UEco - Biogeochemical Cycles

Which of the following is an example of how biogeochemical cycles are important in sustaining life?

• The atoms of water molecules are destroyed during a drought.

• Oxygen atoms are recycled into carbon during cellular respiration.

• Phosphorus in wastes are recycled into useful nutrients for other organisms.

• New gold atoms are created during the carbon cycle.

Answer explanation

Phosphorus in wastes is recycled into useful nutrients, demonstrating how biogeochemical cycles sustain life by ensuring essential elements are reused, supporting ecosystems and organism growth.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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Based on the information in the diagram, which of the following processes returns carbon dioxide to the air or water? Choose all that apply

• decomposition of plants and animals

• combustion of coal and oil

• photosynthesis

• cellular respiration

Answer explanation

Decomposition of plants and animals, combustion of coal and oil, and cellular respiration all release carbon dioxide back into the air or water, while photosynthesis absorbs it, making it the incorrect choice.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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Which statement best describes how the carbon cycle and oxygen cycle are interrelated?

• Animals use CO₂ and release O₂ during respiration.

• Animals release H₂O during respiration and CO₂ during transpiration.

• Plants use CO₂ and release O₂ during photosynthesis.

• Plants release H₂O during transpiration and release CO₂ during photosynthesis.

Answer explanation

The correct statement is that plants use CO₂ and release O₂ during photosynthesis. This process is crucial as it links the carbon cycle (CO₂ uptake) with the oxygen cycle (O₂ release), supporting life on Earth.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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Why is it important for the major biochemical elements (C, O, N, P and H) cycles to be recycled in an ecosystem?

• If the elements aren’t recycled, there will be too much of them on earth

• Recycling elements allows organisms to create less of these elements

• The cycles of matter are closed systems, and recycling elements is the only way to replenish them for an ecosystem

• Recycling elements allows organisms to create more of these elements

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that ecosystems operate as closed systems where the recycling of major biochemical elements is essential for replenishing them, ensuring the sustainability of life and ecological balance.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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Match the following

• nitrogen cycle

• the movement of water between the oceans, atmosphere, land, and living things

• carbon cycle

• the movement of carbon through and between organisms and the physical environment

• water cycle

• the movement of nitrogen between the environment and living things

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What is 'nitrogen-fixing' or 'nitrification'.

• Converting atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into an usable, organic form.

• Changing nitrogen into ammonia.

• Taking nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it usable.

• All of these selections are suitable answers.

Answer explanation

All options describe aspects of nitrogen-fixing or nitrification. They involve converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, including ammonia, making 'All of these selections' the correct answer.

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NGSS.HS-LS2-3

Label the following Carbon cycle.

a

b

c

d

fossil fuels

photosynthesis

sunlight

animals breathing (respiration)

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A correct path that nitrogen could take would be

• air -> animals -> plants -> bacteria

• animals -> air -> bacteria -> plants

• bacteria -> air -> plants -> animals

• air -> bacteria -> plants -> animals

Answer explanation

The correct path for nitrogen is air -> bacteria -> plants -> animals. Nitrogen in the air is fixed by bacteria, then taken up by plants, and finally consumed by animals, illustrating the nitrogen cycle.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Label this food chain

c

d

b

e

a

primary consumer

decomposer

secondary consumer

sun

producer

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How confident are you in your understanding of biogeochemical cycles?

• Not confident

• Confident

• Super confident