Science 1101: Science, Society, and the Science 1101: Science, Society, and the Environment Environment

Environmental science: is the Environmental science: is the systematic study of our environment systematic study of our environment and our place in it.and our place in it.

E.S is interdisciplinary: it integrates E.S is interdisciplinary: it integrates multidisciplinary knowledge.multidisciplinary knowledge.

Environmental Science Environmental Science

Criteria for Environmental literacy includeCriteria for Environmental literacy includeAwareness and appreciation for the natural Awareness and appreciation for the natural worldworldKnowledge of natural systems and ecological Knowledge of natural systems and ecological conceptsconceptsUnderstanding current environmental issuesUnderstanding current environmental issuesAbility to use problem solving skillsAbility to use problem solving skills

Science:Science:

Is a process for producing Is a process for producing empiricalempirical knowledge knowledge about the natural world through about the natural world through methodicalmethodical and and logicallogical studies of nature. studies of nature.

Principles of sciencePrinciples of scienceEmpiricismEmpiricismUniformitarianismUniformitarianismParsimonyParsimonyUncertaintyUncertaintyRepeatabilityRepeatabilityElusiveness of provesElusiveness of provesTestable questionsTestable questions

Scientific stepsScientific steps

ObserveObserve

HypothesisHypothesis

Designing experimental approachesDesigning experimental approaches

Test (experiment)Test (experiment)

Interpretation Interpretation

Testing the science ITesting the science I

Are the results statistically reasonable?Are the results statistically reasonable?

Are the conclusions logical and only Are the conclusions logical and only logical? logical?

Testing the science IITesting the science II

Statistical analysis: reduces uncertainty by Statistical analysis: reduces uncertainty by reducing randomness and bias.reducing randomness and bias.

Calculating p value!Calculating p value!

Reducing bias:Reducing bias:

NaturalNatural

ManipulativeManipulative

Blind and double blindBlind and double blind

Environmental science vs Environmental science vs EnvironmentalismEnvironmentalism

E.S. studies natural principles and E.S. studies natural principles and phenomenonphenomenon

E. deals with attitudes, behaviors and E. deals with attitudes, behaviors and policies to affect the environmentpolicies to affect the environment

Methods of thinkingMethods of thinking

AnalyticalAnalytical

CreativeCreative

LogicalLogical

CriticalCritical

ReflectiveReflective

Critical thinkingCritical thinking

Identify and evaluate premise and Identify and evaluate premise and conclusionconclusion

Acknowledge and clarify contradictionsAcknowledge and clarify contradictions

Distinguish b/n facts and valuesDistinguish b/n facts and values

Recognize and assess assumptionsRecognize and assess assumptions

Distinguish source reliabilityDistinguish source reliability

Recognize and understand conceptual Recognize and understand conceptual frameworkframework

Science IIScience II

Unpacking argumentsUnpacking argumentsAll boys are humans. All girls are humans. Therefore all boys are All boys are humans. All girls are humans. Therefore all boys are girls.girls.

All green plants are healthy. Healthy foods prolong life. Therefore all All green plants are healthy. Healthy foods prolong life. Therefore all green plants prolong life.green plants prolong life.

Exercise is good for the heart. Exercise is good for the lungs too. Exercise is good for the heart. Exercise is good for the lungs too. Therefore exercise is good for the kidneys.Therefore exercise is good for the kidneys.

Historic InitiativeHistoric Initiative

Pragmatic resource conservation Pragmatic resource conservation (George (George Perkins through observation)Perkins through observation)

Moral and aesthetic nature preservation Moral and aesthetic nature preservation (John Muir:- Nature deserves to exist for its own sake)(John Muir:- Nature deserves to exist for its own sake)

Concern about pollution-caused health Concern about pollution-caused health and environmental problems. and environmental problems. (industrialization)(industrialization)

Global environmental citizenship. Global environmental citizenship. (globalization)(globalization)

Environmental problemsEnvironmental problems

Water scarcity (quality and quantity)Water scarcity (quality and quantity)Soil degradationSoil degradationFoodFoodEnergy source (fossil fuel). Energy source (fossil fuel). Atmospheric temperature (caused by Atmospheric temperature (caused by excessive fuel-energy burning)excessive fuel-energy burning)Air quality toxic haze of ash, aerosols, Air quality toxic haze of ash, aerosols, dust, acids, photochemical products dust, acids, photochemical products (about 3 million of people die each year) (about 3 million of people die each year)

Sustainability Sustainability

Is a search for ecological stability and Is a search for ecological stability and human progress that can last over the long human progress that can last over the long term.term.

