Biogeochemical Cycles and the Nitrogen Cycle

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Multiple Choice

What is the definition for Biogeochemical Cycles?

• The process of photosynthesis and respiration in plants.

• A pathway for chemicals necessary for life to move through the environment. 

• The movement of energy through living organisms in an ecosystem.

• The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

​Why is atmospheric nitrogen unusable to most living organisms?

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and ammonifying bacteria?

• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, while ammonifying bacteria convert organic nitrogen from once living organisms to ammonia.

• Both types of bacteria only convert nitrogen to proteins.
• Ammonifying bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates.
• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert ammonia to nitrogen gas, and ammonifying bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates.

Multiple Choice

In which step of the nitrogen cycle do bacteria convert nitrogen-containing molecules back into atmospheric nitrogen?

• Ammonification
• Nitrogen fixation
• Nitrification
• Denitrification

Match

Match the following

• Nitrogen Fixation

• Nitrification

• Ammonification

• Denitrification

Bacteria fix N2 into NH3

Bacteria change NH3 & NH4 into NO3 & NO2

Decomposers change N into NH3 or NH4

Bacteria make atmospheric N2

• Bacteria fix N2 into NH3

• Bacteria change NH3 & NH4 into NO3 & NO2

• Decomposers change N into NH3 or NH4

• Bacteria make atmospheric N2

Labelling

Label the organisms that are part of the Nitrogen Cycle!

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Nitrifying Bacteria

Nitrifying Bacteria

Decomposers

Denitrifying Bacteria

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a reason why Nitrogen is important?

• Nitrogen is a source of energy for living organisms.
• Nitrogen is a key component of proteins.
• Nitrogen helps in the formation of DNA.
• Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plants and animals.

Open Ended

How are humans impacting the nitrogen cycle?