Biogeochemical Cycles

water cycle

The continuous movement of water molecules through Earth’s systems.

hydrosphere

Earth system that is made up of all the water on Earth

lithosphere

Upper surface of the geosphere

geosphere

Earth system that is made up of all the rock on Earth

atmosphere

Earth system that is made up of all the air on Earth

biosphere

Earth system that is made up of all the living things on Earth

rain shadow

a region having little rainfall because it is sheltered from prevailing rain

precipitation

Water that falls to the ground from clouds; rain, snow, sleet, or hail

evaporation

The change from a liquid to a gas

condensation

The change from a gas to a liquid; how clouds form

freezing

The change from liquid to solid

melting

The change from solid to liquid

groundwater

Water found underground

infiltration

the process by which water on the Earth’s surface soaks into the soil

surface runoff

water that flows over the Earth’s surface

accumulation

When water collects in reservoirs

reservoir

A natural or artificial place where water or carbon collects on Earth

aquifer

An underground layer of permeable rock, sand, gravel, or soil that is saturated with water

transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant

carbon cycle

The continuous movement of carbon atoms through Earth’s systems.

cellular respiration

Living things release energy by converting glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water

photosynthesis

Plants and algae use the sun's energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen

glucose

A carbon based sugar that is an important source of energy. C₆H₁₂O₆

mitochondria

The organelle where cellular respiration occurs

Chloroplast

The plant organelle where photosynthesis occurs

carbon dioxide

A greenhouse gas found in the Earth’s atmosphere; CO₂

fossil fuel

Coal, oil, and natural gas (carbon based fuels) that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

combustion

Burning of fuels to extract energy; produces carbon dioxide

climate change

a long-term shift in Earth's average weather patterns over decades or longer

greenhouse effect

a process that occurs when gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat

biogeochemical cycle

The continuous movement of matter through Earth's systems