Cycles of the Earth

Question 1

What is the role of the water cycle?

Answer 1

the water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back.

Question 2

What processes are involved in the water cycle?

Answer 2

evaporation, precipitation, run off, transpiration and condensation.

Question 3

What is the role of the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

the carbon cycle is the organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back.

Question 4

steps in the carbon cycle /

photosynthesis

Answer 4

the process by which plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesise nutrients from carbon dioxide and water.

Question 5

steps in the carbon cycle /

decomposition

Answer 5

decomposers break down dead material from plants and other organisms and release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is then available for plants to use.

Question 6

steps in the carbon cycle /

respiration

Answer 6

animals and plants exhale carbon dioxide they had previously inhaled, so the carbon cycle can continue.

Question 7

steps in the carbon cycle /

combustion

Answer 7

organic material is burned to produce products such as carbon dioxide, water and energy.

Question 8

What is the role of the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 8

The nitrogen cycle is vital for all parts of life, it is the transfer of atmospheric nitrogen to soil, to living organisms and back to the atmosphere.

Question 9

What is nitrogen fixing bacteria?

Answer 9

nitrogen fixing bacteria are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is then usable by plants.

Question 10

What is nitrifying bacteria?

Answer 10

nitrifying bacteria are microorganisms that convert soil ammonia to nitrates, compounds which plants can use.

Question 11

What is denitrifying bacteria?

Answer 11

Denitrifying bacteria are microorganisms whose actions result in the conversion of nitrates in soil to free atmospheric nitrogen.