BIO206H5 Final: Exam Review
Document Summary
Any natural substance that living things use can be considered as a natural resource. (sun, air, water, soil, minerals, plants, animals, forests, fossil fuels) Environmental problems fall in resource depletion, pollution & extinction. Some resources cannot be replaced and these are called nonrenewable resources. (ie: copper) Renewable resources are resources are continually being replaced, even as they"re being used. Pollution is the poisoning of our air, water or soil. Pollutants due to human activity: nitrous oxides & carbon monoxide. Dangerous to human health: mercury & radiation, etc. Extinction means that the last individual member of a species has died & the species is gone forever. Most species that are becoming extinct are dying because their natural homes are being destroyed. The increase of co2 may cause climate change. Destruction of tropical rain forests is also contributing to increase co2. Chlorofluorocarbons are harming the ozone shield in the atmosphere. The biosphere is the thin layer of life around the earth.
