Bio 10 -- Unit D

Question 1

The Biosphere

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Lithosphere

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Hydrosphere

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Atmosphere

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Altitude

Answer 5

The distance above the Earth’s surface measured from sea level

Question 6

Troposphere

Answer 6

Temperature decreases as altitude increases
Weather and life forms present

Question 7

Stratosphere

Answer 7

Temperature increases as altitude increases
Contains the most Ozone which is the reason for the increase in temperature

Question 8

Mezosphere

Answer 8

Temperature decreases as altitude increases

Question 9

Thermosphere

Answer 9

Temperature incerases as altiture increases

Question 10

How does the atmosphere affect Earth?

Answer 10

Atmospheric gases provide a protective barrier around Earth
Helps with the distribution of thermal energy
Significant role in weather/climate

Question 11

Weather

Answer 11

Short term condition of the lower atmosphere

Question 12

Climate

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Adaptation

Provide examples

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Climate Change

⭐⭐⭐

Answer 14

The change that occurs in the climate of a region over time, usually a minimum of 30 years.

Question 15

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE

Relate this to Climate Change

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE

Relate this to Climate Change

Answer 16

Relies on reports from people about particular events and how these events changed over time.
Not carefully tested and often biased

Question 17

What is solar energy?

Answer 17

Energy from the sun that is transmitted by electromagnetic waves
AKA radiant energy

Question 18

Why is solar energy distributed unevenly?

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

Isolation

Answer 19

The amount of solar energy received on Earth in a particular region

Question 20

Angle of Incidence

Look at diagrom and reasons for this in slides.

Answer 20

The angle between a ray falling on Earth and the line perpendicular to that surface.

Question 21

Angle of Inclination

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Latitudes

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Solstice

Answer 23

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)

Question 24

Equinox

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

What happens to the isolation when we move close to the poles?

Mention the effects on daylight hours, temperature, seasons, and weather

Answer 25

• 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.

Question 26

Solar energy can be reflected or absorbed

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Incoming Solar Energy

Answer 27

The amount of solar energy that is reflected or absorbed depends on the characteristics of the substance.
Example: sand absorbs and snow reflects.

Question 28

Albedo

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

What affects albedo? What is the average albedo for Earth?

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

Greenhouse Gases

Answer 31

Water vapour (present in high amounts)
Carbon Dioxide (combustion/organic activities)
Methane (human / volcanic activities)
Nitrogen Gas (N2O // NO)

Question 32

Is the Greenhouse effect a good thing? Why?

Answer 32

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)