Cycles of Matter: Bio 20

polar molecule

molecule with a positive and negative end

cohesive

attraction between water molecules with water molecules

adhesive

attraction between water molecules with other molecules

universal solvent

water

Hydrogen bonds are strong, they have high ______ and high _____

boiling point, melting point

Water has a high specific ____

heat capacity

What does specific heat capacity indicate?

how much energy/heat a substance can take before it heats up

If water has a high specific heat capacity what does that indicate?

it takes a lot of energy/heat to heat up water, therefore it stays liquid for a long time

True or False: Frozen water is more dense than liquid water

true

What is the water cycle?

movement of water in between atmosphere and Earth's surface, it shows the gain and loss of energy of water cycle

Is precipiation and condensation a gain or loss of energy?

loss of energy

Is evaporation a gain or loss of energy?

gain of energy

Biogeochemical cycle

recycling matter through living and non living parts of the ecosystem

Rapid cycling

substances move between nutrient cycles quickly (food chains)

Slow cycling

substances stored for long periods of time (coal, oil)

CO2 in atmosphere is increased by...

cellular respiration, decomposition, deforestation, released from rocks (weathering), fossil fuel burning

CO2 in atmosphere is decreased by...

photosynthesis, trees (carbon sink), oceans (carbon sink), stored in rocks

Oceans can only take in so much CO2, if CO2 reacts with the ocean water what happens? How does it affect organisms?

carbonic acid; acid in water can harm/kill organisms

Oxygen in atmosphere is decreased by...

cellular respiration, combustion, deforestation and decomposition

Oxygen in atmosphere is increased by...

photosynthesis

How much of the atmosphere does nitrogen gas take up?

78%

Nitrogen is used for

making proteins and DNA

What is the most useable form of nitrogen?

nitrate (NO3-)

What bacteria converts atmospheric gas to ammonium?

nitrogen fixers

Nitrogen fixation

bacteria found in root nodules that convert atmospheric gas to ammonium

What are useable forms of nitrogen for the plants?

ammonium, nitrate

Order of Conversions: Nitrogen Cycle

nitrogen gas -> ammonium -> nitrite -> nitrate

Root nodules have a ____ relationship between plants and bacteria

symbiotic

How does the relationship between plants and bacteria work in nitrogen fixation?

bacteria get sugars plants make & plants get ammonium bacteria make

Ammonification

decomposers breakdown organic matter into ammonium

Denitrification

bacteria that converts nitrite/nitrate into atmospheric gas (releases it back into atmosphere)

What is the bacteria which performs denitrification?

denitrifying bacteria

How to prevent denitrification?

poke holes into lawn (bc. denitrification does not like O2, using airation prevents the process)

Is atmospheric nitrogen useable?

no, it must be converted

What is the purpose of sulfur?

found in proteins and vitamins

Most useable form of sulfur

SO4 (sulfate)

How is sulfur returned back into the soil?

decomposers breakdown matter and returned back into soil

What does bacteria do in the sulfur cycle?

bacteria converts sulfur from one form to another

Natural sources of sulfur

volcanoes, weathering

Manmade sources of sulfur

fossil burning, mining

Why is burning coal in Alberta less devastating than other places?

Alberta coal has low sulfur content; less is being burnt, therefore less acids made

Acid Deposition

acidified rain, snow, sleet

What causes acid deposition?

sulfur reacts with water and oxygen

How does acid deposition affect the ecosystem?

damage plants, acidify lakes and leach nutrients from the soil

Why is acid rain less devastating in Alberta?

Alberta lakes have limestone (CaCO3) which neutralize affects of acid

Where is phosphorus found?

DNA/ATP, bones and teeth

Is there phosphorus in the atmosphere?

no, phosphorus does not cycle in the atmosphere

Where can we obtain phosphorus from?

milk, grain and meat

What is the most useable form of phosphate?

PO3

Why is the use of phosphates in detergents and soaps banned?

it caused algal blooms

Algal blooms

excess phosphates that enter the aquatic ecosystem

Where does excess phosphate come from?

nutrients in soil, sewage, manure, deforestation, fertilizer, detergents

What happens if algal blooms occur?

sunlight can't penetrate below the surface, preventing plants from photosynthesizing which cause it to die

If plants in the ocean die from algal blooms, what happens next?

decomposers will quickly grow, depleting the oxygen

If decomposers grow and breakdown the organic matter in the oceans, what happens to the fish and other organisms?

fish and other organisms die because the decomposers are taking up all of the oxygen, and there is less food supply from plants

What is productivity?

the rate at which producers capture and store energy from the sun, and how quickly it can create new biomass