Unit_3_APES Flashcards
What are protons
Positive charge, in the nucleus, determine (along with neutrons) the mass of the atom
What are Neutrons
No charge, located in the nucleus, determine mass of atom (along with protons)
What are Electrons
Negative charge, located in orbitals around the nucleus. They determine what chemical bonds the atom will form
What are Molecules
Made up of two or more atoms
What three elements primarily make up air?
Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon dioxide
Potential Energy is…
Stored with an objects position or chemical structure
Kinetic energy
Energy in motion
What is electromagnetic energy?
Kinetic energy with the ability to travel through space as waves
Explain Ultraviolet radiation
Can penetrate living tissue and cause damage; it’s visible by some species
Explain visuals radiation
Range of wavelengths detectable by human eye
Explain infrared radiation
Heat energy visible to some nocturnal species
How do plants gain mass
Through photosynthesis where carbon dioxide is absorbed from the air and converted to sugars using sunlight for energy
How do animals and fungi gain energy?
Cell respiration. The food they ingest provides both energy and matter needed for growth
First Law of Thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changes form
Ex. Food chains
Second Law of Thermodynamics
During every transformation, some energy is given off as heat
What is Gross Primary Productivity? (GPP)
The total amount of energy producers capture from the sun
Why is cell respiration important?
Most energy is lost as heat and plants preform cell respiration to maintain itself
What is the Net Primary Producivity (NPP)
The remaining output of energy that is stored as leaves, fruit, stems or its roots
Explain the biogeochemical cycle
Elements move between living as non living parts of the ecosystem as part of this process.
Processes: move the element
Sinks: absorb the element
Sources: release the element
Water cycle: codensation
Water vapor cools and becomes liquid water
Water cycle: precipitation
Liquid water falls form the atmosphere
Water cycle: run off
Moves water across land towards river, lake or ocean
Water cycle: infiltration
Water sleeps down through the soil
Water cycle: uptake
Plants absorb water through their roots
Water cycle: evaporation
Liquid water is heated to water vapor
Carbon cycle: exchange
Co2 moves back and forth between the ocean and atmosphere
Carbon cycle: burial
Carbon entered the earths crust, eventually becoming a mineral or fossil fuel
Carbon cycle: combustion
Burning plant matter and fossil fuels
Carbon cycle: photosynthesis
Producing sugars by absorbing Co2 and sunlight
Carbon cycle: respiration
Metabolizing sugars as energy source, releasing Co2
Nitrogen Cycle: Biotic Fixation
Nitrogen gas is converted to solid ammonium by soil bacteria
Nitrogen cycle: assimilation
Producers absorb nh4 or nh3 from the soil through their roots
Nitrogen cycle: Abiotic Fixation
Nitrogen gas is converted to solid nitrates by lightning or synthetic production
Nitrogen cycle: Ammonification
Decomposes break down organic matter into ammonium
Nitrogen cycle: nitrification
Soil bacteria convert ammunition into nitrates and nitrites
Nitrogen cycle: Denitrification
Soil bacteria convert nitrates and nitrites into nitrogen gas
Nitrogen cycle: leaching
Percolating water dissolves soil nitrogen and carries it away
Phosphorus cycle: weathering
Water breaks down rock and releases phosphates into soil, rivers, lakes, ocean
Phosphorus cycle: Mining
Phosphates are removed from underground minerals to make fertilizer
Sulfur cycle: acid precipitation
Sulfate from combustion and volcanic eruptions mixes with water vapor, forming sulfuric acid
