APES Cycles

Front

Biological process converting CO2 to carbon

Back

Photosynthesis

Answer explanation

Photosynthesis is the biological process that takes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into glucose, a form of carbon that living organisms use for energy and growth.

Front

Growing legumes (alfalfa, peas, soybeans)

Back

Nitrogen fixation

Answer explanation

Growing legumes like alfalfa, peas, or soybeans enhances nitrogen fixation, a process where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form for plants, thanks to symbiotic bacteria in their root nodules.

Front

Role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Back

Convert nitrogen gas into ammonia

Answer explanation

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by converting nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into ammonia. This process makes nitrogen accessible to plants, which is essential for their growth.

Front

Nitrogen forms:

Back

Proteins and nucleic acids

Answer explanation

Organisms use nitrogen primarily to form proteins and nucleic acids. Proteins are made of amino acids, which contain nitrogen, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) also include nitrogenous bases, making this the correct choice.

Front

Consequence of excess carbon in atmosphere

Back

Global temperatures change, affecting normal weather patterns.

Answer explanation

Excess carbon in the atmosphere leads to the greenhouse effect, causing global temperatures to rise. This change disrupts normal weather patterns, making 'Global temperatures change, affecting normal weather patterns' the correct consequence.

Front

Energy driving the water cycle

Back

Solar Radiation

Answer explanation

The energy that drives the water cycle primarily comes from solar radiation. The sun heats water in oceans and lakes, causing evaporation, which is essential for the water cycle.

Front

Cycle without atmospheric component

Back

Phosphorus

Answer explanation

The phosphorous cycle does not involve the atmosphere, as phosphorous primarily cycles through soil, water, and living organisms. In contrast, the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles all include atmospheric components.

Front

NOT a human impact on the water cycle?

Back

These are all impacts on the water cycle

Answer explanation

All the options listed are indeed human impacts on the water cycle. Reduced infiltration, increased flooding due to urban development, and reduced transpiration all affect how water moves through the environment.

Front

Plants and consumers produce proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins

Back

Assimilation

Answer explanation

Assimilation is the process by which plants and consumers incorporate ammonia or nitrate ions to synthesize proteins, nucleic acids, and vitamins, making it the correct choice for this question.

Front

Slowest nutrient cycling

Back

Phosphorus

Answer explanation

Phosphorus is the slowest to cycle among the given options and often limits plant growth due to its low availability in soils compared to carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen, which cycle more rapidly.