Carbon Cycle:

  1. What is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide into energy-rich carbon?
  2. Explain what can happen over millions of years to the carbon compounds in organisms that die and decompose.
  3. What processes (name at least 2) release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
  4. Identify two major carbon reservoirs of carbon in the Earth.
  5. What are the forms of carbon that are found in the ocean?
  6. How do plants and animals help to maintain a balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
  7. Atmospheric carbon dioxide might produce a so called “greenhouse effect.” What is the “greenhouse effect,” and how might human activity be contributing to it?

Nitrogen Cycle:

  1. What form is most of the nitrogen in the atmosphere found in?
  2. What are two types of organisms that can break down nitrogen gas?
  3. What are decomposers and what do they do?
  4. What is the process of ammonification? What organisms perform this task?
  5. What is the process of nitrification? What organisms perform this task?
  6. What form of nitrogen do plants and animals most often use?
  7. Excess nitrogen in an aquatic environment causes hypoxia. What is hypoxia and how is it caused? How can human interference lead to hypoxia?

Sulfur Cycle:

  1. How does sulfur get into the atmosphere? Include at least two ways.
  2. What happens when sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide react with the water in the atmosphere? Why is this such a problem?
  3. Why is sulfur important to living things? (hint: what are disulfide bridges?)
  4. What is DMS (dimethyl sulfide) and what can it do?
  5. What is one result of human interference with this cycle?

Phosphorus Cycle:

  1. Is there any phosphorus in the atmosphere?
  2. Where can phosphorus be found? Name at least 4 places.
  3. Why is phosphorus important to living things? (Hint: DNA?)
  4. What is guano and how does it relate to the phosphorus cycle?
  5. What is one result of human interference with this cycle?

Rock Cycle

  1. What is magma? What is the difference between magma and lava?
  2. What are igneous rocks? How are they formed? What is one example of an igneous rock?
  3. What are sedimentary rocks? How are they formed? What is one example of a sedimentary rock?
  4. What are metamorphic rocks? How are they formed? What is one example of ametamorphic rock?
  5. Describe a path through the rock cycle that begins with magma and ends with a sedimentary rock.
  6. Forces inside the earth may push granite (an igneous rock) deep below the surface. Predict what will happen to the granite after this happens.