Conditions For Life On Earth

Question 1

What is solar insolation

Answer 1

Amount of sunlight absorbed by earths surface depends on albedo of surface and that energy is used to drive the water cycle.

Question 2

What is carbon sequestration

Answer 2

Photosynthetic organisms absorb co2 from the atmosphere and store it in geological sediments which maintains earths temperature

Question 3

What is the biochemical cycle

Answer 3

Relatively small amounts of nutrient elements can support life over long periods without resources being depleted

Question 4

What is biomimetics

Answer 4

Uses knowledge of the adaptations of other species to improve designs of manufactured items

Question 5

Example of biomimicry

Answer 5

Splayed wing tip feathers of soaring birds reduce wind turbulence and drag which are used in aircraft wing designs improve fuel efficiency a

Question 6

Example of 2 medicines from nature

Answer 6

Aspirin from willow bark used as a painkiller

Taxol from yew tree treats a range of cancers eg breast cancer

Question 7

What are examples of characteristics introduced from crop wild relative species

Answer 7

Disease resistance
Drought resistance
Nutrient uptake
Salt tolerance

Question 8

What are cwr species

Answer 8

Crop wild relative species

Question 9

What are vavilov centers

Answer 9

Areas of the world with high concentrations of the close relatives of important crop species

Question 10

Examples of ecosystem services

Answer 10

Atmospheric composition
Pollination
Seed dispersal
Soil maintenance