Systems of the Biosphere Flashcards

Geosphere

• Comprises all land on Earth both above and below water, including soil, rocks, and minerals.
• Encompasses the Earth's core, mantle, and crust.

Hydrosphere

• Represents all water on Earth in various forms: steam, liquid water, and solid ice.
• Vital for sustaining life and regulating climate.

Atmosphere

• A layer of gases, primarily oxygen and nitrogen, that envelops the planet.
• Contains important elements like water vapor and ozone, crucial for life and protection from solar radiation.

Biosphere

• Encompasses all living organisms, including plants, animals, insects, and microbes.
• Interacts with other spheres, playing a key role in ecological balance.

Earth System

• Integrates all planetary matter and processes that facilitate the movement of matter and energy.
• Conceptualizes the interconnectivity of Earth's components and their influence on each other.

Positive and Negative Feedback Mechanisms

• Positive feedback accelerates processes, leading to further increases in variables, potentially causing instability.
• Negative feedback counteracts changes, promoting stability within systems.

Balance of Earth's Systems

• The interaction among biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere is essential for sustaining life.
• Each system exchanges matter and energy, maintaining ecological integrity.

Interconnectedness of Earth's Systems

• Changes in one system invariably affect the others due to their interconnectedness.
• Human activities altering atmospheric conditions can trigger shifts in biosphere and hydrosphere dynamics.

Interaction of Biosphere and Atmosphere

• Photosynthesis in plants involves the uptake of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen, enriching the atmosphere.
• Cellular respiration in animals uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, establishing a cyclical relationship.

Atmospheric Composition

• Contains critical gases essential for life such as oxygen, nitrogen, and ozone, which provide a protective shield from harmful radiation.

Gaia Hypothesis

• Illustrates negative feedback, suggesting that Earth’s biological and physical components interact to maintain conditions conducive to life.

Biosphere as a Global Ecosystem

• Functions as a collective of diverse ecosystems on a global scale, highlighting the unity of life forms.

Misconceptions about Positive Feedback

• Contrary to belief, positive feedback mechanisms actually promote change within systems rather than diminish it.

Living Components of the Earth

• The biosphere encompasses all components associated with life, recognizing their role in the broader Earth system.