Bio 10 -- Unit D Flashcards
The Biosphere
The narrow zone around Earth capable of supporting life and constantly interacting.
- Lithosphere - Land
- Hydrosphere - Water
- Atmosphere - Air
The Biosphere extends from the deepest depths of the oceans to throughout the lower atmosphere.
It contains all life and the physical environment that supports it.
Lithosphere
- The solid portion of the Earth (AKA crust).
- Consists of the continental and oceanic crusts
Together these float atop the mantle - Mainly warmed by solar energy (+mantle)
Home to many forms of life - Consists of all the land on the planet
- Extends from Earth’s suface to 100 km below
Hydrosphere
All the water on Earth
Home to many aquatic organsims
Warmed by solar energy
Helps distribute thermal energy
All living beings need water to survive
The amount of water on Earth remains constant
Atmosphere
Consists of a mixture of gases and atmospheric dust (smaller than 0.66mm in diameter).
Two major components:
- Nitrogen (N2(g)) - 78%
- Oxygen (O2(g)) - 21%
All living beings need oxygen to survive
Out atmosphere is divided into four layers, each determined by their average air temperature and found at different altitudes.
Altitude
The distance above the Earth’s surface measured from sea level
Troposphere
Temperature decreases as altitude increases
Weather and life forms present
Stratosphere
Temperature increases as altitude increases
Contains the most Ozone which is the reason for the increase in temperature
Mezosphere
Temperature decreases as altitude increases
Thermosphere
Temperature incerases as altiture increases
How does the atmosphere affect Earth?
Atmospheric gases provide a protective barrier around Earth
Helps with the distribution of thermal energy
Significant role in weather/climate
Weather
Short term condition of the lower atmosphere
Climate
The average weather conditions that occur in a region over a long period of time. (~30ys)
The climate of a region determines the kind of weather expected there
Adaptation
Provide examples
Any change in the structure or functioning of an organism that makes it more suited to its environment.
Animals - fur, blubber, colours, claws, pads, etc.
Plants - Evergreen, dormacy, shedding leaves, reproduction periods, etc.
Climate Change
⭐⭐⭐
The change that occurs in the climate of a region over time, usually a minimum of 30 years.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
Relate this to Climate Change
Collected in a manner that ensures it is unbiased and based off fact.
It reflects general situations, instead of just particular events. Collected and checked by scientists.
ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE
Relate this to Climate Change
Relies on reports from people about particular events and how these events changed over time.
Not carefully tested and often biased
What is solar energy?
Energy from the sun that is transmitted by electromagnetic waves
AKA radiant energy
Why is solar energy distributed unevenly?
The shape of the Earth (mountains, vallies, etc. Earth is not a perfect sphere)
Angle of solar energy that hits the Earth
The material the solar energy hits (atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, or combos)
Isolation
The amount of solar energy received on Earth in a particular region
Angle of Incidence
Look at diagrom and reasons for this in slides.
The angle between a ray falling on Earth and the line perpendicular to that surface.
Angle of Inclination
The Earth’s poles are slightly tilted, instead of being perpendicular to the orbital plane. This angle refers to the degree by which the poles are tilted from that perpendicular (23.5).
This means that at certain spots in our orbit, The Earth is leaning towards the sun and at other times, it is leaning away from the sun. – Causes SEASONAL CHANGES
Latitudes
Earth can be divided into latitudes, imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator. The equator is latitude 0 and the poles are latitude 90
Solstice
A point in Earth’s orbit in which the poles are most tilted towards and away from the sun.
THE LONGEST AND SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR (June 21, December 21)
Equinox
Equi = EQUAL
A point in the Earth’s orbit in which the poles are equally tilted.
Equal numbers of daylight hours and night hours (March 21 + Sept. 21)
What happens to the isolation when we move close to the poles?
Mention the effects on daylight hours, temperature, seasons, and weather
- A decrease in isolation value causes the average temp. to drop when we move from the equator to the poles.
- There is little variation on daylight hours close to the equator, where as it greatly varies closer to the poles.
- The types of seasons are different depending on wether we’re on the equator or the poles.
- More variation in average daily temp. throughout the years as you move closer to the poles.
Solar energy can be reflected or absorbed
Reflected - means the energy can be redirected
Absorbed - means the energy can be converted into another form of energy by the substance. Usually when a subtance absorbes solar energy, it converts it into thermal heat, thus an increase in temperature.
Incoming Solar Energy
The amount of solar energy that is reflected or absorbed depends on the characteristics of the substance.
Example: sand absorbs and snow reflects.
Albedo
A scale to measure the “reflectivity” of a surface. The percentage of solar radiation that it reflects.
Light colours reflects more, dark colours absob more.
What affects albedo? What is the average albedo for Earth?
0.30 or 30%
The albedo for a snow covered area is much higher than something like a grassland.
Cloud cover can also affect the albedo value. Clouds mainly reflect solar energy.
Natural Greenhouse Effect
Clouds have the ability to reflect Solar Energy BUT they also have the ability to reflect thermal energy (infrared radiation) that the surface of the Earth re-emits
These clouds, plus certain gases in the atmosphere (greenhouse gases), which absorb thermal energy, keep the temp. of the Earth in the range able to support life.
If it weren’t for our atmosphere, all thermal energy would escape into space and the Earth would be a very cold place without life.
Greenhouse Gases
Water vapour (present in high amounts)
Carbon Dioxide (combustion/organic activities)
Methane (human / volcanic activities)
Nitrogen Gas (N2O // NO)
Is the Greenhouse effect a good thing? Why?
The greenhouse effect keeps the temperature on Earth in a range that supports life.
Greenhouse gases are those cases that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
H2O (Water), CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), CH4 (Methane), N2O (Nitrogen)
