Quiz 3: Earth's Dynamic External Structure Unit 1

Kinetic

related to or possessing motion

Hyrdrophere

all water (gas, solid, liquid) of Earth

Primary Consumer

organisms that eat producers

Nitrification

process by which certain bacteria convert ammonium into nitrates

Assimilation

process by which plants or animals convert nutrients into usable organic compounds, such as proteins

Lithosphere

the solid, crustal layer of Earth

Biosphere

the sphere of Earth that includes all living things

Food Chain

line of plants and animals that shows the order in which organisms are eaten

Secondary Consumer

organisms that eat primary consumers

Denitrification

process by which certain bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas

released into the environment and unusable

According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat energy released by an organism is _____.

Ammonification

process by which certain bacteria convert organic nitrogen into ammonia and ammonium salts during decomposition

Nitrogen Fixation

process by which certain bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen gas into ammonia and ammonium

Photosynthesis

process by which green plants convert carbon dioxide, water, and energy from the Sun into sugars

Respiration

process by which living cells produce usable energy from food

producers

Living organisms that are able to make their own food are _____.

they all depend on each other to function; an impact to one sphere usually affects another

All spheres of Earth are interrelated or interdependent. This means _____.

nitrogen atoms must be broken apart first

Although nitrogen gas makes up 78% of the atmosphere, we can't use it because _____.

fossil fuels, burned

Besides plants and animals, wood and _____ can be _____ to release carbon into the air.

hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere interaction

Colossal Cave was formed years ago by underground running water. Today, it is the home to many animals, like bats. These interactions are an example of _____.

the flow of energy in an ecosystem the eating patterns of organisms

Select all the statements that apply. A food chain or food web can provide good information like _____.

lithosphere

The availability of phosphorus is different than that of carbon and nitrogen because it is found mostly in the ____.

Potential

something possible; ability to go into action or perform work

oceans

The _____ store(s) more carbon than the atmosphere.

Some of the energy is stored in the plant's tissues and the rest is released as heat energy.

A plant absorbs energy from the sun. Where does the energy go from there?

10% of the plant's energy is transferred

About how much energy is transferred between a producer and primary consumer?

Both the rabbit and coyote population could decrease because the original food supply decreased.

During spring, when Earl's crops were plentiful, he noticed an increased number of rabbits. At night, he also heard an increased number of howls from the coyotes. What do you think will happen when winter comes around and the crops die out?

the first organism on the food chain must outnumber the subsequent organisms on the food chain.

Ecosystems usually become balanced by natural controls, including natural selection. A balanced ecosystem is one in which _____.

Producers make their own food. Consumers gain energy from producers. Decomposers break down dead matter into essential nutrients that are then reused by producers.

Life cycles recycle matter and help to create balance on Earth because _____.

the Sun

Most energy in an ecosystem comes originally from _____.

first law of thermodynamics

Mr. Jones, the science teacher, tells his students that energy cannot be created; it must be captured from the environment. He is talking about the _____.

potential

Picture a person standing with a drawn bow and arrow. He is aiming it at a bull's eye target. What type of energy is being described?

kinetic

The person holding the bow and arrow has now let go. The arrow shoots forward toward its target. What type of energy is being described?

It is the ability to do work.

What is the definition of energy?

biosphere and lithosphere interaction

When an animal dies and decomposes, its nutrients are absorbed into the soil. Plants use these nutrients to live and grow. This is an example of _____.

a fire

Which of the following is an example of energy changing from one form to another?

biosphere

Which sphere is dependent on all the other spheres in order to exist?

tertiary

You are a _____ consumer if you feed on secondary consumers.

hydrosphere and atmosphere interaction

You live on the beach, which always seems to be humid, especially on hot, sunny days. But, that's because when the ocean heats up, some of its water evaporates into water vapor, making the air thick and slightly "wet." This interaction is an example of _____.

Nitrification, denitrification

_____ converts ammonium into nitrates, while _____ converts nitrates into nitrogen gas.

Nitrogen fixation, assimilation

_____ converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, which plants absorb. The plants, by _____, incorporate the ammonium into proteins.

Food Web

a diagram that shows the connections among food chains in an ecosystem

Atmosphere

a layer of mixed gases surrounding Earth

Decomposers

bacteria and fungi that break down dead matter