IGCSE Biology - Edexcel - Carbon and Water Cycles, Global Warming Flashcards Preview

IGCSE Biology - Edexcel - Carbon and Water Cycles > IGCSE Biology - Edexcel - Carbon and Water Cycles, Global Warming > Flashcards

Flashcards in IGCSE Biology - Edexcel - Carbon and Water Cycles, Global Warming Deck (23)
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1
Q

Describe the consequences of an increase in carbon dioxide for the world’s ecosystems (6 mark exam question)

A
  • Increased greenhouse gases
  • Greenhouse effect - trapping infrared heat
  • Leads to global warming and an increase in temperature
  • Leads to melting ice caps; rising sea levels; flooding
  • Leads to drought; climate change and extreme weather (e.g. storms)
  • Leads to loss of habitat
  • Leads to acidification and desertification
  • Leads to extinctions; food chain disruption and less biodiversity
  • Can lead to migration; change in distribution; spread of disease / spread of pests
2
Q

Respiration

A

Adds carbon dioxide to the air.
Chemical change that takes place inside living cells, Uses glucose and oxygen to produce the energy organisms need to live.

3
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Removes carbon dioxide from the air.
A chemical process used by plants and algae to make glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy.
Oxygen is produced as a by-product.

4
Q

Decomposition

A

Break down of anime and plants (dead or waste) materials by bacteria or fungi.

5
Q

Combustion

A

Adds carbon dioxide to the air. The process of burning to produce heat.

6
Q

Acidification

A

Decrease in the pH of the Earth’s oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

7
Q

Desertification

A

When fertile land becomes desert, usually as a result of drought or deforestation

8
Q

Migration

A

Seasonal movement of animals from one region to another

9
Q

Global warming

A

The Earth becomes hotter as a result of increased greenhouse gases.
Can lead to climate change.

10
Q

Drought

A

climate change - a long period of none or low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water

11
Q

Greenhouse effect

A
  1. The Sun’s rays enter the Earth’s atmosphere
  2. Heat is reflected back from the Earth’s surface
  3. This heat is absorbed by greenhouse gases and as a result becomes trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere
  4. The Earth becomes hotter as a result and can lead to global warming and climate change.
12
Q

Greenhouse gases

A

Carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane and nitrous oxide are all greenhouse gases

13
Q

How can we reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere? (Exam question)

A
  1. Reduce the use of fossil fuels (coal / oil / natural gas)
  2. Use nuclear energy
  3. Use renewable energy sources - such as: wind; sun; hydroelectricity; waves; today; geothermal.
  4. Plant more trees / reduce deforestation / grow more plants
  5. Use public transport / cycle / trains / fewer cars / electric cars;
14
Q

Biodiversity

A

The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat

15
Q

Deforestation

A

Removal of trees / forests.

Means that less carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere.

16
Q

How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle? (Exam question)

A

(less) photosynthesis;
2. more carbon dioxide in air / less carbon dioxide absorbed;
3. less consumption of plants / eq;
4. less decomposition / decay;
5. burning of trees produces carbon dioxide;

17
Q

Surface Runoff

A

Water, from rain, snowmelt, or other sources, that flows over the land surface

18
Q

Condensation

A

The process in which a gas (water vapour) turns into a liquid (water) by cooling.

19
Q

Precipitation

A

As water droplets in clouds get bigger and heavier, they begin to fall as rain, snow and sleet

20
Q

Evaporation

A

The process in which a liquid (water) turns into a gas (water vapour) by heating.

21
Q

Transpiration

A

The evaporation of water vapour
From the leaves of a plant
Through the stomata

22
Q

Explain the possible consequences of deforestation for the water cycle. (Exam question)

A
less transpiration /
less water loss from plants / eq;
2. less cloud formation / condensation;
3. less precipitation / rain /
less water falls on the ground / eq;
23
Q

Fossil fuels

A

Non renewable fuels made from the remains of living organisms
Heat and pressure produces fossil fuels over millions of years
Coal, Oil and Natural gas (methane)