Biology - Ecology - Biogeochemical Cycles

Question 1

Evaporation

Answer 1

Sun heats water to vapor and it rises to the atmosphere

Question 2

Transpiration

Answer 2

water rises back into the atmosphere as water vapor from plants.

Question 3

Condensation

Answer 3

water vapor condenses to form clouds before precipitating again

Question 4

Precipitation

Answer 4

water falls to Earth as a liquid (usually rain, sleet or snow).

Question 5

Infiltration

Answer 5

some water seeps underground from the surface of the Earth.

Question 6

Runoff

Answer 6

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

Question 7

cellular respiration

Answer 7

All organisms release water when breaking down food for energy

Question 8

T or F:

Carbon changes chemical forms as it cycles (unlike water)

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Photosynthesis

Answer 9

plants capture CO2 from the atmosphere and use it to make sugar.

Question 10

cellular respiration - Carbon

Answer 10

CO2 released into atmosphere as waste from metabolism.

Question 11

consumption - Carbon

Answer 11

one organism eats another for carbon.

Question 12

Decomposition (carbon cycle)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Fossilization

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Combustion

Answer 14

CO2 released into atmosphere from

burning.

Question 15

Decomposers role in the carbon cycle

Answer 15

(like bacteria, earthworms, and fungi) break down dead materials and return nutrients (like carbon) to the soil.

Question 16

Role of photosynthetic organisms in Carbon Cycle

Answer 16

remove CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into simple sugars. (ex. plant and algae)

Question 17

T or F:
Animals, plants and fungi do not participate in cellular
respiration in order to break down carbon rich foods for energy

Answer 17

False - they do cellular respiration

Question 18

T or F:

Nitrogen takes on a variety of chemical forms

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Nitrogen fixation

Answer 19

Bacteria (or lightning!) in the soil or
water convert nitrogen (from the air or
water) into forms that plants can use.

Question 20

consumption

Answer 20

one organism eats another and obtains the nitrogen in it

Question 21

Decomposition

Answer 21

decomposers, like bacteria, break down dead matter, returning nitrogen to the soil

Question 22

Ammonification

Answer 22

Bacteria convert nitrogen from waste (urine and feces) into ammonia.

Question 23

Nitrification

Answer 23

Bacteria convert nitrogen in ammonia into nitrates and nitrites to be absorbed by plants in their roots.

Question 24

Denitrification

Answer 24

bacteria convert nitrogen in ammonia to N2 so it can go back into the atmosphere

Question 25

T or F:
The nitrogen cycle is different from other geochemical cycles in that no step is completed without the help of living organisms.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

Which living organism is the most important in converting nitrogen to different forms?

Answer 26

bacteria

Question 27

What decomposers break down nitrogen rich waste and put it in the soil?

Answer 27

Fungi specifically, but other

decomposers as well

Question 28

What is an example of a human impact on the

nitrogen cycle?

Answer 28

Fertilizers, Combustion

Question 29

What is an example of a human impact on the carbon cycle?

Answer 29

Combustion - when wood or fossil fuels are burned- increase in CO2 in atmosphere

Question 30

What is an example of a human impact on the water cycle?

Answer 30

Deforestation (Decrease transpiration), Paving/Building/Development (increase runoff and decrease infiltration) Pollution Eutrophication (Causes excessive algae growth)