Biogeochemical Cycles

Question 1

Biogeochemical Cycles

Answer 1

movement of a particular form of matter through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem
Main Cycles:
-Water (Hydrologic)
-Carbon
-Nitrogen

Question 2

W: Water (H2O) is found in

Answer 2

-Earth’s Surface (97% in ocean, 2% in glaciers)
-Under earth’s surface (groundwater, aquifers)
-Atmosphere
-Living organisms

Question 3

W: The Water Cycle is driven by

Answer 3

the sun

Question 4

W: Stage: Precipitation

Answer 4

water falls to earth as a liquid (rain, sleet, snow)

Question 5

W: Stage: Infiltration

Answer 5

some water seeps into the ground from the surface of the earth (In aquifer)
-Aquifer: underground layer of permeable rock that can hold water

Question 6

W: Stage: Runoff

Answer 6

liquid water that isn’t infiltrated runs along surface and collects in bodies of water

Question 7

W: Stage: Evaporation

Answer 7

sun heats liquid water to vapor and it rises to atmosphere

Question 8

W: Stage: Transpiration

Answer 8

water rises back into the atmosphere as water vapor from plants

Question 9

W: Stage: Condensation

Answer 9

water vapor condenses to form clouds before precipitating again

Question 10

W: Organisms take in water for…

Answer 10

-nutrient transport
-chemical reactions
-diffusion
(They eliminate water too)

Question 11

W: All organisms release water when…

Answer 11

they are breaking down food for energy (cellular respiration)

Question 12

W: Plants take in water to…

Answer 12

make sugar (photosynthesis)

Question 13

W: Water Cycle: Human Impact

Answer 13

-Deforestation: decreases transpiration
-Building/ Development: increases runoff, decreases infiltration
-Pollution
-Eutrophication: water gets overly enriched with nutrients, causing excessive algae

Question 14

C: ________ is the basis of all organic molecules

Answer 14

Carbon

Question 15

C: Carbon __________ chemical forms as it cycles (unlike water)

Answer 15

changes

Question 16

C: Carbon is found in…

Answer 16

-Macromolecules
-Our atmosphere (as CO2)
-Minerals/ Rocks
-Fossil fuels
-Organic materials in soil + aquatic sediments

Question 17

C: Stage: Photosynthesis

Answer 17

plants capture CO2 to make sugar

Question 18

C: Stage: Cellular Respiration

Answer 18

CO2 released into atmosphere as waste from metabolism

Question 19

C: Stage: Consumption

Answer 19

one organism eats another for carbon

Question 20

C: Stage: Decomposition

Answer 20

decomposers break down carbon from dead organisms, recycling it in the soil

Question 21

C: Stage: Fossilization

Answer 21

converts carbon from once-living organisms into fossil fuels through intense heat and compression

Question 22

C: Stage: Combustion

Answer 22

CO2 released into atmosphere from burning

Question 23

C: Carbon Cycle: Human Impact

Answer 23

-Combustion: fossil fuels burned, causing CO2 increase in atmosphere

Question 24

N: Nitrogen is found in…

Answer 24

-The Atmosphere (N2)
-Macromolecules (Proteins, Nucleic Acids)
-Fossils
-Waste
-Soil

Question 25

N: Stage: Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 25

Bacteria (or lightning) in soil or water convert nitrogen into forms plants can use

Question 26

N: Stage: Consumption

Answer 26

one organisms eats another and obtains its nitrogen

Question 27

N: Stage: Decomposition

Answer 27

decomposers break down dead matter and return nitrogen to the soil

Question 28

N: Stage: Ammonification

Answer 28

bacteria convert nitrogen from waste into ammonia

Question 29

N: Stage: Nitrification

Answer 29

bacteria convert nitrogen in ammonia into nitrates and nitrites to be absorbed by plants through their roots

Question 30

N: Stage: Denitrification

Answer 30

bacteria convert nitrogen in ammonia to N2 so it can return to the atmosphere

Question 31

N: The nitrogen cycle is the only cycle that no step is completed without the help of:

Answer 31

living organisms

Question 32

N: __________ is most important in converting nitrogen

Answer 32

Bacteria

Question 33

N: Human Impact: Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 33

-Fertilizers: adds WAY too much nitrogen to the soil, creating an imbalance
-Combustion: burning fossil fuels releases excess nitrogen into the atmosphere (not as impactful as combustion during the carbon cycle)