3 - Biogeochemical Cycle and Life Processes

Question 1

This refers to a movement on a global scale where the elements and compounds that sustain us are cycled endlessly through living things and through the environment.

Answer 1

Biogeochemical cycling

Question 2

It explains the water exchange through the Earth’s ocean, and and atmosphere.

Answer 2

Hydrological cycle

Question 3

In the hydrological cycle, its is responsible for metabolic processes within cells, for maintaining the flow of key nutrients through ecosystems and for global distribution of heat and energy.

Answer 3

Hydrological cycle

Question 4

It refers to the structural component of organic molecules and chemical bonds in carbon compounds that provide metabolic energy.

Answer 4

Carbon

Question 5

It is a process that refers to the transfer of carbon among plants, animals, and microbes, as well as minerals within the earth and the atmosphere.

Answer 5

Carbon cycle

Question 6

It is the most abundant element in the atmosphere, occupying 78% of it. It is also present in soil, the water we consume, and the air we inhale.

Answer 6

Nitrogen

Question 7

It is a continuous cycle of events in which nitrogen circulates through various living and non-living entities, such as the atmosphere, soil, water, plants, animals, and bacteria.

Answer 7

Nitrogen cycle

Question 8

It is the natural process that explains the changes and movement of phosphorus within soil, water, and living as well as decaying organic matter.

Answer 8

Phosphorus cycle

Question 9

It illustrates how sulfur moves within the earth’s geosphere and biosphere.

Answer 9

Sulfur cycle

Question 10

These are defined as “the biological and chemical reservoirs”, “agents of change”, and “pathway of flow” from one another reservoir of a chemical on earth to another reservoir.

Answer 10

Biogeochemical cycles

Question 11

These describe the amount of material stored, produced, or consumed within the repository, as well as the conversion of material from one repository to another.

Answer 11

Biogeochemical cycles

Question 12

It refers to the science that treats the waters of the earth, their occurrence, circulation, and distribution, their chemical and physical properties, and their reaction with the environment, including the relations to living things.

Answer 12

Hydrology

Question 13

It is the mixture of gases extending from the surface of the Earth towards space.

Answer 13

Atmosphere

Question 14

It refers to the soil crust that lies on the surface of the planet where we live.

Answer 14

Lithosphere

Question 15

It refers to the portion of the Earth that accounts for most of the water storage and consists of oceans, lakes, streams, and shallow groundwater bodies.

Answer 15

Hydrosphere

Question 16

It describes the movement of water from one biogeochemical cycle to another.

Answer 16

Hydrological cycle

Question 17

It refers to the process of converting liquid water from surface water sources to gaseous water that resides in the atmosphere.

Answer 17

Evaporation

Question 18

It occurs when water is conveyed from living plant tissue, especially leaves, to the atmosphere.

Answer 18

Transpiration

Question 19

It represents the overall pathways of water moving into the atmosphere, which includes evaporation and transpiration from plants.

Answer 19

Evapotranspiration

Question 20

It refers to the conversion of water in the gas phase to liquid water by cooling the water molecules.

Answer 20

Condensation

Question 21

It occurs when the atmosphere becomes completely saturated with water and the droplets have enough mass to fall from the atmosphere.

Answer 21

Precipitation

Question 22

It is a process when some fraction of precipitation seeps into the ground.

Answer 22

Infiltration

Question 23

It refers to the topographic area that collects and discharges stream flow through one outlet or mouth.

Answer 23

Watershed / drainage basin / catchment

Question 24

It refers to the region that collects rainfall.

Answer 24

Watershed / drainage basin / catchment

Question 24

It is formed by precipitation that is not absorbed by the soils, which becomes the source water for all human to use for agriculture, drinking water, and energy production.

Answer 24

Runoff

Question 25

These flow into groundwater-based streams or river systems.

Answer 25

Intermittent streams

Question 26

It refers to the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) which is primarily available in an inert form, into the usable form-ammonia (NH3).

Answer 26

Nitrogen fixation

Question 27

A type of nitrogen fixation and a natural phenomenon where the energy of lightning breaks the nitrogen into nitrogen oxides, which are then used by plants.

Answer 27

Atmospheric fixation

Question 28

A type of nitrogen fixation and a man-made alternative that aids in nitrogen fixation by the use of ammonia.

Answer 28

Industrial nitrogen fixation

Question 29

A type of nitrogen fixation in which the nitrogen is not used directly from the air by plants and animals. Bacteria like Rhizobium and blue-green algae transform the unusable form of nitrogen into other compounds that are more readily available.

Answer 29

Biological nitrogen fixation

Question 30

It is a process of converting ammonia (NH3) by the presence of bacteria in the soil.

Answer 30

Nitrification

Question 31

These are formed by the oxidation of ammonia with the help of Nitrosomonas bacteria species.

Answer 31

Nitrites

Question 32

The reaction involved in the process of Nitrification

Answer 32

(2)NH3 + (3)O2 → (2)NO2(–) + 2H(+) + (2)H2O
(2)NO2(–) + O2 → (2)NO3(–)

Question 33

This process involves plants taking in the nitrogen compounds from the soil with the help of their roots, which are available in the form of ammonia, nitrite ion, nitrate ions, or ammonium and are used in the formation of the plant and animal proteins.

Answer 33

Assimilation

Question 34

It is a process in which when plants or animals die, the nitrogen present in the organic matter is released back into the soil, convert the organic matter back into ammonium.

Answer 34

Ammonification

Question 35

The process in which the nitrogen compounds make their way back into the atmosphere by converting nitrate (N2O) into gaseous nitrogen (N2) and nitrous oxide (N2O).

Answer 35

Denitrification

Question 36

This process of nitrogen cycle is the final stage and occurs in the absence of oxygen.

Answer 36

Denitrification

Question 37

It causes algal blooms and excess plant growth in water bodies.

Answer 37

Eutrophication

Question 38

It causes serious loss of soil nutrients such as calcium and potassium; acidification of rivers and lakes; and rising atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas.

Answer 38

Excess nitrogen input

Question 39

It is present mainly in rocks, soil, and water, which is released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels, volcanic activities, and decomposition of organic materials.

Answer 39

Sulfur

Question 40

On land, it is stored in underground rocks and minerals. It is released by precipitation, weathering of rocks and geothermal vents.

Answer 40

Sulfur