Biosphere Quiz- Cycle

Question 1

Properties of Water

Answer 1

• Water is a universal solvent
• Water has a relatively HIGH boiling & melting point
• Water has special adhesive & cohesive properties
• Water has a HIGH heat capacity

Question 2

Universal Solvent

Answer 2

• Water is very good at carrying other materials
• The structure of water allows it to dissolve a variety of substances
• Polar molecules, meaning it has a positive & negative end, which creates a weak attraction called a hydrogen bond

Question 3

Weird Water Density

Answer 3

• Frozen water is LESS dense than liquid water
• WHY?
• When water freezes, it EXPANDS because hydrogen binds to hold the water molecules in an open crystal structure.
• When ice melts, its solid, crystalline structure begins to break down, INCREASING its density.

Question 4

Heat Capacity

Answer 4

• A measurement of the amount of heat a substance can ABSORB or RELEASE for a given change in temperature
• Water has a HIGH heat capacity, which means it NEEDS a large transfer of energy for a small change in temperature
  Water stores heat

Question 5

Adhesion

Answer 5

Water molecules are ATTRACTED to OTHER substances
Ex. Raindrops sticking to the window

Question 6

Cohesion

Answer 6

Water molecules are ATTRACTED to other WATER molecule.
Ex. Water drops

Question 7

Water Cycle (HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE)

Answer 7

The movement of water through the environment from the atmosphere to Earth and back

Question 8

Evaporation

Answer 8

The sun’s energy heats up the water from lakes, rivers and oceans, turning it into steam (water vapour) that rises into the air

Question 9

Condensation

Answer 9

When the water vapor goes high up where it’s colder, it turns back into tiny water droplets, forming clouds.

Question 10

Precipitation

Answer 10

When clouds get heavier with water, the water falls back to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Usually occurs when the temperature is just right.

Question 11

Collection

Answer 11

The water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some of it soaks into the ground and becomes groundwater, which plants and animals can use.

Question 12

Runoff

Answer 12

Some of the rainwater flows over the ground into streams, rivers, and eventually back to oceans or lakes, continuing the cycle.
Water moves along the lithosphere (Land) into the hydrosphere (Body of water).

Question 13

Transpiration

Answer 13

Plants absorb water from the soil through their roots and release it back into the atmosphere through their leaves.
The loss of water through the stomata on the plants leaves.

Question 14

Storage

Answer 14

Water is stored in various forms, including oceans (96% of Earth’s water), lakes, rivers, groundwater, ice caps, and glaciers, as well as in the atmosphere as water vapor.

Question 15

Water Table

Answer 15

The top level of the region below the ground that is saturated with water.
Plays a big role in storing and moving water underground.
The water table helps keep water available for plants, animals, and people

Question 16

Leaching

Answer 16

The removal of soluble minerals by percolation.
A process of extracting a substance from a solid material that is dissolved in a liquid.
Process where nutirents enter the water table or the hydrosphere through run-off.
Negatively impacts natural ecosystem.

Question 17

Percolation

Answer 17

The movement of a liquid through a porous material, such as soil particles.

Question 18

Carbon Cycle

Answer 18

The cycle of matter in which carbon atoms move from an inorganic form to an organic form and then back into an inorganic form.

Question 19

Carbon Source

Answer 19

Something that ADDS/RELEASES carbon to the environment
Ex. Combustion (Breathing Things), Breathing (Cellular Respiration)

Question 20

Carbon Sink

Answer 20

Something in the environment that STORES carbon
Ex. Ocean, forest, soil, wetlands

Question 21

Organic Carbon

Answer 21

Carbon compound found in living (or recently living) organisms
Ex. Glucose, Carbs, lipids, DNA, hormones.
Storage Areas: Bodies of living things.

Question 22

Inorganic Carbon

Answer 22

Carbon compound found in the environment in NON-LIVING things
Ex. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbonate, carbide
Storage Areas: Atmosphere (The smallest), oceans and Earth’s crust.

Question 23

Oxygen Cycle

Answer 23

Oxygen is important for both photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
The movement of oxygen gas from living things into the atmosphere through photosynthesis and then back into living things through cellular respiration.

