7.5 B Cycling of Matter

Question 1

Material from living or recently living organisms composed of a mixture of organic molecules containing hydrogen, carbon, often nitrogen, and small quantities of other atoms.

Answer 1

Biomass

Question 2

A container that hold organic matter while it is decomposed by fungi and bacteria, converting it into soil.

Answer 2

Compost Bin

Question 3

The natural process or result of being slowly broken down or decomposed, chiefly by bacteria and fungi.

Answer 3

Decay

Question 4

Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that break down the remains of dead plants and animals, without need for internal digestion.

Answer 4

Decomposers

Question 5

Prokaryotic, single-celled organisms that lack a membrane-enclosed nucleus and can be classified by shape.

Answer 5

Bacteria

Question 6

Microorganisms important as decomposers; widely distributed and can break down just about any type of organic matter.

Answer 6

Fungi

Question 7

Organisms too small to be seen by the unaided human eye, such as bacteria and fungi.

Answer 7

Microorganisms

Question 8

An organism that feeds on and breaks down dead and plant or animal matter; includes decomposers (bacteria and fungi) as well as larger organisms such as insects and worms, serving as primary consumers in a food chain.

Answer 8

Detritivore

Question 9

The movement of water through the atmosphere, the ground, bodies of water, and living things; the continuous movement of water above, on, and below Earth’s surface.

Answer 9

Water Cycle

Question 10

The cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the soil, biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of Earth.

Answer 10

Carbon Cycle

Question 11

The process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms as it is exchanged among the soil, biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere of Earth.

Answer 11

Nitrogen Cycle