Nitrogen Cycle

Discussion Questions:

1. The atmosphere is 80%  nitrogen: why do you think plants and animals can't use nitrogen as it is found in the atmosphere?
    A: Plants and animals can't use nitrogen because nitrogen in the atmosphere is in a form not usable to organisms. 
2. Explain what is meant by nitrogen fixation.
   A:  Nitrogen fixation is the process which bacteria is converted into nitrogen gas (N2) into organic compounds that living organisms can take up.
3. What is the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?
   A: Bacteria uses and transforms the nitrogen into usable form which then can enter the nitrogen cycle.
4. Why don't legumes need nitrogen-containing fertilizers?
   A: Legumes fix nitrogen in nodules on their roots so they don't need nitrogen-containing fertilizers
5. Why is nitrogen so important to living things?
   A: Nitrogen is important to living things. Plants use nitrogen in photosynthesis and is needed to be healthy. Proteins are made up partly of nitrogen which is needed by people and animals .
6. What are the processes involved in the nitrogen cycle? 
   A: The processes involved in the nitrogen cycle are Nitrogen fixation, Ammonification, Nitrification, Assimilation and Denitrification.

Layers of the Atmosphere

Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere

Discussion Questions

1. Why are the four major layers of the atmosphere separated where they are?
    A: The four major layers of the atmosphere are separated because of temperature.
2. What increases the temperature in the stratosphere?
    A: The absorption of UV rays from the sun of the ozone layer increases the temperature in the atmosphere.
3. Can planes fly in the mesosphere? Why or why not?
    A: No. It is because the oxygen is insufficient and the atmospheric pressure is too low for an aircraft for an aircraft engine to work.
4. On what does the temperature in the thermosphere depend?
    A: The temperature in the thermosphere depend on the weather of the sun is active or not.

Energy Flow in the Ecosystem

1. Where do plants get the energy they need to grow?
  A:  The plants get the energy from the sun ,as we see some of the energy as sunlight, needed to grow.
2. Where do plants use the sun's energy to manufacture?
  A: The plants use the sun's energy in photosynthesis to manufacture sugars from water and carbon dioxide.
3. What do plants use the most of their energy for?
  A: The plants use the most of their energy for photosynthesis.
4. How much of the energy that the plant captures through photosynthesis ends up stored as starch in the kernel?
  A: The plant captures 10% energy.
5. For what does the cow use the energy from the corn?
  A: The cow uses the energy from the corn for to keep its body warm, to produce and power its muscles and to take care other needs.
6. How much of the energy stored in the corn gets?
  A:  The cow gets 10% of the energy stored in the corn.
7. For what do you use the energy in the burgers?
  A: The energy is used in operating and heating our bodies.
8. How would eating more plants help us better feed the many people in the world?
  A: Eating more plants will get us the whole energy of the plants.
9. What else besides energy do we get from plants and animals? When we eat them?
  A: We also get the nutrients needed for our body like vitamins, minerals, sugar, starches, fats, protein, amino acids and we also get enzymes that do some sort of work in the body.

The Lorax

Reflection Questions:


1. What did the Once-ler do to upset the balance in this ecosystem?
    A: The Once-ler chopped down Truffula trees to create Thneeds to sell for his business.
2. What effect did his business have on the living things in the ecosystem?
    A: All the living things in the ecosystem were facing terrible food shortage and disease.
3. What effect did his business have on the water and air in the ecosystem? How did this affect the living things?
    A: The Thneed factories belched out smog that gives the Swomee Swans sore throats,leaving them unable to sing. The machinery made goo by-product and dumped them into ponds where the Humming Fish live, leaving them unable to hum.

4. What is the moral of the story?
    A: The moral of the story is to protect and use the resources wisely and appreciating the nature and all living things so that we can preserve them to the future.