Biogeochemical Cycles

Which of the following adds inorganic phosphorus to an ecosystem?

Hint: "Inorganic" means it doesn't come from something living.

• the uptake of dissolved phosphates by aquatic plants

• the decomposition of plants and animals

• the weathering and breaking down of rocks into soil

• the uptake of minerals by the roots of terrestrial (land) plants

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Phosphorus is a vital component of every cell. How do animals obtain phosphorus from the phosphorus cycle?

• By walking barefoot in soil

• By drinking water with dissolved phosphorus

• By breathing atmospheric phosphorus

• By eating plants

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Why is nitrogen important to living organisms?

• It is used to make proteins

• It is needed for photosynthesis

• It is found in all organic molecules

• It is needed for cellular respiration

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Why must nitrogen gas and ammonia be converted to another form in the soil?

• So it can produce lightning

• So it can be harvested by humans

• So it can be used by plants

• So it can kill bacteria in the soil

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

How can nitrogen fertilizers decrease the amount of organisms in an ecosystem?

• By limiting the growth of plants

• By destroying nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil

• By decreasing the food supply of primary consumers

• By entering aquatic (water) ecosystems through runoff and causing algal blooms

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the role of decomposers in the nitrogen cycle?

• They release nitrogen gas into the atmosphere

• They release nitrogen during cellular respiration

• They use ammonia when they break down dead organisms

• They release nitrogen into the soil when they break down dead organisms

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which two processes are involved in both the oxygen cycle and the carbon cycle?

• Combustion

• Transpiration

• Photosynthesis

• Ozone production

• Cellular respiration

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Through which process is oxygen RELEASED into the atmosphere?

• Combustion

• Condensation

• Photosynthesis

• Nitrification

Which of the following is the most important reason that the recycling of carbon is essential to living organisms?

• Carbon is needed in the soil

• Carbon is needed for fuel combustion

• Carbon is needed to make organic molecules

• Carbon is needed to make coal

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NGSS.HS-LS2-5

In what form is most carbon found in the atmosphere?

• CO

• CO₂

• H₆C₁₂O₆

• H₂CO₃