Climate change

Question 1

List the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect

Answer 1

Water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides and CFCs

Question 2

What is the biological consequence of sulphur dioxide?

Answer 2

Dissolves in rainwater, causing acid rain which can harm marine life in ponds.

Question 3

What is the biological consequence of carbon monoxide?

Answer 3

Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas when inhaled as it binds irreversibly to haemoglobin, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and reducing respiration.

Question 4

Describe the greenhouse effect

Answer 4

the Sun emits rays that enter the Earth’s atmosphere
heat bounces back from the Earth’s surface
some heat is reflected back out into space
some heat is absorbed by greenhouse gases and is trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere – this is normal

Question 5

Describe the enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 5

when increasing levels of greenhouse gases from human activities cause the Earth’s average temperature to rise above normal, leading to global warming

Question 6

How is carbon dioxide produced by human activity?

Answer 6

Burning fossil fuels
Slash and burn forest clearance

Question 7

How are nitrous oxides produced by human activity?

Answer 7

Burning fossil fuels

Question 8

How is methane produced by human activity?

Answer 8

Produced by bacteria in cows’ guts
Bacteria in waterlogged rice paddy fields

Question 9

How are CFCs produced by human activity?

Answer 9

Used as a solvent for aerosols and in fridges and freezers.

Question 10

Consequences of global warming

Answer 10

Destruction of habitats
Decreases in biodiversity
Spread of disease
Change in crops
Ocean temperatures rise leading to ice caps melting