MODULE 3: BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

Question 1

the ability to do work and is everywhere

Answer 1

energy

Question 2

the different forms of energy?

Answer 2

o Mechanical (kinetic energy); counterpart is potential energy (stored energy)
o Radiant (solar)
o Sound

o Chemical

o Heat

o Electrical

o Nuclear

Question 3

two broad categories on the sources of energy

Answer 3

Non-renewable energy and Renewable
energy

Question 4

energy sources which cannot be replaced once they are mined, harvested, or
used up

Answer 4

non-renewable

Question 5

non renewable energy examples

Answer 5

• minerals (uranium as source of nuclear energy)
• fossil fuels (like petroleum, natural gas, and coal)

Question 6

• non-living or living (can renew themselves
  ASSUMING they are not killed off or over-harvested

Answer 6

renewable energy

Question 7

renewable energy examples

Answer 7

• bioethanol (i.e., corn, sugar, soy, Jatropha)
• non-biological (solar, water, wind, waves, or
  tides)

Question 8

organisms that can produce their own food

Answer 8

autotrophs/primary producers

Question 9

energy transforms to one form to another

Answer 9

law of conservation

Question 10

the process in which light energy is converted to chemical energy in the form of sugars.

Answer 10

photosynthesis

Question 11

chemosynthesis

Answer 11

energy source comes from chemicals instead of sunlight

Question 12

feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter

Answer 12

decomposer

Question 13

• is based on two essential Laws of Thermodynamics

Answer 13

energy flow

Question 14

what are the two essential laws of thermodynamics

Answer 14

law of conservation and law of increased entropy

Question 15

energy continuously increases

Answer 15

law of increased entropy

Question 16

Why are big animals rare?

Answer 16

they consume more so they have more competition

Question 17

synthesis and storage of organic molecules during the growth and reproduction of photosynthetic organisms

Answer 17

primary production

Question 18

as you move to the pyramid, lesser numbers of individuals

Answer 18

pyramid of numbers

Question 19

as you move to the pyramid, lesser numbers of individuals

Answer 19

pyramid of numbers

Question 20

a mass of biological material at different levels for a given time

Answer 20

pyramid of biomass

Question 21

energy at the base of the pyramid will always remain the highest

Answer 21

pyramid of energy

Question 22

cannot be inverted

Answer 22

pyramid of energy

Question 23

organism continues to feed; increase in concentration of a pollutant in an organism

Answer 23

bioaccumulation

Question 24

other organisms that feed on bioaccumulated individuals

Answer 24

biomagnification

Question 25

3 Ecological (trophic) pyramids

Answer 25

pyramid of: numbers, biomass, energy

Question 26

If the producer has a total biomass of 100kgs, only about 10 kgs will be transferred to the primary consumer, then 1kg to the secondary consumer level and so on

Answer 26

10% rule

Question 27

* the recycling of inorganic matter between living organisms and their environment

Answer 27

biogeochemical cycles

Question 28

a closed system – matter that makes up living organisms is conserved and recycled within the earth

Answer 28

biogeochemical cycles

Question 29

* basic components of a cycle may be used over and over again in slightly different forms but always return to the original form to begin the cycle again

Answer 29

biogeochemical cycles

Question 30

CHNOPS

Answer 30

carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur

Question 31

examples of biogeochemical cycles

Answer 31

water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, sulfur cycle

Question 32

water cycle

Answer 32

evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration

Question 33

IMPORTANCE OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

Answer 33

* enable the transformation of matter into different forms * enable the movement of substances from one locality to another facilitate the storage of elements * assist in functioning of ecosystems * link living organisms with living organisms, and living organisms with abiotic factors * regulate the flow of substance

Question 34

SIMILAR PATTERNS IN THE CYCLE OF MATTER

Answer 34

First: all cycles are driven by radiant energy that powers processes like photosynthesis and evaporation * Second: these cycles involve reservoirs where chemicals are stored or concentrated for long periods of time * Third: these cycles function on both local and global levels, linking distant ecosystems

Question 35

common elements associated with living systems

Answer 35

CHNOPS take a variety of chemical forms exist for long periods in atmosphere, on land, in water, or beneath earth

Question 36

biogeochemical cycles

Answer 36

the recycling of inorganic matter between living organisms and their environment