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Phosphorus Cycle Practice

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the original, and primary reservoir of inorganic phosphate (PO43-)in terrestrial ecosystems?

a)

live plants and animals

b)

groundwater

c)

the atmosphere

d)

rocks

2.

Nitrogen and carbon are cycled on a global scale. Why does phosphorus cycling tend to occur more locally?

a)

it primarily involves the weather of rocks, which are mostly stationary

b)

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

c)

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

d)

all of the answers are correct

3.

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

a)

true

b)

false

4.

Phosphorus enters the P cycle as

a)

atmospheric phosphate

b)

diphosphorus

c)

rock phosphate

d)

organic phosphate

5.

This is NOT a part of the phosphorus cycle.

a)

Phosphate is incorporated into sedimentary rocks

b)

Phosphate bound to soil

c)

Atmospheric phosphate

d)

Phosphate is absorbed from the soil by plants

6.
Phosphorous is passed from plants to ____ who eat them
a)
plants
b)
animals
c)
scavengers
7.
Which of the following statements is true of the phosphorus cycle?
a)
Phosphorus enters the atmosphere as phosphates.
b)
The phosphorus cycle utilizes the processes of erosion, and weathering.
c)
Phosphates are used in carbohydrate and glucose storage.
d)
The phosphorus cycle utilizes bacteria to breakdown phosphates and make them available for plants.
8.
What role do decomposers play in the phosphorous cycle?
a)
absorb phosphorous 
b)
release phosphorous into atmosphere
c)
return phosphorous into the soil
d)
combustion
9.

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

a)

eutrophication

b)

Nothing

c)

Death

d)

diseases

10.

In general, algal blooms occur when

a)

toxins accumulate in shellfish.

b)

nutrients decrease in the water.

c)

nutrients increase in the water.