5 - 4 Cycles in Nature

Question 1

What is made of carbon?

Answer 1

All living things on earth (Plants and Animals)

Question 2

Plant / Animal Respiration

Answer 2

When oxygen is used to convert glucose into ATP. Water and CO2 is released as waste products.

Question 3

Photosynthesis

Answer 3

Plants use Carbon dioxide and the energy from the sun to produce glucose. O2 (oxygen) is released as a waste product.

Question 4

Combustion

Answer 4

Burning wood and fossil fuels releases CO2 in the atmosphere as emissions.

Question 5

Fossil Fuels

Answer 5

When dead and decaying organic matter is trapped underground, overtime the material gets compressed and converted into oil and/or coal.

Question 6

Ocean uptake

Answer 6

CO2 is dissolved in ocean water making it more acidic.

Question 7

Decomposition (Carbon)

Answer 7

Organisms such as fungi and bacteria, break down organic material and release CO2 back into the atmosphere.

Question 8

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 8

Greenhouse gases trap infrared heat energy in the atmosphere.

Question 9

What are three major greenhouse gases in our atmosphere?

Answer 9

CO2, Water Vapor and Methane

Question 10

The Water Cycle

Answer 10

The continuous movement of water from the Earth’s surface into the atmosphere and back.

Question 11

Evaporation

Answer 11

Liquid water from oceans, lakes and rivers receive energy from the sun and turn into water vapor. This water vapor rises into the atmosphere.

Question 12

Transpiration

Answer 12

Excess liquid water from plants exits through the leaves and enters the atmosphere.

Question 13

Condensation

Answer 13

As the water vapor rises into the atmosphere it begins to cool and turn back into a liquid form (Clouds).

Question 14

Precipitation

Answer 14

Water falling from the sky in the form of Snow, Sleet, Rain, or Hail.

Question 15

Runoff

Answer 15

Water moving along the surface of the Earth.

Question 16

Infiltration

Answer 16

Water being absorbed by the ground.

Question 17

The Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 17

The process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms.

Question 18

Why is Nitrogen an important element in life?

Answer 18

Proteins, DNA and many other structures in the body need nitrogen.

Question 19

Atmospheric Nitrogen

Answer 19

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the air (78%) However, nitrogen gas cannot be used by most living organisms. It must be “fixed”

Question 20

Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 20

Nitrogen fixation is a process in which nitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere is converted into ammonium (NH4+) or nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This is done mostly by bacteria in soil, some plants, and lightning strikes.

Question 21

Nitrogen Uptake (Assimilation)

Answer 21

Organic Nitrogen is absorbed by plants through their roots for their nitrogen needs. Animals consume plants or other animals for their nitrogen uptake.

Question 22

Decomposition (Nitrogen)

Answer 22

Bacteria decompose plants and animals, releasing their nitrogen (as well as carbon) back into the atmosphere and Earth.