Topic 4: Ecology

Question 1

what is a carbon reservoir

Answer 1

area where carbon can be found (ex: atmosphere, ocean, rock, living organisms, fossil fuels)

Question 2

list the spheres of the earth

Answer 2

atmosphere - air
lithosphere - ground
hydrosphere - ocean
biosphere - organisms

Question 3

describe the forms of carbon exchange

Answer 3

atmospheric gases - CO2 and CH2
oceanic carbonates - calcium carbonate in corals
organic compounds - carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
non living remains - fossil fuels

Question 4

outline the cycling of carbon

Answer 4

CO2 (atmosphere) → (photosynthesis) plants → (feeding) animals (respiration) → CO2 (atmosphere)

Question 5

describe how autotrophs obtain CO2

Answer 5

autotrophs convert CO2 into carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins by photosynthesis

Question 6

describe how heterotrophs obtain CO2

Answer 6

heterotrophs obtain CO2 by consuming autotrophs

Question 7

carbon source: calcium carbonate

Answer 7

CO2 → ocean → limestone and shells

Question 8

carbon source: methane

Answer 8

ruminants → methanogens → CO2

Question 9

carbon source: fossil fuels

Answer 9

plants and animals (decompose) → soil bacteria (fossilization) → fossils (extraction) → fuels

Question 10

carbon source: pollution

Answer 10

fuels → combustion → CO2

Question 11

outline the formation of coal

Answer 11

• vegetation dies in marshy area
• decomposes in environment with oxygen → peat
• layers of sediment are deposited
• pressure and heat remove moisture
• remaining carbon is concentrated → coal

Question 12

outline the formation of oil

Answer 12

• aquatic plants and animals die and get buried under layers of sand and silt
• layers of sediment are deposited
• pressure and heat cause compaction
• oil and gas are forced out of porous rock → deposit
• drill for oil in deposit

Question 13

outline the process of ocean acidification

Answer 13

• result of deforestation and burning of fossil fuels is increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere
• more CO2 is absorbed in the ocean
• increase in production of H+ ions
• more H+ ions lower the pH of the ocean, causing it to be more acidic
• H+ ions combine with carbonate ions, so less are available to marine organisms
• result is reduction in reef building corals and coral bleaching because the acidity dissolves the calcium carbonate in corals