Z Flashcards
The water cycle
The cycle of water through the lithosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Transpiration
Water is absorbed by plants from their roots, the water then travels up through the stem into the leaves and the stomata where it is released into the atmosphere
condensation
when water vapour is cooled down, condensing into water droplets and forming clouds.
Precipitation
water drops formed by condensation fall down to Earth as rain, snow, or hail, depending on the temperature.
Surface Runoff
The movement of water over land surfaces, ending in streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. often transporting sediments, nutrients, and pollutants.
Infiltration
precipitation that falls onto land being soaked up by the soil, refilling groundwater sources.
Groundwater Flow
Water that infiltrates into the soil becomes groundwater, which slowly moves through underground aquifers
Evaporation
The Sun heats bodies of water, causing water to change from liquid to water vapour and rise into the atmosphere
Freezing
Converts water from a liquid state into a solid one, (ice & snow)
Melting
Converts ice and snow back into liquid water
Sublimation
Transforms solid water straight into gas, skipping the liquid phase
Deposition
Transforms water vapour straight into ice, skipping the liquid phase
Percolation
The movement of water through rock and soil
carbon-oxygen cycle
The cycle that transfers carbon through the atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere.
volcanic eruptions
Releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Carbon Sequestration on land
On land, plants take in carbon dioxide to use in photosynthesis and store withing their tissues (cells).
Carbon Sequestration in the ocean
In the ocean, phytoplankton and other marine organisms take in carbon through photosynthesis. The ocean dissolves carbon dioxide, having the CO2 combining with the water to form calcium carbonate shells
Cellular Respiration
Animals eat the plants and take in O2 to power cellular respiration, then release CO2 into the atmosphere, working with photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Plant cells absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water to convert them into oxygen, water, and glucose, working with cellular respiration and a carbon transfer
Decomposition
When organisms die, they become ready for decomposition by decomposers, they break down complex organic molecules into simpler compounds such as c02
Fossilisation and unavailable carbon
The burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Combustion of fossil fuels
When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, the unnatural part of the carbon cycle
Limestone and weathering
Limestone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, this reacts with acids found in rainwater and soil. It produces CO2 that’s released into the atmosphere
Deforestation and fires
When trees are cut down, burnt, or decay, they carbon stored in their tissues and cells is released into the atmosphere as CO2
The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen is essential for organisms, they are the components of proteins, nucleic acids, and other organic molecules
forms of nitrogen
Nitrogen Gas (N2)
Nitric Oxide (NO)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Ammonia (NH3)
Ammonium (NH4)
Nitrate (NO3)
Nitrite (NO2)
Atmospheric Nitrogen Fixation
Lightning strikes generate enough energy to separate nitrogen gas into ammonia, the ammonia gets dissolved in rain, carrying the molecules to the Earth’s surface
Consumption
Animals acquire organic nitrogen by consuming plants or other animals.
Assimilation of Nitrites, Nitrates and Ammonia
Plants and some microorganisms take up ammonia from the soil to use in cell processes
Ammonification
Decomposers break down nitrogen compounds found in dead organisms and other organic matter.
Volcanic eruptions
Releases nitrogen gas straight into the atmosphere, the heat and pressure transform the atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen oxides. It reacts with water vapour to form precipitation.
Denitrification by bacteria
Denitrifying bacteria converts nitrate and nitrite ions into nitrogen gas, the gas then goes back into the atmosphere
Nitrogen Fixation by Bacteria
Atmospheric N2 is converted into ammonia or ammonium ions by nitrogen fixing bacteria found in the soil.
Nitrification
Ammonia is converted to nitrite ions by nitrifying bacteria, nitrite ions are then oxidized into nitrate ions by other nitrifying bacteria
