Energy Fundamentals.
Energy Fundamentals There are many different views, properties, values, and interests for different types of energy. In viewing energy in terms of commodity we focus on supply and demand. Also the price of energy is an important factor. Commodity is used by current buyers and sellers in deciding what type of energy to use. As an ecological resource depletability, environmental impact , and resource issues are the properties of energy. The choice of future sustainability and frugality are also values by those who view energy as an ecological resource. Market bystanders and future generations are most interested in viewing energy in this way. When viewed as a social necessity availability and distribution are the important properties of energy. Equity is valued most when energy is viewed as a social necessity. The poor, and under funded public services seek to benefit from this view point of energy the most. Finally, energy as a "strategic material" is the last view on energy that we have discussed in class. The properties of this energy view are geopolitics and foreign energy. Security is the main concern, and energy buyers and suppliers are mostly concerned with this view of energy. Nuclear energy is a form of energy that is created through the reaction and exchange of electrons. It is stored in the nuclei of atoms and released either through fission (spliting atoms)
Why is pyramid of biomass important in illustration than pyramid of numbers?
Task - Providing information about biomass; two examples of studies or research into biomass. Why is pyramid of biomass important in illustration than pyramid of numbers? Information about biomass - A biomass is a measure of the amount of living material present such as the biomass of plants in a rainforest or of worms in the soil. Biomass is expressed in units such as gm-2. These units reflect both the mass and the size of the sample. Because the amount of water in living organisms is very variable, samples are often dried, in which case the term dry biomass is used. It is not essential, however, to use dry biomass. There are some circumstances where it is far more sensible and convenient to consider fresh or live biomass. Pyramids of biomass may be expressed in terms of biomass at each trophic level. Information from: http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-iv/ecosystem/biomass-pyramid.php "Pyramid of biomass is the graphic representation of biomass present per unit area of different trophic levels, with producers at the base and top carnivores at the tip". The total amount of living or organic matter in an ecosystem at any time is called 'Biomass'. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the maximum biomass occurs in producers, and there is progressive decrease in biomass from lower to higher trophic levels. Thus, the pyramid of biomass in a terrestrial ecosystem is
Conduction: Good and Poor Thermal Conductors.
There are many problems involved in the heating, cooling and insulating of a modern energy efficient house. However, certain measures can be taken in order to save energy and prevent excess energy gain. There are a variety of ways of solving these problems relating to heating, cooling and insulation in the home. Conduction: Good and Poor Thermal Conductors Heat is easily lost through the exterior walls of a house because of the conductivity of the materials the walls are built with (ie brick). Using higher levels of insulation can reduce this problem. This technique reduces heat transfer from the heated interior to the cold outside during winter, and insulated the house from heat in summer. The following are a variety of methods of framing used to overcome these problems. Optimum value engineering - this method utilises strategically placed wood in order to create space for insulation Structured insulated panels - plywood or oriented-strand board is laminated to foam board. The foam may be 4 to 8 inches thick. Because the panels acts as both the framing and the insulation, the quality of construction is often superior and takes less time than optimum value engineering. Insulating concrete forms - two layers of foam board (one inside the house and one outside the house) act as the form for a steel-reinforced concrete centre. It's the fastest technique and least likely to
Cycles in Biology.
Cycles in Biology A cycle is an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs. Cycles are a hugely relevant component of biology. Practically everything has to be recycled as every resource, to some extent, is a non-renewable resource. There are cycles in all aspects of biology that can be explored. Life-materials are the basic particles of Earth, called elements, that all living organisms build their bodies from. They are sometimes called "bio-elements." All living organisms are made primarily of six elements, all in the same proportion: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus and Sulphur. Most organisms require small, often tiny, amounts of additional such as iron, copper and iodine. Most plants require a total of twenty-three different nutrients to flourish. Essential nutrients are limited. We use them for energy to power our bodies (food for metabolism) and as materials to build and renew our bodies. We renew or rebuild our bodies over and over, every day. Nutrients are all recycled so organisms can share them over time. This sharing process is called the Nutrient Cycle. These nutrients have been shared over and over for billions of years. Every organism alive on earth is made of nutrients that have been used and re-used over and over again. Certain human activities may altar the nutrient cycles. Living organisms continually release nutrients
"The KyotoProtocols, agreed to by many Nations, would benefit the world's environment. Choose One Type of Fossil Fuel currently used and outline the possible advantages and Disadvantages of reducing the use of that fuel."
