Essential Biology 5.

2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:

Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx

Blog resource: http://tinyurl.com/3a4g5ez

Cite all sources using the CSE method (or ISO 690 Numerical in Word). The first example has been done for you.

Complete the self-assessment rubric before submitting to Moodle. Avoid printing this if possible.

1. Annotate the diagram to show the carbon cycle and processes involved.

A Respiration[ CITATION B Photosynthesis C Fossil Fuel Emissions

TayGreEff \l 1033 ]
D Decomposition E Egestion

2. Outline some of the methods used to measure or estimate atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Recent history: A method used to measure atmospheric carbon dioxide is to measure it over a
period of time and record the trend and annual cycles.

Geological history: A method used to estimate atmospheric carbon dioxide is to analyze the CO 2
concentration of air bubbles trapped in the ice and estimate the year based on the depth of the
core.

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

 Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx

3. The topic of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere has been the source of intense
debate with regard to climate change in recent years. This graph shows the famous ‘Keeling
Curve’ from Mauna Loa laboratory in Hawaii. Find out more here:
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/globalchange/keeling_curve/01.html

a. Describe the overall trend shown in the graph.

The overall trend is that there is an increase in atmospheric CO 2 levels in Mauna Loa every
year.

b. Explain the annual fluctuations in CO2 levels.

Peaks: The annual peaks in CO2 levels are due to the winter months of each year.

Troughs: The annual troughs in CO2 levels come from the summers in the northern
hemisphere. This side of the planet has the greatest land mass and during the summer many trees and
plants grow. With more photoautotrophic organisms, there is more photosynthesis and therefore more
of a decrease of CO2 from the atmosphere.

c. Suggest one human impact and one natural cause that could have led to the overall trend
shown in the graph:
Anthropogenic: One human impact that could have led to the trend is cutting down trees,
which means there are less trees to perform photosynthesis and therefore more CO 2 in the
atmosphere.

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx

Natural: a natural cause that could have led to the trend is natural disasters. With natural
disasters knocking down and otherwise destroying trees, there would be a loss of
photoautotrophic organisms and therefore more atmospheric CO 2.

4. Identify three greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide.

Three greenhouse gases are water vapor, methane and nitrous oxide.

5. Explain the greenhouse effect with the aid of a diagram. Include short-wave and long-wave
radiation.

6. Explain how increased atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases lead to an enhanced greenhouse
effect.
Increased atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases lead to an enhanced greenhouse effect
because instead of being lost in space, more radiation is reflected back to earth because of the
increase.

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx

7. Outline some of the possible consequences of a global temperature rise on arctic ecosystems.
Ice coverage:

Climate changes: Increased global temperatures will shift the characteristics of the world’s
biomes.

Niches: The niches will no longer exist in the same form, which will change which populations
migrate to that area.

Plant distributions:

Animal populations: As the niches change, different species will migrate to the area to take
advantage of this change.

8. Outline the precautionary principle.

The precautionary principle is a principle that states that if an action could harm others or the
environment, the action cannot be performed unless it is proven safe.

9. Describe how the precautionary principle can be applied to anthropogenic climate

destabilization.
An example to describe this is transporting oil across the ocean. The oil would not be allowed to
be transferred until the method of transport was deemed safe.

10. Give two other examples of the precautionary principle in effect in Biology or Medicine.

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx

11. Evaluate the precautionary principle as a justification for taking strong action in response to the
threats posed by the enhanced greenhouse effect. What are some of the steps that we could
take? This video might help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_anaVcCXg

Take significant action Take no action

Global climate destabilization is…

True
False

Conclusion:

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com

 Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Student Name: Candidate Number: 002171-xxx

Works Cited
1. Taylor, Stephen. 5.2 Greenhouse Effect (presentation). Science Video Resources. [Online] Septmber
2009. http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com/bis-ib-diploma-programme-biology/05-ecology-and-
evolution/the-greenhouse-effect/.

2. Allott, Andrew. IB Study Guide: Biology for the IB Diploma. s.l. : Oxford University Press, 2007. 978-0-
19-915143-1.

Self Assessment:

Essential Biology Assessment

Criterion Complete (2) Partially complete (1) Self MrT
Presentation & Complete and neat. All command terms
NA highlighted, tables and diagrams well presented.
0
Organization
Sources cited using the CSE (ISO 690 numerical)
Academic
NA method, with Works Cited section complete and 1
Honesty correct.
All answers for the following command terms Most answers for the following command terms
Objective 1
correct: correct: 2
understanding Define Draw Label List Measure State
Most answers for the following command terms
Objective 2 All answers for the following command terms correct:
correct: 2
understanding Annotate Apply Calculate Describe Distinguish Estimate Identify Outline
Most answers for the following command terms
All answers for the following command terms correct:
Objective3 correct:
1
understanding Analyse Comment Compare Construct Deduce Derive Design Determine Discuss
Evaluate Explain Predict Show Solve Sketch Suggest
Logic, notation, Answers are presented in a logical and concise
manner. SI units used most times, with correct
mathematical NA unit symbols and definitions of terms. All
1
working mathematical working shown.
Evidence is apparent of research and reading
beyond the textbook and presentations to find
Further research NA correct answers to challenging questions. If any 0
questions are unanswered, this criterion scores
zero.
Total (max 10): 7

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