week 2 material

Question 1

What are the problems associated with algae blooms?

Answer 1

Aesthetics
Ecological balance
Microbes and toxins

Question 2

What is a microbe?

Answer 2

Any microscopic organism (eg. Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Algae, Protozoa, Archaea)

Question 3

What is the second most important biochemical reaction?

Answer 3

Nitrogen Fixation

Question 4

What is Nitrogen Fixation done by?

Answer 4

Carried out by bacteria

Question 5

how does nitrogen fixation work?

Answer 5

Converts N2to NH4+
- N2 is an inert gas!
- Requires nitrogenase enzyme
• Fe4S4 cluster and Mo

Question 6

What is Eutrophication?

Answer 6

Algae bloom that causes destruction of an ecosystem via oxygen and light deprivation

Question 7

What is the isotope signature of a water body?

Answer 7

used as a fingerprint for that water body to determine its source

Question 8

What percentage of carbon atoms are 13C atoms?

Answer 8

Around 1 % of all carbon atoms are 13C atoms

Question 9

What are the differences between 13C and 13C?

Answer 9

13C is heavier

A 13C atom has 6 protons and 7 neutrons

Question 10

What is the C:N ratio used for?

Answer 10

determining what vegetation environment is suited for
C:N < 10 = algae
C:N <20 = plants
C:N >20 = trees