““Meeting present needs without Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of the future to compromising the ability of the future to meet theirs”.meet theirs”.

Data analysisData analysis

TabulationTabulation

Line PlotLine Plot

Bar GraphBar Graph

Pie ChartsPie Charts

Scatter PlotsScatter Plots

Hours cells

0 10

1 15

2 20

3 40

4 80

5 160

6 320

7 450

8 550

9 600

10 620

11 630

12 640

Growth of Tetrahymena

Tabular Form

Line plotsLine plots

Are mainly used to monitor Are mainly used to monitor change in a dependant variable change in a dependant variable as a result of change in the as a result of change in the independent variable over time.independent variable over time.

Line plot

growth of Tetrahymena

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

0 5 10 15

Hours

cell

co

un

t

Line PlotsLine Plots

Are also good to compare change Are also good to compare change in two or more dependant in two or more dependant variables as a result of change in variables as a result of change in the independent variable over the independent variable over time.time.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

0 5 10 15

Hours

Cel

l co

un

tSeries1

Series2Line plot

Bar GraphsBar Graphs

Used to compare values of Used to compare values of different categories. different categories.

uPAR production by cells

Bar Graph

Pie ChartsPie Charts

Used the same way as bar graphs Used the same way as bar graphs in percentages.in percentages.

31% imported oil

Coal22%

Gas20%

Domestic oil

12%

Nuclear8%

Renewables6%

US energy consumption Pie chart

AssignmentAssignment

Read about scatter plots and their uses for Read about scatter plots and their uses for next lecture!!!next lecture!!!

Environmental science attempts to Environmental science attempts to understand systems understand systems

- Networks of interactions among interdependent Networks of interactions among interdependent components and processes, compartments and components and processes, compartments and flows. Includes biological, chemical and physical flows. Includes biological, chemical and physical aspects of the environment. aspects of the environment.

- Systems can be:- physical vs abstract Systems can be:- physical vs abstract systems (eg. Human systems (eg. Human

body vs computer programbody vs computer program- Closed vs open systems (a submarine vs a Closed vs open systems (a submarine vs a

pond)pond)

Checks and balances of systems Checks and balances of systems

Regulatory mechanisms could arise from Regulatory mechanisms could arise from outside the system. Eg. The temperature outside the system. Eg. The temperature of a water system is regulated by the solar of a water system is regulated by the solar energy.energy.

Different parts of a system exert regulatory Different parts of a system exert regulatory effects on each other to maintain the effects on each other to maintain the system in homeostasis. system in homeostasis.

Feedback mechanismsFeedback mechanisms

Positive feedback:- when the output of one part Positive feedback:- when the output of one part of the system serves as an enhancer input for of the system serves as an enhancer input for another. Eg. Increased physical activity another. Eg. Increased physical activity increases breathing. Increased vegetation increases breathing. Increased vegetation increases herbivores. increases herbivores.

Negative feedback:- the output of one part Negative feedback:- the output of one part causes a decrease in the output of another. Eg. causes a decrease in the output of another. Eg. A thermostat decreases heat release with the A thermostat decreases heat release with the increase of room temperature. Increased increase of room temperature. Increased herbivore number decreases vegetation. herbivore number decreases vegetation.

Feedback loopsFeedback loops

A closed cycle of feedback mechanisms A closed cycle of feedback mechanisms that results in the amplified (exponential) that results in the amplified (exponential) responses of another part.responses of another part.

Positive feedback loop- the system uses Positive feedback loop- the system uses an output from one part to increase the an output from one part to increase the input for another and vise versa in a cyclic input for another and vise versa in a cyclic manner that drives the system in one manner that drives the system in one direction in an ever increasing fashion. direction in an ever increasing fashion.

DiscussionDiscussion

If the earth has survived as long as it did, If the earth has survived as long as it did, why has it not run out of elemental gases? why has it not run out of elemental gases? Why do we still have OWhy do we still have O22 and CO and CO2 2 in the air.in the air.

Few terminologiesFew terminologies

Disturbance:- periodic destructive events Disturbance:- periodic destructive events that upsets the rhythm of the systemthat upsets the rhythm of the system

Resilience:- the ability of a system to Resilience:- the ability of a system to withstand disturbances through feedback withstand disturbances through feedback mechanisms.mechanisms.

Emergent property:- a property of a Emergent property:- a property of a system where there is more to the system system where there is more to the system than the sum of its parts.than the sum of its parts.

