Day 3 Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycle Flashcards
ammonifaction occurs when…
decomposing bacteria break down the nitrogen that is in the organic matter, releasing ammonium (NH4+) into the soil.
Nitrification occurs when
nitrogen compounds are converted into different nitrogen-containing compounds.
ammonium → nitrite NH4+ → NO2-
ammonium → nitrate NH4+ → NO3-
nitrite → nitrate NO2- → NO3-
Assimilation is
when Nitrogen enters the plants via root uptake and can be used to make protein or nucleic acids. This is how the nitrogen enters the food chain!
Denitrification occurs when…
In oxygen-poor soil, denitrifying bacteria use the nitrates to obtain oxygen and release atmospheric nitrogen as a product.
Carnivorous plants eat…
insects as a nitrogen source
DNA, ATP, protein, phospholipid bilayer of cell membrane, bones, and teeth all need ___
Phosphorus
unlike other cycles, the phosphorus cycle does not have..
a resevoir in the atmosphere
Most phosphorus is stored in the
earths crust and rock formations
The phosphorus cycle is made up of two pathways.
Fast Cycle: Decay and assimilation
Slow Cycle: Sedimentation and erosion
Decay and Assimilation
Decomposers break down dead organisms and release phosphates into the soil.
Rocks are a major ___for phosphorus.
sink/storage
phosphates can ____and over time will become new rocks to start the slow process again.
sink in the water (sedimentation)
Phosphates that are in the soil can
leach into water.
geological uplifting is when….
tectonic plates cause land masses to rise and exposes ancient rock
eutrophication is…
where algae grows at rapid rates because of the excess nutrients from the run off of fertilizers.
