The Phosphorus Cycle

Multiple Choice

This is NOT a part of the phosphorus cycle.

• Phosphate is incorporated into sedimentary rocks

• Phosphate bound to soil

• Atmospheric phosphate

• Phosphate is absorbed from the soil by plants

Multiple Choice

All living organisms are mainly composed of what elements?

• Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen

• Carbon, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Oxygen

• Sodium, Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen

• Calcium, Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Oxygen

Multiple Choice

_____ brings phosphorous into our waterways. .

• Precipitation

• Runoff

• Transpiration

• Condensation

Multiple Choice

Living organisms are mostly composed of Carbon.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is true of the phosphorus cycle?

• Phosphorus enters the atmosphere as phosphates.
• The phosphorus cycle utilizes the processes of erosion, and weathering.
• Phosphates are used in carbohydrate and glucose storage.
• The phosphorus cycle utilizes bacteria to breakdown phosphates and make them available for plants.

Multiple Choice

Macronutrients are elements organisms need in relatively small amounts

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What role do decomposers play in the phosphorous cycle?

• absorb phosphorous 
• release phosphorous into atmosphere
• return phosphorous into the soil
• combustion

Multiple Choice

Trace elements are needed by organisms in relatively large amounts.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

This is released by the weathering of rocks.

• Carbonate

• Phosphate

• Phosphorus

• Nitrogen

Multiple Choice

How does carbon in a grass plant get into a lion?

• The lion eats the grass
• Carbon from grass doesn't end up in a lion. 
• The carbon ends up in the food the lion eats. 
• The lion breathes in carbon given out by the plant

Multiple Choice

Too much phosphorus in waterways (rivers, lakes) can lead to___________.

• eutrophication

• nothing

• decreased pH levels

• diseases

Multiple Choice

Organisms that break down dead plants & animals and release nitrogen back into atmosphere...

• bacteria

• plants

• animals

• producers

Multiple Choice

What is the phosphorus' symbol on the periodic table?

• P

• pH

• Ph

• PO

Multiple Choice

This is NOT a part of the phosphorus cycle.

• Phosphate is incorporated into sedimentary rocks

• Phosphate bound to soil

• Atmospheric phosphate

• Phosphate is absorbed from the soil by plants

Multiple Choice

The major sink for phosphorus is

• sedimentary rock

• atmospheric gases

• seawater

• plants

Multiple Choice

Photosynthesis

• absorbs CO₂
• releases CO₂

Multiple Choice

In order to make a complete cycle for phosphorus, you need to make new rocks through heat, time, and pressure.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Nitrogen is available in the soil, and is available for _____ who pass it onto consumers through the food web.

• producers
• heterotrophs
• decomposers
• scavengers

Multiple Select

What things add phosphorus to the soil? Check all that apply.

• Decomposition

• Erosion

• Excretion

• Lightning

• Respiration

Multiple Choice

Phosphorous is passed from plants to ____ who eat them

• plants
• animals
• scavengers

Multiple Choice

_____ brings phosphorous into our waterways. .

• precipitation
• runoff
• transpiration
• condensation

Multiple Choice

Organisms that do not decompose can be buried and become what?

• water
• nutrients
• air
• fossil fuels

Multiple Choice

Nitrogen in the soil has been fixed by bacteria. It is now available for use by ___. 

• humans
• plants
• fungi
• the water cycle