Vocabulary Word Definition Image

biogeochemical cycles The flow of chemical

elements and
compounds between
living organisms and the
physical
environment.Chemicals
absorbed or ingested by
organisms are passed
through the food chain
and returned to the soil,
air, and water by such
mechanisms as
respiration, excretion,
and ​decomposition.

fossil fuels a natural fuel such as coal or 

gas, formed in the geological 
past from the remains of 
living organisms.

global warming gradual increase in the 

overall temperature of the 
earth's atmosphere generally 
attributed to the greenhouse 
effect caused by increased 
levels of carbon dioxide, 
chlorofluorocarbons, and 
other pollutants.

runoff 1. a further 
competition, 
election, race, etc., 
after a tie or 
inconclusive result. 
groundwater water held underground in 
the soil or in pores and 
crevices in rock.

nitrogen fixation the series of processes by 

which nitrogen and its 
compounds are 
interconverted in the 
environment and in living 
organisms, including nitrogen 
fixation and decomposition.

transpiration ranspiration​ is the process 

where plants absorb water 
through the roots and then 
give off water vapor 
through pores in their 
leaves. An example of 
transpiration​ is when a 
plant absorbs water in its 
roots.

precipitation 1. the action or 

process of 
precipitating a 
substance from a 
solution. 

evaporation the process of turning from 

liquid into vapor.
sublimation the process of turning from 
liquid into vapor.

condensation water that collects as 

droplets on a cold surface 
when humid air is in contact 
with it.

Water cycle the cycle of processes by 

which water circulates 
between the earth's oceans, 
atmosphere, and land, 
involving precipitation as rain 
and snow, drainage in 
streams and rivers, and 
return to the atmosphere by 
evaporation and 
transpiration.

Carbon cycle the series of processes by 

which carbon compounds are 
interconverted in the 
environment, chiefly involving 
the incorporation of carbon 
dioxide into living tissue by 
photosynthesis and its return 
to the atmosphere through 
respiration, the decay of dead 
organisms, and the burning 
of fossil fuels.

Nitrogen cycle the series of processes by 

which nitrogen and its 
compounds are 
interconverted in the 
environment and in living 
organisms, including nitrogen 
fixation and decomposition.