BJU Press Biology Chapter 4--Interacting with the Biosphere

biology

sustainability

the ability of the biosphere to maintain its balance indefinitely and keep lifeforms in check

Biogeochemical cycle

the pathways of matter in the biosphere and geosphere on a chemical level

the water cycle

transpiration, evaporation, condensation, precipitation

Where is most of the earth’s oxygen?

trapped in minerals in the earth

what releases most of the free oxygen

photosynthesis in plants and phytoplankton

Oxygen cycle

oxygen is released through photosynthesis, taken in by bacteria, animals, and people, expelling carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide is taken back in by the plants and converted into oxygen

The nitrogen cycle

bacteria absorb nitrogen using nitrogen fixation, is converted into ammonia, the ammonia is broken down by water into ammonium ions, nitrates, and nitrites, absorbed by plant roots

where is most nitrogen found

in lightning strikes

Population density

the number of individuals in a certain amount of space

eutrophication

the process in which algae disrupt the flow of carbon and oxygen and lower a lake’s biodiversity

limiting factors

factors that limit the growth of a population

exponential growth

the rapid rate of growth if the population could reproduce endlessly

carrying capacity

the maximum number in a population that an area can sustain

primary succession

succession that begins with a barren landscape

succession

the change of a biotic community over time

pioneer species

plants and animals that are the first to return to an area and are usually short-lived

secondary succession

succession in a disturbed landscape that already has soil

climax species

stable, long-lived species that mark the end of succession

system

a part of the universe under study

greenhouse gases

carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and water vapor

Carbon footprint

the amount of greenhouse gases people release when they burn carbon-containing fuels

ecological footprint

how humans relate to the carrying capacity of the earth

climate change

the change of global temperatures and weather patterns over time

invasive species

organisms that move into a habitat where they are not native and compete with the native species for resources

bioremediation

a technique that uses organisms to remove or neutralize hazardous materials