Biology Unit 5 - Climate Change

_______ (Melomysrubicola) is believed to be the first mammal to become extinct due to climate change. (rip)

The Bramble Cay melomys

all renewable energy is alternative, but not all alternative energy is renewable

yrah

ATP

Energy carrier of the cell. Conversion of ADP to ATP requires an input of energy (See the ATP cycle in the Energy and Diet unit.).

how is carbon dioxide linked to global temperatures?

A combined graph of global temperatures (colored bars) and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations indicates a direct relationship between the two observations.

species

A group of similar, interbreeding organisms

The ability of carbon to form bonds with ____ other elements means it can form long chains; These carbon chains are often referred to as ______, and the study of hydrocarbon chains in living organisms is called organic chemistry.

4; hydrocarbons

Today, fossil fuels still account for over __% of the United States' energy needs. This number is not decreasing. Despite the development of alternative energy sources.

80

coral bleaching

A phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white; climate change/acid issue

what are some important molecules in photosynthesis?

ATP, NADPH, CO2, H2O, O2, CH2O

nitrous oxides source (greenhouse gas)

Agricultural practices such as the use of fertilizers and the burning of fossil fuels

renewable resources

Any natural resource that can replenish itself in a relatively short period of time, usually no longer than the length of a human life.

how is precipitation changing due to climate change?

Average precipitation has increased by 4% in the past century. This has been very regional, with central and northeast areas experiencing increased precipitation, and areas in the west and southeast seeing reduced precipitation. The rate of extreme precipitation events, and droughts, is also increasing.

how is average temperature changing due to climate change?

Average temperatures have increased between 1.2 and 1.8◦F over the past 50 years, with the majority of that change occurring since the start of the 21st century. The rate of regional heat waves is increasing across the country.

how is ocean acidification, which prevents shellfish from calcifying their shells, affecting the whole ecosystem?

Because shellfish form an important part of the aquatic food web, their loss is reflected in a reduction in the overall community structure.

major pathways of the calvin cycle

CO2is taken up by one of the molecules at the start of the cycle. This is commonly called carbon fixation, and it represents the method by which atmospheric carbon is taken up by plants. •AT P a n d N A D P H f ro m t h e l i g ht re a c t i o n s i s used to form more complex organic structures from the initial CO2molecule. Once the energy is used, the resulting ADP and NADP+are returned to the light-dependent reactions. •A molecule, called G3P, is created, which then forms CH2O and carbohydrates. •The pathway recycles its starting materials and prepares for the next input of CO2.

The second set of reactions (in photosynthesis) is called the ____. It is also sometimes referred to as the .......... because they do not require sunlight.

Calvin cycle; light-independent reactions

............ technologies focus on lowering the current level of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere. These include geoengineering—technology that directly impacts the environment—as well as some forms of genetic engineering of plants and animals.

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR)

NADPH

Carrier of high-energy electrons. Similar to the NADH used in cellular respiration (See the Energy and Diet Unit.).

photosynthetic pigments

Chemicals that absorb light energy and use it to carry out photosynthesis. Contained in thylakoid membranes in chloroplast. Examples are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) source (greenhouse gas)

Compounds used in refrigerants and to make spray propellants

Desertification

Degradation of land, especially in semiarid areas, primarily because of human actions like excessive crop planting, animal grazing, and tree cutting; climate change issue

T/F; we are utilizing our alternate energy sources very well and now fossil fuels are a minority

FALSE; Our modern society requires more energy per person then at any time in the history of our species, and the majority of that energy is still being supplied by fossil fuels.

T/F the term carbon footprint is only used for big companies

FALSE; Though the concept of a carbon footprint is often used for large-scale organizations, such as for companies or even entire countries, it can also be applied to humans on an individual level. Essentially, a person's carbon footprint is a measure of their own impact on climate change.

T/F. CO2 and water are the only greenhouse gases.

FALSE; any gas with a complex structure, such as those listed can contribute to the greenhouse effect.

........, also called climate engineering, is the development of technology focused on altering Earth's environment primarily to combat climate change. What are the two main forms?

Geoengineering; CDR and genetic engineering

evidence of climate change from snow and glaciers

Glaciers are dynamic and have natural cycles in which they expand and contract, depending on fluctuations in the local climate. However, since the 1970s, scientists have noticed that there has been a global loss of ice mass in glaciers

ecosystem

Interaction of a community and the physical environment (such as climate)

ozone source (greenhouse gas)

Natural processes and the interaction of solar energy with pollutants in the lower atmosphere

water vapor source (greenhouse gas)

Natural processes associated with the water cycle

........... is sometimes considered an alternative energy source because it does not directly use fossil fuels, but due to its potential environmental impact it is not generally referred to as being "clean" energy.

