How Important Are Water And Carbon To Life On Earth Flashcards
What is the Goldilocks zone
The key to understanding the evolution of life on earth is water
Provides a medium to let organic molecules to mix and form more complex structures
The Goldilocks zone is where earth is at the right distance from the sun for liquid water to be present
What is the importance of water on earth
Supports life
Creates benign thermal conditions on earth- oceans make up 70% of the earths surface moderate temp, absorb heat, storing heat and releasing it slowly
Clouds- tiny water droplets and ice crystals reflect 1/5 of incoming solar radiation and lower surface temperatures
Water vapour absorbs long wave radiation from the earth helping it maintain an global temperatures almost 15 degrees higher than they would be
Uses of water for flora
Plants manufacture their own food need water for photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration
CO2+H2O➡️light➡️sugar+O2
Plants need water to maintain rigidity and to transport mineral nutrients from the soil
Transpiration used by plants to cool plant
Uses of water in fauna(animals)
People and animals water the medium used for all chemical reactions in the body including circulation of oxygen and nutrients
Humans swear to cool down
Animals pant
How do humans use water
Water essential resource for economic activity
Generate electricity, irrigate crops, provide recreational facilities, satisfy public demand (drinking water, sewage disposal), as well as in a huge range of industries including food manufacturing, brewing, paper making and steel making
What is the importance of carbon to life on earth
Life is carbon based- built on large molecules of carbon such as proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids
Economic resource- fossil fuels
Oil: plastics, paint, synthetic fabric
Agricultural crops + forest trees store large amounts of carbon available for human use as food, timber, paper, textiles
