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WorksheetsBiogeochemical Cycles
Total questions: 139
Worksheet time: 1hrs 27mins
Oxygen enters seawater mainly
through the respiration of animals
as a byproduct of photosynthesis
as a result of decomposition of plant and animal remains
through the oxidation of metal ions in seawater
Organisms that can exist with light as an energy source and an inorganic form of carbon and other raw materials:
are called photoautotrophs.
do not exist in nature.
are called heterotrophs.
are best classified as decomposers.
What goes in Box 5 of the food web in the picture?
herbivores
scavengers
carnivores
decomposers
The ultimate source of energy for communities associated with hydrothermal vents is:
chemicals contained in hot seawater
sinking detritus from the surface waters
energy derived from photosynthesis, as in almost all other communities
chemical synthesis of organic molecules by bacteria
algae
The nitrogen cycle is one of the most important and complex of the biogeochemical cycles. It is important because nitrogen:
is a greenhouse gas
is an essential part of biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids (DNA)
is the most toxic element to living organisms
dilutes the oxygen in the atmosphere causing respiratory problems
is a crucial part of the process of photosynthesis
The most abundant gaseous components of the Earth's atmosphere are:
carbon dioxide and oxygen.
nitrogen and hydrogen.
nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
nitrogen and oxygen.
oxygen and carbon dioxide.
The major source of carbon dioxide in seawater is:
from photosynthesis by marine plants.
from rain falling into the ocean.
from the respiration of marine animals and other organisms.
from seafloor sediments.
runoff from land
a chemical that provides what is needed for organisms to live and grow
nutrient cycles
nutrients
reservoir
source
part of the abiotic phase of the nutrient cycle where nutrients can remain for long periods of time
tree
nutrient
decomposer
reservoir
the flow of water from land caused by precipitation
run-off
upwelling
assimilation
leaching
the movement of cold, nutrient-rich water from deep in the ocean to the surface
run-off
upwelling
assimilation
leaching
Why can't phytoplankton or plants survive the environment surrounding a hydrothermal vent?
Too much pressure
Not enough dissolved CO2
Extreme temperatures
No sunlight
What negative consequence could be the result of excess nutrient runoff from land?
Reduction in dissolved oxygen
Too much photosynthesis
Reduced uptake
Harmful algae blooms
Tube worms don't eat bacteria but they get help from bacteria to get energy via
symbiosis
ingestion of bacteria
predation
scavenging
Select all the reason there is more dissolved oxygen at the surface is higher than deeper part of the ocean.
Less diffusion from the atmosphere
More producers= less photosynthesis
Algae and phytoplankton are present
there is more turbulence and mixing produces air bubbles
Match the following Monomer to the Macromolecule
Fatty acid & Glycerol
Lipid
monosaccharide
Carbohydrate
Amino acid
Protein
nucleotide
Nucleic Acid
What is the original, and primary reservoir of inorganic phosphate (PO43-) in terrestrial ecosystems?
live plants and animals
groundwater
the atmosphere
rocks
Nitrogen and carbon are 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
The phosphorus cycle occurs much more quickly than the carbon and nitrogen cycles.
true
false
This is NOT a part of the phosphorus cycle.
Phosphate is incorporated into sedimentary rocks
Phosphate bound to soil
Atmospheric or gaseous phosphate
Phosphate is absorbed from the soil by plants
T/F. The phosphorus cycle does not have a gas phase.
true
false
The physical and chemical breakdown of rocks causes phosphate ions to be released.
Decomposition
Sedimentation
Uplift
Weathering
____________ cycle is a pathway by which a chemical substance moves through biotic and abiotic compartments of Earth.
Biogeochemical
Hydrosphere
Does the phosphorus cycle obey the law of conservation of mass? Why?
Yes. Phosphorus is never created or destroyed, just changes forms.
No. Phosphorus is always being created or destroyed.
Where is phosphorus located?
in the atmosphere
in Earth's crust
How do plants obtain phosphorus?
Absorbing it from gas in the air
Absorbing from the soil
What three organisms play a role in the phosphorus cycle?
nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, and decomposers
plants, animals, and decomposers
neither of these
Which of the following is a human activity that artificially increases the amount of phosphorus in an area?
Deforestation
Adding Fertilizer to farmlands.
Removing Phosphorus from rock formations
What is not a step in the phosphorus cycle?
Evaporation
Weathering
Absorption by plants
Absorption by animals
What are 2 human impacts on the phosphorus cycle?
Fertilizer runoff
Crop harvest
livestock wastes
atmospheric pollution
Why is Phosphorus important?
can be used by vegetation and soil microbes for normal growth
Protein
Sugar
Cell membrane
Where is Phosphorus stored?
Rock/Soil
organisms
Atmosphere
oceans
What is the formula for atmospheric nitrogen?
N
N2
NH3
NO3
What process occurs when dead plant and animal matter decomposes and nitrogen is released back into the atmosphere?
Assimilation
Fixation
Ammonification
Denitrification
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
Phosphorus is used to make phospholipids which makes up the _________________.
cell membrane
cell wall
nucleus
When water vapor is cooled and forms droplets of liquid water
Condensation
Evaporation
Transpiration
Runoff
________________ is movement of water past the soil going deep into the groundwater.
Evaporation
Transpiration
Percolation
Sublimation
____________________ is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.
Infiltration
Percolation
Deposition
Condensation
__________________ is the process by which moisture is carried through plants from roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released to the atmosphere. It is essentially evaporation of water from plant leaves.
Transpiration
Percolation
Infiltration
Plant Uptake
Water that flows across the land and enters rivers and streams. It eventually flows into lakes and the ocean.
Transpiration
Surface Runoff
Deposition
Precipitation
How does water enter a plant?
through the stomata
through the roots
by active transport in root hair cells
by osmosis in root hair cells
What allows water to stick to particles of dust in the air, thereby condensing to form clouds?
Cohesion
Adhesion
Dipole moment
Phloem
What is it called when water sticks to water?
Cohesion
Adhesion
Capillary Action
Xylem
This vascular tissue (tubes) is responsible for the transportation of water and minerals up from the roots to the stem then leaves
Stomata
Shoot
Phloem
Xylem
Select one way to reduce water use.
wash dishes under a running tap
install a rain barrel to downspouts
take baths instead of showers
How is nitrogen "fixed" into a usable form for plants?
Through action of bacteria only
Through lightning only
Through action of bacteria and lightning
Through photosynthesis
The nitrogen cycle is unique in that atmospheric nitrogen cannot be converted directly by organisms into usable nitrogen. What is necessary in order for atmospheric nitrogen to be converted to a usable form of nitrogen by organisms?
Ammonification
Denitrifying bacteria
Nitrifying bacteria
Decomposition
Nitrogen fixation
Cultural eutrophication is a result of
a mixing of multiple cultures in one area
excess nutrients entering aquatic environments from sources such as sewage and fertilizers
Excess nutrients entering aquatic environments from weathering rocks
Genetic pollution
Increasing vehicle traffic
Nitrogen fixation is a necessary part of the nitrogen cycle because
Atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used directly by organisms
There is not enough nitrogen in the atmosphere
Nitrogen needs to be combined with phosphorus
Bacteria needs to be created to help with plant growth
Nitrogen in the soil needs to be fixed to go back to the atmosphere
Which molecule is consumed during decomposition in an aquatic environment, potentially leading to a hypoxic (low-oxygen) situation?
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Calcium
Carbon
Oxygen
Nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas by soil bacteria.
Ammonification
Dentrification
Nitrification
Nitrogen fixation
Assimilation
NH4+ (ammonia) is converted into NO2- (nitrites) and then into NO3- (nitrates).
Ammonification
Denitrification
Nitrification
Nitrogen Fixation
Assimilation
Plants take up and incorporate nitrogen compounds into proteins, DNA and RNA.
Ammonification
Denitrification
Nitrification
Nitrogen Fixation
Assimilation
Nitrogen gas is combined with hydrogen gas to form NH3 (ammonia)
Ammonification
Denitrification
Nitrification
Nitrogen fixation
Assimilation
The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in the Midwestern United States is a major contributing factor to which of the following?
Spread of the West Nile virus
Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico
Water shortages in communities near the Great Lakes
Soil erosion in Texas
The increase in severe storms in the Southeastern United States
A field is abandoned, and an invasive plant that can live in
nutrient-poor soil moves into the field. If the land is later
cleared of this invasive species and it is discovered that the
soil has an abundance of nitrogen compounds, what
conclusion can best be made?
The plants used up all of the phosphorus and potassium and left the nitrogen behind.
Primary succession always produces an abundance of nitrogen.
Bacteria in soil and in root nodules converted free nitrogen into nitrogen compounds.
The plants were able to produce nitrogen in their leaves.
More rock was weathered and broken down to release nitrogen compounds.
In the nitrogen fixation cycle, cyanobacteria in the soil and water and Rhizobium bacteria in root systems are responsible for converting
organic material to ammonia and ammonium ions
ammonia, ammonium ions, and nitrate ions to DNA, amino acids, and proteins
ammonia and nitrite ions to nitrate ions
nitrogen and hydrogen gas to ammonia
nitrogen gas to ammonia
Which of the following is a macronutrient essential for the formation of amino acids and proteins?
Sulfur
Nitrogen
Iron
Cobalt
Molybdenum
All of the following have an impact on the nitrogen cycle EXCEPT
the planting of legume plants
weathering of rock
slashing and burning of tropical areas
the discharge of municipal waste into waterways
the production of fertilizers using the Haber-Bosch process
Which of the following bacteria are able to convert soil nitrites to nitrates
Nitrosomonas
Nitrobacter
Rhizobium
Penicillium
Clostridium
Ammonium ions (NH4+) are converted to nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite ions (NO2-) through which process?
