Download Concept Map Review Instructions - Liberty Union High School District

APES Concept Maps: Exam Review
Concept Map Requirements:
Using the terms for each unit (from the words on the attached pages), create a concept map for each APES
unit that links together each of the main ideas and terms we have covered. Be sure your links between
concepts contain words or phrases that connect the two concepts.
The central term for your concept map is the title of the unit. (ie. “Unit 1: Earth Systems and Resources”)
Here are some examples of concept maps:
Your concept map must include the following:
 The center circle must be the title of the unit.
 Include each of the BOLD subcategories for the unit (see below) in your concept map
 Branch from the subcategories into at least 10 terms or concepts for that unit (found in your notecards
or the list attached – that I will print for you to use in class)
 Be sure to include linking words or phrases on lines that explain the connection for each term or
concept
Concept Map Laws
* Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
* Use images, symbols, codes and dimensions throughout your concept map.
* Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
* Each word word/image must be alone and sitting on its own line.
* The lines must be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and
flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out from the center.
* Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
* Use colors - your own code - throughout the concept map.
* Develop your own personal style of concept mapping.
* Use emphasis and show associations in your concept map.
 NOTE: You may add additional text bubbles or concepts!
Steps to Create Your Concept Map:
1. Put the most general term in the
center or top of your paper
2. Branch off into the BOLD unit
subcategories
3. From the subcategories, branch off to
less general terms
4. Be sure to make connections
between terms and concepts (there
may be multiple connections)
5. Be sure to include linking phrases
between concepts to explain the
connection
APES Units of Study
UNIT 1 – EARTH SYSTEMS AND RESOURCES
A. Earth Science Concepts
Geologic time scale; plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism; seasons; solar intensity and latitude
B. The Atmosphere
Composition; structure; weather and climate; atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis Effect; atmosphere–ocean
interactions; EÑSO
C. Global Water Resources and Use
Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and domestic use; surface and groundwater issues;
global problems; conservation
D. Soil and Soil Dynamics
Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties; main soil types; erosion and other soil problems;
soil conservation
UNIT 2 – THE LIVING WORLD
A. Ecosystem Structure
Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species; keystone species; species
diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes
B. Energy Flow
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids
C. Ecosystem Diversity
Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services
D. Natural Ecosystem Change
Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession
E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter
UNIT 3 – POPULATION
A. Population Biology Concepts
Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship
B. Human Population
1. Human population dynamics
Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling times; demographic transition;
age- structure diagrams
2. Population size
Strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies
3. Impacts of population growth
Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction
UNIT 3 – LAND AND WATER USE
A. Agriculture
1. Feeding a growing population
Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production;
deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture
2. Controlling pests
Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated pest management; relevant laws
B. Forestry
Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests
C. Rangelands
Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands
D. Other Land Use
1. Urban land development
Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization
2. Transportation infrastructure
Federal highway system; canals and channels; roadless areas; ecosystem impacts
3. Public and federal lands
Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands
4. Land conservation options
Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration
5. Sustainable land-use strategies
E. Mining
Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties
F. Fishing
Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties
G. Global Economics
Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties
UNIT 5 – ENERGY RESOURCES AND CONSUMPTION
A. Energy Concepts
Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics
B. Energy Consumption
1. History
Industrial Revolution; exponential growth; energy crisis
2. Present global energy use
3. Future energy needs
C. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use
Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas; extraction/purification methods; world reserves and global demand; synfuels;
environmental advantages/disadvantages of sources
D. Nuclear Energy
Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental advantages/
disadvantages; safety issues; radiation and human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion
E. Hydroelectric Power
Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts
F. Energy Conservation
Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit
G. Renewable Energy
Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and
tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages
UNIT 6 – POLLUTION
A. Pollution Types
1. Air pollution
Sources—primary and secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; smog; acid deposition—causes and
effects; heat islands and temperature inversions; indoor air pollution; remediation and reduction strategies; Clean
Air Act and other relevant laws
2. Noise pollution
Sources; effects; control measures
3. Water pollution
Types; sources, causes, and effects; cultural eutrophication; groundwater pollution; maintaining water quality; water
purification; sewage treatment/septic systems; Clean Water Act and other relevant laws
4. Solid waste
Types; disposal; reduction
B. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
1. Hazards to human health
Environmental risk analysis; acute and chronic effects; dose-response relationships; air pollutants; smoking and other
risks
2. Hazardous chemicals in the environment
Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification;
relevant laws
C. Economic Impacts
Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability
UNIT 7 – GLOBAL CHANGE
A. Stratospheric Ozone
Formation of stratospheric ozone; ultraviolet radiation; causes of ozone depletion; effects of ozone depletion; strategies
for reducing ozone depletion; relevant laws and treaties
B. Global Warming
Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences of global warming; reducing climate change;
relevant laws and treaties
C. Loss of Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species
2. Maintenance through conservation
3. Relevant laws and treaties
AP Vocab
Vocabulary Work
Tragedy of the Commons
Emissions Trading (Cap and
Trade)
Unit 0: Globalization
MEANING
Written by Garrett Hardin, explains the worldwide regard to resource depletion
and the idea of exploiting the “commons” for wealth.
Providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of
pollutants. Also includes the government setting a limit (or cap) on the amount
of pollutant, which can be emitted.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Allows for the comparison of many possible actions and for more informed
decisions on where limited resources should be used. Compares the positive and
negative environmental factors to aide in the decision of whether or not to
proceed with a project.
Positive Externalities
A benefit which results from an activity or transaction and affects an otherwise
uninvolved party who did not choose to incur the benefits. Related to the
positive environmental “consequences” of production and use
Negative Externalities
A cost which results from an activity or transaction and which affects an
otherwise uninvolved party who did not choose to incur that cost. Related to
the negative environmental consequences of production and use.
World Bank
A global institution that provides technical and financial assistance to developing
countries with the objectives of reducing poverty and promoting growth,
especially in the poorest countries.
Marginal Costs
The idea that it is easier and less expensive to clean very dirty water and make it
“suitable” than it is to take clean water and make it “super” clean.
Global Economics
The idea that the economy and environment are linked; the environment
contains all the resources that are used by the industry which drives the
economy. As consumption increases, resources become scarce and more difficult
to obtain, thereby raising prices.
WHO – World Health
Organization
A global institution dedicated to the improvement of human health by
monitoring and assessing health trends and providing medical advice to
countries.
Anthropocentric
A worldview that focuses on human welfare and well-being.
Stewardship
The careful and responsible management and care for Earth and its resources
Natural Capital
The resources of the planet, such as air, waters, and minerals.
Human Capital
Human knowledge and abilities.
GPI – Genuine Progress
Indicator
A measure of economic status that includes personal consumption, income
distribution, levels of higher education, resource depletion, pollution, and the
health of the population.
Gross Domestic Product
(GDP)
A measure of the value of all products and services produced in one year in one
country.
AP Vocab
Unit 1: Population
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
The average number of children that each women will have during her life time
Replacement-Level Fertility
Rate
The total fertility rate required to offset the average number of deaths in a
population in order to maintain the current population size.
Demographic Transition
A process that has occurred during the past century, leading to a stabilization of
population growth in the more highly developed countries.
Age Structure Diagrams
A visual representation of the number of individuals within a specific age group
for a country, typically expressed for males and females.
Carrying Capacity
Refers to the number of individuals that can be supported in a given area
sustainably. This varies from species to species and can change over time.
Biotic Potential
The maximum rate at which a population can grow when resources are unlimited.
Affected by: age and frequency of reproduction, number of offspring produced,
reproductive life span and average death rate
Thomas Malthus
A mathematician who published his theories about the relationship between
population growth and unlimited resources. He said that left unchecked (by war,
famine and disease), population will grow as a J-Curve. He said there are enough
resources forever they are just not distributed equally leading to malnutrition and
starvation.
Survivorship Curves
A graph showing the number or proportion of individuals surviving at each age
for a given species or group (Three Types!)
Rule of 70
Used to find the doubling time (in years) of a population growing at a given annual
percentage rate.
S Curves
Used to describe the patter of growth over an extended period of time.
