UNIT 7 ck12’s 6.5-6.7

Question 1

What are the cycles called that involve the recycling of chemical elements and water in ecosystems?

Answer 1

Biogeochemical cycles

These cycles involve the movement of elements between biotic and abiotic components.

Question 2

What is the term for a part of a cycle that holds an element or water for a short period of time?

Answer 2

Exchange pool

An example of an exchange pool for water is the atmosphere, which holds water vapor for a few days.

Question 3

What is the term for a part of a cycle that holds an element or water for a long period of time?

Answer 3

Reservoir

The ocean serves as a reservoir for water, potentially holding it for thousands of years.

Question 4

How long can individual water molecules be in the water cycle?

Answer 4

Billions of years old

Despite their age, water molecules continuously move through the water cycle.

Question 5

Where does the water cycle take place?

Answer 5

On, above, and below Earth’s surface

The water cycle is a global cycle that encompasses multiple environments.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The atmosphere is an _______ for water, holding it for just a few days.

Answer 6

Exchange pool

Question 7

What are the three different states of water in the water cycle?

Answer 7

Gas (water vapor), liquid (water), solid (ice)

These states represent the physical forms water can take during the cycle.

Question 8

What is evaporation?

Answer 8

The process where water on the surface changes to water vapor due to heat from the sun

Evaporation is a key process in the water cycle.

Question 9

What is sublimation?

Answer 9

The process where ice and snow change directly to water vapor due to heat from the sun

Sublimation skips the liquid phase entirely.

Question 10

What is transpiration?

Answer 10

The process where plants release water vapor through leaf pores called stomata

Transpiration plays a crucial role in the water cycle and plant water regulation.

Question 11

What is the term for the combined process of evaporation and transpiration?

Answer 11

Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration reflects the total water loss to the atmosphere from both surface and plant processes.

Question 12

What carries water vapor into the atmosphere?

Answer 12

Rising air currents

Rising air currents are essential for initiating the process of condensation.

Question 13

What is the process called when water vapor changes to tiny droplets of liquid water?

Answer 13

Condensation

Condensation leads to the formation of clouds as water vapor cools.

Question 14

What forms when water droplets from condensation get big enough?

Answer 14

Precipitation

Precipitation can include rain, snow, sleet, hail, or freezing rain.

Question 15

What is the process by which precipitation that falls on land may soak into the ground?

Answer 15

Infiltration

Infiltration allows water to become groundwater.

Question 16

What is runoff?

Answer 16

Water that flows over the surface of the ground

Runoff can eventually flow into bodies of water.

Question 17

What is groundwater?

Answer 17

Water that soaks into the ground

Groundwater can be taken up by plant roots or seep out at springs.

Question 18

What is an aquifer?

Answer 18

An underground layer of rock that stores water

Aquifers can store water for thousands of years.

Question 19

What happens to some frozen precipitation?

Answer 19

It becomes part of ice caps and glaciers

These ice masses can store frozen water for long periods.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: As water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it _______.

Answer 20

cools and condenses

This process is crucial for cloud formation.

Question 21

What process allows flowing water to dissolve carbon?

Answer 21

Flowing water can slowly dissolve carbon in sedimentary rock.

This process contributes to the carbon cycle.

Question 22

Where does most dissolved carbon end up?

Answer 22

Most of this carbon ends up in the ocean.

The ocean serves as a major reservoir for carbon.

Question 23

How long can the deep ocean store carbon?

Answer 23

The deep ocean can store carbon for thousands of years or more.

This long-term storage is crucial for the carbon cycle.

Question 24

What are the major reservoirs of stored carbon?

Answer 24

Sedimentary rock and the ocean are major reservoirs of stored carbon.

These reservoirs play significant roles in the carbon cycle.

Question 25

In addition to sedimentary rock and the ocean, where else is carbon stored?

Answer 25

Carbon is also stored in the atmosphere, in living organisms, and as fossil fuel deposits. ## Footnote Each of these storage forms contributes to the overall carbon cycle.

Question 26

What is the carbon cycle?

Answer 26

The carbon cycle is the process through which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, rocks, and living organisms. ## Footnote This cycle is essential for maintaining the balance of carbon in the environment.

Question 27

Why is recycling carbon important?

Answer 27

Carbon is the cornerstone of organic compounds necessary for life.

Question 28

From where must carbon be recycled?

Answer 28

From other living organisms, the atmosphere, and other parts of the biosphere.

Question 29

What is the most recognizable reservoir of carbon?

Answer 29

The atmosphere.

Question 30

What is the chemical formula for Carbonic Acid?

Answer 30

H2CO3

Question 31

What is the state and main reservoir of Carbonic Acid?

Answer 31

Liquid; Ocean.

Question 32

What is the chemical formula for Bicarbonate Ion?

Answer 32

HCO3-

Question 33

What is the state and main reservoir of Bicarbonate Ion?

Answer 33

Liquid (dissolved ion); Ocean.

