Biogeochemical Cycles and Ecosystems Quiz
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What role do chlorophyll-bearing organisms play in the carbon-oxygen cycle?

  • They release carbon dioxide during respiration.
  • They consume oxygen for energy.
  • They break down organic compounds into nutrients.
  • They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. (correct)

    • How do terrestrial organisms primarily obtain oxygen?

  • From mineral deposits in soil.
  • From dissolved oxygen in water.
  • From carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
  • Directly from the atmosphere. (correct)

    • What is one of the main effects of excessive carbon in the atmosphere?

  • Aquatic life depletion.
  • Global warming. (correct)
  • Soil erosion.
  • Increased photosynthesis rates.

    • Which process begins with organisms taking in oxygen from their surroundings?

    <p>Respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are the carbon and oxygen cycles important for ecosystems?

    <p>They maintain the balance of nutrients and support life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which process is glucose broken down to release energy?

    <p>Respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a by-product of photosynthesis?

    <p>Oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of energy used by organisms during respiration?

    <p>Glucose</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two basic types of biogeochemical cycles?

    <p>Gaseous and Sedimentary Nutrient Cycle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is classified as a macronutrient?

    <p>Nitrogen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of nutrients in the gaseous nutrient cycle?

    <p>Atmosphere and Ocean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which macronutrient is not included in the list provided?

    <p>Sodium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two cycles are directly coupled to each other?

    <p>Carbon and Oxygen Cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following elements is a primary source of the sedimentary nutrient cycle?

    <p>Mineral Salts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much oxygen is estimated to be released by photosynthesis each year?

    <p>100,000 megatons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems?

    <p>To ensure continuous exchange of essential elements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary process by which precipitation contributes to freshwater sources?

    <p>Coalescing of water droplets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is runoff primarily associated with?

    <p>Movement of water across the Earth's surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process follows infiltration in the water cycle?

    <p>Percolation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about subsurface outflow is true?

    <p>It can eventually return to surface water bodies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the phosphorus cycle from other biogeochemical cycles?

    <p>It lacks a significant gaseous phase.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Phosphate rocks serve what key role in the phosphorus cycle?

    <p>They are the primary ore for phosphate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does precipitation impact ecosystems?

    <p>It replenishes freshwater sources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main role of the water cycle?

    <p>To support life by distributing freshwater.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do plants play in the carbon-oxygen cycle?

    <p>Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary byproduct emitted during combustion?

    <p>Carbon dioxide (CO₂)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does deforestation affect the carbon-oxygen cycle?

    <p>It reduces the available biomass for carbon sequestration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process involves the breakdown of dead organisms by decomposers?

    <p>Decomposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is carbon sequestration?

    <p>The capturing and storing of CO₂ to prevent climate change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a significant impact of burning fossil fuels?

    <p>Increased carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the end result of decomposition in the carbon-oxygen cycle?

    <p>Release of carbon into the atmosphere as CO₂.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which form can water produced from combustion exist?

    <p>As both precipitation and vapor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason nitrogen gas is not accessible to plants and animals?

    <p>It is chemically inactive in its gaseous form.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process converts nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into a usable form for plants?

    <p>Nitrogen fixation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step of nitrification known as?

    <p>Ammonia oxidation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do plants incorporate nitrogen into their systems?

    <p>By absorbing nitrates and ammonia through their roots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is ammonia converted into during the second step of nitrification?

    <p>Nitrite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of organisms primarily carry out nitrification?

    <p>Prokaryotes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key compound is formed as a result of nitrogen fixation?

    <p>Ammonia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following gases constitutes the largest percentage of the Earth's atmosphere?

    <p>Nitrogen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process breaks down rocks and releases phosphorus into the soil and water?

    <p>Weathering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do plants incorporate phosphorus into their biological systems?

    <p>Through uptake of inorganic phosphate from soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to organic phosphorus when a plant or animal dies?

    <p>It decays and returns to the soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to the release of phosphorus from organic sources during decomposition?

    <p>Sedimentation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do fertilizers have on the phosphorus cycle?

    <p>They can lead to phosphorus entering soil and water through runoff</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is phosphorus considered a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems?

    <p>Its availability is often restricted for biological uptake</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following plays a role in the phosphorus cycle by transferring phosphates to water systems?

    <p>Fertilizer runoff</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of human activity has disrupted the natural balance of phosphorus cycles?

