Phosphorus Cycle

What is the original, and biggest reservoir of phosphorus on the planet?

• live plants and animals

• groundwater

• the atmosphere

• rocks

Carbon is cycled on a global scale. Why does phosphorus cycling tend to occur more locally?

• it primarily involves the weathering of rocks, which are mostly stationary

• it only involves land animals that cannot swim across oceans to transport the nutrient

• it occurs in areas where cloud formation is low, so it rarely gets trapped in water vapors

• all of the answers are correct

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The phosphorus cycle occurs much more quickly than the carbon and nitrogen cycles.

• true

• false

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Phosphorus enters the cycle as

• atmospheric phosphate

• diphosphorus

• rock phosphate

• organic phosphate

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

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This is NOT a part of the phosphorus cycle.

• Phosphate is incorporated into sedimentary rocks

• Phosphate bound to soil

• Atmospheric phosphate

• Phosphate is absorbed from the soil by plants

Phosphorous is passed from plants to ____ who eat them

• plants
• animals
• scavengers

Which of the following statements is true of the phosphorus cycle?

• Phosphorus enters the atmosphere as phosphates.
• The phosphorus cycle utilizes the processes of erosion, and weathering.
• Phosphates are used in carbohydrate and glucose storage.
• The phosphorus cycle utilizes bacteria to breakdown phosphates and make them available for plants.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What role do decomposers play in the phosphorous cycle?

• absorb phosphorous 
• release phosphorous into atmosphere
• return phosphorous into the soil
• combustion

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Too much phosphorus in waterways (rivers, lakes) can lead to___________.

• eutrophication

• Nothing

• Death

• diseases

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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In general, algal blooms occur when

• toxins accumulate in shellfish.

• nutrients decrease in the water.

• nutrients increase in the water.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3