The Earth's Spheres
Name the four spheres of the Earth.
Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere
What element is cycled through Earth’s spheres in the carbon cycle?
Carbon
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
Burning fossil fuels adds which gas to the atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide
Which sphere contains all water on Earth?
What are the two main types of carbon cycle?
Geological (long-term) and biological (short-term)
What type of energy drives photosynthesis?
Light energy from the Sun
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Increased greenhouse gases trap more heat, causing global warming
How does the hydrosphere influence climate?
By storing and transferring heat and moisture
What process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis
What is the opposite process to photosynthesis?
Cellular Respiration
What two natural events can release large amounts of CO₂ into the air besides human activity?
Bushfires or volcanic eruptions
The biosphere depends on which two spheres for nutrients and gases?
Atmosphere, Lithosphere
What happens to carbon stored in plants when they die?
It is released by decomposition or becomes fossil fuel over time
Where in a plant cell does photosynthesis occur?
Chloroplasts
How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?
Fewer trees absorb CO₂, increasing atmospheric carbon
Explain how a volcanic eruption demonstrates interaction between all four spheres.
Magma from lithosphere releases gases into atmosphere, affects biosphere life, and impacts nearby water in hydrosphere
Explain the difference between a carbon source and a carbon sink, giving an example of each.
Source releases carbon (e.g. burning fuel); sink absorbs carbon (e.g. forest or ocean)
Explain how photosynthesis and respiration form a balanced cycle in nature.
Photosynthesis removes CO₂ and releases O₂; respiration uses O₂ and releases CO₂
Explain why melting permafrost is a serious climate concern.
It releases trapped carbon and methane, accelerating warming