Nuclear power

population

Organisms of the same species living in a particular area

autotrophs

Organisms that are able to make their own food through photosynthesis and stuff

CH2O

Output of photosynthesis, used to build carbohydrates (C6H12O6).

Community

Populations of different species interacting in a given area

_____ are positively-charged, subatomic particles, and _____ have a neutral charge.

Protons; neutrons

carbon dioxide source (greenhouse gas)

STILL NEED

methane source (greenhouse gas)

STILL NEED

CO2

Source of carbon for the formation of carbohydrates.

H2O

Source of electrons for the light-dependent reactions.

what are the major events/pathways of the light dependent reactions?

The chlorophyll molecules absorbs energy from the sun. This energizes electrons (e-) forming high-energy particles.•Water is broken down, releasing electrons, hydrogen ions (H+), and oxygen. The oxygen is a waste product and is released back into the atmosphere.•Some of the high-energy electrons are used to produce ATP from ADP + P.•NADP+accepts some high-energy electrons to produceNADPH

how does the sun and earth's tilt affect climate change?

The climate of a region is partially due to the amount of solar radiation striking the surface of the planet. Seasonal changes are due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis.

how does climate change hurt shellfish?

The increase in acidity decreases the amount of carbonate (CO32-) in the oceans. Carbonate plays an important role in the formation of shells of organisms such as crabs, lobsters, and clams.

what are the purpose of light reactions in photosynthesis?

The purpose of the light reactions is to capture the energy from the sun and transfer it to high-energy molecules. These reactions occur in the thylakoid of the chloroplast and use the photosynthetic pigments

deforestation

The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves.

evidence of climate change in extreme weather events

The severity of droughts, heat waves, and extreme precipitation events are all recognized to be influenced by an increase in global temperatures. For example, the average temperature in the United States has already increased by 1.2°F (0.7°C), with a projected increase of almost by 2.5°F (1.4°C) the year 2050.

Biosphere

The sum of the regions of the Earth (water, surface, atmosphere) where living organisms are found

what are carbon cycle reactions?

These are the reactions that actually form the carbohydrate molecules from CO2and the energy captured by the light reactions. Notice that some of the output from these reactions are recycled back to the light reactions.

Changes in precipitation patterns in the western United States have amplified the instances and severity of _____, such as those currently being experienced in California

droughts

O2

Waste product of photosynthesis, released into the atmosphere.

___energy is generated mechanically using ------ turbines, with a scale ranging from individual use to massive wind farms or offshore turbines placed along the ocean's continental shelf.

Wind ;

fossil fuels

a fuel source that has been formed within the Earth from plant and animal remains.

The term .......... may refer to several things. The actual source of the energy is important when considering carbon emissions; for example, power from fossil fuels releases more carbon dioxide than from wind or solar.

energy choices

The term ............. is used to describe an energy source that does not require the use of fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas. what are some examples?

alternative energy; The most commonly considered alternative energy sources are solar and wind power, but alternative energy also includes geothermal, biofuel, natural gas, and hydroelectric sources, among many other options.

The number below the C (periodic table) is the ___________, which is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom of the element.

atomic mass

The photosynthetic organisms (______such as plants) convert CO2into carbohydrates, and then this food is used by both ______ (those that eat others) and autotrophs to power cellular activities.

autotrophs; heterotrophs

The sum of the locations where life exists on Earth is called the

biosphere.

The ...... in living organisms is part of a global cycle that includes the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the fossil fuels we use to power our society.

carbon

input of photosynthesis

carbon dioxide and water

What are the greenhouse gases?

carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide (CO2, CH4, water vapor, N2O, O3, CFCs)

output of cellular respiration

carbon dioxide, water, and ATP

A _____ ______ is a calculation of the amount of carbon—usually measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide—that is directly or indirectly released into Earth's atmosphere by the actions of a specific entity

carbon footprint

The major reservoirs for carbon are the oceans, underground in fossil fuels, and in the atmosphere. These reservoirs are also referred to as ..........

carbon sinks.

Within the biosphere, living organisms release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through the process of cellular respiration during their breakdown of organic materials for energy known as a .............

carbon source.

greenhouse gases

compounds trap heat near the Earth's surface.

Since the late 1970s, the extent of sea ice in the Arctic has been

decreasing.

