the amount of carbon - usually measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide- that is directly or indirectly released into Earths atmosphere by the actions of a specific entity. can apply to organizations, countries, or individuals. Measure of own impact on climate change.
Species
a group of similar, interbreeding organisms
nitrous oxides
agricultural practices such as use of fertilizers and burning fossil fuels
Carbon reservoir members of biosphere exchange carbon with regullarly
atmosphere
precipitation increase
average precipitation increased by 4% in past century- central and northeast get more rain and west and southeast getting less.
greenhouse gases
compounds that trap heat near the Earth's surface. Some are normally present in atmosphere and have important role in maintaining climate within a range that supports life. Excess of some like carbon dioxide are added to atmosphere from humans and affect climate. Examples- carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane- water, CO2, CH4, N2O, O3, CFCs
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
compounds used in refrigerants and to make spray propellants
organic molecule
contians carbon and hydrogen
solar radiation management SRM
focus on reflecting a portion of solar energy before it reaches earth, preventing it from becoming trapped by the atmospheres greenhouse gases and further heating it. can be done on earth with increased reflective ground or buildings or outside atmosphere with space reflectors.
Chloroplast
in mesophyll cells they are a form of organelle that are specialized for a specific type of chemical reaction, in plants photosynthesis
global warming
increase in surface temperature. since the 1980s the average temperature of the planet has been increasing, planet has warmed over 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit or 1 degree Celsius and the rate is accelerating, 17 of warmest years on record in past 18 years, 5 warmest since 2010
desertification
increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation leads to formation of desert biome, so can deforestation and poor agricultural practices
Chlorophyll and carotenoids
pigments that plants use to capture energy from wavelengths of visible light. Absorbs wavelengths in blue and red ends and reflects greens and yellows.
Thylakoid
plate like structures that stack into structures called grana
community
populations of different species interacting in a given area
examples of invasive species
rats- carry disease and decimate native bird populations sebra mussels- infested great lakes of north america causing near extinction of several native species gypsy moth and kudzu- intentionally introduced to outcompete local inhabitants lionfish or pterois volitans- naturally found indonesia and accidentally introduced to Florida and has spread to cover most Caribbean as predator.
Woolly Adelgid
small sap sucking insect native to East Asia that infects US hemlock trees killing tree in few years. Dense trees replaced by shrubs reducing moisture and increasing temperature, amphibians cant tolerate it, less shade kills macroinvertibrates, reducing trout.
renewable energy sources
solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydroelectric
Vector
something that moves an infectious agent (bacteria or virus) from one organism to another ex. insects, mosquitos, ticks
CO2
source of carbon for formation of carbohydrates
H2O
source of electrons for light-dependent reactions
energy choices
source of energy, transportation (cars, buses, trains, airplanes rely on fossil fuels- electric cars use less), carpooling and public transportation
stroma
spaces between the grana
Organic chemistry
study of hydrocarbons in living things
Vernal equinox
sun aims directly at equator, March
Characteristics that define climate
temperature and rainfall
Most significant influence on climate change
greenhouse gases
nuclear power
Does not directly use fossil fuels but not clean due to potential environmental impact. Splits tightly-knit nucleus of an atom using uranium, energy released through bonds splitting is used to create boiling water or pressurized water that is used to power turbines. Radioactivity can have accidents and be unsafe. Effective way of producing electricity, cleaner than fossil fuels but potential for risk.
What causes seasons?
Earth is tilted 23 degrees off its axis and so the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun in December, reducing the amount of solar radiation that strikes the surface in the winter. In June, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, increasing the amount of solar energy. Opposite is true of Southern Hemisphere.
ATP
Energy carrier of the cell. Conversion of ADP and ATP requires an input of energy
evidence of climate change from glaciers and sea ice
Global loss of ice mass in glaciers since 1970s. Arctic ice cap primarily over water which heats and ice coverage declining. Ice sheets losing ice coverage. Antarctica loses 127 gigatonnes per year. Loss of ice leads to increasing sea level (8 inches past century) and disrupts weather patterns.
gas exchange for plants
Photosynthetic organisms convert CO2 into carbohydrates and food is used by heterotrophs and autotrophs to power cellular activities
photosynthesis
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to produce carbohydrates using the energy of the sun. Sun + water + CO2 = O2 + sugar. 2 sets of reactions with light reactions and calvin cycle reactions.
Methane
Rare gas in atmosphere, unstable, only remains about a decade, powerful greenhouse gas cuz ability to retain and release almost 30 times the heat as CO2. Naturally produced during decomposition of organic material. Typically 800 ppb but 2019 1867 ppb. Increases due to release of methane by livestock and production of agricultural products like rice, and landfills.
solar energy
Solar energy converted into power and electricity. Solar panels most readily available clean energy option, used large scale or individual, produce some carbon dioxide but cleaner than coal
geothermal energy
Taps into heat generated by the Earth and common in areas of significant tectonic or volcanic activity. Use underground heat to generate steam to be used in production of electricity. More localized sources, used on personal or large scale basis, cleaner than fossil fuels. Most common sources are reservoirs of heated water found relatively close to earth surface.
Factors that influence temperature and rainfall
The amount of energy from the sun striking the surface of our planet, physical features of the region (topography), variation in climate (seasons), seasonal changes due to tilt of Earth
Geoengineering (Climate engineering)
development of technology focused on altering Earth's environment primarily to combat climate change
food choices
fruits and veggies less carbon footprint than red meats and dairy, vegetarian diet. Beef costly more than chicken or pigs. Red meats and dairy products bad. Locally grown produce.
challenges to strategies
funding, convincing public to accept large scale changes, climate safe technology more expensive, convincing individuals or corporations to adapt, predicting effects difficult
wind energy
generated mechanically using wind turbines with scale ranging from individual use to massive wind farms, entirely non polluting, more expensive than traditional energy sources, gathered nearly anywhere
anthropogenic climate change
human activity contributes to elevated CO2 concentrations which has direct relationship to global temperature
biome
indicates general characteristics of similar ecosystems across the globe including climate and types of organisms living there
ecosystem
interaction of a community and the physical environment (such as climate)
evidence of climate change
less sea ice, less glaciers, less snow cover, increasing sea surface temperature, increasing ocean heat content, increasing temperature over land, increasing sea level, increasing temperature over oceans, increasing extreme weather events, increasing humidity, increasing air temperature near surface (troposphere)
ecosystem
level of biological organization that represents the interaction of biological communities (biotic) and abiotic factors such as climate
Life conditions
life on our planet has evolved to exist under a relatively narrow set of environmental conditions, and deviations in those conditions can have a tremendous impact on the levels of biological organization
Carbon sinks
major reservoirs for carbon are oceans, underground fossil fuels, atmosphere, significant amount present at any time in living organisms
water vapor
natural processes associated with the water cycle
invasive species
one introduced into places outside its natural range, usually through human actions, and it negatively impacts the biodiversity, community structure, and functioning ecosystem of the native area.
autotroph
organisms that make their own food
CH2O
output of photosynthesis used to build carbohydrates
The smallest unit of light that oscillates on a path called a wavelength is referred to as a(n)
photon.
biological community
the interaction of living organisms within an ecosystem
O2
waste product of photosynthesis, releases into atmosphere
inputs of light dependent reactions
water and light