Understanding the Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles

What percentage of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen gas?

• 78%

• 21%

• 5%

• 10%

Which process involves bacteria converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants?

• Nitrogen fixation

• Nitrification

• Denitrification

• Ammonification

Which enzyme is responsible for breaking the triple bond in atmospheric nitrogen?

• Nitrate reductase

• Nitrogenase

• Catalase

• Amylase

What is the primary role of nitrifying bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?

• Release nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere

• Decompose organic matter into ammonia

• Fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia

• Convert ammonia into nitrates and nitrites

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What natural phenomenon can also break the bonds between nitrogen atoms, besides bacteria?

• Tsunamis

• Earthquakes

• Lightning

• Volcanic eruptions

Which of the following is NOT involved in the phosphorus cycle?

• Atmosphere

• Lithosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Biosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

What is the role of decomposers in the phosphorus cycle?

• Synthesize phosphorus into complex organic compounds

• Convert phosphates into phosphorus gas

• Fix atmospheric phosphorus into usable forms

• Break down organic matter to release phosphates back into the soil or water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

How long can a single phosphorus atom be caught in a biological cycle?

• 100,000 years

• 1,000,000 years

• 1,000 years

• 10,000 years

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What is the main ingredient in synthetic fertilizers that has significantly increased food production?

• Nitrogen and phosphorus

• Magnesium and sulfur

• Carbon and potassium

• Calcium and iron

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-3

Who was the scientist mentioned as having developed a method to synthesize ammonia from nitrogen?

• Fritz Haber

• Albert Einstein

• Louis Pasteur

• Marie Curie

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-5