APES - Unit 3 - Energy and Ecosystems

biogeochemical cycle

process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another

closed system

A system in which no matter is allowed to enter or leave

Geosphere

the solid part of the earth consisting of the crust and outer mantle

atmosphere

A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth

Hydrosphere

All the water at and near the surface of the earth, 97% of which is in oceans

Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle)

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Evaporation (water cycle)

the process by which water changes from liquid form to an atmospheric gas

Precipitation

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant

condensation

the cooling of water vapor that changes to water droplets that cling together -- CLOUDS form

Run-off

water leaves the soil and "runs" into bodies of water; sometimes this carries chemicals with it such as fertilizers

Infiltration

This is where water seeps through the ground and through the group and rocks to become groundwater

water cycle reservoirs

Ice/Snow/Lakes/ Groundwater/ Ocean

water cycle processes

precipitation, evaporation, condensation, transpiration

Human impact on water cycle most evident at ...?

rivers and aquifers

carbon cycle

The organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again

carbon cycle reservoirs

atmosphere, bodies of water, fossil fuels, peat, animals, plants

carbon cycle processes

photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion

nitrogen cycle

The transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere

nitrogen fixation

process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use

Nitrfication

The conversion of ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate

nitrogen-fixing bacteria

bacteria that can use nitrogen in soil to make nitrogen compounds

Denitrification

process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas

nitrogen cycle - reservoirs

Atmosphere, organisms, sediments of aquatic biomes, soil

phosphorus cycle

The movement of phosphorus atoms from rocks through the biosphere and hydrosphere and back to rocks.

Nutrient Cycle that doesn't cycle through the atmosphere

Phosphorous cycle

Phosphorus Cycle Process

Runoff, plate tectonics, erosion

phosphorus reservoirs

sedimentary rocks, soil, oceans, organisms

Sulfur Cycle Steps

As rocks are worn down by erosion they release sulfur that was once stored, becoming SO4 once it touches the air. Plants absorb this sulfur through photosynthesis and make this sulfur organic. Animals, specifically herbivores and omnivores consume the sulfur when they eat the plants. Sulfur moves through the food chain as secondary consumers and tertiary consumers eat the primary consumers. When animals and plants die, the sulfur dissipates into the atmosphere as sulfate and also through the body of the decomposers. The sulfur in the atmosphere is returned to the soil and water cycle when it rains

sulfer cycle

The chemical and physical reactions by which sulfur moves into or out of storage and through the environment.

human activity - sulfur cycle

burn sulfur, refine sulfur, convert sulfur

Air

n. the mixture of gases around the earth, mostly nitrogen and oxygen, 0.04% carbon dioxide

negative feedback

A primary mechanism of homeostasis, whereby a change in a physiological variable that is being monitored triggers a response that counteracts the initial fluctuation.

postivie feedback loop

A situation in which a factor or condition causes changes that further enhance that factor or condition.

potential energy

stored energy

kinetic energy

energy of motion

Forms of Potential Energy

chemical, nuclear, gravitational, or mechanical

Forms of Kinetic Energy

Radiant, thermal, motion, sound, electrical

chemical energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds

nuclear energy

Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom

Stored Mechanical Energy

Energy stored in objects by the application of force

Gravitational energy

Potential energy that depends on the height of an object

radiant energy

energy carried by an electromagnetic wave

thermal energy

Heat energy

Motion Energy

the movement of objects and substances from one place to another

sound energy

energy carried by sound waves

electrical energy

Energy caused by the movement of electrons.

electromagnetic spectrum

All of the frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation

ultraviolet radiation

a type of energy that comes to Earth from the Sun, can damage skin and cause cancer, and is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer

Visible wavelength

range of wavelengths we can detect with our eyes

infrared

invisible short frequencies of light before red in the visible spectrum, heat energy

Photosynthesis equation

6CO2 + 6H2O --> light energy --> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Photosynthesis

Conversion of light energy from the sun into chemical energy.

cellular respiration equation

C6H12O6+6O2---> 6CO2+6H2O+ATP

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

food chain

A series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten

food web

A community of organisms where there are several interrelated food chains

trophic levels are

each step in a food chain or web

Producer

An organism that can make its own food.

Consumer

An organism that obtains energy by feeding on other organisms

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down wastes and dead organisms

Detrivore

a scavenger, such as an earthworm, that feeds on dead plant and animal matter

energy pyramid

A diagram that shows the amount of energy that moves from one feeding level to another in a food web

10% rule of energy transfer

This rule specifically refers to energy transfer in a food chain.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)

The total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time

Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire

NPP formula

NPP = GPP - R

GPP formula

GPP = NPP + R

accessory pigments

energy absorbing plant pigments other than chlorophyll