Essential Biology 5.2 WORD
Essential Biology 5.2 WORD
Essential Biology 5.2 WORD
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. Annotate the diagram to show the carbon cycle and processes involved.
Recent history:
Geological history:
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
Peaks: Are during the winter because there is more hibernation in plants and
therefore cell respiration is less so there is more CO2 in the atmosphere
c. Suggest one human impact and one natural cause that could have led
to the overall trend shown in the graph:
5. Explain the greenhouse effect with the aid of a diagram. Include short-wave
and long-wave radiation.
The greenhouse effect maintains the temperature of the earth keeping it from being
-18 degrees. The sun sends out short, high-energy radiation waves which strike
earth and send off lower-energy, longer waves from the surface which cases some
heat to return to space and some to be reflected back by greenhouse gases and
returning heat to earth
Increased levels of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, NO2, water vapor) cause more
radiation to be reflected back to Earth instead of being lost to space causing the
heat on the earth to increase instead of allowing some to escape.
Ice coverage: ice will melt causing habitat loss for those living in that
environment, pests will be more successful causing damage to the
environment and migration of animals leads to lack of food for arctic
predators.
Climate changes: the temperature will rise above 0, and there will be more
rain instead of snow and ice falling
Niches: new species move to the now warmer climate and take advantage of
the new niche opportunities.
Plant distributions:more coniferous forests move into the area as they can
now survive causing more photosynthesis and a bigger sink of CO2
The precautionary principle states that if there is a chance that an action performed
may do harm to people or environment it should be stopped until it is proven safe.
Conclusion: There is no way that we can know positively that global warming
will benefit by taking action or not taking action, therefore we will always
have negative impacts it just depends on the scale. Whether the global
warming is true or not there are always going to be impacts but they may be
worse if we do not take any action at all.
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-and-evolution/the-greenhouse-effect/.
2. Allott, Andrew. IB Study Guide: Biology for the IB Diploma. s.l. : Oxford
University Press, 2007. 978-0-19-915143-1.
Self Assessment: