concept 2 - biogeochemical cycles

Question 1

why must matter cycle?

Answer 1

since matter is neither created nor destroyed, and Earth is a closed system, these essential nutrients MUST be continuously cycled

Question 2

what are the specific steps in the water cycle?

Answer 2

1. Precipitation: water falls to earth as a liquid
2. Infiltration: some water seeps underground from the surface of the earth
3. Runoff: liquid water that isn’t infiltrated runs along the surface and collects in bodies of water
4. Evaporation: sun heats up liquid water to vapor and it rises to the atmosphere
5. Transpiration: water rises back into the atmosphere as water vapor from plants
6. Condensation: water vapor condenses to form clouds before precipitating again

Question 3

what are the specific steps in the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

1. PHOTOSYNTHESIS: plants capture CO2 from the atmosphere and use it to make sugar (Co2 + H20 –sunlight–> glucose (C6H12O6) and O2
2. CELLULAR RESPIRATION: CO2 released into the atmosphere was waste from metabolism
3. CONSUMPTION: one organism eats another for carbon
4. DECOMPOSITION: Decomposers break down carbon from dead organisms, recycling it in the soil
5. FOSSILIZATION: converts carbon from once living organisms into fossil fuels through intense compression and heat
6. COMBUSTION: CO2 released into the atmosphere from burning
7. DECOMPOSERS: break down dead materials and return nutrients

Question 4

what are the specific steps in the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 4

1. NITROGEN FIXATION: bacteria in the soil or water convert nitrogen into forms that plants can use
2. CONSUMPTION: one organism eats another and obtains the nitrogen in it
3. DECOMPOSITION: decomposers, like bacteria, break down dead matter returning nitrogen to the soil
4. AMMONIFACATION: bacteria convert nitrogen from waster into ammonia
5. NITRIFICATION: bacteria convert nitrogen in ammonia into nitrates, then nitrates are absorbed by plants into their roots (this is how nitrogen enters the food chain)
6. DENITRIFICATION: bacteria convert nitrogen into ammonia to N2 so it can go back into the atmosphere

Question 5

what is a unique feature of the water cycle?

Answer 5

it is completely powered by the sun!

Question 6

what is a unique feature of the carbon cycle?

Answer 6

carbon changes chemical form as it cycles

Question 7

what is an example of how living organisms interact with the water cycle?

Answer 7

all living things need water, making them part of the water cycle, but still living things are not required for the water cycle.

Question 8

what is an example of how living organisms interact with the carbon cycle?

Answer 8

carbon is found in plants (as glucose) and then humans eat plants (eating the carbon)

Question 9

what is an example of how living organisms interact with the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 9

bacteria break down nitrogen, converting it into ammonia and then nitrates

Question 10

define biogeochemical cycles

Answer 10

biogeochemical cycles represent the movement of a particular form of matter through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Question 11

define aquifer

Answer 11

an underground layer of permeable rock that can hold water

Question 12

define eutrophication

Answer 12

when there is too much nitrogen in the water, causing excess algae growth which starts a chain reaction

Question 13

what is the difference between nitrogen fixation and nitrification?

Answer 13

nitrogen fixation is when bacteria or water in the soil concerts nitrogen into forms plants can use, nitrification: bacteria convert nitrogen in ammonia into nitrates and nitrates are absorbed by plants in their roots.

Question 14

what is a unique feature of the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 14

it needs organisms