2.3 Biochemical Cycles

Question 1

biogeochemical cycle

Answer 1

cycles involve the movement and transformation of elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus between different environmental compartments

Question 2

carbon cycle

Answer 2

the biogeochemical process by which carbon atoms circulate throughout Earth’s biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere

Question 3

carbon stores

Answer 3

the places where carbon is held for varying periods of time within the carbon cycle

Question 4

carbon sinks

Answer 4

anything that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases (eg. trees, ocean, soil)

Question 5

carbon sources

Answer 5

release more carbon than they absorb

Question 6

residence time

Answer 6

the amount of time a molecule spends in a reservoir

Question 7

regenerative

Answer 7

refers to ecosystems replenishing what is being eaten, disturbed, or harvested

Question 8

agricultural

Answer 8

relating to the practice of cultivating land and raising livestock, primarily for the production of food, fiber, and other useful goods

Question 9

fossil fuels

Answer 9

An energy source formed in the Earth’s crust from decayed organic material (eg. petroleum, coal, and natural gas)

Question 10

limestone

Answer 10

a rock that is formed chiefly from animal remains (as shells or coral), consists mainly of calcium carbonate, is used in building, and gives lime when burned

Question 11

fossilizaiton

Answer 11

the process of an animal or plant becoming preserved in a hard, petrified form

Question 12

carbon sequestration

Answer 12

the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide

Question 13

carbon capture

Answer 13

the process of trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) from sources like power plants or industrial facilities, before it is released into the atmosphere

Question 14

artificial

Answer 14

made, produced, or done by humans

Question 15

sequestration

Answer 15

The procedure of collecting and storing atmospheric molecules

Question 16

sustainable

Answer 16

the use of global resources at a rate that allows natural regeneration and minimizes damage to the environment

Question 17

agriculture

Answer 17

he practice of cultivating plants and raising animals for food, fiber, and other useful products

Question 18

ocean acidification

Answer 18

the decrease in pH levels within the ocean, primarily due to the release and absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation

Question 19

photosynthesis

Answer 19

the process of converting light energy to chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of sugar

Question 20

cellular respiration

Answer 20

the process by which living cells break down glucose (and other molecules) to release stored energy for cellular activities - releases CO2

Question 21

soil erosion

Answer 21

the permanent change of the main characteristics of soil that could see it lose its fertility, pH, color, humus content or structure

Question 22

deforestation

Answer 22

the removal of forest or stands of trees

Question 23

biomass

Answer 23

the total mass of living organisms within a specific area or volume

Question 24

reforestation

Answer 24

the practice of restoring previously existing forests and woodlands that have been destroyed or damaged

Question 25

inorganic

Answer 25

non-living, physical factors that influence an ecosystem or organism

Question 26

fertilisers

Answer 26

a substance added to soil to increase its fertility - often high in nitrogen and can cause problems with runoff pollution

Question 27

lithosphere

Answer 27

the rigid, outermost layer of the Earth's rocks and minerals, which consists of the crust and upper mantle

Question 28

nitrogen cycle

Answer 28

nitrogen cycle is the process through which nitrogen moves between organic and inorganic forms in ecosystems

Question 29

methanogenisis

Answer 29

the process by which certain microbes, called methanogens, produce methane (CH4) under anaerobic conditions

Question 30

nitrates

Answer 30

NO3 - naturally found in air, soil, water, and some food. Plants and animals require nitrates for their survival and growth, and the human body also produces this compound. In industry, nitrate is used as fertilizers for crops and lawns.

Question 31

nitrites

Answer 31

NO2 - an intermediate compound involved in processes like nitrification and denitrification. It can be utilized by phytoplankton and can accumulate in certain oxygen-deficient zones in water bodies

Question 32

denitrification

Answer 32

The breakdown of nitrates by soil bacteria, resulting in the release of free nitrogen

Question 33

anaerobic conditions

Answer 33

conditions lacking oxygen

Question 34

eutrophication

Answer 34

the addition of excess nutrients to a water system, which leads to the growth and subsequent death of algae, which reduces the dissolved oxygen available for other aquatic organisms

Question 35

planetary boundaries

Answer 35

scientific thresholds that define the safe operating space for humanity on Earth, beyond which the Earth system might experience destabilizing changes

Question 36

global collaboration

Answer 36

Collaborative efforts among individuals, institutions, or organizations from different geographical locations to share knowledge, resources, and insights

Question 37

Haber Process

Answer 37

combines nitrogen from the air with hydrogen derived mainly from natural gas (methane) into ammonia

Question 38

nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Answer 38

prokaryotic microorganisms that are capable of transforming nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into “fixed nitrogen” compounds, such as ammonia, that are usable by plants

Question 39

legumes

Answer 39

encourage nitrogen fixation via symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Question 40

nitrogen fixation

Answer 40

the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted by either a natural or an industrial means to a form of nitrogen

Question 41

ammonification

Answer 41

the step in the nitrogen cycle wherein death has occurred, and organic material is converted back into ammonium by decomposing organisms

Question 42

decomposition

Answer 42

the process whereby organic material is broken down into its smaller molecules

Question 43

leaching

Answer 43

occurs when water flowing vertically through the soil transports nutrients in solution downward in the soil profile