Nutrient Cycling Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the difference between energy and nutrients?

Both energy and nutrients cycle

Both energy and nutrients flow

Energy cycles, nutrients flow

Energy flows, nutrients cycle (correct)

What is the ultimate source of energy?

Solar rays from the sun

What occurs during the flow of energy in an ecosystem?

Plants convert that energy to sugar and cellulose.

What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but is transferred from one form to another. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to energy while doing work?

Energy is lost in entropy. Signup and view all the answers

How do nutrients differ from energy regarding their presence on Earth?

Nutrients cycle, whereas energy flows. Signup and view all the answers

What are some dysfunctions in nutrient cycling?

Eutrophication and climate change. Signup and view all the answers

In what forms can nutrients occur?

All of these Signup and view all the answers

What defines a nutrient cycle?

The path of an element from one organism to another and from organisms into the nonliving part of the biosphere and back. Signup and view all the answers

What does RASO stand for in nutrient cycles?

Reservoirs, A fast phase and a slow phase, Soluble and insoluble forms, Over geological time biological concentrations increase Signup and view all the answers

What are reservoirs?

Non-living forms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus that form huge reservoirs in the physical environment. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the sedimentary phase of the nutrient cycle slower?

Because weathering to release nutrients may take thousands to millions of years. Signup and view all the answers

How do nutrients enter water?

As soluble salts. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the biological concentration in nutrient cycles over geological time?

It increases. Signup and view all the answers

How does carbon enter living organisms?

Through photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nitrogen cycle?

The continuous flow of nitrogen through the biosphere by various processes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nutrient Cycling Overview

Energy flows linearly while nutrients cycle within ecosystems.
The primary energy source for life on Earth is solar rays from the sun.

Energy Flow Dynamics

Plants convert solar energy into sugars and cellulose.
Grazing animals absorb energy from plants, losing some during foraging while storing others as proteins and fats.
Animals contribute to nutrient cycling by fertilizing with waste, supporting plant growth.
Fungi utilize energy from fertilizers, aiding in nutrient decomposition.

Thermodynamics Principles

First law of thermodynamics states that energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed.
Work done by living organisms results in energy loss due to entropy, necessitating constant energy replenishment.

Nutrient Characteristics

Unlike energy, nutrients only cycle through the Earth, remaining within the biosphere.
Dysfunctions in nutrient cycling can lead to severe ecological consequences, including eutrophication and climate change.

Forms and Movement of Nutrients

Nutrients exist in various forms:
- Gaseous (e.g., N2, CO2)
- Mineral (e.g., apatite for phosphorus)
- Inorganic ionic (e.g., NH4+, NO3-, H2PO4-)
- Organic (in living or decaying organisms)
Plants absorb nutrients in ionic form; animals obtain them through consumption.

Nutrient Cycle Definition

A nutrient cycle illustrates the movement of elements among organisms and between organisms and the nonliving environment.
Often referred to as biogeochemical cycles due to the interaction between biological and geological processes.

Key Components of Nutrient Cycles

Four essential elements: Reservoirs, Fast and Slow Phases, Soluble and Insoluble Forms, and Increasing Biological Concentration Over Time.

Reservoirs

Major reservoirs include non-living forms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
For example, nitrogen constitutes 78% of the atmosphere as N2; hydrogen is sourced from water.
Reservoirs serve as a supply of elements that are not easily accessed by living organisms.

Phases of Nutrient Cycles

Biological activities lead to faster nutrient cycling, while geological processes slow it down.
Gaseous phases are quick, with the atmosphere and oceans as primary nutrient sources; sedimentary phases are slower, involving soil and rocks with nutrient release taking thousands to millions of years.

Nutrient States

Nutrients transition from soluble salts in water to non-soluble forms through the accumulation of minerals and sediments.

Long-Term Biological Concentration

Over geological time, biological concentrations of nutrients within ecosystems tend to increase.

Carbon Cycle Insights

Carbon enters living organisms via photosynthesis and leaves through respiration.
Major carbon reservoirs include rocks, oceans, atmosphere, soil, plants, and fossil fuels.
Movement between these reservoirs is regulated to maintain Earth's temperature stability, preventing an imbalance like that seen on Venus.

Nitrogen Cycle Key Points

The nitrogen cycle involves continuous movement of nitrogen through processes such as nitrogen fixation, ammonification, and nitrification, maintaining ecological balance.

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Description

Test your understanding of nutrient cycling and energy flow with these flashcards. Each card highlights key concepts that differentiate energy and nutrients, as well as their sources and processes in ecosystems.