Science- Cycles Unit Questions

true

c. carbonation

storms, factories, and farms

photosynthesis

true

true

true

precipitation

the sun

*basically adaptation is the main impact* Abiotic cycles have a great impact on ecosystems. when the cycles occur more frequently, like the water cycle in the rainforest, the living components of the ecosystem respond accordingly. the organisms in the rainforest are adapted to the conditions of the abiotic cycles in that region. the organisms in the desert are also adapted to the conditions of abiotic cycles in their region.

point source pollution and nonpoint pollution are both potentially harmful to the environment. the main difference is that *point source pollution is easier to track to its source*. this makes *point source pollution easier to regulate and therefore easier to control.*

populations are influenced by fluctuations in any of the abiotic cycles. *the fluctuation of seasonal cycles can cause populations to hibernate, migrate, or breed.* organisms hibernate as a result of seasonal fluctuations that cause them to have a limited resource supply. fluctuations in the phosphorus cycle can cause changes to aquatic ecosystems,either positive or negative.

the atmosphere, the soil, and living organisms

fertilizer run off can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. when fertilizer is introduced into aquatic ecosystems it can cause phytoplankton to multiply rapidly. large increases in the number of phytoplankton can cause *oxygen depletion* in the water, leading to suffocation of the organisms in the water.

plants in the rainforest *contribute to precipitation through the process of transpiration.* Transpiration occurs when plants release water in the process of photosynthesis. the large number of plants in the rainforest produces a large amount of water, releasing up to 80% of the water they absorb back into the ecosystem as water vapor. *this water vapor can then be returned to the soil for in the form of precipitation*. this movement of water from the soil and back into the atmosphere is a key component to the water cycle.

*plants take carbon from the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.* plants and animals both *release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere through the process of respiration.* when *organisms die, some of the carbon in their bodies is stored in the soil,* which can be reintroduced into the atmosphere through *soil respiration*

*capillarity and high specific heat* capillarity is used by plants to get water from the ground through their roots and leaves. water's high specific heat helps animals by helping regulate their body temps as they sweat or pant

- clouds in the atmosphere -aquifers in the ground -ice and snow

nonpoint source pollution