53-78 vocab study AP SCIENCE

chemosynthesis

A process used by some bacteria to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide.

Biogeochemical cycle

The movements of matter within and between ecosystems involving cycles of biological, geological, and chemical processes.

reservoirs

The components of the biogeochemical cycle that contain the matter, including air, water, and organisms.

Carbon cycle

The movement of carbon around the biosphere among reservoirs and sinks.

Aerobic respiration

The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

Steady state

When a system's inputs equal outputs, so that system is not changing over time.

Greenhouse gases

Gases in the earth's atmosphere that trap heat near the surface

Global warming

The increase in global temperature due to humans producing more greenhouse gases.

Limiting nutrient

A nutrient required for growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients.

Nitrogen cycle

The movement of nitrogen around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks.

Nitrogen fixation

The process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere (N2) into forms of nitrogen that plants and algae can use

nitrification

The conversion of ammonia (NH4) into nitrite(NO2) and then into nitrate (NO3)

assimilation

A process by which plants and algae incorporate nitrogen into their tissues.

mineralization

A process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products and convert these organic compounds back into inorganic compounds (also known as ammonification)

denitrification

The conversion of nitrate (NO3) in a series of steps in the gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and eventually into nitrogen gas (N2) which is emitted into the atmosphere.

Anaerobic

An environment that lacks oxygen.

aerobic

An environment with abundant oxygen

leaching

A process in which dissolved molecules are transported through the soil via groundwater.

Phosphorus cycle

The movement of phosphorus around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks.

Algal bloom

A rapid increase in the algal production of a waterway

hypoxic

low in oxygen

Dead zone

When oxygen concentration becomes so low that it kills fish and other aquatic animals.

Hydrologic cycle

The movement of water around the biosphere among reservoir sources and sinks.

transpiration

The release of water from leaves into the atmosphere during photosynthesis

evapotranspiration

The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration

runoff

Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers.