Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycles

Question 1

What to know

Answer 1

The reservoirs for each and the smaller recycling within the greater cycle. Where does it come from and where does it get where it’s going

Question 2

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 2

Nitrogen is part of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids and is often a limiting plant nutrient.
Reservoirs include the atmosphere(80%), soils and the sediments of lakes, rivers, and oceans; surface water and groundwater; and the biomass of living organisms.
Nitrogen enters an ecosystem through nitrogen fixation; the conversion of N2 to forms that can be used to synthesize organic nitrogen compounds. Lighting and volcanic activity fix nitrogen naturally. Human activity; factories. Decomposition. Fertilizer

Question 3

Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 3

Organisms require phosphorus as a major constituent of nucleic acids, phospholipids, and ATP.
Reservoirs: Sedimentary rocks of marine origin, soil, in the oceans(in dissolved form), and in organisms
Weathering of rocks gradually adds phosphorus to soil. Leaches into groundwater and surface water and may eventually reach the sea. Producers take it up and consumers eat them. Returns to soil or water by either decomposition of biomass or excretion by consumers