Essential Biology 5.

2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:

Candidate Number:
Student Name:
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 (1) B Photosynthesis C Fossil Fuel Emission

D Decomposition E Cell respiration/
excretion

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

carbon dioxide.

Recent history:

Geological history:

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School

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Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Candidate Number:
Student Name:
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.

There is an increase in atmospheric CO2 increasing each year with a decrease in

between near the end of the year.

b. Explain the annual fluctuations in CO2 levels.

Peaks: Are during the winter because there is more hibernation in plants and
therefore cell respiration is less so there is more CO2 in the atmosphere

Troughs: Are during the summer because there is an increase in respiration

and photosynthesis therefore there is much more CO2 being sucked 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 is pollution which has caused hotter

summers and colder winters causing the CO2 to increase each year.

Natural:One natural cause is the seasons that cause the trend

4. Identify three greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide.

Water vapour, Methane (CH4) and Nitrous oxide (NO2)

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School

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

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

The greenhouse effect maintains the temperature of the earth keeping it from being
-18 degrees. The sun sends out short, high-energy radiation waves which strike
earth and send off lower-energy, longer waves from the surface which cases some
heat to return to space and some to be reflected back by greenhouse gases and
returning heat to earth

6. Explain how increased atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases lead to an

enhanced greenhouse effect.

Increased levels of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, NO2, water vapor) cause more
radiation to be reflected back to Earth instead of being lost to space causing the
heat on the earth to increase instead of allowing some to escape.

7. Outline some of the possible consequences of a global temperature rise on

arctic ecosystems.

Ice coverage: ice will melt causing habitat loss for those living in that
environment, pests will be more successful causing damage to the
environment and migration of animals leads to lack of food for arctic
predators.

Climate changes: the temperature will rise above 0, and there will be more
rain instead of snow and ice falling

Niches: new species move to the now warmer climate and take advantage of
the new niche opportunities.

Plant distributions:more coniferous forests move into the area as they can
now survive causing more photosynthesis and a bigger sink of CO2

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School

http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Candidate Number:
Student Name:
002171-xxx

Animal populations: Some species will migrate to the arctic as the

temperature increases however some species will migrate away as their
habitats have been destroyed

8. Outline the precautionary principle.

The precautionary principle states that if there is a chance that an action performed
may do harm to people or environment it should be stopped until it is proven safe.

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

climate destabilisation.

It can be applied to anthropogenic climate destabilization by proving all evidence of

actions outcomes before they are allowed to carry on with their actions proving that
it will have no harm on the people or environment.

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

Medicine.

The same precautionary principle should be used when performing experiments on

diseases and illness and also with new medications to make sure that there is no
negative impacts on the people or environment.

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

Gl Tr Still have economic costs but the Global disasters: environmental,
o action was successful political, social, public health and
u economic
b
e
al
cli
m
at

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School

http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Candidate Number:
Student Name:
002171-xxx

e F Possibly harm the economy , no No harm and positive results

d positive results
al
es
s
ta
bi e
liz
at
io
n
is
…

Conclusion: There is no way that we can know positively that global warming
will benefit by taking action or not taking action, therefore we will always
have negative impacts it just depends on the scale. Whether the global
warming is true or not there are always going to be impacts but they may be
worse if we do not take any action at all.

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School

http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com
Essential Biology 5.2 The Greenhouse Effect Due Date:
Candidate Number:
Student Name:
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
Complete and neat. All command terms
Presentation &
NA highlighted, tables and diagrams well
Organisation presented.
Sources cited using the CSE (ISO 690
Academic
NA numerical) method, with Works Cited
Honesty section complete and correct.
All answers for the following command Most answers for the following
Objective 1 terms correct: command terms correct:
understanding Define Draw Label List Measure State
All answers for the following command Most answers for the following
Objective 2 terms correct: command terms correct:
understanding Annotate Apply Calculate Describe Distinguish Estimate
Identify Outline
All answers for the following command Most answers for the following
terms correct: command terms correct:
Objective3 Analyse Comment Compare Construct Deduce Derive Design
understanding Determine Discuss
Evaluate Explain Predict Show Solve Sketch
Suggest
Logic, Answers are presented in a logical and
concise manner. SI units used most
notation,
NA times, with correct unit symbols and
mathematical definitions of terms. All mathematical
working working shown.
Evidence is apparent of research and
reading beyond the textbook and
Further presentations to find correct answers to
NA challenging questions. If any
research
questions are unanswered, this
criterion scores zero.
Total (max 10):

Stephen Taylor Bandung International School

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