Study Guide for Unit 1: Chapters 1 & 2
Chapter 1

Understand the Branches of Science:
o Biology, Physics, Chemistry
o 4 Branches of Earth Science

Be able to apply each to a science undertaking/expedition (remember the Mars Rovers
example)
o Earth Science and Ecology (2 things each)

Understand the Scientific Method
o Know the 5 steps
o Be able to apply the scientific method to a given problem

Meteorite Impact Hypothesis
o What is it?
o What is the evidence (at least 2 things…)?

Experimentation
o What is it?
o What are needed in an experiment (variable, control, hypothesis)

Hypothesis vs. Theory vs. Law
o What are the differences?
o What is an example of each?

Doppler Effect
o Be able to identify what is happening to wavelength/colorchange when a wave emitting source is
moving towards/away from you.
o What is redshift/blueshift?
o How does this relate the movement of objects within our Universe?
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
The Big Bang
o Two major pieces of evidence that support the Big Bang!!!
o Understand the basics of what happened.

Movements of Earth
o Revolution vs. Rotation
o The Seasons (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring)
 What causes the seasons? What is the Earth’s Position (tilt) during each?

What are the Summer/Winter Solstice? What are the Autumnal/Vernal Equinox?

List biotic, abiotic, organic, inorganic components of various natural environments

Have a general understanding of the seven terrestrial biomes.

Identify and recognize population sampling methods and the types of census used (population lab handout
pgs. 1 - 4.)

List and describe limiting factors using examples, and how they could affect an organism’s population
(notes and text 1.1)

Give examples of how and why an organism’s population has changed. Understand the concept of carrying
capacity and population graphs. Know examples from the notes. (notes, and text 1.1)

Know the order and properties of the four layers of a mature deciduous forest. (handout)

List the major shade tolerant and intolerant tree species for the field study and explain their relationship to
canopy, understory, and succession.
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
Explain and give examples of various communities and habitats. Be able to describe how populations of
certain species such as grouse, bluebirds, and deer have changed due to human influence (notes, text 1.1)

Be able to create a food web using all the possible niches involved and recognize a feeding niche from a
chain. Be able to define all the possible niches that an organism can fill in a food web. Be able to cite
examples for each niche. (notes and 1.2 in text)

Be able to explain all the possible paths of energy and matter in an ecosystem. Diagram and explain the
concept of a biomass pyramid. (notes and 1.6 in text)


1.3 Predators and Bounties
1.12 Trees and Indicator Species (we did not go over this in class but it was HW!!!)
Water Cycle
Know all 7 parts of the water cycle.
Carbon Oxygen Cycle
Understand the processes that use oxygen and create oxygen.

Understand the processes that create carbon/carbon dioxide.
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Forest Succession

Primary Succession

Secondary Succession

Example organisms for Succession
Pond Succession

Know the stages of Succession of a Pond

Be able to recognize a picture of a stage.

Be able to know the general biotic/Abiotic characteristics of each stage.
Old Growth Forest/Multiple Use

List each species that has a special relationship with the old growth forest and describe that relationship.

What is Multiple Use Management?

Where is multiple use management used, where is it not permitted?
Managing a Hardwood Forest for Biodiversity

What are the 4 conditions that a forest is managed for to maximize biodiversity

List a species for each of the conditions (ex: grasslands support bluebirds)

Describe the two practices that limit biodiversity
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Introduced/Invasive Species

What is an introduced species?

What is an example of an introduced species that is not invasive.

What makes a species invasive?

Read Over the species that were looked up for homework
o How did they get here
o What damage are they doing
o How are they being controlled
Endangered Species

Define: endangered, threatened, candidate, extinct

What is the purpose of the ESA

What is a HCP and an incidental take

What are some criticisms of the ESA

What are two examples of species that receive a disproportionate amount of $$$ from the ESA

What are 3 main causes of endangerment
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