The Cycles of Matter Flashcards
Biogeochemical cycles are
nutrient cycles or pathways
Nutrient cycles
chemical elements and molecules move through biotic and abiotic regions method for matter to cycle on Earth essential for the Earth system to function essential for life on Earth to exist
Water cycle processes
precipitation evaporation condensation evapotranspiration sublimation surface run-off infiltration
What is the percentage of precipitation that falls back to Earth
22%
The Nitrogen cycle
amino acids and proteins
DNA and RNA
chlorophyll and photosynthesis
Nitrogen is essential for……
life processes
Nitrogen fixation
converts gaseous nitrogen to usable form
Which organism performs nitrogen fixation
nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Phosphorus is found in…
bones (calcium phosphate)
cell membranes (phospholipids)
component of nucleotides
ATP, DNA, RNA
The phosphorus cycle
phosphorus does not enter atmosphere
remains mostly on land (rock and soil)
slow cycle, especially though soil and ocean
Phosphorus is essential for life: T or F
True
Oxygen cycle
main source of atmospheric oxygen
Photolysis
UV radiation breaks down water and nitrites
provides additional atmospheric oxygen
Respiration and decay
animals and bacteria consume oxygen
Carbon in the atmosphere
mainly Co2 - supports life
What does the CO2 in the atmosphere cause
greenhouse gasses- global warming
What is carbon emitted by
respiration, decay, and combustion
What is the driving force of the oxygen cycle
photosynthesis
What does photosynthesis produce
sugar and oxygen
Carbon in the biosphere
producers use for photosynthesis
transferred to consumers though feeding
Carbon in the ocean
important for PH levels
What is the ultimate source of energy
the sun
Where does energy changes occur
in nutrient cycles
Total amount of energy entering Earth should balance the amount……
radiating into space
The Greenhouse Effect
energy recycling in the atmosphere to warm the Earth’s surface
presently Earth absorbs more energy than it emits
