All Flashcards
What are biogeochemical cycles?
Pathways through which matter moves within the Earth's system, involving interactions between living organisms and the non-living environment.
What is a carbon sink?
Natural reservoirs that store carbon, helping to regulate atmospheric CO2 levels (e.g., oceans, forests, soil).
Define photosynthesis.
Process by which plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose and oxygen.
What is cellular respiration?
Process by which plants and animals use glucose to produce energy (ATP), releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.
Define decomposition.
The process where decomposers break down dead plant and animal tissues, releasing carbon back into the soil and atmosphere.
What are fossil fuels?
Nonrenewable resources formed from the remains of ancient organisms, containing stored carbon.
What is sedimentation?
Process where CO2 combines with calcium ions to form calcium carbonate, which sinks to the ocean floor, storing carbon.
Define deforestation.
The clearing of forests, reducing the number of plants available to absorb CO2.
What is global warming?
The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to increased greenhouse gases, like CO2, in the atmosphere.
What is a closed system?
A system where matter is neither created nor destroyed, but cycles through different forms.
What are the steps of photosynthesis?
- Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. 2. Plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and water into glucose and oxygen. 3. Oxygen is released into the atmosphere.
What are the steps of cellular respiration?
- Plants/animals take in glucose and oxygen. 2. Glucose is broken down to produce energy (ATP). 3. CO2 and water are released as byproducts.
Describe the process of carbon exchange in the ocean.
- The ocean absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. 2. CO2 dissolves in seawater. 3. Some CO2 is released back into the atmosphere, while some is used by marine organisms.
Describe the process of decomposition.
- Dead organisms or organic matter are present. 2. Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down the organic material. 3. Carbon is released back into the soil and atmosphere as CO2.
Outline the process of sedimentation in the ocean.
- CO2 dissolves in ocean water. 2. CO2 combines with calcium ions. 3. Calcium carbonate forms and sinks to the ocean floor, storing carbon in sediments.
Describe the process of fossil fuel formation.
- Ancient organisms die and are buried. 2. Over millions of years, heat and pressure transform the organic matter. 3. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are formed, storing carbon.
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
Pathway of matter within Earth's system, involving living and non-living interactions.
What is a carbon sink?
Natural reservoir that stores carbon, regulating atmospheric CO2 levels.
Define photosynthesis.
Process where plants absorb CO2 and convert it into glucose and oxygen.
Define cellular respiration.
Process where organisms use glucose to produce energy, releasing CO2.
What is decomposition?
Breakdown of dead organisms, releasing carbon back into the soil and atmosphere.
What are fossil fuels?
Nonrenewable resources formed from ancient organic matter, storing carbon.
Define deforestation.
The clearing of forests, reducing CO2 absorption.
What is sedimentation?
CO2 combines with calcium ions to form calcium carbonate, sinking to the ocean floor.
What is carbon exchange?
The ocean absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and releases some back.
What is the fast carbon cycle?
Carbon cycling associated with living organisms (photosynthesis, respiration).
What is the slow carbon cycle?
Carbon cycling associated with dead organisms and fossil fuels.