Unit 4: Atmosphere

Front

simple plants that contain chlorophyll but do not have true roots, leaves, or stems

Back

algae

Front

a layer of gases surrounding a planet or other body, held in place by gravity

Back

atmosphere

Front

a greenhouse gas that is naturally found in the air from respiration, but also comes from burning organic matter (like wood) and fossil fuels; it is a trace gas in Earth’s atmosphere

Back

carbon dioxide

Front

the average weather patterns observed over many years in a given location

Back

climate

Front

the direct transfer of heat energy from one substance to another by touching it

Back

conduction

Front

the transfer of heat energy in a gas or liquid due to changes in density, which creates currents that rise, flow, and sink

Back

convection

Front

blue-green algae; a simple photosynthetic life form that introduced oxygen into Earth’s ancient atmosphere

Back

cyanobacteria

Front

in general, evolution means change; Earth’s atmosphere has evolved (changed) over time

Back

evolution

Front

the outer layer of earth’s atmosphere that contains helium, hydrogen, radioactive particles, and bands of radiation

Back

exosphere

Front

the process in which greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface and prevent it from escaping back to space, forming a “heat blanket” around Earth

Back

greenhouse effect