Question 24

Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle

Answer 24

Mining fossil fuels trapped in Earth’s crust and burning them.
Clearing away vegetation in order to build infrastructure or a farm

Question 25

Nitrogen

Answer 25

PERCENTAGES: - 78% is Nitrogen, 21% is oxygen, 1% is other gases - Parts of proteins in an organism - Parts of DNA in cells - Most organisms **CANNOT** use the nitrogen straight from the atmosphere

Question 26

Using Nitrogen

Answer 26

- Bacteria convert ***nitrogen*** into ***ammonium*** in a process called ***nitrogen fixation*** - When decomposers break down organic matter (Called ***ammonification***), it produces **ammonium** - Some soil bacteria convert ***ammonium*** into ***nitrite*** and then into ***nitrate,*** which plants can use to get nitrogen

Question 27

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 27

A cycle of matter in which nitrogen atoms move from nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, to inorganic forms in the soil, to organic forms in the living things, & then back to inorganic forms in the soil and nitrogen gas in the atmosphere

Question 28

Aerobic Respiration

Answer 28

Occurs in the presence of oxygen Nitrification is aerobic

Question 29

Anaerobic Respiration

Answer 29

Occurs when there is limited oxygen Denitrification is anaerobic

Question 30

Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 30

- Free nitrogen (Nitrogen gas) is converted into **ammonia**, **nitrites** or **nitrates**

Question 31

Two Methods of Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 31

Bacteria can convert the free nitrogen into ammonia, and then other bacteria convert it into nitrites & nitrates. Plants can take up nitrate. Lighting can also fix nitrogen into nitrates. Energy from the lightning can cause nitrogen gas to react with oxygen in the air.

Question 32

Nitrification

Answer 32

The process that converts ammonia to nitrites & then nitrate (Ammonia --> Nitrites--> Nitrates)

Question 33

Assimilation

Answer 33

When plants & animals take up the nitrogen & incorporate them into their body systems Nitrogen absorption by plants and animals, and the nitrogen is transferred up the food chain

Question 34

Ammonification

Answer 34

When decomposers break down dead materials of plants and animals it produces ammonium

Question 35

Denitrification

Answer 35

The process of converting NITRATE --> NITROGEN GAS Denitrifying bacteria complete the cycle by converting nitrite or nitrate back into nitrogen gas

Question 36

Phosphorus

Answer 36

- Essential nutrients (The body **CANNOT** produce them, so it needs to consume them) - Limited amounts are available in the environment - Concentrated in living things - Parts of the DNA & ATP - A major part of the teeth and bones - Different from carbon, nitrogen and sulfur because it **does not** cycle through the atmosphere - Found in soil & water, and weathering, gradually release the phosphorus trapped in rocks

Question 37

How do Organisms Get Phosphorus?

Answer 37

- Animals get phosphorus by eating plants or other animals. - Producers get phosphorus in the form of phosphate, which is dissolved in water

Question 38

Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 38

The cycling of phosphorus between the biotic and abiotic parts of the environment Consists of a biological and geological cycle.

Question 39

Short-term Phosphorus Cycle (Biological Cycle)

Answer 39

Occurs within living organisms, soil, and water over days to decades. It includes the movement of phosphorus between plants, animals, decomposers, and the soil. Absorption by Plants – Trees, ferns, and mosses absorb phosphates (PO₄³⁻) from the soil to grow. 🔹 Consumption by Herbivores – Herbivores like Roosevelt elk and banana slugs eat plants, obtaining phosphorus for bones, teeth, and energy production (ATP). 🔹 Transfer to Carnivores – Predators like wolves and bald eagles consume herbivores, passing phosphorus up the food chain. 🔹 Decomposition – When plants and animals die, fungi, bacteria, and insects break down their bodies, returning phosphorus to the soil. 🔹 Waste Recycling – Animal feces and urine release phosphorus back into the environment. 🌲 Example: A Sitka spruce tree absorbs phosphorus from the soil. A Roosevelt elk eats its leaves and gains phosphorus. A wolf preys on the elk, transferring phosphorus into its own body. When the wolf dies, decomposers like fungi break it down, returning phosphorus to the soil.

Question 40

Long-term Phosphorus Cycle (Geological Cycle)

Answer 40

Occurs over a long period of time as phosphorus moves between rocks, soil and water through a slow geological process. 🪨 Rock Weathering – Phosphorus is stored in rocks for millions of years. Over time, rain, wind, and plant roots break down rocks, releasing phosphorus into the soil. 🌊 Sedimentation & Burial – Some phosphorus washes into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where it settles into sediments and becomes part of new rock formations. ⏳ Geological Uplift – Over millions of years, tectonic forces push phosphorus-rich rocks back up to the surface, restarting the cycle. Example: Rain erodes phosphorus-rich rocks in a temperate rainforest. The phosphorus enters the soil, where trees and plants absorb it. Some phosphorus washes into rivers and oceans. Over time, it gets buried in ocean sediments, forming new rocks. After millions of years, tectonic activity lifts the rocks back up, restarting the cycle.

Question 41

Food Pyramid

Answer 41

- An ecological hierarchy of food interactions in which the apex predator is at the top - Each level preys on the next lower level, and the bottom level is generally green vegetation. - Energy is transferred from one trophic level to another in the ecosystem, and some amount is lost at each trophic level.

