Biochemical Cycles Flashcard

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What is Nitrogen Fixation?

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The process of converting nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into ammonia or related compounds in soil, primarily carried out by bacteria.

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What organisms are primarily responsible for Nitrogen Fixation?

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Bacteria, particularly those in the root nodules of legumes.

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How does carbon dioxide return to the atmosphere?

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Through combustion and cellular respiration.

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What is photosynthesis?

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The process by which producers, such as plants, convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose.

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What is a producer?

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An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis, such as plants.

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What is a decomposer?

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An organism that breaks down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the soil, such as fungi and bacteria.

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What is the role of decomposers in an ecosystem?

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Decomposers recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, making them available for producers.

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What is precipitation in the water cycle?

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The process of water falling to the Earth's surface in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or snow.

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What is cellular respiration?

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The process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.

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What is the carbon cycle?

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