Energy transfer and nutrient cycles Flashcards

1
Q

Biomass

A

mass of living material in an organism
measured as mass of carbon that an organism contains or the dry mass of its tissue per unit area (kg m⁻²)

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2
Q

nitrogen fixation

A

nitrogen gas in the atmosphere is turned into nitrogen-containing compounds e.g. ammonia
some bacteria are found in root nodules of leguminous plants + form a mutualistic relationship with plants - bacteria provide nitrogen compounds + plant provides carbohydrates
other nitrogen-fixing bacteria are found in soil

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3
Q

ammonification

A

Nitrogen compounds from dead organisms and animal waste are turned into ammonia by saprobionts, which goes on to form ammonium ions.

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4
Q

nitrification

A

ammonium ions in the soil are changed into nitrogen compounds by nitrifying bacteria that can then be used by plants (nitrates)

1 types of bacteria change ammonium ions into nitrites, then another type of bacteria change nitrites into nitrates

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5
Q

denitrification

A

nitrates in the soil are converted in to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria through respiration
anaerobic conditions e.g. waterlogged soils

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