Q: All organic molecules contain what element? A: carbon Q: Why do living things need nitrogen? A: They need nitrogen to build new cells and proteins. Q: What kind of succession begins in a place with only rocks? A: Primary succession Q: True or False? Grass is the plant that will most likely grow first in secondary succession. Q: True Q: What is an example of a climax species of trees that might grow in Ohio? A: Beech and maple trees Q: What is it called when bacteria in the soil change nitrogen gas into forms of nitrogen that plants can use? A: nitrogen fixation Q: What kinds of plants often have nitrogen fixing bacteria living in nodules on the roots? A: Legumes (peas, beans, clover, etc.) Q: What is photosynthesis? A: The process in which green plants use carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to make glucose. Q: What is the main purpose of cellular respiration? A: To release energy (ATP) stored in food. Q: What organisms depend upon cellular respiration? A: plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, etc. Q: What is groundwater? A: precipitation that is stored in the ground. Q: What is succession? A: The growing of a community over a long period of time. Q: What kind of succession often happens after a natural disaster like a forest fire? A: Secondary succession Q: What kind of succession happens after a new ground has been uncovered, like after a glacier has receded? A: Primary succession Q: Define biodiversity A: The variety of plants and animals that live in an area Q: Define runoff A: Precipitation that runs from land to rivers and lakes Q: What are the first living things to grow in an area called? A: pioneer species Q: In the carbon cycle, sugar molecules are broken down to release energy (ATP) during _________. A: cellular respiration Q: What are the byproducts of cellular respiration? A: Carbon dioxide and water Q: Carbon dioxide from the air is used to make sugars during __________________. A: photosynthesis Q: What is a byproduct of photosynthesis? A: oxygen Q: Where does most of the Earth’s precipitation fall? A: into the oceans Q: Define condensation. A: the change of water from a vapor to a liquid Q: Define precipitation. A: water falling from the atmosphere to land and oceans Q: What are some examples of precipitation? A: rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc. Q: Define evaporation A: the change of water from liquid to vapor Q: True or False? As you go higher into the sky it gets colder. A: This is true at least for the fist layer of the atmosphere that is close to the ground. Q: How do most animals get the carbon they need? A: By eating plants or by eating animals that eat plants. Q: Bacteria break down organic matter and return carbon dioxide and water to the environment. This is an example of ____________________. A: decomposition Q: Why do organisms need nitrogen? A: to build proteins and DNA Q: Where do most animals get their nitrogen? A: from eating other organisms. Q: What is a climax species? A: A well-adapted species in a mature community Q: What effect does biodiversity have on a community? A: It enables the community to withstand changes. Q: Can lightning fix nitrogen? A: Yes. Q: Name three carbon “sinks” or places where carbon is stored. A: Carbon is stored in: 1. plant tissues 2. animal tissues 3. the atmosphere 4. soil 5. rocks 6. fossil fuels Q: Name three fossil fuels A: oil, coal, gas, petroleum, natural gas Q: How is the carbon stored in coal, oil, and natural gas returned to the atmosphere? A: combustion (burning) Q: Scientists are concerned about too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Why? A: it may be a cause of global warming / climate change Q: Can human activity have an impact on cycles? A: Yes Q: What substance must be chemically transformed or changed before it can be used by plants, oxygen, carbon, or nitrogen? A: nitrogen Q: What are lichens? A: a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi Q: How is Earth’s supply of fresh water renewed? A: evaporation, condensation, and then precipitation Q: Name three ways water is important to life. A: transport of nutrients, transport of waste, and regulation of temperature Q: Moisture that forms on the outside of a glass of iced tea on a hot day is an example of _________. A: condensation