Earth and Nitrogen Cycles Flashcards
What are the four spheres?
Biosphere (living things) atmosphere (air) hydrosphere (water) lithosphere (land)
what do all of the spheres interact as
global system
biosphere
Consists of all life on Earth and all parts of the Earth in which life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere.
hydrosphere
all the waters on the earth’s surface, such as lakes and seas, and sometimes including water over the earth’s surface, such as clouds.
lithosphere
the solid, outer layer of the earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle
atmosphere
A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth- weather
carbon cycle
Essential for life on earth. carbon is found in all living things even in dead bodies and waste. Carbon is also found in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas.
what is carbon dioxide used in
photosynthesis when plants combine it with hydrogen from water to form glucose,
photosynthesis equation
carbon dioxide + water -> sunlight -> glucose + oxygen
What is carbon recycled through
the soil, living things and the atmosphere in the carbon cycle. the process of photosynthesis in green plants incorporates carbon into living things
Respiration
The process by which cells break down simple food molecules to release the energy they contain.
Respiration equation
Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
Fossil fuels
Such as oil and coal contain the carbon of plants and animals that died and were preserved millions of years ago.
What does burning fossil fuels do
releases carbon that has been unavailable to the carbon cycle for millions of years.
What is earths largest and oldest long term store of carbon called
Calcium carbonate. Found in limestone.
carbon reservoirs
atmosphere, fossil fuels, ocean, plants, animals, soil and rocks
what is bacterias role in the carbon cycle
bacteria decompose organic matter and release carbon back into the soil and rocks
key processes for the carbon cycle
photosynthesis, cellular respiration, decomposition, fossilisation, combustion
how is carbon used by organisms
by plants to build leaves and stems which are then digested by animals and used for cellular growth.
photosynthesis
a chemical process that occurs in plants, algae and some types of bacteria when they are exposed to sunlight
cellular respiration
the process by which cells drive energy from glucose
decomposition
the process by which dead organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter
combustion
a chemical process when a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and gives off heat
how is nitrogen used by organisms
to build proteins and other important body chemicals- DNA
nitrogen fixation
converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia or ammonium ions. this process is carried out by nitrogen fixing bacteria. the bacteria can be free living or have symbolic relationships with certain plants.
nitrification
converts ammonium ions intro nitrite. involves two types of nitrifying bacteria. nitrate is the primary form of nitrogen that plants can absorb and utilise for their growth and development.
assimilation
the process where plants take up nitrate and ammonium ions. nitrogen compounds are used to synthesise amino acids, proteins, etc. component of chlorophyll, allows to carry out photosynthesis.
ammonification
microbial breakdown of organic nitrogen compounds into ammonium ions. decomposer bacteria and fungi, releases ammonium ions back into soil.
plants/animal->decomposition->soil bacteria->ammonification->ammonium
denitrification
when nitrates are converted back into atmospheric nitrogen. helps regulate the balance of nitrogen compounds in ecosystems and prevents an excessive build-up of nitrates.
green house gas effect
gases radiate some of this absorbed energy back to Earth’s surface, warming the lower atmosphere
Why do green house gases heat up?
the short wave solar radiation can pass through glass into the greenhouse, where it is absorbed by the air, soil and objects in the greenhouse. The heat that is re-radiated is long-wave radiation and cannot pass through glass. it causes the temperature inside the greenhouse to increase.
enhance green house gas effect examples
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
three gases responsible for the green house effect
water vapour, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide
what’s the difference between the enhanced gas effect and green house gas effect
the short waved radiation absorbs the gases that trap heat close to the surface, which keeps the earth warm are green house gases and the enhanced green house gas effect is the cause for rapid global warming, increase in carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide concentrations in the atmosphere after the Industrial Revolution.
