Biochemical Processes 1 Flashcards
Nitrogen Fixation
The movement of carbon through the atmosphere, living organisms, oceans, and Earth’s crust..
Stages of the nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen assimilation
Ammonification
Nitrification
Dentrication
What are the main reservoirs of carbon on Earth
Oceans
Fossil Fuels
Atmosphere
Biosphere - living organisms
Photosynthesis
Most important life process on Earth
The burning of a substance, releasing CO₂.
Removes CO2 from the air
What are reactants and products of photosynthesis
Reactants - what is used - CO2, water and sun
products g- oxygen
Cellular respiration
“burns” glucose for energy
Water Cohesion
Attraction of water molecules to each other
Water Adhesion
attraction between water molecules and other molecules.
water up a straw
Hydrogen bonding
Hydrogen bonding reduces extreme temperature shifts near large bodies of water
Capillary action
movement of water in porous materials due to forces of adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension
Autotrophs
Organisms that can product their own food from substances in their surroundings
Light - Photosysthesis
Chemical energy - chemosynthesis
Examples - plants, algae, some bacteria
Heterotrophs
Cannot create their own food and rely on other organisms like plants and animals.
Examples - herbivores, omnivores, carnivores
How do human activities impact the carbon cycle
burning fossil fuels
deforestation
How does agriculture impact the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen is needed for plant growth
pesticides and fertilizers
How does chlorophyll enable light absorption?
absorbs blue and red light waves and increase the energy
Compare Photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy, while cellular respiration is the process by which cells release energy from glucose
Photosynthesis is endothermic (requires energy input), while cellular respiration is exothermic (releases energy
Photosynthesis produces glucose and oxygen, while cellular respiration produces carbon dioxide and water
What is the role of chemosynthesis in deep-sea ecosystem?
food (glucose) is made by bacteria using chemicals as the energy source, rather than sunlight
bacteria living on the sea floor or within animals
How does water’s high specific heat moderate the Earth’s climate
water takes a long time to heat up or cool down
