Unit 6: Phosphorus cycle

Question 1

Phosphorus major reservoir

Answer 1

Rock

Question 2

Typical form that phosphorus is found in

Answer 2

Phosphate (PO43-)

Question 3

Aquatic communities are limited in phosphorus, what happens when there is an increase in phosphorus in these systems?

Answer 3

A rapid increase in algal populations, or an algal bloom. These algae die and their decomposition consumes large amounts of oxygen, so the water becomes a hypoxic dead zone.

Question 4

Phosphorus is need for what?

Answer 4

DNA, RNA, and ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the molecule cells use for energy transfer).

Question 5

Phosphorus is need by who?

Answer 5

Producers and consumers

Question 6

Phosphorus is second only to nitrogen in what?

Answer 6

Importance to agriculture

Question 7

Biotic processes in the phosphorus cycle

Answer 7

Producers assimilate organic phosphorus into their tissues after taking it up as inorganic phosphate, then they are eventually decomposed, causing the mineralization back to organic phosphorus.

Question 8

Abiotic processes in the phosphorus cycle

Answer 8

Phosphates in oceans turn into phosphate rock. Overtime, this becomes mountains, which are slowly weathered, bringing phosphorus into habitats.

Question 9

Phosphorus is essential for which process?

Answer 9

Photosynthesis