APES CH 3

Questions and Answers

What are the four major components of the Earth's life-support system?

Atmosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Exosphere

Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere, Biosphere (correct)

Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Pedosphere, Magnetosphere

Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Biosphere

What is the main function of the ozone layer in the stratosphere?

To provide a barrier against meteorite impacts

To filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun (correct)

To regulate the Earth's surface temperature

To support the growth of atmospheric microbes

How does life on Earth primarily sustain itself?

Through the conservation of water in the hydrosphere

Through the flow of energy from the sun (correct)

Through the resilience of species in the biosphere

Through the cycling of minerals within the geosphere

Which layer of the atmosphere is described as reaching 17 to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface?

Stratosphere Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the air is composed of nitrogen?

78% Signup and view all the answers

What defines an individual organism?

A fundamental structural and functional unit of life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an atom?

A single element that demonstrates chemical properties Signup and view all the answers

In the context of an ecosystem, what role do primary consumers play?

They consume plants or herbivores in the food chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of ecological research as discussed?

Studying levels of organization of matter in nature Signup and view all the answers

What innovation are scientists aiming to achieve by mimicking leaves?

Developing solar cells at a molecular level Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth's Life-Support System

The atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen (N2) and 21% oxygen (O2), with the remaining 1% mainly consisting of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.
The stratosphere extends 17 to 50 kilometers (11-31 miles) above the Earth's surface and contains significant ozone (O3) that blocks approximately 95% of harmful UV radiation from the sun.
Earth's life-support system consists of four major components: the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), geosphere (rock, soil, sediment), and biosphere (living organisms).

Energy Flow and Life Sustainability

Life on Earth relies on energy from the sun, flowing through the biosphere and nutrient cycling, governed by gravity.
The smallest structural unit of life is the cell, which converts glucose and other organic compounds into energy through aerobic respiration, releasing carbon dioxide and water.

Soil and Ecosystem Dynamics

Soil, crucial for life on land, is a renewable resource but can become non-renewable if depleted faster than nature can replenish it.
Most terrestrial producers, including trees and green plants, rely on roughly 15 centimeters (6 inches) of topsoil for nutrients and the chemical energy necessary for growth.

Food Webs and Ecosystem Interactions

Ecosystems are complex networks made up of food webs, comprising various organisms (producers, consumers, decomposers) that interact through feeding relationships.
Nutrient productivity (NPP) measures how quickly producers convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis and indicates the rate of energy available within an ecosystem.

Learning from Nature

Scientists aim to design molecular-sized solar cells inspired by photosynthesis in leaves, potentially providing renewable energy in buildings and homes.
There is no waste in nature; the remnants of one organism serve as food for others, promoting sustainability and efficiency in ecosystems.

Description

Test your knowledge on Earth's atmosphere, energy flow, and ecosystem dynamics. This quiz covers key components such as the biosphere, hydrosphere, and the importance of soil. Understand how these systems sustain life on our planet.