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Energy Cycle of Biosphere

            
             The energy that sustains all living systems is solar energy, fixed in photosynthesis and held briefly in the biosphere before it is reradiated into space heat. The total amount of solar energy fixed on the earth sets one limit on the total amount of life; the patterns of flow of this energy through the earth's ecosystems set addifional limits on the kinds of life on the earth. Solar energy has been fixed in one form or another on the earth throughout much of earth's 4.5 billion years history. The modern biosphere probably had its beginning about two billion years ago with the evolution of marine organisms that not only could fix solar energy in organic compounds but also did it by splitting the water molecule and releasing free oxygen. .
             Marine plant cells accumulated for hundreds of millions of years, gradually building an atmosphere that screened out the most destructive of the sun's rays and opened the land to exploitation by living systems. Evolution fited the new species together in ways that not only conserved energy and the mineral nutrients ultilized nutrients by recycling them, releasing more oxygen and making possible the fixation of more energy and the support of still more life. .
             The actual amount of solar energy diverted into living systems is small in relation to the earth's total energy budget. Only about a tenth of 1 percent of the energy received from the sun by the earth is fixed in photosynthesis. More than half of the energy fixed in photosynthesis is used immediately in plant's own respiration. .
             Changes accure slowly through a conjoint evolution that is not only biological but also chemical and physical. The time scale for most of changes and evolutions of developments, particulary in the later stages when many of the species have larger bodies and long life cycles, is very long.
             Green plants are the "primary producers" of the biosphere, converting solar energy into organic compounds that maintain the plants and other living things.


Essays Related to Energy Cycle of Biosphere

1. Human interference in biogeochemical cycles

The biogeochemical cycles forms the basis of the biosphere where living organisms can and only survive in. ... The biogeochemical carbon cycle described the fluxes of carbon in its many forms among the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere. ... Thirdly, another major biogeochemical cycle of significance to climate and life is the sulphur cycle. ... The population growth and industrialization have also increased the demand for energy use. ... Another is the effect on the nitrogen cycle. ...

  • Word Count: 2446
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. Human interference in biogeochemical cycles: Causes, Consequ

The biogeochemical cycles forms the basis of the biosphere where living organisms can and only survive in. ... The biogeochemical carbon cycle described the fluxes of carbon in its many forms among the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere. ... Thirdly, another major biogeochemical cycle of significance to climate and life is the sulphur cycle. ... The population growth and industrialization have also increased the demand for energy use. ... Another is the effect on the nitrogen cycle. ...

  • Word Count: 2448
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. Air Quality in a Biosphere

In the Biosphere, we mustn't mal use air. ... But what happens if some of this air is polluted in the biosphere? ... The demand for a new style of living and the changing periods (e.g. 60's, 70's) has put the demand for new items and more efficient energy to an all-new high. ... NO (Nitric Oxide) + O3 (ozone) = NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) + O2 (Molecular Oxygen) This would be a great cycle but it isn't. The entrance of Hydrocarbons messes with the cycle. ...

  • Word Count: 1825
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

4. The Structural Parts of the Earth

It is distinguished from the underlying mantle rocks by its composition, lower density, and the lower velocity at which it conducts seismic energy. ... They are the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. ... The biosphere contains all the planet's living things. ... This cycle takes millions of years. ... Also it has spheres such as lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. ...

  • Word Count: 1504
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Carbon Sink of Trees at SAS

Shanghai American School is home to over 300 trees, numerous shrubs and plant life that all contribute to the carbon cycle. ... (8,730,607pieces of paper*4.5g)/1000= Weight of paper consumed = 39287.7315 kg 39287.7315 kg*7.24 = 284443.18 kWh/Kg; "Embodied Energy". This is how much energy was used to produce the paper we purchase annually. ... It does not only have an impact on the decreasing natural resources, but also the atmosphere, the biosphere, the lithosphere and hydrosphere. ...

  • Word Count: 865
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Acid Rain

Acid rain affects biotic life, the ecosystem, the biosphere (the life in the environment), the hydrosphere (water cycle), man-made structures; basically everybody is affected by acid rain somehow. ... Advertise and promote alternative energy sources rather than fossil fuels. ... The simplest way to cut these emissions is to use less energy from fossil fuels. Use alternative energy sources. Individuals can contribute directly by conserving energy, since energy production causes the largest portion of the acid deposition problem. ...

  • Word Count: 1710
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

7. Perversion

I wonder what poisons are being bled into our biosphere, the Earth. ... The cycle of life in our oceans could be permanently altered. ... If it's used without regard for safety and the waste is irresponsibly disposed of, then nuclear energy can cause bad things to happen. ...

  • Word Count: 950
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Biodiversity of Life

- Properties of life Obtain and use Energy... Organism Level Tissues > Organs > Organ Systems > Organism Population Level Individual > Population > Community > Ecosystem > Biosphere Sequence of amino acids in each protein determines the shape: Different shapes = different functions Why are proteins important? ... Keystone Species Predators allow coexistence of competing prey Functions - Energy and nutrient cycling...

  • Word Count: 856
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

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