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