    <p>Overuse of synthetic fertilizers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Biogeochemical Cycles

    • Biogeochemical cycles are also known as nutrient cycles
    • They describe the movement of chemicals between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
    • Cycles ensure that essential elements are continually exchanged between organisms and the environment, maintaining balance in ecosystems
    • Macronutrients are required in relatively large amounts (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus)
    • Micronutrients are required in small quantities (e.g., iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, sodium)

    Types of Biogeochemical Cycles

    • Gaseous Nutrient Cycles: The main sources of nutrients are the atmosphere and oceans.
      • Important gases for life are nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
      • These gases occur in stable proportions (e.g., nitrogen – 78%, oxygen – 21%, carbon dioxide – 0.03%)
      • Examples include the nitrogen cycle, oxygen cycle, and carbon cycle
    • Sedimentary Nutrient Cycles: The main sources are soil, rocks, and minerals.
      • Mineral elements initially come from inorganic sources
      • Mineral salts come directly from the Earth's crust through weathering
      • Examples include the sulfur cycle and the phosphorus cycle

    Carbon-Oxygen Cycle

    • The carbon cycle is fully coupled with the oxygen cycle
    • Photosynthesis fixes carbon dioxide and releases oxygen to the atmosphere (100,000 megatons per year)
    • Respiration by animals and living organisms consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide
    • These are two linked cycles

    Carbon-Oxygen Cycles: Processes

    • Photosynthesis: Green plants and other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy, converting water, carbon dioxide and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds
    • Respiration: Organisms take in oxygen and break down glucose to produce energy, releasing carbon dioxide
    • Decomposition: Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down dead organisms, releasing carbon into the soil and atmosphere. This carbon can be incorporated in fossil fuels over millions of years
    • Combustion: Burning of organic materials releases carbon dioxide and water
    • Human Impact: Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation release excessive carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, impacting climate change patterns

    Water Cycle: Processes

    • Evaporation: Solar energy heats water bodies and turns liquid water to water vapor, which rises into the atmosphere
    • Transpiration: Plants absorb water through their roots and release water vapor into the atmosphere
    • Condensation: Warm water vapor rises into the atmosphere and cools down, condensing to liquid water or ice forming clouds
    • Precipitation: Water droplets in clouds get large enough to overcome air resistance and fall back to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail
    • Runoff: Precipitation that doesn't infiltrate the ground flows over the Earth's surface, collecting in rivers, lakes, and eventually reaching the ocean
    • Infiltration: Precipitation can also enter the soil and move downward, becoming groundwater
    • Subsurface Outflow: Groundwater flows back to rivers, lakes, or oceans

    Phosphorus Cycle: Processes

    • Phosphate Rock Formation: Phosphorus is stored in phosphate rock formations and is a primary source for fertilizer production. This is a nonrenewable resource
    • Weathering: Rain and erosion break down rocks, releasing phosphorus into the soil and water
    • Plants: Plants absorb inorganic phosphate from the soil and incorporate it into organic molecules like DNA

    Nitrogen Cycle: Processes

    • Nitrogen Fixation: Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into ammonia
    • Ammonification: Decomposers break down organic nitrogen compounds to form ammonia
    • Nitrification: Bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate; this is crucial for plant uptake
    • Assimilation: Plants absorb nitrate for protein and nucleic acid synthesis
    • Denitrification: Bacteria convert nitrate back into atmospheric nitrogen gas

    Sulfur Cycle: Processes

    • Weathering of Rocks: Releases sulfur into the soil
    • Volcanic Activity: Releases sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere
    • Sulfur Assimilation: Plants absorb sulfur in the form of sulfate
    • Decomposition: Bacteria decompose dead organisms, returning sulfur to the soil
    • Acid Rain: Sulfur dioxide combines with water vapor forming sulfuric acid leading to acid rain
    • Oceanic Sulfur: Marine organisms incorporate sulfate in biological processes, dimethyl sulfide (DMS) contributes to cloud formation, sulfates in ocean sediments return to the lithosphere over time

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    Biogeochemical Cycles (Group 3) PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge on the role of chlorophyll-bearing organisms and the importance of the carbon-oxygen cycle in ecosystems. This quiz covers processes such as photosynthesis and respiration, as well as essential nutrients and cycles. Engage with questions that explore biogeochemical interactions and their impact on the environment.

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