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Nutrient Cycles

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What happens when water evaporates?

a)

It changes from a gas to a solid.

b)

It changes from a solid to a liquid.

c)

It doesn't change, it just moves from one environment to another.

d)

It changes from a liquid to a gas.

2.

What happens when there is more water than the air can hold?

a)

The water turns into vapor and rises up.

b)

The water falls to the ground as precipitation.

c)

The water evaporates and turns into clouds.

3.

Where can you find most of the earth's freshwater?

a)

Locked up in glaciers

b)

In the clouds

c)

In the groundwater

d)

In lakes and rivers

4.

Which of the following consumes Carbon?

a)

Plants

b)

Animals

c)

Decomposers

d)

All of the above

5.

Photosynthesizing plants affect the carbon cycle by...

a)

Creating more carbon atoms

b)

Reducing the amount of carbon in the soil

c)

Absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, lowering atmospheric levels of carbon

d)

None of the above; plants do not affect the carbon cycle

6.

The burning of fossil fuels contributes to the carbon cycle in what way?

a)

Increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere

b)

Increases the amount of O2 in the atmosphere

c)

Decreases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere

d)

Decreases the amount of O2 in the atmosphere

7.

Decomposers contribute to the carbon cycle in what way?

a)

They turn oxygen into CO2.

b)

They take carbon from living organisms and return it to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

c)

They turn CO2 into organic, living carbon molecules.

d)

They create organic carbon and keep it stored in the earth forever.

8.

Choose the answer that best describes what this graph is showing.

a)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been steadily decreasing since 1960.

b)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels do not show a change over time.

c)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were at their lowest levels in 1980.

d)

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been steadily increasing since 1960.

9.

Climate change is due primarily to what?

a)

Increase in O2 and CO2 in our atmosphere.

b)

Increase in ocean water temperatures.

c)

Increase CO2 in the atmosphere.

d)

Increase in nitrogen and phosphorous in our lakes and estuaries.

10.

Eutrophication is caused by what?

a)

Increase in CO2 in the atmosphere.

b)

Increase of nitrogen and phosphorous in lakes and estuaries.

c)

Driving our cars and using too many electronics.

d)

Increasing air and water temperatures on earth.

11.

Nitrogen is part what important molecule(s)?

a)

DNA

b)

Proteins

c)

Lipids

d)

ATP

12.

Which type of organism performs nitrogen fixation?

a)

Bacteria

b)

Viruses

c)

Humans

d)

Plants and phytoplankton

13.

Plants obtain nitrogen through photosynthesis.

a)

True

b)

False

14.

Denitrification is the process by which...

a)

bacteria convert nitrates into N gas, releasing it into the atmosphere

b)

bacteria convert N gas into nitrates, releasing it into the atmosphere

c)

dead organisms break down and return carbon to the soil and atmosphere

d)

organic N is converted into inorganic ammonia or NH4+ through decomposition

15.

Examples of decomposers include:

a)

humans, dogs, and whales

b)

trees, tomato plants, and phytoplankton

c)

viruses

d)

fungi, worms, and bacteria

16.

How do phosphates enter the soil and become available for plants to use?

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

From fertilizers and rocks being broken down

c)

From the atmosphere

17.

Phosphorous is the primary make-up of what cell part?

a)

Chloroplasts

b)

Mitochondria

c)

Cell membrane

d)

Ribosomes

18.

Which nutrient(s) are what we call "limiting nutrients"?

a)

Phosphorous

b)

Carbon

c)

Glucose

d)

Nitrogen

19.

You could help decrease the effects of climate change by doing the following:

a)

Using your phone less.

b)

Eating out rather than cooking at home.

c)

Doing your homework.

d)

Biking instead of driving a car.

20.

The primary forms of carbon include:

a)

Living organic matter

b)

Carbon dioxide

c)

Fertilizers

d)

Dead organic matter