4.2 Study Guide

Question 1

What type of organism converts nitrogen into Ammonia or ammonium, as well as other forms of nitrogen?

Answer 1

Bacteria

Question 2

What happens in nitrogen-fixation?

Answer 2

Nitrogen is transformed into Ammonia or Ammonium by bacteria.

Question 3

What happens in Denitrification?

Answer 3

Nitrates and Nitrites are converted back into atmospheric nitrogen gas.

Question 4

What is it called when Ammonia or Ammonium is tranformed into Nitrates or Nitrites?

Answer 4

Nitrification.

Question 5

What are the main abiotic reservoirs of phosphorus?

Answer 5

Soil and rocks.

Question 6

How is energy “lost”?

Answer 6

Through heat (waste, etc).

Question 7

What is the main abiotic reservoir of Carbon?

Answer 7

The atmosphere.

Question 8

What happens to the levels of energy and carbon as the trophic levels increase in an environment? Why?

Answer 8

The levels go down drastically with each trophic level. This is because of the 10% average rule of biomass moving between each level.

Question 9

Where does the energy in the energy cycle come from?

Answer 9

The sun. It is brought into the cycle through photosynthesis.