unit 3 lesson 1-4 study guide

Question 1

explain Earth as an Open System vs Earth as a Closed System

Answer 1

(Energy): Energy flows from the sun to Earth but can leave the atmosphere. (Matter): Matter cycles within Earth’s system, rarely escaping to space.

Question 2

Law of Conservation:

Answer 2

Energy and matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Question 3

Matter Transfer

Answer 3

Matter transfers within and between ecosystems, cycling through trophic levels (e.g., food webs). It changes form but is not lost.

Question 4

The Water Cycle

Answer 4

Water evaporates, condenses, precipitates, and flows back into reservoirs, repeating the cycle.

Question 5

list some Reservoirs

Answer 5

Water is stored in oceans, lakes, glaciers, clouds.

Key Processes: Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Question 6

Biogeochemical Cycles

Answer 6

Key Elements: Oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle through biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) systems.
Energy: The sun and Earth’s internal heat power these cycles.

Question 7

what dose biotic, abiotic

Answer 7

biotic (living)
abiotic (non-living)

Question 8

Oxygen Cycle

Answer 8

Oxygen is produced by plants during photosynthesis and used by organisms for respiration. The cycle connects closely with the carbon and water cycles.

Cycle Interaction: Water is required for photosynthesis, connecting the oxygen cycle to the water cycle.

Question 9

Photosynthesis:

Answer 9

is the process where plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a form of sugar) for energy, while releasing oxygen as a byproduct. It’s essential for producing food and oxygen for life on Earth.

Question 10

Respiration:

Answer 10

Organisms take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

Question 11

Carbon Cycle

Answer 11

Carbon moves between the atmosphere, living organisms, oceans, soil, and fossil fuels. Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion are key processes in this cycle.

Question 12

Carbon Reservoirs:

Answer 12

Stored in living organisms, the atmosphere (as CO2), oceans, soil, fossil fuels, and rocks.

Question 13

Key Processes of carbon

Answer 13

Photosynthesis: Plants remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Respiration and Decomposition: Return CO2 to the atmosphere.
Fossilization: Dead organisms can become fossil fuels over millions of years.
Human Impact: Combustion of fossil fuels releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere.

Question 14

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 14

Nitrogen is fixed by bacteria into usable forms like ammonia and nitrates, which plants absorb. It is returned to the atmosphere through denitrification. Lightning also contributes to nitrogen fixation.

Question 15

Nitrogen Gas:

Answer 15

78% of Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen (N2), but most organisms cannot use it directly. 78% of Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen (N2), but most organisms cannot use it directly.

Question 16

Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 16

Phosphorus cycles between rocks, soil, water, and living organisms. Weathering releases phosphate into the soil, which is absorbed by plants and passed through the food web.

Sources: Phosphate rocks and ocean sediments.

Weathering: Releases phosphorus into soil and water.

Cycle Processes:
Uptake: Plants absorb phosphates.
Decomposition: Returns phosphorus to the ecosystem.
Sedimentation: In aquatic systems, phosphorus settles as sedimentary rock over time.

Question 17

what is the Human Impact for the phosphorus cycle

Answer 17

Fertilizers introduce excess phosphorus into ecosystems, potentially disrupting aquatic environments.

Question 18

What human activity disrupts the cycling of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen in Earth’s system?

Answer 18

The addition of synthetic chemicals and materials by humans.

Question 19

What is the most common source of air pollution?

Answer 19

Waste products produced by burning fossil fuels like gasoline and oil.

Question 20

What is smog, and how is it formed?

Answer 20

Smog is a type of air pollution caused by the interaction of sunlight with pollutants from fossil fuel emissions.

Question 21

How does ground-level ozone form, and why is it harmful?

Answer 21

Ground-level ozone forms from reactions between nitrogen dioxide and oxygen; it is harmful to human health and ecosystems.

Question 22

What role does ozone in the upper atmosphere play?

Answer 22

It acts as a shield, protecting Earth’s biosphere from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Question 23

What causes algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems?

Answer 23

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from fertilizers and detergents.

Question 24

How do algal blooms affect aquatic ecosystems?

Answer 24

They cause eutrophication, depleting oxygen and harming aquatic life.

Question 25

What is eutrophication, and what are its effects?

Answer 25

Eutrophication is the depletion of oxygen in water due to the breakdown of dead algae, leading to harm or death of aquatic organisms.

Question 26

How can over-fertilization of lawns contribute to eutrophication?

Answer 26

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers run off into water bodies, leading to eutrophication.

Question 27

What human activities contribute to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Answer 27

Burning fossil fuels and clear-cutting forests.

Question 28

How has atmospheric carbon dioxide changed since 1960?

Answer 28

It has steadily increased, as shown by data from Mauna Loa Observatory.

Question 29

What are greenhouse gases, and how do they contribute to global warming?

Answer 29

Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, leading to increased global temperatures.

Question 30

What are some consequences of rising global temperatures?

Answer 30

Species migration, shrinking polar ice caps, and rising sea levels.

Question 31

19. How do human activities influence biogeochemical and hydrologic cycles?

Answer 31

Activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation disrupt natural cycles and can cause lasting damage to ecosystems.

Question 32

What daily activities of yours could impact Earth’s cycles, and how can you reduce this impact?

Answer 32

Reflect on how your actions contribute to pollution or resource depletion, and consider ways to minimize your environmental impact.