Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycle Flashcard

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What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

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The Nitrogen Cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms, including atmospheric nitrogen, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, through biological and physical processes.

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What role do Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria play in the Nitrogen Cycle?

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Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants.

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What is the main form of nitrogen that plants can assimilate?

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Nitrate (NO3-) is the main form of nitrogen that plants can assimilate.

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What is the percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere?

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78% of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen.

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What is the function of Denitrifying Bacteria?

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Denitrifying Bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2), completing the nitrogen cycle.

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What is Ammonification?

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

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What is Nitrification?

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Nitrification is the process by which ammonia is converted into nitrites (NO2-) and then into nitrates (NO3-) by nitrifying bacteria.

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What is the role of Phosphorus in plants?

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Phosphorus is essential for energy transfer, photosynthesis, and the formation of DNA and RNA in plants.

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What is the Phosphorus Cycle?

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The Phosphorus Cycle is the process by which phosphorus moves through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, primarily through weathering of rocks and uptake by organisms.

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What is Eutrophication?

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Eutrophication is the process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.