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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a component of biogeochemical cycles?
Which of the following is NOT a component of biogeochemical cycles?
The gaseous cycle includes the phosphorus cycle.
The gaseous cycle includes the phosphorus cycle.
False
What gas is released by plants and animals during respiration?
What gas is released by plants and animals during respiration?
Carbon dioxide
The process by which organisms convert sugars into energy is called __________.
The process by which organisms convert sugars into energy is called __________.
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Match the following cycles with their types:
Match the following cycles with their types:
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Which type of nutrient cycle involves atmospheric and hydrologic storage?
Which type of nutrient cycle involves atmospheric and hydrologic storage?
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In the water cycle, snow falls only when temperatures are above freezing.
In the water cycle, snow falls only when temperatures are above freezing.
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Name one process through which carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere.
Name one process through which carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere.
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What are the main outputs of cellular respiration?
What are the main outputs of cellular respiration?
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Photosynthesis occurs more in oceans than on land, thus significantly affecting seasonal CO2 levels.
Photosynthesis occurs more in oceans than on land, thus significantly affecting seasonal CO2 levels.
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What gas makes up 78% of the air we breathe?
What gas makes up 78% of the air we breathe?
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The biological limiting nutrient in marine systems is ______.
The biological limiting nutrient in marine systems is ______.
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At what CO2 level is it considered immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)?
At what CO2 level is it considered immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)?
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Match the following gases with their relevance:
Match the following gases with their relevance:
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CO2 levels typically rise during the day due to plant respiration.
CO2 levels typically rise during the day due to plant respiration.
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What process converts nitrogen gas into ammonia?
What process converts nitrogen gas into ammonia?
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What is one of the main roles of sulfur in the metabolism of coastal marine sediments?
What is one of the main roles of sulfur in the metabolism of coastal marine sediments?
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Sulfur is only found in inorganic forms in the sulfur cycle.
Sulfur is only found in inorganic forms in the sulfur cycle.
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What is the primary role of nitrogen in plants?
What is the primary role of nitrogen in plants?
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Name one process involved in the sulfur cycle.
Name one process involved in the sulfur cycle.
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Sulfate is the major electron acceptor for respiration in __________ marine sediments.
Sulfate is the major electron acceptor for respiration in __________ marine sediments.
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Nitrogen is a component of amino acids and proteins in animals.
Nitrogen is a component of amino acids and proteins in animals.
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Name two ionic forms of biologically usable nitrogen.
Name two ionic forms of biologically usable nitrogen.
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Match the following steps of the sulfur cycle with their descriptions:
Match the following steps of the sulfur cycle with their descriptions:
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Nitrogen is primarily found in the atmosphere as ______.
Nitrogen is primarily found in the atmosphere as ______.
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Match the following nitrogen forms with their characteristics:
Match the following nitrogen forms with their characteristics:
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Which of the following processes contributes to nitrogen fixation?
Which of the following processes contributes to nitrogen fixation?
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Phosphorus is considered the limiting nutrient in many aquatic ecosystems.
Phosphorus is considered the limiting nutrient in many aquatic ecosystems.
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One of the key components of energy storage molecules, phosphorus is vital for the synthesis of ______.
One of the key components of energy storage molecules, phosphorus is vital for the synthesis of ______.
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Study Notes
Biogeochemical Cycles Overview
- Biogeochemical cycles are the cycling of nutrients (water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur)
- Bio refers to "life", geo refers to "earth", and chemical refers to the elements
Biogeochemical Cycles: Key Aspects
- Cycles occur between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere
- Abiotic (physical/chemical) and biotic processes drive these cycles
- These cycles are crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the environment
Water Cycle
- Water circulates between Earth's oceans, atmosphere, and land
- Processes include precipitation (rain, snow), drainage (streams, rivers), and return to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration
Water Cycle Processes (Diagram)
- Evaporation
- Transpiration
- Condensation
- Sublimation
- Precipitation (rain, snow, hail)
- Deposition
- Runoff
- Infiltration
- Plant Uptake
- Surface Water
- Ground Water
- Collection
Rain/Precipitation
- Snowfall occurs when temperatures under the cloud are below freezing
- Rainfall occurs when temperatures under the cloud are above freezing
Human Impacts on the Water Cycle
- Withdrawing large amounts of freshwater
- Clearing vegetation, eroding soils
- Polluting surface and underground water
- Contributing to climate change
Carbon Cycle: Key Aspects
- Carbon is the fundamental building block of life
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a critical gas
- CO2 is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis
- CO2 is released by plants and animals during respiration and decomposition
- CO2 is a greenhouse gas involved in the greenhouse effect
Carbon Cycle Processes
- Burning of fossil fuels
- Metabolic breakdown
- Cellular respiration
- Photosynthesis
- Detritivores (soil microbes and others)
- CO2 in the atmosphere
Human Impacts on the Carbon Cycle
- Excess CO2 in the atmosphere due to
- Burning fossil fuels
- Clearing vegetation faster than it's replaced
- Reduction in photosynthesis
Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up 78% of the atmosphere
- Nitrogen fixation by bacteria and soil microbes converts N2 into ammonia (NH3)
- Nitrogen is a critical component of chlorophyll and proteins
- Nitrogen is essential for plant growth
Nitrogen Cycle Processes
- Nitrogen fixation (N₂ to NH₄+)
- Ammonification
- Nitrification
- Denitrification
- Assimilation
- Decomposition
- N₂ in the atmosphere
- Ammonium (NH4+)
- Nitrification
- Nitrites (NO₂-)
- Nitrates (NO₃-)
- Denitrifying Bacteria
Human Impacts on the Nitrogen Cycle
- Adding nitrous oxide to the atmosphere (from vehicles and factories)
- Contaminating ground water with nitrate ions (from inorganic fertilizers)
- Releasing nitrogen through deforestation
Phosphorus Cycle
- Phosphorus is essential for cell development, ATP, DNA, and lipids
- Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient in aquatic ecosystems
- Phosphate is removed from Earth to make fertilizers
- Excess phosphate can cause algal blooms
Human Impacts on the Phosphorus Cycle
- Removing large amounts of phosphate from the Earth to produce fertilizer
- Reduction in phosphorus in tropical soils due to deforestation
- Adding excess phosphates to water systems (from animal wastes and fertilizer runoff) which causes algal blooms
Sulfur Cycle
- Sulfur cycles through the geosphere and biosphere
- Sulfur is released through weathering and assimilated by microbes/plants
- Sulfur is incorporated into food chains and released by decomposition
- Sulfur cycles in the form of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), elemental sulfur (S), and sulfate (SO₄²⁻)
Human Impacts on the Sulfur Cycle
- No significant details on human impacts provided in provided text
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Description
This quiz provides an overview of biogeochemical cycles, focusing on the movement of essential nutrients like water, carbon, and nitrogen. It covers key processes involved in the water cycle and how these cycles contribute to environmental homeostasis. Test your understanding of the interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
