Photosynthesis & Respiration
What is the main pigment in plants that captures light energy for photosynthesis?
Chlorophyll
Name the four main types of macromolecules found in living things.
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic acids
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
The continuous movement and recycling of essential chemical elements through living and non-living parts of the environment.
Give one human activity that increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Burning fossil fuels, transportations (cars), manufacturing, etc.
Define "ecosystem".
A community of living things interacting with each other and the non-living environment.
Which macromolecule is the primary source of quick energy for cells?
Carbohydrates
Name two reservoirs (places) where carbon can be stored on Earth.
Living things, rocks, oceans, etc.
How can excess fertilizer runoff affect aquatic ecosystems?
Rapid algae growth blocks out sunlight, depletes oxygen levels upon decomposition, and creates "dead zones".
Explain how the products of photosynthesis are used in cellular respiration.
Glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy.
Describe one structural role and one storage role of carbohydrates in living organisms.
Glucose is used to form cellulose (fiber) to provide plant bodies their structure.
Glucose is also used to store energy in plants in the form of starch.
Briefly describe one way nitrogen is converted into a usable form for plants (name the process).
Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into other forms like Ammonia by Nitrogen Fixation.
Describe one way deforestation can change the carbon cycle and one consequence for local climate or ecosystems.
Disruption of evapotranspiration results in higher temperatures and lower precipitation.
Identify the cellular organelle where cellular respiration mainly occurs, and name the stage that produces the most ATP.
Mitochondria (The powerhouse of the cell)
Explain the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats and give one food source for each.
Saturated: solid at room temp., no carbon double-bonds, butter.
Unsaturated: liquid at room temp., 1 or more double-bonds, olive oil.
Explain how burning fossil fuels affects the balance of the carbon cycle and name one global effect linked to that imbalance.
Climate Change / Global Warming
What does "flux" mean in the context of a biogeochemical cycle?
The movement of matter between reservoirs.
For proteins: describe the role of amino acids and explain how a change in a protein's shape can affect its function.
Amino acids build proteins. Proteins need an exact shape to function, which is determined by the sequence the amino acids have.
Explain how carbon moves from the atmosphere into fossil fuels over geologic time (include at least two steps).
Carbon dioxide is absorbed and converted into glucose by plants. Plants later die and are buried, becoming fossils, and decomposing over time forming fossil fuels.
Propose one realistic human action (policy or behavior) that could reduce disruption of a biogeochemical cycle, and explain how it helps.
Reduce nitrogen use in farming, reduce deforestation, reduction of fossil fuel usage, promote recycling, etc.