Elements of lifeElements of life

Matter- everything that takes up space and Matter- everything that takes up space and has mass is matter. (based on the has mass is matter. (based on the arrangement of their molecules matter is arrangement of their molecules matter is classified as solid, liquid or gas)classified as solid, liquid or gas)

Properties of matter IProperties of matter I

Matter is neither created nor destroyed. It Matter is neither created nor destroyed. It is recycled. Why is this important?is recycled. Why is this important?

Matter consists of smaller units called Matter consists of smaller units called elements. There are about 115 elements elements. There are about 115 elements known.known.

Oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen Oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen account for about 96% of the mass of account for about 96% of the mass of most living things.most living things.

Properties of matter IIProperties of matter II

Elements are made of atoms. Atoms are Elements are made of atoms. Atoms are the smallest chemical structures that the smallest chemical structures that determine the characteristics of the determine the characteristics of the elements.elements.

Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons and electrons. and electrons.

Atomic number and atomic massAtomic number and atomic mass

A.N. is the number of protons in an atom. A.N. is the number of protons in an atom. #P=#N. (exception, isotope)#P=#N. (exception, isotope)A.M. is the number of protons and neutronsA.M. is the number of protons and neutronsA.N. determines the chemical and most of the A.N. determines the chemical and most of the physical behavior of an atom.physical behavior of an atom.Hydrogen, deuteriumHydrogen, deuteriumMost isotopes are stable but some of them are Most isotopes are stable but some of them are unstable- spontaneous emission electomagnetic unstable- spontaneous emission electomagnetic energy or subatomic particles or both. Eg. energy or subatomic particles or both. Eg. Uranium and plutonium. Uranium and plutonium.

Chemical bondsChemical bonds

Atoms join to form compoundsAtoms join to form compounds

Molecules: a pair or group of atoms that Molecules: a pair or group of atoms that can exist togethercan exist together

Compounds: a group of atoms that can not Compounds: a group of atoms that can not exist as a single unit is called a compoundexist as a single unit is called a compound

Types of chemical bondsTypes of chemical bonds

Ionic Bond: The type of chemical bond that Ionic Bond: The type of chemical bond that is created by the attraction of electrical is created by the attraction of electrical charge of atomscharge of atoms

Covalent bond: formed by the sharing of Covalent bond: formed by the sharing of electrons (electronic space) of atoms.electrons (electronic space) of atoms.

Hydrogen bond: formed between Hydrogen bond: formed between hydrogen and any of the electronegative hydrogen and any of the electronegative elements (O, N, F) elements (O, N, F)

States of elements in States of elements in molecules/compoundsmolecules/compounds

Oxidized: when a atom gives up one or Oxidized: when a atom gives up one or more electronsmore electrons

Reduced: when an atom gains one or Reduced: when an atom gains one or more electronsmore electrons

Acids and basesAcids and bases

Acid: H+ donor. Highly reactive that could Acid: H+ donor. Highly reactive that could have massive environmental implications have massive environmental implications Eg acid rainEg acid rain

Base: H+ acceptorBase: H+ acceptor

pH= –log H+ of a solution pH= –log H+ of a solution

acid pH<7 where as base pH>7acid pH<7 where as base pH>7

What is the H+ conc difference of pH 6 What is the H+ conc difference of pH 6 and pH 7?and pH 7?

www.science.kennesaw.edu/~whailewww.science.kennesaw.edu/~whaile

Macromolecules of lifeMacromolecules of life

- Living organisms are made of large Living organisms are made of large molecules called organic molecules.molecules called organic molecules.

- Organic molecules are made of chains Organic molecules are made of chains and rings of carbon element. Eg. CHand rings of carbon element. Eg. CH44, ,

CHCH33-CHOH.-CHOH.

- Four major categories of O.C. include: Four major categories of O.C. include: lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids.acids.

LipidsLipids

Large moleculesLarge molecules

Functions include; energy storage, Functions include; energy storage, structural material, hormones ……structural material, hormones ……

Do not dissolve in water. Because they Do not dissolve in water. Because they have long chains of hydrocarbon chain.have long chains of hydrocarbon chain.

Eg. Fats and oils Eg. Fats and oils

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates

Large moleculesLarge molecules

Store energy (immediate source of Store energy (immediate source of energy) and provide structureenergy) and provide structure

Long chains of carbon atom bonded to Long chains of carbon atom bonded to hydrogen atoms with an OH group at the hydrogen atoms with an OH group at the endend

Eg. GlucoseEg. Glucose

ProteinProtein

Organic molecules composed of chains of Organic molecules composed of chains of subunits called amino acids.subunits called amino acids.

