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Unit 3: Biogeochemical Cycles Test

Total questions: 82

Worksheet time: 59mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Decomposition is found during which of the following cycles?

Choose all the apply.

a)

Phosphorus

Cycle

b)

Carbon

Cycle

c)

Nitrogen

Cycle

d)

Water Cycle

2.

Nitrogen is found in which of the following:

a)

Fats

(lipids)

b)

Nucleic Acids

(DNA + RNA)

c)

Proteins

d)

Carbohydrates

(Sugar + Starch)

3.

Which of the following is evaporation of water from plants?

a)

Precipitation

b)

Nitrification

c)

Transpiration

d)

upllift

4.

The Phosphorus cycle is important because phosphorus is contained in

(choose all that apply)

a)

sugars

b)

DNA

c)

proteins

d)

starches

e)

RNA

5.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is released in which of the following processes?

a)

photosynthesis

b)

decomposition

c)

combustion

d)

cellular respiration

6.

Animals get the carbon they need by

a)

Nitrogen fixation

b)

photosynthesis

c)

cellular respiration

d)

ingestion of plants and animals

7.

In the carbon cycle, the only process that removes CO2 from the atmosphere is

a)

combustion

b)

cellular respiration

c)

decomposition

d)

photosynthesis

8.

The main way nitrogen is removed from the atmosphere and changed into a form plants can use is

a)

Nitrogen Fixation

b)

Nitrification

c)

Ammonification

d)

Denitrification

9.

Each process in the nitrogen cycle is carried out by

a)

bacteria

b)

mice

c)

cows

d)

plants

10.

Decomposers include which of the following?

a)

plants

b)

fungi

c)

bacteria

d)

algae

11.

Ammonification is the process by which decomposers convert wastes and dead organisms into ____.

a)

ammonium

NH4+

b)

Nitrate

NO3-

c)

Nitrite

NO2-

d)

nitrogen gas

N2

12.

Denitrification is the process by which bacteria

a)

Make ammonium

NH4+

b)

Create Nitrate

NO3-

c)

Create Nitrite

NO2-

d)

Return nitrogen gas to the air

N2

13.

Nitrification is the process by which bacteria

a)

Make ammonium

NH4+

b)

Create Nitrate

NO3-

c)

Create Nitrite

NO2-

d)

Return nitrogen gas to the air

N2

14.

Biogeochemical Cycles are important because

a)

matter in an ecosystem is finite and must be recycled

b)

living things need Nitrogen, Carbon, and Phosphorus to make the building blocks of cells

c)

they aren't important and it is a waste of time learning about them

d)

If matter didn't cycle, organisms would eventually run out of materials to build new cells

15.

Plants can take in Nitrogen directly from the air.

a)

TRUE

b)

FALSE

16.

Legumes are plants like beans, clover, and alfalfa that have bacteria living in nodules on their roots. These bacteria fix nitrogen into a form the plant can use and in return the bacteria get nutrients from the plant as well as a place to live.

This relationship can be best described as ____.

a)

Competition

b)

parasitism

c)

mutualism

d)

commensalism

17.

Which of the following are true of biogeochemical cycles?

a)

They ensure that nutrients are used only once by organisms.

b)

The create new materials to replace lost ones.

c)

They increase the total amount of matter over time.

d)

They can be affected by human activity.

18.

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

a)

The atoms of water molecules are destroyed during a drought.

b)

Oxygen atoms are converted into carbon during cellular respiration.

c)

Nitrogen in wastes are converted into useable nutrients for other organisms.

d)

New carbon atoms are created during the carbon cycle.

19.

Eutrophication is caused by

a)

excess nutrients building up in the water.

b)

industrial point-source pollution.

c)

unlined landfills and septic tanks.

d)

wastewater from homes mixing with drinking water.

20.

How does eutrophication cause the death of aquatic organisms

a)

the build up of carbon dioxide in the water

b)

the lack of nitrogen in the water

c)

the lack of carbon dioxide in the water

d)

the lack of oxygen in the water

21.

The two critical nutrients in eutrophication are... (select two)

a)

nitrates

b)

phosphates

c)

carbon dioxide

d)

dissolved oxygen

22.

In eutrophication, dissolved oxygen levels decrease because

a)

bacteria use it as they decompose organic material

b)

algae uses it during photosynthesis

c)

it reacts with hydrogen to form H2O (water)

d)

fish use it up as they consume algae

23.

Which would most likely happen if too many nutrients entered an estuary?

a)

Nutrients would be used up by the fish and plants, keeping the estuary in balance.

b)

Algal blooms would lower dissolved oxygen levels, causing fish to suffocate.

c)

Algal blooms would decrease, leaving few food resources for fish.

d)

Nutrients would sink to the bottom, increasing soil deposition.

24.

