Conditions for life on Earth

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  • Created by: Spannah
  • Created on: 05-06-18 20:49
What are the conditions of planet Earth that allowed early life to develop and survive? (5 things)
The atmosphere, insolation, position in the solar system, orbital behaviour and the magnetosphere.
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The atmosphere: how was/is it retained? What resources did it provide?
The atmosphere is retained by the mass of the Earth and the force of gravity. It provided gaseous resources such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen, as well as liquid water due to the atmospheric pressure and temperature.
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How is a suitable temperature range controlled?
Our temperature is controlled by incoming insolation and its behaviour in the atmosphere. This is controlled by surface albedo, the absorption of infrared energy, the presence of the atmosphere, and the distance from the sun.
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What condition(s) does orbital behaviour create?
The rotation & tilt of the Earth on its axis, & its orbit around the sun controls the daily and seasonal variations in insolation and temperatures.
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What is the magnetosphere and what does it protect us from?
The magnetosphere is the Earths magnetic field, produced by the molten core of the Earth. It provides protection from radiation (it deflects solar radiation)
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How have biota helped to maintain stability? (4 things)
Oxygen production, ozone layer, carbon sequestration, biogeochemical cycles
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What first produced oxygen?
Photosynthetic bacteria, then algae and plants.
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How was the ozone layer created?
Ozone was produced by chemical reactions involving oxygen & UV light in the stratosphere.
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How did biota help control carbon dioxide levels?
Through carbon sequestration - Photoautotrophs reduced the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
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How do biota help in biogeochemical cycles?
Living organisms link the processes of biogeochemical cycles together, preventing the build -up of waste products or the shortages of resources.
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What are some of the limitations of early methods of monitoring Earth's conditions?
lack of ancient historical data, limited reliability of proxy data for ancient conditions, limited co-ordination between researchers, lack of sophisticated equipment, lack of data collection in many areas.
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What are some of the improved methods of monitoring Earth's conditions?
collection of long-term data sets, use of electronic monitoring equipment, gas/isotope analysis of ice cores, improved carriers for monitoring equipment (e.g. helium balloons, aircraft, satellites)
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The atmosphere: how was/is it retained? What resources did it provide?

Back

The atmosphere is retained by the mass of the Earth and the force of gravity. It provided gaseous resources such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen, as well as liquid water due to the atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Card 3

Front

How is a suitable temperature range controlled?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What condition(s) does orbital behaviour create?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is the magnetosphere and what does it protect us from?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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