Earth Systems, Cycles, and Energy Flow

Vocabulary flashcards covering energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, the lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere based on lecture notes.

Energy Flow

The movement or path of energy through the living organisms of an ecosystem.

The Sun

The primary source of energy for most ecosystems, captured by plants and algae through photosynthesis.

Links of the Food Chain

Producers, consumers (which can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores), and decomposers.

Food Chain vs. Food Web

A food chain shows a single sequence of organisms, whereas a food web represents multiple connected food chains within an ecosystem.

Energy Loss in Trophic Levels

The loss of energy at each trophic level because organisms use most of it for vital functions and release part as heat, passing only a small amount to the next level.

General Biogeochemical Cycles

The six main natural cycles comprising the water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, oxygen cycle, and sulfur cycle.

Biogeochemical

A term representing the interaction of three studied sciences: Biology, Geology, and Chemistry.

Interconnection of Biogeochemical Sciences

The relationship where Biology (study of living beings) depends on geological factors (Earth's components like soils and mountains), which interact to generate chemical reactions.

Importance of Biogeochemical Cycles

They function as filters that stabilize and recycle Earth's components so that in a closed system, everything produced is regenerated.

Photosynthesis in Cycles

The key process that triggers all subsequent processes in most biogeochemical cycles and acts as the primary process in trophic chains.

Lithospheric Relief

Topographic landforms such as mountains, valleys, plateaus, and plains that modify the distribution of temperature, wind, and humidity to form different global climates.

Continental Crust

The thicker ($30 - 70\,km$), older, less dense portion of Earth's crust composed primarily of granite.

Oceanic Crust

The thinner ($5 - 10\,km$), younger, denser portion of Earth's crust composed primarily of basalt.

Minerals of the Lithosphere

Inorganic natural resources obtained from the lithosphere, specifically Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, and Galena.

Chemical Elements of the Lithosphere

Key chemical elements extracted from the lithosphere, including Iron, Gold, Silver, Lead, Magnesium, and Silicon.

Importance of the Lithosphere

Serves as the physical support of the planet, forms soils, allows agriculture, stores water and minerals, and produces earthquakes and volcanoes through tectonic activity.

Lithosphere

The most superficial and rigid layer of the Earth, located between the atmosphere and asthenosphere at an average depth of $0 - 100\,km$, formed by the crust and upper mantle.

Atmosphere

The gaseous layer surrounding the Earth held by gravity that protects the planet and provides gases necessary for life.

Main Atmospheric Gases

The primary mixture of gases in the atmosphere, consisting of Nitrogen ($78.08\%$), Oxygen ($20.90\%$), water vapor, and Argon ($0.93\%$).

Troposphere

The atmospheric layer from $0 - 12\,km$ where breathable air, rain, and clouds are found, weather occurs, and humans live.

Stratosphere

The atmospheric layer from $12 - 50\,km$ containing the ozone layer that blocks UV rays, where airplanes fly.

Mesosphere

The atmospheric layer from $50 - 85\,km$ where meteors disintegrate; it is the coldest layer and where shooting stars are seen.

Biosphere

The part of Earth where life exists, encompassing inhabited zones of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

Components of the Biosphere

Living organisms together with environmental factors permitting life, such as water, air, soil, sunlight, and temperature.

Importance of the Biosphere

Provides the conditions and resources necessary for living organisms to live, reproduce, and interact with their environment.

Living Beings and Biosphere Relationship

The interaction where living beings depend on the biosphere for resources and living conditions while simultaneously modifying their environment through their activities.

Biosphere Conservation

Methods to care for the biosphere, including reducing pollution, saving water and energy, protecting ecosystems, preventing deforestation, and decreasing waste generation.