UNIT 7 ck12’s 6.5-6.7

Question 1

What are the cycles called that involve the recycling of chemical elements and water in ecosystems?

Answer 1

Biogeochemical cycles

These cycles involve the movement of elements between biotic and abiotic components.

Question 2

What is the term for a part of a cycle that holds an element or water for a short period of time?

Answer 2

Exchange pool

An example of an exchange pool for water is the atmosphere, which holds water vapor for a few days.

Question 3

What is the term for a part of a cycle that holds an element or water for a long period of time?

Answer 3

Reservoir

The ocean serves as a reservoir for water, potentially holding it for thousands of years.

Question 4

How long can individual water molecules be in the water cycle?

Answer 4

Billions of years old

Despite their age, water molecules continuously move through the water cycle.

Question 5

Where does the water cycle take place?

Answer 5

On, above, and below Earth’s surface

The water cycle is a global cycle that encompasses multiple environments.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: The atmosphere is an _______ for water, holding it for just a few days.

Answer 6

Exchange pool

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The ocean is a _______ for water, capable of holding it for thousands of years.

Answer 7

Reservoir

Question 8

True or False: The water cycle is limited to Earth’s surface.

Answer 8

False

The water cycle occurs on, above, and below the surface.

Question 9

What are the three different states of water in the water cycle?

Answer 9

Gas (water vapor), liquid (water), solid (ice)

These states represent the physical forms water can take during the cycle.

Question 10

What is evaporation?

Answer 10

The process where water on the surface changes to water vapor due to heat from the sun

Evaporation is a key process in the water cycle.

Question 11

What is sublimation?

Answer 11

The process where ice and snow change directly to water vapor due to heat from the sun

Sublimation skips the liquid phase entirely.

Question 12

What is transpiration?

Answer 12

The process where plants release water vapor through leaf pores called stomata

Transpiration plays a crucial role in the water cycle and plant water regulation.

Question 13

What is the term for the combined process of evaporation and transpiration?

Answer 13

Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration reflects the total water loss to the atmosphere from both surface and plant processes.

Question 14

What carries water vapor into the atmosphere?

Answer 14

Rising air currents

Rising air currents are essential for initiating the process of condensation.

Question 15

What is the process called when water vapor changes to tiny droplets of liquid water?

Answer 15

Condensation

Condensation leads to the formation of clouds as water vapor cools.

Question 16

What forms when water droplets from condensation get big enough?

Answer 16

Precipitation

Precipitation can include rain, snow, sleet, hail, or freezing rain.

Question 17

Where does most precipitation fall?

Answer 17

Into the ocean

This contributes to the water cycle as the water evaporates again.

Question 18

What is the process by which precipitation that falls on land may soak into the ground?

Answer 18

Infiltration

Infiltration allows water to become groundwater.

Question 19

What is runoff?

Answer 19

Water that flows over the surface of the ground

Runoff can eventually flow into bodies of water.

Question 20

What is groundwater?

Answer 20

Water that soaks into the ground

Groundwater can be taken up by plant roots or seep out at springs.

Question 21

What is an aquifer?

Answer 21

An underground layer of rock that stores water

Aquifers can store water for thousands of years.

Question 22

What happens to some frozen precipitation?

Answer 22

It becomes part of ice caps and glaciers

These ice masses can store frozen water for long periods.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: As water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it _______.

Answer 23

cools and condenses

This process is crucial for cloud formation.

Question 24

True or False: Most groundwater flows into the ocean.

Answer 24

False

Groundwater may seep out at springs or be taken up by plants, rather than flowing directly into the ocean.

Question 25

What process allows flowing water to dissolve carbon?

Answer 25

Flowing water can slowly dissolve carbon in sedimentary rock. ## Footnote This process contributes to the carbon cycle.

Question 26

Where does most dissolved carbon end up?

Answer 26

Most of this carbon ends up in the ocean. ## Footnote The ocean serves as a major reservoir for carbon.

Question 27

How long can the deep ocean store carbon?