"The Kyoto Protocols, agreed to by many Nations, would benefit the world's environment. Choose One Type of Fossil Fuel currently used and outline the possible advantages and Disadvantages of reducing the use of that fuel." Reducing the use of coal, as outlined in the Kyoto Protocols would not only have its advantages, but its disadvantages as well. In 1997 the 'Kyoto Protocol' was negotiated, outlining plans for "Developed countries to reduce their Green House gas emissions by, on average, 5.2% below 1990 levels in the period 2008 to 2012."1 This concern for emissions arose from the growing awareness of global warming, of which the burning of coal for energy is one of the largest contributors of carbon-dioxide emissions, however, reducing the use of coal would have its drawbacks, as well as its benefits, as this paper will outline. As a readily available and comparatively cheap source of energy, it is one that developing worlds rely on and developed worlds relish. Unfortunately it's more eco-friendly, renewable replacements are not always a practical option in relation to location or economy of a country. On the other hand, the cost of reducing C02 emissions, its extensive transportation needs, not to mention its significant contribution to Global warming are all reasons to encourage the reduction of its use. Reducing the use of coal as an energy source would greatly ease
Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of being Ectothermic and Endothermic for Vertebrates.
Discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of being Ectothermic and Endothermic for Vertebrates. Vertebrates can be found all over the world, from the freezing poles to the hot deserts. The normal air temperature in these regions varies from -40?C to 50?C respectively. The majority of living organisms exist within confined limits of temperature, (approximately 10-35?C), but various organisms show adaptations enabling them to exploit geographical areas at both extremes of temperature. Temperature indicates the amount of heat energy in a system, and is a major factor determining the rate of chemical reactions. The most important reactions which are inhibited by inappropriate temperature are those that are catalysed by enzymes. Below freezing point, cells may freeze, and the cell structure destroyed by formation of ice crystals. Above 45?C enzymes usually become denatured, ceasing to function; in both of these cases, the organism dies. Therefore, if vertebrates did not regulate their body temperature they would be unable to survive outside a narrow range of temperatures. All animals derive heat from two sources: the external environment and from the release of chemical energy within their cells. The extent to which animals are able to generate and conserve this heat depends upon physiological mechanisms associated with their phylogenetic position. The possible evolution
The Importance of Being The Right Size.
The Importance of Being The Right Size 'The higher organisms are not larger than the lower because they are more complicated. They are more complicated because they are larger.' Hyung-woo (Shane) Cho L6GW Most people will be most likely to believe that the higher organisms, such as, animals, are larger because they are more complicated. However, actually, the higher organisms are complicated because they are larger. In other words, they have to be complicated in order to be large. Then why do they have to be complicated? And why do they want to get bigger? Simply, the higher organisms are more complicated because they need more organisms and support from their body itself, to keep their large sized body. All the living things have their own features to adapt their living habitats. Complicated mechanisms and large sized body are included in these features as well. The feature that is linked with the size of a living organism is surface area and the gas exchange. To get the energy to continue their lives organisms need to do respiration. Gaseous exchange is necessary for this, for respiration oxygen is taken into their body, and carbon dioxide are released out to the atmosphere. There are some other gases that are also need to be exchanged, for example, water and urea (waste). Gas exchange normally occurs by a process called diffusion, and the important properties of gas
Describe and compare the digestion and alimentary canal of carnivores, ruminants and hindgut fermenters.
