6.5 a

Question 1

define ammonification

Answer 1

the breaking down of organic nitrogen/ dead waste containing compounds into ammonia or ammonium compounds. broken down to ammonia by saprobionic organisms

Question 2

define nitrification

Answer 2

ammonium compounds are converted to nitrites and nitrates. Chemoautotrophic, nitrosomas and nitrobacter. requires oxygen

Question 3

define denitrification

Answer 3

occurs in anaerobic conditions (anaerobic bacteria) and is the conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas. occurs in waterlogged soils

Question 4

define net primary productivity

Answer 4

the proportion of energy from the sun available to enter the food chain

Question 5

define gross primary productivity

Answer 5

the rate at which plants convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis

Question 6

what equation links GPP and NPP

Answer 6

NPP= GPP- respiration https://studymind.co.uk/notes/net-primary-production/

Question 7

a student assumed that plant biomass is equal to height, explain why this is wrong

Answer 7

-plants may put biomass into other aspects of growth rather than height
-height does not include the roots
-some increase in height results in water gain

Question 8

explain why an increase in shoot biomass can be taken as a measurement of net primary productivity

Answer 8

-represents dry mass of carbon
-represents gross production minus respiratory losses
-NPP= GPP-R