energy glow and nutrition cycles

• What is the carbon cycle?

  The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of carbon through the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
• How does carbon move through the Earth in the carbon cycle?

  Carbon is exchanged between the Earth's living organisms, the ocean, the atmosphere, and the Earth's interior.
• What are the key components of the carbon cycle?

  - Atmosphere: Carbon is present as carbon dioxide (CO2). - Biosphere: Carbon is stored in living organisms (plants and animals). - Hydrosphere: Carbon is dissolved in oceans, lakes, and rivers. - Geosphere: Carbon is stored in fossil fuels, rocks, and sediments.
• What processes drive the movement of carbon between the reservoirs in the carbon cycle?

  Processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and the burning of fossil fuels drive the movement of carbon.
• What is photosynthesis?

  Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some other organisms use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar.
• What do plants take in during photosynthesis?

  Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air during photosynthesis.
• What is the byproduct of photosynthesis?

  The byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen.
• How does photosynthesis contribute to the carbon cycle?

  Photosynthesis removes CO2 from the atmosphere and stores carbon in plant biomass.
• What is cellular respiration?

  Cellular respiration is the process by which living organisms convert the chemical energy from glucose into a usable form, releasing carbon dioxide and water.
• What do organisms take in during cellular respiration?

  Organisms take in oxygen from the air during cellular respiration.
• What is released during cellular respiration?

  Carbon dioxide and water are released during cellular respiration.
• How does cellular respiration relate to the carbon cycle?

  Cellular respiration releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, which can then be taken up by plants during photosynthesis.
• What are fossil fuels?

  Fossil fuels are natural substances like coal, oil, and natural gas formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.
• What happens when fossil fuels are burned?

  Burning fossil fuels releases the carbon stored in them back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
• What is the impact of burning fossil fuels on the carbon cycle?

  It adds large amounts of additional carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, disrupting the natural balance of the carbon cycle.
• How does increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affect the climate?

  Increased carbon dioxide contributes to global climate change and the greenhouse effect.
• What are the key steps in the carbon cycle?

  1. Plants take in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store it in biomass. 2. Animals consume plants and incorporate carbon into their bodies. 3. Decomposition of dead organisms releases carbon back into the atmosphere. 4. Fossil fuels are formed from ancient remains, locking carbon away. 5. Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
• Why is understanding the carbon cycle important?


  Understanding the carbon cycle is crucial for understanding the impacts of human activities on the global climate.
• How do human activities disrupt the natural carbon cycle?

  Human activities like burning fossil fuels add extra carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, disrupting the natural balance of the carbon cycle.
• What is the nitrogen cycle?

  The nitrogen cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the transformation and movement of nitrogen through the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
• Why is the nitrogen cycle essential for living organisms?

  It is essential for the growth and development of living organisms, as nitrogen is a key component of many biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll.
• What are the main components of the nitrogen cycle?

  - Nitrogen fixation - Nitrification - Assimilation - Ammonification - Denitrification
• What is nitrogen fixation?

  Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) or nitrates (NO3-) that can be absorbed by plants.
• What occurs during nitrification in the nitrogen cycle?

  Nitrification is the conversion of ammonia (NH3) into nitrites (NO2-) and then nitrates (NO3-) by specialized bacteria.
• What is assimilation in the nitrogen cycle?

  Assimilation is the uptake of nitrogen compounds by plants and their incorporation into organic molecules like proteins.
• What happens during ammonification?

  Ammonification is the decomposition of organic nitrogen compounds back into ammonia (NH3).
• What is denitrification?

  Denitrification is the conversion of nitrates (NO3-) back into nitrogen gas (N2) by bacteria, completing the cycle.
• What are the key roles of the nitrogen cycle in ecosystems?

  - Provides essential nutrients for growth - Supports biodiversity - Regulates atmospheric composition - Enables ecosystem productivity - Recycles waste
• How does the nitrogen cycle provide essential nutrients?

  Nitrogen is a key component of proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll, essential for the growth and development of all living organisms.
• In what way does the nitrogen cycle support biodiversity?

  By cycling nitrogen through the environment, it ensures a steady supply of usable nitrogen compounds for a wide variety of plants and animals to thrive.
• How does the nitrogen cycle regulate atmospheric composition?


  The cycling of nitrogen between the atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere helps maintain the balance of nitrogen gases in the air.
• What impact does the nitrogen cycle have on ecosystem productivity?

  The availability of usable nitrogen compounds directly impacts the productivity and fertility of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• How does the nitrogen cycle recycle waste?

  The nitrogen cycle breaks down and recycles organic nitrogen waste, preventing buildup and pollution.
• What are the consequences of disruptions to the nitrogen cycle?

  Disruptions, such as excessive fertilizer use, can lead to environmental problems like eutrophication and loss of biodiversity.
• What are the key steps in summarizing the nitrogen cycle?

  1. Nitrogen fixation 2. Nitrification 3. Assimilation 4. Ammonification 5. Denitrification
• What is the main purpose of the nitrogen cycle?

  The main purpose of the nitrogen cycle is to continuously cycle nitrogen through the environment so it is available for living things.
• What is the oxygen cycle?

  The oxygen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of oxygen within and between the Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
• Why is the oxygen cycle essential for living organisms?

  It is essential for the survival of most living organisms on the planet.
• What are the key processes involved in the oxygen cycle?

  1. Photosynthesis: Plants and microorganisms produce oxygen. 2. Cellular Respiration: Organisms use oxygen to convert food into energy. 3. Combustion: Burning of fossil fuels consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. 4. Dissolution and Outgassing: Oxygen dissolves in water and is released back into the atmosphere.
• What is photosynthesis?

  Photosynthesis is the process where plants and some microorganisms use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen as a byproduct.