Environmental Science: Section 2-1

Cycles of Matter

1

• water cycle

The movement of water between the oceans, atmosphere, and living things is the __________________________.

2

• Evaporation

The changing of water from liquid to vapor is called ________________________.

3

• Condensation

During _______________, water vapor cools and returns to a liquid state.

4

• Precipitation

Water that falls from the atmosphere to the land and oceans is called ___________________.

5

• 5. runoff

Precipitation that falls on land and then flows into streams, rivers, and lakes is called _________________________.

6

. groundwater

Precipitation that seeps into the ground and is stored among rocks is called ________________.

7

• 7. transpiration

Water vapor is released by plants and returned to the environment in a process called ____________________.

8

• transports nutrients• transports wastes• regulates temperature

Name three reasons water is needed for life on Earth.

9

• C : molecules that contain carbon

What are organic molecules?

10

• 10. D : by eating plants

How do animals get carbon?

11

• C : respiration

In what process is carbon returned to the environment?

12

• plants use it to make sugar

What happens to carbon dioxide during photosynthesis?

13

• fungi and bacteria break down organic matter

What happens during decomposition?

14

A substance burns

What happens during combustion?

15

• nitrogen cycle

The movement of nitrogen between the environment and living things is called the __________________.

16

• nitrogen fixation

The process in which bacteria in the soil change nitrogen gas into forms plants can use is called ____________________.

17

• to build proteins and DNA for new cells

Why do organisms need nitrogen?

18

• decomposition (bacteria and fungus)

• lightning

Name two things that perform nitrogen fixation.

19

plant roots take up nitrogen from the soil

How do plants get the nitrogen they need?

20

by eating plants or organisms that eat plants

How do animals get the nitrogen they need?

The End ….52 dead cows from one lightning strike