Biosphere
The area of all three spheres of Earth that can support life
Hydrosphere
all water on Earth
Lithosphere
All land on Earth
Atmosphere
The layer of air surrounding Earth
Troposhere
Lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere; where we live
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
Why is the ozone layer important?
Protects us from UV rays
Groundwater
water located underground
Surface Water
water located on Earth's surface
Aquifer
Underground layer of rock that contains water
What is the most common gas in the atmosphere?
nitrogen
Stratosphere
Second layer of the atmosphere; weather does not occur here
What causes tsunamis?
underwater earthquakes
What causes earthquakes?
tectonic plates colliding or rubbing together
Weathering
The breaking down of rocks by weather
Erosion
The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity breaks down rocks
How are islands formed?
Underwater volcanoes
What causes ice ages?
scientists don't know
How does El Nino affect our weather?
We will have warmer winters
Greenhouse Effect
warming that results when heat is trapped by the atmosphere
How have humans caused the greenhouse effect?
pollution
What causes ozone depletion?
CFCs
How many holes are in the ozone layer?
1 hole above Antarctica
Environment
everything that surrounds an organism
Biotic
Living
Abiotic
Non-living
What are the four needs of organisms?
water, living space, suitable climate, energy source
Range of tolerance
the range of temperature in which an organism can survive
Dormant
slow down life processes in the body
Hibernation
When animals become dormant
geographical range
the total area in which a species can live
Species
A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.
Population
A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
Community
All the different populations that live together in an area
Ecosystem
All living and nonliving things in an area
Habitat
Place where an organism lives
Biodiversity
The variety of different species in an area
What affects water quality?
temperature, pollution, dissolved oxygen, nutrients