Which would most likely happen if too many nutrients entered an estuary?

a)

Nutrients would be used up by the fish and plants, keeping the estuary in balance.

b)

Algal blooms would lower dissolved oxygen levels, causing fish to suffocate.

c)

Algal blooms would decrease, leaving few food resources for fish.

d)

Nutrients would sink to the bottom, increasing soil deposition.

25.

What can be a source of nitrates for eutrophication in rivers?

a)

fertilisers

b)

plastic bottles

c)

paper

d)

sewage

26.

In eutrophication, what directly causes the death of fish?

a)

The plants use up oxygen in respiration

b)

The fish are poisoned by high CO2 levels

c)

Bacteria use up oxygen in respiration

d)

The fish use up oxygen in respiration

27.

In eutrophication, what does 'algal bloom' refer to?

a)

The rapid increase in the number of bacteria

b)

The rapid increase in the number of plants

c)

The rapid decrease in the number of fish

d)

The rapid increase in the amount of nitrates in the river

28.

An increase in the amount of nutrients in a lake is known as

a)

calcification

b)

cellular respiration

c)

eutrophication

d)

photosynthesis

29.
Which of the following is not a source of nitrogen and phosphorous to a river?
a)
Fertilizers
b)
Animal waste
c)
Wastewater 
d)
Burning fossil fuels 
30.
The term "anoxic" refers to an absence of what?
a)
carbon
b)
nitrogen
c)
oxygen
d)
phosphorous 
31.
All of the carbon in existence is continually recycled in the carbon cycle
a)
True
b)
False
32.
Which of the following removes carbon from the atmosphere?
a)
Combustion
b)
Respiration
c)
Photosynthesis
d)
Death
33.
What does NOT produce carbon dioxide?
a)
Photosynthesis
b)
Burning Fossil Fuels
c)
Animal respiration
d)
Plants decaying
34.
Combustion is another word for __________.
a)
Transportation
b)
Respiration
c)
Fossil Fuels
d)
Burning
35.

Which gas do plants release, that humans depend on for survival?

a)

Water

b)

Carbon Dioxide

c)

Oxygen

d)

Sugar

36.
Respiration is the process by which animals take in _____ and release _____. 
a)
photosynthesis, air
b)
carbon, oxygen
c)
oxygen
d)
oxygen, carbon dioxide
37.
When humans burn fossil fuels, most of the carbon quickly enters the                       as carbon dioxide.
a)
Water
b)
Atmosphere
c)
Sun
d)
Air
38.

Match the following

a)
1.

Evaporation

b)
2.

Condensation

c)
3.

Precipitation

d)
4.

Transpiration

39.

How does the human body return carbon to the atmosphere in the carbon cycle?

a)

Waste products

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Cellular respiration

d)

Formation of glucose

40.

Which of the following is an example of human impact on the carbon cycle?

a)

The increased production of methane gases from cattle farms

b)

The burning of fossil fuels

c)

The cutting down of trees for lumber

d)

Driving automobiles

e)

All of the above

41.
Which is NOT a process of the water cycle?
a)
precipitation
b)
freezing
c)
transpiration
d)
evaporation
42.
These gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere causing global warming
a)
Global warming gases
b)
Hot House gases
c)
Green House gases
d)
Thermal pollution
43.
Which nutrient is not cycled through the atmosphere?
a)
carbon
b)
nitrogen
c)
phosphorous
d)
water
44.
This is released by the weathering of rocks.
a)
Carbon
b)
Oxygen
c)
Phosphorus
d)
Nitrogen
45.

What is the largest reservoir for nitrogen?

a)

the ocean

b)

rocks and minerals

c)

the atmosphere

d)

bacteria

46.

Why do living things need nitrogen?

a)

To get energy

b)

To make amino acids

c)

To make proteins

d)

To make proteins AND amino acids

47.

Excess carbon in the atmosphere can make the ocean more _______________.

a)

Acidic

b)

Basic

c)

Neutral

d)

photosynthesis

48.

Carbon is passed through the food chain as ___________ and other organic molecules.

a)

sugars

b)

starches

c)

proteins

d)

nucleic acids

49.
_____ brings phosphorous into our waterways. .
a)
precipitation
b)
runoff
c)
transpiration
d)
condensation
50.
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.
51.
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
52.

What is the carrying capacity of the graph?

a)

1000

b)

8000

c)

800

d)

600

53.

What happens if a population grows past its carrying capacity?

a)

The population keeps growing

b)

The population starts to die off

c)

The entire species will go extinct

d)

The carrying capacity just increases

54.

The largest number of individuals that an environment can support long term is...

a)

carrying capacity

b)

emigration

c)

immigration

d)

population density

55.

What is the carrying capacity of the graph?

a)

around 500

b)

more than 800

c)

less than 300

d)

around 700

56.

Number one in the phosphorus cycle is referencing?

a)

assimilation

b)

uplifting

c)

weathering

d)

sedimentation

57.

