Goal C: Carbon Cycle Flashcards
1
Q
Why is Carbon important for organisms?
A
Carbon is a building block for biomolecules (Carbs/Protiens/Lipids/Nucleic Acid)
Plants need CO2 in the atmosphere for Photosynthesis
2
Q
Why is Nitrogen important for organisms?
A
Needed for amino acids and nucleic acid
3
Q
What is the carbon cycle?
A
Cycle of Carbon from one reservoir to the next
4
Q
What is a carbon reservoir?
A
Where carbon can be found
Eg: Ocean, organisms, rocks, fossil fuels, atmosphere
5
Q
What do nitrifying bacteria do?
A
Bacteria that turn ammonia into nitrites –> nitrates for plant use
6
Q
How does excess CO2 in the atmosphere increase Earth’s temperature?
A
CO2 hangs onto infrared light (heat) longer than other molecules so it takes longer for that heat to leave the atmosphere.