Describe and compare the digestion and alimentary canal of carnivores, ruminants and hindgut fermenters. Carnivores have a dentition similar to humans. However, the third upper premolar and first lower molar is enlarged and pointed. These are known as the carnassials. These teeth allow the shearing of food. Canines are also more prominent. A great pressure can be exerted by the canines since they are pointed and thus can pierce flesh. Molars are flattened, and aligned with the powerful jaw muscles. This structure is ideal for crushing bone. Upper and lower jaw fit together so closely that they cannot be dislocated thus making ideal for holding on struggling prey. The temporal muscle is well developed unlike the masseter muscle which is relatively smaller. Adaptations of the alimentary canal to high protein diet include three main characteristics. First, carnivores have a large stomach which can store food so animal survive long periods between meals, and exposes food to powerful digestive juices, including pepsin. Second, duodenum, ileum and colon are not enlarged since large-scale bacterial breakdown of vegetable matter is absent in carnivores. Lastly, liver is large because a high protein diet leads to a great deal of transamination and deamination. The digestive system of carnivores is the simplest among mammals. When food is ingested it passes through the esophagus and
The Magical Forest.
The Magical Forest Once upon a time, in a land far, far away lay fairy Redhead, Queen over all the Fairies. Surrounded by the sweet melancholy aroma of beautiful flowers and her many fairy friends. Fairy Redhead was the prettiest of all the Fairies. She had long, wavy, flowing, red hair, gorgeous indigo eyes; little freckles covered her nose and cheeks, cute natural pink lips and a petite nose. She was dressed in a silk cascading strappy turquoise dress with a shiny silver wrap to keep her shoulders warm from the gentle breeze that hung around in the magical forest. In the middle of where all the fairies live there's a big lake filled with many creatures with a small waterfall flowing into it. The sound of the slow trickling water made the forest very relaxing and peaceful to be in. This meant the fairies wouldn't be disturbed by humans just nature. Apart from in the very dark parts of the forest where the Goblins lived in little cosy caves. All of the Fairies loved where they lived because they had all the things they needed to live a fairly safe and healthy life. Even thought the fairies are magical they still need to eat a certain kind of sweet which gave them all the energy they needed, and the forest provided this in big amounts. The only worry was if the goblins got a hold of it because if that happened they would have loads of energy and the fairies wouldn't have
Ecology of leaves
A Table Showing The Surface Area of Leaves From A Stinging Nettle In A Light Shaded Area And A Light Exposed Area Leaf Number Surface Area of Leaves In Light Exposed Area (cm²) Surface Area of Leaves In Light Shaded Area (cm²) 4 80* 2 8 98* 3 4 44 4 20* 04 5 0 74 6 4 34 7 6 44 8 2 38 9 0 84* 0 4 24 1 8 36 2 0 48 3 2 08 4 4 76* 5 0 68* 6 8 56* 7 24* 64 8 6 56 9 0 78 20 4 54 Mean 1.4 23.4 T-Test Result Anomalies or weird results are identified with an * and are in a bold font. Reasons for these anomalies will be evaluated further in the evaluation. Soil Statistics Table These readings are important as they could explain the differences in leave surface area at the different sites. Any problems found in this statistics tables readings, will be evaluated in the evaluation. Leaves In Light Exposed Area Leaves In Light Shaded Area Light F+ (High Intensity) A- (Low Intensity) Moisture 7 7 Temperature 4+/-1°C 8+/-1°C Nitrate Level 0 5 pH 6.5 6.5 Weight of Soil With Water 1.08g 3.16g Weight of Soil Without Water 9.02g 9.6g Weight of Water 2.06g 3.56g Conclusion and Analysis of Evidence My results show that there is a difference in surface area of leaves in a light exposed and light shaded area. The leaves in the shaded area had an overall mean of 123.4cm² and the leaves in the
