Chapter 3 Science
Why is water called the universal solvent?
It dissolves more substances than any other liquid
What did the Haber-Bosch process do?
It enabled people to fix nitrogen artificially.
A solution with a pH that is 7 is what?
Neutral
Systems do not have what?
Well-defined boundaries
How does the release of large amounts of phosphorus become dangerous?
A lot of phosphorus can cause an overgrowth of algae and producers (this is called eutrophication) which can lead to hypoxia and dead zones in water.
What is a network of parts, elements, or compunds that interact with and influence one another?
A system
A solution with a pH less than 7 is what?
Acidic
How do tectonic plates influence Earth's characteristics?
As they move, the combine, separate, and recombine which make different landforms.
What is the relationship between matter and atoms?
Atoms are the basic units of matter.
A solution with a pH that is more than 7 is what?
Basic
How do people obtain phosphorus?
By consuming plants that have taken in phosphorus from their roots. Water can also have some phosphorus in it.
How are Earth's spheres defined?
By their function, makeup, and location.
What allows water to transport nutrients and wastes in plants and animals?
Cohesion
Water molecules adhere to each other through what bonds?
Covalent
Explain how macromolecules are involved in passing traits from parents to offspring.
DNA & RNA are macromolecules that store genetic information that is passed from generation to generation.
How does water resist changes in temperature?
Heating weakens the bonds in water, but does not initially increase molecular motion. Therefore, water is able to absorb a large amount of energy with only small changes in temperature. (to simplify: because of its specific heat trait)
What impact do humans have on the carbon cycle?
Human activities like burning fossil fuels, and cutting and burning forests increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, faster than producers can absorb.
Systems sometimes exchange what?
Inputs (Energy, Matter, or Information)
Systems recieve and process what? What do they (systems) produce?
Inputs, Outputs
What are two ways that nitrogen can be fixed naturally?
It can be fixed naturally through the energy released by a lightning strike or by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
What happens to nitrogen in denitrification?
It converts nitrates into nitrogen gas.
Why is phosphorus important?
It forms part of life-sustaining molecules such as DNA and RNA.
The characteristic that best defines a macromolecule is what?
It's size (its larger)
What crops increase the usable amount of nitrogen in soil?
Legumes
What in the following macromolecules is not a polymer? Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids, Carbohydrates
Lipids
A predator-prey relationship is an example of what type of feedback loop?
Negative
Which feedback loops are common in nature?
Negative
What are examples of substances that contain hydrocarbons?
Petroleum and wood smoke.
What in the following is not in a carbohydrate? Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Phosphorus
Phosphorus
What are two human activities that can affect the water cycle?
Pollution and water usage
Erosion is an example of what type of feedback loop?
Positive
Which feedback loops are rare in nature?
Positive
Inputs into Earth's systems can include what two types of energy?
Solar and Geothermal Energy
How do greenhouse gases affect the environment?
They keep earth at a habitable temperature.
Why is it difficult to determine clear boundaries to a system?
They overlap
Do Earth's spheres interact and overlap?
Yes
What are the products of photosynthesis?
carbohydrates (sugars/glucose) and oxygen
What are the products of cellular respiration?
carbon dioxide and water
What four nutrients cycle through Earth's spheres and organisms?
carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, and nitrogen
Most of the nitrogen on earth is located where?
in the atmosphere
Why is cellular respiration important?
it provides the energy for living organisms to perform all of the other necessary functions to maintain life.
What is the law of conservation of matter?
matter cannot be created or destroyed
Where is phosphorus stored?
rocks, soil, sediment, and the ocean
What is the purpose of ozone?
to protect from Suns UV radiation