Module 7 Vocab Flashcards
Biogeochemical cycle
The movements of matter within and between ecosystems.
Hydrologic cycle
The movement of water through the biosphere.
Transpiration
The release of water from leaves during photosynthesis.
Evapotranspiration
The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration.
Runoff
Water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers.
Carbon cycle
The movement of carbon around the biosphere.
Macronutrient
One of six key elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Limiting nutrient
A nutrient required for the growth of an organism but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients.
Nitrogen cycle
The movement of nitrogen around the biosphere.
Nitrogen fixation
The process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into forms of nitrogen that producers can use.
Nitrification
The conversion of ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate.
Assimilation
The process by which producers incorporate elements into their tissues.
Mineralization
The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic tissues.
Ammonification
The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium.
Denitrification
The conversion of nitrate in a series of steps into the gases nitrous oxide and, eventually, nitrogen gas, which is emitted into the atmosphere.
