Chapter 25

Question 1

the intricately linked network of biological and physical processes that shuttles carbon among rocks, soil, oceans, air and organisms.

Answer 1

carbon cycle

Question 2

the co-occurrence of two events or processes, doesn’t establish correlation

Answer 2

correlation

Question 3

relationship in which one event leads to another

Answer 3

causation

Question 4

the places where carbon resides in the Earth

Answer 4

reservoirs

Question 5

the total mass of organisms in a given area

Answer 5

biomass

Question 6

the rate at which a substance, for example carbon, flows from one reservoir to another

Answer 6

fluxes

Question 7

the precipitation of minerals by organisms

Answer 7

biomineralization

Question 8

gas that allows incoming solar radiation to reach Earth’s surface but traps heat that is reemitted from land and sea

Answer 8

greenhouse gas

Question 9

organisms that generate organic compounds that will provide food for other organisms in the local environment

Answer 9

primary producers

Question 10

organisms that obtains the carbon it need for growth and reproduction from the foods it eats and gains energy by respiring food molecules

Answer 10

consumers

Question 11

organism that breaks down dead tissues

Answer 11

decomposers

Question 12

linear transfer of carbon from one organism to another

Answer 12

food chain

Question 13

interaction among organisms within the carbon cycle; movement of carbon through an ecosystem

Answer 13

food web

Question 14

a diagram that traces the flow of energy through communities, showing the amount of energy available at each level to feed the next. Pyramid shape results because biomass and the energy it represents generally decreases from one trophic level to the next

Answer 14

trophic pyramids