Ecosystems Flashcards
1
Q
What kingdoms do saprobionts mainly come from?
A
fungi and bacteria kingdoms
2
Q
What species are nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
A
Azotobacter and Rhizobium species
3
Q
What species are nitrifying bacteria?
A
Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter species
4
Q
Give an example of a denitrifying bacteria
A
Thiobacillus denitrificans
5
Q
What are the saprobionts role in recycling minerals?
A
- decompose waste and dead matter via extracellular digestion, making inorganic (mineral) ions available to other organisms
- carry out process of ammonification (convert nitrogen compounds in waste and dead matter into ammonia, which then forms ammonium ions in soil)
6
Q
What is nitrogen-fixing bacteria’s role in recycling minerals?
A
- convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into nitrogen-containing compounds, such as ammonia, which then forms ammonium ions in soil that can be used by plants
7
Q
What is nitrifying bacteria’s role in recycling minerals?
A
- convert ammonium ions in soil into nitrogen compounds that can be used by plants, known as nitrates
- some nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium ions into nitrites, different nitrifying bacteria then convert nitrites into nitrates
8
Q
What is denitrifying bacteria’s role in recycling minerals?
A
- use nitrates during respiration, releasing nitrogen gas in the process
9
Q
What is Mycorrhizal fungi’s role in recycling minerals?
A
- increase surface area of root systems, helping plants to absorb water and scarce mineral ions from soil
10
Q
Biomass is transferred through ecosystems. What process makes biomass available for transfer to the next trophic level in the food chain?
A
Growth
