ch 3 env science dsst

Front

What does NEPA stand for and what is its purpose?

Back

NEPA stands for the National Environmental Policy Act. Its purpose is to require federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions before making decisions.

Front

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

Back

Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for producers.

Front

What is the nitrogen cycle and the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

Back

The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into ammonia, which can then be used by plants.

Front

What is aerobic respiration?

Back

Aerobic respiration is the process by which organic molecules combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy.

Front

Which organisms occupy the lowest trophic level in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants, occupy the lowest trophic level as they convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

Front

Define trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Back

Trophic levels are the hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, defined by how energy and nutrients flow through the food chain, from producers to various levels of consumers.

Front

What is the primary function of producers in an ecosystem?

Back

Producers, such as plants and algae, convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain.

Front

Explain the carbon cycle.

Back

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, involving processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition.

Front

What is the significance of the EPA?

Back

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment by enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.

Front

Describe the process of photosynthesis.

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.