Question 34

What are examples of Organic Compounds that contain carbon?

Answer 34

* C6H12O6 (Glucose) * CH4 (Methane)

Question 35

What are examples of Other Carbon Compounds?

Answer 35

* CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate) * CaMg(CO3)2 (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate)

Question 36

In what state and reservoir can Calcium Carbonate be found?

Answer 36

Solid; Ocean.

Question 37

In what state and reservoir can Calcium Magnesium Carbonate be found?

Answer 37

Solid; Sedimentary Rock.

Question 38

Fill in the blank: Carbon must be recycled from other living organisms, from carbon in the atmosphere, and from carbon in other parts of the _______.

Answer 38

biosphere.

Question 39

What process do living organisms use to release carbon dioxide?

Answer 39

Cellular respiration ## Footnote This process converts glucose and oxygen into energy, producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Question 40

What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

Answer 40

Removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and makes organic compounds ## Footnote Photosynthesis is performed by autotrophic organisms like plants and algae.

Question 41

How is carbon dioxide released during decomposition?

Answer 41

When dead organisms and organic materials decompose ## Footnote Decomposition involves the breakdown of organic matter by bacteria and fungi.

Question 42

What human activity significantly increases carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

Answer 42

Burning fossil fuels ## Footnote This includes the combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy.

Question 43

How does geological sedimentation affect the carbon cycle?

Answer 43

Carbon cycles slowly through sedimentation and can be stored in sedimentary rock for millions of years ## Footnote This process is part of the long-term carbon cycle.

Question 44

What happens to carbon dioxide during a volcanic eruption?

Answer 44

Carbon dioxide stored in the mantle is released ## Footnote Volcanoes can emit various gases, including carbon dioxide, during eruptions.

Question 45

What effect does heating limestone have on carbon dioxide?

Answer 45

Releases carbon dioxide during cement production ## Footnote The heating process decomposes calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.

Question 46

What is the effect of rising ocean temperatures on carbon dioxide?

Answer 46

Ocean water releases dissolved carbon dioxide into the atmosphere ## Footnote Warmer water holds less dissolved gas.

Question 47

How does deforestation affect carbon dioxide levels?

Answer 47

Reduces autotrophic organisms that use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis ## Footnote Deforestation also often involves burning, which releases stored carbon.

Question 48

What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is made up of nitrogen?

Answer 48

78 percent

Question 49

In what biological components is nitrogen found?

Answer 49

* Proteins * Nucleic acids * Chlorophyll

Question 50

What does the nitrogen cycle do?

Answer 50

Moves nitrogen through the abiotic and biotic parts of ecosystems

Question 51

True or False: The nitrogen cycle is the same in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Answer 51

True

Question 52

What are the two main types of ecosystems through which nitrogen cycles?

Answer 52

* Terrestrial ecosystems * Aquatic ecosystems

Question 53

In what biological components is nitrogen found?

Answer 53

* Proteins * Nucleic acids * Chlorophyll

Question 54

What does the nitrogen cycle do?

Answer 54

Moves nitrogen through the abiotic and biotic parts of ecosystems

Question 55

Why can't plants use nitrogen gas directly?

Answer 55

Plants cannot use nitrogen gas because it is held together by a very stable triple bond that must be broken

Question 56

What is nitrogen fixation?

Answer 56

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which special nitrogen-fixing bacteria transform nitrogen gas into useful forms

Question 57

Where do nitrogen-fixing bacteria typically live?

Answer 57

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria typically live in the roots of plants in the pea family

Question 58

What is the process by which nitrogen gas is turned into ammonium?

Answer 58

The process by which nitrogen gas is turned into ammonium is called ammonification

Question 59

How can ammonium be utilized in aquatic environments?

Answer 59

Ammonium can be used by aquatic plants as a source of nitrogen

Question 60

How is nitrogen released into the environment?

Answer 60

Nitrogen is released into the environment by decaying organisms or decaying wastes

Question 61

What happens to ammonium in the soil?

Answer 61

Ammonium in the soil can be turned into nitrate by a two-step process completed by two different types of bacteria

Question 62

What is the process of converting ammonium ions to nitrites or nitrates called?

Answer 62

The process is called nitrification

Question 63

What role do nitrifying bacteria play in nitrogen transformation?

Answer 63

Nitrifying bacteria change the ammonium ions into nitrites and nitrates

Question 64

What happens to nitrates in the soil?

Answer 64

Some of the nitrates are used by plants

Question 65

What is denitrification?

Answer 65

Denitrification is the process by which denitrifying bacteria convert some of the nitrates in soil back into nitrogen gas

Question 66

What is the relationship between nitrogen fixation and denitrification?

Answer 66

Denitrification is the opposite of nitrogen fixation

Question 67

Fill in the blank: The process of converting ammonium ions to nitrites or nitrates is called _______.

Answer 67

nitrification

Question 68

Fill in the blank: Nitrogen is released to the environment by _______ or decaying wastes.

Answer 68

decaying organisms