Answer 27

The deep ocean can store carbon for thousands of years or more. ## Footnote This long-term storage is crucial for the carbon cycle.

Question 28

What are the major reservoirs of stored carbon?

Answer 28

Sedimentary rock and the ocean are major reservoirs of stored carbon. ## Footnote These reservoirs play significant roles in the carbon cycle.

Question 29

In addition to sedimentary rock and the ocean, where else is carbon stored?

Answer 29

Carbon is also stored in the atmosphere, in living organisms, and as fossil fuel deposits. ## Footnote Each of these storage forms contributes to the overall carbon cycle.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: The _______ can store carbon for thousands of years.

Answer 30

deep ocean

Question 31

True or false: Sedimentary rock is a minor reservoir of stored carbon.

Answer 31

False

Question 32

What is the carbon cycle?

Answer 32

The carbon cycle is the process through which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, rocks, and living organisms. ## Footnote This cycle is essential for maintaining the balance of carbon in the environment.

Question 33

Why is recycling carbon important?

Answer 33

Carbon is the cornerstone of organic compounds necessary for life.

Question 34

Do organisms make their own carbon?

Answer 34

No, organisms do not have the genes to make carbon.

Question 35

From where must carbon be recycled?

Answer 35

From other living organisms, the atmosphere, and other parts of the biosphere.

Question 36

What is the most recognizable reservoir of carbon?

Answer 36

The atmosphere.

Question 37

What is the chemical formula for Carbon Dioxide?

Answer 37

CO2

Question 38

What is the state and main reservoir of Carbon Dioxide?

Answer 38

Gas; Atmosphere.

Question 39

What is the chemical formula for Carbonic Acid?

Answer 39

H2CO3

Question 40

What is the state and main reservoir of Carbonic Acid?

Answer 40

Liquid; Ocean.

Question 41

What is the chemical formula for Bicarbonate Ion?

Answer 41

HCO3-

Question 42

What is the state and main reservoir of Bicarbonate Ion?

Answer 42

Liquid (dissolved ion); Ocean.

Question 43

What are examples of Organic Compounds that contain carbon?

Answer 43

* C6H12O6 (Glucose) * CH4 (Methane)

Question 44

What are examples of Other Carbon Compounds?

Answer 44

* CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate) * CaMg(CO3)2 (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate)

Question 45

In what state and reservoir can Calcium Carbonate be found?

Answer 45

Solid; Ocean.

Question 46

In what state and reservoir can Calcium Magnesium Carbonate be found?

Answer 46

Solid; Sedimentary Rock.

Question 47

Fill in the blank: Carbon must be recycled from other living organisms, from carbon in the atmosphere, and from carbon in other parts of the _______.

Answer 47

biosphere.

Question 48

What is the primary form of carbon in the atmosphere?

Answer 48

Carbon dioxide (CO2) ## Footnote Carbon dioxide is a key greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Question 49

What process do living organisms use to release carbon dioxide?

Answer 49

Cellular respiration ## Footnote This process converts glucose and oxygen into energy, producing carbon dioxide as a byproduct.

Question 50

What is the role of photosynthesis in the carbon cycle?

Answer 50

Removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and makes organic compounds ## Footnote Photosynthesis is performed by autotrophic organisms like plants and algae.

Question 51

How is carbon dioxide released during decomposition?

Answer 51

When dead organisms and organic materials decompose ## Footnote Decomposition involves the breakdown of organic matter by bacteria and fungi.

Question 52

What human activity significantly increases carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

Answer 52

Burning fossil fuels ## Footnote This includes the combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas for energy.

Question 53

How does geological sedimentation affect the carbon cycle?

Answer 53

Carbon cycles slowly through sedimentation and can be stored in sedimentary rock for millions of years ## Footnote This process is part of the long-term carbon cycle.

Question 54

What happens to carbon dioxide during a volcanic eruption?

Answer 54

Carbon dioxide stored in the mantle is released ## Footnote Volcanoes can emit various gases, including carbon dioxide, during eruptions.

