Lesson 2: Life's Impact on Environmental Change
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Questions and Answers

How old is the Earth?

  • 4.5 billion years
  • 3 billion years
  • 6 billion years
  • 5 billion years (correct)

    • Oxygen was abundant in Earth's early atmosphere.

    False

    What process did the first living organisms use to release energy?

    anaerobic respiration

    A photoautotroph uses _____ as a source of energy to produce complex organic molecules.

    <p>sunlight</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following benefits of oxygen in the atmosphere:

    <p>Allows organisms to respire = Benefit 1 Helps form the ozone layer = Benefit 2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary function of photosynthetic bacteria in early Earth?

    <p>Producing oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Earth's early atmosphere contained a significant amount of free oxygen.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are stromatolites?

    <p>Mounds of primitive blue green algae or single-celled photosynthetic bacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations were reduced by __________.

    <p>photoautotrophs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following gases with their presence in the early Earth's atmosphere:

    <p>Carbon Dioxide = 98% Nitrogen = 1.9% Oxygen = Trace amount Methane = Significant presence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process allowed for the evolution of aerobic respiration?

    <p>The increase in atmospheric oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Aerobic respiration releases less ATP than anaerobic respiration.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main consequences of the rise in atmospheric oxygen?

    <p>The evolution of aerobic respiration and the formation of the ozone layer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a limitation of early methods used to monitor conditions on Earth?

    <p>Limited reliability of proxy data for ancient conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Improved monitoring methods include the use of helium balloons and satellites.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factors have been monitored to assess changes on planet Earth?

    <p>Habitat changes, glaciers, greenhouse gases, global warming</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Early methods of monitoring lacked __________, leading to incomplete data collection.

    <p>sophisticated equipment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following improved monitoring methods with their descriptions:

    <p>Gas analysis of ice cores = Analyzing gas composition trapped in ice Isotope analysis of ice cores = Studying isotopic variations to understand past climates Electronic monitoring equipment = Utilizing digital devices for accurate measurement Long-term data sets = Gathering data over extended periods for better insights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors contributes to the difficulty in measuring Earth's surface?

    <p>High costs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All oceans have been thoroughly explored and measured.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key measurements do we need to make to understand the climate?

    <p>Changes in atmospheric gases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Some countries impose restrictions on exploration because it is not _____ or they do not want to share their data.

    <p>safe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following challenges with their descriptions:

    <p>Logistical difficulty = Challenges in arranging exploration missions Poor equipment = Instruments providing unreliable data Early methods limitations = Inefficient techniques leading to inaccurate results Laws restricting explorations = Legal barriers to conducting environmental studies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the bacteria that thrive in high-temperature environments, such as those near volcanic vents?

    <p>Thermophilic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ozone is a triatomic molecule that absorbs ultraviolet light.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the process of water loss from plants through evaporation?

    <p>Transpiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The layer of Earth that includes the crust and upper mantle is called the __________.

    <p>Lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their definitions:

    <p>SHC = A measure of the heat required to raise the temperature of a quantity of substance Ambient gases = The surrounding gases that envelop the Earth Greenhouse gas = A gas that absorbs infra-red light and generates heat Biosphere = All living organisms on the planet</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS)?

    <p>To enable global observations of the Earth as an integrated system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ice cores can provide direct measurements of environmental conditions over time.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What locations are most ice core records obtained from?

    <p>Antarctica and Greenland</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The longest ice cores extend to _____ in depth.

    <p>3km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following satellites is NOT mentioned as part of the EOS satellite systems?

    <p>Hubble</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of data do ice cores enclose that is crucial for understanding past climates?

    <p>Bubbles of air</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following satellites with their primary characteristics:

    <p>Landsat = Earth surface monitoring UARS = Upper atmosphere research TOMS = Ozone monitoring AVHRR = Weather forecasting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect of the Earth can satellite observations NOT directly measure?

    <p>Exact surface temperature of every location</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of combining an element with oxygen called?

    <p>Oxidation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Specific heat is the amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a substance by a particular degree.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are stromatolites?

    <p>Layered rock structures built by colonies of cyanobacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A __________ is a gas that traps heat in Earth's atmosphere.

    <p>greenhouse gas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Photolysis = Splitting of molecules by light Transpiration = Evaporation of water from plants Aerobic Respiration = Using oxygen to generate energy from carbohydrates Photoautotroph = Organism using sunlight to produce organic molecules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes biological evolution?

    <p>Engagement of specific organs in actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Colonisation refers to the increase in the variety of species in an ecosystem.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by the term 'heat capacity'?

    <p>The amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a substance by a particular degree.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Organisms that produce organic molecules using sunlight are called __________.

    <p>photoautotrophs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about UV radiation is correct?

    <p>UV is a type of electromagnetic radiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Environmental Changes Due to Life on Earth

    • Life began altering the Earth's atmosphere by producing oxygen through photosynthetic bacteria, algae, and plants.
    • The formation of the ozone layer resulted from chemical reactions between oxygen and ultraviolet light in the stratosphere.
    • Carbon sequestration occurred as photoautotrophs reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
    • Biogeochemical cycles, interconnected by living organisms, prevent waste buildup and resource shortages.

    Early Earth Conditions

    • Earth is around 5000 million years old; initially, no life existed due to extreme heat and volcanic activity.
    • The early atmosphere comprised 98% carbon dioxide, 1.9% nitrogen, and a trace amount of oxygen, unsuitable for modern life.
    • First organisms emerged around 3000 million years ago, relying on anaerobic respiration due to the lack of free oxygen and ozone layer protection.
    • Early atmosphere contained methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide.
    • Stromatolites, formed by blue-green algae, were the first producers of oxygen, leading to gradual atmospheric oxygen increase.

    Benefits of Oxygen

    • Enabled the evolution of aerobic respiration, which is more efficient, producing more ATP from glucose compared to anaerobic processes.

    Monitoring Earth's Past Conditions

    • Early monitoring methods faced difficulties due to limited historical data, lack of reliable proxy data, and inadequate equipment.
    • Modern methods include long-term data collection, electronic monitoring, and advanced techniques such as ice core gas analysis and isotope analysis.
    • NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) utilizes satellites for comprehensive observations of Earth's systems, enhancing understanding of its integrated nature.

    Data Collection from Ice Cores

    • Ice cores extracted from Greenland and Antarctica provide valuable historical climate data extending up to 800,000 years.
    • Ice cores trap air bubbles, offering direct samples of past atmospheric conditions and temperature indicators.

    Conditions for Life on Earth

    • Specific heat and heat capacity are critical for regulating environmental temperatures.
    • Aerobic respiration and transpiration are vital biological processes involving energy generation and water regulation in plants.
    • Stromatolites signify the historical presence of cyanobacteria and biological evolution.
    • Greenhouse gases trap heat, playing a significant role in climate stability and temperature maintenance.

    Key Terms

    • Photoautotroph: Organisms that create complex organic molecules using sunlight.
    • Anaerobic Bacteria: Microorganisms that respire without oxygen, often producing methane.
    • Ozone: A triatomic oxygen molecule that protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation.
    • Biosphere: The collective term for all living organisms on the planet, underscoring Earth's ecological diversity.

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    Description

    Explore how the presence of life on Earth has influenced environmental changes. This quiz will focus on how different biota have contributed to maintaining ecological stability over time.

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