Cycles of Matter

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to the cycles of matter, including definitions and processes involved in the biosphere's biogeochemical cycles.

Biosphere

The regions of Earth that support living organisms, including both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living chemical and physical aspects of the environment, such as temperature, water, and soil.

Biotic Factors

Living organisms within an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Universal Solvent

A property of water that allows it to dissolve more substances than any other liquid.

Hydrological Cycle

The cycle through which water moves from the atmosphere to the earth and back, including processes like evaporation and precipitation.

Carbon Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of carbon through the Earth's ecosystems.

Nitrogen Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle that describes the conversion of nitrogen between its various chemical forms.

Phosphorus Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which organisms convert glucose into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Eutrophication

The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen in the water.

Acid Rain

Precipitation that contains acidic components, primarily sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, resulting from industrial emissions.

Matter Recycling

The process wherein matter is neither created nor destroyed, but is continually reused and transformed in various cycles.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for use by plants.

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form usable by plants (e.g., ammonium, nitrates) by specific bacteria.

Assimilation

The process by which plants and animals incorporate nutrients from the environment into their own tissues.

Denitrification

The process by which nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas (N2) by specific bacteria, returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

Cohesion

The property of water that causes it to be attracted to itself, resulting in phenomena like surface tension.

Polarity of Water

The distribution of electrical charge in water molecules, leading to hydrogen bonding.

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a substance, which for water, helps stabilize global weather patterns.

Groundwater

Water stored beneath the Earth's surface in soil or rock formations, which can affect the hydrological cycle.

Transpiration

The process by which water is lost from plants to the atmosphere through evaporation from leaves.

Energy Flow

The one-way movement of energy through an ecosystem, primarily from sunlight to producers and then to consumers.

Atmosphere

The mixture of gases surrounding Earth, crucial for weather patterns and sustaining life.

Ecological Footprint

An estimate of the demand placed on Earth's ecosystems and resources by individuals or communities.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean air, water, and pollination of plants.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of ancient organisms, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Carbon Reservoirs

Natural systems that store carbon, including forests, oceans, and sedimentary rocks.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Natural pathways by which essential elements of living matter are circulated in ecosystems.

Pollution

The introduction of contaminants into the natural environment causing adverse change.

Sustainable Practices

Methods of using resources that do not deplete them and maintain ecological balance.

Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, largely attributed to human activities like burning fossil fuels.

What is condensation in the water cycle?

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.

What is precipitation in the water cycle?

Precipitation is any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection is the accumulation of water in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans after precipitation.

What is the role of the sun in the water cycle?

The sun provides the energy needed for evaporation, driving the water cycle.

What is evaporation in the water cycle?

Evaporation is the process where liquid water turns into water vapor and enters the atmosphere due to heat.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere from their leaves.

What is infiltration in the water cycle?

Infiltration is the process by which water penetrates the soil and moves into underground reservoirs, replenishing groundwater supplies.

What is runoff in the water cycle?

Runoff is the movement of water, usually from precipitation, across the ground surface towards rivers, lakes, or oceans.

How do human activities affect the water cycle?

Human activities, such as deforestation and urbanization, can disrupt natural processes like evaporation and infiltration, leading to changes in water availability.

What is the difference between surface water and groundwater?

Surface water is found in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, while groundwater is the water stored underground in soil and rock formations.