Biogeochemical Cycles - W2

Question 1

Define: Transpiration

Answer 1

When energy from the sun evaporates water from the land and sea, forming water vapour. Water vapour is also lost from plants

Question 2

Define: Respiration

Answer 2

Dead plants and animals decompose (broken down by microorganisms) and the decomposes release Co2 into the atmosphere

Question 3

Define: Photosynthesis

Answer 3

Makes food for the plant - requires energy in the form of light. Is also an endothermic reaction (where energy is taken in)

Question 4

Define: Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 4

Leguminous plants. Includes peas, beans, clover and acacia

Question 5

Define: Reservoir Pool

Answer 5

Large, slow moving, generally non biological component

Question 6

Define: Percolation

Answer 6

When water drains back into the sea through the soil and rocks

Question 7

Define: Denitrification

Answer 7

Turns nitrates back into n3 gas, no benefit to other living organisms

Question 8

Define: Precipitation

Answer 8

When water falls from the clouds, supplying fresh water for animals and plants

Question 9

Define: Consumption

Answer 9

Plants uptake phosphorus from the soil and animals consume those plants and each other, passing phosphorus through the food chain

Question 10

Define: Leguminous plants

Answer 10

Formed a mutual relationship with rhizobium bacteria. Bacteria live in the nodules on the plant roots, providing nitrogen to the plant and in return the plant provides living space to the bacteria

Question 11

Define: Exchange (or Cycling) Pool

Answer 11

Smaller, but more active portion that is exchanging rapidly between organisms and their immediate environment

Question 12

4 key processes of the Water Cyle

Answer 12

Evaporation
Precipitation
Transpiration
Percolation

Question 13

Water Cycle: Describe the 4 stages

Answer 13

1) Energy from the sun EVAPORATES water from the land and sea, forming water vapour. Water vapour is also lost from plants via TRANSPIRATION
2) Warm water vapour rises in the atmosphere where it cools and condenses to for clouds
3) Water falls from the clouds as PRECIPITATION, supplying fresh water for animals and plants
4) Water drains back into the sea through soil and rocks via PERCOLATION

Question 14

What are the 3 Water Cycle reservoirs?

Answer 14

Oceans - 97%

Glaciers and poland ice caps - 2%

Lakes, rivers and ground water - 1%

Question 15

3 key processes of the Carbon cycle:

Answer 15

Photosynthesis
Respiration
Consumption

Question 16

Carbon Cycle: Describe the 3 stages

Answer 16

1) Whole cycle is powered by PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Plants use Co2 from the atmosphere to produce carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (CARBON-BASED life)
2) CONSUMPTION passes carbon compounds from plants to animals in a food chain
3) Plants and animals RESPIRE, which releases Co2 back into the atmosphere
4) When plants and animals die, their carbon compounds enter the soil
5) Dead plants and animals DECOMPOSE (broken down by microorganisms), the decomposers release Co2 into the atmosphere via RESPIRATION

Question 17

5 Carbon cycle reservoirs

Answer 17

Animal/plant biomass
Soils
Dissolved in oceans
Atmosphere
Fossil fuels

Question 18

What are the 4 Nitrogen cycle processes?

Answer 18

Nitrogen fixation
Consumption
Agricultural run off
Denitrification

Question 19

Name the 4 types of bacteria involved in the Nitrogen cycle

Answer 19

Decomposers
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Nitrifying bacteria
Denitrifying bacteria

Question 20

What is Nitrogen Fixation?

Answer 20

Leguminous plants include peas, beans, clover and acacia

Question 21

4 reservoirs of the Nitrogen cycle

Answer 21

Atmosphere
Sediments of lakes, rivers and ocean
Soil
Animal/plant biomass

Question 22

4 key processes of the Phosphorus cycle

Answer 22

Weathering of rocks
Consumption/Decomposition
Leaching
Geological uplift

Question 23

5 stages of the Phosphorus cycle

Answer 23

1) WEATHERING of rocks releases phosphorus containing compounds into the soil
2) Some can LEACH into groundwater and may reach the sea
3) Plants uptake phosphorus from the soil and animals CONSUME those plants and each other, passing phosphorus through the food chain
4) Phosphorus returns to the soil/sediment via excretion or decomposition
5) Sediment from lakes and oceans form new rocks. The new rocks can be moved via GEOLOGICAL UPLIFT. If they are moved above sea level, phosphorus can be released via weathering

Question 24

4 reservoirs of the Phosphorus cycle

Answer 24

Sedimentary rocks
Soil
Oceans
Animal/plant biomass