Lesson 3 - Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles

100

What is Matter?

Matter is defined as any substance that has mass and takes up space. Any substance made up of atoms.

200

What atoms make up living organisms? Hint: Big 6

- Carbon

- Hydrogen

- Oxygen

- Nitrogen

- Phosphorus

- Sulfur

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

400

What 4 Processes Drive Biogeochemical Cycles?

- Biological

- Geological

- Physical & Chemical

- Human Activities

500

List 3 Essential Biogeochemical Cycles

1. Water Cycle

2. Carbon Cycle

3. Nitrogen Cycle

Water Cycle

100

Draw a Water Molecule and Label the Atoms

200

What describes the role of plants in the water cycle?

Plants release water vapor into the atmosphere during transpiration.

300

Water that soaks into the ground is called what in the water cycle?

Percolation

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

500

What type of bond does H₂0 have?

A Polar Covalent Bond

Carbon Cycle

100

What is a Carbon Sink?

A Carbon reservoir that absorbs more carbon than it releases.

Ex. Carbon Forests, Soil, and Oceans

200

What is the name of the process that removes carbon from the air and uses it to make organic compounds?

Photosynthesis

300

How have humans negatively affect the Carbon Cycle?

- Burning Fossil Fuels

- Fracking

- Deforestation

- Cattle Industry

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.

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

Nitrogen Cycle

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

Pollution

100

Name three ways pollution increases Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere.

Factories, Cars, Busses, Trains, Burning Wood

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

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

List two examples of short-term Nitrogen cycling

 Food Chain, Decomposition 

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.