Nutrient Cycle Flashcards
What is a nutrient cycle?
A nutrient cycle is the process through which nutrients are transferred between living organisms and the environment.
Name the main nutrient cycles studied in A-Level Biology.
The carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, and water cycle.
True or False: Nutrient cycles are closed systems.
True
What role do decomposers play in nutrient cycles?
Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil.
Fill in the blank: The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants is called __________.
nitrogen fixation
What organisms are primarily responsible for nitrogen fixation?
Certain bacteria, including Rhizobium and Azotobacter.
Explain the term ‘eutrophication’.
Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies receive excess nutrients, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
What is the significance of the carbon cycle?
The carbon cycle regulates Earth’s climate and is essential for the process of photosynthesis.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a stage in the nitrogen cycle? A) Nitrogen fixation B) Ammonification C) Photosynthesis D) Nitrification
C) Photosynthesis
What is the primary source of phosphorus in ecosystems?
Phosphorus is primarily sourced from rocks and minerals through weathering.
True or False: Plants can directly absorb atmospheric nitrogen.
False
What is ammonification?
Ammonification is the process of converting organic nitrogen from dead organisms into ammonia.
Fill in the blank: The process by which plants take up nitrates from the soil is known as __________.
assimilation
What is the role of mycorrhizal fungi in nutrient cycles?
Mycorrhizal fungi enhance nutrient uptake for plants, particularly phosphorus.
Multiple Choice: Which gas is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect? A) Oxygen B) Carbon dioxide C) Nitrogen D) Hydrogen
B) Carbon dioxide
What is a biogeochemical cycle?
A biogeochemical cycle is the movement of elements and compounds through biological, geological, and chemical processes.
True or False: The water cycle includes processes such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
True
What is denitrification?
Denitrification is the process of converting nitrates back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the main process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.
Photosynthesis
What are the two main forms of nitrogen that plants can absorb?
Nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+).
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a human activity that disrupts the nitrogen cycle? A) Deforestation B) Fertilizer application C) Urbanization D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is leaching in the context of nutrient cycles?
Leaching is the process by which nutrients are washed out of the soil by water.
True or False: Phosphorus cycles are primarily atmospheric.
False
What is the effect of excess nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems?
It can lead to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion, harming aquatic life.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the term for the movement of water from the ground to the atmosphere.
Evapotranspiration
What is the role of plants in the carbon cycle?
Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen.
Multiple Choice: Which process converts nitrates into nitrogen gas? A) Ammonification B) Denitrification C) Nitrification D) Nitrogen fixation
B) Denitrification
What is the primary cause of nutrient cycling disruption?
Human activities such as agriculture, pollution, and urbanization.
True or False: The phosphorus cycle is faster than the nitrogen cycle.
False
What is the significance of the phosphorus cycle for living organisms?
Phosphorus is essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP, which are crucial for life.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which nitrogen is converted from its gaseous form to a solid form.
Nitrogen fixation
What are the two types of nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
Free-living bacteria and symbiotic bacteria.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a consequence of deforestation on nutrient cycles? A) Increased soil erosion B) Decreased carbon storage C) Loss of biodiversity D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What is the main component of the nitrogen cycle?
The conversion of nitrogen between different chemical forms.
True or False: The carbon cycle is mainly a geological process.
False
What is the function of nitrifying bacteria?
Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a key factor in the water cycle that involves the change from liquid to gas.
Evaporation
What role do animals play in the nutrient cycles?
Animals contribute to nutrient cycling through excretion and decomposition.
Multiple Choice: Which nutrient cycle is most closely associated with fertilizers? A) Carbon B) Nitrogen C) Phosphorus D) All of the above
D) All of the above
What happens during the process of sedimentation?
Particles settle out of the water column and accumulate at the bottom.
True or False: Nutrient cycles can be negatively impacted by climate change.
True
What is eutrophication primarily caused by?
Runoff of excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, into water bodies.
Fill in the blank: __________ refers to the movement of carbon through the biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and geosphere.
The carbon cycle
What is the impact of increased carbon dioxide levels on global temperatures?
Increased carbon dioxide levels contribute to global warming.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following processes is part of the water cycle? A) Precipitation B) Photosynthesis C) Respiration D) All of the above
A) Precipitation
What is the primary product of photosynthesis?
Glucose
True or False: Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems.
True
What is the term for the process of returning nutrients to the soil through decomposition?
Mineralization
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process where plants lose water to the atmosphere.
Transpiration
What is the role of legumes in the nitrogen cycle?
Legumes host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules, facilitating nitrogen fixation.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas? A) Methane B) Nitrous oxide C) Oxygen D) Carbon dioxide
C) Oxygen
What is biological magnification?
Biological magnification is the increase in concentration of substances, such as pesticides or heavy metals, in organisms at higher trophic levels.
True or False: The nitrogen cycle is critical for the synthesis of amino acids and nucleic acids.
True
What is the significance of the sulfur cycle?
The sulfur cycle is important for protein synthesis and various metabolic processes.
Fill in the blank: __________ is a process in the carbon cycle where carbon is released back into the atmosphere by respiration.
Respiration
What is the primary cause of climate change?
Increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
Multiple Choice: Which cycle is primarily concerned with the availability of water? A) Nitrogen B) Carbon C) Water D) Phosphorus
C) Water
What is the role of the ocean in the carbon cycle?
The ocean acts as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
True or False: Organic matter is a significant reservoir of nitrogen.
True
What is the primary function of phosphorus in living organisms?
Phosphorus is vital for energy transfer and storage in the form of ATP.
Fill in the blank: __________ refers to the process of water vapor changing back into liquid water.
Condensation
What is the role of soil in nutrient cycles?
Soil serves as a reservoir for nutrients and supports plant growth.
Multiple Choice: Which nutrient cycle is least affected by human activity? A) Carbon B) Nitrogen C) Phosphorus D) Water
D) Water
What is the process of respiration?
Respiration is the biochemical process where organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide.
True or False: All organisms release carbon dioxide during respiration.
True
What is the main consequence of deforestation on the carbon cycle?
Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere due to reduced carbon storage.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process of water moving from the soil into the atmosphere.
Transpiration
What role do autotrophs play in nutrient cycles?
Autotrophs convert inorganic substances into organic matter, forming the base of food webs.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a greenhouse gas? A) Nitrogen B) Oxygen C) Methane D) Helium
C) Methane
What is the significance of the nitrogen cycle in agriculture?
The nitrogen cycle is crucial for soil fertility and crop production.
True or False: The phosphorus cycle has a gaseous phase.
False
What is sedimentation?
Sedimentation is the process where particles settle out of a fluid, accumulating at the bottom.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which water vapor is released from plants.
Transpiration
What are the effects of acid rain on nutrient cycles?
Acid rain can leach nutrients from the soil, harming plant growth.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following processes occurs in the nitrogen cycle? A) Ammonification B) Photosynthesis C) Respiration D) All of the above
A) Ammonification
What is the role of algae in aquatic nutrient cycles?
Algae contribute to primary production and oxygenation of water bodies.
True or False: Nutrient cycles are completely independent from one another.
False
What is the primary source of carbon in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