Question 42

Long-term Phosphorus Cycle (Geological Cycle)

Answer 42

Occurs over a long period of time as phosphorus moves between rocks, soil, and water through slow geological processes. 🪨 Rock Weathering – Phosphorus is stored in rocks for millions of years. Over time, rain, wind, and plant roots break down rocks, releasing phosphorus into the soil. 🌊 Sedimentation & Burial – Some phosphorus washes into rivers, lakes, and oceans, where it settles into sediments and becomes part of new rock formations. ⏳ Geological Uplift – Over millions of years, tectonic forces push phosphorus-rich rocks back up to the surface, restarting the cycle. Example: Rain erodes phosphorus-rich rocks in a temperate rainforest. The phosphorus enters the soil, where trees and plants absorb it. Some phosphorus washes into rivers and oceans. Over time, it gets buried in ocean sediments, forming new rocks. After millions of years, tectonic activity lifts the rocks back up, restarting the cycle.

Question 43

Trophic Levels

Answer 43

- The feeding level through which energy & matter are transferred - The first trophic level in any ecosystem is the ***producer***

Question 44

Pyramid of Energy

Answer 44

- Transfer of energy (in J or KJ) from one trophic level to the next - Typically showing 10%, the efficiency of this transfer can vary from 5 to 20% - Overcomes the limitations that cause an inversion of the pyramid of biomass - In all ecosystem, there is less energy at higher trophic levels than at lower trophic levels - This shows a DECREASE in available energy at each successive trophic level - Inverted Pyramid of Energy ***DOES NOT*** exist - It is always upright, as there can NEVER be less energy in a lower trophic level than in a higher one.

Question 45

Food Web

Answer 45

A visual representation of the interconnected feeding relationships within an ecosystem, showing which organisms eat which, and how energy flows through different trophic levels

Question 46

Pyramid of Biomass

Answer 46

- Biomass is the dry mass of living or once living organisms per unit area (In the whole ecosystem) - Usually presented in the units of grams per square metre $g/m^2$ - Overcomes the limitations that cause an inversion of a pyramid of numbers - In most ecosystems, there is less biomass at higher trophic levels than at lower trophic levels - This illustrates a decrease in available energy at each successive trophic level - It could be ***inverted*** - In an inverted pyramid of biomass, there is less biomass at the first trophic level than at the second trophic level

Question 47

Pyramid of Numbers

Answer 47

- How many of each organism are in the ecosystem - Represents the relative number of organisms at each link in a food chain and at each trophic level - In many ecosystems, organisms at higher trophic levels are fewer in number than organisms at lower trophic levels - Illustrates a decrease in available energy at each successive trophic level. - It could be inverted: - A smaller number of large organisms at a lower trophic level supports a larger number of small organisms at higher trophic levels - Due to size of the organism =, there is more biomass at the lower trophic level than at the higher ones

Question 48

Human Impacts on the Water Cycle

Answer 48

Deforestation: Reduces transpiration, affecting local rainfall patterns. Urbanization: Increases runoff and reduces groundwater recharge due to impermeable surfaces (e.g., concrete). Overuse of Freshwater: Excessive water withdrawal for agriculture, industry, and household use can deplete groundwater and rivers. Pollution: Industrial and agricultural waste introduces contaminants into water bodies, affecting water quality. Climate Change: Warmer temperatures increase evaporation rates and alter precipitation patterns, leading to droughts or floods.

Question 49

Human Impact on the Carbon Cycle

Answer 49

Burning Fossil Fuels: Releases large amounts of CO₂, contributing to global warming. Deforestation: Reduces the number of trees that absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis, increasing atmospheric carbon. Ocean Acidification: Excess CO₂ dissolves in oceans, forming carbonic acid, which harms marine life. Industrial Agriculture: Livestock (especially cattle) produce methane (CH₄), a powerful greenhouse gas.

Question 50

Human Impact on the Oxygen Cycle

Answer 50

Deforestation: Reduces oxygen production by decreasing the number of trees available for photosynthesis. Burning Fossil Fuels: Consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, leading to a reduced oxygen balance in the atmosphere. Ocean Pollution: Harmful chemicals and warming waters reduce oxygen levels (hypoxia), causing dead zones where marine life cannot survive.

Question 51

Human Impact on the Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 51

Excessive Fertilizer Use: Leads to phosphorus runoff, which, like nitrogen, causes eutrophication in lakes and oceans. Mining for Phosphate Rocks: Disrupts ecosystems and reduces natural phosphorus availability. Deforestation: Reduces phosphorus retention in soils, leading to soil erosion and nutrient loss. Wastewater and Detergents: Contain phosphorus, which can contribute to water pollution and harmful algal blooms.

Question 52

Human Impact on the Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 52

Excess Fertilizer Use: Increases nitrogen runoff into water bodies, causing eutrophication (algal blooms that deplete oxygen). Burning Fossil Fuels: Releases nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), which contribute to acid rain and air pollution. Livestock Waste: Releases ammonia (NH₃) into the environment, which can lead to soil and water contamination. Deforestation: Alters nitrogen availability in soils, affecting plant growth and soil fertility.