Biogeochemical Cycles Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into sugars?

  • Photosynthesis (correct)
  • Cellular Respiration
  • Volcanic Activity
  • Decomposition
  • What is one of the major roles of biogeochemical cycles?

  • Maintaining ecosystem health (correct)
  • Promoting drought conditions
  • Generating waste products
  • Crating fossil fuels
  • Which form of carbon is specifically absorbed by methanotrophs?

  • C6H12O6
  • CH4 (correct)
  • C3H8
  • CO2
  • What is humus, and how is it formed?

    <p>Stable carbon-rich material from decomposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does cellular respiration contribute to the carbon cycle?

    <p>By converting glucose and oxygen into energy and carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following locations is NOT a major carbon recycling site?

    <p>Solar system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these statements best describes the impact of volcanic activity on the carbon cycle?

    <p>It releases carbon dioxide from molten rock into the atmosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which manner does carbon enter the food chain?

    <p>Through autotrophs using carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process do Nitrosomonas bacteria perform in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>Convert ammonium to nitrite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under which conditions does denitrification primarily occur?

    <p>Low oxygen environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary risk associated with leaching of nitrates from soil?

    <p>Water pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process best describes the breakdown of rocks without changing their mineral composition?

    <p>Mechanical weathering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a process of mechanical weathering?

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

    What happens to minerals during hydrolysis?

    <p>They react with water and change composition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of eutrophication in aquatic environments?

    <p>Depletion of oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a method of chemical weathering?

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

    What is the primary role of ozone in the atmosphere?

    <p>To protect life from harmful UV radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is formed when ultraviolet radiation splits molecular oxygen?

    <p>Ozone (O3)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the discontinuous cycle of ozone formation and breakdown?

    <p>It helps maintain the balance of oxygen in the stratosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is nitrogen gas (N2) considered unusable by most life forms?

    <p>It contains three strong bonds between nitrogen atoms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which process converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into usable ammonia?

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

    How do decomposers contribute to the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>By breaking down organic matter into ammonium.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does lightning play in the nitrogen cycle?

    <p>It fixes nitrogen gas into usable forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main outcome of the process known as nitrification?

    <p>Conversion of ammonium ions to nitrates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary form in which phosphorus exists in the Earth's crust?

    <p>Phosphate minerals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process describes the washing away of phosphorus from the soil by rainfall or irrigation?

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

    Which of the following roles does phosphorus play in plant physiology?

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

    What can result from excess phosphorus in water bodies?

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

    How do plants acquire phosphate ions necessary for their growth?

    <p>Through root systems from the soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the phosphorus cycle, what role do detrivores play?

    <p>They break down organic matter, releasing phosphorus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes the phosphorus cycle from the nitrogen and carbon cycles?

    <p>Presence of a gaseous phase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological process can return phosphorus from ocean or lake beds to land?

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

    What is the primary process by which oxygen is released back into the atmosphere?

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

    What happens when CO2 is absorbed by ocean water?

    <p>It forms carbonic acid (H2CO3).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does human activity primarily influence the carbon cycle?

    <p>By burning fossil fuels and wood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component makes up about 30% of Earth's mass?

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

    What describes a redox reaction?

    <p>A reaction involving the transfer of electrons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During which process is oxygen consumed, contributing to its cycle?

    <p>Aerobic respiration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during the oxidation process?

    <p>An atom loses electrons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following can release oxygen found in minerals and rocks?

    <p>Volcanic activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of phosphorus in living organisms?

    <p>Formation of DNA, RNA, and ATP</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process involves the release of water vapor from plants into the atmosphere?

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

    During which stage of the water cycle does water change from vapor to liquid?

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

    What happens to water droplets in clouds before they fall to Earth?

    <p>They combine and grow larger</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the process of precipitation that seeps into the soil called?

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

    Which factor does NOT influence runoff?

    <p>Air temperature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs when snow and ice change directly from solid to vapor?

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

    What is accumulation in the context of the water cycle?

    <p>Collection of water in bodies like rivers and lakes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Biogeochemical Cycles

    • Biogeochemical cycles describe the movement of elements (like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and water) through the Earth's systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere).
    • These cycles are crucial for life, maintaining energy, sustaining nutrients, and regulating climate.

    Carbon Cycle

    • Carbon exists in two major forms: CO2 and CH4.
    • Autotrophs (like plants and algae) absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
    • Cellular respiration releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
    • Decomposition of dead organisms returns carbon to the environment.
    • Fossil fuels contain stored carbon, released into the atmosphere through combustion.
    • Volcanic activity releases carbon dioxide from Earth's interior.
    • Oceans absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide, forming carbonic acid.

    Oxygen Cycle

    • Oxygen is essential for life, comprising about 21% of Earth's atmosphere and 65% of the human body.
    • Photosynthesis releases oxygen as a byproduct.
    • Cellular respiration consumes oxygen.
    • Oxidation processes (like rusting) require oxygen.
    • Volcanic activity and geological processes can also release oxygen.

    Nitrogen Cycle

    • Nitrogen gas (N2) is the most abundant atmospheric gas (78%).
    • Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms (ammonia and ammonium) by certain bacteria.
    • Ammonification breaks down organic matter into ammonium, usable by plants.
    • Nitrification converts ammonium to nitrate, which is easily absorbed by plants.
    • Denitrification converts nitrate back into nitrogen gas, returning it to the atmosphere.
    • Lightning also plays a role in nitrogen fixation.
    • Leaching can remove excess nitrates from the soil, leading to water pollution.

    Sulfur Cycle

    • Sulfur is a vital element in many biological processes, often found in rocks.
    • Volcanic eruptions and the decomposition of organic matter release sulfur compounds into the atmosphere.
    • Sulfur compounds can fall to the ground as acid rain.
    • Plants absorb sulfate ions, which animals consume, and sulfur returns to the soil through decomposition.

    Phosphorus Cycle

    • Phosphorus is essential for DNA, RNA, ATP, and cell membranes, and is a significant component of bones and teeth.
    • Weathering and erosion release phosphate ions into the soil, but phosphorus does not have a gaseous phase like nitrogen or carbon.
    • Plants absorb phosphate ions for growth and development.
    • Phosphorus enters the water cycle through runoff and leaching.
    • Geological uplifting can return phosphorus to the land.

    Water Cycle

    • The water cycle (hydrological cycle) describes water's continuous movement.
    • Processes include evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, groundwater flow, and runoff.
    • Evaporation converts liquid water to water vapor.
    • Transpiration releases water vapor from plants.
    • Condensation forms clouds from water vapor.
    • Precipitation returns water to Earth's surface (rain, snow, hail).
    • Infiltration moves water into the ground.
    • Groundwater flow moves water underground.
    • Runoff returns water to larger bodies of water.
    • Sublimation is the conversion of ice or snow directly to water vapor.

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    Lesson 6&7: Cycles (PDF)

    Description

    Test your knowledge on biogeochemical cycles and their roles in the ecosystem. This quiz covers topics such as the carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, and the processes involved in nutrient recycling. Explore key concepts including cellular respiration, denitrification, and the effects of volcanic activity.

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