Biogeochemical Cycles
Water Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Pollution
100
What is Matter?
Matter is defined as any substance that has mass and takes up space. Any substance made up of atoms.
100
Draw a Water Molecule and Label the Atoms
100
What is a Carbon Sink?
A Carbon reservoir that absorbs more carbon than it releases.
Ex. Carbon Forests, Soil, and Oceans
100
Why do we need Nitrogen?
Nitrogen is an essential component of biological molecules like:
DNA
RNA
Amino Acids
Proteins
All organisms require nitrogen to live, repair and grow.
100
Name three ways pollution increases Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere.
Factories, Cars, Busses, Trains, Burning Wood
200
What atoms make up living organisms? Hint: Big 6
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Sulfur
200
What describes the role of plants in the water cycle?
Plants release water vapor into the atmosphere during transpiration.
200
What is the name of the process that removes carbon from the air and uses it to make organic compounds?
Photosynthesis
200
Why are bacteria the most important part of the Nitrogen Cycle?
Bacteria are the most important organism in the Nitrogen cycle because they can convert N2 into usablke forms like NH4 and NO3
200
How using too much fertilizer affects the watershed
Runoff from rain sends fertilizer into streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes affecting drinking water. Too much fertilizer makes algae have a population explosion. The decomposition of the algae can cause Eutrophication (dead zones) where fish and aquatic insects do not have enough dissolved Oxygen.
300
List three Organic and three Inorganic Molecules.
Inorganic Molecules
Water (H2O)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Oxygen (O2)
Organic Molecules
Proteins
Carbohydrates (C6H12O6)
Nucleic acids
Lipids
300
Water that soaks into the ground is called what in the water cycle?
Percolation
300
How have humans negatively affect the Carbon Cycle?
- Burning Fossil Fuels
- Fracking
- Deforestation
- Cattle Industry
300
If 78% of the atmosphere is made of nitrogen, How could there be a shortage of Nitrogen?
Because atmospheric nitrogen (N2) has a triple covalent bond that can only be broken through Nitrogen-Fixing bacteria and lightning.
300
What is a limiting nutrient?
A nutrient that is in short supply thus limiting cellular growth. Both Nitrogen and Phosphorus can be limiting nutrients on land. Also, Phosphorus is a generally limiting nutrient in freshwater systems and Nitrogen is a generally limiting nutrient in saltwater systems.
400
What 4 Processes Drive Biogeochemical Cycles?
- Biological
- Geological
- Physical & Chemical
- Human Activities
400
List three stores and three flows in the Water Cycle
Stores:
- Oceans, Surface Run-Off, Atmospher, Ice Caps, Underground Aquifurs
Flows:
- Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Streams, Transpiration, Groundwater Discharge
400
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The Natural phenomenon that warms the temperature of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere because greenhouse gases aborb and emit infrared radiation that would otherwise escape into outer space.
400
What is Ammonification?
When nitrogen compounds are converted into ammonium. When a plant or animal dies, bacteria turn the nitrogen back into ammonium so it can reenter the nitrogen cycle.
400
List two examples of short-term Nitrogen cycling
Food Chain, Decomposition
500
List 3 Essential Biogeochemical Cycles
1. Water Cycle
2. Carbon Cycle
3. Nitrogen Cycle
500
What type of bond does H20 have?
A Polar Covalent Bond
500
List 4 carbon stores and 4 process that help circulate carbon around our planet
Stores:
- Sedimentary Rocks, Coal+Oil+Gas, Food Web, Atmosphere, Ocean, Plants, Soil
Processes:
- Burning, Respiration, Photosynthesis, Diffusion, Rock Cycle, Decomposition, Erupting Volcano, Soil Respiration, Weathering & Erosion, Burning Fossil Fuels
500
What detrimental effects does excess nitrous oxide in the atmospher have in ecosystems?
Nitrogen oxides are a group of gases made up opf oxygen and nitrogen atoms (NO2 and NO). They are formed by burning fossil fuels and by livestock. NO can cause acid rain, ozone at ground level leading to respiratory problems, it is also a major greenhouse gas.
500
What is Eutrophication?
When excessive fertilizers run into lakes and rivers. This encourages the growth of algae and other aquatic plants. Following this, overcrowding occurs and plants compete for sunlight, space, and oxygen. The O2 gets depleted from the aquatic system keeping the fish and aquatic insects from breathing.