They often are folded into complex three They often are folded into complex three dimensional structures dimensional structures

They provide cellular structures, enzymatic They provide cellular structures, enzymatic functions, defensive structures, cell functions, defensive structures, cell regulation, muscular structures etc.regulation, muscular structures etc.

Nucleic acidNucleic acid

Complex structure constituted from small Complex structure constituted from small subunits called nucleotides.subunits called nucleotides.Nucleotide subunit are made of five carbon Nucleotide subunit are made of five carbon sugar, one or more phosphate group and an sugar, one or more phosphate group and an organic nitrogen containing baseorganic nitrogen containing baseThey carry genetic information that is They carry genetic information that is responsible for the transfer of genetic code from responsible for the transfer of genetic code from generation to generation and for providing generation to generation and for providing informational framework that dictates every body informational framework that dictates every body function.function.Eg. DNA and RNAEg. DNA and RNA

Cells: fundamental structures of lifeCells: fundamental structures of life

Small structures within which most of the life supporting Small structures within which most of the life supporting biochemical processes take place.biochemical processes take place.Cells could be versatile (in unicellular) or highly Cells could be versatile (in unicellular) or highly specialized (multi-cellular organisms).specialized (multi-cellular organisms).Cells have small sub-cellular structures known as Cells have small sub-cellular structures known as organelles, which are responsible for all of the functions organelles, which are responsible for all of the functions of a cell, such as energy production, sub-cellular of a cell, such as energy production, sub-cellular transportation, genetic information storage, regulatory transportation, genetic information storage, regulatory functions and physical structure etc.functions and physical structure etc.Cellular processes are all facilitated with special Cellular processes are all facilitated with special structures called enzymes. These are protein structures structures called enzymes. These are protein structures that function as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions that function as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions called as metabolism. called as metabolism.

EnergyEnergy

The ability to do workThe ability to do work

Every biological or physical process uses Every biological or physical process uses energyenergy

Energy is expressed in many different Energy is expressed in many different forms such as heat, light, electric, kinetic, forms such as heat, light, electric, kinetic, chemical and potential.chemical and potential.

Energy is measured in units of heat Energy is measured in units of heat (calories) or work (joules).(calories) or work (joules).

Thermodynamics:Thermodynamics:

11stst law of thermodynamics states that law of thermodynamics states that energy is conserved. Neither created nor energy is conserved. Neither created nor destroyed but changed from one form to destroyed but changed from one form to another.another.

22ndnd law of thermodynamics states that with law of thermodynamics states that with each transfer or transformation in a each transfer or transformation in a system, less and less of energy is system, less and less of energy is available to do work.available to do work.

Natural source of energyNatural source of energy

The sun is the ultimate source of energy The sun is the ultimate source of energy for most plants and animalsfor most plants and animals

There are exceptional organisms that can There are exceptional organisms that can harvest energy from inorganic chemicals harvest energy from inorganic chemicals such as Hsuch as H22 or H or H22S. S.

Trapping solar energyTrapping solar energy

Green plants trap energy from the sun in a Green plants trap energy from the sun in a process known as photosynthesis.process known as photosynthesis.A tiny fraction of solar energy is actually A tiny fraction of solar energy is actually used by plants in the process of used by plants in the process of photosynthesis that supports life.photosynthesis that supports life.Of all the different wave lengths of solar Of all the different wave lengths of solar radiation, only the red and blue are radiation, only the red and blue are absorbed by plants and used for absorbed by plants and used for photosynthesis.photosynthesis.

PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis

The process by which light energy is The process by which light energy is captured by special structures called captured by special structures called chloroplasts. chloroplasts.

Chloroplasts contain green pigments Chloroplasts contain green pigments called chlorophyll that trap light energy. called chlorophyll that trap light energy.

PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis

Light reaction: the first step in Light reaction: the first step in photosynthesis where light energy is photosynthesis where light energy is trapped and used to split water molecule trapped and used to split water molecule into Hinto H++, e, e-- and O and O2. 2.

