Ecosystems And Biogeochemical Cylce

Question 1

Main elements of life

Answer 1

CHO, Sulfur, Phosphorus, Nitrogen

Question 2

Species

Answer 2

Organisms that are similar in that they can breed with each other

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

Many individuals of the same species in an area

Question 4

Community

Answer 4

Many populations surviving in the same area

Question 5

Ecosystem

Answer 5

Abiotic and Biotic factors living in an area

Question 6

Detritus

Answer 6

Waste from plants and animals, including dead bodies.

Question 7

How do Autotrophs make energy

Answer 7

1. Photosynthesis

2. Chemosynthesis (Bacteria, thermal energy plus S plus N makes energy).

Question 8

Four Biogeochemical Cycles

Answer 8

Hydrological, Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus.

Question 9

Water Cycle

Answer 9

Purposes: redistribute water and nutrients over planet and clean water.
Stage 1. Return water to atmosphere through Evaporation, Transpiration, and Cell Resp.
Stage 2. Return of water to earth through Precipitation.
Stage 3. Return of water to oceans through surface runoff and groundwater.

Question 10

Leachate

Answer 10

Water that has picked up chemicals

Question 11

Contaminants

Answer 11

Water can collect contaminants through dumps, farms, and sewage. Things like CO2, NO X, and SO X increase acidity (carbonic acid, etc).

Question 12

Carbon Cycle

Answer 12

Deals with carbon and oxygen.
The carbon is switched between organic (living things, peat bogs) and inorganic (CO2, Calcium Carbonate [limestone], and Bicarbonate [rocks]).

Question 13

Fast Cycle of Carbon

Answer 13

Cycles between the two from photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Question 14

Slow Cycle of Carbon

Answer 14

1. Organic carbon resivoirs:
   Living Organisms: Carbon locked away until death or shed (fingernails, hair).
   Peat Bogs and FF: living organisms die and either undergoe permafrost (lowering decomp rates) or are buried by sediment. If given enough time, pressure, and heat, they turn into gas, then oil, then coal.
2. Inorganic: (largest to smallest resivoirs)
   Earths crust: made of rocks containing carbon
   Ocean: CO2 absorbs in water
   Atmosphere: made up of 0.03% CO2, which is more than enough for all life on earth.

Question 15

Returning carbon from resivoirs:

Answer 15

1. Decomposition: bacteria does cell resp. Releasing carbon from organic materials.
2. Combustion: forest fires, vehicles, electricity, industry.

Question 16

Greenhouse gasses:

Answer 16

CO2: from complete combustion
CO: from incomplete combustion
Methane: Landfills and sewage
Water Vapour: combustion
Nitrous Oxides: animal waste, diesel, fert.
CFC: Refrigeration, Air Conditioners, Aerosol

Question 17

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 17

Purpose is to build organic matter (makes DNA and Proteins).

Atmosphere is 78% Nitrogen, but made of N2, which is broken and unusable.

Question 18

N Stage 1

Answer 18

Nitrogen Fixation: N2 to NO3

Either by Lightning or Anaerobic Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria loving in root nodules.

Question 19

N Stage 2

Answer 19

Assimilation: plants absorb NO3 in water, converts it into proteins and DNA. Can go up food chain.

Question 20

N Stage 3

Answer 20

Ammonification: Stuff dies and defecate. Decomposed consume and create the toxic Ammonia (NH3).

Question 21

N Stage 4

Answer 21

Nitrification: Anaerobic bacteria (Nitrifying bacteria) turn ammonia to NO3.

Question 22

N Stage 5

Answer 22

Denitrification: Anaerobic bacteria that turns NO3 into N2

Question 23

Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 23

Purpose is for ATP, phospholipid bilayers, and bones.

They are the limiting factor (element in the least amount that ends up determining life).

Question 24

P Cycles

Answer 24

Fast: P assimilates into plants, becomes defecated or dead, dies, and is decomposed and ends up back where it started.
Slow: P locked away in rock sediments (mountains, bedrock) in PO4. Overtime water dissolved it and released it.

Question 25

Fertilizer

Answer 25

N-P-K. Growth and repair-growth and energy-sodium potassium pump (CO2 absorption).