Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Ogy > 5.3 Biogeochemical Cycles U5 > Flashcards

5.3 Biogeochemical Cycles U5 Flashcards

1
Q

What are biogeochemical cycles?

A

Elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What processes can the flow of matter involve?

A

Biological
Geological
Chemical and Physical
Human activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Processes involved in Biogeochemical cycles: biological processes

A

consist of any activities performed by living organisms. Includes eating, breathing, “burning” food, and eliminating waste.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Processes involved in Biogeochemical cycles: Geological processes

A

includes volcanic eruptions, formation and breakdown of rock, and major movements of matter within and below the surface of earth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Processes involved in Biogeochemical cycles: Chemical and Physical processes

A

includes the formation of clouds and precipitation, the flow of running water, and action of lighting.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Processes involved in Biogeochemical cycles: Human Activity

A

includes the mining and burning of fossil fuels, clearing of land for building and farming, burning of forests, and manufacture and use of fertilizers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a nutrient cycle?

A

Every organism needs nutrients to build tissues and carry out life functions. Like water, nutrients pass through organisms and the environment through biogeochemical cycles. The three cycles that we will discuss that are especially important for life are:

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are three nutrient cycles that we discussed? What about an extra cycle?

A

Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle

Water Cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does the water cycle do?

A

The water cycle describes how water is exchanged throughout land, water sources, and the atmosphere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the three major processes of the water cycle?

A

evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Evaporation?

A

process in which liquid water is changed into a gas (water vapor). Water vapor is a major component of the atmosphere and is also a greenhouse gas. Evaporation is driven by the SUN!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is Condensation?

A

Process by which a gas (water vapor) changes into a liquid (water). This can happen in the atmosphere (which forms clouds) or on the ground.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is Precipitation?

A

the falling of water (solid or liquid) to the earth as a result of condensation. This includes rain, sleet, snow, hail.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is Transpiration?

A

process where water vapor is released from plants and soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the biological component of the water cycle?

A

Groundwater is taken up by plant roots and then, through transpiration, released into the atmosphere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the physical/chemical processes in the water cycle?

A

Water from oceans and lakes evaporates and then condenses to form clouds. Water falls to the surface as precipitation. Some water seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How are humans involved in the water cycle?

A

Water is vital to life! We use water everyday.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why is carbon important?

A

Carbon is a major component of all organic molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbon is such a key ingredient of living tissue and ecosystems that life of Earth is often described as “carbon-based” life.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is fossilized carbon?

A

Coal, oil, and gas are called fossil fuels because they are essentially “fossilized carbon”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Where is carbon stored?

A

Carbon is stored in reservoirs, and moves between these reservoirs via biological, human, geological, and physical/chemical processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are biological component(s) of the carbon cycle?

A

carbon dioxide is taken up by producers during photosynthesis and released by cellular respiration. Consumers eat producers and release carbon dioxide through cellular respiration into the atmosphere.

22
Q

What are Geological component(s) of the carbon cycle?

A

Volcanic activity releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Geological activity turns marine sediments into rock.

23
Q

What are Physical and Chemical component(s) of the carbon cycle?

A

Carbon dioxide
dissolves in rainwater. Carbon dioxide
dissolves in oceans and returns to the atmosphere.

24
Q

What are Human component(s) of the carbon cycle?

A

Burning of forests and
fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide.

25
Q

What must happen before carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can be used by organisms?

A

must be transformed into a usable organic form by living organisms.

26
Q

What is the foundation of the oceanic food chain?

A

Phytoplankton

27
Q

What is dentitrification?

A

Process by which certain bacteria obtain energy by converting nitrates into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere.

28
Q

How much of the atmosphere is nitrogen?

A

78%

29
Q

What must happen first before nitrogen can be used by organisms?

A

Must be converted to a usable form of nitrogen, such as ammonia, by organisms that can “fix” nitrogen.

30
Q

What is nitrogen fixation?

A

Process by which certain bacteria can convert nitrogen gas into ammonia- a form usable by plants.

31
Q

Do animals get nitrogen compounds when eating plants?

A

yep

32
Q

Can ammonia be converted more?

A

Ammonia can be further converted into nitrate & nitrite by bacteria which can then be used by other bacteria and plants

33
Q

How does nitrogen return to the floor?

A

Nitrogen returns to the soil when organisms release waste or die and are decomposed by bacteria.

34
Q

How do prokaryotes maintain aspects of ecological balance in ecosystems?

A

By breaking down dead organisms, prokaryotes release essential nutrients back into the environment.

Photosynthetic prokaryotes, like cyanobacteria, account for more than half of primary production in the oceans!

Nitrogen fixing bacteria provide 90% of the nitrogen used by other organisms.

35
Q

If Nitrogen makes up 78 percent of Earth’s atmosphere, explain why nitrogen is scarce in ecosystems and is not usable by most living things?

A

Nitrogen gas N2 is a relatively stable gas that is held together by a triple covalent bond. This bond is difficult to break! Bacteria are able to convert this gas into useable forms for other organisms.

36
Q

Where do nitrogen fixing bacteria live?

A

Some nitrogen fixing bacteria live in soil and on the roots of plants.

37
Q

What are biological component(s) of the nitrogen cycle?

A

Bacteria fix nitrogen gas. Nitrogen is taken up by primary producers, reused by consumers, and released by excretion and decomposing matter. Bacteria release nitrogen gas through denitrification.

38
Q

What are Human component(s) of the nitrogen cycle?

A

Nitrogen gas is turned into fertilizer and applied to crops. Excess may wash into rivers, streams, and the ocean as runoff.

39
Q

What are Physical/Chemical component(s) of the nitrogen cycle?

A

Some nitrogen gas can be fixed by lightning.

40
Q

Where is phosphorus found?

A

Phosphorus is very rare in the biosphere and is found mostly in rocks and minerals in an inorganic state.

41
Q

How is phosphorus usually released?

A

Most phosphorus is released through erosion.

42
Q

Why is phosphorus important to life?

A

Phosphorus is essential to life because it is part of molecules such as ATP, DNA and RNA.

43
Q

How does the phosphorus cycle differ from the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles

A

Doesnt cycle through the atmosphere

44
Q

What are biological component(s) of the phosphorus cycle?

A

Phosphorus is taken up by primary producers, reused by consumers, and released by excretion and decomposing matter.

45
Q

What are geological component(s) of the phosphorus cycle?

A

Phosphates are washed from rock into the ocean, and marine sediments are turned into rock.

46
Q

What are Human component(s) of the phosphorus cycle?

A

Phosphorus is mined, turned
into fertilizer, and applied to crops. Excess may
wash into rivers, streams, and ocean as runoff.

47
Q

How can the primary productivity of an ecosystem be limited if there is ample sun and water?

A

the availability of nutrients.

48
Q

What is a limiting nutrient?

A

The nutrient whose supply limits productivity.

49
Q

What are common limiting nutrients?

A

Common limiting nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron.

50
Q

What is an example of a situation where a nutrient can be limited?

A

most fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which helps plants grow better in poor soil. Think: How can too much fertilizer disrupt natural nutrient cycles?

51
Q

What is often the limiting nutrient in an aquatic ecosystem?

A

nitrogen

Ogy (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions