Biogeochemical Cycles

Question 1

Carbon Cycle

Answer 1

1. Plants take CO2 from the atmosphere via photosynthesis.
2. Animals eat the plants. Both Plants and Animals perform cellular respiration, releasing CO2.
3. Plants and Animals die and can be converted into fossil fuels.
4. Burning fossil fuels releases CO2.

Question 2

Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 2

1. Weathering: breaks down the Phos in rocks, traveling through soil into water
2. Absorption: plants/fungi absorb phosphate ions from the soil water. Animals absorb the phos via drinking the water.
3. Decomposition: Decomposers break down waste or dead organisms, converting organic phos into inorganic.
4. Sediments: Some phos turns back into rocks.

Question 3

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 3

1. Nitrogen fixation by bacteria
2. Nitrification by nitrifying bacteria
3. (Assimilation) plants take up nitrogen compounds
4. Animals eat the plants for nutrients
5. (Ammonification) Wasted and dead organisms are decomposed
6. Denitrifying bacteria break down the Nitrogen compounds and release the Nitrogen back into the atmosphere