Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect
Due Date:
Student Name: Nick Allen
Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
Blog resource: http://tinyurl.com/3a4g5ez
Cite all sources using the CSE method (or ISO 690 Numerical in Word). The first example has been done for you.
Complete the self-assessment rubric before submitting to Moodle. Avoid printing this if possible.
1.
A
D
Annotate the diagram to show the carbon cycle and processes involved.
Respiration (1)
Fossilization
B
E
photosynthesis
Heat being given off
C
pollution
2. Outline some of the methods used to measure or estimate atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Recent history:
There are laboratories that monitor the atmospheric levels of CO2 and record them.
Geological history:
Carbon dioxide is distributed unevenly around the world as the amount of CO2 depends on the
amount of vegetation in the area.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect
Due Date:
Student Name: Nick Allen
Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
3. The topic of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere has been the source of intense
debate with regard to climate change in recent years. This graph shows the famous ‘Keeling
Curve’ from Mauna Loa laboratory in Hawaii. Find out more here:
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/globalchange/keeling_curve/01.html
a. Describe the overall trend shown in the graph.
The amount of carbon dioxide is going up and down very frequently, but it is steadily increasing such
that the lowest amount of CO2 in 2006 is equal to the highest amount of CO2 in 2003, therefore it took
about three years for the CO2 levels in the atmosphere to double. The peaks of co2 levels are at the
start of the year whereas the toughs are near the end of the year.
b. Explain the annual fluctuations in CO2 levels.
Peaks:
The peaks of CO2 levels occurred usually earlier in the year because there is more sunshine.
Troughs:
The troughs of CO2 levels in the atmosphere were recorded later on in the year because there are less
plants.
c. Suggest one human impact and one natural cause that could have led to the overall trend
shown in the graph:
Anthropogenic: Carbon dioxide is released during the fermentation process of beer,
whisky and other alcoholic beverages. Industries, pollution, Deforestation also results in greater
CO2 levels because there are less plants to convert CO2 to O2.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect
Due Date:
Student Name: Nick Allen
Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
Natural: three sources of carbon dioxide are volcanic out gassing, the combustion of
organic matter and the burning of fossil fuels.
4. Identify three greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide.
Methane gas, water vapor and nitrous oxide.
5. Explain the greenhouse effect with the aid of a diagram. Include short-wave and long-wave
radiation.
atmosphere
earth
Light comes through the atmosphere but does not all get back out, heat is also kept in. the light
that comes in is short wave (UV light) and the light is reflected off the earth’s surface where it becomes
long-wave.
6. Explain how increased atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases lead to an enhanced greenhouse
effect.
The atmospheric levels keep the heat in depending on how great it is.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect
Due Date:
Student Name: Nick Allen
Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
7. Outline some of the possible consequences of a global temperature rise on arctic ecosystems.
Ice coverage: the amount of ice would go down as it melts and the sea levels will rise.
Climate changes: The tips of the world will become warmer, and there will be less cold places.
Niches:
Plant distributions: Areas that were frozen tundra before now become wetlands, giving
opportunities for some plant species but hurting others.
Animal populations: some animal species will disappear as their climate changes and they are
not adapted to it, however, with the world getting warmer, animals in a temperate climate will
be able to expand farther north where they could not before.
8. Outline the precautionary principle.
If the effects of human-induced change would be large, perhaps catastrophic, those responsible for the
change must prove that it will not do harm before proceeding.
9. Describe how the precautionary principle can be applied to anthropogenic climate
destabilisation.
10. Give two other examples of the precautionary principle in effect in Biology or Medicine.
The precautionary principle could be applied to medicine, for example when a new type of medical drug
comes out.
The precautionary principle can be applied to the greenhouse effect for example, when there is to be an
attempt at stopping or slowing down the greenhouse effect, one must be certain that their action does
not have the opposite effect.
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect
Due Date:
Student Name: Nick Allen
Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
11. Evaluate the precautionary principle as a justification for taking strong action in response to the
threats posed by the enhanced greenhouse effect. What are some of the steps that we could
take? This video might help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_anaVcCXg
True
False
Global climate destabilization is…
Take significant action
Take no action
If we take significant action in response
to global climate change then and the
threat turned out to be true, then
everyone is happy because they are
alive. =)
If we take no action against global
climate change and it turns out to be
true, then we will have major problems
and many people could die.
Humanity…not very happy =(
If we take significant action against
global climate change and it turns out to
be false, then people won’t be very
happy because of the expenses. =(
If we take no action against global
climate change and it turns out to be
false, then everyone will be very happy
because they are no major problems and
no major expenses. =)
Conclusion:
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect
Due Date:
Student Name: Nick Allen
Candidate Number: 002171-xxx
Works Cited
1. Taylor, Stephen. 5.2 Greenhouse Effect (presentation). Science Video Resources. [Online] Septmber
2009. http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com/bis-ib-diploma-programme-biology/05-ecology-andevolution/the-greenhouse-effect/.
2. Allott, Andrew. IB Study Guide: Biology for the IB Diploma. s.l. : Oxford University Press, 2007. 978-019-915143-1.
Self Assessment:
Essential Biology
Criterion
Presentation &
Organisation
Academic
Honesty
Objective 1
understanding
Objective 2
understanding
Objective3
understanding
Logic, notation,
mathematical
working
Further research
Assessment
Complete (2)
Partially complete (1)
NA
Complete and neat. All command terms
highlighted, tables and diagrams well presented.
Self
Sources cited using the CSE (ISO 690 numerical)
method, with Works Cited section complete and
correct.
All answers for the following command terms
Most answers for the following command terms
correct:
correct:
Define
Draw
Label
List
Measure State
Most answers for the following command terms
All answers for the following command terms correct:
correct:
Annotate Apply
Calculate Describe Distinguish Estimate Identify
Outline
Most answers for the following command terms
All answers for the following command terms correct:
correct:
Analyse Comment Compare Construct Deduce Derive Design Determine Discuss
Evaluate
Explain Predict
Show Solve
Sketch Suggest
Answers are presented in a logical and concise
manner. SI units used most times, with correct
NA
unit symbols and definitions of terms. All
mathematical working shown.
Evidence is apparent of research and reading
beyond the textbook and presentations to find
correct answers to challenging questions. If any
NA
questions are unanswered, this criterion scores
zero.
NA
Total (max 10):
Stephen Taylor
Bandung International School
http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
MrT