B17

• What does abiotic mean?

  Not living
• Where is almost all of the water on Earth found?

  In the oceans
• What type of water is found in the oceans?

  Salt water
• What causes water to evaporate from the sea?

  Energy from the Sun
• What happens to water vapor when it cools down?

  It condenses to form clouds
• What does precipitation include?

  Rain, snow, hail, and sleet
• What type of water do all forms of precipitation contain?

  Fresh water
• What happens to some of the water when it hits the ground?

  It evaporates back into the atmosphere
• What forms when water passes through rocks?

  Aquifers
• Where does the water in rivers and streams eventually drain back into?

  The sea
• How do plants contribute to the water cycle?

  They take up water and release it as vapor
• What is the name of the process where water moves up the plant?

  Transpiration
• Through what structure do plants release water vapor?

  Stomata
• How do animals take in water?

  Through drinking and food
• How do animals release water?

  In urine and when they exhale
• What is the first key fact about the carbon cycle?

  It starts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• How does carbon enter the carbon cycle?

  Through photosynthesis
• What do plants combine with carbon dioxide during photosynthesis?

  Water
• What is produced during photosynthesis?

  Sugar glucose
• What energy source is used in photosynthesis?

  Light energy
• Who carries out photosynthesis?

  Plants and algae
• What process returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

  Aerobic respiration
• What is the difference between respiration and breathing?

  Respiration is cellular; breathing is physical
• What are the two key processes in the carbon cycle?

  Photosynthesis and respiration
• How do plants and algae use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

  To make carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• What happens to some carbon in plants and algae after respiration?

  It is released back as carbon dioxide
• What can happen to plants and algae in the food chain?

  They can be eaten by animals
• What happens to carbon when animals eat plants?

  It becomes part of their cells
• What do animals release back to the atmosphere?

  Carbon dioxide
• What do animals produce as waste products?

  Feces
• What happens to animals and plants after they die?

  They produce carbon in waste and remains
• Who breaks down dead remains and waste products?

  Decomposing microorganisms
• What are examples of decomposing microorganisms?

  Bacteria and fungi
• What do decomposers release back into the atmosphere?

  Carbon dioxide
• What do decomposers release to the soil?

  Mineral ions
• What happens to carbon in dead remains under low oxygen conditions?

  It can be converted to fossil fuels
• How long does it take for carbon to be trapped as fossil fuels?

  Millions of years
• What has been happening to fossil fuels over the last 200 years?

  Humans have been burning them
• What is released back to the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned?

  Carbon dioxide