U1 S8 Systems of the Biosphere

Earth Science

What is thermohaline circulation?

A global ocean circulation pattern that moves nutrients and oxygen, taking about 2000 years for one molecule of water to complete.

Why is thermohaline circulation important?

It allows nutrients and oxygen to reach areas like the deep ocean that wouldn't normally receive them.

How is Earth a system?

It is composed of interconnected subsystems whose balance makes life possible, and a change in one affects the others.

What is the geosphere?

The rocks of our planet, including land, core, mantle, and crust, interacting with all other spheres.

Give an example of the geosphere interacting with other spheres.

Water seeps into the ground (geosphere), flows as rivers (hydrosphere), evaporates into air (atmosphere), and is used for drinking (biosphere).

What is the hydrosphere?

All the water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, glaciers, polar ice caps, rain, and snow, existing in all phases of matter.

How does the hydrosphere interact with other spheres?

Through processes like transpiration of water from leaves in the biosphere.

What is the atmosphere?

A blanket of air made up of oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, and ozone, extending about 348 miles above Earth.

Why is the atmosphere important for life?

It provides essential gases, protects from radiation, and absorbs the Sun's energy to keep Earth warm.

What are the four atmospheric layers?

Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.

What is the biosphere?

The global ecosystem containing all living things, evolving for 3.5 billion years, and interacting with all other spheres.

How does the biosphere interact with other spheres?

By cycling elements like oxygen and nitrogen between living things and the environment.

Why is the biosphere considered a global ecosystem?

Because it includes all life on Earth and their interactions across the entire planet.