Biomass & Carbon Cycles Flashcard

Front

What is biomass?

Back

Biomass refers to the total mass of living matter in a given area or volume, often used as a source of energy.

Front

What role do plants play in the carbon cycle?

Back

Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter.

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The greenhouse effect is the warming of the Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.

Front

How does deforestation affect the carbon cycle?

Back

Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by reducing the number of trees that can absorb it.

Front

What is photosynthesis?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Front

What are biogeochemical cycles?

Back

Biogeochemical cycles are natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the environment to living organisms and back.

Front

What is nitrogen fixation?

Back

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can absorb, often facilitated by certain bacteria.

Front

What is the significance of nitrates in plant growth?

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Nitrates are a key source of nitrogen for plants, essential for their growth and development.

Front

What is the carbon cycle?

Back

The carbon cycle is the series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, involving carbon dioxide, plants, animals, and fossil fuels.

Front

What are the main components of the carbon cycle?

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The main components include photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.