All Flashcards
What are the environmental consequences of burning fossil fuels?
Increased atmospheric CO2, global warming, climate change.
What are the environmental consequences of deforestation?
Reduced CO2 absorption, increased atmospheric CO2, habitat loss.
How does increased atmospheric CO2 affect global climate?
Leads to the greenhouse effect, causing global warming.
What is the effect of agricultural practices on carbon emissions?
Can contribute to carbon emissions and soil degradation.
Why is the Earth considered a closed system?
Matter is neither created nor destroyed; it cycles through different forms.
What is the role of plants in the carbon cycle?
Absorb CO2 through photosynthesis, storing carbon and releasing oxygen.
Why are oceans important in the carbon cycle?
Act as a major carbon sink, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere.
How does decomposition contribute to the carbon cycle?
Releases carbon from dead organisms back into the soil and atmosphere.
How does burning fossil fuels affect the carbon cycle?
Releases large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere, increasing CO2 levels.
How does deforestation impact the carbon cycle?
Reduces the number of plants available to absorb CO2, increasing atmospheric CO2.
What is the link between the carbon cycle and climate change?
Increased atmospheric CO2 from disrupted carbon cycle leads to global warming.
What role does calcium carbonate play in the carbon cycle?
It is a long-term carbon storage mechanism, sinking to the ocean floor.
Describe the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration.
Photosynthesis removes CO2; respiration releases CO2, creating a cycle.
Explain the difference between fast and slow carbon cycles.
Fast cycles involve living organisms; slow cycles involve long-term storage.
What are the steps of photosynthesis?
CO2 absorption, conversion to glucose and oxygen, carbon storage.
What are the steps of cellular respiration?
Glucose breakdown, energy (ATP) production, CO2 release.
What are the steps of decomposition?
Breakdown of organic matter, release of carbon into soil/atmosphere.
Describe the process of carbon exchange in oceans.
Ocean absorbs CO2 from atmosphere, some CO2 is released back.
Outline the process of sedimentation in the carbon cycle.
CO2 combines with calcium ions, forms calcium carbonate, sinks to ocean floor.