Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms in Biology

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What is the primary role of oceans in generating precipitation?

Storing carbon dioxide deep within their basins

Facilitating the movement of water from the ocean to land (correct)

Absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Releasing water vapor into the atmosphere

What is the effect of rising air temperature on the concentration of atmospheric water vapor?

It decreases the concentration of atmospheric water vapor

It increases the concentration of atmospheric water vapor (correct)

It has no effect on the concentration of atmospheric water vapor

It remains constant, regardless of the temperature

Why do climate scientists predict more powerful hurricanes and typhoons if Earth's global warming process continues unchecked?

Because the increase in water vapor will perpetuate the global warming cycle (correct)

Because the forests will absorb more carbon dioxide

Because the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide will increase

Because the Earth's surface temperature will decrease

What is the percentage of carbon dioxide that scientists estimate oceans can absorb from human emissions?

One-third Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of dissolved carbon dioxide in the ocean on shell-building creatures?

It decreases the availability of carbon ions for shell-building creatures Signup and view all the answers

Why do warmer oceans mean less atmospheric carbon absorption?

Because phytoplankton thrive in cool waters with high nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasingly warmer temperatures on forests?

It leads to a decrease in carbon dioxide absorption by forests due to drier soils and drier plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of negative feedback loops in climate regulation?

To limit the amount of heat being trapped on or below Earth's surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of the water vapor-cloud feedback loop?

It minimally cools the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of plants in atmosphere-biota interactions?

They absorb a lot of the sun's heat and release oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between atmospheric water vapor concentration and Earth's surface temperature?

As the surface temperature increases, atmospheric water vapor concentration increases Signup and view all the answers

What happens to coral reefs, snails, and crabs as a result of dissolved carbon dioxide in the ocean?

They have a harder time building calcium carbonate shells Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of warmer oceans on phytoplankton?

Phytoplankton decrease in number as oceans warm Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of atmospheric water vapor on the earth's surface temperature?

It warms the surface temperature Signup and view all the answers

What happens to carbon dioxide during photosynthesis?

Plants absorb carbon dioxide to produce oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of logging and burning forests on atmospheric carbon dioxide?

It increases atmospheric carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the water vapor-cloud feedback loop?

To stabilize the earth's climate system Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of warmer temperatures on soil moisture?

Soils become drier Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increased carbon dioxide on plant growth?

Carbon dioxide fertilizes plant growth Signup and view all the answers

What happens to carbonate ions in the ocean as carbon dioxide is absorbed?

Carbonate ions decrease Signup and view all the answers