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

Denitrifying Bacteria

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Nitrifying Bacteria

Decomposers

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?