One everyday method of reducing one's carbon footprint is to examine personal ............ Comparatively, fruits and vegetables contribute less to a carbon footprint than red meats or dairy products. A vegetarian or vegetarian-based diet will help to reduce a person's indirect carbon emissions.

food choices.

what is a biome?

general characteristics of similar ecosystems across the globe. This includes the climate and the types of organisms living in that area.

The greenhouse gases shown here retain heat in the lower atmosphere, a phenomenon called the

greenhouse effect

The world's oceans act as a .........., or a temporary storage location for heat energy.

heat sink

In addition to the fact that these events disrupt agriculture production is the fact that more people die each year in the United States from ____(and related illnesses) than any other climate-associated factor. These events have a particular impact on the poor, elderly, and those with medical conditions.

heat waves

what has been RISING due to climate change?

humidity, sea surface temperature, extreme weather events, temperature over oceans, sea level, temperature over land, air temperature neat surface (troposphere), ocean heat content

what are the challenges against these new forms of energy?

implementing them, funding, convincing the public and corporations

what is the evidence of climate change from the oceans?

increased carbon dioxide (CO2) means increased carbonic acid, which means decreased carbonate and increased H+ (hydrogen ions). ultimately, this lowers the pH of the ocean and makes it more acidic, WHICH leads to less shells and other hard parts (negatively impacts shellfish)

Since the 1980s, the average temperature of the planet has been (increasing/decreasing)?

increasing

An ______ _______ is one that has been introduced into places outside its natural range, usually through human actions—an introduction that often negatively impacts the biodiversity, community structure, and functioning ecosystem of the native area. As humans migrate around the globe, they sometimes unintentionally bring with them plants, animals, and other organisms.

invasive species

What are the two parts of photosynthesis?

light reactions and calvin cycle

The first set of reactions (in photosynthesis) are called the .............because they require an input of solar energy.

light-dependent reactions

Photosynthesis occurs within the ________ cells of a leaf (top). Inside of these cells are organelles called _________ (bottom) where the chemical reactions take place.

mesophyll; chloroplasts

the genetic engineering of plants allows...

new varieties of food to be grown in areas experiencing drought or high temperatures associated with climate change.

there are several different forms of fossil fuels, such as ..............., but the process by which each is formed is relatively similar. How are they formed?

oil, natural gas, coal, and shale; All involve submerging organic material (plants and animals) over long periods of time and subjecting them to the heat and pressure of the Earth's crust.

A(n).............. is one that contains both carbon and hydrogen.

organic molecule

In the _______ ____ the number above carbon is the atomic number, which represents .............

periodic table; the number of protons in an atom of carbon.

By using the energy from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a plant is able to make carbohydrates through _______

photosynthesis.

Carotenoids are

pigments that are rich sources of antioxidant vitamins

ecosystem

refers to a level of biological organization that represents the interaction of biological communities (the biotic factors) and abiotic factors, such as climate (temperature and precipitation).

Wind and geothermal energy are both produced from

renewable energy sources

what has been DECREASING due to climate change?

sea ice, snow cover, glaciers

which weather events are evidence of climate change? Which are the strongest examples?

severe droughts, extreme precipitation events, coastal flooding, heat waves; heat waves and coastal flooding are the strongest examples of climate change.

Energy from the sun is a constantly renewable resource. Only a small amount of the ........... that strikes the Earth every day is converted into power and electricity, but the method of using solar panels is considered one of the most readily available clean energy options. These panels can be used on a large scale, such as for industry, or can be installed in a single home for individual use.

solar energy

list the ecological from smallest to largest

species, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere

nuclear power works through......

splitting the tightly-knit nucleus of an atom, usually using materials such as uranium.

climate

the average weather patterns in a given area over time; Temperature and rainfall are the typical characteristics used to define climate.

How are the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis and cellular respiration connected?

the carbon cycle

what is the carbon cycle?

the series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, chiefly involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration, the decay of dead organisms, and the burning of fossil fuels.

which weather events do not offer strong evidence to climate change?

tornados and hurricanes

T/F Heat sinks are not unnatural

true!; they account for the moderate temperatures of Florida in the winter, but over longer time periods, they can influence the climate of surrounding land masses.

T/F: climate change affects all areas differently.

true; Climate change is causing some areas of the United States to be drier (west and southeast), while other regions are experiencing increased precipitation (central and northeast).

chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b

two types of chlorophyll

When we talk about human disease and climate change, we are usually referring to the spread of ____of disease. In biology, a _____is something that moves an infectious agent (bacteria or virus) from one organism to another.

vectors; vector