1.2 Biogeochemical Cycles (Nitrogen) Flashcards
nitrgen cycle
the cyclic movement of nitrogen in different chemical forms between living organisms and the environment
How is Nitrogen Cycle cycled
nitrogen gas
Chemical formula of nitrogen gas
N2
What is nitrogen a limiting factor of
plants
What molecules are nitrogen important ingredients of
proteins and nucleic acids
How many abiotic reservoirs does nitrogen have
2
What are the 2 abiotic reservoirs of nitrogen
the atmosphere and soil
Is nitrogen cycled globally or locally
both because its abiotic reservoirs are soil and the atmosphere
How much of the atmosphere is nitrogen
SUPER BIG
Can plants absorb nitrogen in its N2 form
no
Nitrogen Fixation
the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) to nitrogen compounds (NH4+ and NO3-) that plants can absorb and use
What organism does nitrogen fixation
bacteria
Can animals use nitrogen in its N2 form
no
What kind of atom is N2
a diatomic atom
Diatomic Atom
an atom that always pairs with at least itself and is never found alone
What is the first step of the nitrogen cycle
nitrogen fixation
Legumes
beans
Chemical formula of ammonia
NH3
Chemical formula of ammonium
NH4+
What is the third step of the nitrogen cycle
nitrification
What form of nitrogen is usable by plants
nitrates and nitrites
Chemical Formula for nitrates
NO3-
Chemical Formula for nitrites
NO2-
Are nitrites usable by plants
no
how are organisms included in the nitrogen cycle
Plants use the nitrate to synthesize molecules such as amino acids, which make proteins and nucleic acids which make nucleotides
herbivores gets the nitrogen to do the same thing but by eating plants
carnivora eat other animals
Where is nitrogen-fixing bacteria found
in soil, lagoons, and bean plants
how do dead organisms contribute to the nitrogen cycle
Organisms that are not consumed eventually die and become detritus which is decomposed by prokaryotes and fungi. Decomposition releases NH4+ from organic compounds back into the soil, replenishing the soil reservoir of NH4+
What is the last step of the nitrogen cycle
Denitrifying Bacteria strip the oxygen from NO3-, releasing N2 back into the atmosphere in low oxygen conditions
What is dentrifying bacteria aka
Dentrifiers
How do human activities also disrupt the nitrogen cycle
by adding more nitrogen than what is added by natural processes by combustion of fossil fuels and coal power plants which produce nitrogen oxides
Nitrogen Oxides
NO and N2
Outside of the nitrogen cycle how are some NH4+ and NO3-
in the atmosphere by chemical reactions including N2 and ammonia
what are the things that can do nitrogen fixation
lightning and bacteria
what is the second step of the nitrogen cycle
nitrification
nitrification
NH4+ converted to NO2+ and then to NO3-
ammonium
NH4+
ammonia
NH3
nitrate
NO3-
NO2+
nitrite
can nitrates be used by plants
yes
ammonification
the process by which ammonia and ammonium ions are returned to the environment because they were released when nitrogen containing waste releases nitrogen
compared to the other nutrient cycles, is the nitrogen cycle fast or slow
fast
if there is more nitrogen present are plants madefaster or slower (more or less)
more and faster
