1.a. Water and carbon support life on Earth and move between the land, oceans and atmosphere. Flashcards
Scientists on the importance of water
Scientists are convinced that water holds the key to understanding evolution as it provides a medium that allows molecules to fix together and from more complex structures.
What is the Goldilocks zone?
The ubiquity of water on earth is due to its distance from the sunlit lies in the ‘Goldilocks zone’ which is just right for water water to exists in such large quantities in its liquid form
what does water help to create on earth?
Benign thermal conditions
how to oceans help to maintain the earth’s benign thermal conditions?
oceans cover 72% of earth’s surface and absorb heat, releasing it slowly and moderating the temperature.
How do clouds help regulate earth’s temperature?
Tiny water droplets and ice crystals in cloud reflect around 5% of incoming solar radiation, lowering surface temperatures.
what is the importance of water in fauna?
Water makes up 65-95% of all living organisms and is crucial fro metabolic functions like reproduction and growth.
what is the importance of water to flora?
Plants make their own food. water is necessary in photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration.
What are the conditions needed for photosynthesis to occur?
Photosynthesis takes place in the leaves of plants, combining sunlight water and CO2 to produce glucose and starch.
What are the conditions needed for respiration to occur?
Respiration occurs in plants an animals,when glucose is turned into energy through its reaction with oxygen. Water and cO2 are released in the process.
What other reasons do plants need water
- To maintain rigidity and
- Transport nutrients and minerals from the soil.
- For transpiration (cooling of plants by evaporation of water from leaves)
Why is water important economically?
( 5 reasons/uses)
water is also an essential resource for economic activity. it is used to generate electricity, crop irrigation, to provide recreational activities and satisfy demand for drinking water and sewage disposal. it is also used in a wide range of manufacturing industries.
What is carbon and where is it stored?
Carbon is a chemical element, stored on carbonate rocks such as limestone, sea floor sediments, oceans as dissolved co2, the atmosphere as co2 gas and in the biosphere.
why is carbon biologically important (simple answer)
Carbon is necessary for all life on earth. All life is carbon based, built on large molecules of carbon atoms such as proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids.
What is the economic significance of carbon?
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas power the global economy.
Oil is also the basis for many products including plastics, paint and synthetic fabrics.
