Questions and Answers
Why is nitrogen important to organisms?
It carries out the many functions of life.
What percent of the atmosphere is nitrogen?
78%
What must happen to nitrogen before plants and animals can use it?
It must be fixed.
What organisms are able to 'fix' or convert nitrogen to be used by plants?
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Describe the nitrogen cycle.
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How is carbon extracted from the atmosphere?
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How do animals and humans get carbon?
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What happens to the carbon in plants and animals when they die?
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What are ways in which carbon is released into the atmosphere?
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What is a carbon sink?
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Describe the carbon cycle.
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Approximately what percentage of the atmosphere is made up of elements other than nitrogen and oxygen?
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Why is nitrogen essential to the growth of a fungus, but not to the spread of rust?
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What can you infer from the fact that nitrogen gas is useless to animals?
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What conclusion can you draw from the fact that sewage adds nitrogen compounds to the environment?
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What do nitrification and denitrification have in common?
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What is the main difference between denitrification and the other three steps of the nitrogen cycle?
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Where can you find carbon?
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How is the carbon cycle similar to the water cycle?
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How do animals add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
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What organisms in the ocean absorb the most carbon dioxide?
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What historical event led to a major imbalance in the carbon cycle?
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How does carbon become locked inside the earth?
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How do carbon emissions lead to global warming?
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Which of these is a factual statement about carbon?
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Study Notes
Nitrogen Importance
- Nitrogen is essential for the functions of life in organisms.
- It constitutes 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.
Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen must be fixed into ammonia before utilization by plants and animals.
- Specific bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen into a usable form.
- The nitrogen cycle includes:
- Nitrous oxide from fossil fuels transforming into nitric acid via rainfall.
- Soil nitrates formed by lightning.
- Runoff from farming introducing nitrates into water systems.
- Ingestion of plants by animals, followed by decomposition releasing nitrogen compounds back into the atmosphere.
Carbon Cycle
- Plants extract carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
- Animals and humans obtain carbon by consuming plants.
- Upon death, carbon from organisms becomes trapped within the Earth.
- Carbon is released into the atmosphere through rock weathering.
- A carbon sink absorbs more carbon than it emits.
- The carbon cycle involves:
- CO2 uptake by plants and its release by animals.
- Respiration processes in roots and plants.
- Oceanic carbon absorption.
- Decomposition resulting in fossil formation.
Atmospheric Composition
- Elements other than nitrogen and oxygen account for roughly 1% of the atmosphere.
Nitrogen and Fungi
- Nitrogen is crucial for fungi growth, distinguishing them as living organisms, while rust is a non-living entity.
Nitrogen Utilization by Animals
- Animals cannot directly use nitrogen gas; it must be combined with other elements for cellular utilization.
Waste and Nitrogen Compounds
- Sewage introduces nitrogen compounds into the environment through animal waste.
Nitrification vs. Denitrification
- Both processes lead to the production of nitrogen gas, with denitrification uniquely converting nitrogen to its gaseous state.
Carbon Presence and Cycles
- Carbon exists in every living organism on Earth.
- Both the carbon and water cycles facilitate the transfer of substances among animals, plants, and the Earth.
Carbon Emissions
- Animals contribute carbon dioxide to the atmosphere through respiration.
- Algae and marine plants are key organisms that absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide.
- The Industrial Revolution historically disrupted the carbon cycle's balance, leading to increased emissions.
- Carbon becomes locked in the Earth as the remains of carbon-rich organisms decay post-mortem.
- Carbon emissions contribute to global warming by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere.
Carbon Facts
- The statement that humans use excessive carbon-based fuels is factual.
- Carbon ranks as the fourth-most abundant element in the universe.
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Description
Enhance your understanding of the nitrogen cycle with these flashcards. Learn about the significance of nitrogen in organisms, its atmospheric presence, and how it is fixed for plant use. Ideal for students studying ecology or environmental science.