Keywords - Energy and ecosystems

Question 1

Biomass

Answer 1

Total dry mass of living material, normally measured in specific area over given period of time

Question 2

Saprobiont (saprophyte)

Answer 2

Microorganism that obtains food from dead or decaying remains from another organism

Question 3

Gross primary production (GPP)

Answer 3

Total quantity of energy stored in plant biomass in a given area or volume, in a given time

Question 4

Net primary production (NPP)

Answer 4

Chemical store of energy that is left when respiratory losses have been deducted from GPP

Question 5

Ammonification

Answer 5

Production of ammonia (and ammonia ions) from organic nitrogen-containing compounds eg. protein, urea. Carried out by saprobionts

Question 6

Nitrification

Answer 6

Conversion of ammonium ions to nitrate ions in two stage oxidation reaction that requires O2 gas. Carried out by nitrifying bacteria

Question 7

Denitrification

Answer 7

Conversions of nitrates in soil into nitrogen gas in atmosphere through an anaerobic reaction. Carried out by denitrifying bacteria
eg. waterlogging increases denitrification decreasing nitrate levels

Question 8

Nitrogen fixation

Answer 8

Process by which atmospheric nitrogen gas is converted into nitrogen containing compounds. Carried out by either free-living or mutualistic nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Question 9

Mycorrhizae

Answer 9

Mutualistic associations between between the roots of plants + certain types of fungi, enables increased uptake of water + mineral ions

Question 10

Eutrophication

Answer 10

Process by which the conc. of minerals in bodies of water increases, resulting in chain of events that can disturb + damage the aquatic ecosystems