Module 3: Industrial Metabolism

Question 1

[Metabolism] What is the process of biological metabolism?

Answer 1

Organisms take in food, it is converted to energy or ATP, then finally it becomes waste. In the process, by product waste is also produced.

Question 2

[Metabolism] What is the process of industrial metabolism?

Answer 2

raw materials and energy goes in, chemical processes happen, a finished product is made, and by product waste and heat are produced.

Question 3

[Metabolism] What’s the difference between biological and industrial metabolism?

Answer 3

• you can control and alter industrial metabolism but not biological metabolism
• adaptations to environmental conditions by biological metabolism do not cause harm to environment while industrial does
• biological metabolism is closed loop and it’s wastes are reusable while industrial metabolism is a one way path and does not produce reusable waste

Question 4

[Cycles] What are the 4 biogeochemical cycles?

Answer 4

The nitrogen cycle, the carbon cycle, the sulfur cycle, and the phosphorous cycle.

Question 5

[Cycle] What are the stages in the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 5

Nitrogen is taken from the air by bacteria in soil, they convert it to nitrate and feed it to plants, animals eat the plants, animals produce waste, the waste reenters the soil, and nitrogen enters the air from soil.

Question 6

[Cycle] What are humans role in nitrogen cycle?

Answer 6

We produce industries that add nitrogen into the atmosphere. Specifically, nitrous oxide by manufacturing industries and fossil fuels.

Question 7

[Cycle] What are industries relationship with the biogeochemical cycles?

Answer 7

The 4 biogeochemical cycles are already complete and exist in harmony. But when industries are present, they produce additional pollution that creates excess elements. They disrupt the natural balance.

Question 8

[Cycles] What do we get from them?

Answer 8

Raw materials that are being cycled naturally

Question 9

[Natural Resources] What are the sources?

Answer 9

land based, water based, air based, and energy resources

Question 10

[Natural Resources] For land based resources, what are the Forest Services?

Answer 10

a. ecosystem service
- wildlife sanctuary
- ancestral domain of IPs
- long term water supply
- defense against disasters

b. industrial use
- timber
- paper and pulp

Question 11

[Natural Resources] What are close and open forests?

Answer 11

Close forests have thick canopy and open have thin and sparse.

Question 12

[Natural Resources] For land based resources, what are the Mineral Services?

Answer 12

a. Ecosystem Services
- availability of nutrients in soils
- acidity and oxidation reduction potential

b. Industrial Use
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Building
- Chemical Products

Question 13

[Natural Resources] What are energy services?

Answer 13

a. ecosystem service
- natural cycles and biogeochemical cycles
- photosynthesis and reproduction

b. industrial use
- electricity
- heating, cooling, lighting