Population size initially increased due to unlimited resources but then begin to
slow down and stabilize around the carrying capacity
J-Curve
Explains that if population is left unchecked, the maximum population growth
rate can increase exponentially
Crude Birth Rate (CBR)
The number of births per 1,000 individuals per year
Crude Death Rate (CDR)
The number of deaths per 1,000 individuals per year
Type I Survivorship
A pattern of survival over time in which there is high survival throughout most of
the life span, but then individuals start to die in large numbers as they approach
old age
Type II Survivorship
A pattern of survival over time in which there is relatively constant decline in
survivorship throughout most of the life space
Type III Survivorship
A pattern of survival over time in which there is low survivorship early in life with
few individuals reaching adulthood
AP Vocab
Unit 1: Population & Sustainability
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Affluence
The state of having plentiful wealth including the possession of money, goods,
or property.
Family Planning
The practice of regulating the number or spacing of offspring through the use of
birth control/contraception.
IPAT Equation
An equation used to estimate the impact of human lifestyle on the environment:
Municipal Solid Waste
Refuse collected by municipalities from households, small businesses, and
institutions.
Waste Stream
The flow of solid waste that is recycled, incinerated, placed in a solid waste
landfill, or disposed of in another way.
E-Waste
Electronic waste or e-waste describes discarded electrical or electronic devices.
Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling or
disposal are also considered as e-waste.
Composting
Creation of organic matter (humus) by decomposition under controlled
conditions to produce an organic-rich material that enhances soil structure,
cation exchange capacity, and fertility.
Leachate
Liquid that contains elevated levels of pollutants as a result of having passed
through municipal solid waste (MSW) or contaminated soil.
Sanitary Landfill
An engineered ground facility designed to hold municipal solid waste (MSW)
with as little contamination of the surrounding environmental as possible.
Incineration
The process of burning waste materials to reduce volume and mass, sometimes
to generate electricity or heat.
Bottom Ash
Residue collected at the bottom of the combustion chamber in a furnace
Hazardous Waste
Comprises all toxic chemicals, radioactive materials, and biologic or infectious
waste most likely from industrial processes that yield unwanted byproducts and
spilled materials. Controlled through international and national regulations.
CERCLA (Superfund)
A federal act that imposes a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries, funds
the cleanup of abandoned and non-operating hazardous waste sites, and
authorizes the federal government to respond directly to the release or
threatened release of substances that may pose a threat to human health or the
environment.
Integrated Waste
Management
An approach to waste disposal that employs several waste reduction,
management, and disposal strategies in order to reduce the environmental
impact of MSW.
AP Vocab
Unit 2: Geology (Pt. 1)
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Rock Cycle
The geologic cycle governing the constant formation, alteration, and destruction
of rock material that results from tectonics, weathering, and erosion, among
other processes.
Igneous Rock
Rock formed directly from magma through the process of melting and
solidification.
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Igneous rock that forms when magma rises up and cools in a place underground ,
resulting in a glassy to fine grained texture.
Extrusive Igneous Rock
Rock that forms when magma cools above the surface of the earth, resulting in a
coarse grained texture.
Sedimentary Rock
Rock that forms when sediments such as muds, sands, or gravels are compressed
by overlying sediments.
Metamorphic Rock
Rock that forms when sedimentary rock, igneous rock, or other metamorphic rock
is subjected to high temperature and pressure.
Asthenosphere
The layer of Earth located in the outer part of the mantle, composed of semimolten rock.
Hot Spot
A place where molten material from Earth’s mantle reaches the lithosphere
Plate Tectonics
The theory that the lithosphere of Earth is divided into plates, most of which are
in constant motion
Divergent Plate Boundary
An area beneath the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other
Seafloor Spreading
The formation of new ocean crust as a result of magma pushing upward and
outward from Earth’s mantle to the surface
Convergent Plate Boundary
An area where plates move toward one another and collide
Transform Plate Boundary
An area where tectonic plates move sideways past each other
Earthquake
The sudden movement of Earth’s crust caused by a release of potential energy
along a geologic fault and usually causing a vibration or trembling at Earth’s
surface.
Epicenter
The exact point on the surface of Earth directly above the location where rock
ruptures during an earthquake.
Chemical Weathering
The breakdown of rocks and minerals by chemical reactions, the dissolving of
chemical elements from rocks, or both.
