Cycles

Question 1

Why is nitrogen important to organisms?

Answer 1

Nitrogen is needed so that cells can make protein and it is also used to make DNA

Question 2

What is nitrogen fixation

Answer 2

The process of combining nitrogen with other elements to make nitrogen into ammonium

Question 3

What is decomposition doing in the nitrogen cycle?

Answer 3

After plants and animals that have nitrogen die decomposers put nitrogen back into the atmosphere and soil

Question 4

Nitrification

Answer 4

It’s the process of turning ammonium ions into nitrates and nitrates and this is done by groups of nitrifying bacteria

Question 5

Denitrification

Answer 5

The process of turning nitrates into nitrogen gas. This is done by denitrifying bacteria

Question 6

Assimilation

Answer 6

The uptake of nitrates from the soil by the roots of plants. Plants take nitrates from the soil to grow

Question 7

Ammonification

Answer 7

Decomposers turn nitrogen compounds from dead organisms and organic waste into ammonium

Question 8

How much nitrogen gas is in our atmosphere?

Answer 8

78%

Question 9

Why is it good to practice aerating lawns?

Answer 9

By aerating lawns you are poking holes in the soil to let oxygen in. If you don’t have enough oxygen there will be more denitrifying bacteria and nitrogen will be removed from the soil. The soil will be to compressed

Question 10

If 78% of the atmosphere Is nitrogen how could there be a shortage of nitrogen in some soils?

Answer 10

Soils that are low in oxygen have too many denitrifying bacteria and these bacteria remove nitrogen from the Soil

Question 11

Nitrogen fixing bacteria are found in the roots of the plants how does the bacteria benefit the plants and how does the plant benefit the bacteria?

Answer 11

Plants get nitrogen and bacteria gets sugars from the plants

Question 12

How does lightning Fix nitrogen?

Answer 12

The energy from lightning causes nitrogen gas to react with oxygen and produces nitrates

Question 13

Which cycle does not go into the atmosphere?

Answer 13

The phosphorus cycle

Question 14

Weathering

Answer 14

Physical and chemical breakdown of rocks

Question 15

Sedimentation

Answer 15

Dead marine organisms get compacted over thousands of years

Question 16

Uplift

Answer 16

The process that moves rocks from oceans onto the land

Question 17

What role do decomposers play in the phosphorus cycle?

Answer 17

They return phosphorus into the soil

Question 18

Where does the phosphorus cycle begin

Answer 18

In rocks

Question 19

Surface Runoff

Answer 19

Phosphorus from rocks is carried to waterways 

Question 20

Fertilizer runoff

Answer 20

Fertilizer spreads on crops and contain phosphates that can also wash into waterways

Question 21

How is phosphorus used by organisms?

Answer 21

Phosphorus is used to make phospholipids which make up the cell membrane. Nucleic acids DNA and RNA contain phosphate groups

Question 22

Which cycle is mostly run by bacteria?

Answer 22

The nitrogen cycle

Question 23

How is carbon used by organisms?

Answer 23

Carbon is known as the element of life. It forms stable bonds with many elements make up the Backbone of major macromolecules: Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids

Question 24

Photosynthesis

Answer 24

Plants and algae take in carbon dioxide and convert it into sugars using sunlight and water

Question 25

How do humans and animals add to the carbon cycle?

Answer 25

We use aerobic cellular respiration ( breathing ) To release energy for biological processes

Question 26

Decomposition in the carbon cycle

Answer 26

Fungi and bacteria decompose dead organisms and organic waste

Question 27

Fossilization

Answer 27

Under specific conditions dead organisms can fossilize over thousands and millions of years and conform fossil fuels

Question 28

Combustion

Answer 28

The burning of fossil fuels. This releases vast amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere

Question 29

What is the difference between cellular respiration and photosynthesis?

Answer 29

During cellular respiration we breathe out carbon dioxide. In photosynthesis plants and algae take and use the carbon dioxide

Question 30

What happens when carbon dioxide goes into sea water?

Answer 30

The carbon dioxide dissolves

Question 31

Deforestation

Answer 31

This is clearing forest for agriculture, urbanization, and timber which result in the loss of carbon sinks as trees absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. It’s contribute to increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere

Question 32

Transportation emissions

Answer 32

The burning of gasoline and diesel fuels in vehicles releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 33

Urbanization and Infrastructure

Answer 33

Expanding cities and infrastructure require energy intensive construction, land-use changes, and transportation. This all contributes to carbon emissions

Question 34

Industrial processes

Answer 34

Industrial activities such as cement production emit carbon dioxide and contribute to the carbon cycle inbalance

Question 35

Eutrophication

Answer 35

Occurs when excess nutrients enter a body of water, increasing the production of organic matter

Question 36

Negative feedback loop

Answer 36

Output acts as input and moves the system in the opposite direction

Question 37

Positive feedback loop

Answer 37

Output acts as input and moves the system in the same direction

Question 38

Nutrients

Answer 38

Element and compounds that organisms need for survival

Question 39

Macronutrients

Answer 39

Nutrients needed in large amounts

Question 40

Micronutrients

Answer 40

Nutrients needed in small amounts

Question 41

Water cycle

Answer 41

Continuous flow of water through air and land

Question 42

Condensation

Answer 42

Water vapour condenses when cooled forming clouds in the sky

Question 43

Precipitation

Answer 43

When water falls from the sky. Could be in forms of rain, snow, sleet, hail.

Question 44

Percolation

Answer 44

Water moves through the soil layers back to lakes and oceans. Moves as surface runoff

Question 45

Transpiration

Answer 45

Water evaporates from leaves of plants through tiny holes called stormata

Question 46

Evaporation

Answer 46

Bodies of water heated by the sun and water evaporates, turning from liquid to a gas/vapour