37.20 Phosphorous Cycle

Question 1

Why is the phosphorous cycle unique?

Answer 1

Because it is the only biogeochemical cycle that has a chemical that has no gaseous form

Question 2

What form is phosphorous cycled in?

Answer 2

Phosphate

Question 3

Chemical Formula of Phosphate

Answer 3

PO34-

Question 4

What do plants use phosphorous for?

Answer 4

DNA and ATP

Question 5

What is phosphorous also used in?

Answer 5

nucleic acids, phospholipids, and as a mineral component of bones and teeth of vertebrates

Question 6

Is phosphorous cycled globally or locally

Answer 6

Locally because it does not have a gaseous form. Therefore it has no atmospheric component.

Question 7

What is the only source of phosphorous

Answer 7

rocks

Question 8

How many steps are there in the Phosphorous cycle?

Answer 8

6

Question 9

What is the first step of the Phosphorous cycle

Answer 9

1) The weathering of rocks adds inorganic phosphate to the soil, water

Question 10

What is the first step of the Phosphorous cycle

Answer 10

1) The weathering of rocks adds inorganic phosphate to the soil, water

Question 10

What is the second step of the Phosphorous cycle

Answer 10

2) Plants incorporate the dissolved phosphate ions in the water/soil and build them into organic compounds

Question 11

What is the third step of the Phosphorous cycle

Answer 11

3) Consumers obtain phosphorus in organic form by eating plants

Question 11

What is the fourth step of the Phosphorous cycle

Answer 11

4) Phosphates are returned to the soil by the action of decomposers on animal waste and the remains of dead plants and animals

Question 11

What is the fifth step of the Phosphorous cycle

Answer 11

5) Some phosphate drains from terrestrial ecosystems into the sea, where it may settle and eventually become part of new rocks.

Question 11

What is the sixth step of the Phosphorous cycle

Answer 11

6) Geologic processes uplift the rocks and expose them to weathering, which produces inorganic phosphates

Question 12

Why is phosphate known as a limiting factor

Answer 12

because its availability is low because of soluble phosphate that can quickly bind to soil particles

Question 13

Large amounts of phosphate pollutes _____ ecosytems

Answer 13

aquatic

Question 14

Why does the amount of phosphorous in terrestrial ecosystems gradually diminish over time

Answer 14

Because phosphates are transferred from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems more rapidly than they are replaced

Question 15

Over the short term, why does phosphorus cycling tend to be localized, whereas carbon and nitrogen cycle globally?

Answer 15

Because phosphorus is cycled almost entirely within the soil rather than transferred over long distances via the atmosphere