Acid Precipitation
Precipitation in high sulfuric acid and nitric acid from reactions between water
vapor and sulfur nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere (Acid Rain).
Physical Weathering
The mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals.
Erosion
The physical removal of rock fragments from a landscape or ecosystem.
Parent Material
The rock material from which the inorganic components of soil are derived.
Soil degradation
The loss of some or all of a soil’s ability to support plant growth
Horizon
A horizontal layer in a soil defined by distinctive physical features such as texture
and color
O Horizon
The organic horizon at the surface of many soils, composed of organic detritus in
various stages of decomposition
A Horizon
Frequently the top layer of soil, a zone of organic material and minerals that have
been mixed together (Topsoil)
E Horizon
A zone of leaching, or eluviation, found in some acidic soils.
B Horizon
A soil horizon composed primarily of mineral material with very little organic
matter
C Horizon
The least-weathered soil horizon, which always occurs beneath the B horizon and
is similar to the parent material
AP Vocab
Unit 3: Biogeochemical Cycles
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Transpiration
The release of water from leaves during photosynthesis
Evapotranspiration
The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration
Runoff
Water that moves across the land surface and into streams
and rivers
Nitrogen Fixation
A process by which some organisms can convert nitrogen
gas molecules directly into ammonia
Nitrification
The conversion of ammonia (NH4+) into nitrite (NO2-) and
then into nitrate (NO3-)
Assimilation
The process by which producers incorporate elements into
their tissues
Ammonification
The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers
break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and
waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium
(NH4+)
Denitrification
The conversion of nitrate (NO3-) in a series of steps into the
gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and, eventually, nitrogen gas (N2),
which is emitted into the atmosphere.
AP Vocab
Unit 4: Living World (Pt. 1)
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Biosphere
The region of our planet where life resides, the combination of all ecosystems on
Earth.
Producer
An organism that uses the energy of the Sun to produce usable forms of energy
Heterotroph
An organism that is incapable of photosynthesis and must obtain its energy by
consuming other organisms.
Detritivore
An organism that specializes in breaking down dead tissues and waste products
into smaller particles
Decomposers
Fungi and bacteria that convert organic matter into small elements and molecules
that can be recycled back into the ecosystem
Aerobic Respiration
The process by which cells unlock the energy of chemical compounds
Anaerobic Respiration
The process by which cells convert glucose into energy in the absence of oxygen
Trophic Levels
The successive levels of organisms consuming one another.
Food Chain
The sequence of consumption from producers through tertiary consumers.
Food Web
A complex model of how energy and matter move between trophic levels.
Gross Primary Productivity
(GPP)
The total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via
photosynthesis over a given amount of time.
Net Primary Productivity
(NPP)
The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers
respire.
Biomass
The total mass of all living matter in a specific area.
Ecological Efficiency
The proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to
another.
Trophic Pyramid
A representation of the distribution of biomass, numbers, or energy among
trophic levels
Competitive Exclusion
Principal
The principal stating that two species competing for the same limiting resource
cannot coexist
Resource Partitioning
When two species divide a resource based on differences in their behavior or
morphology
Parasitism
An interaction in which one organism lives on or in another organism
Mutualism
An interaction between two species that increases the chances of survival or
reproduction for both species
Commensalism
A relationship between species in which one species benefits and the other
species is neither harmed nor helped
Keystone Species
A species that plays a far more important role in its community than its relative
abundance might suggest
AP Vocab
Unit 4: Living World (Pt. 2)
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Tundra
A cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation
Permafrost
An impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil
Boreal Forest
A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate
cold winters and show growing seasons
Temperate Rainforest
A coastal biome typified by moderate temperature and high precipitation
Temperate Seasonal forest
A biome with warm summer and cold winters with over 1 m of precipitation
annually
Woodland
A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters
Temperate Grassland
A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers
Tropical Rainforest
A warm and wet biome found between 20°N and 20°S of the equator, with little
seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation.
Tropical Seasonal Forest
A biome marker by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.
Subtropical Desert
A biome prevailing at approximately 30°N and 30°S, with hot temperatures,
extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation.
