Science C 1-2 Flashcards
Nitrogen fixation (what it is and what organisms do this)
It is required by plants to make substances necessary to life. Fixation- the process of changing free nitrogen so that nitrogen atoms can combine with other elements. Bacteria and alfalfa do this
Nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle
The concentration of useable nitrogen can be
added or taken away from the soil in several
ways:
Nitrated are added by:
- nitrogen fixing plants
- fertilizers/compost/manure
- lightning
Effluent
Effluent is sewage that has been treated in a septic tank or sewage treatment plant. It is also referred to as “trade effluent” or “wastewater.” Purified wastewater released into rivers or lakes
Fertilizer components
Nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sometimes sulfur in that order
Sour gas
Natural gas that contains hydrogen sulfide is called “sour” gas. If no hydrogen sulfide is present, the gas is considered “sweet.”
Processes and Activities that Affect Environmental Chemicals
Chemical Cycles (nitrogen for example)
Cellular respiration
Human Activities (like pollution- thermal, chemical, noise)
Fertilizers
combustion reaction
hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy
what is sewage
wastewater containing dissolved and undissolved material (from bathroom, kitchen, etc.)
septic tank
an underground container where bacteria break down the organic materials before they’re moved out
what does a sewage treatment plant do
treats wastes from homes, businesses, industries, and institutions. It may also treat water from street drains.
What is pH, how does the scale work, each number 10x
pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in solution. Indicates the acidity of a solution.
acid (red)
a compound that dissolves in water to form a solution (pH lower than 7). is like a metal, reacts with metals.
base (blue)
a compound that dissolves in water to from a pH over 7. Reacts with acids
acid rain
produced when chemical released from industrial processes combine with water to form acids that fall with the rain. maybe located in the soil
neutralization reaction
Acids can be neutralized by adding a base (liming), and
bases can be neutralized by adding an acid. Neutralization – a reaction where an acid and base
come together to produce water and a salt. This
reaction can be used to neutralize stomach acid.
HCl + NaOH HOH + NaCl
hydrochloric acid + Sodium Hydroxide water + sodium chloride (salt) OR acid + base –> water + salt
A reaction between an acid and a base
where water (HOH) and salt are formed
molecules that contain carbon are
organic. those without carbon are called
inorganic
Organic compounds- carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
Reaction equation for neutralization
Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → CaSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)
calcium hydroxide + sulfuric acid → calcium sulfate + water
Macronutrients
9 elements (nutrients) that are needed in large amounts. the nutrients our body needs in large numbers are called “macronutrients”
Micronutrients
elements (nutrients) needed only in trace amounts
Passive transport
does not require the plant to use energy ex diffusion
Active transport
plants use energy to move molecules from area of low to high concentration EX Amino acids moving along the human intestinal tract.
Diffusion
movement of molecules from an area of high to low concentration EX A drop of food coloring diffuses throughout the water in a glass so that, eventually, the entire glass will be colored.
Osmosis
water moves into plant roots by a special type of diffusion. moves from an area of more water molecules to less through a semi permeable membrane
Optimum Amounts
The amount of a substance that provides an organism with the best health
Hydrolysis
the addition of water breaks down large food particles into its smallest form (breakdown of a substance with water). “Hydro” refers to water and “lysis” means breakdown.
Substrate
the material on which an organism moves or lives.