B.12(D)

The carbon cycle includes processes that release carbon into the atmosphere and places that act as carbon reservoirs. The diagram below shows both major processes that release carbon and major carbon reservoirs. Which of these disruptions would cause an excess output in the carbon cycle?

• the destruction of terrestrial biota

• increases in marine biota

• a reduction in the use of fossil fuels

• a thickening of ocean sediments

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The diagram above represents the nitrogen cycle in a student's aquarium. Ammonia, nitrites, and, to a lesser degree, nitrates can be harmful to fish. The student wants to keep the nitrogen in this aquarium cycling normally without having to continually change the water. Which of the following should the student add more of to help remove nitrates and improve the natural cycling of nitrogen in this aquarium?

• fish

• plants

• nitrobacter

• water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The diagram shows the flow of organic molecules through an ecosystem. One process that occurs in this ecosystem is labeled x, and another process that occurs is labeled y. Which two processes are identified by the labels x and y?

• x - respiration

  y - predation

• x - adaptation

  y - decomposition

• x - fermentation

  y - nitrogen fixation

• x - decomposition

  y - respiration

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Atmospheric nitrogen has to be combined with other elements, or fixed, in order to be used by plants. Lightening is one way that nitrogen is fixed. When lightening occurs, the extreme heat breaks the bonds in nitrogen molecules, allowing nitrogen to combine with oxygen and form nitrous oxides. In what way is most of the nitrogen fixed by lightening made available for use by plants?

• it is moved by the wind toward dry areas

• it is incorporated into the exoskeletons of flying insects that eat plants

• it is inhaled and exhaled by birds roosting in trees during rainstorms

• it is carried by rain to the soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

This diagram demonstrates why the ocean is a large carbon sink. An increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause atmospheric temperatures to increase. Which statement explains how this could affect the ocean as a carbon sink?

• less atmospheric carbon dioxide would be available to phytoplankton

• dissolved carbon dioxide gas in the ocean would increase because surface winds would cause a deeper circulation pattern, making more room for the gas

• less carbon dioxide gas would be contained in the ocean because increasing precipitation would dilute the carbon entering the ocean

• less carbon dioxide would be dissolved in the ocean because increasing atmospheric temperatures would cause ocean temperatures to increase

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

As part of the nitrogen cycle, animals acquire some amino acids by doing which of the following?

• breathing air

• eating plants

• drinking water

• producing waste

What would be the most likely effect of a wildfire that burned a large area of a forest?

• More sugars and starches would be available for animals in the area

• The availability of fossil fuels for use by industries in the area would be reduced

• Less carbon dioxide would be removed from the atmosphere in the area by plants

• An increase in animal respiration would increase the release of carbon dioxide in the area

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4