Exam 2: Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems

What is the first law of thermodynamics, and why is it important?

Use the figure above to answer the following question. -If the pond above is chemically treated to raise the pH to 7.0 ___________________

The greatest source of water in the hydrological cycle is ______________

Briefly describe what ecologists mean by an ecosystem.

Briefly discuss how human activities have affected the balance of global hydrological and carbon cycles.

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -Elements or molecules with a charge

Consider the following processes: respiration, combustion, polymerization, nitrification, industrial fixation, and photosynthesis. How many of these result in the release of oxygen into the atmosphere?

When you burn a log in your fireplace you are converting ______________

Read the following scenario and answer the question below. Glass Lake, located in a valley in low forested mountains, for many decades of the 19th and early 20th centuries was a favorite picnic, recreation, and fishing site for people in surrounding towns and farms. However, in the middle of the 20th century, a trend began in which the privately-owned farms in the Lakeʹs watershed were purchased by large agribusinesses. The decision was made to grow a profitable crop. The demand for quality farmland resulted in the sale of most of the family-owned establishments and a large increase in the area of land under cultivation. Most of the forests were cut to acquire the land needed for crops. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides increased several fold by the end of the century. In addition, the combined population of the lakeside villages quadrupled during the same time. The lake experienced a slow degradation of water quality and biodiversity. Sport fishing declined and the lake became murky while the sediments in the lake increased in depth. -A task force composed of water quality chemists, environmental landscape experts, townspeople and corn growers meet and share information. They decide that they must focus on in the initial efforts to restore the lake.

Discuss how natural ecosystems provide valuable ecosystem services to humankind.

Cellular respiration ______________

Read the following scenario and answer the question below. Glass Lake, located in a valley in low forested mountains, for many decades of the 19th and early 20th centuries was a favorite picnic, recreation, and fishing site for people in surrounding towns and farms. However, in the middle of the 20th century, a trend began in which the privately-owned farms in the Lakeʹs watershed were purchased by large agribusinesses. The decision was made to grow a profitable crop. The demand for quality farmland resulted in the sale of most of the family-owned establishments and a large increase in the area of land under cultivation. Most of the forests were cut to acquire the land needed for crops. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides increased several fold by the end of the century. In addition, the combined population of the lakeside villages quadrupled during the same time. The lake experienced a slow degradation of water quality and biodiversity. Sport fishing declined and the lake became murky while the sediments in the lake increased in depth. -A water quality expert checked the level of dissolved oxygen in lake water and found it .

Read the following scenario and answer the question below. Glass Lake, located in a valley in low forested mountains, for many decades of the 19th and early 20th centuries was a favorite picnic, recreation, and fishing site for people in surrounding towns and farms. However, in the middle of the 20th century, a trend began in which the privately-owned farms in the Lakeʹs watershed were purchased by large agribusinesses. The decision was made to grow a profitable crop. The demand for quality farmland resulted in the sale of most of the family-owned establishments and a large increase in the area of land under cultivation. Most of the forests were cut to acquire the land needed for crops. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides increased several fold by the end of the century. In addition, the combined population of the lakeside villages quadrupled during the same time. The lake experienced a slow degradation of water quality and biodiversity. Sport fishing declined and the lake became murky while the sediments in the lake increased in depth. -The murkiness (turbidity) of the water was analyzed and found to have several major sources, including .

All of the following are approaches to reducing eutrophication except ______________

Ecological modeling is most useful for studying ______________

How do organic compounds differ from inorganic compounds?

The greatest source of both nitrogen and phosphorus entering Chesapeake Bay is ______________

Precipitation ______________

During photosynthesis within plants, ______________

Choose the item that best matches each item in the following: -The smallest components of elements that still maintain the chemical properties of the element