Species Richness
The number of species in a given area
Species Evenness
The relative proportion of individuals within the different species in a given area
Evolution
A change in the genetic composition of a population over time
Gene
A physical location on the chromosomes within each cell of an organism
Mutation
A random change in the genetic code produced by a mistake in the copying
process
Recombination
The genetic process by which one chromosome breaks off and attaches to
another chromosome during reproductive cell division
Artificial Selection
The process in which humans determine which individuals breed, typically with a
preconceived set of traits in mind
Natural Selection
The process in which the environment determines which individuals survive and
reproduce
Gene Flow
The process by which individuals move from one population to another and
thereby alter the genetic composition of both populations.
Genetic Drift
A change in the genetic composition of a population over time as a result of
random mating
Bottleneck Effect
A reduction in the genetic diversity of a population caused by a reduction in its
size
Founder Effect
A change in the genetic composition of a population as a result of descending
from a small number of colonizing individuals
Geographic Isolation
Physical separation of a group of individuals from others of the same species
Allopatric Speciation
The process of speciation that occurs with geographic isolation
Reproductive Isolation
The result of two populations within a species evolving separately to the point
that they can no longer interbreed and produce viable offspring
Sympatric Speciation
The evolution of one species into two, without geographic isolation
Genetically Modified
Organism (GMO)
An organism produced by copying genes from a species with a desirable trait and
inserting them into another species.
Generalist Species (K-Select)
A species that can live under a wide range of abiotic or biotic conditions
Specialist Species (R-Select)
A species that is specialized to live in a specific habitat or to feed on a small group
of species
Population
The individuals that belong to the same species and live in a given area at a
particular time
Community
All of the populations of organism with a given area
Ecological Succession
The predictable replacement of one group of species by another group of species
over time
Primary Succession
Ecological succession occurring on surfaces that are initially devoid of soil.
Secondary Succession
The succession of plan life that occurs in areas that have been disturbed but have
not lost their soil
Pioneer Species
A species that can colonize new areas rapidly and grow well in full sunshine
AP Vocab
Unit 5: Land Use
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Clear-Cutting
A method of harvesting trees that involves removing all or almost all of the trees
within an area
Rangeland
A dry open grassland
Selective Cutting
The method of harvesting trees that involves the removal of single trees or a
relatively small number of trees from among many in a forest
Tree Plantation
A large area typically planted with a single rapidly growing tree species
Prescribed Burn
A fire deliberately set under controlled conditions in order to reduce the
accumulation of dead biomass on a forest floor
National Wildlife Refugee
A federal public land managed for the primary purpose of protecting wildlife
National Wilderness Area
An area set aside with the intent of preserving a large tract of intact ecosystem or
landscape
National Environmental Policy
(NEPA)
A U.S. federal act that mandates an environmental assessment of all project
involving federal money or federal permits
Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS)
A document outlined the scope and purpose of a developing project describing
the environmental context, suggesting alternative approaches to the project, and
analyzing the environmental impact of each alternative
Environmental Mitigation
Plan
A plan that outlines how a developer will address concerns raised by a project’s
impact on the environment
Endangered Species Act
A U.S. act designed to protect species from extinction
Urban Sprawl
Urbanized areas that spread into rural areas, removing clear boundaries between
the two
Urban Blight
The degradation of the built and social environments of the city that often
accompanies and accelerates migration to the suburbs
Smart Growth
A set of principals for community planning that focuses on strategies to
encourage the development of sustainable, healthy communities
Eminent Domain
A principal that grants government the power to acquire a property at a fair
market value even if the owner does not wish to sell it
Green Revolution
A shift in agricultural practices in the twentieth century that included new
management techniques, mechanization, fertilization, irrigation, and improved
crop varieties, and that resulted in increased food output.
Waterlogging
A form of soil degradation that occurs when soil remains under water for
prolonged period
Salinization
A form of soil degradation that occurs when the small amounts of salts in
irrigation water becomes highly concentrated on the soil surface through
evaporation
Organic Fertilizer
Fertilizer composed of organic matter from plants and animals
Synthetic Fertilizer
Fertilizer produced commercially. Normally with the use of fossil fuels.
Monocropping
An agricultural method that utilizes large plantings of a single species or variety.
