Biogeochemical/Abiotic vs. Biotic/Food Chains

Which of the following is NOT a way that water is distributed through the atmosphere?

• photosynthesis

• disgestion

• cellular respiration

• all are ways that water is distributed

What draws water back to the Earth during the water cycle?

• condensation

• seepage from the ground

• evaporation

• runoff from land

What is the Earth's major resevoir of carbon?

• products of photosynthesis

• atmosphere

• respiration from plants/animals

• fossil fuels

Organisms such as fallen leaves, dead bodies, and animal waste enter the carbon cycle by which process?

• consumption

• decay

• respiration

• combustion

Which of the following is responsible for releasing carbon back into the atmosphere?

• products of combustion of fossil fuels/forest fires

• animal/plant consumption

• photosynthesis

• animal waste

How do plants/animals obtain nitrogen through the nitrogen cycle?

• atmosphere

• nitrogen fixation

How is nitrogen released back into the atmosphere?

• denitrification

• ammonification

• nitrification

• nitrogen fixation

What happens as phosphorus erodes from rock and soil?

• released into the atmosphere

• absorbed by animals directly

• concentrated into plant tissues

• washed into rivers and streams

On Earth, where is the main reservoir of phosphorus?

• rock and soil

• plant tissues

• atmosphere

• marine sediments

Which one of the following is considered a biotic factor?

• predators/prey

• nutrients

• temperature

• salinity