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