Question 55

What effect does heating limestone have on carbon dioxide?

Answer 55

Releases carbon dioxide during cement production ## Footnote The heating process decomposes calcium carbonate into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide.

Question 56

What is the effect of rising ocean temperatures on carbon dioxide?

Answer 56

Ocean water releases dissolved carbon dioxide into the atmosphere ## Footnote Warmer water holds less dissolved gas.

Question 57

Fill in the blank: Due to human activities, there is more _______ in the atmosphere today than in the past hundreds of thousands of years.

Answer 57

carbon dioxide ## Footnote This increase is largely due to fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.

Question 58

How does deforestation affect carbon dioxide levels?

Answer 58

Reduces autotrophic organisms that use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis ## Footnote Deforestation also often involves burning, which releases stored carbon.

Question 59

What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is made up of nitrogen?

Answer 59

78 percent

Question 60

In what biological components is nitrogen found?

Answer 60

* Proteins * Nucleic acids * Chlorophyll

Question 61

What does the nitrogen cycle do?

Answer 61

Moves nitrogen through the abiotic and biotic parts of ecosystems

Question 62

True or False: The nitrogen cycle is the same in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Answer 62

True

Question 63

Fill in the blank: Nitrogen is an important part of _______.

Answer 63

[living things]

Question 64

What are the two main types of ecosystems through which nitrogen cycles?

Answer 64

* Terrestrial ecosystems * Aquatic ecosystems

Question 65

What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is made up of nitrogen?

Answer 65

78 percent

Question 66

In what biological components is nitrogen found?

Answer 66

* Proteins * Nucleic acids * Chlorophyll

Question 67

What does the nitrogen cycle do?

Answer 67

Moves nitrogen through the abiotic and biotic parts of ecosystems

Question 68

True or False: The nitrogen cycle is the same in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Answer 68

True

Question 69

Fill in the blank: Nitrogen is an important part of _______.

Answer 69

[living things]

Question 70

What are the two main types of ecosystems through which nitrogen cycles?

Answer 70

* Terrestrial ecosystems * Aquatic ecosystems

Question 71

Why can't plants use nitrogen gas directly?

Answer 71

Plants cannot use nitrogen gas because it is held together by a very stable triple bond that must be broken

Question 72

What is nitrogen fixation?

Answer 72

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which special nitrogen-fixing bacteria transform nitrogen gas into useful forms

Question 73

Where do nitrogen-fixing bacteria typically live?

Answer 73

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria typically live in the roots of plants in the pea family

Question 74

What is the process by which nitrogen gas is turned into ammonium?

Answer 74

The process by which nitrogen gas is turned into ammonium is called ammonification

Question 75

How can ammonium be utilized in aquatic environments?

Answer 75

Ammonium can be used by aquatic plants as a source of nitrogen

Question 76

How is nitrogen released into the environment?

Answer 76

Nitrogen is released into the environment by decaying organisms or decaying wastes

Question 77

What happens to ammonium in the soil?

Answer 77

Ammonium in the soil can be turned into nitrate by a two-step process completed by two different types of bacteria

Question 78

What is the process of converting ammonium ions to nitrites or nitrates called?

Answer 78

The process is called nitrification

Question 79

What role do nitrifying bacteria play in nitrogen transformation?

Answer 79

Nitrifying bacteria change the ammonium ions into nitrites and nitrates

Question 80

What happens to nitrates in the soil?

Answer 80

Some of the nitrates are used by plants

Question 81

What is denitrification?

Answer 81

Denitrification is the process by which denitrifying bacteria convert some of the nitrates in soil back into nitrogen gas

Question 82

What is the relationship between nitrogen fixation and denitrification?

Answer 82

Denitrification is the opposite of nitrogen fixation

Question 83

Fill in the blank: The process of converting ammonium ions to nitrites or nitrates is called _______.

Answer 83

nitrification

Question 84

Fill in the blank: Nitrogen is released to the environment by _______ or decaying wastes.

Answer 84

decaying organisms