Pesticide
A substance, either natural or synthetic, that kills or controls organisms that
people consider pests
Insecticide
A pesticide that targets species of insects and other invertebrates that consume
crops
Herbicide
A pesticide that targets plant species that compete with crops
Persistent Pesticide
A pesticide that remains in the environment for a long time
Pesticide Resistance
A trait possessed by certain individuals that are exposed to a pesticide and
survive
Pesticide Treadmill
A cycle of pesticide development, following by pest resistance, followed by new
pesticide development.
Desertification
The transformation of arable, productive land to desert or unproductive land due
to climate change or destructive land use.
Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture that fulfills the need for food and fiber while enhancing the quality of
the soil, minimizing the use of nonrenewable resources, and allowing economic
variability for the farmer.
Intercropping
An agricultural method in which two or more crop species are planted in the
same field at the same time to promote a synergistic interaction.
Crop Rotation
An agricultural technique in which crop species in a field are rotated from season
to season to prevent depletion of nutrients.
Agroforestry
An agricultural technique in which trees and vegetables are intercropped
Contour Plowing
An agricultural technique in which plowing and harvesting are done parallel to
the topographic contours of the land
Integrated Pest Management
(IPM)
An agricultural practice that uses a variety of techniques designed to minimize
pesticide inputs.
Organic Agriculture
Production of crops without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
AP Vocab
Unit 5: Water Use
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Aquifer
A permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater
Unconfined aquifer
An aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow
Confined Aquifer
An aquifer surrounded by layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water
flow
Water Table
The uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil
Spring
A natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to
the ground surface
Artesian Well
A well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer
Saltwater Intrusion
An infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been
reduced from extensive drilling of wells
Impermeable Surface
Pavement of buildings that do not allow water penetration
Levee
An enlarged bank built up on each side of a river
Dike
A structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land
Dam
A barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water
Reservoir
The water body created by damming a river or stream
Fish Ladder
A stair-life structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam
Aqueduct
A canal or ditch used to carry water from one location to another
Desalination
The process of removing the salt from salt water
Distillation
A process of desalination in which water is boiled and the resulting steam is
captured and condensed to yield pure water
Reverse Osmosis
A process of desalination in which water is forced through a thing semipermeable
membrane at high pressure
Hydroponic Agriculture
The cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a
nutrient-rich solution
AP Vocab
Unit 6: Nonrenewable Energy
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Fossil Fuel
A fuel derived from biological material that become fossilized millions of years
ago
Nonrenewable Resource
An energy source with a finite supply, primarily the fossil fuels and nuclear fuels
Nuclear Fuel
Fuel derived from radioactive materials that give off energy
Commercial Energy Source
An energy source that is bough and sold
Subsistence Energy Source
An energy source gathered by individuals for their own immediate needs
Turbine
A device with blades that can be turned by water, wind, steam, or exhaust gas
from combustion that turns a generator in an electricity-producing plant.
Electrical Grid
A network of interconnected transmission lines that joins power plants together
and links them with end users of electricity
Combined Cycle
A power plant that uses both exhaust gases and steam turbines to generate
electricity
Capacity
In reference to an electricity-generating plant, the maximum electrical output
Capacity Factor
The fraction of time a power plant operates in a year
Cogeneration
The use of a fuel to generate electricity and produce heat
Coal
A solid fuel formed primarily from the remains of trees, ferns, and other plant
material preserved 280 million to 360 million years ago
Petroleum
A fossil fuel that occurs in underground deposits, composed of a liquid mixture of
hydrocarbons, water, and sulfur.
Crude Oil
Liquid petroleum removed from the ground
Oil Sands
Slow-flowing, viscous deposits of bitumen mixed with sand, water, and clay
Bitumen
A degraded petroleum that forms when petroleum migrates to the surface of
Earth and is modified by bacteria
Energy intensity
The energy use per unit of gross domestic product
Hubbert Curve
A bell-shaped curve representing oil use and projecting both when world oil
production will reach a maximum and when the world will run out of oil
Peak Oil
The point at which half the total known oil supply is used up
Fission
A nuclear reaction in which a neutron strikes a relatively large atomic nucleus,
which then splits into two or more parts, releasing additional neutrons and
energy in the form of heat.