Phosphorus is stored long-term in rocks - primarily sedimentary - so one of the primary means of accessing this phosphorus is by bringing the rock to the surface via __________

a)

nitrification

b)

denitrification

c)

uplifting

d)

assimilation

58.

Number two in the phosphorus cycle is referencing?

a)

assimilation

b)

uplifting

c)

weathering

d)

sedimentation

59.

The process of plants losing water through their leaves is called ____.

a)

condensation

b)

evaporation

c)

transpiration

d)

exhaling

60.

Process by which animals obtain and digest nutrients by consuming plants or other animals.

a)

Assimilation

b)

Excretion

c)

Decomposition

d)

Respiration

61.

In the carbon, nitrogen, & phosphorus cycles, __________________ is a crucial step in transferring essential nutrients from the inorganic reservoirs (such as the soil, atmosphere etc.) to the organic components of living organisms, forming the basis of the food web and supporting life processes.

a)

decomposition

b)

hydration

c)

uplifting

d)

assimilation

62.

Most of the earth's surface is covered with

a)

land.

b)

polar ice.

c)

salt water.

d)

fresh water.

63.

Groundwater is an important source of drinking water especially in Florida. The water is found in an underground reservoir called a /an

a)

aquifer.

b)

hydrofer.

c)

tide pool.

d)

riparian zone.

64.

What percent of the earth is covered by water?

a)

20%

b)

50%

c)

70%

d)

85%

65.

Where is most of the Earth’s freshwater located?

a)

in lakes

b)

in rivers

c)

in oceans

d)

in glaciers

66.

About 3% of the water on Earth is freshwater. Only about 40% of that freshwater is available for human use. Why is so much freshwater unavailable for human use?

a)

It is frozen.

b)

It is polluted.

c)

It is salt water.

d)

It is in aquifers.

67.

Three percent of the water on Earth is freshwater. Less than 0.5% of all the freshwater on Earth is found

a)

underground.

b)

in aquifers.

c)

in rivers and lakes.

d)

frozen, in ice caps and glaciers.

68.

This is a picture of a large sheet of ice that moves very slowly across the land. This sheet of ice covers the land and is only found where temperatures are extremely cold. What is this large sheet of ice called?

a)

glacier

b)

lake

c)

pond

d)

sea

69.

What is groundwater?

a)

water that fills space between rocks of Earth

b)

water found within a lake or pond

c)

water that is evaporated from the surface of Earth

d)

water that is found in the ocean

70.

Rivers are

a)

Freshwater

b)

Saltwater

71.

Salinity is the amount of salt in a body of water.

a)

True

b)

False

72.

The graph above shows the chemicals and/or pollutants that are polluting our groundwater. Use this graph above to answer the following question. As the United States' population continues to grow, what is likely to be the greatest threat to our groundwater?

a)

Fertilizer (nitrates)

b)

Sewage

c)

Chemical spills from petroleum

d)

Salinity (salt)

73.
What is the first step in the water treatment process?
a)
coagulation
b)
filtration
c)
flocs
d)
concentation
74.

The following are the PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS of wastewater, EXCEPT

a)

Turbidity

b)

Total Dissolved Solids

c)

Color

d)

Alkalinity

75.

In waste-water treatment, generally the Flotation method is used for the separation of solid particles that are:

a)

heavier than water

b)

only green in color

c)

only black in color

d)

lighter than water

76.

 A well oxidized sewage contains nitrogen mainly as:

a)

Nitrates

b)

Nitrites

c)

Free ammonia

d)

None of these

77.

second step in sewage treatment

a)

screening

b)

grit settlement

c)

primary sedimentation

d)

use of aerobic bacteria

78.

fourth step in sewage treatment

a)

screening

b)

grit settlement

c)

primary sedimentation

d)

use of aerobic bacteria

79.

What is a sewage treatment plant?

a)

The place where water is cleaned, filtered and tested before re-entering the water cycle.

b)

The place where water is cleaned, filtered and tested before going to our houses.

c)

The network of pipes that carry sewage (dirty water) from our houses.

d)

The place where water is bottled for drinking.

80.
A factory is located next to a river.  The factory has a sewage pipe running straight out of the factory and into the river.  This is an example of ________________________.
a)
point source pollution
b)
non-point pollution
c)
tertiary receiving stream
d)
primary treatment
81.
pollutants entering waterways from a general area, such as runoff from farmland or suburban communities
a)
Pollution
b)
Point Source Pollution
c)
Non-point Source Pollution
d)
Turbidity
82.

What should you NEVER EVER flush down a toilet or sink?
(Choose all that apply)

a)

Grease/cooking oil

b)

Condoms

c)

Flushable wipes

d)

Tampons/Pads (Feminine hygiene products)

e)

Toothpaste with fluoride

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