Nutrient Cycling

Question 1

The cycles of nutrient movement through food webs are called…

Answer 1

geochemical cycles

Question 2

When plants and animals die, what is the key that breaks down the dead organic material?

Answer 2

decomposers

Question 3

What do decomposers release back into the soil?

Answer 3

nutrients and minerals

Question 4

What is the dominant decomposer of dead animal material?

Answer 4

bacteria

Question 5

What is the dominant decomposers of decaying plants?

Answer 5

fungi

Question 6

This is fresh organic matter on the soil surface that has not gone through decomposition

Answer 6

litter

Question 7

What large soil animals break up litter into smaller pieces?

Answer 7

earthworms, nematodes and insects

Question 8

This is when complex organic material is broken down to dimple molecules which is then available for the uptake by plants roots and starts the cycle again

Answer 8

mineralization

Question 9

Where does decomposition happen faster?

Answer 9

areas of warmer temperature

Question 10

What gas makes up 80% of the earths atmosphere?

Answer 10

nitrogen

Question 11

What does nitrogen need to be converted into a form usable by plants?

Answer 11

ammonium and nitrate

Question 12

This is a chemical process when nitrogen is converted into forms that are usable for plant uptake

Answer 12

nitrogen fixation

Question 13

Where is most of the phosphorus on earth stored?

Answer 13

in soil and rock

Question 14

What is taken up by plants and animals consume by eating those plants?

Answer 14

phosphorus

Question 15

How much phosphorus can be found in our atmosphere?

Answer 15

trace amounts

Question 16

Primary producers use sunlight and carbon to make what?

Answer 16

carbohydrates