Matter in the Biosphere

The chemical backbone for all life on Earth is:

• Carbon

• Oxygen

• Hydrogen

• Nitrogen

Tags

TEKS.SCI.7.12B

TEKS.SCI.7.12A

How does the carbon cycle reuse Earth's carbon?

• By creating new carbon atoms

• By recycling existing carbon atoms through various processes

• By destroying carbon atoms

• By converting carbon into other elements

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Name at least three places where carbon can be stored.

• Atmosphere, Ocean, Living Organisms

• Rocks, Plants, Animals

• Fossil Fuels, Ice Caps, Volcanoes

• All of the above

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What are examples of abiotic factors?

• decomposers

• producers

• temperature and soil

• consumers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Why are producers so important to an ecosystem?

• They keep soil from eroding.

• They convert the Sun’s energy into usable chemical energy.

• They are the main food source for decomposers.

• They help retain water in an ecosystem.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What minerals circulate in ecosystems?

• nitrogen, and carbon

• hydrogen, helium, and xenon

• argon, lithium, and radon

• iron, uranium, and manganese

Tags

TEKS.SCI.7.12B

In ecosystems, there is less and less energy flowing from organism to organism. What are some reasons that organisms only get a fraction of the energy from the organisms that they eat or consume?

• Energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes

• Organisms use energy for growth and reproduction

• Energy is stored in the form of biomass

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

On card #2, you will see arrows pointing toward decomposers. How do you think that decomposers help the flow of energy through an ecosystem?

• Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, supporting plant growth.

• Decomposers consume sunlight and convert it into energy.

• Decomposers prevent energy loss by storing energy in their bodies.

• Decomposers produce oxygen, which is essential for energy flow.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Phytoplankton are involved with CO₂ in the ocean by:

• producing CO₂ through photosynthesis

• consuming CO₂ during photosynthesis

• releasing CO₂ during respiration

• absorbing CO₂ and converting it to oxygen

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

More phytoplankton sink to the bottom in:

• polar regions because of colder temperatures and higher density of water

• tropical regions because of warmer temperatures and lower density of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4