Assimilation
Denitrification
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrification
Ammonification
Which form of nitrogen is most usable by plants?
Nitrate
Nitrite
Nitrogen gas
Ammonia
Atomic nitrogen
In which stage of the nitrogen cycle do soil bacteria convert ammonium ions (NH4+) into nitrate ions (NO3-); a form of nitrogen that can be used by plants?
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrification
Assimilation
Ammonification
Denitrification
Which statement correctly describes the role of bacteria/fungi?
The bacteria/fungi convert radiant energy into chemical energy.
The bacteria/fungi directly provide a source of nutrition for animals.
The bacteria/fungi are decomposers, restoring inorganic material to the environment so elements are made available to other organisms.
The bacteria/fungi convert atmospheric nitrogen into minerals and are found in the nodules of cacti.
The bacteria/fungi consume live plants and animals.
Which of the following processes is known as ammonification (organic nitrogen to ammonia)?
Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrification
Assimilation
Decomposition
Denitrification
a gas without color or smell, that burns easily and is used as fuel. Natural gas consists mainly of this...
Carbon
Glucose
Carbonate
Methane
a chemical element found in all living things, existing in a pure state in two main forms (diamond and graphite)
Carbon
Glucose
Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
a gas breathed out by people and animals from the lungs or produced by burning carbon
Carbonate
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Glucose
a poisonous gas formed when carbon burns partly but not completely. It is produced when gas is burned in car engines.
Carbonate
Carbon
Carbon monoxide
Glucose
a simple type of sugar that is an important energy source in living things and which is a part of many carbohydrates
Reservoir
Glucose
Carbon
Carbon dioxide
a measurement of the speed at which something happens
Diffusion
Combusition
Rate
Efflux
the process by which green plants turn carbon dioxide and water into food using energy obtained from light from the sun
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Decomposition
Diffusion
a process in living organisms involving the production of energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide
Decomposition
Respiration
Diffusion
Combustion
the process of burning
Diffusion
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Combustion
fuel such as coal or oil, that was formed over millions of years from the remains of animals or plants
Fossil Fuel
Weathering
Sedimentation
Carbon monoxide
the process of leaving a layer of sediment
Weathering
Sedimentation
Flow
Biogeochemical
matter can not be created or destroyed
Law of Conservation of Matter
Decomposition
Photosynthesis
Flow
How do animals get carbon?
By eating plants and or other animals.
They absorb it from the atmosphere.
From the ground
They do not get carbon from anywhere.
What are fossil fuels made from?
Plants and animals that are buried underground for millions of years.
They absorb it from the atmosphere.
Water
Wind
What is the greatest contributor to atmospheric carbon?
burning garbage
burning biomass
transportation
household usage
What are two (2) ways to reduce the carbon emissions from passenger cars?
Use less expensive gas
Carpooling
Public Transportation
Driving only passenger cars
What is CO2?
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Trioxide
Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen
C6H12O6 is also known as glucose (sugar). Where is it found?
Plants
Animals
Both plants and animals
Neither plants or animals
Y : Predation
Y : Decomposition
Y : Nitrogen Fixation
Y : Respiration
_____ is the conversion of organic nitrogen into ammonia
Nitrogen Fixation
Ammonification
Denitrification
Assimilation
According to this diagram, plants use nitrogen to make _________________________
bacteria
animals
proteins
decomposers
According to this diagram, animals get proteins from eating ________________________
decomposers
bacteria
plants
sunlight
In the nitrogen cycle, what does label A in the diagram represent?
Gas
Clouds
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Nitrogen in the atmosphere
why do animals and plants need nitrogen?
it helps to synthesize proteins
it helps to synthesize lipids
it helps to synthesize water
it helps to synthesize glucose
What is denitrification?
Conversation of nitrite back to nitrogen gas
Conversation of ammonia back to nitrogen gas
Nitrates are poisonous to fish. What should you add more of to get rid of nitrates without having to change the water in your fish tank?
More fish
Nitrobacter bacteria
Nitrosomonas bacteria
Plants
What would happen to this nitrogen cycle if a virus killed all the bacteria?
Nitrogen would just keep on cycling
The cycle would stop
Plants would take over for the bacteria
Fish would grow more because there's no bacteria
Which cycle is shown in this diagram?
Nitrogen
Carbon
Phosphorus
Water
Oxygen
Which cycle is shown in this diagram?
Nitrogen
Carbon
Phosphorus
Water
Oxygen
Which cycle is shown in this diagram?
Nitrogen
Carbon
Phosphorus
Water
Oxygen
Which type of bacteria converts Ammonium to Nitrites and Nitrates?
Nitrifying Bacteria
Decomposers
nitrogen fixing bacteria
denitrifying bacteria
