Energy Capacity to do work Kinetic Energy possessed by an object because it is in motion Potential/Chemical Potential Stored energy: the energy an object has because of its location or chemical structure Study of energy and its transformations System Object being studied Three Types Isolated System Does not exchanged matter or energy with surroundings Ex.…
Organic Compounds Organic Compound: defined as many compounds that contain covalently-bonded carbon atoms. They form the basis of life, and are obtained from living sources (i.e. your skin bones and hair.) Inorganic Compound: compounds other than organic compounds. There are a few exceptions, however, and they include some compounds and polyatomic ions that contain only…
For many centuries, spices and herbs have played an important role in many aspects of everyday life including cooking or medicinal purposes. Currently it is used as an alternative to treat different ailments and bacterial infections. Medicinal properties of spices and herbs may vary considerably depending on their molecular structure. Zingiber officinale (ginger) is a…
Seven Characteristics of Life Display Order Arranged in a highly ordered manner Cell: fundamental unit of life Harness & Utilize Energy Acquire energy from the environment and use it to maintain state Reproduce Have the ability to make more of their own kind Respond to Stimuli Can make adjustments to their structure, function and behavior…
At the beginning of human history, we had to satisfy our energy needs (for food, heat and movement) by using our own muscle power and gathering or hunting naturally available plants, animals and wood. Each stage in the evolution of human society (the development of farming, domestication of animals, harnessing of wind and water power)…
As the human population has grown, and our use of resources has increased, we have destroyed the habitat of many species. A biodiversity crisis has developed. The Red List of Threatened Species, compiled by the World Conservation Union, lists 16,913 species as threatened with extinction. Conservation biology—the scientific study of phenomena that affect the maintenance,…
The term ecosystem was first used by Tansley (1935) to refer to all the components of an ecological system, biotic and abiotic, that influence the flow of energy and elements. The ecosystem concept integrates ecology with other disciplines such as geochemistry, hydrology, and atmospheric science. Primary production is the chemical energy generated by autotrophs during…
Historically, honey has been used by humans to treat a variety of ailments through topical application, but only recently have the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of honey been chemically explained. Hydrogen peroxide is formed in a slow-release manner by the enzyme glucose oxidase present in honey. It becomes active only when honey is diluted, requires…
Positive interactions occur when neither species is harmed and the benefits of the interaction are greater than the costs for at least one species. Facilitation is a synonym for positive interactions. Mutualism: Mutually beneficial interaction between individuals of two species (+/+). Commensalism: Individuals of one species benefit, while individuals of the other species do not…
Symbionts: Organisms that live in or on other organisms. More than half of Earth’s species are symbionts. Our own bodies can be a home to many other species. A parasite consumes the tissues or body fluids of the organism on which it lives (the host). Enslaving parasite: control the host in a way to aid…
Population size changes as a result of four processes: Birth, death, immigration, and emigration. Nt = Population size at time t B = Number of births D = Number of deaths I = Number of immigrants E = Number of emigrants Individuals can move from one population to another, and population size can change from…
Human Population Growth: A Case Study Humans have a large impact on the global environment: Our population has grown explosively, along with our use of energy and resources. Human population reached 6.8 billion in 2010, more than double the number of people in 1960. Our use of energy and resources has grown even more rapidly.…
Distribution: Geographic area where individuals of a species occur. Abundance: Number of individuals in a given area. Ecologists try to understand what factors determine the distribution and abundance of species. Populations are dynamic—distribution and abundance can change over time and space. ***Understanding the factors that influence these dynamics helps us manage populations for harvest or…
An organism’s life history is a record of events relating to its growth, development, reproduction, and survival. Life history characteristics include: Age and size at sexual maturity. Amount and timing of reproduction. Survival and mortality rates. Life History Diversity Individuals within a species show variation in life-history traits due to genetic variation or environmental conditions.…
Humans have a large impact on the environment—pollution, land use change, climate change, etc. We are just beginning to realize that we also cause evolutionary change, and the consequences of this. Ecology and evolution are strongly interconnected. What Is Evolution? Evolution can be viewed as genetic change over time or as a process of descent…
The physical environment influences an organism’s ecological success in two ways: Availability of energy and resources—impacts growth and reproduction. Extreme conditions can exceed tolerance limits and impact survival. Energy supply can influence an organism’s ability to tolerate environmental extremes. The actual geographic distribution of a species is often lower than potential distribution due to other…
Introduction: The purpose of this lab was to use the magnetometer to find out the location, and also how far below the surface of the Earth a metal pipe is. The measurement of variations in the Earth’s magnetic field is used to tell the location of something below the Earth’s surface. Procedure: Lay out a…
Contraception Combination Pill: Birth control pills that contain a combination of estrogen and progestin (progesterone) (21 days on, 7 placebo) The pill works by preventing ovulation; keeps estrogen high inhibits LSH and no ovulation; high progesterone inhibits LH . Keep endometrium lining thick and prevents sperms from effectively travelling Failure Rate: percentage of women who…
Female Genitalia EXTERNAL Clitoris: sensitive organ; tip of tissue situated externally in front of the vagina. Female clitoris is homologous to the male penis; same embryonic tissue. Both have corpora cavernosa and can become erect. Clitoris has NO direct function in reproduction; female orgasms freq. increase with age. The Mons: Fatty pad of tissue under…
Background Nylon is a polyamide that is formed from the condensation reaction of adipic acid (a dicarboxylic acid) and 1,6 – diaminohexane (a diamine). A scientist working for DuPont, Wallace Carothers discovered Nylon in 1935 and its name is a contraction of New York and London. When Nylon was first discovered it was used to…