Environmental Cycles

Question 1

Water cycle

Answer 1

The cycling of water through each of Earth’s spheres.

Question 2

Transpiration

Answer 2

The transfer of water from plants into the atmosphere through the stomata.

Question 3

Condensation

Answer 3

The cooling of water vapour (gas) in the atmosphere into water droplets, forming clouds.

Question 4

Precipitation

Answer 4

Water droplets formed by condensation fall to earth in forms of rain, snow, or hail.

Question 5

Surface run off

Answer 5

The flow/movement of water over the land surface, ending up in rivers, lakes and oceans transporting sediment, nutrients and pollutants to other areas.

Question 6

Infiltration

Answer 6

Precipitation that falls onto land soaks into the soil, refilling groundwater sources.

Question 7

Ground water flow

Answer 7

Water that infiltrates into the soil becomes groundwater and slowly moves through underground aquifers.

Question 8

Aquifer

Answer 8

a body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater. (water-bearing, underground).

Question 9

Evaporation

Answer 9

Water (oceans, lakes, rivers) is heated up changing it from liquid to water vapour (gas), rising into the atmosphere.

Question 10

Freezing

Answer 10

Converts water from liquid state to solid state and acts as water storage. This water is removed from the cycle until melted.

Question 11

Melting

Answer 11

Converts ice and snow back to liquid water, refilling rivers, lakes and oceans.

Question 12

Sublimation

Answer 12

Transforms a solid straight into a gas. Ice —> water vapour (gas).

Question 13

Deposition

Answer 13

Transforms water vapour (gas) to ice (solid)

Question 14

Similarity between deposition and sublimation

Answer 14

They both skip the liquid phase.

Question 15

Percolation

Answer 15

The movement of water through soil and rock.

Question 16

Carbon Cycle

Answer 16

Cycle that transfers carbon through each of earth sphere’s.

Question 17

Volcanic eruptions

Answer 17

Releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Question 18

Photosynthesis

Answer 18

Plants absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water and convert them into glucose, oxygen and water.

Question 19

Carbon sequestration

Answer 19

Carbon is removed from the atmosphere by plants on land, and phytoplankton in the ocean to use in photosynthesis. Sometimes the ocean dissolves CO2 and forms calcium carbonate shells.

Question 20

Cellular respiration

Answer 20

Animals eat plants, take in O2 to power cellular respiration (glucose to ATP), then releases CO2 into the atmosphere.

Question 21

Photosynthesis and Cellular respiration

Answer 21

They work together to act as carbon transfer between organisms.

Question 22

Decomposition

Answer 22

Decomposers break down complex organic molecules (glucose) from dead organisms into simpler compounds (CO2)

Question 23

Fossilisation and Unavailable Carbon

Answer 23

Burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). Removes carbon from cycle as it is now fossil fuels.

Question 24

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

Answer 24

Fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon CO2 into the atmosphere when burned. They are burned for energy production, transpiration, industrial processes and heating. (not natural)

Question 25

Limestone and Weathering

Answer 25

Limestone is mainly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It reacts with acids found in rainwater and soil, then produces CO2 which releases into the atmosphere.

Question 26

Deforestation and Fires

Answer 26

Carbon stored in plants tissues and cells, is released into the atmosphere when cut down, burned or left to decay. Also causes loss of carbon sinks.

Question 27

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 27

Transforms and circulates nitrogen in various forms through Earth's spheres.

Question 28

Atmospheric nitrogen fixation

Answer 28

Lightning strikes creating enough energy to convert nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into ammonia. Dissolves in rain, spreads to soil, bacteria convert it into nitric acid.

Question 29

Assimilation

Answer 29

Plants and some microorganisms take up ammonia from the soil to use in cell processes.

Question 30

Consumption

Answer 30

Animals acquire organic nitrogen by consuming plants or other animals.

Question 31

Ammonification

Answer 31

Decomposers break down nitrogen found in dead organisms/organic matter. Converts them back to ammonia/ammonium ions and then released into the soil.

Question 32

Volcanic eruptions

Answer 32

Releases nitrogen gas into the atmosphere and the heat and pressure transforms atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen oxide.

Question 33

Denitrification

Answer 33

Bacteria converts nitrate and nitrite into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere where it can be used by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Question 34

Nitrogen fixation by bacteria

Answer 34

Atmospheric nitrogen gas is converted into ammonia/ammonium ions by nitrogen fixing bacteria.

Question 35

Nitrification

Answer 35

Ammonia is converted to nitrite ions by nitrifying bacteria. They are then oxidized into nitrate ions by other bacteria.