Fuel Rod
A cylindrical tube that encloses nuclear fuel within a nuclear reactor
Control Rod
A cylindrical device inserted between fuel rods in a nuclear reactor to absorb
excess neutrons or stop the fission reaction
Radioactive Waste
Nuclear fuel that can no longer produce enough heat to be useful in a power
plant but continues to emit radioactivity
Nuclear Fusion
A reaction that occurs when lighter nucleai are forced together to produce
heavier nuclei
AP Vocab
Unit 6: Renewable Energy
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Tiered Rate System
A billing system used by some electric companies in which consumers pay higher
rates as their use goes up
Peak Demand
The greatest quantity of energy used at any one time
Passive Solar Design
Construction designed to take advantage of solar radiation without active
technology
Thermal Mass
A property of a building material that allows it to maintain heat or cold
Biofuel
Liquid fuel created from processed or refined biomass
Modern Carbon
Carbon in biomass that was recently in the atmosphere
Fossil Carbon
Carbon in fossil fuels
Carbon Neutral
An activity that does not change atmospheric CO2 concentrations
Net Removal
The process of removing more than is replaced by growth, typically when
referring to carbon
Ethanol
Alcohol made by converting starches and sugars from plant material into alcohol
and CO2
Biodiesel
A diesel substitute produced by extracting and chemically altering oil from plants
Hydroelectricity
Electricity generated by the kinetic energy of moving water
Tidal Energy
Energy that comes from the movement of water driven by the gravitation pull of
the Moon
Siltation
The accumulation of sediments, primarily silt, on the bottom of a reservoir
Active Solar Energy
Energy captured from sunlight with advanced technologies
Photovoltaic Solar Cell
A system capturing energy from sunlight and converting it directly into electricity
Wind Energy
Energy generated from the kinetic energy of moving air
Wind Turbine
A large propeller that is able to convert wind energy into electricity
Geothermal Energy
Heat energy that comes from the natural radioactive decay of elements deep
within Earth
Fuel Cell
An electrical-chemical device that converts fuel, such as hydrogen, into an
electrical current
Electrolysis
The application of an electric current to water molecules to split them into
hydrogen and oxygen
AP Vocab
Unit 7: Atmosphere, Weather, Climate
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Troposphere
A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface where all water vapor is
contained and most weather.
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, contains the ozone.
Albedo
The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface
Saturation Point
The maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature
Adiabatic Cooling
The cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere
and expands
Adiabatic Heating
The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of
Earth and decreases in volume.
Latent Heat Release
The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid
water
Atmospheric Convection
Current
Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of
Earth.
Hadley Cell
A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and
30°N/S bringing hot, dry climates.
Intertropical Convergence
Zone (ITCZ)
The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending
branches of the two Hadley cells to converge.
Polar Cell
A convection current in the atmosphere formed by air current in the atmosphere,
formed by air that rises at 60°N/S causing precipitation and sinks at the poles,
90°N/S where the air is much dryer
Ferrell Cell
A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar
cells
Coriolis Effect
The deflection of an object’s path due to the rotation of Earth
Rain Shadow
A region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain range as a
result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side.
Gyre
A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Upwelling
The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging
currents
Thermohaline Circulation
An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep
water
El Niño – Southern Oscillation
(ENSO)
A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific
AP Vocab
Unit 8: Water Pollution
Vocabulary Work
MEANING
Wastewater
Water produced by livestock operations and human acitivites, including human
sewage from toilets and gray water from bathing and washing clothes and dishes.
Point Source
A distinct location from which pollution is directly proportional
Nonpoint Source
A diffuse area that produces pollution
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD)
The amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over a period of time at specific
temperatures
Dead Zone
In a body of water, an area with extremely low oxygen concentration and very
little life
Eutrophication
A phenomenon in which a body of water becomes rich in nutrients
Cultural Eutrophication
An increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of
nutrients
Indicator Species
A species that indicates whether or not disease-causing pathogens are likely to be
present
Fecal Coliform Bacteria
A group of generally harmless microorganisms in human intestines that can serve
as an indicator species for potentially harmful microorganisms associated with
contaminated sewage