Chapter 11 Flashcards
biosphere
the part of the planet that contains all of it’s living organisms
geobiology
the study of the interactions between the biosphere and Earth’s physical environment
ecosystems
the organizational units of biological communities and their environments
autotrophs
organisms that make their own food
heterotrophs
feed directly or indirectly on producers
metabolism
all the processes organisms use to convert inputs into outputs
cyanobacteria
use photosynthesis to make carbohydrates
respiration
organisms release the energy stored in carbohydrates
biogeochemical cycle
the cycle where a chemical element or compound moves between the biological and environmental components of a system
microorganisms
single-celled organisms
wherever there is water, these are present
Three domains of life
bacteria
archaea
eukarya
what is the youngest domain of life?
eukarya
extremophiles
microorganisms that live in environments that would kill other organisms
acidophiles
microorganisms that live in acidic environments
thermophiles
microorganisms that live in extremely hot environments
what temperature range do thermophiles thrive in?
50 - 70 degrees celsius
examples of thermophile environments
hot springs
compost piles or landfills
halophiles
microorganisms that live in highly saline environments
anaerobes
microorganisms that live in environments completely devoid of oxygen
example of biogeochemical cycle
phosphorous
- cycle between water and microorganisms
- cycle between rocks in mountains to sediments in the ocean
mineral precipitation
indirectly - influencing the composition of the water around them
directly - in their cells as a result of their metabolism
mineral dissolution
elements like sulfur and nitrogen can be readily available from natural waters in dissolved form
chemoautotrophs
autotrophs that derive their energy from the chemicals produced when minerals dissolve
biogeochemical cycle of pyrite
- iron and sulfur precipitate as pyrite
- when layers of sediments are deposited, pyrite is buried
- returns to the surface through plate tectonics
- rocks start to weather and the iron and sulfur are dissolved back into the water