Earth's life support systems

Question 1

Photosynthesis

Answer 1

process by which plants convert water and CO2 into starch/glucose and O2 in the presence of sunlight.

Question 2

respiration

Answer 2

process in which all living organisms where the intake of oxygen oxidises organic substances to release energy and produce CO2

Question 3

transpiration

Answer 3

evaporation of moisture form pores (stomata) on leaf surfaces

Question 4

atmosphere

Answer 4

thin layer of gases (mostly oxygen and nitrogen) that surrounds the earth.

Question 5

biosphere

Answer 5

the space at the earth’s surface and within the atmosphere occupied by living organisms

Question 6

precipitation

Answer 6

moisture (rain, snow, hail) falling from clouds

Question 7

evapotranspiration

Answer 7

combined loss of water at the surface through evaporation and transpiration by plants

Question 8

run-off

Answer 8

.the movement of water across the land surface

Question 9

groundwater flow

Answer 9

horizontal movement of water within aquifers

Question 10

aquifer

Answer 10

a band of water bearing porous/permeable rock

Question 11

weathering

Answer 11

the breakdown of rock by physical, chemical or biological processes without a force to remove it

Question 12

open system

Answer 12

exchange of energy and mass can occur

Question 13

closed system

Answer 13

only exchange of energy can occur, not mass

Question 14

percolation

Answer 14

.movement of surface and soil water into underlying permeable rocks

Question 15

Permeable rock

Answer 15

type of rock that is penetrated by water either through mineral pores or along joints, faults and fissures

Question 16

water cycle budget

Answer 16

annual volume of movement of water by precipitation, streamflow, evapotranspiration, soil moisture.. between stores such as oceans, permeable rock, ice sheets, the atmosphere…