Ch 28

Question 1

biogeochemical cycling

Answer 1

sum of the microbial, physical, and chemical processes that drive the flow of elements

Question 2

abiotic processes

Answer 2

nonliving processes
- erosion

Question 3

biotic processes

Answer 3

living processes
- nutrient cycling

Question 4

mineralization

Answer 4

decomposition of organic matter to simpler, organic compounds

Question 5

immobilization

Answer 5

nutrients converted into biomass become temporarily unavailable for nutrient cycling

Question 6

nitrification

Answer 6

ammonium donates electrons

Question 7

assimilatory nitrate reduction

Answer 7

nitrate is converted to ammonia which can be used by the organism

Question 8

dissimilatory nitrate reduction

Answer 8

converts nitrate to nitrogen gases to be released back into the atmosphere

Question 9

assimilatory sulfate reduction

Answer 9

reduction of sulfate for use in amino acid and protein biosynthesis

Question 10

dissimilatory sulfate reduction

Answer 10

the use of sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor

Question 11

biomagnification

Answer 11

progressive accumulation of mercury

Question 12

eutrophication

Answer 12

the process where bodies of water become enriched with nutrients (caused by runoff)