01.05 HONORS Earth’s Early Atmosphere Graph Analysis

Directions Select 1 of the 3 graphs in this presentation. Study the graph and answer the questions with it. Delete the 2 slides you don’t use.

Graph #1 This graph shows the relationship between anaerobic respiration & temperature. 1. How is anaerobic respiration affected by changes in temperature? 2. Based on the conditions of early Earth, what conclusion can you draw about the amount of anaerobic respiration that was occurring at Earth’s beginning? Explain your answer. 3. If there was a sudden drop in temperature after the evolution of the first living cells, predict how that might have affected the changes in the atmosphere and the evolution of cyanobacteria and other autotrophs. Explain your answer.

Graph #2 This graph depicts the percentages of oxygen & carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere. 1. Identify which line best represents each gas . Explain your answer. 2. Discuss the evolution of the first living cells and how it affected the amount of each of these gases present in the atmosphere. 3. If the population of cyanobacteria suddenly went extinct today, predict how that might change the values of each of the gases represented on the graph. Explain your answer.

Graph #3 This graph shows the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere above Hawaii from 1958 to 2002. 1. Based on the trend depicted in the graph, explain what you think the relationship might be between organisms performing respiration and organisms performing photosynthesis in this area of the world. 2. What effects might this steady increase of carbon dioxide have on the organisms living in this area? 3. Describe the changes you would expect to see to this graph if the population of cyanobacteria increased dramatically in the water surrounding Hawaii in 2003.