Unit 7 Ecology

Front

What is the Water Cycle?

Back

The Water Cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back, involving processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Front

What is the Carbon Cycle?

Back

The Carbon Cycle is the series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, including photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion.

Front

What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

Back

The Nitrogen Cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms, including nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification.

Front

What is carrying capacity?

Back

Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can support sustainably.

Front

What is decomposition in the nitrogen cycle?

Back

Decomposition is the process where decomposers, like bacteria, break down dead organic matter, returning nitrogen to the soil.

Front

How is carbon released into the atmosphere?

Back

Carbon is released into the atmosphere through processes such as burning fossil fuels, respiration, and volcanic eruptions.

Front

What role do plants play in the carbon cycle?

Back

Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter.

Front

What is nitrogen fixation?

Back

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form that plants can use, typically ammonia (NH3), often facilitated by bacteria.

Front

What is ammonification?

Back

Ammonification is the process by which organic nitrogen is converted into ammonia by decomposers.

Front

What is nitrification?

Back

Nitrification is the process by which ammonia is converted into nitrites and then nitrates by bacteria, making nitrogen available to plants.