4.9 Carbon Cycle

describe the stages in the carbon cycle including respiration, photosynthesis, decomposition and combustion.

1. Photosynthesis = CO2+H2O -chl&light-> C6H12O6 + O2 = 0.03% of atmospheric carbon

2. Feeding = Producer -carbon-> primary consumer -carbon-> secondary consumer

3. Respiration = C6H12O6 + O2 -enzyme-> energy + CO2 + H2O

4. Decomposition = death of organic molecule -bacteria&fungi-> CO2

5. Combustion = Fossil fuels (oils, coals) -industrial/motor-> CO2

4.14 Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

understand how an increase in greenhouse gases results in an enhanced greenhouse effect and that this may lead to global warming and it's consequences.

Pollution: CO2, CH4, water vapour
these gases re-emit UV light back to the earth, raising the global temperature.

Consequences:
Melting ice caps -> raised sea level -> change in ocean current and wind direction -> redistribution of ecosystems -> less land due to increase of water

4.13 Greenhouse Gases

understand how human activities contribute to greenhouse gases.

Burning fossil fuels -> CO2, SO2, NO2 (greenhouse gases)
they absorb infrared light and reflect them back to the planet

Cow digestion emits methane gas -> 9% of greenhouse gases

Evaporation of water -> water vapour

CFCs absorb UV light and breaks down the ozone layer

4.12 Greenhouse Effect

Recall that water vapour, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, methane and CFCs are greenhouse gases.

-Photo courtesy of aufarbiology.blogspot.com

4.11 Gas Pollution

Understand the biological consequences of pollution of air by sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.

SO2 -> created by the burning of fossil fuels & crude oil
sulphur dioxide combines with water in the atmosphere to form
sulphuric acid.

-> Plants which come in contact with this acid will be burned.
-> Minerals from the soil are leeched by the acid.
-> When acid reaches the lake, it lowers the Ph and forms Aluminium
-> Aluminium ions in the water cause fish to suffocate
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CO2 -> created by incomplete combustion

-> carbon monoxide coats haemoglobin on red blood cells
-> this prevents it from carrying oxygen
-> no oxygen = death