Dark reaction: during this step, high Dark reaction: during this step, high energy chemical bond is formed between energy chemical bond is formed between CO2 and H2O molecules to form sugar CO2 and H2O molecules to form sugar molecules.molecules.6H6H22O+6COO+6CO22+solar energy (chlorophyll)=C+solar energy (chlorophyll)=C66HH1212OO66+6O+6O22

RespirationRespiration

The process by which stored chemical The process by which stored chemical energy is broken down to release usable energy is broken down to release usable energy by living organisms inside sub-energy by living organisms inside sub-cellular structures called mitochondria.cellular structures called mitochondria.CC66HH1212OO6 6 + 6O+ 6O2 ==== 2 ==== 6H6H22O + 6COO + 6CO2 2 + energy + energy

Energy Exchange in an Ecosystem

Energy & Matter in the Environment

• Organism (species)• Population• Biological • Community• Ecosystem• Biosphere

Ecological interactionsEcological interactions

Ecology studies the interaction at species, population, Ecology studies the interaction at species, population, community or ecosystem levelcommunity or ecosystem levelSpecies: all organisms of the same kind that are Species: all organisms of the same kind that are genetically similar enough to breed in nature and genetically similar enough to breed in nature and produce live, fertile offspring. There are exception to the produce live, fertile offspring. There are exception to the definition. Eg bacteria and certain plantsdefinition. Eg bacteria and certain plantsPopulation: consists of all the members of a species Population: consists of all the members of a species living in a given area at the same time.living in a given area at the same time.Bio-communities: all the population of organisms living Bio-communities: all the population of organisms living and interacting in the same area.and interacting in the same area.Ecosystems: biological communities and its physical Ecosystems: biological communities and its physical environment. environment.

Energy flow in an ecosystemEnergy flow in an ecosystem

Producers: organisms that photosynthesis, Producers: organisms that photosynthesis, mainly green plants and algae. These are the mainly green plants and algae. These are the base of all ecological productivity. (productivity is base of all ecological productivity. (productivity is the amount of biomass produced in a given area the amount of biomass produced in a given area during a given period of time)during a given period of time)Consumers: organisms that get their energy Consumers: organisms that get their energy from feeding on other organisms (producers or from feeding on other organisms (producers or other consumers)other consumers)

Three groups of consumers.

1. 1. Animals that eat ONLY PLANTS are called herbivores (or primary consumers).

2. Animals that eat OTHER ANIMALS are called carnivores. carnivores that eat herbivores are called secondary consumers. carnivores that eat other carnivores are called tertiary consumerse.g., killer whales in an ocean food web ... phytoplankton → small fishes → seals → killer whales

3. Animals and people who eat BOTH animals and plants are called omnivores.

Decomposers: (bacteria and fungi) which feed on decaying matter.

These decomposers speed up the decaying process that releases mineral salts back into the food chain for absorption by plants as nutrients.

Food chainFood chain

A path of food consumption that shows the A path of food consumption that shows the flow of energy from one organism to the flow of energy from one organism to the next.next.

Each level of consumption in a food chain Each level of consumption in a food chain is called a is called a trophic leveltrophic level. .

Why are there more herbivores than Why are there more herbivores than carnivores?carnivores?

Ans. The loss of usable energy as it flows Ans. The loss of usable energy as it flows up a the food chain.up a the food chain.

The Pyramid of Energy

The Pyramid of Biomass

The Pyramid of Numbers

Food WebFood Web

Most animals are part of more than one Most animals are part of more than one food chain and eat more than one kind of food chain and eat more than one kind of food in order to meet their food and energy food in order to meet their food and energy requirements. These interconnected food requirements. These interconnected food chains form a chains form a food webfood web. .

The Water Cycle

ADD FIG. 2.19

The Carbon Cycle

ADD FIG. 2.20

The Nitrogen Cycle

ADD FIG. 2.21

The nodules on the rootsof this plant contain bacteria that help convertnitrogen in the soil to a form the plant can utilize.

Nitrogen Fixation

The Phosphorous Cycle

ADD FIG. 2.23

The Sulfur Cycle

ADD FIG. 2.24

Chapter 3. Key Terms McGraw-Hill Course Glossary

adaptation

Batesian mimicry

biotic potential

carrying capacity

coevolution

commensalism

complexity

convergent evolution

divergent evolution

diversity

ecological development

ecological niche

ecotones

edge effects

environmental resistance

evolution

exponential growth

habitat

J curve

K-adapted species

keystone species

logistic growth

Mullerian mimicry

mutualism

natural selection

overshoots

pioneer species

predator

primary productivity

primary succession

r-adapted species

resource partitioning

S-curve

secondary succession

selective pressure

symbiosis

tolerance limits